New computer advice please.

[Chrissie Smiff]

We need a new computer and, because I am insisting on Windows our choice is limited. Only the very expensive professional laptops have it, so we have been looking at Compact desktops i.e. the ones that don't have a tower etc as it is all built into the back. We looked at one some time ago but the chap in the shop said that it wouldn't cope with photo editing etc because of the 'speed' :conf:. We are now desperate and have seen the one on the link below, but it's order on at line at Asda only, so we can't go into a shop for advice. Does anyone know if the specifications on this one would be enough to cope with most of the things I do including photo editing please. I can see that the storage is ample.

Elonex Pro Sentia 17in Desktop PC | Desktop PCs | ASDA direct

[DiD]

My husband uses a site called PC Adviser forum, they are very good and some-one will be sure to be able to help you.
Di

[WendyPusey]

"Only the very expensive professional laptops have it"

My laptop is a bog standard one, but it came with Windows installed. Not sure what you mean Chrissie.

[Anne in Carlisle]

The magazine ComputerActive has a forum and website too. You might get some advice on there.

But I don't understand why your choice is limited??? Almost all laptops have Windows don't they? Unless you want to edit Videos (rather than still photos) you don't need huge amounts of 'speed'. My OH has thousands of photos on his laptop and edits them successfully. Its not a particularly expensive one.

Anne

[dave pusey]

All computers on the retail market come pre-installed with the latest version of Windows (except for the Macs obviously).

I would not recommend the PC you have listed from Asda, although the spec isnt that bad, the all-in-one form factor will be a major problem should it need repairing for whatever reason. Getting replacement parts would be the biggest difficulty.

You might want to look at proper computers retailers like PC World, Currys, etc.

[Elaine ..Spain]

My initial reaction is that the screen is on the small side. I would have thought most basic cheap PCs come with a screen size of 18/19 inches.
If you only have room for a small screen and keyboard as per the illustration, then why not go for a 17 inch widescreen laptop?

[Chrissie Smiff]

Thanks everyone for your replies :smilee:

I only want a maximum 17" screen Elaine. I use it in the dining room so I don't want a full size computer. What I would really like is a laptop.

Sorry all, I meant to say that I only want Windows XP not Vista. I tried that and I couldn't get on with it all. I was so fed up with having to search for downloads because it wouldn't accept the programmes I use without them.
Hubby was able to remove Vista and install XP for me but I understand that now most of the laptops come with Vista embedded and not with a disc. So hubby wouldn't know how to change it over.

[Grimsqueaker]

Chrissie,

The next incarnation of windows (Windows 7) is due for release this/next month so it may be worthwhile waiting (if you can), as it has improvements over vista regarding speed and useability..

The two biggest barriers you have with finding a PC using XP are that virtually nowhere will have any, and the length of support for it from microsoft will be less than with vista (and windows 7)..

Hope this helps

[dave pusey]

I've been using the final release version Windows 7 since the 1st of September, and I must say that it is far more stable than Vista. Not had a single crash so far. What drivers it couldn't install during installation it found via Windows Update, so the whole install process what a breeze.

Provided all my programs with work under Windows 7 (haven't got around to installing them all yet) that I will certainly be switching from XP.

[Chrissie Smiff]

Thank you Tim and Dave.

Hubby had just remembered that when we last looked at laptops, and I said that I didn't like Vista, the young man in the shop said a new version would be coming out before too long. So that will be it I expect.

I'm always wary of new versions though until they've been tried and tested. I would be very interested to hear Dave if all your programmes go in ok once you've tried them. (By the way, I keep meaning to ask, wasn't the sound effect that you wanted in hubby's list?)

[xqp]

I'd agree with that. The spec is fine for photo editing and so on, but that sleek integrated design means it that if (when?) it goes wrong it will almost certainly have to be sent away for an expensive repair.

I don't know about Currys but some PC World's e-machines use non-standard power supplies which can cost a fortune to replace. I fixed two such machines earlier this year and it was cheaper to buy a new "barebones" (CPU/RAM, case but no disks) machine from Novatech and swap the disks over, getting a "free" upgrade from 256MB/400MHz Pentium to 1GB/2GHz Athlon in the process.

The only downside is having to reinstall XP but I wouldn't be too surprised if a repaired machine came back with a clean disk. I'd be pretty annoyed though.

Martin

[xqp]

I'd agree with that.

Where "that" is msg 5 - I can't see any threading here. :conf:

I meant to say that I tried the Windows 7 beta earlier this year (I skipped Vista completely) and thought it was pretty good, even with all the "eye candy" enabled. I turned it off after a while though and I've since reverted back to XP because a couple of bits of software that I use every day didn't work 100%. I know it has an XP emulation built in but I didn't try it.

Martin

[Rachel Scand]

Have a look at the Macs


Just found a 17 inch iMac

Apple iMac - 512 MB RAM - 1.83 GHz - 160 GB HDD

[Chrissie Smiff]

Thank you very much for your advice Martin. We have abandoned the idea of an all in one and we are going to stick to a laptop. I think we are going to try and hang on to see how Windows 7 pans out. Unfortunately it will have to be fairly soon as hubby needs my old laptop (the one I'm on now :emb for doing the sound on for his drama. I could go missing any day now :Big Grin:

Thank you Rachel but, apart from the cost, I think I would struggle with Apple even more than Vista. I believe that isn't at all compatible with my XP programmes?

[MarionH]

I don't know what is happening in the UK but over here they are now offering a "downgrade" (although it's not called that of course) back to XP! It has only just started happening - and it comes with the ability to upgrade to 7 when it is finalised. Probably not of any help but if it can be done over here I can't see why they can't do the same there!:conf:

[Chrissie Smiff]

Hi Marion - thanks for that - I think I'll wait :Big Grin: