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 current PC].
I had thought about a laptop but i thought they ran a bit slower than a desktop for a comparable spec.
thanks james
I bought one of these - http://www.ebuyer.com/product/225703 - about a year ago (OK, a slightly different spec back then, but the same principle). You save on the MS tax, and whilst it's not necessary the sleekest looking, quietest PC around, who cares when it sits under the desk? I'b buy another If I had the need. The one I had was a Foxconn mobo; ymmv. Note that I'd choose something else if I wanted a 24x7 server, though.
Greg
On Wednesday, July 7, 2010, James Freer jessejazza@gmail.com 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 current PC].
I had thought about a laptop but i thought they ran a bit slower than a desktop for a comparable spec.
thanks james
main@lists.alug.org.uk http://www.alug.org.uk/ http://lists.alug.org.uk/mailman/listinfo/main Unsubscribe? See message headers or the web site above!
Thanks i'd seen that one. Only thing is i'm getting a gift of £375 to spend so i've got to give a receipt for close to that amount. So i'm wondering what the best buy is for that amount.
james
On 7 July 2010 08:57, Greg Thomas greg.d.thomas@gmail.com wrote:
I bought one of these - http://www.ebuyer.com/product/225703 - about a year ago (OK, a slightly different spec back then, but the same principle). You save on the MS tax, and whilst it's not necessary the sleekest looking, quietest PC around, who cares when it sits under the desk? I'b buy another If I had the need. The one I had was a Foxconn mobo; ymmv. Note that I'd choose something else if I wanted a 24x7 server, though.
Greg
On Wednesday, July 7, 2010, James Freer jessejazza@gmail.com 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 current PC].
I had thought about a laptop but i thought they ran a bit slower than a desktop for a comparable spec.
thanks james
main@lists.alug.org.uk http://www.alug.org.uk/ http://lists.alug.org.uk/mailman/listinfo/main Unsubscribe? See message headers or the web site above!
On 07/07/10 08:57, Greg Thomas wrote:
You save on the MS tax
To be honest, now you don't really, not with big name manufacturers anyway.
The tiny tiny amount they actually pay for a OEM licence is recovered by them getting paid to install things like trial versions of Norton, and MS Office. Ebay and Amazon links on the desktop, AOL toolbar etc
The big names can't offer OS free machines due to a clause frequently added to the Microsoft agreement that gives them those low OEM software prices in the first place. If they offer another OS then I am tempted to suggest they bump up their estimated support costs as well.
Not saying you shouldn't buy machines without the Windows tax, do it to make a stand or to avoid that nasty CoA sticker on the side but it is unlikely to make a significant financial difference.
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.
On 07 Jul 11:22, Wayne Stallwood wrote:
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.
Sounds odd to wipe windows to install windows... can I assume that you've not ha your coffee yet? (also, you appear to not be in IRC... so I'll mock you here instead :)
At Wed, 7 Jul 2010 07:05:31 +0100, 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 current PC].
I had thought about a laptop but i thought they ran a bit slower than a desktop for a comparable spec.
My last desktop was from DNUK http://www.dnuk.com/ and they were pretty good. They're customisable, including the OS. Not quite the cheapest, but their lowest spec machines come within your budget.
I'm afraid I can't say whether or not you'd have a good experience with them.
On 07 Jul 13:16, Richard Lewis wrote:
At Wed, 7 Jul 2010 07:05:31 +0100, 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 current PC].
I had thought about a laptop but i thought they ran a bit slower than a desktop for a comparable spec.
My last desktop was from DNUK http://www.dnuk.com/ and they were pretty good. They're customisable, including the OS. Not quite the cheapest, but their lowest spec machines come within your budget.
I'm afraid I can't say whether or not you'd have a good experience with them.
Have dealt with DNUK back in the days when I was part of tsw (now, unfortunately defunct, I blame James Taylor for that though - it was the student web at UEA) - they donated us a desktop machine back in the day, the only problem was that it sort-of relied on some proprietary redhat only drivers for some of the hardware... though, us being us (and therefore crazy) did sort it out and get everything (more or less) working with debian stable (it was a good little machine, named pika.stu...). Have they stopped shipping hardware that is difficult to get working with anything that isn't the supplied OS yet? Otherwise, good company that were (back then) easy to get hold of.
More recently I've had dealings with Transtec - but only for server kit - it's all been fairly much alright though, and fairly cheap. They'll also build to your spec, IIRC.
Thanks,
We are about to buy from Novatech
http://www.novatech.co.uk/novatech/pc/range/ibizz.html
Or you could get one of their barebones.
Peter
On 8 July 2010 00:01, Peter Alcibiades palcibiades-first@yahoo.co.uk wrote:
We are about to buy from Novatech
http://www.novatech.co.uk/novatech/pc/range/ibizz.html
Or you could get one of their barebones.
Peter
Thanks Peter
You've raised a good point. I like the idea of having everything tested and guaranteed - and that for the money one might be getting better components.
eg http://www.novatech.co.uk/novatech/prods/Barebones/Novatech/BB-9654G2.html
But what other bits has one got to get? Seems to me barebones vary.
james
On 08/07/10 07:37, James Freer wrote:
eg http://www.novatech.co.uk/novatech/prods/Barebones/Novatech/BB-9654G2.html
But what other bits has one got to get? Seems to me barebones vary.
In the case of that particular one, you need to add a graphics card and some drives (hard drive and optical)
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?
/snip/
For about a tenner you can buy <scrabble> <rummage> <pounce!> Building a PC in easy steps sixth edition By Mike McGrath Pub. www.ineasysteps.com
but
they don't sell direct, and you'd have to order it from a bookseller.
The Book Fountain in Wymondham ( sales@thebookfountain.com ) got it for me within 24 hours...
and, yes, you can save a lot by dong the job yourself as long as you take advie on which components are reliable.
You can also save a bit by finding a reliable trader who will put one together for you to your own spec.
Anglian Internet are OK - I had my first Pentium (1) from them in Ye Dark Ages.
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Anthony Anson -
Brett Parker -
Greg Thomas -
James Freer -
Peter Alcibiades -
Richard Lewis -
Wayne Stallwood