In need of a new PC as our 8 year old vista laptop is very slow and making lots of crunchy grinding noises.

Is this as good a deal as I think it is
http://www.pcworld.co.uk/gbuk/computing/desktop-pcs/desktop-pcs/acer-aspire-xc-705-desktop-pc-10138417-pdt.html

or should I try and configure something on pcspecialist

It’s for use as a home office machine and web browsing and occasional video watching.. Highly unlikely to get into picture/video editing.

IMO unless really, really, really want/need a desktop – buy a laptop.

Urgh. My it advice only goes as far as avoid acer….ime they are poor at continuing to work. We have had 3 – non have lasted.

I was in this situation a few weeks back and wysiwyg found me a lenovo c30-40 on sale for 350 quid.

Its been a stotting machine for similar needs here.

And in contrast to the post above. Get a desktop if using it for the home office. Stops it migrating to the sofa and getting knocked off or similar.

Sorry it was a c40-30 as below but on post xmas clear out. Probably some around if you look hard.

http://www.amazon.co.uk/Lenovo-C40-30-21-5-Inch-Touchscreen-Black/dp/B01444HY2Y

A desktop will give you better performance for your money than a laptop would. Also, depending on how proprietary the fittings are (so not Dell), if a single component breaks, it can be replaced relatively cheaply. A bit like bikes, my computer is about 10 years old (in Trigger’s broom terms).

The Acer looks fine.

How handy are you with computers? Would you be able to build one from components?

Ignore the stuff about gaming, but this is a better PC for little more money tha the Acer.

https://www.scan.co.uk/3xs/custom/upto500/form-factors#anc

Acer looks like a bargain. Go desktop as they are cheaper and easier to tinker.

As per TR I would say avoid Acer/Packard Bell (just different badges) as they are the only computers I’ve ever had randomly expire on the motherboard.