New computer - where to look?

ali99

Hello

I'm sure this question has been asked before but I can't seem to do a search at the moment so please forgive me for asking again! My parents want a new computer and are getting in a state because there is so much choice. Does anyone have any advice I can offer them? They want to be able to email and access the internet, they use microsoft office and they store all their photos and tons of church documents on the hard drive. So they don't need anything too fancy, just something reliable. They would probably need a company to come and set it all up for them and someone they can call if they have a problem. Where do you think they should look, what kind of spec should they look at for what kind of price?
Any advice would be great, thank you
Ali

coolagarry

Obviously the first thing they need to decide is Laptop of Desktop.
Having decided that I suggest that they go to a local pc shop because it sounds as though they are going to need plenty of back-up and assistance should something to wrong.
With my first PC I had the wiring colour coded to the sockets on the back of the base unit if I had any problems I just disconnected everything and took back to the local shop I had bought it from. They should get what they need for about £500.

penrhyn

Bit of a mine field is PC buying, if you are thinking of getting a Dell this site sorts out all their current offers so you don't have to!

http://www.dmxdimension.com/

I recently got this one which I'm very happy with, I'm just a casual net surfer, and I edit the odd video.

http://configure.euro.dell.com/dellstore/config.aspx?c=uk&cs=ukdhs1&l=en&oc=d115110&dgc=AF&cid=5212&lid=122756

Didn't need a screen so I deleted it but added a firewire card for the Video editing.

sleep2much

I'd go to pcworld online site and click on "clearance" at the bottom left, you can get a good computer on there for a fair price.

ali99

thanks for all the replies. It is a desktop they are looking for. They have been to a local PC shop which had only one PC in stock! I have looked on the dell site and found they could have the basic inspiron model delivered for £489 which I think sounds good but then I read some bad reviews of dell when I googled them! PCworld would seem the easiest but they have a bewildering range and the clearance ones are all reconditioned and they don't trust them! Plus I always have the feeling they won't offer the best deal, but that is probably false and just through some old past experiences with them. At least if they go into PCWorld they can see them all set up to get an idea of what they like. What brand should they look for? Acer? Hewlett Packard?
Thanks for any help
Ali

Markyt

Scan - www.scan.co.uk
or Spot On Computers - http://www.spotonuk.com/

penrhyn

If it were me going to PC World (unlikely!). I'd be looking at HP/Compac, or Sony.
Regarding Dell, we always used them at work for test and office applications and they just keep on going.
If you watch TV just check who's PCs are being used wherever they are they are usually Dell.

onthemend

Hi

Definately get a Dell - Ive had dell's for over 12 years at work and home, never had any problems.

LNieuwhof

Dell...go to them online..

sleep2much

If they only want basic function and are not going to be playing the latest 3d games aimed at parents, then why not consider a laptop, with prices falling they are worth a thought, I bought a dell laptop a few years ago and it's still going strong (apart from some of the keys, that flew accross the room like fleas never to fit again).

ali99

sleep2much wrote: »

If they only want basic function and are not going to be playing the latest 3d games aimed at parents, then why not consider a laptop, with prices falling they are worth a thought, I bought a dell laptop a few years ago and it's still going strong (apart from some of the keys, that flew accross the room like fleas never to fit again).

Yes that's an idea we hadn't considered. What are the minus points of this? Mum might like to play her freecell in front of the tv!