looking to buy new computer

[rodgy-dodge]

Like all techy stuff its a minefiled out there when looking for new computer bits!

and this has probably been done to death so sorry in advance! if so could you guide me to other threads.

Had this computer built for me a few years ago and its been great. However its starting to break down keeps switching itself off. I supose I could have it looked at and maybe fixed, but been running on XP since it first came out and I just feel intuatively that maybe its time to upgrade to something better.

So begs the question....what, where, who to avoid and who has the best deals?

 

[The_Wheelhouse]

Firstly what are you going to be primarily be using the computer for? Once you have that sorted you need to decide you're budget, with respect to what you anticipate to be doing and the performance you expect.

You have a few options:

• You can build a new computer yourself
• Get a computer built you your specifications
• Buy a pre-made one, from pc world etc.

The options are listed in order of how hard they are.

Really you need to say what you want from your computer, how much you are willing to spend and what route you want to go down to get it. Then we can help you more.

 

[funnymummy]

I wish i could offer some advice RD, but my PC skills & knowledge are, well, lets say limited is good word!
Hope you get sorted soon xx

 

[numbnuts]

I went to PC World, yes I know PC World are crap, but I got a very good deal on an HP computer
this one

 

[rodgy-dodge]

Firstly what are you going to be primarily be using the computer for? Once you have that sorted you need to decide you're budget, with respect to what you anticipate to be doing and the performance you expect.

You have a few options:

• You can build a new computer yourself

I don't think I'm clever enough to build one myself! the only way I can construct something is to glue it, knit it or sew it!

• Get a computer built you your specifications

This computer was built for me about six years ago, the guy who built it for me has now got a full time job so I don't like to bother him to rebuild it again. I was thinking of just getting an off the peg one.

• Buy a pre-made one, from pc world etc.

As above.

The options are listed in order of how hard they are.

Really you need to say what you want from your computer, how much you are willing to spend and what route you want to go down to get it. Then we can help you more.

I'm a textile designer, I use the computer for doing lots of digital design work mainly in photoshop. I need it to keep my website up to date, networking, researching and sourcing materials. I store lots of visual crap which one day I will probably need along with invoices related to what I do! today however, I've just been ruthless and deleted a load of stuff while saving lots of important stuff on sd cards and memory sticks! but as I'm clueless I'm not even sure these will open on a new computer? if I say change to windows 7!!!? not even sure what the latest windows is these days.
Budget will be what ever the new computer costs I supose, but hopefully not more than £500. I want one that will last at least as long as this one has.

 

[2Loose]

PC World are the Halfords of computers. There are some great deals, but the advice and service is often (to quote Funnymummy) 'limited'.

As The_Wheelhouse says, what do you want the PC for?

Web surfing, Video editing, Gaming etc. are all common 'wants', but all demand different things of a computer.


Rodge-Dodge - Would you want to keep your existing Screen, mouse etc? This will save quite a lot of money and allow more of your budget to be spent on the actual computer.

 

[rodgy-dodge]

I went to PC World, yes I know PC World are crap, but I got a very good deal on an HP computer
this one

ooooo I like the size of that screen that would be just the ticket for my design work.

 

[rodgy-dodge]

PC World are the Halfords of computers. There are some great deals, but the advice and service is often (to quote Funnymummy) 'limited'.

As The_Wheelhouse says, what do you want the PC for?

Web surfing, Video editing, Gaming etc. are all common 'wants', but all demand different things of a computer.


Rodge-Dodge - Would you want to keep your existing Screen, mouse etc? This will save quite a lot of money and allow more of your budget to be spent on the actual computer.

Mainly for my design work, I do a lot by hand but scan it into the computer to manipulate it and then its saved. Oh and hubby likes to down load music. we're not into downloading films or gaming etc. husband likes to surf.

I'd quite like to replace the screen for a larger more smart looking one as husband went out and bought this numb thing to replace the broken but lovely flat screen that I once had...

 

[rodgy-dodge]

I wish i could offer some advice RD, but my PC skills & knowledge are, well, lets say limited is good word!
Hope you get sorted soon xx

AW thanks FM......I like cake too

 

[2Loose]

Looks like Numbnuts link will do all you want, with a nice screen...and more! Very good price too and if you have one local then it beats mail order if something untoward happens warranty wise.

Don't let them talk you into something you don't want or need though.

 

[Bigsharn]

Looking around the shops I know of, I've found you this:

http://www.novatech.co.uk/novatech/pc/range/isys.html

It's £350 with Windows 7, 1gb more ram, and it's from a company that knows what they're doing should it ever go wrong. It doesn't come with a monitor though, so you'd have to get this to go with it:

http://www.novatech.co.uk/novatech/prods/monitors/19inchmonitors/samsung/ls19punkfen.html

Bringing it to the same price as the PC World one

 

[NormanD]

What price range have you set out RD, then I'll have some idea of the specs

 

[beanzontoast]

Looking around the shops I know of, I've found you this:

http://www.novatech....range/isys.html

It's £350 with Windows 7, 1gb more ram, and it's from a company that knows what they're doing should it ever go wrong. It doesn't come with a monitor though, so you'd have to get this to go with it:

http://www.novatech....s19punkfen.html

Bringing it to the same price as the PC World one

The Novatech looks a decent pc for the price IMO.

 

[rodgy-dodge]

sorry folks I'm a bit slow today as you know this 'puter is being a bitch!
ND: up to £500 I think that'll be quite sufficient to get me something half decent.

The Novatech does look pretty good, I'm not sure what internals I have in mine as the processor was rebuilt from the last one. so not sure what the guy put in it! I think I need to contact him to find out so I can compare...

Still open for suggestions as its either look at computers tonight or go out on the bike!!!!! I know what I'd rather be doing.......thanks for the advise so far chaps.
dx

 

[The_Wheelhouse]

The novatech system is definitely the best so far, if you are able to spend a bit more then this system would be a lot better, although you would have to change some of the options on the standard system as it is a bit rubbish as it is http://www.pcspecial...home-office-pc/ , change:

• The processor - AMD PHENOM II X4 (3.20GHz/8MB/AM3)-Black Edition
• Memory - 4GB Samsung DDR3
• Graphics -1GB NVIDIA GEFORCE GT 440 - DVI.HDMI.VGA-DX11
• 1st Hard Disk - I kept it the same but if you wish to change it to a 1 TB HDD then it is £13 more
• Memory Card Reader - I took that off
• Power Supply - 450W Quiet 80 Plus Duel Rail PSU + 1200mm Case Fan
• Monitor - I took that off
• Keyboard - took that off
• Mouse- Took that off
• Speakers - took that off

The total comes up to £449 and is a much better system that is more rounded and very suited to you're needs and should last longer than the other system. If you want me to explain any of the changes i have made i will be more than happy to .

NB. Some more monitor options:

• http://www.ebuyer.com/product/196524
• http://www.ebuyer.com/product/243026