New desktop needed - any advices??

richwhit

Hi all,

I'm afraid I'm no computer expert and having bought a 'refurbed' desktop off ebay recently (in hindsight a mistake as no sound, RAM card not working) and today it's not detecting the keyboard.

So need a new desktop - that works! - pretty quickly as my wife is reliant on the computer for her work. All I need is a computer that is easy to set up and just has the basics - internet, email, word and excel. We don't use it for any games, watching movies, linking it to tv's, etc; just the basics.

I don't want to go to PC World as i'm guessing I could get a lot better elsewhere. Would really appreciate anyones advices who computer savvy to point me in the right direction. Is eBuyer a good place to start? Dell? or is PC World perhaps teh best option for me??

Many thanks in advance,

Richard

-TangleFoot-

richwhit wrote: »

All I need is a computer that is easy to set up and just has the basics - internet, email, word and excel.

Microsoft removed the second one from Windows 7 and the other two were never considered to be among 'the basics' to begin with. These look like pretty good deals, though you'll need to buy and install the necessary software yourself.

There's also the likes of Libre Office to consider.

The_Blade

Hi Richard,

I have just sourced a new PC tower from a company called Vibox who trade on E-bay. They seem to offer very competatively priced PC's with free delivery.

I'm guessing you only need the tower from the info on your post. They seem to be a well respected company based on their feedback and you will have a bit more peace of mind than compared with buying from a private individual on E-bay. You get a 12 month warranty. You can spec up your own PC to suit your needs or they have a range already available.

I reckon I saved about £150-£200 on the PC I bought from them as opposed to going to PC World etc. I also looked at E-buyer and found they were also beaten on price by Vibox.

Good luck!

richwhit

Many thanks Tanglefoot.

Now this is how computer 'unsavvy' I am!! If it comes with no OS I'm assuming I need to buy a Windows disk or something so I can get internet, email and Word, Excel - correct?? If so how much does this cost and is it easy to install?

Being un-techy would I be better off buying a desktop that already has an OS system installed??

Thanks, richard

Figment

I'm afraid I'm no computer expert and having bought a 'refurbed' desktop off ebay recently (in hindsight a mistake as no sound, RAM card not working) and today it's not detecting the keyboard.

You don't say which version of Windows, but check in the Device Manager to see if there's anything with a red X or yellow triangle against it.

How do you know the RAM isn't working?

Is it a wireless keyboard? Checked the batteries?

Figment

richwhit wrote: »

Many thanks Tanglefoot.

Now this is how computer 'unsavvy' I am!! If it comes with no OS I'm assuming I need to buy a Windows disk or something so I can get internet, email and Word, Excel - correct?? If so how much does this cost and is it easy to install?

Being un-techy would I be better off buying a desktop that already has an OS system installed??

Thanks, richard

Unless you purchase a custom built machine, the OS will be pre-installed. Word and Excel are part of Microsoft Office and would need to be purchased and installed separately (or you can use one of the free alternatives)

FrugalFriend

I'd suggest this and install Ubuntu or Linux Mint on it: http://www.ebuyer.com/344621-zoostorm-pentium-sandybridge-no-os-desktop-7873-1056

Download Linux Mint here: http://linuxmint.com/ or Ubuntu here: http://www.ubuntu.com/download

They both come with a complete office suite free - LibreOffice.

richwhit

Thanks for the advices guys.

Regards my current 'refurbed' desktop I bought - afraid no end of problems. The guy I bought it off tried to explain to me why the 'ram card' wasn't working and advised me to open up the computer and blow away any dust and put the card back in? tried it and not sure if it's now 'correct'. Never had any sound out of the machine (bought a 'cheap' sound card to no avail) and today when I boot up the computer it does not detect my 'wired' keyboard (have tried two different ones) so have given up on the desktop I currently have - am sure its 'repairable' but not by someone like me.

I know I can buy a cheap PCU unit off ebay but I'm worried that I'm not techy enough to be able to install Linux and the other recommended install and that the Office software I need will not be the same as the Windows Exel and Word (versions 7 that I;m familiar with).

So ..... really just after something that has an OS system installed, and Word and Excel. Thinking a package (PCU keyboard and monitor) thats an easy set up.

Really sorry for my ignorance - 41 year old man and should be better clued up on computers!

Richard

-TangleFoot-

FrugalFriend wrote: »

install Ubuntu or Linux Mint on it

Good idea - provided your work doesn't rely on software that is only available for Windows.

FrugalFriend

richwhit wrote: »

Thanks for the advices guys.
I know I can buy a cheap PCU unit off ebay but I'm worried that I'm not techy enough to be able to install Linux and the other recommended install and that the Office software I need will not be the same as the Windows Exel and Word (versions 7 that I;m familiar with) .... Richard

If you can burn a CD then you can install Ubuntu. In fact its much easier, and faster, to install then Windows. Also the Libreoffice software is compatible with MS Office. You can save documents in MS file formats (.doc) if you want, and you can open the new .docx (Office 2010) files too. More here: http://www.libreoffice.org/

Here's an install guide for Ubuntu: http://www.ubuntu.com/download/help/install-ubuntu-desktop

robmar0se

You only need a basic system for what you want to do. Here are a couple of examples of complete systems, the first from Argos ebay outlet, the second from Curry's - both have 12 months warranty. In both cases you would need to either buy MS Office, or one of the free "look-alikes", and install.

With this version MS Office, you buy the license for about £80 and download; buy from here: http://www.amazon.co.uk/dp/B0039L31JY/ref=asc_df_B0039L31JY7954735?smid=A3P5ROKL5A1OLE&!!!!!googlecouk06-21&linkCode=asn&creative=22206&creativeASIN=B0039L31JY


http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/MEDION-P3-DESKTOP-AND-19IN-MONITOR-/350564390945?pt=UK_Computing_DesktopPCs&hash=item519f441821

http://www.currys.co.uk/gbuk/packard-bell-imedia-d3527-refurbished-desktop-pc-11290825-pdt.html