Topic: Considering a new computer

[Clive]

My computers are  now 3 years old and beginning to make funny noises.  I am therefore considering replacing them and ask what a reasonable specification would be these days?  I don't play games and I don't store masses of film but obviously I would like to futureproof them to some extent.  This will be the last time we buy a pair of computers since Mrs Clive plans to retire within 2 years so we will then be able to manage with one PC and her Mac laptop.

[Rik]

Sue retired and we increased the number of machines, Clive!

Intel Core2 Duo processor, 2GB RAM, I'd suggest a dedicated system drive, say 80GB, plus one or more others. A 256MB graphics card should be adequate for your needs. Aim to get an e-SATA option if you can. DVD/CD drives as required.

Don't skimp on the power supply, and looks for a high-efficiency cooling system, maybe Akasa 120mm case fans.

[Clive]

What is a dedicated system drive?  Does that mean the OS is on one drive and the programs and files on another?  I'm going to go for crappy Vista because MS will abandon XP before too much longer leaving us all up a creek without a paddle.

[Simon]

What is a dedicated system drive?  Does that mean the OS is on one drive and the programs and files on another?

I think so, but don't quote me on it. 

I'm going to go for crappy Vista because MS will abandon XP before too much longer leaving us all up a creek without a paddle.

Vista isn't all that bad, but I wouldn't bet on MS abandoning XP for a few years yet.  In fact, I would consider putting money on them keeping XP alive until the successor to Vista arrives.

[Rik]

Yes, Clive. I have four drives on this machine. A pair of 80GB for system and apps - this has the advantage of being able to move the swap file to a different physical drive to the OS. The third drive is 750GB and carries all my data (still with a little spare room ). The fourth drive is used for internal backups, with other copies going to external USB HDs.

[Clive]

Hell I can't cope with four drives!  But I quite like the idea of the OS and apps on a dedicated drive.  No, I'll rephrase that.  I like it a lot!  A high-efficiency cooling system seems neat too because mine sounds as if it's going into orbit during the hot weather.  Mrs Clive's makes funny beeping noises similar to a phone off the hook but the frequency of the beep is not consistent. 

Talking of power supplies, how much a month are you paying for electricity?  Mine costs me £80 and I cook with gas.  Will I need my own dedicated power station for my proposed new machines?   

[Simon]

Those four drive are on just one of Rik's machines, Clive!      I would imagine his electric bill would be equivalent to that of the rest of Milton Keynes put together!  Indeed, they have to wait for him to log off before they can boil a kettle! 

[Lona]

I've just bought the new Medion from Aldi at £629.99.  They still have them in stock.  The machine I'm using just now is a medion and it is 3 years old and never has it given me any problems and with a 3 year warranty what more could you want.

http://www.aldi.co.uk/uk/html/offers/2867_4445.htm

[Clive]

I've been in touch with my computer supplier who refuses to install Vista on new machines because it's too troublesome.  He says that if MS ever stop supporting XP then he will load Vista over the top of XP for me but he doesn't think that day will come any day soon.  I will have 2GB of RAM and 256Mb graphics card.  He will phone me to let me know processor prices but he expects each machine to cost £450 max including data transfer.

[Camstop]

Going on the spec above and presuming you already have your monitors this could be worth a look


Link


I've had Vista from March and not had a single problem with it after updating my drivers 

[Clive]

That's an amazing price for that spec.  What a find!

[Reno]

I remember when my friend pete was soooo proud of having a gig of memory. Now your average person doesn't think a gig is anything.

At the moment I'm running a amd3000 with a 512 and 4hds summing up to a terabyte. The next machine i plan on moving up to will have AT LEAST a quadcore inside. I would wait until the next generation of intel processors get churned out. When they do the quads will drop down to nothing.

Give them two years and these will come out for businesses.
Tigerton
techspot

[daveeb]

I've just bought the new Medion from Aldi at £629.99.  They still have them in stock.  The machine I'm using just now is a medion and it is 3 years old and never has it given me any problems and with a 3 year warranty what more could you want.

http://www.aldi.co.uk/uk/html/offers/2867_4445.htm

Lona you're the lucky one    I've had problems since day 1 with my medion pc and the three year guarantee is meaningless as the engineers have been out several times and never cured the problem for long.  I hear you have to return your machine back to base now as well, medion are very reluctant to send engineers any more.

[gmax]

More people should have a go at building there own pc's , basically it's a bunch of components that you plug in to the motherbord then load the OS .If you buy a medion pc
or any other brand is it going to have a decent PSU, ram, will the case have front & rear fans with a dust filter? , will the wiring looms be held together with rubber bands that perish and fall on the motherboard?. Research pc components then build your own pc it's not difficult at all, i had more trouble trying to install my digital box for my tv
 

[Clive]

So what I've actually bought is a pair of Acer Veriton M661 machines as specified HERE

They come preloaded with Office 2007, AutoRoute 2007 and Photoshop 2006 amongst other software.  One has just turned up and the other should not be too far behind!