Time to buy a new desktop - advice please!

retsbed

Hello MSE Techies :j
Well the time has come for me to splash out on a brand new home desktop for myself and was hoping you guys would be able to give me some handy hints.

I've read a few search results on this forum regarding this and here are my requirements:

1. My budget is £400 to £500 max.
2. Looking for a complete package ie keyboard, speakers, mouse, flatscreen and a photo printer - or if someone knows or can recommend buying them separately or cheaper elsewhere I'd welcome the info.
3. Minimum 2GB RAM with the possibility of upgrading at a later stage.
4. 250GB HD or 160GB minimum as I could always purchase an external one from Ebuyer so not really fussed.
5. DVD writer.
6. Am quite keen on Dell as have heard more good things than bad about them but am open to suggestions.
7. I'm not clued up on graphic and sound card specs etc but it will have general home usage like storing photos, emailing and net surfing etc. I listen to music all the time when it's on and edit the odd video and photo and play the odd game. I use it every night for about 3 to 4 hours during the week and almost all day over the weekends.

I think I've covered everything but fire away with any questions.

Thanks in advance guys.
:beer:

pimpers

Take your spec to PC World and see what they can come up with for your budget.

Take their quote to an independent PC shop and ask them how much a PC would cost using your spec. Now with the results compare the two if the shop works out more expensive see if the shop with match or beat the PC World price. I know you will not get a like for like but at least you will get what YOU want.

I would prefer to use an independent shop as the service is always better and they will probably help you more if you have problems.


Good luck.
Pimpers.

Blacksheep1979

Go to Dell you'll get a better price and service than PC World and generally, even thought the service is better, independant shops can't match either of the other two.

littleowl

Why not try a Mac?

retsbed

littleowl wrote: »

Why not try a Mac?

thanks, i have considered a mac but never really been keen on them - guess it's a case of better the devil you know :rotfl:

retsbed

Blacksheep1979 wrote: »

Go to Dell you'll get a better price and service than PC World and generally, even thought the service is better, independant shops can't match either of the other two.

i'm willing to keep my options open about this although i am leaning heavily towards dell for the main pc (mostly because of their reputation) and perhaps sourcing the components separately elsewhere like ebuyer for example...will be looking into it this weekend...

retsbed

pimpers wrote: »

Take your spec to PC World and see what they can come up with for your budget.

Take their quote to an independent PC shop and ask them how much a PC would cost using your spec. Now with the results compare the two if the shop works out more expensive see if the shop with match or beat the PC World price. I know you will not get a like for like but at least you will get what YOU want.

I would prefer to use an independent shop as the service is always better and they will probably help you more if you have problems.


Good luck.
Pimpers.

thanks for that Pimpers, however i am reluctant to use independants as i have been burnt before and although i dont agree with the giants dominating the markets today it just seems i have a better leg to stand on if anything goes wrong

Leeds_Fan_2

Spec one up on Dell - start with the special offer closest to your requirements. This is always a good start point. Then have a look at PC World (look online as the web prices are better) and also eBuyer etc. If you find a good one at PC World, reserve on line and then go and have a look - often their specs undersell the products.

I would also look at not having bundled speakers and printers just because they are nearly always not that good - better off saving a bit and investing it in decent speakers/printers.

I bought a Philips Desktop at PC World a couple of weeks ago for £499 with a quad processor, excellent graphics card, 2 gb of memory, 400gb HD and decent enough 20 inch lcd. Also included tv tuner, Vista home premium, remote, wireless card, wireless keyboard and mouse (no speakers or printer though). Link here -> http://www.pcworld.co.uk/martprd/store/pcw_page.jsp?BV_SessionID=@@@@1899526152.1205754094@@@@&BV_EngineID=ccccadedikfflelcflgceggdhhmdgml.0&page=Product&fm=null&sm=null&tm=null&sku=819725&category_oid=-34078

retsbed

Leeds_Fan wrote: »

Spec one up on Dell - start with the special offer closest to your requirements. This is always a good start point. Then have a look at PC World (look online as the web prices are better) and also eBuyer etc. If you find a good one at PC World, reserve on line and then go and have a look - often their specs undersell the products.

I would also look at not having bundled speakers and printers just because they are nearly always not that good - better off saving a bit and investing it in decent speakers/printers.

I bought a Philips Desktop at PC World a couple of weeks ago for £499 with a quad processor, excellent graphics card, 2 gb of memory, 400gb HD and decent enough 20 inch lcd. Also included tv tuner, Vista home premium, remote, wireless card, wireless keyboard and mouse (no speakers or printer though). Link here -> http://www.pcworld.co.uk/martprd/store/pcw_page.jsp?BV_SessionID=@@@@1899526152.1205754094@@@@&BV_EngineID=ccccadedikfflelcflgceggdhhmdgml.0&page=Product&fm=null&sm=null&tm=null&sku=819725&category_oid=-34078

thanks for that - do u know if one could add more ram to that at a later stage?

isofa

Did someone recommend PC World?!

Ouch.

Leeds_Fan_2

retsbed wrote: »

thanks for that - do u know if one could add more ram to that at a later stage?

Yes you can but I don't know how many slots there are for memory in the pc so you may have to replce the memory rather than add to it.

PC World is ok - they are not cheap but when they have good deals they are worth it often. I've never had a problem taking anything back either and you don't have to stay in and wait for a delivery either.