Tech: New PC

Subject: Tech: New PC
From: ard mhacha
Date: 14 May 03 - 07:46 AM

Would some of our UK tech wizards advise me. I am buying a new PC, I include the data, Targa Visionary.
Multimedia PC, 40gb, 256 MB, CD Burner and DVD Rom Combo Drive, Modem 56k, Realtech Onboard Stereo Sound,
other info,The PC operates at 1.667 GHz, outperforming comparable 2.0 GHz p4 processors. and other bits and bobs.
Going for £526.00. Your expert advice welcomed. Ard Mhacha.

Subject: RE: Tech: New PC
From: GUEST
Date: 14 May 03 - 08:41 AM

What do you want to know?

Subject: RE: Tech: New PC
From: Les from Hull
Date: 14 May 03 - 08:44 AM

Spec seems OK - but I'm not sure about the onboard sound. It all depends what you want it for. More dedicated music use often needs a decent sound board. And you might need a monitor!

Subject: RE: Tech: New PC
From: JohnInKansas
Date: 14 May 03 - 08:47 AM

I'm not one of your UK wizards, but the setup looks fairly decent with the possible exception of the 40GB. Depending on what Operating System you intend to use, what you intend to do with it, and how long you intend to keep it, that's probably adequate "for now" but may feel a little cramped if you start accumulating music and graphics files. If you store them on CDs and keep the drive "cleaned up" you shouldn't have a problem with the 40GB for a while.

If you intend to use your hard drive to play-back DVD, it's definitely "too small for comfort;" but that's not a common usage for a machine like you've described.

Of course, some of those UK words are a lot bigger than the 'mercan stuff I keep on mine...

John

Subject: RE: Tech: New PC
From: Dave the Gnome
Date: 14 May 03 - 08:48 AM

Sounds OK but not a bargain I'm afraid. Pricewise it is a little high for the spec. Check out people like Micro Direct, Aria and Scan before making your mind up.

Good luck with whatever you decide on!

BTW - PCWorld gets a lot of flack but they have the occasional bargain and the backup service is, if not exactly good, easy to use!

Cheers

Dave the Gnome

Subject: RE: Tech: New PC
From: Grab
Date: 14 May 03 - 10:19 AM

What have you already got?

If your existing PC has most of those bits, you can upgrade most cheaply by buying a new motherboard, processor, RAM and/or hard drive. Depends on whether you have the knowledge to do this (or whether you fancy a challenge :-)

Graham.

Subject: RE: Tech: New PC
From: ard mhacha
Date: 14 May 03 - 11:00 AM

No one need go no further than the Mudcat, thanks for the advice.
Les, just thought it was too good to miss, and I will use it as a second PC.
John, I suppose I could upgrade the 40GB, I am not into DVD stuff, but I do a lot of photographs and graphics.
Dave, I will try your Sites, although I would prefer to buy local.
Grab, You may have the answer about upgrading my old Dell, I may do both, no, I am not down to my last three million, but I am more or less confined due to a dodgy Heart, and I find fiddling around on the PC a good pastime.
Thanks to all of you. Ard Mhacha.

Subject: RE: Tech: New PC
From: JohnInKansas
Date: 14 May 03 - 05:27 PM

I don't know how the situation in the UK differs from here, but I've found the best real bargains with buying from the web, from established makers.

Nearly everyone I know who's shopped for a "bargain" machine has come up with a decent machine; but the software bundled with it has been disappointing, and upgrading the software would cost about as much as the original price they paid (and more than they "saved.")

I haven't found a machine for my last 2 or 3 purchases that came with a really good sound system, although none of them have been in the "terrible" category; but I had to add on a sound unit to my current (newest) main machine because it came without a midi jack - replaced by seven surround-sound speaker jacks on the backplate.

It's always the little things that get 'ya.

John

Subject: RE: Tech: New PC
From: ard mhacha
Date: 15 May 03 - 01:49 PM

John, My sound system consists of two small speakers and they are satifactory, I have a good supply of software from my other PC and I use that.
I bought the PC this morning and it is going well, I will let you know in the future if I have any problems.
The technology side of computing would be a puzzle, although I am beginning to understand some of the jargon, this Site is a big help, ask the question and in a short time help is at hand . Ard Mhacha.