girlfriend needs a pc.. 500 MAX budget :O

[jackvdbuk]

title says it all really lol, she wnats a tft, and hasnt got anything atm... shes not a gamer either, well give me soem ideas :0 i was thinking conroe lol!

[XA04]

If it's just general stuff then (don't shoot me people!), I'd say go for a dell.

You could get a pretty decent one for £300, with TFT and the lot. If she isn't using it for gaming then it's ideal really.


I'm really for building your own computers, and most of the time I'd say avoid pre-built computers... but in this case I'd say go for Dell.

[jackvdbuk]

hmmm thats what i ohught.. dell but i just love building lol hmm thats what i told ehr anyways... we'll just have to see, still maiing a custom pc for her tho

[scrandman]

Cheapest bet (other than a Dell) would be an ASUS S754 barebones and a cheapo Sempron.

Only worth doing if Linux is an option for her - the price of Windoze will make a Dell more economical.

[cotswoldcs]

I'd say avoid the Sempron - totally outclassed and really feeling its age now.

Dell would be a good bet in this case. It won't be exciting but it'll do the job.

What about a laptop? You can get a decent enough laptop for £500

[kasavien]

I'd go for Dell too, or the laptop sounds like a good idea. You won't be able to build a system as cheap as Dell can in that price range especially if you had to include a monitor, keyboard, mouse etc.

[alpha112]

Id say a dell, I had one. I only ever had one problem with it and that was my fault, they came out next day and replaced the part no problem. Even their customer service wasnt too bad

[killie99]

There are planty of good Dell systems on offer this week:

Use the e-value search on their site and look at these:

100-D09515a (£399)
100-D09511 (£410)
100-D09512 (£469)
100-D093C6 (£329)

[scrandman]

I'd say avoid the Sempron - totally outclassed and really feeling its age now.

Horses for courses my dear fellow. Read the original post - it doesn't sound like she needs dual core. Sempron are ideal nippy wee processors for web-surfing, word processing, etc.

[kasavien]

Even with a sempron, i doubt very much that you would be able to build a complete computer with monitor, keyboard, mouse os etc as cheaply as dell would be able to make something of similar spec.

Also check the dell outlet btw there are often great deals on there.

[Golden Dragoon]

Id say a dell, I had one. I only ever had one problem with it and that was my fault, I had bought a Dell

I edited your quote to what you meant to say , honestly I wouldn't give Dell the time of day, had nothing but trouble with them in the past, and I doubt they have improved.
I say go for a Mesh, they have some pretty good deals as well, and fantastic customer service.

[CrimsonAvenger]

I'd agree you won't be able to compete with Dell.

Value for money for someone who doesnt need a top spec PC.

[mark19632]

With alot of shopping around me and a guy from work built his dad a new PC for about £330 inc a 17" TFT and Windows home. Based on a s754 sempy

Although going with Dell would be my option.

[killie99]

another good Dell at the moment: £349

Description

Dimension 5150(D09515b)
Date & Time: Wednesday 6 September 2006 9:13 AM

SYSTEM COMPONENTS
Dimension 5150(D09515b) Qty 1
Intel® Pentium® 4 Processor 531 with HT technology (3.00GHz, 800MHz fsb, 1MB cache), Genuine Windows® XP Home Edition (Does not include Operating System Re-installation CD) Unit Price Incl. VAT £288.99
Catalog Number: 202 D09515B
Module Description Show Details
Base Intel® Pentium® 4 Processor 531 with HT technology (3.00GHz, 800MHz fsb, 1MB cache)
Microsoft Operating System Genuine Windows® XP Home Edition (Does not include Operating System Re-installation CD)
Memory 512MB Dual Channel DDR2 533MHz [2x256] Memory
Keyboard Dell™ Black Entry Quietkey USB Keyboard - UK/Ire (QWERTY)
Monitor Dell™ 17" Value Flat Panel (E177FP)
Video Card Integrated Intel® Graphics Media Accelerator 950
Hard Drive 80GB (7200rpm) Serial ATA Hard Drive with 8MB DataBurst™ cache
Floppy Drives Internal 13-in-1 Media Card Reader
Mouse Dell USB 2 Button Wheel Mouse - Black
Modem No Modem
CD/DVD Drives 48x/32x/48x/16x CDRW/DVD-ROM Combination Drive
Sound Cards Integrated Audio with Dolby Digital 7.1 capability
Speakers No Speakers
Shipping Documents System Documentation with UK Power Cord
Gedis Bundle Reference List D09515b Dimension 5150
Microsoft Application Software Microsoft® Works 8 - English
Standard Warranty Collect & Return, 1 Year Service only
Cover It with Dell Support Services Collect & Return, 1 Year Service only
AntiVirus & Security Software No Security/Anti-Virus Protection
Digital Photography No Photo Organising & Sharing Software/No Photo Editing Software
Order Information Dimension Order - UK
Dell System Media Kit No Resource CD
SecureData Software No Secure Data Software
Adobe Reader Adobe Reader 6.0 - English
Dell Internet Order Dell Internet Order.
Network assistant 90 days trial of Network Assistant included

TOTAL Incl. VAT:£288.99

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------




Total excl. VAT VAT Rate Total incl. VAT
Sub-total £245.95 17.50 % £288.99
Total Delivery Charge £51.06 17.50 % £60.00
Total Price £297.01 17.50 % £348.99

[MSIC]

Better than that (well, in some ways, in my opinion) is Dell's Inspiron 1300 laptop with the following:

Intel Centrino (Pentium M @ 1.70 Ghz)
512 MB RAM
60 gig hard drive
15.4 " Widescreen monitor (1280 x 800)
DVD re-writer

Total = £378 inc VAT & Shipping

There's plenty there to go along with (especially if it's just for a person who doesnt want to game but just regular email/word/browsing stuff).