Buying a new PC

[ffutures]

I think I need to start thinking seriously about buying a new PC, this one is showing signs of its age that make me think that I may need to replace the motherboard, starting with an all-new machine is probably a better idea.

At the moment I don't really want to go the Mac route - it's tempting, but there's too much software I depend on that's Windows only, and to be honest the price is a little offputting. I don't want to go with Linux at the moment, there appears to be no support for my scanner and I'm not happy with the Linux OCR software.

Basically, what I want is a reasonably fast processor, good memory and hard disk size, CD/DVD R/RW (preferably with room for a second drive but it isn't essential), lots of USB ports, and able to use a PS/2 keyboard. Graphics need to be reasonably good, e.g. accelerated etc., but I won't be running many games that require blazingly fast performance - currently Oolite is my main time sink in that respect - and I don't mind installing a card if I have to.

For operating system I'd prefer Windows XP or 7 - not keen on Windows 8 from the little I've seen of it, and I wouldn't touch Vista with a barge pole.

One of Morgans' offers look quite good, but I'm far enough out of touch with the market that I'd appreciate it if people could take a look and tell me what they think:

HP 8200 Elite SFF/Desktop Intel Quad Core i5 3.4GHz PC 4GB RAM 250GB HDD Win 7 Pro
Not keen on the hard disk size but they might be able to upgrade if I ask nicely, and the rest looks reasonably OK - £349.95 - refurbished 6 months warranty - has a gigabit network port as standard which could be useful.

http://www.morgancomputers.co.uk/product_detail/14375/HP-8100-Elite-Mini-Tower-Intel-Core-i5-3-20GHz-PC-4GB-RAM-250GB-HDD-Win-7-Pro/

Does anyone have a better recommendation? This sort of price preferably, though I could go a little higher if I had to.

Comments

[philmophlegm.livejournal.com]

If you could get it with 8gb of RAM rather than 4, it would be worth it. And as you say, 250gb is a pretty tiny HDD nowadays. Apart from that, that looks like a good value entry-level system.

[ffutures.livejournal.com]

Good point - I'll check that too.

[cobrabay.livejournal.com]

Other thing is that if you upgrade to 8GB (which is a good idea), then you'll need the 64 bit Windows 7, and it's listed as coming with 32 bit Win7.

[ffutures.livejournal.com]

I'm not sure they offer that as an option. How well does Windows 7 work in 4gb?

[cobrabay.livejournal.com]

Can only use 3.5GB of the 4GB, so not too bad, but limiting. You notice it when running multiple apps.

[ffutures.livejournal.com]

OK, thanks, I'll check it out - maybe something else would be better.

[fhtagn.livejournal.com]

I tend to frequent the Dell Outlet (http://outlet.euro.dell.com/Online/InventorySearch.aspx?brandid=1&c=uk&cs=ukdfh1&l=en&s=dfh) when looking for new PCs - I don't mind scuffed, ex-sales or refurbs, especially when they come with the full manufacturer's warranty. The stuff there changes rapidly, so you need to keep an eye out and snaffle what suits you, but it has served me well in the past.

[ffutures.livejournal.com]

Thanks - mostly seems to be windows 8 stuff which I'm not mad keen on, but I'll bear it in mind.