Where Should I Buy a PC?

[Chrisgr31]

I need a new PC and was wondering where I should go to buy it

So Dell is obviously an option but where else?

[Alex]

My last two PCs have been from MESH.

http://www.meshcomputers.com/

[FamilyGuy]

It depends what you want. The following lot are useful:

http://www.scan.co.uk/
http://www.cclonline.com/
http://www.dabs.com/
http://www.ebuyer.com/customer/home/
http://www.novatech.co.uk/novatech/
http://serversplus.com

[Chrisgr31]

Oh and by the way if going with Dell whats he difference between a "home" Inspiron machine and a "small business" Vostro assuming they have the same processor, RAm etc.

And thanks FamilyMan I'll have a look at those. Not actually sure what I am looking for! Guess a machine that is good value for money, likely to last longer than the 2 years of the one it is replacing. I was looking to spend around £350 (exc monitor) but am beginning to think I should be nearer £500.

[Hedders]

These guys have an actual shop in watford and i have always found them to be very helpful.

http://www.rlsupplies.co.uk/

[109 Bob]

I used http://www.dabs.com/ when I bought my last lappy & they were way cheaper than anyone else was for the same model. Unfortunately though they use a very well know firm for delivering their products. These deliverers let dabs down in my opinion & I told dabs that I would never use them again ever because of this. If you do use dabs, who are a good firm, don't use their normal delivery service & tell them who you want to use or organise your own.

[dcb]

http://www.pcspecialist.co.uk/

[Paul Drawmer]

I'm a Dell fan - bought quite a few off them over the years.

I always look here first:
http://www1.euro.dell.com/uk/en/dfh/df.aspx?refid=...

be aware that you need to add VAT and delivery to the outlet prices, and that usually non laptops do not have screens included in the price, so for nearly new stuff, a deal from the new stock might be a better bet.

[Arklight]

If you want a gaming machine you can't do much better that www.overclockers.co.uk very quick and customisable machines for a good price.

Or if you want to build your own (they also sell PC's) have a look at www.scan.co.uk

[ADEuk]

Hedders said:

These guys have an actual shop in watford and i have always found them to be very helpful.

http://www.rlsupplies.co.uk/

+1
Just be prepared to queue up for a while, it can get busy

[Dave^]

If it's just for 'general home use' have a look here for bargains...

http://www.offeroftheday.co.uk/search.asp?search=r...

Unless you need something specific...

[ShadownINja]

I prefer to buy local nowadays. Don't like the idea of RTB warranties which leave you computer-free for a month esp in the business environment but even at home it's a long time. At least with a local business, you can arrange to take it in at a particular time to get fixed like a car would.

[aclivity]

Aldi

Usually good spec, 3 year "at home" support.

[Dan_1981]

Alex said:

My last two PCs have been from MESH.

http://www.meshcomputers.com/

My last PC was from Mesh it was superb. Lasted a good seven years of abuse.

So i ordered a new one from them last november. It turned up just before xmas, but wouldn't work.

So I had to phoen tech support in india who had me unscrewing case panels and the lot.

I sent it back early january, and they fixed it - coming back about a fortnight later. Turned it on. Woudl work again - getting fan errors.

Had to speak to tech support again and found out the cpu fan had somehow unplugged itself.

Its working very well now and is a decent spec for the price.

I *think* i'd still reccomend Mesh.

[Munter]

Dan_1981 said:

Alex said:

My last two PCs have been from MESH.

http://www.meshcomputers.com/

My last PC was from Mesh it was superb. Lasted a good seven years of abuse.

So i ordered a new one from them last november. It turned up just before xmas, but wouldn't work.

So I had to phoen tech support in india who had me unscrewing case panels and the lot.

I sent it back early january, and they fixed it - coming back about a fortnight later. Turned it on. Woudl work again - getting fan errors.

Had to speak to tech support again and found out the cpu fan had somehow unplugged itself.

Its working very well now and is a decent spec for the price.

I *think* i'd still reccomend Mesh.

I wouldn't. From what I've seen before when these threads come up your experience is not unique.

[Alex]

Everyone has a different experience. My current MESH PC is superb. It has been running nearly 24 hours a day for over a year and has never gone wrong.

[Chrisgr31]

Thanks for the advice, now all I need to do is find a system I want!

[XDA]

I can tell you who NOT to buy a pc/laptop from - pc world!! Bunch of clowns pretending they know what they are talking about before selling you an overpriced and under spec'd laptop/pc.

[Chrisgr31]

XDA said:

I can tell you who NOT to buy a pc/laptop from - pc world!! Bunch of clowns pretending they know what they are talking about before selling you an overpriced and under spec'd laptop/pc.

Well I have no intention of buying it from there! My last one was a second one from there and what wasn't clear was that refurbished meant it wouldn't come with the original keyboard and mpuse, and in fact it didn;t even come with a wireless one until I complained.

Strangely the desktop I got from Comet about 7 years ago is still in daily use and has proved very reliable but new one will be mail order of some type.

[TotalControl]

ADEuk said:

Hedders said:

These guys have an actual shop in watford and i have always found them to be very helpful.

http://www.rlsupplies.co.uk/

+1
Just be prepared to queue up for a while, it can get busy

They've been very helpful every time I've gone in. Most of my parts for my home PC's are almost certainly purchased from them instead of PC World (who I used to work for). Their shop is fairly small though. Still, does the job nice and proper.