Desktop for a 13 year old

Krfc07

What is the cheapest desktop for a 13 year old to use for school work and playing games, listening to music and going onto the internet

Don't know much about computers at all so any help will be appreciated

GoofyGAT

As an example, you can get a relatively inexpensive system from Dell (deals through dmXdimension), but it won't necessarily be suitable for graphically-intensive games. Hence the games played will mainly determine what kind of system you should be considering. If you could give us a list of the names that would be ideal.

Also, do you need a monitor & anything else (like dedicated speakers) to go with it? G

Krfc07

Need everything a whole new computer for her
Mostly games online and possibly the sims
Thanks for your reply

mjr600

You will have no trouble buying a suitable PC for less than £300 but in light of the likely needs of children in our increasingly tech world you may wish to build your own and involve your child.

My daughter is 11 and has asked for a PC for Xmas, for a little over £200 we have all the parts to build her a low spec wirless PC including a 19" lcd and freeview.

She chose a case which looks like an Ipod and we'll build it together during December for xmas.

zee_2

have a look at ebuyer.co.uk....first class service [ 3 years] and have forum on website for advice.....remember most software is free...do not buy extra...AMD pc are cheaper than intel and just as good...some companies are pushing intel pentium D which [ although ok ] has been superceeded, 19'' screen does make a big difference...great prezzi
ps remember mosemat!...zee
http://www.ebuyer.com/store/Computers

GoofyGAT

If you cannot build, you'll probably get the best value if willing to do a little DIY - i.e. fitting a dedicated graphics card (mainly for the SIMS).

Both are examples only - which can be changed to match your needs/budget. And someone else may be able to come up with something better.

The following will cost £391 = £441 - £50 cashback (claim form here - expires 30.11.07):

*£50 Cashback* HP dx2250 Athlon Dual Core X2-5000 250gb 2Gb Vista Home Basic [full specs]
Innovision GeForce 7300GS 128MB DDR2 PCI-E Graphics card [upgrade integrated graphics with this]
Hannspree XM New York 19" TFT Monitor widescreen
Logitech Black S220 2.1 Speaker System - 17W RMS

Configuring this Dell Vostro 200 MT PC* (E2140, 2Gb, 250Gb, 19" TFT, Vista Business, Base warranty, etc = £353 delivered) - & including the same graphics card upgrade & speakers as above (incl 5% Quidco cashback) comes to £381.

I reckon the HP deal is superior overall because of the much better CPU. However, she may prefer Vista Premium over Basic/Business (comparison here) - or even XP? G

*If going for the Dell (from here): "The links provided below will take you to the Vostro systems on the Dell UK Small Business website. You are still allowed to purchase these systems if you are a home user. During the checkout process you will be asked to provide a business name, however it is perfectly acceptable to enter your own name in this space."

sjrinteriors

Oh dear.. dont do it... DO NOT BUY A DELL OR AN HP...

find yourself a local PC builder, tell them what you require. If you have a budget in mind, post it on here and I will spec one for you.. Then you can take the details to the custom PC builder and you will be quids in.. The HP & DELL pc's the previous guy has mentioned are at best, CRAP.

Kimberley

Can't you get your girl to use the family computer? I wouldn't let my kids have one in their bedroom especially if they can get into the Internet, why not let her use the family computer downstairs but give her a seperate account and that way she would feel she has her own. If you do give her own account make sure you know her password to check on her regulary.

devizes18193

Krfc07 wrote: »

What is the cheapest desktop for a 13 year old to use for school work and playing games, listening to music and going onto the internet

Don't know much about computers at all so any help will be appreciated

Im going to take a different tack here , Seconhand .
Most pc's will do the above Im am typing this on a dell demision 4100 from freecycle . Its a p 111 with 256 ram running xp and open office etc . Granted it wont play the latest games but will play a hell of a lot from the sold out range from morris ons for the latest stuff wee have a wii . It plays you tube and downloaded videos and mp3s fine oh and burns dvd and cd ok too .Any 13 year old shold need it for school work .
Dells are ok till the non standerd parts fail like the psu or mother bord .

You wanted cheap??

Krfc07

Yeh looking for a cheap computer possibly around £300 or less would be better means she can get more presents

sjrinteriors

Ok well for online gaming, music, video and internet the cheapest I spec'd was £272 inc VAT.. this does not include the windows operating system though.. The O/S will cost an extra £50

It has a 17" widescreen TFT, dedicated graphics card (better for online gaming) NOT onboard graphics, 1 GB DDR2 memory, DVDRW, 80GB HHD, and is running via an AMD X2 2GHz processor on an ASROCK motherboard.

You can get cheaper but if you want online gaming you need a half decent gfx card.

hope this helps.