Can anyone help me with a new Desktop?

cupthehand1

Hi all, I'm a total numpty when it comes to computers so thought this place would be the best to seek out answers ☺

Basically I need a new desktop and I don't know where to start looking, online, in the shops, eBay or Dell.ie or somewhere like that.

I know what I kinda want, I want something fast, we're a young family so all we use it for really is web surfing, Skype, printing, some word processing but not major office stuff storing photos and music etc, we don't play games on it or anything like that. Maybe burn some music and watch a DVD. I already have a monitor, speakers and printer and a few bits left over from an old computer that I can use. I would want it sorta mid-range rather than low-end, where the technology will be out of date in a few months time, so I want one that will still be fairly good in a year or two.

I'm looking to spend ~€600 on a system really, would I get one for that, that would suit me and where would be the best place to buy one PC World, Harvey Norman or such. I wanna get the best value for money in these tough times so if there are any deals going on etc. I'd be greatly interested. What brand sshould I go for thats reliable, Dell, Compaq, HP, Acer...?

Sorry for being such a pain but I really am at a loss, all help and info will be greatly appreciated!

yomamasflavour

Unless you're into gaming or 3d work (autocad etc.) I can't see any reason why you'd want to buy a desktop.

You'd be much better off buying a laptop (easily done for less than €600) and which would be well able to do everything that you have listed (any standard one will).

You wouldn't have the bulk of a tower taking up space. You can still use it as a desktop if desired (plug in mouse, monitor, speakers etc.) and you can take it with you on car trips etc. makes much more sense.

hearny

Aldi / Lidl have good offers every now and then on computers.
I will post any offers I come across.

I think you are better off with a desktop if you have a young family. With the PC in one location you can safely supervise its use.

You have more options to upgrade it if your situation changes.
You already have the monitor etc.
Generally lower maintenance costs (if hardware need to be replaced).

PC World generally dont have a large selection of desktops without the monitor so you might be better looking elsewhere. (elara.ie maybe)

Hal Emmerich

Medion €480

CPU and Memory:

• Intel Core i3 540M.
• 4GB DDR3 RAM.

Hard drive:

• 500GB SATA hard drive.

DVD optical drives:

• Dual layer.

Graphics:

• nVIDIA GeForce 310 graphics card with 512MB memory.

Interfaces and connectivity:

• 6 USB ports.
• Wireless/WiFi enabled.
• Wired keyboard and mouse.

Operating system & software:

• Microsoft Windows 7 Premium.
• Microsoft Home and Office (trial version).

Or this Acer, €600, has blu-ray drive and HDMI port, if your not bothered about these get the Medion. It'll do you fine.

CPU and Memory:

• AMD Phenom II six core X6.
• 4GB DDR3 RAM.

Hard drive:

• 500GB SATA hard drive.

Graphics:

• nVIDIA GeForce 315 graphics card with 512MB memory.

Interfaces and connectivity:

• 10 USB ports.
• 1 HDMI port.
• Wired keyboard and mouse.

Operating system & software:

• Microsoft Windows 7 Premium.

Read the reviews.

cupthehand1

Cheers for the replies guys,

yes because of the kids I prefer the computer in a central place and also the two recommendations so far does it matter that they are not "well-known" brands, would they still be ok? It doesn't matter what software it comes with really because usually I uninstall most of it and just use a free anti-virus and firefox etc. Blu-Ray would be nice alright and would aan Intel processor be better than an AMD one? From what i've read up on i5 or i7 would give me the fastest performance

challengemaster

You're not actually going to be doing anything stressful enough to fully utilize the processor anyway, so I wouldn't worry too much.

Hal Emmerich

cupthehand1 wrote: »

Cheers for the replies guys,

yes because of the kids I prefer the computer in a central place and also the two recommendations so far does it matter that they are not "well-known" brands, would they still be ok? It doesn't matter what software it comes with really because usually I uninstall most of it and just use a free anti-virus and firefox etc. Blu-Ray would be nice alright and would aan Intel processor be better than an AMD one? From what i've read up on i5 or i7 would give me the fastest performance

Medion and Acer are good names, I'd have no hesitation buying either. Either machine would do you.

The AMD six core chip is comparable to an Intel i7, Argos don't give the exact model number so I can't give a proper comparison.

This site lists all the different CPUs. Use Ctrl + F on your keyboard to find different chips.

cupthehand1

Well I am thinking about this one its around my budget and seems to be fairly good for my needs and for future upgrading etc

Dell Inspiron 580 MT

Base Intel® Core™ i5 Processor 760 (2.80GHz, 8MB)
Microsoft Operating System Genuine Windows® 7 Home Premium 64bit - English
Memory 6144MB Dual Channel DDR3 [3x2048] Memory
Keyboard Dell™ USB Entry Keyboard - UK/Irish (QWERTY)
Monitor Display Not Included
Video Card ATI Radeon™ HD 5450 1GB DDR3 graphics
Hard Drive 1TB (7200rpm) SATA Hard Drive
Mouse Dell MS111 USB Optical Mouse (Indigo)
Modem No Modem
Optical Devices DVD +/- RW Drive (read/write CD & DVD) with DVD Burn software
Sound Cards Integrated 7.1 channel audio
Speakers No Speakers (Speakers are required to hear audio from your system)
Cable 2 Meter Power Cord - UK
Shipping Documents English Documentation
Gedis Bundle Reference D025827EPP
Standard Warranty 1 year Collect & Return Hardware Support included with your PC
Enhanced Service Packs 1 year of coverage included with your PC
Order Information Inspiron Desktop 580 Minitower Order - Ireland
Dell System Media Kit Inspiron Desktop 580 Resource DVD (Diagnostic & Drivers)
Accidental Damage Support No Accidental Damage Support
Online Backup DataSafe Online Backup 2GB - 1 year licence
Call Dell Experts One free Dell Expert call to help with your PC queries within 60 days of purchase
DataSafe (Services Owned) Datasafe Local 2.3 Basic
Microsoft Application Software Microsoft® Office Starter: reduced-functionality Word & Excel w/ads. No PowerPoint or Outlook
Protect your new PC McAfee® SecurityCenter 15 Month Subscription
Operating System Recovery Options OS Windows® Recovery Media Not included

Anyone got any opinions on this.......

Skerries

it's a decent spec but it is probably very expensive for what it is
do you really need that much ram or does it come bundled, if not i would reduce it and get a better graphics card as that one is no good for playing anything modern but if you are just going to be watching films then it is fine

Voodu Child

i3-530, 3GB ram, 500GB HDD, Win7 & a 20" monitor for a bit over €500 incl shipping (£439.92 currently)

http://www.amazon.co.uk/Acer-Desktop-Processor-Windows-Premium/dp/B0046ECQ6W/ref=zg_bs_428651031_49

Fairly good value.

Edit
Actually there's an AMD X3 system for less (£389.94), even that'd be grand for basic use.
http://www.amazon.co.uk/Acer-Desktop-Processor-Windows-Premium/dp/B0046ECQ5I/ref=zg_bs_428651031_24

Kinetic^

If you have kids, go for a desktop. You'd be surprised how easily kids can break screens, rip keys off or drop a laptop.

cupthehand1

Its working out at €646 and thats without me adjusting anything its bundled with almost all of the above really

massy086

its overkill for what you need it for does that dell come with a screen

cupthehand1

No screen just the desktop, no speakers either but its ok as i have all these already

MojoRising

Hi gang need your expert advice,want to buy the wife a new desktop computer for xmas,she'll be using it for photos but also for work she does at home(teacher) needs to have wifi as it'll be using internet from my imac but has to be a windows desktop,she hates macs!!lol
in kerry so if there's anywhere you can recommend would be great.There's a harvey Norman's and soundstore in Tralee and of course an Argos where i saw an MSI all in one,budget cant really go over 500euro.
many thanks
Jon