Help !!! Choosing New Computer

codo

Hi All

Please any advise very welcome. My brain is frazzled from looking for a new computer for family. We have three kids who like playing games, surfing the net, downloading music (a small amount). Our old reliable computer (7 years old now with window me) is no longer upto lots of things kids want to use ie. newer games and itunes.

We tend to buy a computer and use it until its on its last legs, so I am happy to buy high spec which will last for a few years. I have been looking at three below but dont know what type dual core or graphics cards we would need.

http://www.pcworld.co.uk/martprd/product/seo/387563

http://www1.euro.dell.com/content/products/productdetails.aspx/inspndt_531?c=uk&cs=ukdhs1&l=en&s=dhs

http://www.aldi.co.uk/ (MD 8824) sorry cant get link to exact page

If you have any other recommendations please advise.

Thanks

oldagetraveller

Try http://www.pcspecialist.co.uk
Build to order so delivery is a bit prolonged. However, well worth the wait. A small U.K. based (Holmfirth, Yorkshire)company. 0845 lifetime tech. support also based where they build them. Very knowledgeable and helpful. I've had one of their P Cs for 16 months now with an initial card reader problem, they sent a replacement for the following day and talked through it's installation calmly and patiently over the 'phone. Since then had no problems whatsoever. Don't be put off by the fact they are only a small indeoendent concern either.
So as far as I'm concerned the "big" boys can get lost when I next need a PC!
You can also speak to them or e-mail and they'll advise a suitable system for your requirements.

colin79666

I wouldn't bother paying for a "quad core" system. Frankly very few apps make much use of dual core let along quad core.

Here's my recommendation of specs to look for:
Core 2 Duo (just about any), 2GB ram, 250GB hard drive or bigger, Nvida 7600GT or better graphics, DVD Rewriter, Memory card reader (handy if you have digi cam)

As you tend to keep your PC for years you may wish to consider something with non proprietary parts with some upgrade potential. Evesham aren't the cheapest but their support is top notch UK based and with systems tend to win in the reliability stakes.
You can get this from evesham for £699 http://www.evesham.com/products/info.asp?e=7E3B0C1E-9C63-46D2-9702-C3CD87BBDFA6
which has a better warrenty as standard over the PC World system.

Ramz_3

http://www.meshcomputers.com/Default.aspx?PAGE=PRODUCTCONFIGPAGE&USG=PRODUCT&ENT=PRODUCT&KEY=221595

some people may say bad things about mesh, but i like them...

mjr600

I would normally suggest a Dell first but given the deal on the all in one Tchibo branded PC on this forum...

http://forums.moneysavingexpert.com/showthread.html?t=512886

at £300 you might wish to track one down from a Sainsbury, it is a great deal with combined digital TV and it will play most games currently available. It will be less upgradeable than a Dell and if you can't find one then the below Dell is a great deal with a 20" widescreen monitor, alter the warranty to 1 year to reduce the price to £353 and buy it through Quidco for a further 4.5% cashback making it £337 and a very nice PC at that price.

http://configure.euro.dell.com/dellstore/config.aspx?c=uk&cs=ukdhs1&l=en&oc=D07502

BillScarab

I got my last PC from https://www.komplett.co.uk and am very pleased with it. You can customise it to get exactly what you want.

What sort of games do your kids want to play? If they're playing modern games you'll need a good graphics card. If you can stretch to it a Nvidia 8800 GTS 320Mb would be good as they are DX10 cards so as future proof as these things can be, but they are pricey. Of the older cards a Radeon X1950Xt would be a good choice.

Lady_K

mjr600 wrote: »

The below Dell is a great deal with a 20" widescreen monitor, alter the warranty to 1 year to reduce the price to £353 and buy it through Quidco for a further 4.5% cashback making it £337 and a very nice PC at that price.

http://configure.euro.dell.com/dellstore/config.aspx?c=uk&cs=ukdhs1&l=en&oc=D07502

I looked at that and from what I can see you cant reduce the warranty to any lower its already on 1 yr return to base unless I'm doing something wrong?

mjr600

http://configure.euro.dell.com/dellstore/config.aspx?c=uk&cs=ukdhs1&l=en&oc=D07502

Page 3

Protect My Dell

Hardware Support

Click the 1st box 1 Year base Warranty

Voila

codo

Thanks to everyone

I will check all the various website mentioned and see what I can get.

The customised ones look good at least then I can get exactly what I need.

Thanks Again

colin79666

Just to update. Evesham seem to be in a little financial difficulty just now but they are still taking orders (cc only). If you decide to go with them you should be OK but if the worst happens your cc company have a legal duty reimburse you.