Forum Home
Press F1
Thread ID: 60448	2005-08-02 04:15:00	Seeking a new PC - the neverending story...	Tony (4941)	Press F1

Post ID	Timestamp	Content	User
377527	2005-08-02 04:15:00	Those of you who have been following closely will know I have been trying to help my technically and financially challenged friend to get a new PC. The latest possibility is the current promotion from Warehouse Stationery. It is a Compaq Presario 1400AN, bundled with an HP PSC1410 multi-function printer - all for $1124.99 inc GST. The brief spec is: AMD Sempron model 3100+ 1.8 ghz. 256mb PC3200 DDR RAM 40GB HD On-board graphics Cd writer 56k modem 15" LCD screen WinXP Home MS Works 8.0 Microsoft Money Encarta + the printer (which I haven't researched yet). This seems like a reasonable spec for the price. Pros and cons: Pro: Good price Name brand Reasonable bundled software Compaq help and support. Con: Not a very high spec, but probably good enough for what she is going to want. Only 256mb RAM (u/g to 512mb approx $250 ???) It is Warehouse Stationery!! Any opinions? Anyone had experience of Compaq (aka HP) help and support?	Tony (4941)
377528	2005-08-02 04:23:00	Change the Sempron for an Athlon 64 RAM to at least 512MB 15" LCD to a 17" LCD at least Go here and build the system www.edencomputers.co.nz	KiwiTT_NZ (233)
377529	2005-08-02 04:26:00	Upgrade to 512mb should cost about $40 I would check the speed of that harddrive,a slow one hampers the speed of the computer. Overall I would say its reasonable for the price, I wouldn't try and match it. As long as your aware there is only one way to sell cheap,and that is to make cheap. I would hwever revise you "pro" list Name brand Reasonable bundled software Compaq help and support. None of that strikes home, Name brand counts for nothing,infact I personally would avoid them, the software is rubbish though possibly useful for the intended user,and compaq help and suport consists of a helpline to some third world country and they are sent to a repair center when they need fixing....where no feedback is passed onto teh owner. Still, The price is right.	Metla (12)
377530	2005-08-02 04:42:00	Change the Sempron for an Athlon 64 RAM to at least 512MB 15" LCD to a 17" LCD at least If this were for me, I would be doing at least what you suggest. But this is for someone who is very financially challenged and wants as much as poss for as little as poss. All she will be doing is word-processing, some email, maybe a little photo processing. I think this spec is probably good enough for that. I will be suggesting she gets 512mb of RAM though.	Tony (4941)
377531	2005-08-02 04:46:00	It will be fine for her needs, possibly wouldn't even notice the difference between 256 and 512. (though as i said it will be a slug if its constanty accessing a drive running at 4500,no need for that carry on in this day and age)	Metla (12)
377532	2005-08-02 04:51:00	Upgrade to 512mb should cost about $40Right - I misread a line when looking it up. :blush: Compaq help and support consists of a helpline to some third world country and they are sent to a repair center when they need fixing....where no feedback is passed onto the owner.Do you know that for a fact? it will be a slug if its constanty accessing a drive running at 4500 It is a 4500 drive, so I think the increased memory is a must. I'm trying to get the balance here between a reasonable spec/price/support combination. As I've said before, she is totally non-technical, and while I am happy to get her set up and going, I don't want to end up as a 24/7 help line.	Tony (4941)
377533	2005-08-02 04:57:00	as for backup service was just talkin to a fella bout this myself as his system is goin to be replaced.......he liked the dells well one thing about dell compared to say compaq......if you buy a dell sure you end up talkin to somone in india for helpdesk support BUT.....if a tech is needed for a hardware issue they'll be around at your house within a day or two......compaq etc from some big shop...well their support consists of YOU takin the pc back to the shop and then waitin a few days.........weeks more likely for it to come back........dell is'nt the BEST quality and like all cheapies they are limited in upgradeablity.....	drcspy (146)
377534	2005-08-02 05:38:00	My comments: 40GB HD - what brand?! On-board graphics - What brand motherboard??! Cd writer - What brand? And it should at least be a combo drive! 15" LCD screen - What brand? Pros and cons: Pro: OK price OK software Con: Compaq help and support Name brand . Its all very well saying its cheap - it isn't that cheap actually - what matters is not the silly label on the box but what components are inside it . That matters a lot more . Also your warranty will be 1 year unless you PAY for more . Decent brand components are usually 3 years - and 5 years for the hard drive in it . The specs are the lowest they could do as far as hard drive and ram and optical drive, oh and monitor . And yes, what Metla says about the support is exactly right . I would avoid it and research a similar setup from a reputable REAL computer shop .	pctek (84)
377535	2005-08-02 06:05:00	Its all very well saying its cheap - it isn't that cheap actuallyPeople have said that to me before about other systems I have looked at, but I haven't managed to spec a system for any less than that - where I am reasonably sure of the quality/support issues. I would love to see where I could find one of these mythical cheaper systems. I looked at the Eden Computers site that Kiwitt_nz cited, but once you add all the components you actually need, it came to about $1300 - and that is without the printer. I did a similar quote from TL systems and got to $1134 - that was with a CRT monitor and again no printer. :confused: :confused:	Tony (4941)
377536	2005-08-02 07:00:00	People have said that to me before about other systems I have looked at, but I haven't managed to spec a system for any less than that - where I am reasonably sure of the quality/support issues. I would love to see where I could find one of these mythical cheaper systems. I looked at the Eden Computers site that Kiwitt_nz cited, but once you add all the components you actually need, it came to about $1300 - and that is without the printer. I did a similar quote from TL systems and got to $1134 - that was with a CRT monitor and again no printer. :confused: :confused: Get a proper written quote off these companies - don't necessarily go off whats first on the website. TL systems isn't know for good pricing either. Try PCTronix for instance. I'm sure others here will suggest other shops that aren't dodgy. You may not get it exactly the same price as Warehouse but don't forget quality of components and proper warranties will make all the difference with a bit extra.	pctek (84)
1 2