Buying a PC - Where to start

cd02 · 28-06-09, 07:56 PM

Now if it was me, I'd happily just buy all the parts and do everything myself but my gf's mum wants a new machine and wants to purchase it from a retailer (don't think she trusts me lol).

Anyways, where do ppl buy computers from these days ? Looking for something with a 20" monitor for less then £450.

I was tempted to order this from dell as she likes the fact she can have it in blue (everton fan) The Dell Online Store: Build Your System but i've noticed it doesn't come with speakers and have never actually purchased anything from dell so don't know what they're like.

Any thoughts ? input ? advice ?

Edit. Noticed I couldn't get the link to the spec but its basically everything standard (no extra cost) and the base unit it blue.

Bobman13579 · 28-06-09, 08:23 PM

Ebay, look for Valatech, my mate got a quad core system, with 4gb RAM and 1GB graphics card for just 400 quid!

Plus operating system

cd02 · 29-06-09, 05:18 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Bobman13579

Ebay, look for Valatech, my mate got a quad core system, with 4gb RAM and 1GB graphics card for just 400 quid!

Plus operating system

That would leave me £50 for a 20" Monitor which aint gonna happen and when I said retailer, I meant somewhere like Dell, Pc World, Comet, Dixons etc etc

Edit - as you took the time to reply, i tried searching but nothing came up...

Edit - actually took the time to find their site and got to say that their prices seems rather high for whats on offer and they don't do any pc/monitor packages which is crappers, can't be bothered to buy a base unt and monitor seperately unless its gonna cause major savings

SgtM · 29-06-09, 05:49 AM

Convince her to trust you. Take your working computer apart. Have her come over. Put it back together and show her that it still works, and that custom building is better.

cd02 · 30-06-09, 07:05 PM

Any know if something like this is any good ? Acer 92.G1EYZ.UFP Aspire Revo / Intel Atom N230 1.6GHz / 2GB / 160GB / Vista Home Premium / Desktop PC along with this monitor 20" LCD Widescreen Widescreen Monitor (1600 x 900) - E2008HDSV

cd02 · 01-07-09, 06:47 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by cd02

Any know if something like this is any good ? Acer 92.G1EYZ.UFP Aspire Revo / Intel Atom N230 1.6GHz / 2GB / 160GB / Vista Home Premium / Desktop PC along with this monitor 20" LCD Widescreen Widescreen Monitor (1600 x 900) - E2008HDSV

anyone at all ??

Bobman13579 · 01-07-09, 07:23 PM

That processor is very low spec, will run fine as a computer, but any demanding application (games/graphics design etc.) it won't run efficiently. This is just my opinion. And I checked Valatech, turns out they have priced up heavily since I looked so, appologies for that.

Edit - That screen is looking good for under £100!!

llyrgog · 01-07-09, 08:16 PM

Dell!

Simon · 01-07-09, 08:54 PM

I havnt got any personal experience with the acer revo but the processor is the same as you find in most decent netbooks, including my nc10 which i used daily for everything and have found it very efficient. Can easily run multiple applications at once and resource hungry apps such as photoshop. Because its a atom processor you shouldnt just look at the clock speed because it is actually very speedy for most tasks and very energy efficient.

I'm going to make an assumption that shes not a PC gamer, nor is she likely to be performing any major graphical or movie editing which will require better specs. I have actually seen it in dixons and it is incredibly compact which is great and its even possible to mount it onto a back of a lcd (imac anyone?)! One thing to note like netbooks and other compact PC's it doesnt have a disc drive, but you can get a usb drive and tbh ive come to realise how little i actually use a drive nowadays anyway. Before it used to be just for installing software (well thats all online anyway now) and burning dvds - not needed since everything has a usb now! Overall i think it will be a nice neat machine combined with a decent LCD (one you linked to seems good value, although cant vouch for quality).

This thread on AV forums might be useful - Acer Aspire Revo Owners Thread - AVForums.com Because of its compact size and HDMI it is becoming a popular media centre so should be more than capable of handling the normal 99% standard computer tasts - internet, email, word processing, viewing pics etc etc...

Save a couple of pence @ amazon - Acer Aspire Revo R3600 Desktop PC: Amazon.co.uk: Electronics & Photo

If a higher equipped machine is required you cant go far wrong with a dell as mentioned by others!

28-06-09, 07:56 PM	#1
cd02 Mini Mac Join Date: Aug 2005 Location: Tewkes Posts: 4,548	Buying a PC - Where to start Now if it was me, I'd happily just buy all the parts and do everything myself but my gf's mum wants a new machine and wants to purchase it from a retailer (don't think she trusts me lol). Anyways, where do ppl buy computers from these days ? Looking for something with a 20" monitor for less then £450. I was tempted to order this from dell as she likes the fact she can have it in blue (everton fan) The Dell Online Store: Build Your System but i've noticed it doesn't come with speakers and have never actually purchased anything from dell so don't know what they're like. Any thoughts ? input ? advice ? Edit. Noticed I couldn't get the link to the spec but its basically everything standard (no extra cost) and the base unit it blue.

01-07-09, 08:54 PM	#9
Simon Mini Mac Join Date: May 2005 Location: London Posts: 6,321	I havnt got any personal experience with the acer revo but the processor is the same as you find in most decent netbooks, including my nc10 which i used daily for everything and have found it very efficient. Can easily run multiple applications at once and resource hungry apps such as photoshop. Because its a atom processor you shouldnt just look at the clock speed because it is actually very speedy for most tasks and very energy efficient. I'm going to make an assumption that shes not a PC gamer, nor is she likely to be performing any major graphical or movie editing which will require better specs. I have actually seen it in dixons and it is incredibly compact which is great and its even possible to mount it onto a back of a lcd (imac anyone?)! One thing to note like netbooks and other compact PC's it doesnt have a disc drive, but you can get a usb drive and tbh ive come to realise how little i actually use a drive nowadays anyway. Before it used to be just for installing software (well thats all online anyway now) and burning dvds - not needed since everything has a usb now! Overall i think it will be a nice neat machine combined with a decent LCD (one you linked to seems good value, although cant vouch for quality). This thread on AV forums might be useful - Acer Aspire Revo Owners Thread - AVForums.com Because of its compact size and HDMI it is becoming a popular media centre so should be more than capable of handling the normal 99% standard computer tasts - internet, email, word processing, viewing pics etc etc... Save a couple of pence @ amazon - Acer Aspire Revo R3600 Desktop PC: Amazon.co.uk: Electronics & Photo If a higher equipped machine is required you cant go far wrong with a dell as mentioned by others! __________________ *Viewing as a guest?? Click here to join the forum (Its FREE!!)* Spoiler Received 20gb iPod (FP), iPod in-ear earphones (MFG), iPod nano 4gb (FP), £100 PayPal (FG), £150 Capital Bonds (FP), Canon Ixus 800IS (FP), Noise Magnets (FM), 2 mopod's (FF4U), DSLite + game (FJ), TomTom One V4 (FJ), £12 amazon GC (FJ), Pure DAB One (FJ), Planet earth HD DVD (FJ), Cordless strimmer (FJ), 2gb microSD (FJ), £25 BT (FJ), FamilyGuy 1-6 (FJ), iPod nano 8gb (FJ), Creative earphones (FJ), Gavin & Stacey S1 (FJ), 360 Stuff (FJ), £645 BT (FJ), PS3 80GB (IN), DS3 (IN), £100 BT (FJ), Wii and Mario Kart (FJ), Dyson Ball (FJ), LV S3 (FJ), PlayTV (FJ), £10 GC (FJ), £10 GC (FJ), SE K770i + 2gb M2, SonicBomb alarm clock + Coin saving jar (FJ), £102 BT (FJ), iPod shuffle 1gb (FF4U), £399.99 BT (FJ), Samsung NC10 (FJ), 320GB HDD + enclosure (FJ), Oral-B Triumph + brushes (FJ), MP3 + DVD's (FJ), Philips shaver (FJ), Watch, computer bits etc (FJ) Total Recieved = £4621

28-06-09, 08:23 PM	#2
Bobman13579 iPod Nano 4GB Join Date: Apr 2008 Location: Royston Posts: 394	Ebay, look for Valatech, my mate got a quad core system, with 4gb RAM and 1GB graphics card for just 400 quid! Plus operating system

29-06-09, 05:49 AM	#4
SgtM iPod Nano 4GB Join Date: Dec 2008 Location: Ohio Posts: 249	Convince her to trust you. Take your working computer apart. Have her come over. Put it back together and show her that it still works, and that custom building is better.

30-06-09, 07:05 PM	#5
cd02 Mini Mac Join Date: Aug 2005 Location: Tewkes Posts: 4,548	Any know if something like this is any good ? Acer 92.G1EYZ.UFP Aspire Revo / Intel Atom N230 1.6GHz / 2GB / 160GB / Vista Home Premium / Desktop PC along with this monitor 20" LCD Widescreen Widescreen Monitor (1600 x 900) - E2008HDSV

01-07-09, 07:23 PM	#7
Bobman13579 iPod Nano 4GB Join Date: Apr 2008 Location: Royston Posts: 394	That processor is very low spec, will run fine as a computer, but any demanding application (games/graphics design etc.) it won't run efficiently. This is just my opinion. And I checked Valatech, turns out they have priced up heavily since I looked so, appologies for that. Edit - That screen is looking good for under £100!!

01-07-09, 08:16 PM	#8
llyrgog iPod Nano 2GB Join Date: Feb 2009 Location: South Wales Posts: 139	Dell!