……………..that doesn’t cost the Earth. Been warned off Dell, have been looking at Mesh – other suggestions would be welcome. Please note that as far as IT goes I am an utter numpty and the mere mention of ‘gigs’, ‘RAM’ or ‘cache’ causes my mind to wan d e r. Er, what did you say??? 😕

iMac
…or Samsung NC10 and an external monitor. Best of both worlds!

Now – what do you want it for?

Dell’s are fine, not sure why you have been warned off them I dont buy anything else for the company I work for.

Having said that if its for home use I would buy a laptop with a nice big screen that gives you the option to move it around a bit if you need to later.

iMac.

Or, MacMini, if you already have screen, keyboard, mouse etc.

Seriously, if you are, as you say, an ‘utter numpty’ with IT, then a Mac would be a safer bet than a PC.

Tell you what, go down to an Apple Store, or more easily, PC World, John Lewis’ or somewhere that stocks Macs, and have a look at the iMacs. Get someone to show you round it.

And then tell me you don’t want one. 😉

Required for general t’internetness, report writing/presentations, dowloading (films/audio)and (a big AND) supporting sons graphics work (National Diploma Level3) – I know everyone is going to scream MAAAAAAAAAAAACCC!! but I can’t afford one and he does the majority of his work at college – it’s just so he can mess around with ideas at home. Games will NOT be played!!!

buy a second hand mac then if it needs to be a mac …. most PC’s even second hand will manage all of the above. My 3yr old laptop runs vista and photoshop apps without too much fuss.

If it is at all possible, get a Mac. There’s a reason that people are such hardcore advocates of Apple computers. They are above and beyond. Mac Mini is a good idea, or a 2nd hand iMac.

This would do fine….

http://www.meshcomputers.com/Default.aspx?PAGE=PRODUCTVIEWPAGE&USG=PRODUCT&ENT=PRODUCT&KEY=468187

comes with Microsoft Works, a decent sized screen and hard drive, and plenty powerful enough.

you could get something cheaper second hand which would suffice, but would not have the peace of mind.

What’s your budget?

I’ve got a few machines at home; an eMac, old laptop running Linux (Ubuntu), Pc running XP Pro and a new(ish) Dell PC running Vista.

All have their uses but for day to day use I generally choose the laptop or the Vista box.

Don’t discount Dell, they are pretty good value (as are Mesh). This page lists the current Dell offers

Budget?? 500 squid(ish), if pushed. Rather spend it on a set of Revs and a new wheel set……………….. 😥

You could get a Mac Mini for that.

Mac Mini not too spensive

I’m assuming you already have a screen, keyboard etc? And get the one with the superdrive, as the ‘combo’ one can’t burn DVDs (come on, Apple, sort it out. The only weakness in an otherwise great product).

Re graphicky type stuff: My students who use Macs, have far less issues than those using PCs. In fact, a good chunk of my time is pent trying to sort out things on the PCs.

Not fanboi, just experienced observations.

i would get an apple (if I was buying again) – I am sick to death of my Dell and Vista!!

Rudeboy, what size screen do you get with that?

Oh, and re the Games thing, well, not so many are available for the Mac, which I would imagine might be a selling point, for you!

surfer; as big as you want 😉

At cost?????

You MAC evangelists! 😉

RB – would have to include screen and k/board. Current screen is a Jurrasic CRT that takes up more room than a mini bus – the keyboard is rather ‘creaky’ too. 🙁

Silverside – I’ve been considering that Mesh PC – once again have been warned about the ‘integrated graphics – pants’, the PSU (300w) and the processor. Upgrading that lot takes the price closer to £600!!!

I’d hold off on the mac mini for a while, very over due for an update.

Anyone anymore thoughts on that Mesh PC from Silversides link??

don’t buy one, upgrade if possible. did i ever mention the story of stuff?

*whistles off*

The story of stuff?? No, you didn’t.The current 6yr old PC is beyond upgrading, BTW.

Nothing wrong with Dells. I used to buy Sony but the Dells have been better. The studio line of desktops are nice bits of kit.