Where to buy a mid-range PC

Technology and Gaming Help and Support
#1

Seems like the right place to ask…

My dad’s decorating and wants to replace the beige heap of shit that he’s had as a computer for the last several years. He only uses it for bits and pieces on the internet, so performance isn’t really an issue. He’s looking for something that looks fairly attractive, being a newly decorated room and all

Our last PC was built for us, and has been a succession of pains in the arse, so we’re looking to buy one retail. Which leads me neatly onto my question: Seeing as I only use a laptop, does anyone have any idea where would be a good place to buy such a PC? I have a sneaking suspicion that PC World isn’t the best choice, but I could be wrong

At the moment looking for a dual-core with integrated graphics, probably a couple GB RAM. We really don’t have that much money, so no point going over the top…

Anyway, thanks in advance

EDIT: In the UK :stuck_out_tongue:

#2

If all you’re looking at is for the internet, e-mail, etc. you’d probably do fine with just buying a stock Dell or HP computer.

#3

If you want something that just looks good without ruining the view with cables and 50000 peripherals and with enough performance to use the internet: a £900 iMac.

Anything else will effectively destroy a newly decorated corner.

#4

Unless the whole decoration is in tones of black. Then the $900 iMac will stick out like a sore thumb.

Unless they also make those in black.

#5

They’re aluminum (so mid-range gray) with a black screen-frame. It fits well in any setting, tbh.

#6

o i c

Still, Apple should give out more color choices for their computers tbh.

#7

But then you use Mac’s OS…

#8

Not the right place for that kind of comments.

#9

I was just voicing my opinion, especially if this guy wants a new computer, might aswell go with 7 for it being simplistic.

im not gonna start a riot. im not here for that.

#10

The thing is, his dad only wants a computer to go to the internet, so I guess OSX would do just fine.

#11

Windows is more complex than OSX is, Mango. That’s one of the main appeals is its simplicity.

#12

I think its maybe best to stick with windows (its all he can use :stuck_out_tongue: ), but the macs are undoubtedly attractive… Main problem is they’re a little out of our price range

#13

if you want a cheap gaming computer, they sell some really nice quality computers at micro center

#14

He asked for a PC, not a Mac. As far as I know, a Mac is not a PC. It’s a computer, sure, but not a PC.

This + Apple sucks.

#15

Check out NewEgg.com. Their computer deals are pretty damn good, and you can buy an awesome PC for very little…
…or I can just build you a cheap and awesome looking PC with lots of shiney LEDs, make sure it works, put some Dell stickers on it, and send it to you…

Seriously, though, look at NewEgg. You should be able to get a great PC their for very little, just go for a standard size case- the micro stuff overheats too fast.

#16

I wasn’t gonna say it.
Cheers dude :slight_smile:

#17

Lrn2read. He said they want to buy a stock computer. And he lives in the UK. AFAIK, newegg is Continental US only.

#18

I bought my PC from Toletec.de. They sell custom built PCs at very reasonable prices. Shipping to the UK might be an issue though, but you’ll have to check that out yourself. Also, the site’s in German :3

#19

Lian Li is known for their high quality computer cases.

To greatly improve speeds for normal tasks such as loading a program or booting up the computer I strongly suggest to buy a solid state disk instead of a hard drive. They can be up to ten times faster than a regular HDD but they do come with a heavy price ticket and they have a low capacity (you could easily install a normal HDD for mass storage though).
Using an SSD however will improve performance more than any other component if you’re using the computer for internetting etc.

As for the CPU, the new Intel i3/i5/i7 series overclock extremely well and deliver massive bandwidth in combination with triple channel memory thanks to the integrated memory controller inside the chip (instead of the motherboard northbridge). High speed memory is not a must have, the performance increases are not very impressive. Make sure to disable any power saving features such as SpeedStep and C1E in the BIOS that will automatically underclock and undervolt the CPU to save power.

Computers are always power hungry, if cables are an issue just spend a good hour on cable management inside and outside your computer (cable straps are your friend).

#20

pre-built pc’s dell-pcworld-curries digital-ebuyer.com even have some good deals

but tbh if its just for net and basic other things go with a laptop. dont have to have a desk then and u can sit in the garden and work!

not that we get much sun here in england :frowning:

Founded in 2004, Leakfree.org became one of the first online communities dedicated to Valve’s Source engine development. It is more famously known for the formation of Black Mesa: Source under the 'Leakfree Modification Team' handle in September 2004.