Buying a pc - where to look?

[lisalisa]

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Dell Outlet is off the main Dell page.

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thanks G

i did a search - so what does this mean?

Operating System: English - Win XP SP2 Pro (Backup Media)
Memory: 256MB (NON-ECC400MHZ DDRII)
Floppy Drive: 1.44MB Floppy Drive
Hard Disk Drive: 40GB (7, 200rpm)SATA Hard Drive
Modem: 56.6K PCI Data/Fax Modem (UK)
CD ROM Drive: 48X IDE CD-ROM Drive
MISC: Energy Star Compliant
USB KEYBOARD UK MG
USB KEYBOARD UK MG
Dell 2 Button USB MG Scroll Mouse
Internal Speaker

bundle - that's a standard machine. better to have 512Mb RAM if you can, and what is the CPU/chip - does it say? (if not don't touch it!)

lisalisa - it's best to go for a biggish hard drive (40Gb or so), but a smaller one is fine if you don't mind backing up more often. All computers have a graphics card, but they offer you better ones if you want to play games/watch lots of videos. You probably only need the standard one.

thanks senora, that's really helpful (that model was about £300 so i suppose you get what you pay for)

lisalisa - the best place to start is to look up the recommended specs for the software you want to use (don't just go by the minimum spec - try and find a recommended spec - send an email to the manufacturer of the software if you're not sure). Then try and aim for a spec that's slightly better if you can afford to - that way you inflation proof yourself against new software coming out that you need, etc etc.

(Although, tbh, I've always gone on the basis that I have X amount to spend on a computer, what's the absolute best I can get for that money )

Another good idea if you're starting from scratch is to go into WHSmiths or wherever and pick up a few "What PC?" type magazines. They should give a few beginner's explanations of what to look out for, and will also do benchmark tests, value for money, reviews etc which can be incredibly helpful.

Lastly find someone in similar employment that uses their computer similarly to how you want to and ask what spec their computer is.

(I suppose it goes without saying that you don't ask someone in PC World or any computer retailer what spec you need because they'll almost certainly try to sell you what you don't need?)

bundle, or anyone worried about ordering over the phone. Dell will ask you what you want to use the pc for, internet, games, etc and will tailor it for your use. They should then give you some options rathter than just trying to sell you the most expensive one.

And remember no matter how powerful your pc, the internet will only ever be as fast as your phone connection. I.E if you have normal dial up instead of broadband, the internet will run like a dog even if you have something the size of the Space Shuttle.

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Excellent - hope you find a good bargain

Hijack alert - Would I be foolish to buy a Dell laptop while in America? They're so much cheaper there.....

Not 100% sure, I would think it'd be okay ... however:

1. check power supply thingumies - you'd need a different adapter for use here - not sure if you can just pick them up cheaply, but factor in that cost.

2. bear in mind you will probably get clobbered for tax when you hit customs.

3. if anything goes wrong with it, customer support/repairs etc get complicated - effectively you'll be buying it without guarantee/warranty (unless you travel to the US frequently).

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Is there someone in your current company's tech department that you can take computer shopping with you? Of course, you'd need to do it outside office hours, and pay them something on a freelance basis. If you can establish an undestanding, perhaps they'd be available for technical support/questions once you've established your business.

If you feel strange about hiring someone from work, they could perhaps direct you to a consultant. Or perhaps you could try a computer training company for some expert advice. Think it's much better than you trying to handle this on your own. There's too much fo a relative novice to get wrong. Good luck.