Need a new desktop and don't know how to tell a good one from a bad one.

[FuckYouChrisAndThatHorse]

We've been surviving on my 1st gen iPad for years, but the dcs really need a proper PC now for school and things.

I need the full shebang, right down to a table and chair :o

Printer
Monitor
Mouse
Keyboard
And of course, actual computer.

I have considered splashing out on an iMac, and would do if the advice was that they are worth it. But would prefer to spend around £500 on a decent but not ridiculously high spec computer.

It would be used for homework (so cheap ink for the printer would be good), some games, but I doubt anything too fancy, probably sims-type, and basic surfing.

It doesn't need to have Microsoft office on it, as I can get that very cheaply through work.

Any advice on where to start? Even which shops or websites to go to? We don't have a pcworld or anything nearby, so there's no where to browse.

Any advice greatfully received :) thanks.

I'd be interested too - I'm sure I'd pay more than I needed as I'd get flummoxed by what I actually needed compared to what they try and sell

I asked this question a couple of weeks ago. Dell was recommended but I'm still not sure what I'm looking for.

A friend advised me that if yoy can stretch to an imac you will find they tend to last a long while and have few problems. So I'm thinking imac.

Not much help I'm afraid!

You'll probably find you'll get a lot better deals if you shop around for the seperate items rather than buy it all from one place. Eg IKEA maybe for a desk and chair.

As for the PC itself there are so many places selling them at wildly varying prices it can become a nightmare. Argos are usually good for PC's price-wise. This one would be a good one based on your requirements : www.argos.co.uk/m/static/Product/partNumber/5089662.htm

That's just the PC itself so you'd need a monitor and printer to go with them, but you get the idea.
The problem people tend to find with a lot of dedicated computer stores is that they'll try and sell you so many extras, so if you go down that route be prepared for the hard sell!

Thanks Wilford, I'm off to ikea tomorrow, so that'll be one bit sorted :)

I have used an iMac in the past and it was lovely, but it does seem an excessive expense for only basic needs.

I'll have a look at that argos one.

If you don't already have a desk and chair, why are you getting a desktop?

Wouldn't a laptop be easier?

We want to set up a proper "computer place" in the living room, so the dcs can use it and be supervised, and it's somewhat comfortable to work.

Excellent reason, carry on!

:o

Thanks Pangaea.

If you want to play Sims then you can't go wrong asking on www.modthesims.info - the posters there are very knowledgeable about sims in intimate detail!

I wouldn't bother with an iMac unless you're really well into graphics, video making or recording music. Windows is far more likely to be compatible with school stuff too. People complain about Windows 8, but if you haven't used a computer in a while then you'll pick it up fairly easily, it's more alien to people who are used to using the old style of Windows computers (and if you prefer that, you can always use it in desktop mode anyway).

Bertie :) promise I won't only use it for sims.

That's my feeling about an iMac. I always remember a friend struggling with nothing on the course being compatible with her comp, when I went back to college for a bit.

But they're so convenient, and fast, and pretty :o

Ohh, you can get fast and pretty windows computers these days too :)

And Windows 8, though people complain about it, is actually a very fast, non bloaty operating system.

That's good to hear :)

Hate windows 8 - it's grim and not user friendly at all. But I digress... I like HP for desktops but they're not the cheapest.

I'll check them out, thanks nanoo

If buying a desktop or workstation, I would probably still use Dell.

They offer good guidance online if you're not sure what a particular component does, or why it would be 'better' to have the xyz specification rather than abc, IYSWIM.

why not consider an all in one such as this
www.dell.com/uk/p/inspiron-23-5348-aio/pd?oc=cd53402&model_id=inspiron-23-5348-aio

...like the iMac, not quite as pretty though!

Thanks wordy, :) I think I will go with a dell. I was comparing specs with iMacs earlier, and I really can't justify the additional expense.

On the plus side, I have ikea'd a new desk and chair, so we're all ready to go!

Desk and chair is just as important :)
Hope you get the setup you want!