On 07/07/10 07:05, James Freer wrote:
I want to get a new PC - what would be the best buy?
I wondered about this one http://www.ebuyer.com/product/193626
Perhaps some of you build PCs in which case can you do better buy than this?
Obviously to run linux [inc compiz which i haven't been able to do on
I've sold a few of those and they are pretty reasonable machines. Loads of nagware/HP value added rubbish included in the factory Windows installation but if you are wiping it in favor of Windows that won't affect you. However also look at ebuyer's own range (zoostorm and extravalue) as they are often available sans OS and sometimes there are some bargains to be had.
I had thought about a laptop but i thought they ran a bit slower than a desktop for a comparable spec.
Well spec for spec you won't see much difference these days, sacrifices are made in some areas to achieve portability and improve battery life. CPU's tend to be mobile versions. Laptop 2.5" hard drives tend to be a little slower than desktop 3.5" drives and unless you go for a "gamer" laptop you won't get much in the way of 3d performance (although probably enough to run compiz).
However what you won't often get is a specification/price parity between a desktop and a laptop. Also remember that aside from adding more memory or perhaps a bigger hard drive there isn't much you can do to upgrade a laptop.
That said aside from that plus perhaps adding a different graphics card or adding/upgrading an optical drive there isn't much that is economic to do to a desktop machine either these days, particularly something like that HP as swapping the mainboard is out of the question due to non standard mountings.