PC Help/Advice needed...

[Coby.]

Hi,

I'm after help/advice on buying a PC.

Now I would love a Mac but the Girlfriend hates the software and they are not cheap to say the least.

So...

We have recently turned our little box room in to an office space BUT only have a laptop between us but we bought a Wirelss Mouse/Keyboard to use with the laptop but it has got me just wanting to buy a tower and screen.

I know nothing about computers so am after advice/links on what sort of basic tower to be looking for?

Neither us use computers for much more than general internet browsing/uploading photos/Word/Excel etc. so do not need the most advamced systems.

Links advice on what we I should be looking for...

Budget? - As little as posible but dont want something that will need updating/upgrading straight away.

Pretty vague I know but as I said I really am rubbish with this whole tech game.

Cheers
Andy.

 

[Wilkeh]

This PC has quite a few years left in it -

http://www.pcworld.co.uk/gbuk/advent-centurion-cbe1401-refurbished-desktop-pc-04735186-pdt.html

Absolute bargain for £380. It's massive though. Have a look through all of the refurbished units, there's quite a few steals tbh!

 

[Coby.]

Cheers... That does look like a monster though.

Ideally I'd something as slim and sleek as possible though due to limited space on under the computer desk.

What would peopole say are the key things to look for??

I know nothing about processors/motherboards/RAM etc.

 

[Malachi]

Go for a "net top"? Or one of those fancy "thin client" things.

E.g. http://www.ebuyer.com/product/245020
http://www.ebuyer.com/product/234860
http://www.ebuyer.com/product/225757

Spec wise, if its just internet browsing etc., then you won't need much more. Screens... you can pick up 24" full HD LED screens for under £200. Presuming you won't need anything that big, then you'd probably be looking at about £100 for a 19" or something.

E.g. http://www.overclockers.co.uk/showproduct.php?prodid=MO-069-IY&groupid=17&catid=276&subcat=

 

[Coby.]

I'm liking the look of the bottom one and the fact it says you could attach it to the back of the screen as like I said I have limited space on my small desk.

Looking through the spec Im right in reading that it can be wireless to the hub that I use?

Could also sell the Keyboard/Mouse it comes with as we have just bought a Brand New Keyboard and Mouse

Cheers for the links...I'll have to run them by the Girlfriend

Any advice on screens?

Preferably between say 17-21" and as slim and sleek as possible and maybe speakers in built if possible??

 

[conneh]

http://www.overclockers.co.uk/showproduct.php?prodid=FS-270-OK&groupid=43&catid=1078&subcat=

Thats a rather good system for the money, would last you a while.

 

[Malachi]

conneh's link is pretty decent too actually, and more "future-proof", for the amount of money spent. But if its space your worried about, then a net-top would be the way to go.

 

[Coby.]

Yeah I'm liking the idea of small and simple... As I said we just use it for casual use.

iTunes
Internet
Photo Storing
Microsoft Office

I am pesuming that bottom one linked by Malachi has a CD/DVD Drive? Or do these small options not have any Drives?

 

[Malachi]

No DVD drive. You can buy external ones pretty cheap though, like http://www.ebuyer.com/product/180608

 

[Coby.]

Cheers..... I'll see what the Girlfriend think when she gets home.

 

[conneh]

Hideously expensive for what they are :/