How best to update all our stuff / current deals?
Discussion
So we are in need of a new desktop, 2 new tablets, a laptop and potentially a smart phone. It is going to cost us money we don't have so I want to get it right.
I intend to avoid Currys / PC World like the plague - history has taught me never to go near them. So a local PC shop are quoting me around 400 for a desktop only ( no screen or accessories ). Is this the right path and can I better it?
In terms of tablets, second hand Samsung from Ebay at around 50 quid each seems the obvious choice. They don't get much use, and are for entertainment only.
Laptop - new for us as we have never owned one. I wonder whether there are existing deals whereby you can get both a laptop and desktop in a deal.
The smartphone is just because the wife has managed to break hers, as usual by being careless, so less fussed about that.
Any guidance? Thanks
I intend to avoid Currys / PC World like the plague - history has taught me never to go near them. So a local PC shop are quoting me around 400 for a desktop only ( no screen or accessories ). Is this the right path and can I better it?
In terms of tablets, second hand Samsung from Ebay at around 50 quid each seems the obvious choice. They don't get much use, and are for entertainment only.
Laptop - new for us as we have never owned one. I wonder whether there are existing deals whereby you can get both a laptop and desktop in a deal.
The smartphone is just because the wife has managed to break hers, as usual by being careless, so less fussed about that.
Any guidance? Thanks
As opposed to second-hand Samsung tablets, which will probably be running older versions of Android and likely have crap battery life, could you manage with a Fire tablet (Amazon).
If only for entertainment then they make a pretty good buy.
Fire HD 8 is worth paying the extra for over a Fire 7 IMO.
If only for entertainment then they make a pretty good buy.
Fire HD 8 is worth paying the extra for over a Fire 7 IMO.
usually worth looking at Dell outlet for laptops & desktops: http://www.dell.com/uk/dfh/p/?~ck=mn&dgc=IR&am...
As above - look at the amazon Fire 8 tablet. Cheap, good enough for most needs and you can load standard android apps easily enough.
Do you need both a laptop and a desktop? You can always plug a screen, keyboard and mouse into your laptop and it's as good as a desktop for most purposes.
As above - look at the amazon Fire 8 tablet. Cheap, good enough for most needs and you can load standard android apps easily enough.
Do you need both a laptop and a desktop? You can always plug a screen, keyboard and mouse into your laptop and it's as good as a desktop for most purposes.
Dizeee said:
So we are in need of a new desktop, 2 new tablets, a laptop and potentially a smart phone. It is going to cost us money we don't have so I want to get it right.
I intend to avoid Currys / PC World like the plague - history has taught me never to go near them. So a local PC shop are quoting me around 400 for a desktop only ( no screen or accessories ). Is this the right path and can I better it?
In terms of tablets, second hand Samsung from Ebay at around 50 quid each seems the obvious choice. They don't get much use, and are for entertainment only.
Laptop - new for us as we have never owned one. I wonder whether there are existing deals whereby you can get both a laptop and desktop in a deal.
The smartphone is just because the wife has managed to break hers, as usual by being careless, so less fussed about that.
Any guidance? Thanks
Apt username OP I intend to avoid Currys / PC World like the plague - history has taught me never to go near them. So a local PC shop are quoting me around 400 for a desktop only ( no screen or accessories ). Is this the right path and can I better it?
In terms of tablets, second hand Samsung from Ebay at around 50 quid each seems the obvious choice. They don't get much use, and are for entertainment only.
Laptop - new for us as we have never owned one. I wonder whether there are existing deals whereby you can get both a laptop and desktop in a deal.
The smartphone is just because the wife has managed to break hers, as usual by being careless, so less fussed about that.
Any guidance? Thanks
I would ditch the desktop, and a buy a laptop with a dock and external screen. Find a used corporate machine still under warranty.
Thanks for replies.
It is personal preference but we do need 2 items, although yes, we could substitute tablets for Laptops / Chromebooks or other hybrids.
Having had a quick look today I can see that for around 300 notes you can get a Lenovo, HP, Acer, Asus or almost a Dell laptop. That would work, and we could replace the desktop at the same time. That gives is 2 devices so we can both use them at the same time, plus I do prefer a desktop as we have a dedicated computer room where I run a sound system attached to the unit etc so it's just more fitting.
The ASUS Chromebook looks to be a good idea, although it looks like Android and for a similar price I can get a Windows 10 laptop which may be preferable.
It is personal preference but we do need 2 items, although yes, we could substitute tablets for Laptops / Chromebooks or other hybrids.
Having had a quick look today I can see that for around 300 notes you can get a Lenovo, HP, Acer, Asus or almost a Dell laptop. That would work, and we could replace the desktop at the same time. That gives is 2 devices so we can both use them at the same time, plus I do prefer a desktop as we have a dedicated computer room where I run a sound system attached to the unit etc so it's just more fitting.
The ASUS Chromebook looks to be a good idea, although it looks like Android and for a similar price I can get a Windows 10 laptop which may be preferable.
Dizeee said:
.................... for a similar price I can get a Windows 10 laptop which may be preferable.
Just in case one was on your radar .... I would absolutely recommend you avoid anything Windows 10 based which has a 32GB or smaller (eek) SSD.Nothing "wrong" with them per se, but they are a total PITA to update Windows on. For anything other than a normal update they do not have enough free space to handle, for example, Anniversary or Creators Update through the Windows Update process.
It's possible to do manually, but it's a real faff.
I speak from bitter experience
Not much - stream lots, download/upload lots (music from podcasts, youtube viewing and uploading to my own youtube channel).
No gaming here, very little file saves, no work usage, purely family photos / vids and all round internet usage.
Like the idea above re 2 Amazon Tabs, a chromebook and new desktop.
No gaming here, very little file saves, no work usage, purely family photos / vids and all round internet usage.
Like the idea above re 2 Amazon Tabs, a chromebook and new desktop.
I don't understand the hate for Currys PC World.
Their website allows you to research and compare their products and prices with those of other retailers.
If they've got the product you want at a price you're prepared to pay I dont see a problem. Just remember to politely decline the upselling of any add ons that you dont want or need.
Their website allows you to research and compare their products and prices with those of other retailers.
If they've got the product you want at a price you're prepared to pay I dont see a problem. Just remember to politely decline the upselling of any add ons that you dont want or need.
I'm looking to replace my ancient windows xp computer. It still works but very slow and ms explorer keeps failing - then fixing itself.
I fancy an all in one because they're neat & tidy with less wires. This looks good to me:-
http://www.pcworld.co.uk/gbuk/computing/desktop-pc...
Am I missing something?
I fancy an all in one because they're neat & tidy with less wires. This looks good to me:-
http://www.pcworld.co.uk/gbuk/computing/desktop-pc...
Am I missing something?
sparkythecat said:
I don't understand the hate for Currys PC World.
Their website allows you to research and compare their products and prices with those of other retailers.
If they've got the product you want at a price you're prepared to pay I dont see a problem. Just remember to politely decline the upselling of any add ons that you dont want or need.
This is what happened to me years ago... bought a desktop from them, got home set it up. Each time it booted, I got numerous alacazam! Bonanza! install this / install that deals ... 28 free trial... flashing lights, pointless windows. This happened on every boot, and after a few days, the PC totally failed, with it just showing the wait "circle" which went round and round and round, whilst the whole PC hung and crashed. It was laden with bloatware and full of crap.Their website allows you to research and compare their products and prices with those of other retailers.
If they've got the product you want at a price you're prepared to pay I dont see a problem. Just remember to politely decline the upselling of any add ons that you dont want or need.
Without fail every PC advisor I speak to tells me to avoid them like the plague, but similarly, you can only find repair guys and very few retailers. There are some goods deals online but I am wary of being stung. or having a similar problem.
sparkythecat said:
I don't understand the hate for Currys PC World.
Their website allows you to research and compare their products and prices with those of other retailers.
If they've got the product you want at a price you're prepared to pay I dont see a problem. Just remember to politely decline the upselling of any add ons that you dont want or need.
+1 They are also very convenient as most stores have car parks. If price is right then happy to shop with them, they price match with online companies too, as long as the competitor website is not out of stock. Beats waiting around for a courier and simple to return.Their website allows you to research and compare their products and prices with those of other retailers.
If they've got the product you want at a price you're prepared to pay I dont see a problem. Just remember to politely decline the upselling of any add ons that you dont want or need.
Edited by hyphen on Thursday 28th September 12:34
I'd knock the desktop idea on the head for your uses, and instead look at investing the money into a 'better' laptop that can be used as a desktop replacement and plugged into your existing peripherals (monitor/keyboard etc) for when you want a 'desktop' experience.
That would also negate the need for the extra tablet, since the laptop is portable.
I think you're likely to find better bang-for-buck by consolidating & multi-purposing, personally.
That would also negate the need for the extra tablet, since the laptop is portable.
I think you're likely to find better bang-for-buck by consolidating & multi-purposing, personally.
bad company said:
I'm looking to replace my ancient windows xp computer. It still works but very slow and ms explorer keeps failing - then fixing itself.
I fancy an all in one because they're neat & tidy with less wires. This looks good to me:-
http://www.pcworld.co.uk/gbuk/computing/desktop-pc...
Am I missing something?
Mrs S bought a remarkably similar product from the same emporium, six months ago.I fancy an all in one because they're neat & tidy with less wires. This looks good to me:-
http://www.pcworld.co.uk/gbuk/computing/desktop-pc...
Am I missing something?
She loves it.
http://www.pcworld.co.uk/gbuk/computing/desktop-pc...
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