spannersatcx,

I clicked on their AthlonXP 2500+ and these were the specs:

• AMD Athlon 2500 XP Barton
• Carrera G Case (Black)
• Leadtek NForce Motherboard (K7NCR18D)
• 17 inch TFT Sharp LL-T17A3B (black)
• 512MB DDR (333Mhz) memory
• 80GB 7200prm HDD
• 16x DVD ROM + 1.44MB Floppy
• 52x24x52 CDRW Burnproof
• ATI Radeon 9600 256MB (TV Out 8xAGP)
• Integrated 6 Channel Audio
• Sub Woofer Speaker System
• 10/100 Ethernet Adapter
• Intel v92 Voice/Fax/Modem
• Carrera Keyboard
• Carrera Optical Mouse
• Microsoft Windows XP Home
• Full Office Suite (WP, /Sheet, Dbase)
• 5 years (3 Year On-Site, 2 years RTB)

£699.00 excl. VAT

Nice system.

Take Care,

Richard

What is it that turns Mac users more evangelical that born again non-smokers?

Well, I have more than enough experience and qualifications in the IT industry (where I still work) and I use a (corporate laptop) PC at work and a Mac at home. I finally saw the light at the end of 2002.

Why Mac? It works! It doesn't fall over or need drivers for every new camera or peripheral. It comes with all the software most people need (Audio, Video, Web and Office) and a bit more besides.

And it's pretty.

When my PC laptop dies, I’ll be looking for ways to get the company to fund a Mac replacement.

If you’re looking for reliable personal computing, it can’t be beat. (And getting used to OS X will take about a day, after which you’ll be dusting off your own soap box).

Posted from my iMac, which hasn’t had a reboot for more than 3 months

WeatherJinx & Land After,

Getting back to serious debate, we know MACs are stable, but remember PCs have been Stable since the Release of WinXP, so it is a non issue.

Whirlybird,

Getting the thread back on track here. I took a good look at the three websites. (Novatech, Carrera, and Mech)

I found Mech Computers to be at the top, Carrera second, and Novatech a distant third. I would highly recommend looking at the three websites and comparing options.

Take Care,

Richard

Richard,
Thankyou; I'll take a look at that website.

Binos,
Many thanks for understanding where I'm coming from. I was beginning to think I should run away yelling and screaming from a forum full of lovely well-meaning people, but who who spoke a language I didn't understand and couldn't be bothered to learn.

Anyway, another question. PC World's website has a PC with a similar spec to the one I posted. It's on their homepage, and it's the "Emachines Intel 2.4GHz PC" etc. It comes with a monitor (which I don't need but can sell) and software which I would use. It's only £429!!! It's reconditioned, but a friend said that might be even better than new, as it will have been thoroughly checked over.

Now, I know lots of people think PC World are wonderful, and lots won't touch them, but I've never heard of any reasons why, on either side. I hate their shops because (a) they treat me like a brainless idiot, and (b) they try to hardsell their overpriced and unnecessary extended warranty. But this is an on-line only deal, and sounds fine for what I want. Any opinions?


Finally, I'm sure this Mac v PC stuff is ever so interesting and useful. But I'm barely PC-literate, and old (relatively!) and set in my ways and I'm not listening, and I can't understand the finer points anyway. So please please take that discussion elsewhere!
:)

I recently got a new set-up, but I'm not going to embarrass myself by telling you all about its specs, mainly because I haven't a clue (didn't have to make those decisions) but I did insist on some really important features (to me) which I'll mention.

Most importantly a Bluetooth keyboard and mouse. I will never go back to corded ones ever again, certainly not for a mouse. It's wonderful! Also have one of those flat plasma screen monitors which takes up so little room on my desk that I can put all sorts of clutter between the monitor and me now. Fantastic clarity, too. Finally I now have a drawing whatsit (tablet?) with electronic "pencil" for when I fiddle with photos and other things. It's really easy to use, well, once you get used to it, anyway. Great gadget.

Okay, back to the big boys......

One more for the pot Whirly as you're determined to stay PC.

Any of the companies mentioned will build a decent PC but spend any time on this maddening forum and you will see support is the real issue - software, operating system, drivers and comms.

I'd suggest very strongly you have a look at Evesham. Their PC's are the same but I'm pushing you their way because of their 'big brother' support system. As well as all the usual on-site tech and repair stuff each time you log on they will contact you if there are any updates, security patches or new drivers for your system and they send them down the line to you. Your PC stays tuned, current and virus free by logging on.

Regards
Rob

Stormy,
Ah, someone on here who speaks my language. :ok: I already have a flat screen, bought last year when I decided my old PC would last another year but I needed more space and something that wouldn't hurt my eyes. It's wonderful! I wanted a cordless keyboard and mouse, but couldn't get one with my old PC; can't remember why. But that'll be next.

Rob,
Thanks, good point.

No-one's commented on the PC World good deal yet. Are PC World taboo on here? :eek:

Whirly I forgot to mention I have a webcam. It's so much fun. When I talk to my relatives in remote locations, we can see and hear each other and best of all, it's without the additional cost of telephone calls.

I am always cautious about privacy though, and even though it seems like you are controlling when it is on or off, mine always has a little green light above the camera, probably to show that there is power, but I'm a suspicious sort, so I cut off the toe of a sock and keep it over the top like a lid, unless I'm using it. Call me cautious, but if I'm roaming around, well, less than fully dressed, I'm not risking that camera being on without me knowing.

Actually, as I've used it more, I find that whereas I was quite self-conscious in the beginning, and watched the screen which showed myself to see that I didn't look like a total moron, there's a tendancy now to forget about it, which can be tricky. It's amazing what people do while sitting at their computers, without thinking about being seen - just a word of warning for new users.

Of course on this forum, you've probably all been using such things for decades and wonder where I've been hiding to be so excited about all these gadgets these days.

Have fun Whirly.

Re. PS World, Dixons, et al
 

Whirly

Don't shoot until you can see the whites of their socks!

I'd venture that even though we're, ahem, debating vigorously about the merits or otherwise of Mac vs. PC, we'd probably tend to agree that these stores should avoided at all costs - the staff and management are merely uninformed cannon fodder, designed for the sole function of selling unnecessary extended warranties (the no. one contributor to their bottom line).

In the main, these retail-bots are pre-programmed to have no interest whatsoever in ensuring Whirly gets the right system; or indeed enjoys excellent after-sales care. The only time I use them is when I see something with a bargain price tag and I know precisely what I want (as in my recent joystick purchase). Then it's:

In -> Buy-> 'No thanks, I'll pass on the warranty' ->Out

I'd stick with one of the companies already mentioned, or your local guru. In a previous life, I used to do some graphics work for Carrera - they seemed like decent people.

Jx

Stormy - Why don't you just unplug the cam when not using it? No, on second thoughts, stick with the sock - it's a much funnier mental image! ;)

Go on WeatherJinx, have a laugh at my sock, but my Cam does not have an on/off switch on it, and the cord which runs from the back of it is not able to be disconnected at the Cam, so I'd have to clamber around the back of the desk (against the wall) to find what on earth it plugs into.....no, I don't think so. I just don't want to rely only on my software for turning it off. Actually my sock looks great. It's black, and was brand new until I cut it to length for this job - just to keep your mental image accurate. Anyway it looks better than the pink floral pillowcase I put over the monitor when it's not in use......














......I jest!! :p

I'm with Whirly on this seeking to replace rather than upgrade my PC base unit.

John Lewis are doing the HP T340 UK for about £700 and it seems to have most things that a muggins might want now or in the foreseeable future.

Can anyone comment on the ATI Radeon 9200 128Mb video card which it comes with - or anything else for that matter!



Details here

Hope that works,
Cheers,
mcdhu

Stormy

ROFL! :D

Reminds me of a very houseproud friend of mine, who also puts an immaculately ironed pillowcase over her keyboard when not in use!

Thank you for putting a smile on my face on my first day back at work...

Jx ;)

If you're determined to stick with the PC option...... I know that both Aldi and Lidl buy in batches of high spec and very low price PC base units. You may want to give their websites a look to see if anything comes up.

I've no personal experienceof the kit, but read a couple of positive magazine reviews last year.

I can vouch for Evesham support, though the grapevine suggests that it may have been going downhill a little in recent years.

I bought one!
 

OK, OK, I admit it! I ignored everyone's advice. :(

I did listen, honestly!! But when I thought about it, I just wanted something a bit faster and with enough memory to keep me doing what I've always done on PCs, for a few more years. The rest, for me, was irrelevant.

So...I bought the PC World special sale deal off their website. £429, for something that as far as I can see is about £600 anywhere else, and will be fine for what I want - I hope! It even comes with a 17" monitor, which I don't need, but have found a home for already - even getting paid a pittance for it. And not a whisper of extended warranties. It will hopefully arrive within a week.

Anyway, thanks everyone. Dropping in here now and then is quite an...education. Speak to you all again if anything goes wrong with my new PC - hopefully not too soon!

And Stormy, that webcam sounds like fun - I want one!

TheStormyPetrel,

Some Webcams come with little visors now for that reason. Webcams are very easy to hack from the net and get them to turn on without the owners knowing! :eek:

Another solution for you would be an Extension cable for your USB:

http://images10.newegg.com/productim...116-121-01.JPG

That way you would not have to go behind your computer to unplug the webcam.

mcdhu,

The Radeon 9200 is a budget card, just like the FX 5200 Cards you are seeing in most budget systems. The Radeon 9200, like the FX 5200 will not play most games, and if you are thinking of Flight Sim 2k4, you will have to run it stripped down to the bare minimum. I do not recommend the FX 5200 to anyone. It is just tossing your money out the window. If you can still find a GeForce4 Ti4200, it is a much better card, they run as little as $70.00 in the U.S. but blow most budget cards away.

Here is an article from Anand Tech that is well worth the read. (Do not worry too much about the technical info, the graphs and the conclusion at the end will give you a good understanding about the Video Cards on the market.)

Fall 2003 Video Card Roundup, Part 4: Budget Shootout

The motherboard that HP is using is the Intel® i845GE Chipset. There are two versions of the i845 Chipset. The first i845 used the older PC-133 RAM. This version was a very bad design since PC-133 could not provide enough memory Bandwidth for the Memory Bandwidth hungry PIV. (It would be like having to download 100Mb files with a 56k Dialup. It is just slow.) The i845GE uses DDR PC-2100 and PC-2700 RAM, that feeds the needs of the PIV and helps the PIV get to full potential. (Now you are downloading 100Mb files with a Cable/DSL Connection. It runs as it was designed to do.)

The only thing I do no like about the version of the motherboard HP is using is the form factor. The motherboard is the mATX factor, which means it is a shorter, stripped down motherboard, so you have little chance of adding anything down the road to the computer. Here is an example of two motherboards:

This is the mATX Version of the Intel i845GE:

http://images10.newegg.com/productim...121-169-09.JPG

This is the ATX Version of the Intel i845GE:

http://images10.newegg.com/productim...121-166-11.JPG

I do like that the computer comes with a DVD Burner, that will really come in handy. The hard drive is a good one with 80Gb of space. (It is partitioned is there is 4Gb less on it.)

The only weak spots on that computer are the Video Card and the motherboard form. (Also, I am sure HP set the BIOS of the motherboard is you will not be able to upgrade the processor.)

Take Care,

Richard

P.S. Whirlybird, it is your money and your PC. You have to do what makes you happy. Best of luck, and if you have any problems, we will be here to help you as best we can.