Where to buy a Desk top PC?

newlight1newlight1 Posts: 807
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I was thinking of buying another Desk top PC for myself but have no idea where to buy one, what to look for etc etc. Can anyone recommend one at all?

My parents have an Acer Aspire PC which I know how to use so was thinking of getting one of the same for myself as I know how it works. I really want a one that has good memory for Music etc and using it online etc. Can anyone recommend one, or maybe some links I could buy one from online ie Amazon etc? I will also want to have a printer that has a scanner with it too.

Any help would be appreciated.
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Comments

  • noise747noise747 Posts: 30,692
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    First thing first.

    What are you going to use it for and how much do you want to pay.
  • Nigel GoodwinNigel Goodwin Posts: 58,330
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    PC World has a shop full of them - which means you can go and look and see what you think.
  • John259John259 Posts: 28,325
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    newlight1 wrote: »
    My parents have an Acer Aspire PC which I know how to use
    The operating system is far more of a factor here than the hardware.

    The Acer probably has Windows XP, Vista, or Windows 7. Nowadays most physical shops concentrate on selling Windows 8 models, but Windows 7 models are available from some online shops (eg Tesco Direct and eBuyer).

    Windows 8 is very different to all previous versions of Windows. Some people like it but many people don't, saying that in some respects it's difficult to learn and awkward to use. Be sure to try it yourself before deciding.
  • flagpoleflagpole Posts: 44,641
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    personally i disagree that the OS is that important. I think computer nerds such as myself find windows 8 difficult to learn. i think non nerds get on with it just fine. it's really simple. if you want email there is a huge button that says email.

    Sounds like literally any modern PC will do what you want. how big is your music collection? it's not likely to be more than a few 100 GB is it?

    so anything will suffice, but you still want something that is good value. do you need a monitor? keyboard? mouse?
  • OrbitalzoneOrbitalzone Posts: 12,627
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    My choice for a cheap dekstop right now would be a Dell Vostro 270 which has an i3 processor, 4gb ram and 1TB hard drive for £263 delivered plus some possible quidco cashback. It has a 2 year warranty too with a cheap 3 year pro upgrade for £40 which is way better than you'd get from PC Hell /Currys

    It's from their small business section (so prices are shown exc vat) but the end price of £263 is incl vat:

    http://www.dell.com/uk/business/p/vostro-270/pd?oc=SBDS322&model_id=vostro-270&dgc=AF&cid=5213&lid=122757&acd=2397178996117280
  • LeviathainLeviathain Posts: 719
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    I wouldn't buy one from PC World their prices are ridiculous.

    PC World have a AMD A4 Zoostorm Desktop PC for £149.99 but has no operating system.
  • [Deleted User][Deleted User] Posts: 2,583
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    Leviathain wrote: »
    I wouldn't buy one from PC World their prices are ridiculous.

    PC World have a AMD A4 Zoostorm Desktop PC for £149.99 but has no operating system.

    Me neither but it's a good place to go and try stuff out. Visual and tactile feedback is always nice before you buy online. Especially, to check for monitors/displays and keyboards.

    If you don't know what you want, you can pretty quickly decide what size monitor you need or what type of keyboard you prefer from having a walk around the store.

    They also do have the occasional discounts that do bring prices down to a good deal.

    I purchased an Antec PSU from them last year which was cheaper than I could get anything of a similar quality and spec for. They were having a sale on PSUs.
  • John259John259 Posts: 28,325
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    Me neither but it's a good place to go and try stuff out.
    Agreed. IMHO the main risk in their physical shops is being talked into buying something inappropriate by a sales person, either something which won't fit your needs, or something which far exceeds them.
  • GamerGirlGamerGirl Posts: 623
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    Try PCSpecialist.co.uk for customisable pre-built AND wholly customisable systems. I've bought 2 PCs from them. One very recently :D
    They also have a helpful forum where you can post the spec of something you've chosen and get feedback on whether it can be improved upon for your budget or its components

    There is also Overclockers.com who sell a few pre-built systems but they're really best for people who want to build their own system from the case up.

    I wouldn't buy from PC World :eek:.
  • [Deleted User][Deleted User] Posts: 2,583
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    John259 wrote: »
    Agreed. IMHO the main risk in their physical shops is being talked into buying something inappropriate by a sales person, either something which won't fit your needs, or something which far exceeds them.

    I wouldn't listen to the Sales Staff either. Quite often their knowledge is very limited.

    I did a stint working for them while doing my degree and I had to cover the entire floor. I asked one of the supervisors what I should do if a customer asked me a question I didn't know the answer to. He told me to say whatever I wanted so long as I sold something.

    Back then, there was almost no product training (I went on the stock training for all sales employees which was a residential 'sales' course) which was all about sales. Could have been selling socks really.
  • JohnbeeJohnbee Posts: 4,019
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    Don't buy one on line. I had one from a company mentioned here, and it cost a lot, and quite plainly was made of inferior cheap components. It only lasted 15 months before nearly everything began to fail, hard drive, cooling system, optical drive, everything that moves. I have had PCs since they started, and bought in bulk for the office and only ever had one drive go before.

    There is absolutely nothing wrong with PC World. People who troll round web sites saying the usual crap about PC World is bad, Norton's is junk, and so on, need to get positive and say what they recommend, it does not help to just say 'don't do that'.
    I bought my current PC from PC World, it is a decent quality HP model, and is quiet and fast and works beaut. Incidentally, if you have got the gall, it is worth trying to get PC World to chuck in a few freebies.

    I am not sure that Windows 8 is suitable for a desktop, best to try it in the shop to see if you get along with it. Start up the word processor, and also start a few utilities, notepad, wordpad, calculator, control panel, save a file and then use the search facility to tell you where it put it, and so on.
  • John259John259 Posts: 28,325
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    Johnbee wrote: »
    Don't buy one online
    I think you're mixing up two independant factors:

    1. Whether to buy a complete computer from a known manufacturer (HP, Dell, Asus, Samsung, etc, etc) or one which has been constructed by hand from components by the seller.

    2. Whether to purchase from a physical shop or from an online retailer.

    All four combinations are possible.
  • [Deleted User][Deleted User] Posts: 2,583
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    Johnbee wrote: »
    Don't buy one on line. I had one from a company mentioned here, and it cost a lot, and quite plainly was made of inferior cheap components. It only lasted 15 months before nearly everything began to fail, hard drive, cooling system, optical drive, everything that moves. I have had PCs since they started, and bought in bulk for the office and only ever had one drive go before.

    There is absolutely nothing wrong with PC World. People who troll round web sites saying the usual crap about PC World is bad, Norton's is junk, and so on, need to get positive and say what they recommend, it does not help to just say 'don't do that'.
    I bought my current PC from PC World, it is a decent quality HP model, and is quiet and fast and works beaut. Incidentally, if you have got the gall, it is worth trying to get PC World to chuck in a few freebies.

    I am not sure that Windows 8 is suitable for a desktop, best to try it in the shop to see if you get along with it. Start up the word processor, and also start a few utilities, notepad, wordpad, calculator, control panel, save a file and then use the search facility to tell you where it put it, and so on.

    Nothing wrong with the products I just don't like the prices.

    I didn't have any recommendations as personally I build all my computers either from new or with used or spare parts scavenged from other used/old/spare computers.

    If you have done your research and know what you want and don't mind the prices then nothing wrong with PC World. The other benefit is that you have a local point of contact should anything go wrong. Rather than have to return stuff using couriers or post.

    But then, I have rarely had a piece of hardware fail on me. Some of my best buys have been from eBay.
  • BenFranklinBenFranklin Posts: 5,814
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    newlight1 wrote: »
    I was thinking of buying another Desk top PC for myself but have no idea where to buy one, what to look for etc etc. Can anyone recommend one at all?

    My parents have an Acer Aspire PC which I know how to use so was thinking of getting one of the same for myself as I know how it works. I really want a one that has good memory for Music etc and using it online etc. Can anyone recommend one, or maybe some links I could buy one from online ie Amazon etc? I will also want to have a printer that has a scanner with it too.

    Any help would be appreciated.

    What's your budget, what would be the most you'd be prepared to spend?
  • BenFranklinBenFranklin Posts: 5,814
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    Johnbee wrote: »
    Don't buy one on line. I had one from a company mentioned here, and it cost a lot, and quite plainly was made of inferior cheap components. It only lasted 15 months before nearly everything began to fail, hard drive, cooling system, optical drive, everything that moves. I have had PCs since they started, and bought in bulk for the office and only ever had one drive go before.

    Well the company mentioned here (and only one online company has been mentioned here) lets you choose your own components, so if you it consisted of "inferior cheap components" you only have yourself to blame.
  • Jimmy_McNultyJimmy_McNulty Posts: 11,378
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    GamerGirl wrote: »
    Try PCSpecialist.co.uk for customisable pre-built AND wholly customisable systems. I've bought 2 PCs from them. One very recently :D
    They also have a helpful forum where you can post the spec of something you've chosen and get feedback on whether it can be improved upon for your budget or its components

    There is also Overclockers.com who sell a few pre-built systems but they're really best for people who want to build their own system from the case up.

    I wouldn't buy from PC World :eek:.

    PCSpecialist is a good site for building a PC, but the machines are overpriced imho. Overclockers/scan/aria are the best.
  • Mr DangerousMr Dangerous Posts: 902
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    My main computer is an Acer, bought it from Misco's (online) and my other Acer was from PC World. (which was cheap)

    Once you have made up your mind on what you need the computer to do, have a look online for prices and check PC world for offers.

    Ebuyer is another good online site to look at.
  • OrbitalzoneOrbitalzone Posts: 12,627
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    Johnbee wrote: »
    Don't buy one on line........................

    It's all a matter of opinion of course!

    I wouldn't buy from PC World unless they had a good deal and they usually don't compared to online.

    I've bought dozens of Dell's over the years for myself, family and customer's and they've all been excellent. Sure Dell make the odd lemon here and there but Packard Bell make their fair share too.

    The real benefit of not using PC World is not having to have the compulsory arguement about not wanting to buy 5 year warranty or damned Norton :D


    The key thing to remember is that most PC's are now built like crap regardless of who makes them, they're all made cheaper and cheaper and so they keep cutting corners.
  • 1saintly1saintly Posts: 4,197
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    The OPs profile says they live on the Fair Isle Scotland, if thats true, nipping to the local pcworld will be a few days travelling :D
    http://www.pcworld.co.uk/gbuk/s/find-a-store.html
  • [Deleted User][Deleted User] Posts: 2,583
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    How about making one from straw bales and yoghurt pots?
  • mac2708mac2708 Posts: 3,349
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    May I respectfully suggest that posters check 'Find other posts by newlight1' to assess his PC awareness. This may help when giving suggestions.

    I also get the impression that he may no longer live in Fair Isle - but I could be wrong
  • John259John259 Posts: 28,325
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    Apologies if I'm stating the obvious but don't forget that most physical shop chains which sell computers also have online stores. That includes not only PC World but also Argos, Asda, Sainsbury's and Tesco. They're very a good way to research specifications, prices and purchasers' opinions.
  • cnbcwatchercnbcwatcher Posts: 56,681
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    Would you be ok with Windows 8? What are you using at the moment? If you want a Windows 7 desktop have a look at some of the companies advertised in magazines such as PC Pro. I saw loads of adverts for W7 desktops and some offered the choice of either Windows 7 or 8.
  • mac2708mac2708 Posts: 3,349
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    Would you be ok with Windows 8? What are you using at the moment?

    In the opening post he says....

    QUOTE=newlight1;65697184]

    My parents have an Acer Aspire PC which I know how to use so was thinking of getting one of the same for myself as I know how it works. I really want a one that has good memory for Music etc and using it online etc.[/QUOTE]


    IF this the same PC as here
    http://forums.digitalspy.co.uk/showthread.php?t=1604476&highlight=vista&page=4
    there may be some clues in posts 95 and 97
  • big brother 9big brother 9 Posts: 18,152
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    tesco had a pretty decent one recently, fairly cheap
    from what i can remember it was £259 and had memory 16 GB
    Hard drive 3 TB with windows 8
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