Recommend me Pre-built PC websites or where to get them?

Hey guys,
I'm at a loss as to where to find a decently specced + priced system which doesn't have vista on it.
I could have sworn dell let you select XP - I take it you have to call them and ask for XP on your chosen PC order?

Theres the usual eBay looking but those have a lot of pentium D's and other such rubbish.

If you guys have any other good pre-built PC websites that have decent specs for a max of £600, I would appreciate it. :)
Main use will be games and web browsing. One requirement is that he wants to be able to play TF2 decently. (doesn't have to be high res + settings)

Thanks

PS. No he cant build it himself as he doesnt know how to :mrgreen:

I'm sure that SCAN will build you a PC with XP if you ask.

Yes, Lots of places will do that for you. Buff's suggestion of 'scan' would be as good as any . Not everyone has changed onto vista, a lot of the business community will be on xp for a long time to come.

At the cheaper end of the market Dell can't be beaten and I'm sure will install XP. If you want a games machine then lots of places do OK kit if you let them specify (e.g. Mesh), but I've only ever heard of problems if you take them outside their comfort zones. TBH this is not an entirely unexpected result, and it's why you'll see most of us on this board recommending the same key components over and over - they work.

pcoption.co.uk
element-tech.co.uk

PCSPECIALIST.CO.UK - Custom PCs, Custom Computers, Custom PC, Custom Built Computers, Gaming PC

One word of warning though, their customer testamonials do seem to indicate a long wait with them (3-4 weeks), but they're using good brand parts for everything and there's a Hexus review of one of their systems from the last couple of months which did quite well.

Quote:

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Originally Posted by Lucio

PCSPECIALIST.CO.UK - Custom PCs, Custom Computers, Custom PC, Custom Built Computers, Gaming PC

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They use (unknown brand) NVidia based motherboards, unknown brand Power Supplies, unknown brand HDDs, unknown brand DVDs... And I reckon it's around a £150 premium over self-build.

Pc Option is a bit cheaper and has many more options, but for some reason they don't allow you to change the mouse/keyboard.

element-tech.co.uk which moves onto Computer Planet, falls somewhere in the middle on choice, although IMO many of the choices are not ideal on case and PSU. It does allow you some change on KB/mouse. It's around the same pricewise as Pc Option.

I got mine from Aria.co.uk years ago, and they still do some very cheap. I dunno if they'll still let you customise them, but they should give you an option of having an OS on or not (just email them and ask if you need to).

Thanks guys. I believe PCoption has the correct stuff for the nearest £600 mark.

SHould be ordering it soon.

Quote:

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Originally Posted by Thorsson

They use (unknown brand) NVidia based motherboards, unknown brand Power Supplies, unknown brand HDDs, unknown brand DVDs... And I reckon it's around a £150 premium over self-build.

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Hmm, they've changed their site recently, when I last looked at it they specified most of their parts.

Still, good luck with PC Option, I remember looking at them a while back and freaked out from ordering from them because it dumps you to a "romancart" URL when you order, which means the merchant is so cheap they can't even afford an intergrated payment system on their site.

IMO, far far too dodgy to order from them...

Pay by Credit Card and get that protection.

Dare I say it but you can specify XP if you buy a PC from OcUK.

Not tempted to build it for him yourself? He'll get a fair bit for the money that way :)

£600 is one of those horrible budgets which you could build something fantastic with but you can only buy something mediocre from most places.

Does it have to be XP? this Dell is very good value for money really
The Dell Online Store: Build Your System

Will scan just build one to order and charge you fro the build?

You cant beat Dell on price if you fall within their exact spec.

the thing is most people on here like to know exactly which bits go into their computer, because the better the parts should mean a better computer. Some system builders skim using cheap bits which can let down in terms of performance and reliability. even if you go pc spec then its good to know your bits as you cna tell whats good value for money. I have heard good things about Mesh, but I thought they looked pricey compared to a self build.

Self builds are not hard, but soem companies will build for you.

I would do reasearch and use magazines like pcpro and computer shopper or their websites to look at tests in your budget range. They should all give you the option of XP. If you get confused or wnat feedback on specs post on here again.

I would staffsMike, but he lives in leicester XD
And yea I agree, horrible budget. But hes useless and refuses to learn.

999tigger - Thats a good idea....but I have no idea. I guess I could call scan and find out.

Shame.

I honestly can't think of anything better than that dell. In fact i think its a bit of a bargain. With the OS and everything else thats chucked in it's cheaper than you can build it yourself.
Tell him to snap one up while its there he would be foolish not to imo.