Desktop Pc recommendation

[knowabit]

Hi, my dad need to get a new computer. He has a Dell at the moment, 11 years old! It runs so slow now and he just wants to upgrade to something newer and faster.
Should he stick with Dell? Budget of £500. Used mainly for internet browsing, email and betting websites!! I think he wants to watch live stuff on it too. Will also want to store photos and music.
Can anyone advise on a suitable brand/model?
Many thanks.

[VHG]

Note that Windows 8 has just been launched and this is totally different from Windows 7, and any earlier release of Windows.

I went into John Lewis, Comet and Currys yesterday and those shops are already full of Windows 8 PCs, and they are selling off their Windows 7 PCs in a "Windows 7 clearout".

So if he goes to one of those shops quick he may get a bargain.

Dell are fine, but even they may have shifted to Windows 8 so he may have trouble getting a Windows 7 PC from them.

[VHG]

To be honest if all he wants to do is browsing, email and some online betting then any modern PC will do as those activities do not stretch a PC.

Live stuff, like iPlayer etc, will stretch it a bit more.

But he does not need a top of the range so £500 should be fine.

Note that many "desktop deals" dont always include the monitor (even though they show it in the photo) so make sure the monitor is included if he wants one.

[VHG]

Here is a Dell in their Windows 7 clearance deals that is £279 but does not include a monitor, but you can easily buy any monitor for £100 or so

http://configure.euro...&l=en&s=dhs&cs=ukdhs1

[VHG]

Here is a slightly better one at £329, with a beter CPU but same memory and disk size as the previous one.

http://configure.euro...&l=en&s=dhs&cs=ukdhs1

[knowabit]

Thanks for your help. What is wrong with Windows 8? Is he missing anything if he buys windows 7??

[VHG]

Slightly better one again at 379 with the same cpu and memory as the one above, but bigger hard disk (1Tb) and better graphics.

http://configure.euro...&l=en&s=dhs&cs=ukdhs1

[VHG]

Nothing "wrong" with Windows 8, but it is a HUGE change from Windows 7 (and all previous versions of Windows).

For example here is the front screen when you start Windows 8

http://2.bp.blogspot....s-8-screenshots-1.jpg

And lots of people have posted videos on YouTube with their mum or dad trying to use Windows 8 for the first time.

Here is one

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sw-bYWOAmPM

[Graham-W]

Save a few quid and still get 6 months warranty with a refurbished unit like this. Just check out the spec. vs price.
http://www.bigpockets...iness&product=SOLV866

[VHG]

Here is just one of the many reviews of Windows 8 pointing out some of the issues

http://www.businessin...-to-figure-out-2012-5

[knowabit]

Looks like my windows phone... looks easier really. Is everything just on the homepage in little boxes?

[VHG]

>>>Looks like my windows phone

That was Microsofts aim.

To have one standard interface across their phones, PCs, and the tablets they recently announced.

The reason I have concerns is that you mention it is for your dad (not sure how old he is) who may be used to XP or Vista and Windows 7 may not be much of a jump.

The jump to W8 may be one jump too far.

The general consensus is that W7 has been a "good" release (unlike vista) and is therefore a good stable release to stay on (as XP was a good release to stay on).

But if you think your dad would be OK with W8 then get him a W8 PC.

[gingejbee]

Another (not too keen) review of Windows 8 by Computeractive:


http://www.computerac...soft-windows-8-review

[VHG]

This web site gives an easy to view look at all the Dell deals, for laptps and desktop, for W7 and W8

http://www.dmxdimension.com/

[Dodger666]

Keep away from Comet, they've gone into administration. That's unless they sell everything off cheap, but then you may have no guarantee.

http://www.telegraph....time-home-buyers.html

[knowabit]

Thanks for all your answers.... I was going to have a look at John Lewis as they give an extra years warranty. I think I'll look for windows 7 for him.

[balliali]

I wouldnt recommend Dell at all. I have one, its fine. The problems are with the call centre and trying to explain when things go wrong as they eventually will. If you have an accent of any kind or poor hearing etc, explaining your computer glitches in a phone call to India is at best trying.... and damned stressful. Thats no bad reflection on the technicians when you eventually get them, they are excellent. Buy one locally where its very easy to go back to is my advice based on experience

[VHG]

>>>when things go wrong as they eventually will.

I have bought about half a dozen Dell computers over the years and none have ever gone wrong and I have never had to phone the help desk.

[knowabit]

My dads Dell is 11 years old and never had a problem.

[knowabit]

Thanks ajtim.