new desktop computer

elektra

closed wrote: »

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.

Jivesinger wrote: »

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

I'll second either of the above approaches. I have a 7 yr old PC with a low spec still capable of doing what OP wants.

Re refurbished - do you have a small independent store near you ?
Examples from mine

Complete 2nd User ex- corporate systems
Pentium 2.4Ghz, 40 - 80gb HDD, 512mb - 1gb ram- CDRom - 15-17" Flat Screen - Keyboard and Mouse. Reloaded with Windows XP and ready to work from only £ 99.00

The Slimline Dell GX270 ex- corporate base unit.
Not a games PC, but a good reliable work station,
Ideal home or office starter PC, Pentium 2.4Ghz, 40 - 80gb hdd, 512mb - 1gb ram and CD Rom. Windows XP From £ 59.00

2nd user Laptops, ideal for the kids homework.
Usually branded laptops, i.e. Toshiba, Hewlett Packard etc., All refurbished and tested, reloaded with Windows and ready to run, from only £ 125.00

Saint_Chris

thanks for those replies, there is a computer shop near to us, so i'm going to go into them tomorrow and see what they say.

elektra

I meant to add that buying refurbished would also mean that you could avoid Windows 8 which you are likely to get if bought new.

NiftyDigits

Saint_Chris wrote: »

thanks for those replies, there is a computer shop near to us, so i'm going to go into them tomorrow and see what they say.

Don't do it. You are liable to end up with an old piece of junk.
Buy an old XP machine now and the OS will no longer be supported next year.
Best to stick with the options suggested here. Refurb your old machine or buy online.

Jivesinger

NiftyDigits wrote: »

Buy an old XP machine now and the OS will no longer be supported next year.

Just to add to that, XP is apparently significantly less secure than Vista and later versions of Windows.
http://www.edbott.com/weblog/2013/01/windows-xp-is-past-its-security-expiration-date/

When I was suggesting refurbished I was thinking "nearly new rather than new" machines, not computers that are a few years old.

Just_Passing_Bi

NiftyDigits wrote: »

Buy an old XP machine now and the OS will no longer be supported next year

Didn't know this, one of my laptop's has XP OS, will I need to upgrade?

Saint_Chris

hubby has just called in currys on his way home from work for a look.

and the guy has recommended this to him...................

http://www.currys.co.uk/gbuk/compaq-cq2960ea-desktop-pc-17392836-pdt.html

Ok i will stay away from the computer shop,

would my 10 year old hp computer work quicker with more memory and just that to be added to it, or would i then have to start adding other stuff.

thank you for your help, as i'm very much not technical,

thanks

NiftyDigits

Jivesinger wrote: »

Just to add to that, XP is apparently significantly less secure than Vista and later versions of Windows.
http://www.edbott.com/weblog/2013/01/windows-xp-is-past-its-security-expiration-date/

When I was suggesting refurbished I was thinking "nearly new rather than new" machines, not computers that are a few years old.

Shame that they didn't go for the DELL at £204. The pre-installed OS and wireless card would have made life easier for them.

NiftyDigits

Just_Passing_Bi wrote: »

Didn't know this, one of my laptop's has XP OS, will I need to upgrade?

Depends on whether you can afford it. The OS will be less secure, but you can still use it.

NiftyDigits

Saint_Chris wrote: »

hubby has just called in currys on his way home from work for a look.

and the guy has recommended this to him...................

http://www.currys.co.uk/gbuk/compaq-cq2960ea-desktop-pc-17392836-pdt.html

Ok i will stay away from the computer shop,

would my 10 year old hp computer work quicker with more memory and just that to be added to it, or would i then have to start adding other stuff.

thank you for your help, as i'm very much not technical,

thanks

What happened to your budget? What is the full model number of the old HP?