help with buying new pc

cltt97

I'm looking for a new desktop pc, preferably not too big and would mostly use it for email, social media, skype, watching films, but also running all the office applications, including heavy duty excel files or SPSS, so I want something that can handle large databases. Gaming is of absolutely no interest to me.

I also want windows7, as have that in work and want the same operating system at home, also heard that windows8 is not great, no one that has it seems to like it. Any thoughts?

seems like pcworld and the like only sell windows8 pcs, so does this mean that online is my only way forward or does anyone know of a place where I can get the operating system I want (without paying extra)?

on pc world I like the following
http://www.pcworld.ie/Product/ACER-Aspire-M3985-Desktop-PC/314171/307
or
http://www.pcworld.ie/Product/LENOVO-H520s-Desktop-PC/312226/307

Would appreciate all input - I've spent hours researching all the new technologies and I think the two above are thereabouts of what I want/need.

yoyo

Windows 8 Pro has downgrade rights to 7 Pro, but you may have to pay the system manufacturer a "handling charge" to receive the downgrade CD Key. Windows 8 is actually ok, very similar to 7 actually. You can get free addons to bring back the start menu, if desired. I wouldn't bother paying a premium just to buy a pre-built machine running 7 (if that's what it comes to). If your interested in building yourself, this is more straightforward and you can simply buy a Windows 7 OS license to go with it

Nick

cltt97

I can't see myself ever building my own PC :-) That would be hilarious! No, seriously, thanks for your input. In terms of acer versus levorno, what would you think? Could also buy Dell, but not sure if I actually really like them... although have had Dell in work for like ever, but the have a tendency to die :-) (plenty of blown motherboards around me in work)

Torqay

If you don't want to build your own, you can configure a desktop PC at PC Specialist to you likings with Windows 7.



This configuration beats the Lenovo hands down and costs £521/€617 (incl. delivery to Ireland, 3 yr standard warranty and OS installation DVD).

cltt97

Thanks had a look at this, but this would cost me more than buying one of the two models I listed from pcworld...

Torqay

cltt97 wrote: »

Thanks had a look at this, but this would cost me more than buying one of the two models I listed from pcworld...

The Lenovo you posted costs €699?

And you want Windows 7, no?

cltt97

yeah, sorry the other one was cheaper, but by the time I had put in the things I wanted I got into the 500£ region and figured this is getting too dear and it would have to be shipped and all.... plus I'm not really a computer whizz so a bit overwhelming having to pick every last bit!

Torqay

Same as above, with a Core i3, 8 GB RAM, a 1 TB HDD and Windows 7 costs €520 (incl. delivery, that is). Slightly dearer than the Acer but you'll get more system memory and your operating system of choice (you also get a 3 year warranty and a OS installation DVD).

I have seen a DELL desktop posted here the other day, Core i3, 4 GB RAM, 1 TB HDD. Price was €379 IIRC, but again, at DELL you'll only get Windows 8.

Torqay

Here's is an ACER Desktop, Core i3 3220, 6 GB RAM, 500 GB HDD, 430 yoyos at Elara.ie (Windows 8)

cltt97

Hm, food for thought!