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Geek Alert - New PC Spec
It is in store on Thursday. I am thinking of popping in to Aldi on my way to work. If they have one I will take the risk (I think).....
I wonder if it is compatible with my old green screen monitor?
Having Office preinstalled is a bit of a bonus - assuming it's actually included in the package and they're not expecting you to pay to register it (that's happened to me a couple of times but I use OpenOffice anyway).Looks like a good rig to me. I'd be tempted to go for something with more RAM but then upgrading RAM is so easy even a klutz like me can do it.
I like Dell Elle!I used to have a Dell at work but they moved us to HP. What a mess that is - mostly because of the appalling bloatware they put on all the PCs at work.
That processor has literally only been released in the last month or two, so it is bang up to date in terms of technology. I found a similar spec HP online for $450 US, so the price seems good (don't forget that US prices are ex tax)If the bundle includes a fully licensed copy of office, then its a good deal, but as Andrew mentioned, I've been stung before by something that turned out just to be a 60 day demo (which you can always download from MS anyway)
Yes my copy of office is the "free " version which doesn't do everything that the full version does - for example I can't freeze panes on my spreadsheets. And there are adverts down the side for the full version/other microsoft products, which take up part of the screen & make it more difficult to use. I have open office on my laptop which I use instead.
I'm still completely all beans about my Office deal thanks to my Father. Ehhh *happy dance*And we use Dell in work too.
My old University used HP's. So much crap on them that we couldn't remove! My old laptop was also a HP. It came with a ton of crap too.
Mmm, careful Simon. That processor is no match for an Intel. The Radeon GPU is good, but the drivers are shocking.I notice that the memory is 4GB. This makes me suspicious that the OS may be only 32 bit as that's the most it can use. And it's Home Edition, so a lot is missing.
Is the Office 2010 just a 30 day evaluation? Can't see it being a full copy for that price. Pre-installed is a clever phrase to say it's there, but you have to pay for it if you want to keep it.
Could also be a SATA II drive, which is much slower than the new standard.
Office is evaluation. Only two memory slots. 350 watt power supply. I bought one anyway because I think my desktop is about to spit the d
dog?
hubby's last 2 PC came from Aldi, he has never had any trouble with them at all and only bought a new one to update the one he had. The first one he bought is stil working, he uses it in the garage now , Roy did look at the the one that you got Simon but he didn't really need to update the one he has now. I hope you get as much hassle free use from your Simon as Roy is still getting from his.
It has ice blue lights on. I have never had a computer that looks cool before
WOW!! now ice BLUE lights may make Roy think again, he loves his gadgets to look pretty.
I was just wondering how I could turn the lights off Anita.....
Roy wouldn't turn them off, he likes things lit up, he has a sound to light box thingy he uses, or rather did, he now has something on his laptop that does the same thing I think, well there is always this maddening din with flashing lights coming from the back room, keeps him out of mischief!
our old dell pc had flashing blue lights everywhere. hated them. i couldn't sort how to turn them off so i put gaffer tape over them.:-)
Ok, i am happy with my aldi special. It's about time I replaced my monitor. I don't want to spend too much but it has to have good text rendering. Would quite like one that allows you to slave a second screen but not too bothered.
Just seen this ::
http://www.amazon.co.uk/Samsung-S24B3...
Any thoughts?
should go for the HP one I got. brilliant monitor. can't link it at the minute. Geoff might be able to remember or else look via the shop :p
That looks very nice Simon, mind you I am looking from a purely visual point of view and don't have the faintest idea if it's any good, but it does look nice.
p.s. Roy bought his monitor from Aldi about 5 years ago and yes that's still going strong too and has a lovely picture or whatever you call it on a monitor, I'll go now, not being much help am I!
message 24:
by
Geoff (G. Robbins) (merda constat variat altitudo)
(last edited Aug 07, 2012 03:35AM)
(new)
This is the one Elle mentions.http://www.ebuyer.com/282970-hp-2311x...
If I remember, she got the 21 inch version.
If you're going to spend extended amounts of time in front of it, it's worth paying extra to get a good one. My eyesight is definitely worse than it should be as a result of having to work in front of a crap monitor (going back to before the days of regulated breaks, eye tests etc). Nowadays it's the one thing I refuse to skimp on - I can easily buy a better monitor; I can't buy better eyes.Cheap TN panels and CCFL backlights are things to avoid if you possibly can. Even some LED backlights can give you eye strain from the way they pulse at lower brightnesses (they don't "dim" as such; they just flash on and off very fast)
that's the one, thanks Geoff! I got the smaller as my desk is rather small so any bigger would of gave me a headache or neckache I think!
I sit in front of a screen all day too Tim. It is only now I realise I know nothing about current screen technology. Money isn't my main consideration but I just don't really know what is good and what is not. Google has just changed me from 'knowing nothing' to
'knowing lots but not having a clue what anything means'....
Thanks for the link Geoff and the recommendation Elle.
Just off to look.
I am on holiday this week so perfect timing to spend money!
IPS is good to look for in a panel. Partly because it's a better technology than TN, but also because IPS-based monitors tend to be better quality screens overall. And also look for the highest pixel density, especially if you look at a lot of text. I've got so used to the retina display on my iPad, that most PC monitors now just look really clunky!Apple have recently brought out their first retina-display Mac, but there's no way I can justify £2k for a top-end Macbook, when my current machine is only a year old. Still, I'm sure retina displays will also filter down to the rest of us over time.
A good place to go to look for general tech info is http://www.tomshardware.com
The reason I recommended that screen to Elle, Simon, was because when I was down in Leicester I was using that model of monitor and it was a beautiful display. Bright and clear (unlike me).
Also important to remember to turn away from the monitor at least once an hour (yes I know it's hard to do when you're so enthralled in your work) to let the eyes focus on something at a different distance eg across the room, or look out of the window. Got to look after those peepers!
I can second Geoffs opinion on that screen. It's great!
Just bear this in mind though, if you order it through Amazon...http://www.wired.com/threatlevel/2012...
When I ordered the one above via Amazon (smaller screen though) I ordered it Friady and it arrived Saturday morning for just over a quid delivery.
Elle, you NEED to get an iPad.The Daily Mail app is fabulous! I just downloaded it. ;)
LOL!Well I was going to get one on Sunday there but my credit got denied so I'll wait until September and just buy it outright and then get the rolling contract one. Technically I could buy it now but I want to get another few pennies in the bank before it!
Sensible. Always best to avoid credit when you can. I so resent paying interest. I'd rather do without whatever it is until I can pay cash.
I just bought a new monitor. I am all excited now ....http://www.amazon.co.uk/Acer-GR235HAb...
It is wide screen.... colour!
and 3D - whatever that is.
Anyone want to buy an old green screen CRT?
Anyone want to buy an old green screen CRT? Try a museum...
Or someone who needs to refresh their tan.
Can I just mention here that I have just put a 4 port switch on my home network. My designer purple cable running round my living room has finally been retired!As this is a geek thread it is a netgear FS105 100m switch. I think it is probably about 50 years old..... I wonder if anyone will notice it has gone at work.....
I've got one of the FS108's behind my telly. They're very good.
I'm quite happy. It is a proper switch made of metal :)
This thread had just over-run it's geek allowance. Unfortunately Patti is out of touch so we can't get her to shut it down. What to do?
I have a pair of GS108s, one downstairs and one upstairs. Brilliant switches :DAnd the cable between them is... red! :)
Gingerlily (or Cyberlily..) wrote: "This thread had just over-run it's geek allowance. Unfortunately Patti is out of touch so we can't get her to shut it down. What to do?"Leave them to it. I'm sure they will cause less bother if they just play quietly in here.
We can make sure the padlocks are working properly and the bars are on the windows so that they don't escape into other threads.
I have the 16 port 10/1000 switch under my desk and the aforementioned 108 in the lounge. I need to order another one to place under the stairs to replace an aging Belkin 10/100 that is supporting my server and printer. I have a Panasonic powerline connecting these to the 16 port switch, but want to replace it as it's somewhat slow. I've purchased a drill bit to take me through the wall.
A drill bit? How old tech is that! What model number is it :)I considered getting a powerline but decided I didn't really need it in the end.
Simon (Highwayman) wrote: "I just bought a new monitor. I am all excited now ....http://www.amazon.co.uk/Acer-GR235HAb......"
Although I haven't a clue what all the tech stuff means I am really pleased you have a lovely new monitor Simon, hope you enjoy using it.
Anyone looking for an external drive, I just saw this 2tb wd for £89http://www.amazon.co.uk/gp/aw/d/B0047...
MEDION® AKOYA® E4060 D (MD8369)
*Don't forget if you buy this you can also get Windows 8 for £14.99*
AMD Quad-Core Accelerated Processor A8-5500 and AMD Radeon HD7560D The perfect combination of the latest processor technology and powerful graphics
Large working memory 4GB DDR3 SDRAM To seamlessly run multiple programs at the same time.
Huge 1 TB hard disk Massive data storage, for example over 200,000 songs or photos (at 4 MB per track/photo).
n-Wifi1 Fast WLAN to connect to a wireless network.
USB 3.02 To transfer data at rapid speed. Up to 10 times faster than USB 2.0.
MEDION® Data Port 3 – Now with USB 3.02! The MEDION® Data Port 3 for the super-speed HDDrive2go. Straightforward connection to the ultra-fast external DDrive2go hard drive directly from your PC – with no messy connection cables.
Comprehensive software packageWith original Windows® 7 Home Premium (OEM versions) and Microsoft® Office 20103 preinstalled.
AMD Quad-Core A8-5500 Accelerated Processor 3.2 GHz, up to 3.7 GHz with AMD Turbo-Core Technology and internal AMD Radeon™ HD7560D DirectX® 11 Graphics
4GB DDR3 SDRAM memory
1TB (1000GB) hard disk
Multiformat DVD/CD Burner4
Wireless LAN IEEE 802.11 n-Standard
USB 3.02
Integrated memory card reader5
Network Controller Gigabit LAN 10/100/1000 Mbit/s.
8 Channel high-definition audio6
USB keyboard and optical USB mouse
Dimensions: 180 x 390 x 390mm (W x H x D)
Weight: approx. 9kg