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General => Technical Help => Topic started by: jillruss on Friday 02 January 09 15:24 GMT (UK)
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I'm looking to buy a new PC in the next month or so.
I've been doing my best to try to understand all the techno-speak and found a handy blog which explains a lot of what was previously pretty meaningless to me! :-[
However, there are 2 things I'm still not sure about - apologies if they're elementary to most of you!
First, the processor. The sites I've been on recommend an Intel Premium Dual Core/Core 2 Duo Processor. I keep coming across Athlon 64x2 processors - is there a big difference or do they essentially do the same job? Or should I be sticking to the Intel?
Second, sound. This might make you smile but I don't know the answer so have to ask - a blog that I read, says
"Even basic PCs come with built in sound, so you can at least plug in some speakers or headphones. A good home PC deal will include at least a pair of speakers."
but I have seen online Desktop package offers which don't include speakers, and Tesco even have one which under the "Sound" heading, says "none". ???
Do the modern LCD monitors have inbuilt speakers? Or does the package assume I will buy speakers separately? I have a pair of speakers plugged into my current ancient PC - would they be okay to recycle and use with a new PC?
This whole thing is a bit of a minefield if you're not au fait with all the terminology, but I'm determined to give it a whirl!! ;D
Jill
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Jill - I can't answer the techie bits, but we've just got a new PC - new "box" which came with keyboard & mouse - we've re-used the screen & speakers from the old PC with no problems. I suppose there may be reasons to have new speakers, but I doubt there's much difference in quality of the ones supplied with most PC packages; though like those for hifi systems I daresay there are superior ones around for those with different requirements/better hearing than me.
A minor point - PCs seem to be like TVs - a different colour casing comes in every few years. Current fashions seem to be either silver-grey or black so older speakers may not colour-co-ordinate.
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Hi Jill...
When you read the blurb for a new PC and it says speakers = none it means it doesn't come with external speakers you plug in. All pcs come with a basic sound system which is inbuilt to the main (mother) board inside the pc. If you look at the back of the pc there will be a green jack where you can plug in speakers (if your not a music/film/game junkie your old ones will work fine). There will also be a jack to plug in your headphones.
Anyone wanting anything better than the basic can add super-dooper sound cards and flashy speakers to listen to whatever they are into ::)
If your monitor has speakers, it will need a cable to connect into the green sound jack on the pc for it toproduce sound. Connecting just the monitor cable is for optical output only not sound.
Personally I don't know much about difference between the processor types you mention but Dual cor or Core will be sufficient depending on what you are using the pc for. Just remember to go for the highest RAM 1/2/4GB within your price range.
Jenny
You may want to post this on the technical board for the real techies to add their 2p's worth
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You may find that cables are down as extras, speakers most definitely are extras You need also to know if the new computer is Vista will your present peripherals ie. printer,games, programmes that use disks (for genealogy) etc work with that system.
Ours didn't and the patches they advised didn't so we ended up with a new printer as well. With a new computer set-up they now don't do internal modems for people who want them because they presume that everyone is on broadband. If you need a modem you have to buy an external one.
All needing extra pennies.
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Yes a minefield out there but at this time you should be able to pick up a bargain. Just purchased new one myself. Processor Intel Core 2 Quad: 4GB ram: w/less keyboard and mouse: op system Vista. My existing
flat screen monitor with onboard speakers just plugged in. I had to purchase new printer as mine not compatable with Vista and new driver not available to download...Just a point :some of your older progs may not be compable with Vista...Good luck
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Re Processors the Intel Dual Core and the AMD 64x2 are basically doing the same job - both are dual core processors.
AMD chips are sometimes priced lower than the equivalent Intel chip which should affect the overall price.
However in the past AMD chips had a reputation for running faster and hotter than the Intel ones and this often resulted in noisier systems as the fans worked to provide additional cooling. I am not sure of the situation with the dual core versions.
Although the technical press often give Intel the edge in various tests in the real world you and I are unlikely to spot the difference.
The only other point I would make is to get as much RAM (memory) as possible Vista is memory hungry but with sufficient memory runs exceedingly well ( the standard 32 bit version of Vista can see a maximum of 3.5 Gb of RAM)
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Thanks for those helpful comments.
It's comforting news - at least it seems that I'll be able to re-use my existing speakers. I need a new printer anyway, and I'd really like one of those nice LCD monitors.
Also good to know that this Athlon processor is as good as the the Intel Dual.
I've seen a package on PC World website which seems to fit the bill nicely, with Windows Vista Home Premium - and it comes with a 19" TFT Monitor (what does TFT stand for?)printer/scanner as well.
I don't play games on my PC (apart from the occasional Minesweeper!) so don't need anything fancy - it's really just for emails, internet and my family history, so am hoping that 2 GB Ram would be sufficient. What do you think?
Jill
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TFT = Thin Film Transistor
2Gb of Ram should be more than sufficient for your needs.
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Thanks, Falkyrn. Is TFT pretty much the same as LCD then?
Also, just spotted a package on the Tesco site - says hard drive type is SATA - what might that be then? :-\ (It's an HP again).
Jill
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TFT and LCD are the same thing when it comes to monitors.
SATA Dives are the latest version of hard drives (Serial ATA) and faster than their predecessors which were known as IDE drives but which are now also referred to as PATA (Parallel ATA)
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Thanks again, Falkyrn.
I think that last one lost me a bit - but I'm getting there.
One more (probably very daft) question before I sign off for the night. How many MB rams are there in 1GB Ram? 1000? :-[
Jill
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Thanks again, Falkyrn.
I think that last one lost me a bit - but I'm getting there.
One more (probably very daft) question before I sign off for the night. How many MB rams are there in 1GB Ram? 1000? :-[
Jill
:) ..... The main difference between SATA and PATA drives (and to confuse things even more they are also known as Ultra ATA) is really the speed they work at transferring the information and the connection to your motherboard inside the computer. It would only have any bearing if you wanted to mount an old drive internally as a second hard drive.
Re MB & GB technically its 1024
have a look at http://www.convertunits.com/from/MB/to/GB
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No good asking me about the ins and outs of computer guts - Mr. Indi takes care of that part of the biz....
However, when it comes to sound - I have a Dell PC with fairly decent speakers but my lovely Mr. Indi bought me a set of Harmon Kardon Sound Sticks - they are superb - and if you like playing music - rock - classical - country - you MUST buy a set!
;D ;D
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One point to look out for "integrated graphics" - If the system has integrated or onboard (i.e. built into the motherboard) graphics this often means that they share the memory with the main system and a 2Gb system may only have access to 1.5 as the other half GB is taken up by the graphics system. This has the overall effect of slowing down the system.
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Thanks for the pointers.
I've also noticed that the mouse can be wired, optic or laser. I'm used to a wired one - and tried a wire-less one once but couldn't get it to work! Is there much difference in the operation of the other types?
Jill
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Thanks for the pointers.
I've also noticed that the mouse can be wired, optic or laser. I'm used to a wired one - and tried a wire-less one once but couldn't get it to work! Is there much difference in the operation of the other types?
Jill
These things have improved a lot. I use wireless keyboard and mouse by Logitec and like it very much. I would say try before you buy.
Woody.
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Re mice .... a lot depends on what you want to do with them , as you don't play high speed reaction games it would make little difference whether wired or not.
optic/laser - very similar in operation both use a light source rather than the old fashioned ball system which often got clogged up.
I personally prefer wireless due to the freedom it gives me on the desk.
The only potential problem is that wireless mice need batteries - either replacing standard batteries or rechargable - mine gets placed in its cradle to re charge it.
(one of the best optical mice I ever used was a Microsoft one but it ate AA batteries as if they were going out of fashion)
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I'm using my second Mesh make computer and again well satisfied.
Not included were speakers so using those from first Mesh. Sound is only listened to now and again so these small speakers ample.
The flat screen monitor isn't good for critical use with photographs, so using old Mesh crt monitor, and can swop monitors. Cannot expect a better monitor for the price paid.
Five USB sockets are useful. 1GB at least of memory too.
Gragareth.
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Thanks,all.
Gragareth - good to know you can obviously mix and match!
Falkyrn - must admit, I was a bit worried about the battery question re wire-less mice. I can see me forgetting to stock up on them and being cut off in the middle of something important!!
I'm still thinking of questions which are probably elementary to the initiated (which I'm not - obviously!! :-[).
1. If I buy a package which comes with a wireless keyboard and mouse - would I be able to use my old wired keyboard and mouse with it instead?
2. This is possibly my daftest question so far but... if I have saved documents from my current PC which runs Windows ME onto a memory stick, will there be any problem opening these documents on my new PC which will run Windows Vista (I think Home Premium seems to be the obvious one to go for).
I've been going through all my old saved emails re Family History and saving them into My Documents. I also have lots of Word Docs and a few JPEG images and DjVu files (mainly census pages)?
3. If it says it has a DVD Rewriter, I'm assuming it has a DVD drive, but will that also take my CDs? I have amassed a lot of parish record CDs from different FHSs.
I think I'd better stop there for now!! ::)
This help is invaluable to me!!
Jill
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1) Yes.
2) This is more complicated. You can't transfer programs, so if you have Word on your old PC then how are you going to migrate it to you new PC? If you do not have the MS Word program on an installation CD then you could always download Open Office free of charge and that can open Word documents. I don't know what email client you have been using on Windows ME but if it was an old version of Outlook Express then you should be able to open them on your new PC with Windows Live Mail (Outlook Express replacement program).
3) Yes. A DVD player can play and record CDs as well as DVDs.
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Thanks, Downside.
Just to clarify question 2. I wasn't looking to transfer the Word programme - just the Word Documents I have created using that programme i.e. will they open ok in Windows Vista?
Does Vista not include a Word prog?
Yes, I've been using Outlook Express for my emails and have noticed that it has been updated to Live Mail.
Jill
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Does Vista not include a Word prog?
Word is part of the Microsoft Office Suite but was previously also released as part of MS Works but this is no longer the case.
Open Office is possibly your best bet although document readers can be downloaded from Microsoft
Yes, I've been using Outlook Express for my emails and have noticed that it has been updated to Live Mail.
Live Mail is an update version of express and should work fine but you may wish to consider alternatives e.g. Thunderbird which as a free email client program
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Hi
Have you considered a laptop at all? We recently replaced a desktop PC with a largeish laptop for not much more than the price of a desktop. It has a graphics card, speakers, camera all built in and performs at least as well as its predecessor. The big advantage is the fairly compact occupation of desk space - much more room to scatter documents about. And if you do have to move it it's just one piece of portable kit rather than several bits and all those connecting wires. And you could take it with you to the record offices.
Good luck
Gobbo
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I cannot type on a laptop keyboard, they are horrible for a proper typist to work on.
Sons both have laptops to take out with them doing the family research, but one of them is a one finger typist so not a problem to him. and I don't see the point of having to connect a proper keyboard and proper mouse as extras .
I'll stick with a proper multi media keyboard.
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I've tried a laptop before but didn't particularly like it - much prefer a proper desktop PC - each to their own!
That's a bit of a blow re Word not being part of Vista - I
always thought it was part of my Windows ME. A bit useless, really, not having a basic 'typing documents' prog!!
You say that I can download this Open Office free of charge and it will open Word docs, but what will I use to actually create Word docs with the new PC? Very odd!!
Jill
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My twelve month old Mesh desktop has 'Works' which includes word processor, database and spreadsheet and is part of Vista Premium.
Laptops are great if you must have portability but like others in the group I like a 'proper' keyboard and mouse. I can touch type (sort of) and a real keyboard is better for that. My old Mesh had 'Word' and I've had no worries reading old documents on my new machine.
Woody.
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That sounds okay then, Woody.
I've just remembered that my Word prog on my current PC was downloaded from a Works package which I bought when I got my PC. So, if that's included in Vista Premium, I should be okay.
If not, I wonder if it would work downloading a 7 year old Microsoft Works package onto a new PC with Vista Premium? I'm sure I still have it - in a cupboard...somewhere!! ::)
Jill
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You won't need to Jill, 'Works' is included in Vista Premium.
Woody.
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Hi, I bought a new pc in August, with Vista business. No MS Works but my brother in law has vista (perhaps premium?) and he has "works" so as long as you get Woody's version you should be all right :)
Quite a few programmes I had which worked on ME (2 pc's ago) or XP (last pc) don't and will never work with Vista.
A printer my sister gave me when updating to Vista because it would not work for her, suddenly started working on my pc when I accidently plugged it in to the new pc instead of my old one. Obviously Vista decided to trot off and find an newly created driver. 8)
With Vista I have Windows Mail, which replaces Outlook express. I think I could buy an Outlook which would work with Vista. However although there is a programme included with Vista for translating old mails from Outlook or Outlook express format to Windows mail format, it didn't work on my pc. Rather than complaining to the shop, I just sent all my old mails I wanted to keep to myself. (As you can guess, I kept my old pc until everything was working on the new one) An alternative would be to open up a (free) account with, say, Yahoo which is quite excellent on reliability, quantity and size, and send everything there.
Open office programmes work just like MS ones, word, excel, access, powerpoint, etc. so you can create whatever you want, free of charge.
However I wanted to keep up to date with MS for work reasons and I purchased Office Home and Student 2007 with Word, Excel, PowerPoint and OneNote. It is a tremendous learning curve getting to grips with the new way of doing things but I'm starting to love the new ways and wouldn't want to go back to the old.
And I bought an optic mouse, with wire. No clogging and no batteries ;D
cheers, falcybe
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I cannot type on a laptop keyboard, they are horrible for a proper typist to work on. ...
If by "a proper typist" you mean someone who uses 10 fingers and doesn't look at the keyboard, then I qualify for the description :)
We all have different opinions so I'll proffer mine. I happily use a laptop all the time! I use the laptop keyboard and find it very comfortable. I usually have a mouse attached and use it from time to time - but that's no different from the situation with a desktop ...
I recently had to replace the desktop and laptop. This was after about a year of mainly using just the laptop - I unhesitatingly decided just to get a new laptop and forget about replacing the desktop.
Regards,
JAP
PS: It came with Vista. Computer boffin son has installed XP.
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Wireless mice are a pain in the proverbial - I had a Microsoft one, and it was forever losing connection with its base unit, which was all of two feet away ! And you will also have batteries to replace every 6 months/year. For the sake of one extra wire dragging across the desk, it's not worth it. Stick to a wired optical one - proven reliable technology ! :)
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.... or get a proper wireless one from Logitech ;)
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.... or get a proper wireless one from Logitech ;)
To be honest, I've never seen the point of a wireless mouse. "Wireless" is just fine for things like TV remote controls, because I'll probably be sitting at least 5 feet from the TV, but when I'm using the PC, I'm never sitting more than 2 feet from it ! A wireless connection to replace 2 feet of wire ? Why ? I got the wireless mouse (and keyboard) for one of my office PC's, thinking that I could use them both from a nearby desk, but they were more trouble than they were worth.
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more than 2 feet if your PC sits on the floor - and anyway, its one less cable across the desk.
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I must say I agree with Nick on this one - but what do I know (very little if you go by this thread!! ;D).
Someone bought me a wireless mouse for Christmas a couple of years back, but it just wouldn't work. I'm hoping that , if I go for the PC package I've seen from PC World, which includes a wireless keyboard and mouse, they'll let me adapt it to include wired varieties instead!! If not, I'll give them another whirl and, if I still don't like them, hopefully my old ones will be recycled!!
I'm really getting into this new PC business now. I'm sure there'll be some difficulties - especially in transferring files - but hopefully nothing that can't be sorted! (Famous last words). Got to wait for another payday (or two) first though!!
Jill
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Going back a page ...
My mouse isn't a wireless mouse.
Just a boring old plug in mouse.
Works brilliantly.
JAP
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I must say I agree with Nick on this one - but what do I know (very little if you go by this thread!! ;D).
Someone bought me a wireless mouse for Christmas a couple of years back, but it just wouldn't work. I'm hoping that , if I go for the PC package I've seen from PC World....
Jill, by all means window shop in PC World, but please don't buy from them. They're cr ...... err, rubbish ! :-\
Far better to get it from a local shop, where you'll get better service, or if you're brave, go to Ebuyer or Overclockers and get a better price :)
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I hear what you're saying, Nick.
I have no particular axe to grind against PC World but I believe they're in the same company as Currys & Dixons, neither of which have a very good reputation for after sales care.
However, you may have gathered that I don't really have the expertise to put a package together for myself + I don't know of any local computer shops (local shops? are there any left? all our local greengrocers, butchers, bakers etc have disappeared) and I need delivery as I don't have transport.
Once I've decided what I want, I really just need to be able to set it up with a minimum of fuss (or it'll go out the window accompanied by a few expletives! I never was the most patient person in the world when it comes to reading instructions and putting things together! :-[).
Don't you find that whatever company you go with, for whatever item - there'll always be someone who's had a bad experience with them? I'd never heard of Ebuyer so googled them and the first thing I found was someone moaning about their after sales care and recommending people not to touch them with a bargepole!
I appreciate the advice, though.
Jill
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hard to beat these people - I've bought fully built Home PCs, 'Barebones' and loads of peripherals from them over the last 3 years, no complaints.
http://www.novatech.co.uk/novatech/rangecat.jsp?t=pc
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Don't you find that whatever company you go with, for whatever item - there'll always be someone who's had a bad experience with them? I'd never heard of Ebuyer so googled them and the first thing I found was someone moaning about their after sales care and recommending people not to touch them with a bargepole!
Actually, Ebuyer have improved out of all proportion from what they were a few years ago. My sister bought a desktop PC from them about a year ago (and believe me, not many people are more clueless about tech things than she is), and she had it working within an hour of receiving it. There are still a few small PC suppliers in most towns (mine has one, and towns don't come much smaller !), try Yellow Pages for details.
Of course, the smaller shops can't compete on buying, so it's a choice of paying low prices and get minimal service, or paying a bit more and getting some help. I'm afraid PC World always seem to be staffed by enthusiastic amateurs when I go in there, but then (trying not to sound patronising), if you had a degree in computer sciences, would you want to work in a computer shop ? :)
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No!
The good news is that my darling brother has given the PC World PC details to a work colleague who is a computer whiz. He has taken it away and is going to check it out for what I want it for, and possibly come up with some better ideas.
The even better news is that he may well put it all together for me when it arrives.
P.S. Bet I'm dafter than your sister when it comes to PCs!!
Fingers well and truly crossed!! ::)
Jill
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Exciting news Jill. You must tell us all about the new 'pooter when it arrives.
Woody.
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I go along with Nick re Pcworld/Dixons/Currys group - and I used to work the otherside of the coin in customer services for a large IT company, the name is no better from the other angle apart from they sell alot :D
I get mine from Ebuyer or Novatech.... strange Novatech has now opened a store near me - must be all the business coming from this area ;D ;D ;D OH bought one from Tescos last year and it was a real bargain... good spec too!
If you do have someone nearby that can help with the setup if you are not sure how to do it then thats great. But seriously, most pcs are relatively easy to get started these days. Just follow the instructions and have your broadband/ISP username and password handy.
If you need help with transferring files/favorites/emails over just give a shout. ;D
Jenny
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I go along with Nick re Pcworld/Dixons/Currys group - and I used to work the otherside of the coin in customer services for a large IT company, the name is no better from the other angle apart from they sell alot :D
I get mine from Ebuyer or Novatech.... strange Novatech has now opened a store near me - must be all the business coming from this area ;D ;D ;D OH bought one from Tescos last year and it was a real bargain... good spec too!
Jenny, reading your post made me think back 5 years, to when I started my own company, after years of the "luxury" of working for a large company with its own IT dept. What I know about computers and networking is all self-taught, and although I know enough to fix most computer problems and install a simple network, I can't compare my skills with IT professionals.
If you walk into any PC World store on a non-weekend day, about 80% of the customers will be people buying stuff on behalf of their company - stuff which is required in a hurry, so they are prepared to pay premium prices for it. As a new company owner, I joined these ranks when I needed stuff in a hurry. One day my business received an email from PC World, suggesting that I register for a business card, and it seemed like a good idea - I thought it might save me some time at the checkouts, or maybe even give me some discount.
My PC World business card arrived, and the next time I needed to shop at PC World I made sure I had it with me. Once I'd filled my shopping basket with everything I needed, I proceeded to the business section, expecting that maybe there would be some express till for business users, with maybe even some extra discount. I was brought back to earth with a bump when I discovered exactly what I got with my PC World business card - my very own spotty geek to advise me on what to buy ! The very people I'd spent years trying to avoid in PC World for the previous 10 years ! ;D
Anyway, since then, bad experiences in Currys and Dixons means that I no longer frequent any of the DSG Retail group stores. I was tempted to break my resolution about 6 months ago, when I quite urgently needed a 1.5 metre VGA extension cable. When I saw the price of the cable in PC World (£39.99), the urgency evaporated a little, and when I got back to the office I ordered one from Ebuyer for £6.99 + £7.00 for next-day delivery.
I get the majority of my electronics stuff from Ebuyer, and I agree with you that Novatech are good, as are Dabs (which is owned by BT), and I've also used a company called LambdaTek, who are very competitive, and give great service.
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For what it is worth from my experience of owning 11 PCs/laptops since 1985;
1) If you do not know much about PCs consider buying from John Lewis. They come top by miles in "Which" and other surveys for all aspects of computer purchase. Go in on a quiet morning and chat - most of their salespersons are very helpful. They will deliver, and set it up for you as well for a reasonable fee.
2) Wired mouse. Have had several wireless, including top of range logitech, and they have always failed or been very annoying.
3) Small local suppliers? I am not sure whether these are so great if you know little about how to tweak settings etc yourself. My aged mother used a small local supplier to set her up, but they are NOT very good at after sales service and send a lad who really does not know what he is doing. Every time I visit I spend a half a day sorting out her PC, updating everything and making her security software work properly. Mind you, I have a local two-man IT firm who are great, and have helped me nurse along my 2 6-year old Dell PC's at low cost (eg replacing burnt out graphics card etc).
4) Dell should not be discounted. I am on my 4th and 5th Dell PCs. Good value, easy to set up yourself or they will send someone to do it for a fee. Mind you, I bought high-end each time so they are rather future-proof.
5) Avoid PCWorld and its' siblings.
Good Luck
Good Luck
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I've ditched the PC World idea!!
I've never heard anything good about the Cury/Dixon/PCWorld group and your opinions have confirmed that. Also, friend of brother has also said that the Tesco offer (also an HP but £100 less but minus the all in one printer) is much better value - in his opinion, of course.
So, I'm looking to get that one now + a separate printer, just need to finish going through my docs on the current hard drive so that I can - hopefully - transfer them all across.
Now also thinking about a Sky+ box!!! My current theory excuse is that banks etc are giving so little interest on my meagre savings that I might as well spend it!! ;D
I'm probably falling right into Gordon's cunning plan to make us all spend spend spend but - hey! - I'm rescuing the economy single handed here! Round of applause please!! ::)
Jill
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You'll love Sky+, Jill..... another gadget that I really could not do without ! If you want to help Gordon out, why not go HD too ? ;)
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lol Nick!!!! ;D ;D ;D
we got our Sky HD+ installed on 20th Dec and had a replacement on the 21st ::) long story! but since then... its impressed everyone. The pre-Christmas install offer is on its way back if anyone is thinking about it.
Jill, think you're making the right choice with the pc. A replacement printer won't cost £100 if you need one.
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My new TV is HD ready (I know - more money spent!) but am I right in thinking that you have to pay so much a month extra to get the HD channels? If so, I'll stick to the Sky+ box. I keep waiting for offers but there don't seem to be any - unless you're a new customer to Sky of course. They never think of rewarding exisiting loyal customers with these offers, do they?
Just fixing the cymbals to my knees and the mouth organ onto the brace round my neck before I take to the streets. Ooops, nearly forgot my kazoo....and my hat (for the money!!) :D :D
Jill
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My new TV is HD ready (I know - more money spent!) but am I right in thinking that you have to pay so much a month extra to get the HD channels? If so, I'll stick to the Sky+ box. I keep waiting for offers but there don't seem to be any - unless you're a new customer to Sky of course. They never think of rewarding exisiting loyal customers with these offers, do they?
Jill
I believe they do offer some good deals if you threaten to leave! I suggest you call them ....
We've just bought a hard disk recorder with Freeview which does most of what the Sky+ does with no subscription fees and no money going to the Murdoch empire! It's wonderful ...
Diana
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3) Small local suppliers? I am not sure whether these are so great if you know little about how to tweak settings etc yourself. My aged mother used a small local supplier to set her up, but they are NOT very good at after sales service and send a lad who really does not know what he is doing. Every time I visit I spend a half a day sorting out her PC, updating everything and making her security software work properly. Mind you, I have a local two-man IT firm who are great, and have helped me nurse along my 2 6-year old Dell PC's at low cost (eg replacing burnt out graphics card etc).
Good Luck
interesting - similar experiences - hence opting for Novatech in the end and DIY
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They never think of rewarding exisiting loyal customers with these offers, do they?
As suggested by Diana phone them, tell them you were considering Sky+ but are now considering moving elsewhere due to a good offer and see what they offer you.
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Already tried that before Christmas and it got me nowhere!! I obviously don't have the knack!!
Jill
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lol Nick!!!! ;D ;D ;D
we got our Sky HD+ installed on 20th Dec and had a replacement on the 21st ::) long story! but since then... its impressed everyone. The pre-Christmas install offer is on its way back if anyone is thinking about it.
We got Sky+HD when it first came out, and I love it. We had to have the box replaced at the end of August last year because it was failing to dial out, (we have two boxes, and you have to have them connected to the phone line).
Jill - Sky+ HD costs an extra £9.75 a month, and that upgrades whatever channels you have on subscription to the HD equivalents. So if you subscribe to the movies package, you get the HD movie channels.
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I'm back!! ;D
I never did get round to buying that PC - things happened, long story...
Now, I'm hoping that some of you who helped me before will answer one last (I hope!) question for me and then I shall do it (honest!).
I've identified a couple of Dell packages from Tesco - sorry, afficianados, but I'm just not confident enough not to buy a pre-package. One is £548 and has blue-ray (whatever that is!) which I don't think I need, the other is £358.
As far as my feeble knowledge goes, the only relevant difference to me is that the more expensive one has Windows Vista Home Premium and the cheaper one has Vista Home Basic.
Is there a big difference? I'm basically on a PC to send & receive emails, do a bit of online shopping (but of course! ;D), and do my Family History. I'd also like to have a go at this DVD/CD rewriting, need to read the FH CDs I've already bought & run my Family Historian 3 prog.
Will the Basic do for me - oh ye experts? :-\
Is there anything important I'd be missing out on?
I don't play games (other than the odd game of minesweeper or solitaire!) so I won't be wanting to track the Hooded Impalor to his lair or shoot any of those irritating little skipping and jumping little hedghog things; and I don't see the point of watching films on my PC when I've got a perfectly comfy chair and TV to do that in my living room.
Could I always upgrade later to the premium system if I found I needed it after all?
Believe it or not, once the above has been answered and once Andy Murray has won Wimbledon on Sunday, I'm actually going to order my PC!!!!!!!!!!!! ;D ;D
Jill
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You do not need blue-ray but you do need Vista Home Premium rather than Vista Basic.
For 500 squid you can get this at John Lewis (with a free two year guarantee):
http://www.johnlewis.com/230575894/Product.aspx
See how that compares! John Lewis always comes top for after sales service etc in surveys.
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I agree - John Lewis have a very good reputation - but you do pay for it.
I'd still be interested in knowing why I need Vista Premium rather than the Basic - if indeed I do.
The Acer looks like a good buy. You'll have me prevaricating all over again! ::)
Jill
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Hi Jill,
My first laptop was an Acer & was certainly was a good workhorse, the only thing that wore out were the letters on the keyboard!! Was it a laptop you wanted?
Family Historian 3 runs on all versions of Vista.
Gill
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Oh Gill!
The more I look into it - the more indecisive I get.
Good to hear that Acer is a good name - not one I'd come across previously. The one pjbuk007 (bet their surname's Bond!) recommends from John Lewis looks great, but I found it on the Ar-os website for a lot less. But do I really want to buy a PC from Ar-os???
I think I should probably stop living up (or down) to my star sign - Libra, scales of justice, weighing all the evidence up carefully before making a decision - and actually just go for it!!
I wear myself out, so god only knows what I do to others!! :-[
Jill
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Hi Jill
1. Go to John Lewis on a quietish shopping day and ask to speak to the computer sales expert.
2. When he/she appears (about 5 minutes is usual) tell him/her what you want to do and let him/her tell you what you need. I f you end up being pointed at the XXX, which is cheaper in Ar*os tell him/her and gracefully accept the discount you will be offered. (If you are really sneaky say you will have to think about it: leave John L and check prices at Ar*os, T*sco, etc. If they are coming in a lot less than John L ring J L and ask for a reduction because it is cheaper elsewhere but do not forget to allow something for the value of the J L guarantee and support.)
I went in three years ago convinced that I needed a £1000 laptop. After I explained what I was hoping to do he/she told me that I could have it for £700 and all the extra £300 would give me was less weight and more battery life: neither of these was important for me as it was my intention to keep the computer in one room and run off the mains.
Last year the OH went in and spoke to the man and came home very happy having paid 10% below the ticket price for a very nice computer that does everything she wants.
He/she will reassure you about the best operating system for your needs.
Good luck
Gobbo
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Great idea, Gobbo. Problem being, there isn't a John Lewis store anywhere near where I live!
I was wondering how that would affect their service (paid, of course) for a little man to come and set the whole thing up for you. On their website, it says that you can't organise a visit online and need to go into your nearest store to arrange it.
I'm hoping that a colleague of one of my brothers will do it for me, but otherwise I think I shall have to give JL in Sheffield a ring.
You make a valid point about the value of the JL guarantee and support - it's probably worth paying for just to get peace of mind, especially if, like me, you don't speak techno jargon!
If anyone can answer my question about the difference between Vista Home Basic and Vista Home Premium, and why I'd need the latter rather than the former, I'd be very grateful.
Jill
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here's microsoft's comparison chart - ignore the prices but see what you get or rather NOT get with the home edition
http://www.microsoft.com/windows/windows-vista/compare-editions/default.aspx
go for the premium, the home edition really is too limiting
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Jill, you may want to bide your time for a couple of months - Windows 7 (the successor to the much hated Vista) will be released in October, and there are some good discounts for pre-orders.
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Hi Jill,
I agree with Nick (about waiting for Windows 7 which appears to be very good according to various "pc" magazines) but I love Vista (business edition). I have the impression that it is not so much Vista which is hated but Office 2007 which came with it, because people think it is Vista which is causing the headaches so the hatred is transferred to the Operating System. I bought same last August and have to admit it took a lot of getting used to as so much has changed from prior versions of word, excel, etc. However I now prefer Office 2007 to prior models which is a good thing as I believe this version will be kept when Windows 7 comes out. Of course you need a lot of memory to operate Vista properly. 2gb of ram and dual processors should do the trick nicely. I have 4gb just in case!
As for blue ray, it seems to be the industry standard now and (if I'm not too confused by all the advertising and articles) will supercede cd's and dvd's in the current format in the near future.
Blu-ray discs will not play on current CD and DVD players, because those players lack the blue-violet laser required to read the discs. If the appropriate lasers are included, however, Blu-ray players can play the other two formats
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Hello again, for some reason the reply box started jumping around and I couldn't add to what I was writing :-\
Blu-ray is an optical disc format designed to display high definition video and store large amounts of data.
Blu-ray is the successor to DVD. The standard was developed collaboratively by Hitachi, LG, Matsushita (Panasonic), Pioneer, Philips, Samsung, Sharp, Sony, and Thomson. It became the default optical disk standard for HD content and optical data storage after winning a format war with HD-DVD, the format promoted by Toshiba and NEC.
The format's name comes from the fact that a blue laser reads from and writes to the disc rather than the red laser of DVD players. The blue laser can focus more tightly than the red lasers used for writable DVD. As a consequence, a Blu-ray disc can store much more data in the same space. Like the rewritable DVD formats, Blu-ray enables repeated writing to the disc.
Blu-ray's standard storage capacity is enough to store a continuous backup copy of most people's hard drives on a single disc. Initially, the format had a 27 gigabyte (GB) single-sided capacity and 50 GB on dual-layer discs. Single-sided Blu-ray discs can store up to 13 hours of standard video data, compared to single-sided DVD's 133 minutes.
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still jumping after a while!?
So if you are bitten by the idea of blue ray, take a couple of cd's and dvd's to the shop and see if they play on their machine, and see if you can live with not being able to use discs you burn on other machines.
Note, I don't know when the article I got this info from was written so advances may have been made and it may be worthwhile checking about being able to play what you burn elsewhere.
Anyone out there with expert knowledge on this format?
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not sure where the Blu-ray bit comes into this thread but to answer falcybe...
Blu-ray isn't a problem I have a Blu-ray player installed in my pc and its great. Plays both Blu-ray AND HD discs as well as all other usual DVD formats - even ones burnt on other PCs. Many new PCs and laptops come standard with Blu-ray players now! Mine will also record all other formats other than Blu ray or HD which will work on other players with no problem! I have it connected to the TV in the living room via HDMI cable from the dining room where my PC lives about 10ft away from the TV, a wireless keyboard will even work the PC from the living room too! :D
The one thing you have to look out for is that your PC graphics card has DVI-I or HDMI output for HD viewing and you connect to a HD screen/TV, if not, the output will only ever be in standard AVG! Work around is to install a new HD graphics card as well...and buy a HD TV or HD monitor if necessary ;D getting expensive now! oh, and as you've gone so far improving your system, why not install HD sound too... don't we get suckered by all the advertising hype. You will now be in plastic meltdown heaven :o
Now a player isn't a problem, they are quite reasonable (see Amazon, Novatech, Ebuyer etc., NOT that PC retailer on the high street!) and easy to set up but a Blu-ray recorder is a different kettle of fish, due to the price of blank Blu-ray discs, non rewritables are around £6+ and the rewritables £8+ EACH, the recorder itself is also more expensive.
I would also check out to see what films are available in Blu-ray format too, see if they are to your liking and purse. Lots online but not much of a selection in the shops to buy or rent.
After the first few months of playing with our new toy, we've gone back to ordinary DVD format for purchasing because of the price of the newer Blu-ray films....unless of course the film is outstanding :( My kids also like to take films to their friends houses to watch, which of course they can't do with a Blu-ray film, unless their friend also has Blu-ray.
Don't be fooled into thinking ordinary DVD format will disappear, I think it will take some serious changes in price before that happens, the present economic downturn has done a lot of damage to this market!
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If you are just looking for a backup device which handles your whole drive, then you are better off getting a second HD drive, they are very reasonably priced now. External ones are USB plug and play and couldn't be easier and will transport to another pc/laptop quite happily! see the above online outlets for prices.
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still jumping after a while!?
So if you are bitten by the idea of blue ray, take a couple of cd's and dvd's to the shop and see if they play on their machine, and see if you can live with not being able to use discs you burn on other machines.
Note, I don't know when the article I got this info from was written so advances may have been made and it may be worthwhile checking about being able to play what you burn elsewhere.
Anyone out there with expert knowledge on this format?
I'm nervous about using the word expert, because the world appears to be full of them, but I have some experience with Blu-Ray. You can currently get a unit that will fit in a standard PC drive bay which will read and write to/from the usual range of CD and DVD formats, and it will also read from (but not write to) Blu-Ray disks. They are easy to fit, and the cost in the UK (from places like Ebuyer) is £79. This is for an LG model GGC-H20L.
To be able to read and write to/from Blu-Ray disks requires a more suitable unit, and one such unit is the LG GGW-H20L, which sells at Ebuyer for about £137.
If you are considering a foray into Blu-Ray, you need to read the small print very carefully, because many units only have read capability on Blu-Ray, and not writing.
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Thanks for the link to the comparison, jc26red. I'm a bit wiser now! Think I'll stick to the Premium, as everyone seems to think it's worth it.
Nick, I've heard all sorts of tales about how awful Vista is, so it might be worth hanging on for the new one - Windows 7. Though you really shouldn't be encouraging me to procrastinate again. :-[ I'll never get the bloomin thing ordered!
I think I mentioned Blue ray as it was included in one of the Dell packages I'd looked at - but rather expensive and I really don't think I need it, as long as I can read my FH CDs and do a bit of 'burning' (never ever done that so really looking forward to trying it!). Thanks for all the info about it - at least I now know what it is.
I don't watch many films: I have Sky but almost never get a film on Box Office, and I also have a DVD player which I think I've used about 5 times - and most of that was to watch a DVD on Family History!!
Nick - what is a pre order? Well - I mean of course I know what it implies, but do you mean I'd get a discount on a new PC with Windows 7 or just a discount on the operating system itself?
Jill
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Oooh! Just googled Windows 7 and see it launches on 22 October, my -0th birthday (not telling - a lady never tells, and neither do I!).
Must be a good omen!! ;D
Jill
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well that sounds like a good excuse for a nice birthday present to self if you can't persuade anyone else to buy you a new pc :D
Personally, I don't know anything about Windows 7 apart from the advertising blurb. I think Nick is your man for that. May take on anything new software wise, is wait for a week or two and then check online what the public are saying about it. I know its a safe option but thats just me, not much of a gambler.
good luck with whatever you decide on! I'm sure you won't regret the upgrade and will wonder why you didn't do it earlier!
Jenny
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I've installed the trial version of Windows 7 which you can download from Microsoft and use until March 2010. It looks quite like Vista. I've really not had a lot of time to play with it yet.
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Nick, I know what you suggest about Windows 7 makes sense for computer fundis such as yourself, but I do not think that is what the jillruss needs.
ANY new operating system has glitches and a steep learning curve and "non-experts" should never (IMHO) go for a new OS for at least 6/12 - in my case, with Vista, I left it for a year and have no problems with it.
So, if jillruss really wants to wait for Windows 7, I would say she should wait until at least next May.
Is this what you want?
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and this link appears to give new buyers the best of both worlds: In America upgrades are being advertised free of charge.
http://www.microsoft.com/uk/windows/buy/offers/upgrade.aspx
I purchased Vista 18 months after its launch and had no problems with the programme itself or with hardware I use. Vista never shook off its bad reputation from the start-up period even though it has become much nicer than XP. And windows 7 promises to be even better, having built on the knowledge gained in developing Vista.
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Nick, I know what you suggest about Windows 7 makes sense for computer fundis such as yourself, but I do not think that is what the jillruss needs.
ANY new operating system has glitches and a steep learning curve and "non-experts" should never (IMHO) go for a new OS for at least 6/12 - in my case, with Vista, I left it for a year and have no problems with it.
So, if jillruss really wants to wait for Windows 7, I would say she should wait until at least next May.
Is this what you want?
I think you've got me in the proverbial nutshell, Jenny!
No - I've waited too long as it is and, as you rightly point out, I can't cope with glitches!! :-[
I shall get the ball rolling next week with the Acer. Take a deep breath, and jump in whilst the water's not too cold!! ;D ::)
Jill
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Nick, I know what you suggest about Windows 7 makes sense for computer fundis such as yourself, but I do not think that is what the jillruss needs.
ANY new operating system has glitches and a steep learning curve and "non-experts" should never (IMHO) go for a new OS for at least 6/12 - in my case, with Vista, I left it for a year and have no problems with it.
So, if jillruss really wants to wait for Windows 7, I would say she should wait until at least next May.
Is this what you want?
I understand what you're saying, but for those in Europe the situation is a little more difficult this time around. Windows 7 is going to be much more expensive for us in the UK compared to what Americans pay, but there are special offers for those who pre-order before the release date, with some considerable savings on offer. Also, for Europeans there will be no upgrade path from XP or Vista - Windows 7 has to be a clean install. Now, I would not want to spend a few months with a new computer with Vista on it, only to have the whole thing wiped to have a totally new system installed.
Ultimately it's Jill's choice, but if she waits until after October for Windows 7, she will pay considerably more for it. Those who have had time to thoroughly test Windows 7 (and I'm not one of them) have reported favourably on the new OS.
Personally, I'd like to abandon Microsoft altogether, because of the way they have treated their customers in Europe, but that's a whole new discussion :)
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Nick,
Your last paragraph says it all!! I moved away from IE7 and installed Firefox and would dearly love to abandon Vista as a result of Microsoft's current attitude to their European market. (What would you suggest? - I imagine this would involve a separate topic.).
On Amazon's US site they are offering Windows 7 for $49.99 but their UK one just asks for you to express an interest. I understand that there may probably be a 'limited' offer by Microsoft from 15 July at £50 which is somewhat more than the US price. Currently their UK page shows the full price for Windows 7 to be £166!!!
I just hope that MS realise the error of their ways and change their prices prior to the release date of 22 October. If not I hope users will vote with their feet and not buy this latest development.