New Desktop PC .. off the shelf or bespoke ?

WLM21

I have been using my current desktop PC since 2001, but I really think it's time to move on now.

It was actually built for me by a local company who supplied computers to my employer. It was about £900 but has obviously lasted well. It's had a few repairs since (done by the same company who built it) but basically it's the same computer as when first purchased.

The company is still operating.

Should I just go back and ask them to build be a new one, or are there now reasonable purpose made PC's online.

I don't play games, but watching TV would maybe be a possibility with a decent computer. This one, even with the Youtube screen reduced in size, the picture is jerky. Adobe flash will no longer upgrade on the machine.

I do have a flat screen monitor, but I may opt for a bigger screen with a new PC.

Currently I have Windows XP, although I can't remember if this was installed in 2001 or at a later date, perhaps during a repair / upgrade.

As an after-thought .. are Apple computers reeally that much better. I am only used to Windows machines, but have used Apple ones during a few computer courses.

thank you

John_Gray

I'd buy a good, fairly recent, second-hand business-quality PC, like a Dell Optiplex. The charity I work at gets them from MicroDream*, which always has a good selection, with Windows 7 installed.

Bit like buying a recent second-hand car - all the hefty initial costs have mostly gone.

* other fine sellers of second-hand PCs are available!

Cisco001

Depends on how much your local shop charging u...

You can go to dell outlet business section. They are good value with 3 year warranty.

Or you could ask your local shop to custom build. Post their price and components here and we can tell if is good quality and good value for money

Cycrow

Theres no need to spend alot of money just for watching videos. Even the basic gpus are capable of displaying 1080 videos without issue. Also the screen size makes no different to the speed a video can be displayed, it all comes down to the size of the source video. Of course for stream videos, your internet connection can also have an effect

fred246

I always imagine a friend coming to my house with his brand new Volkswagen Golf. Nice car. Drives well. Built well. Can't criticise it. Then he says I paid £40K for it. "£40k for a Golf I say", I thought they were less than that. "You only get what you pay for", he replies. Buying an Apple is like that. There's nothing wrong with them. Just far too expensive for what they are.

Double_V

You can never go wrong with Optiplex. Best Dell range ever.

Stoke

Ever consider building one yourself? It's bloody easy. I did it as a business at 13!

Robisere

Take a look here: http://www.pcspecialist.co.uk/

They will build exactly what you need. It would be advantageous to know what you actually use a computer for. Heavy Gaming, Social sites, photography, what are your computing interests? It makes no sense to buy a tremendously powerful PC if you don't have heavy, resource-hogging requirements.

General_query

I personally (and highly) recommend these people!

http://www.chillblast.com/

Do award winning desktop PC's from £350 upwards.

Delighted with my 5 year old PC, only problem I've had is a loose USB slot on the front of the machine but there are lots more!

:A

Herzlos

If it's just for youtube, then any off-the-shelf PC will handle it fine and should outperform your 14 year old machine without issues.

If it were me, I'd find the cheapest new machine that still has Windows 7 on it and use that. I used to custom build but I'm happy with my £250 Zoostorm desktop now, except when it comes to gaming.

sarahdon09

I would say custom built if you can. I've found by visiting all the shops that compete with each other on Tottenham Court Road - If you're (un)lucky enough to live in London - you can normally get quotes and play them off against each other.

I had a powerful desktop built for just under £300 2 years ago and its still rated highly today by Microsoft. Would have been worth double off the shelf.