new desktop computer

securityguy

Saint_Chris wrote: »

we already have a monitor.

But if it's also ten years old, it could well be VGA-only, and there's no guarantee that a machine bought today would have a VGA port. Some laptops still have VGA ports, because of the corporate need to drive projectors, but most equipment today will be HDMI or DVI-D. Connecting a computing with a DVI or HDMI output to a VGA monitor requires more than a cable with a different connector at each end.

NiftyDigits

securityguy wrote: »

Are you sure? I tried precisely this a couple of days ago (purchase Windows 8 for twenty five quid, then install it into an empty VM) and although it installed, it refused to activate. I had to install Windows 7, for which I have a license, into the VM first, and then upgrade it using the Windows 8 media and key. Googling around says that the installation of the upgrade kit requires that there be some Windows <8 entrails on the machine. There's some messing around possible using regedit to make things work, but apparently that doesn't always work.

I'm sure. I'm not going to list the many ways, but needless to say it can be done relatively simply.

Jivesinger

Just to give another alternative to the original question - would you consider a refurbished computer?

Dell Outlet currently have a refurbished Inspiron 660 that looks reasonable (although the price you see originally is flattered by not including VAT). It's got less memory than the ASDA one in the original post but is cheaper.

It seems there's an offer on free delivery at the moment too.
http://outlet.euro.dell.com/Online/InventorySearch.aspx?brandid=1&c=uk&cs=ukdfh1&l=en&s=dfh

securityguy

NiftyDigits wrote: »

I'm sure. I'm not going to list the many ways, but needless to say it can be done relatively simply.

In which case, "The upgrade will work and activate on the computer regardless.Technical knowhow to install an OS? What are you talking?" isn't right, is it? It won't install and activate "regardless", because there's stuff that has to be done which requires "technical knowhow".

ukcarper

This looks ok on Ebuyer


http://www.ebuyer.com/395477-acer-aspire-xc-desktop-dt-sljek-027

-TangleFoot-

ukcarper wrote: »

This looks ok

It's adequate, but you could easily save £90 by buying the aforementioned £150 Zoostorm and installing Ubuntu.

Either way, they both have the requisite analogue output for connection to an older monitor:

• Acer
• Zoostorm

NiftyDigits

securityguy wrote: »

In which case, "The upgrade will work and activate on the computer regardless.Technical knowhow to install an OS? What are you talking?" isn't right, is it? It won't install and activate "regardless", because there's stuff that has to be done which requires "technical knowhow".

Sorry, but this is pure nonsense. It will require exactly the same 'know how' to install any OS on a blank disc as it will to install the Windows 8 Upgrade.
If 'technical knowhow' is someone telling you to run the install twice, then it's 'technical knowhow'.
The fact is that anyone can get it up and running on a blank HDD.

NiftyDigits

Jivesinger wrote: »

Just to give another alternative to the original question - would you consider a refurbished computer?

Dell Outlet currently have a refurbished Inspiron 660 that looks reasonable (although the price you see originally is flattered by not including VAT). It's got less memory than the ASDA one in the original post but is cheaper.

It seems there's an offer on free delivery at the moment too.
http://outlet.euro.dell.com/Online/InventorySearch.aspx?brandid=1&c=uk&cs=ukdfh1&l=en&s=dfh

That is good enough at £203.62. Also has a built in Wireless card.

closed

if you're only buying because it's slow, check the cost of a ram upgrade from the existing 256MB http://www.crucial.com/uk/ , and follow this https://forums.moneysavingexpert.com/discussion/2436849 10 year old pc's are capable of youtube, and holiday bookings.

grumpycrab

securityguy wrote: »

Are you sure? I tried precisely this a couple of days ago (purchase Windows 8 for twenty five quid, then install it into an empty VM) and although it installed, it refused to activate...

Somebody may have already said this but if you THEN did an upgrade install of Win8Pro (yes, the same thing) it woud have activated.