Cheap PCs?

[snowleopard]

Poor old computer is finally swamped so must upgrade to something a bit bigger. I'm not after anything state-of the art, a basic system with a flat screen for under £500.

So who's offering the best deals at present? The cheapest I've found so far are Dell, rather to my surprise.

 

[lockwood]

If you are not keen on 'building your own', I would definetely go for a Dell.

In fact, these people sell graded Dell stock at very good prices, I have bought a number of machines from them in the past and found prices and service to be A1.

http://www.mcscom.co.uk/

 

[Sans Bateau]

Yes go DELL. They are real cheap just now.

Craig, I bought a couple of the 'regraded' ones, in the end I don't think they are any cheaper and you can finish up paying for features you do not want. I reckon they are just built and stocked, all the talk about returned or cancelled orders is spin. You try ordering one without paying first, or returning one 'cos you don't like it!

 

[Danny_Labrador]

Try here:- http://www.europc.co.uk/ I have bought a couple of Dell towers for work and a Dell laptop for my daughter. Very helpful and if you already have an operating system you can buy without. They also told me where to get XP Pro for less than a £100.

Two have come as “used" on invoice but I just can’t see how they were.. all new packaging and if you looked very closely (which I did) there no signs of usage?

For screens try http://www.cclonline.com/ just bought a 15 inch flat screen for £96.00 seems to be excellent so far (2 days).

 

[cozy]

I would go for something from a large, established supplier (including Dell), just in case you have a problem (which in my experience is pretty likely sooner or later). In practice it is very hard to make direct cost comparisons because the specs are usually subtly different. The thing that would swing it for me would be a larger screen. Depends on what you are going to be using it for, both now and during its anticipated lifespan.

If you don't already have any, remember to include the cost of decent privacy/security software.

 

[fireball]

I've heard that Dell have outsourced their support helpline to india - like most larger UK companies these days!! - the problem is that it takes ages to actually get through to them if you do have a problem ... and we all know that a problem left unfixed is annoying!

 

[jerryat]

Yes, Dell most certainly have 'out-sourced' to India, and it's a total disaster in my view! I bought my current laptop (Inspiron 8600 wide screen) from them around July last year and it had a problem with the motherboard from new. Getting answers/decisions via Bombay was virtually impossible and I spent literally HOURS during 29 'phone calls just wasting time.

It was only by getting a 'phone number for their Irish distribution place and demanding direct action from them that things began to move. All this was extremely annoying as we'd bought three Dell's within a three month period (mine was the only problem one) and had used Dell's for years.

Talking to various 'local' Dell people, it became absolutely clear that I was just one of very many who found this farming out provided a disgraceful service from such a world renowned company.

Right, rant over. The computer was replaced eventually, together with a sweetener or three, including 3 year on-site service, so I am now a satisfied customer again. Have to say that I'm totally delighted with the laptop now which seems to me to provide the best mid-range value for money available currently. It's just that truly awful 'help' line .............. /forums/images/graemlins/mad.gif /forums/images/graemlins/mad.gif

Cheers Jerry

 

[penultimate]

I am very pleased with my recycled PC bought from Greenleaf Electronic Recycling, Ltd. through the pages of MicroMart. You can choose your own specification and prices start from £99. (I paid £260.28 excluding the monitor).I have no connection with either Greenleaf or MicroMart.

 

[oldharry]

You could also take a look at www.novatech.co.uk, who do a range of very competitive PCs or will build/modify to your requirements. Also very useful for upgrades.

 

[Magnum]

Take a look at www.overclockers.co.uk

Systems (minus monitor, keyboard & mouse) from £176 - http://www.overclockers.co.uk/acatalog/full_systems.html

LCD Monitors from £125 - http://www.overclockers.co.uk/acatalog/Online_Catalogue_Monitors_17.html

 

[pessimist]

We've now standardised on the small form Shuttles. Buy them in from Aria and you'll get something well within your budget. You need to be prepared to install the processor, memory, disk etc. yourself. Not difficult - takes about half an hour. Their 17 inch flat panels are also very good value.

We used to use Dell but have found their quality and service to have slipped considerably over the past 3 years. We no longer recommend them to our clients.

Cheers

Colin

 

[pragmatist]

And shuttles are so small they're easy to carry to the boat - you can get a special bag for about £15 - we now keep spare screens and keyboards at the boat so we just need to take the PC. As well as work & navigation we also plan to use them for watching DVDs. Aria are genuinely online only (unless you're near Manchester to visit them) but normally next day delivery via CityLink is reliable (and no we have no connection with them other than having purchased lots from them over the last 18 months).

 

[shamrock]

I needed a second machine for the office - nothing too flashy, and found one like this on ebay: http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?V...ssPageName=WDVW I reckon they are from companies who have upgraded.

Mine's a Dell, couple of years old, and for 100 quid I got it with Windows XP. Added a £150 monitor and it's a great deal. For word processing, browsing, photos etc it's as fast as the hi-spec server we have, so I'd certainly recommend.

the sellers (ethiocom) were very good, but there are plenty of other firms doing the same thing.

 

[snowleopard]

thanks all

Dell still come out cheapest but after the horror stories about poor service i'll have a look at local suppliers before taking the plunge.

 

[PhilF]

I'm having a nightmare with them at the moment. they failed to deliver, twice. after many agravating phone calls to India, I cancelled the order.

They then tried to deliver it twice when we were not in, without notice.

Now they tell me it takes 5-10 days to process the refund. They have had the machine back at Dells 5 days. I doesnt take them 5 days to take the money in the first place.

I wont deal with a company that I cant talk to easily. Dell is off the list, so is Capital Bank, and LLoyds TSB.

Grump Grump

PhilF

 

[VicS]

Re: thanks all

Its a pity about Dell as they came top of the list last time advice on buying a new PC was sought on the forum. Perhaps they will get the act together.

If you are looking at machines at the bottom end of the price range check the spec carefully or you may not get what you need. When I was looking at Dells a while back I found that the final price once I had specified what I wanted, namely memory, HD size, optical drive, speakers (They are not always included in the basic price), monitor etc , was several hundred more than the basic price.

 

[snowleopard]

Re: thanks all

too right. you see ads with amazing prices but when you try to get a price for the same system on the website it's a lot more expensive. usually they offer things like free delivery, double memory etc but when you look at the small print it says 'on selected systems'.

 

[webcraft]

Re: Shuttles

Any reliability issues with Shuttles?

- Nick

 

[jerryat]

Re: thanks all

Hi Chris,

Just re-read my post and noticed that perhaps I didn't stress enough that the problem with Dell is (was?) with their 'help and technical' side, not the assembly/manufacturing set-up, which is carried out in Ireland.

The Irish outfit was the 'saviour' of the whole episode, badly let down by one having to route all queries/problems through India. Whilst these people tried to help, they had no real clout with the people over here at the sharp end, and I was left with the feeling that once I had bought the computer(s) that was that! This was hugely different from our experiences just a few years ago with Dell, when it would have been difficult to improve on their customer service.

I sent a precis of my comments to, and telephoned Dell, in the States to express precisely the comments I have made here, so you never know, things may now have been changed. Certainly the 'confidential' comments made to me by some Dell staff indicated that they were as fed up with the situation as I was.

However, all that said, don't necessarily write them off yet. It's worth getting a direct Irish 'phone number when you place your order (NOT just the Sales person - they have no authority once you've paid/received the goods) that gives you access to immediate service.

I have used the Dell laptops on board full time for over seven years (and for 'local' sailing for years before that) and NEVER had a problem. So they do survive a hard life remarkably well, certainly as well if not better than most makes. Add that to the spec you get for your money, and despite my probs, i'd buy another.

Perhaps this confuses as much as it helps, but good luck with whatever you finally decide to buy.

Cheers Jerry

 

[pessimist]

Re: Shuttles

So far none at all. Thats b*ggered that then /forums/images/graemlins/smile.gif