I've got £400 to spend on a computer for my parent xmas present can anybody reccommend a good deal where you get a base unit and a flat screen monitor preferably 17"
Thanks
2006-11-09 02:08:00 · 8 answers · asked by unsung.hero_uk 1 in Computers & Internet ➔ Hardware ➔ Desktops
I'd go with a Dell. You can get one with the 17" flat panel screen you're after and a FREE upgrade to Windows Vista when it comes out (specs below). Start here:
http://www1.euro.dell.com/content/topics/segtopic.aspx/specialitems/dt_category_landing_page?c=uk&cs=ukdhs1&l=en&s=dhs
And under the second machine along, the Dell Dimension C521 "Entry level performance" for £379 inc VAT and shipping, click 'Customise & Buy' to view the options.
Immediately the price jumps to £478 inc VAT and shipping, but that's because Dell have changed your service level from the default 1 year to 3 years. You can select 'Support services' and change it back to the top option, saving you £98.70.
To get the most from your £400, I would suggest you go to the Operating System tab and ensure you have selected 'Genuine Windows® XP Media Center Edition 2005 (Incl Operating System Re-installation CD)'. The reason being that the re-installation CD can come in very useful, and if you buy Windows XP Media Center Edition from Dell at the moment you will be eligable for a FREE upgrade to Windows Vista Premium edition before 31 March 2007. Well worth it!
However, to get this free Vista upgrade you have to go to the 'Vista upgrade' tab and select 'MCE to Vista Premium Upgrade on: www.dellvistaupgrade.productorder.com before 03/31/07' otherwise the default is that you won't get an upgrade.
You should be on £379 inc VAT and shipping now, but if you want to get your parents the most from your £400 budget, I would go back to the "Processor" tab and select the next processor choice for an extra £17.63.
Now your system configuration for £396.62 should look like this:
Dell Dimension C521
AMD® Athlon™ 64 Processor 3800+
Genuine Windows® XP Media Center Edition 2005 (Incl Operating System Re-installation CD)
MCE to Vista Premium Upgrade on: http://www.dellvistaupgrade.productorder.com before 03/31/07
Collect & Return, 1 Year Service
Dell™ 17" Value Flat Panel (E177FP)
512MB Dual Channel DDR2 533MHz [2x256] Memory
160GB (7200rpm) Serial ATA Hard Drive with 8MB DataBurst™ cache
16x DVD +/- RW Drive
Integrated nVidia® GeForce® 6150 LE graphics
For £400 you can't expect to get a computer that will be ready to run Windows Vista Premium edition (with all it's graphical features) straight out of the box, but that's a cracking start and you can upgrade the other components (memory and graphics card) at a later date individually.
I hope that helps you get a great system for your parents. I'd go for Dell because in my experience their service is great and their computers are built well, upgradable and quiet.
Lastly, don't forget the free shipping on that deal is if you order before the end of November 2006. And you need to claim your free upgrade to Vista before the end of March 2007.
All the best!
2006-11-09 02:34:02 · answer #1 · answered by Alasdair P 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Go to www.pcworld.co.uk
I worked for them and always advised my customers to check out the weekend deals (Fri-Tues)
There will be loads of good offers on in the run up till Xmas. Also take a look at there collect@store service, you might save a few more £££££
2006-11-09 02:25:14 · answer #2 · answered by richard_beckham2001 7 · 1⤊ 0⤋
i agree with the others for £400 you cant do better than a dell
2006-11-09 03:31:35 · answer #3 · answered by bluebottle 6 · 1⤊ 0⤋
DO NOT GO with PCworld.
Best option for service, quality and PRICE.
www.dell.co.uk
2006-11-09 22:22:45 · answer #4 · answered by baggies_70 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Try Dell or visit comet , currys or woolworths
2006-11-09 02:26:39 · answer #5 · answered by hardupmatt 3 · 0⤊ 1⤋
Don't know if they still make them,but i've heard the "ZX Spectrum"
is awesome.
2006-11-09 06:30:24 · answer #6 · answered by ukfool666 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
try dell, pc world and those emachines....
2006-11-09 02:15:38 · answer #7 · answered by tera_the_giga_dragon_bytes 3 · 0⤊ 1⤋