Desktop Advice?

I need to replace my DELL XP desktop (about 12-14 years old and slower than a slow-cooked casserole), but I have no idea where to start looking?
I use it for Word/XL/Internet/Email/Photo editing/HQ Music (FLAC&WAV Etc), and occasional vid edits.
I'm looking for at least Intel i5/i7 (quad), 8+ GB RAM, 1+TB HD + SSD, DVD/CD Writer, Front USB Ports and at least 22" Screen.
Budget is £6-800.
I'm not keen on HP or Dell, but am pretty clueless about makes.
I would also prefer something without bloatware.

Many thanks!
«1

Comments

  • O.W.E.I
    O.W.E.I Posts: 413
    First Post First Anniversary Combo Breaker
    Forumite
    Oh and is it possible to play music from a PC to other parts of the house, please?
  • tonyh66
    tonyh66 Posts: 1,736
    First Anniversary Name Dropper First Post
    Forumite
    O.W.E.I wrote: »
    I need to replace my DELL XP desktop (about 12-14 years old and slower than a slow-cooked casserole), but I have no idea where to start looking?
    I use it for Word/XL/Internet/Email/Photo editing/HQ Music (FLAC&WAV Etc), and occasional vid edits.
    I'm looking for at least Intel i5/i7 (quad), 8+ GB RAM, 1+TB HD + SSD, DVD/CD Writer, Front USB Ports and at least 22" Screen.
    Budget is £6-800.
    I'm not keen on HP or Dell, but am pretty clueless about makes.
    I would also prefer something without bloatware.

    Many thanks!

    whats the problem with Dell? your last one has lasted 12-14 years.
    You should easily get what you want for your budget, just stay away from 'gaming' computers and high end graphics cards.
  • steviebabes
    steviebabes Posts: 2,030
    Name Dropper Photogenic First Post First Anniversary
    Forumite
    Worth having a go at building a PC. Much easier than you would think, I built one with a similar spec to your requirements for about £400 (no monitor) last year and its been brilliant. Check out CCL & Scan, both companies very helpful.
  • DoaM
    DoaM Posts: 11,863
    First Post First Anniversary Name Dropper Photogenic
    Forumite
    O.W.E.I wrote: »
    Oh and is it possible to play music from a PC to other parts of the house, please?

    Yes ... and there are several ways to do this. For example I run Plex media server on my laptop and can then "cast" from the Plex app on my phone to my TV via Chromecast.
  • gonzo127
    gonzo127 Posts: 4,482
    First Anniversary Combo Breaker
    Forumite
    one of my default 'check out basic prices' store

    https://www.dinopc.com/custom-pc/everyday-pc/evolve-d50-intel-home-office-package

    can customise to your hearts content.

    although i would suggest looking at AMD Ryzen processors, they are now very competitive and in fact do beat the intel processors in certain tests (especially heavy multi threaded applications like vid and photo editing - software dependant of course)
    Drop a brand challenge
    on a £100 shop you might on average get 70 items save
    10p per product = £7 a week ~ £28 a month
    20p per product = £14 a week ~ £56 a month
    30p per product = £21 a week ~ £84 a month (or in other words one weeks shoping at the new price)
  • AndyPix
    AndyPix Posts: 4,847
    Name Dropper First Anniversary First Post Photogenic
    Forumite
    O.W.E.I wrote: »
    I'm not keen on HP or Dell, but am pretty clueless about makes.


    Interesting sentence .


    May i ask what makes you not keen, especially as by your own admission you are 'clueless about makes' ?
  • O.W.E.I
    O.W.E.I Posts: 413
    First Post First Anniversary Combo Breaker
    Forumite
    Thank you for your responses.

    The reason I dislike DELL is because of their customer support - when I first got my current machine I spent hours on the phone at extortionate rates trying to get the thing working due to one thing and another - it may have lasted a few years but it was an absolute nightmare for the first couple of years.
    I swore then that I would never touch them ever again.
  • O.W.E.I
    O.W.E.I Posts: 413
    First Post First Anniversary Combo Breaker
    Forumite
    DoaM wrote: »
    Yes ... and there are several ways to do this. For example I run Plex media server on my laptop and can then "cast" from the Plex app on my phone to my TV via Chromecast.

    Is there some kind of speaker I can buy that I can stream to for use in the kitchen?
  • dipsomaniac
    dipsomaniac Posts: 6,739
    Name Dropper Combo Breaker First Post First Anniversary
    Forumite
    O.W.E.I wrote: »
    Is there some kind of speaker I can buy that I can stream to for use in the kitchen?

    google home or amazon alexa
    "The Holy Writ of Gloucester Rugby Club demands: first, that the forwards shall win the ball; second, that the forwards shall keep the ball; and third, the backs shall buy the beer." - Doug Ibbotson
  • Try the PC Specialist website. Put in your specs and see what they come up with. They have ready built machines too and they would probably meet your needs and more. No bloatware and an excellent company to deal with. I!!!8217;ve used them a few times over the years and can fully recommend them.
This discussion has been closed.
Meet your Ambassadors

Categories

  • All Categories
  • 342.5K Banking & Borrowing
  • 249.9K Reduce Debt & Boost Income
  • 449.4K Spending & Discounts
  • 234.6K Work, Benefits & Business
  • 607.1K Mortgages, Homes & Bills
  • 172.8K Life & Family
  • 247.4K Travel & Transport
  • 1.5M Hobbies & Leisure
  • 15.8K Discuss & Feedback
  • 15.1K Coronavirus Support Boards