What computer?

[di]

Tomorrow...later today....I could be buying my first ever brand new computer!(my Dad's been holding onto some money left to me from my Grandad)
I've tried to do some research into what would be the best buy,but with my fairly limited knowledge I'm left more confused than I was before I started.
I don't need anything particularly high tech(only use it for things like here,Facebook,Google,sites the kiddies go on and basic other stuff),but I'd like something that's not going to get clogged up too quickly.(I'm a governor at the school so have several documents that need downloading each month/term,also as the kiddies are getting older I assume their needs may increase as far as homework is concerned)
Any suggestions as to make/model I should be looking at and whether there's anything that's more 'universal' than it's competitors...my Dad said I need to be careful and try to get something that's compatible with friends/other governors computers so that I can send them documents?(I hadn't even considered this)
I've perhaps been blinded by advertising,but I like the look of Microsoft Office 2010...is this something I could download to any computer or not?

I really am a novice so far as computers are concerned and as it's the first time I've bought one new I want to get it right...on line recommendations have got me baffled and I'm a little wary of sales pitches in specialist shops,so if anyone can recommend me something it would be much appreciated.

Thanks.x

[di]

Just an add on...I had considered getting this one revamped and buying a laptop but have had several people advise against them saying they don't last as long as a desk top...true?

[Aberdeenplotter]

Most computers can be upgraded so that is well worthwhile investigating especially as it would provide a machine that your children could have access to leaving you with your new computer for your own personal use. Memory and bigger hard drives are the most popular upogrades but with some motherboards it is also possible to upgrade the CPU. Go even further and replace the motherboard and cpu together.

No reason for a laptop not to last as long as any other computer.

If buying a new computer, you need to bear in mind that the technology you are investing in will already have been superceded by the time the machine gets to you. Having said that, it is a situation you cannot avoid. .

Buy the best spec of computer you can afford and don't get too hung up on brand names. The technology is basically the same.

[Two_Sheds]

No reason for a laptop not to last as long as any other computer.

Unless you drop it down the stairs (I did, and it still goes - an Acer, it's now about 6 years old)

I got a new lappy last year with Himself's business. I got a "desktop replacement", ie it's pretty big - ideal for watching videos and editing photos etc.
I found it by googling "best laptop under £500" (click on UK sites) then I narrowed my shortlist to five models. I googled each of them for "reviews" and plumped for a Samsung R730 - I would've been very happy with an Acer though.

[Two_Sheds]

I like the look of Microsoft Office 2010.x

I had the option of buying Office 2007 but I didn't want to pay for a wordprocessor, so I just use Works that came free with the lappy

I do prefer Windows 7 as an operating system, not Vista

I picked this lappy because I'm a touch typist and wanted a full size keyboard, not a diddy one

[broadway]

I've built, upgraded and purchased new pc's over the last 10 years, If you want to pm me with your budget I'd be happy to say what I'd buy?

[zazen999]

Danny - what would you buy with a budget of:
£300
£500
£800
£1000

Just for future reference for all Grapes...


[I'd get the best Macbook I could afford, and a copy of office for Mac, cost me £30 from the student software people].

[broadway]

Danny - what would you buy with a budget of:
£300
£500
£800
£1000

Just for future reference for all Grapes...


[I'd get the best Macbook I could afford, and a copy of office for Mac, cost me £30 from the student software people].

Hi Zaz,

Too be honest when I first purchased a PC it cost about 2 grand but I am talking about 15 years ago.

I did have an Ibook for a while but couldn't get my head round it and ended up selling it for more then I paid on eBay(that said I'd love and Ipad but can't afford it).

Given what I use a pc for nowdays (office and web) I would not pay more then £300, my current squeeze is a "Compaq Mini 110c-1120sa Netbook", paid about £190, plugged into an external flat screen and a 500gig external drive, job done.

Rightly or wrongly if I had a £1000 to spend and a specific requirement I'd look at dell first(or the Ipad!).

[di]

Cheers,I 'could' go up to £700 but would prefer to stay below £500 and have a little left over for some other family treat.

The one I'm on now was second hand from my Dad a couple of years ago...I don't know if it's just old and had it or if it's worth trying to get it fixed(don't want to spend money getting it fixed to only last a few months before acting up again)...the problems are endless,disc tray won't open,will no longer load piccies,only works when it feels like it,can't access desktop type things(saved docs,paint and word)and expect it to let me then access the internet with out turning it off and then on again.

I'm still in two minds about whether to get a laptop...(that Samsung looks good TS)...but my Dad pointed out the potential for 'accidents' with a six and eight year old fighting to use it(

I didn't realise you needed a word processor with the Microsoft Office,maybe that needs a rethink too.

[zazen999]

I didn't realise you needed a word processor with the Microsoft Office,maybe that needs a rethink too.

Microsoft Office has/is a word processor - it's Works that doesn't/isn't...

[di]

Microsoft Office has/is a word processor - it's Works that doesn't/isn't...

Oh!

This is why I thought it best to get a little help/advice before stepping into a shop.

[Hilary B]

There are 2 basic types of computer, prototype and obsolete!
What you are likely to want is
reasonably fast processor
Good sized hard drive
plenty of memory (of a type that hasn't been around so long they are about to stop making upgrades).
If your monitor and keyboard are still good keep them for use with the new one (why buy what you don't need?)
Recommendations from the experts on the numbers for the above would probably help a lot.

[smallblueplanet]

If you've got kids you might be best getting your software from here, great prices

Software4Students

I will put my vote in for buying a Dell - big company, with all the buying power and so selling cheaper in quantity. I think there are options to buy extended waranties with them too.

I am against buying a machine with the idea you'll upgrade it, I think its very unlikely 'non-specialists' often do it. I've got a desktop upstairs that was cheapish to buy as a package and so I added more memory, a video card & a 2nd hard-drive as I went along. But if you're not sure what you're doing get a machine that will do what you want now. One of the drawbacks of up-grading is that other parts of the machine are older/slower and so you get 'bottle-necks' and don't really get full advantage of the upgrade.

I got this 17" Studio 1735 laptop from Dell Outlet store over a year ago, there was an offer on free delivery & £20 off (I think) so it cost me £400 - a very good deal. If you know what you want the Outlet Store is a good place to buy from - all have full waranties and from what I've read Dell are easy to send stuff back to if you change your mind. I've always bought Dell (since Gateway went under) and have no complaints with the goods or customer service - but then I have worked in IT support.

I see there is free delivery at Dell Outlet store atm.

[taff]

going with get the best you can buy with the money you've good. Fast processor, good amount of ram, and a big hard drive.
I don't like laptops, the idea of typing on a tiny keyboard, or having to plug it in constantly is annoying.
If you do have some spare money, it might be worth taking a course in basic computer maintenance, using/updating anti-virus, malware, adware, defragging, cleaning up uneccesary files etc. There are free software replacements for most things, Word can be replaced by open office and is compatible [mostly], etc. There's a lot of open source, free software out there.
A friend built mine 6 years ago, I upgraded the memory, but that's it so far, it still works for what I want it to for the most part. I'm just thinking of asking them to build me another one, a bit fancier [with a bells and whistle case], with a better graphics card, etc etc. It's done me well for that time. A friend is using the one they built me previously, 11 years ago, again, only upgraded the memory, it's still good enough to do anything on the net, use graphic packages/software etc.
I bought a machine from a shop the first time, I never would again. You're tied into the software/OS/hardware/helpline they provide, when with a bit of searching around you can choose one suited to you, with the stuff on it you want, that will last longer.
I swear they pre-program shop bought stuff to break after the guarantee is up.

[kirsty b]

I agree with everyne else who has said get the best you can for your money. Do you have a techy friend near you who could help you look online and give advice?

My OH has a Dell laptop and he loves it. Its a heavy solid lappy with loads of memory and works fine despite all the carp he downloads on to it! He has Vista though as an operating system and I personally don't like it, but he is fine with it.

The only prob we have had is me dropping it and breaking a load of the plastics but I bought the replacemnt parts and we ftted them and it is now good as new!