Time to upgrade

ThemeOne

In that case I think grizzly1911's advice to take a look at John Lewis might be worth following. I've not used them myself, but know a few people who say they've been helpful.

You could certainly have wireless mouse and keyboard - I can't say my experience of them have been overwhelmingly positive (dropped connections etc) but I expect they're improving all the time.

Jivesinger

badger09 wrote: »

Is Windows 8 only really any good with a touch screen?

It's kind of the other way round.

If you have or buy a laptop or tablet with a Touch screen, then I believe Windows 8 will be much better than Windows 7. Loads of people buy tablets these days so Microsoft added a bunch of features to their operating system so they could attempt to get into that market (perhaps not 100% successfully).

If you have a laptop or desktop without a touch screen, Windows 8 will work just fine. There are a few places where the changes for touch screens get in the way a little, but it's easy enough to work around them or you can use software and make tweaks as suggested here:
https://forums.moneysavingexpert.com/discussion/4323561

So yes buy Windows 8 if you have or want a touch screen device, but the reverse doesn't apply; you don't need to buy a touch screen just because you want to use Windows 8.

closed

Cycrow wrote: »

blue screen errors are generally caused by hardware problems or driver errors.

software by themselves can not cause a blue screen error.

Software can and does cause bsod's

The last time the op had blue screens, it was cause by installing rapport, which is software, as are drivers.

badger, if you have rapport installed, uninstall it, along with defender

rmg1

badger09 wrote: »

Thanks for all the replies so far. Had another Blue Screen this morning - different message to those in June & July so definitely going to replace it.

@ ThemeOne NiftyDigits and rmg1
I know that's the most cost effective way, but I'm not confident I could select all the components and put them all together. My DELL came with idiot proof instructions but now I'd rather buy something I can just 'plug in and go'. Better for my blood pressure;)

@ Cisco001
I'd rejected a laptop as I thought they were more expensive than equivalent PCs, but that Lenovo looks interesting and a good price
http://www.saveonlaptops.co.uk/Lenovo_ideapad_Z500_Touch_1357423.html

I don't 'need' touchscreen, just assumed Windows 8 was better with one

Presumably I could use a wireless mouse (as I'm not keen on trackpads)

Anyone any negative - or other comments?

I thought exactly the same thing before I did mine.
However, I got some very helpful comments on here and even a list of parts that would go together.
Taking my time (and taking scredriver away from small child occasionally)I put it all together and had it up and running in no time.
The good news is, the parts only (I found) only go into one slot so you can't get them wrong.
My parts list is probably higher spec than what you need but it would give you a rough idea of what's available.

Cycrow

closed wrote: »

Software can and does cause bsod's

The last time the op had blue screens, it was cause by installing rapport, which is software, as are drivers.

if it uses some OS level drivers, then its possible, but normal software doesn't, and cant cause a blue screen error on its own

Cisco001

It is not difficult for us to recommend components and you put it together yourself.
However, the cost saving usually for high end gaming machine. for general use home PC, you would usually find it cheaper to just buy one from shelf.
You would get better quality component, but you need to know how to fix it if anything goes wrong.

NiftyDigits

badger09 wrote: »

Thanks for all the replies so far. Had another Blue Screen this morning - different message to those in June & July so definitely going to replace it.

@ ThemeOne NiftyDigits and rmg1
I know that's the most cost effective way, but I'm not confident I could select all the components and put them all together. My DELL came with idiot proof instructions but now I'd rather buy something I can just 'plug in and go'. Better for my blood pressure;)

@ Cisco001
I'd rejected a laptop as I thought they were more expensive than equivalent PCs, but that Lenovo looks interesting and a good price
http://www.saveonlaptops.co.uk/Lenovo_ideapad_Z500_Touch_1357423.html

I don't 'need' touchscreen, just assumed Windows 8 was better with one

Presumably I could use a wireless mouse (as I'm not keen on trackpads)

Anyone any negative - or other comments?

Buying the ZooStorm does not entail you having to put a machine together. But if you aren't able to overcome simple hurdles, you will be forever sending your machine back to the manufacturer.
Your old machine may be problematic, but with a new machine it will be simply a matter of following straightforward instructions.

But if you insist of having everything done for you, then your choices will include brands such as Compaq/HP or perhaps a company such as NovaTech or Aria who will put the thing together for you, according to your specification.

Cisco001

NiftyDigits wrote: »

You keep pushing this story, but I'm still using a more than four year old Dual Core Celeron and have a similar pattern of usage to the OP.
It's not unlike advising that someone should buy a seven seater people carrier, just in case they should decide to start a family in a few years time.

I agree with ThemeOne, buy what you need for now and the foreseeable future. The money that you save now will buy a much higher spec computer in four years time.

Personally, I prefer this Celeron based tower from ZooStorm as compared to the AMD. £159.99. £20 to £30 on a Graphics card and that will do nicely for the next five years.

I don't decline any modern desktop can work.
But since he prepare to spend £600-700, that is nothing wrong of getting a faster mid-range machine.

IMO, I would rather spend £380 on A10 with 8GB RAM, 2TB HDD than spend spending £240 (tower + OS)on intel celeron with 4GB RAM, 320GB HDD . 320GB HDD isn't big enough IMO. So another £50 to get a HDD

By the way, when you talk about people carrier and family car, that is exactly what my dad did...
Me and my mum keep saying he doesn't need that as it would usually be 3 of us. But my dad keep saying what if my grandpa/ grandma/ uncle/ auntie, etc need a lift.....And he got himself a 7 seater at the end.

NiftyDigits

Cisco001 wrote: »

I don't decline any modern desktop can work.
But since he prepare to spend a healthy budget of £600-700, that is nothing wrong of getting a faster mid-range machine.

IMO, I would rather spend £400 on A10 with 8GB RAM, 2TB HDD than spend spending £240 on intel celeron with 4GB RAM, 320GB HDD (tower + OS). 320GB HDD isn't big enough IMO. So another £50 to get a HDD

By the way, when you talk about people carrier and family car, that is exactly what my dad did...
Me and my mum keep saying he doesn't need that as it would usually be 3 of us. But my dad keep saying what if my grandpa/ grandma/ uncle/ auntie, etc need a lift.....And he got himself a 7 seater at the end.

Again a fair amount of conjecture. I have an existing licence, so I would be paying £180 inclusive of the Graphics card, if I chose that route.
I may have donated the £15 Windows 8 licence that I haven't utilised to the OP. So £180 to the OP too. 320GB is too little for whom?? For you.

I wouldn't pay £400 because I don't need that kind of machine.
But even with your argument, the OP could take the cheaper AMD machine with a 500GB HDD. It would still cover the simple tasks. But I prefer the superior processor of the Celeron based model.

Alternatively one could pick up a ZooStorm base unit with Windows 8 installed for £190.94 or something from DELL Outlet. Towers there from less than £215.

ThemeOne

That refurbished ZooStorm with Windows 8 looks great value.