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lemming

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Posts: 3305

New PC - 06:24 24 Aug 10 My parents need a new PC for basically fairly basic use - internet, photos, word doc, etc. I'm inclined to just go to Dell and pick up something for around 600 quid. Does anyone have any other suggestions? ! Skate Monkey !

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Peter
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Posts: 571

Re:New PC - 07:05 24 Aug 10 You might want to look at the Novatech web site. They usually have some good bundles

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citizen_lost
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Posts: 47

Re:New PC - 09:19 24 Aug 10 lemming... if all they are going to do is internet and basic docs/photos im sure you could get a appropriate box for less than £350. only need to go for more powerful (hence expensive) machines if they are planning to do some serious photoediting or play 3d games!

if they don't have a monitor... you can get one for £85.

alternatively a laptop for around £400 will have everything in one place and it will take up less space. although personally i find laptops less comfortable.

PC World are actually reasonably competitive and have the added bonus of having shops so you can talk to people if you have any problems.

I suggest you try to work out with them where in the house they would use it, how often etc. will help you decide if you want a desktop or laptop.

james x

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lemming

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Posts: 3305

Re:New PC - 11:54 24 Aug 10 Thanks folks.

I've used novatech before for parts when building my most recent PC, but I don't think you save money on components now. Their site is good, and there is a store near me, but I'm not sure how useful this is for my parents who live miles away.

I'd like to give them something reasonable so they don't have to wait for things to happen. I could just build them a base spec machine without too much worry, but it's hassle.

They want to get a desktop - I've never been a fan of laptops purely 'cos it's harder to replace bits and expand and while they won't be doing that, I might be doing that for them. I'm not sure they've really considered wither a laptop might be a better bet though, although I think I'd probably want to get them a monitor and docking station if that seems to be the better idea. Monitor wise I'll get them a decent one - widescreen and largeish. I specc'd a machine on Dell this morning for 600 quid all in which would probably do them for the rest of their lives, but my experience of dell is that they have weird interiors that make it hard to add extra HDDs and so on.

I'm not a fan of PC world - and my parents will be talking to me for assistance if anything goes wrong anyway. I'll take a look at their deals though, 'cos you are right - you can get some decent deals there on occasion.

Thanks for the suggestions - I'll keep trawling. Maybe I should just buy a new one for me and rebuild my old one to give to them... hmmm. ! Skate Monkey !

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dogsbody

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Posts: 7755

Re:New PC - 18:16 24 Aug 10 IMHO...

You are right about components, it's no longer cheaper.

Novatech - Used to be brilliant and very cheap but after a number of very bad experiences with them probably 8 years ago now I refuse to use them. They are probably better now

I wouldn't touch PC World (I have a professional image don't ya know) but I have found a number of good deals at comet/currys and have ended up getting two laptops from them. They have bulk buying power (actually Comet, Dixons & PC World are all the same company) and and great if you want a general purpose machine which it sounds like what you are after.

If you don't want new you can sometimes get some great reconditioned second hand machines and LCD screens at Bracknell Computer Fair. It can be hit and miss but get there early for the deals. RT @ApproachMarket: http://t.co/qyzE2xGf Fake Rhino attempts zoo escape video thanks to @dogsbodyorg at #crowthornejelly - Twitter Status

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