Desktop for £200 - £250

jonathan_1983

Hi everyone, advice would be appreciated on the following...

Looking to replace current desktop but hoping not too spend too much. The desktop would be mainly used for the internet, be able to play Football Manager and Command and Conquer (Yes I still enjoy it!) and general use like Word, PP etc.

Any recommendations? I've had a look on Ebuyer, is that the best bet for value for money?

Thanks

jonathan_1983

What about this? Is it a fair spec for the price?

http://www.ebuyer.com/570077-zoostorm-desktop-pc-7873-1202

rmg1

The only downside I can see to that machine is no operating system.
If you wanted windows, you'd have to get it separately.

I'm sure someone else will be along at some point to point a better/cheaper machine.

jonathan_1983

Thanks for the reply. I have Windows 7 on disc at home so it should be ok.

forgotmyname

Depends how long ago you installed / updated it.

Windows will only activate on one PC. You will need to contact MS to get them to give you a new code or allow it to install onto this PC.

G42

Try Envisage Solutions for a good selection as well. I bought my last one there not long ago and am pleased with it.

http://www.envizage.com/categorylist/computers/

A.Penny.Saved

Whether your windows is Oem or retail will make a difference to where you can use it. If it's oem then I think that you can only use it on the PC that it was purchased with. It's not the dvd, it's the license that is the issue.

If it's a retail copy with a regular license then you could transfer it to any other PC providing it is only used on the one PC.

It would save a lot if you don't need to include an OS, the money could go to getting better hardware. Otherwise your going to get an utterly crap PC for that type of money with Windows included.

Therefore, first of all work out whether you need to pay for windows or whether you can use a current license.

Deru

Has anyone actually had a good experience with ZooStorm? I know someone who's got one and its been nothing but trouble. First faulty RAM, then the onboard graphics card went funny. Then the WD HDD had bad sectors (can blame Western Digital for that one). And we're talking an i7 high end ZooStorm machine that came with Win7 (I'm the one the guy calls on for IT help). It did have an Asus Motherboard but must be the most basic one.

In terms of a replacement desktop, are you happy to go 2nd hand if your budget is small?

It sounds like your requirements aren't high in terms of processing power. I assume Football manager doesn't require much in terms of graphics capabilities.

How about something like

http://www.blackbarncomputers.com/ViewItem.asp?productID=411

Or is a full 1 year warranty important to you? Refurbs come with less. 4 months from them.

Sometimes, I find buying used / refurb is much better value as these things depreciate so much and so quickly these days.

ThemeOne

Deru wrote: »

Has anyone actually had a good experience with ZooStorm?

Yes. I bought the cheapest model from ebuyer about a month ago, and have been very pleased with it. I know someone else who got one of the higher spec ones for his son, and they were also happy with it.

The only thing I found with mine was the default fan setting was very noisy, but discovered that can be toned down in the BIOS settings.

accyuklad

zoostorm aren't brill computers

chunter

Horses for courses as far as Zoostorm goes. It's the very low end of the price range so expect a few problems.
I have had problems with all Zoostorms I've purchased. First thing you do is take the PSU out and throw it in the bin. It's worse than useless and could theoretically damage other components. I have no idea why they continue to ship them with their 300w when it's clearly rubbish. They know it. Everyone knows it. I also have had faulty RAM.

As far as the Windows 7 is concerned, make sure it's the 64-bit version. Putting the 32-bit version of Windows on a new computer is almost criminal.
It'd be like shipping Vista laptops with 512kb of RAM (or even 1gb) - oh yes they did!