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"Getting a New Computer - Help Needed"

These words are really from my mum, as she's looking to get a new computer, since we've had this terrible XP one for years now, and we need an upgrade, but she's not to sure what to buy, and doesn't want to go to a store where a staff member will try and palm her off with some stupid expensive thing. So i'm hoping some users can recommend some computers that suit our needs (which i'll list below).

-Windows 7
-Storage (my dad puts loads of photos onto the computer, and also does some geneology. Also for saving music etc.)
-Security (my mum is really adamant about security, using online banking etc.)
-Speed (anythings going to be faster than our heap of junk we currently have).

Price range we're looking at here is around £500. Needs to be a desktop PC (tower and monitor). Overall, just a modern pc that's going to last for awhile!

Sorry to be so specific and ask so much, but any suggestions or just advice would be appreciated.

Cheers

Scrapped the online idea, and went for a packard bell. Pretty decent machine for a great price, so all is good (apart from a few internet connection issues with Windows 7 :S)

Nought wrong with a Dell. (Apart from the copious amounts of rubbish they install on it before giving to you)

Their support is not terrible, and you can get some good deals.

Get a Mac - you'll never look back!

Latest mac mini is below £500, if it is primarily for home use you can't beat iphoto, imovie, itunes, garage band, wifi etc.

I have used Macs since they were invented and have used both Macs and PCs intensively over the years in my business, I would always have a mac for my own home use.

The only reason people use PCs is because Microsoft cornered the market with Windows so everyone adopted it to be compatible with other PC users. Compatibility, especially for home use, is no longer an issue. Macs can open word, powerpoint and excel files without a problem.

I own an emac, mac mini, G5, G4 and a macbook. The mac mini has hardly ever been switched off in about 4 years, has crashed about twice and has never had a virus of any sort.

Give yourself a few days to get used to OSX and you will be converted for life.

Decided before not to get that dell, but actually buy from them direct (will include windows 7). Current one on the cards:

Dell Inspiron 545 MT Desktop (it's the third one along - £549)

Sonic Chris wrote:
> Doesn't this computer come with Windows 7 though? (there's an
> offer until January 31st 2010)

PCWorld's website for this particular machine doesn't seem to recognize that Windows 7 has been released - nearly two months ago! However Chris, you might be better off checking first to see if Windows 7 is an alternative on offer.

This machine has integrated graphics - far better to have dedicated ie a graphics card! For the money you are spending, you really ought to be getting dedicated graphics.

Doesn't this computer come with Windows 7 though? (there's an offer until January 31st 2010)

Here's what would put me off that one Chris :

Genuine Windows Vista® Home Premium :(

I originally had that OS on my PC.I gave up with it after a month and bought a copy of XP64bit (which was a huge improvement,much faster,didn't keep hanging and my programs and hardware actually worked on it).I couldn't get certain apps and hardware to work properly on Vista Home (even patches and updates which were supposed to work more often than not,didn't ?).One of the programs was one I paid £200 for and also had about £80 worth of updates and plugins for (it wouldn't even install on the damn thing !).This was a couple of years ago,maybe now Vista is getting on a bit things are not so bad ?.Would be considering a Windows 7 PC for that price if it was me.Some versions even have an XP mode on them I believe,would check that out rather than taking my word for it but that is what I have been told.

Right, i've decided that the custom computer option is far too complicated :P I've looked at that Zoostorm computer pete. It has good specifications for the price of it, but just the fact that the company isn't well known is putting my mum off. I have looked at this Dell, seems pretty good. Let me know what you think.

Dell Inspiron 545 / 9148 QuadCore with 18.5 LG Monitor

Dragonlance wrote:
> Know exactly what you mean Pete, but Chris did mention that it
> was for his mum! If it went 'pear-shaped' then I wouldn't like to
> be in his shoes...ha ha

I wouldn't want to be in my shoes :P Nah, it's not specifically for my mum, it's for the house generally. Don't want a really high tech PC, my mum just said she wanted one that will still be moderately up to scratch with technology in a couple of years. The current computer i'm using now, we've had for 7 years, and it's well behind times. But yeh, will check out the links for now. Cheers guys :)

pete_21 wrote:
> Haven't had chance to seriously look TBH.PCSpecialists option
> probably seems the best choice as the system I would really like
> could do with being a little out of the norm (kickass processor
> and RAM,firewire port,Wireless card and 2 Hard drives).That's not
> the cheapest option but the one I would like to go for if funds
> allow.I'm in no rush as the last few weeks I wouldn't of had time
> to play about with it anyway.Pre-builts from e-buyer seem the
> cheapest option for anyone after a standard powerful home PC
> that's why I mentioned them to Chris,not sure there ideal for
> what I really wanted though.

Know exactly what you mean Pete, but Chris did mention that it was for his mum! If it went 'pear-shaped' then I wouldn't like to be in his shoes...ha ha

PC Specialists are OK as are other 'custom-builders' - you have complete control over what you want, they build it, test it etc etc and you have a machine that you can be proud of. The only problem I have had with my 'PC Specialist built' machine is the OS - Vista64. But that will be remedied shortly :-)