look for 8gb ram, 2gb is the minimum and barely usable 4gb is bog standard and 8gb gives you room for running big applications or streaming movies. look for at least dual core and 4ghz cpu. make sure you have usb 3.0 or flash drives will take forever to load files. aim for at least 1tb of hdd, 4 tb across two drives (2tb each) for backups will save your files. intels processors are cheaper on electricity but other than that no difference. stick with 7 or run linux ubuntu like I do. for a screen buy at least 1920x1080 16:9 ratio in 24 inch or greater. built in video card should be okay but dual monitors are ideal for watching videos and multitasking, in which case you will need an aftermarket card like an nvidia gtx660.
What's your budget @Tippcon?
You could get a decent secondhand desktop for under 100 euro that would do all you need and more for years.
If you want to go new you'd be looking at a few hundred euro minimum.
Sound job, that looks like good value alright. What's the story with Office, can you buy it outright anymore or is it a yearly subscription?If you are looking new and are happy with dell machines, something like this would suit:
http://www.dell.com/ie/p/inspiron-3650-desktop/pd?oc=cd65014&model_id=inspiron-3650-desktop
It's capable of streaming movies and all that too and should last you years with what you want it for.
Sound job, that looks like good value alright. What's the story with Office, can you buy it outright anymore or is it a yearly subscription?
But what about all my beautiful Excel spreadsheets for crop costings and the likes :cry:No bother, yes you can still buy office - see https://products.office.com/en-ie/buy/office.
However, personally I wouldn't bother, I find google docs more than adequate for my home office needs, and I'm a software engineer by trade!
But what about all my beautiful Excel spreadsheets for crop costings and the likes :cry:
I have a Toshiba laptop since 2008, it is also nearly deceased. I wouldn't buy another one for what I want a computer for.would not buy a pc for any price, go for a laptop once you get used to it you will never go back to a pc
The only thing a laptop will do easier is move around. My computer stays in the same place all the time, beside the printer and the filing cabinet and everything else I need. I don't like the keyboard on a laptop, I find it uncomfortable. The monitor I have for the desktop is bigger than a laptop screen and I can sit further away from it.Tippcon, what are you using the pc for that a laptop will not do easier ?
The only thing a laptop will do easier is move around. My computer stays in the same place all the time, beside the printer and the filing cabinet and everything else I need. I don't like the keyboard on a laptop, I find it uncomfortable. The monitor I have for the desktop is bigger than a laptop screen and I can sit further away from it.
Like I said, I don't like changeOk, no further comment then :oops2::scratchhead::scratchhead::scratchhead::scratchhead:
I can understand why Tippcon wants a desktop, I hadnt used one in years but bought one s/h about 6 months ago to stick in the 'office' (for want of a better word)
I like it tbh, i'd forgotten that a normal 'mouse' is nicer to use than the laptop pad, and its also handy that the printer is always connected. (and a desktop cant go walkabout like a laptop)
I bought a Dell, and while its no spring chicken, it works the finest and came with office.
Lap top and a note book here, use them with a USB mouse, scroll wheel is good for running through stuff. Sometimes it's handy to be able to move them to different locations, I do accounts on an old Acer laptop running XP, then leave it with the accountant for a few weeks.I often hook my laptop to a monitor, keyboard and mouse, for the exact reasons you mention.
Never did any more about it at the time and I'm as good as computer-less at this stage as the desktop won't connect to the internet and the laptop will only load the odd website every now and again if it feels like it. The model above is no longer available, what's the current alternative?If you are looking new and are happy with dell machines, something like this would suit:
http://www.dell.com/ie/p/inspiron-3650-desktop/pd?oc=cd65014&model_id=inspiron-3650-desktop
It's capable of streaming movies and all that too and should last you years with what you want it for.