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Is the following good for the price. also is there anything else worth considering for the spec that i may be interested or is the spec very good?
(Apr 85) Dimension 8300 3.0GHz
Includes Easter Special Offer + Free Delivery! £1,122.89
£1,319.40
Standard Features: Intel 875P chipset with support for Intel® Pentium ® 4 processors with 800MHz system bus
Equipped with Microsoft® Windows® XP operating system
Dual Channel 400MHz DDR Memory
Midnight grey mini-tower with 8 USB 2.0 ports, 4 PCI slots and AGP 8x slot
Integrated 10/100 Pro Ethernet
Norton AntiVirus 2003 (with 90 days free virus updates)
No Floppy Drive as standard
.
Operating System: Microsoft® Windows® XP Home Edition (Why not upgrade to Windows® XP Professional?)
Easter Saving!: Easter Saving (GBP 108 Inc Vat) already included in system price
Choose an Accessory!: Dell All-in-One Printer A920 (Print, Scan & Copy)- 14/8 ppm; 4800 x 1200 dpi (USB cable not incl.). See recommended accessories below.
Online Saving - Free Delivery!: FREE Delivery
Enhanced Support Packs: 1 Year Collect and Return Service (-GBP - £129)
Processor Upgrade: 3.0GHz Intel Pentium 4 Processor with HT technology and 800 front side bus - Dell Recommends
Memory: 512MB Dual Channel DDR 400 (2x256MB)
Hard Drive: 120GB 7200rpm Serial ATA Hard Drive with 8MB DataBurst™ cache (+ GBP £60)
Video Card: 128MB ATI Radeon 9800 Pro card with dual monitor support, TV-Out via S-Video and DVI (+ GBP £80)
Monitor: Dell 17" UltraSharp (17.0" VIS) (with Height Adjustable Stand) Analogue/Digital Flat Panel Monitor (+ GBP £340)
2nd Monitor: Not Included
CD ROM, DVD, Read-Write Drives: 16x DVD-ROM & 48x/32x/48x CD-RW (+ GBP £30)
Speakers: Dell 5650 Speakers with Sub Woofer (+ GBP £30)
Sound Card: Creative Labs SoundBlaster Live! 5.1 (Dell) Digital Sound Card (+ GBP £30)
IEEE 1394: Not Included
Dell Picture Studio: Choose Your Upgrade Below
Network Interface: Choose Your Upgrade Below
Modem: Dell 56k Data/Fax/Voice Modem
Wireless Connectivity: Not Included
Keyboard: Dell enhanced multimedia keyboard (+ GBP £7)
Mouse: Dell PS/2 Scroll Mouse
Software: Microsoft® Works 7.0
Data Transfer: Not Included
Home Installation: Not Included
Axim X3 Pocket PC: Not Included
DVI to VGA Port Adapter: Not Included
Internet Access Services - Narrowband: BT:UK only - BT Yahoo! Anytime - £3.99 a month for the first 3 months, £15.99 a month thereafter - Dell Recommends
AOL: UK only - Dell Exclusive: First 2 Months of AOL Included
Tiscali: UK only - No Monthly Fee on Pay-As-You-Go Plus FREE Software when you sign up
Eircom: Ireland only - Eircom Net Anytime gives you 150 hours of Internet access anytime of day or night for just €29.99 per month - Dell Recommend
Internet Access Services - Broadband: Not Included
New! - Online Training: Not Included
In a word, yes. But don't expect it to be easily upgradable. Also, Dell make many of their own parts, which aren't available to the general public, so you have to go through them and boy do you pay for it.
Some people are like Slinkies™, not really good for anything, but you still can't help but smile when you see one tumble down the stairs...
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Have a look at their forums before you decide to buy from them.
Some times one should shop with more than just the wallet.
Jimi_l
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well actually, i really want the dell as i have heard good things about them, and i know people who have dells and they work like a charm. also with upgrades i dont really care as i rather just get a new pc about 5-10 years down the line and the only things thats may need upgrading are the ram as the rest of the spec should last good few years. but what about the overall spec is there anything else i can improve on??
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looks like a lot of quid to me
"i rather just get a new pc about 5-10 years down the line and the only things thats may need upgrading are the ram as the rest of the spec should last good few years."
a windows system will not last 5-10 years regardless of ram.
I'g go with at least a 19", monitor
but what about the overall spec is there anything else i can improve on??
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yeh im gonna look at a 17" tft dell screen i know someones got and see whether its big enough for me or not. if not ill get a 19" one. also i have a gateway 600mhz and its been working like a charm for 4 years and i rekon itll last another 2 years at least until the next windows operating system comes out, so i dont see how the dell will have a problem with being a good system even in 5 years time.
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"so i dont see how the dell will have a problem with being a good system even in 5 years time"
I made a harsh assertion there with that 5 years comment, and should have said winxp system, not windows system. Here's my thought.
Home systems that are 20 years old today run DOS. This is not a testament to the hardware, its because the OS was not built with the intention of outgrowing its hardware.
Systems that are 5 years old an still running fine today are running win98 for the most part. win98 was an os that a user could control himself, had very little background processes running, grew only slowly over time, and was not likely to bring unwanted things into your house. It was also the last os made by mr gates that represented a desire to increase market share percentage. In this way, it was aimed at attracting new customers.
Winxp is the first os that controls itself. It has up to 89 background service programs that run concurrently, of which 36 are set to run automatically as default, of which 8 are actually required. It grows quickly over time. It is the first os to use more than half of your memory for the average user. It is the first os made by mr gates which is aimed at harvesting the captive windoze user base more than it is attracting new users. This indicates to me that future os's will be built upon a strategy of making sure that users of the original winxp will have to upgrade sooner than later, as opposed to win98 users who can last many years, or DOS users who can last forever.
DOS was a houseplant, win98 was your pet dog, winxp is your teenager. Unlike the plant and your dog, winxp is growing quickly and will one day be stronger than you and make you wonder if you should have just stuck with the dog rather than adopting a teenager whose last name is gates.
It would be neat if Warren Buffet dies richer than Bill Gates, and to assure he never loses that status buys the win98 source code from him as his last act and then donates it to the public domain. I have a dream.
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"I'g go with at least a 19", monitor"
Dude, shut up, he wants a computer, not a home cinema.
Some people are like Slinkies™, not really good for anything, but you still can't help but smile when you see one tumble down the stairs...
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http://www.ocforums.com/poll.php?s=14380a2a77b790e9dc4be1482235f562&action=showresults&pollid=99
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LOL, I couldn't care less what that poll says........
I say again..........
He wants a computer, not a home cinema.
Some people are like Slinkies™, not really good for anything, but you still can't help but smile when you see one tumble down the stairs...
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- 564 people vote in 19" as the most common monitor size
- Hooner says 19" is absurd
those are the data point for others to consider
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so is it worth investing in the 19" tft, itll cost be an extra £120 is i select it. im scared ill be investing in that money for a 19" where it could break down within few years and i could have used the £120 spent to but myself a better tft and cheaper that will be out in the future.
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Most of the home desks I have seen will not fit a 19 inch although some of the modular ones can be made to fit.
Cool if you can afford it but a bit over the top and certainly not the most common size by any strech. 15 is still the most common because of increased LCD sales and 8x6 is still the mosy common resolution.
Ask gamers, video editors or the visually impared and obviously you will get different results.
Jimi_l
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Why thankyou Jimi.
Some people are like Slinkies™, not really good for anything, but you still can't help but smile when you see one tumble down the stairs...
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Some notes, not trying to argue with other postors:
Dell is a good company, and a nice in-between buying some off-the-shelf Comcrap and a home-built. There are other custom-built companies you should look into too.
With that motherboard you won't have trouble upgrading - it's a standard ATX.
Dell sometimes uses non-standard power-supplies. That can make future power upgrades difficult.
19" is 'normal' monitor size to me. I consider 17" small, and 15" tiny.
Flat panel monitors cost more and do not have as nice of a display as a high-quality CRT monitor. 19" CRT will cost less than a 17" flat panel. Choose the flat panel only if saving space is your primary concern. Dell has some nice flat-screen CRT monitors...
You can always order the monitor from somewhere else and probably save money. Check prices at Newegg and TigerDirect.
Windows XP Professional is nearly identical to XP Home. I don't think the extra $$ is worth it to most folks.
Decent sound card that supports surround sound. Spend the extra to get surround speakers, if those don't, if you intend to play games.
Happy shopping,
Bob
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hey thank you guys i will consder it all and have nearly made up my mind bar one problem - choosing the monitor. i think i need to know whether a tft lasts long, whether it lasts longer then a crt or not. also is a 17" tft as big as a 19" crt and so because a 19" crt im using now is good enough for me, i should just consider a 17" tft??
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What you class as normal Bob, and what the general consumer classes as normal, are two completely different things my friend.
As Jimi said, 15" is the standard these days, just edging out the 17".
Some people are like Slinkies™, not really good for anything, but you still can't help but smile when you see one tumble down the stairs...
0
I think we're discussing different 'normals' - actually a meaningless word anyway. It would be helpful if we knew more about the postor's computer-use habits. High-end gamer? Internet user and occational game? Word processing for hours at a time?
The 'normal' size for an LCD might very well be 15" or 17" - that's because LCD screens are so darn overpriced. If they were competitively priced with CRT screens, even nice ones, I expect few people would settle for 15".
A 'normal' CRT screen, to me at least, is 19", although I've seen many new 17" in businesses. You can't even get a CRT screen smaller than 15", so I don't think a 15" CRT could be average.
My four-year-old CRT is 19" and wasn't considered super-sized even back then, although it probably was larger-than-average. My new CRT monitor will likely be 21" - 22", which could be considered super-sized. I couldn't even begin to afford a 21" LCD...
Also affecting what is 'normal' is the huge number of people buying $500 computers with the absolute bottom-end components and monitors. I doubt few people who spend $500 for a graphics card alone would skimp on a monitor. That's not me either, but as you say, there are very different customer types.
Hopefully Chiragpatel will be able to average all of the replies together in whatever way is most useful for his needs and budget. I think all of the advice so far has been constructive.
Best Wishes,
Bob
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bobthearch has hit it on the head. its not the 15" size that is the standard in lcd screens, its the price of the 15" lcd that is the standard
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Johnoh, you make no sense.
Bob, perhaps :-)
Some people are like Slinkies™, not really good for anything, but you still can't help but smile when you see one tumble down the stairs...
0
just an update, my friend was telling me about packard bell. he said they r pretty good and the bad rep they get is very overexagerated. the prices are ment to be good and the spec very good too and they dont give junk like dell try to do. is my friend right should i look into packard bell? im gonna have a look at them, in PCworld and decide then whether to buy it or not and buy it then as im in desparate need for a new pc!!
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wow packard bell... I didn't know that they still made computers...
about the monitor... you said that you have a 19"crt ... then use it and don't get a different one... save your money for something better...
if you need the monitor I say get a 17" and use it for your old computer and your 19" for your new computer...
I believe tft screens don't last as long as crt's... kinda like plasma tv's don't last as long as tube tv's ..
Shuttle AN35N- Ultra
AMD 2100+
1Gb 2100 DDRAM
Gforce 5600 128ddr
120 of 7200 HD space
Genuine Win XP Pro
UV Clear Acrylic Blue case
0
Great post Jonah- You write that bit yourself? Also I'd look at some customer satisfaction reviews before deciding. The last review I read put Dell way back as far as cutomer satisfaction. Although al companies went down a bit IBM did the best. That review may be a bit dated and Dell is definitely cheaper than IBM but you get what you pay for. Finally as far as the monitor remember your gonna be staring at that thing for quite some time. Get the biggest/best you can afford. I'd consider getting one of those nice 21-22" jobbies made for graphic artists. They're down under $500 and will look better tan any flat panel for years to come.
Just my $0.02.
Jim
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after seeing the many problems about packard bell on this board, i have decided not to even have a look at tthem there dudes im getting a dell!!
well ive also decided on getting a tft but still not sure between 17" and 19". the crt i have now is slightly curved and i prefer a flat one and feel a tft will look really nice on my desk and nice to use to.
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what monitor size is common in USA may not be the same as in UK. In USA, 19 inch CRT is very common. An average quality 19 inch CRT costs $150-200 (about 100 pounds).
a 17 inch LCD (TFT) has about the same viewable screen size as a 19 inch CRT. An average 17 inch LCD costs $350-400 ( 200 pounds).
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I forgot, USA prices don't include sales tax, UK prices include VAT.
our sales tax is usually 8% or less. NYC might be more. Some states don't charge any sales tax.
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I'd say in pounds to dollars, thats $1,500?
well Dell is an OK price but i think its overpriced than if you'd build a comp. If ur lazy just go ahead and buy it =)
GO FOR THE 42" PLASMA!!! lol
j/k
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FYI: There's no sales tax in the US if you order online. But you do need to budget for shipping.
You might consider an inexpensive corporate salvage monitor for your old computer, and keep the 19" for the new one. I've also seen corporate recycle Trinitron monitors for cheap.
I guess you know about flat-screen CRT monitors like the Sony Trinitron or Mitsubishi Diamondtron. They are still priced less than LCD screens, but have a ~lot~ better picture.
22" (20" viewable) Diamondtron = $560
20" LCD = $980 to $1,300The LCD screens just aren't worth the extra, IMO of course.
Best Luck whatever you choose.
-Bob
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there is sales tax in the US if you buy from the same state that you live in... if you live out of the state that is shipping the package then there is no sales tax.
go with what bobthearch said and save some money and by a smaller monitor or a used one for your other computer and keep your 19" for your new computer..
Shuttle AN35N- Ultra
AMD 2100+
1Gb 2100 DDRAM
Gforce 5600 128ddr
120 of 7200 HD space
Genuine Win XP Pro
UV Clear Acrylic Blue case
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I guess my point is, if you're buying a new monitor I recommend a Trinitron over an LCD - better picture for less $$. And with the outrageous prices for LCD screens, I could put up with a little curve anyway.
How much are you paying for that tiny LCD? 'Cause here are 19" Diamondtron for $270:
http://www.tigerdirect.com/applications/searchtools/item-Details.asp?EdpNo=694740&sku=N27-1390
You've sapped me of every bit of monitor opinion and advice I can offer. It's your cash and up to you in the end to decide.
Happy shopping, and enjoy the new system!
Bob
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Simple & effective way: Built it yaself! Costs less too
Life is just a merry-go-round that keeps breaking down.
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buy the one from ALDI, its a much better spec the DB`s MEDION 3ghz all singing and dancing, its also about 1/2 the price of the dell
I work with dell, HP/Compaq, Toshiba, Fujits-Seimens, Acer, IBM and compatred to the others Dell build "feel" is crap they just look shoddily built. The only way i`d ever persdonally have a Dell is if someone gave me one, then i`d prolly sell it to get something better. Dell noticeably can be cheaper but they usually do this by cutting the spec, I checked them, out a couple of times and generally there was less RAM, usually 1/2 to 2/3 of the Video Ram of the others and say a 40x cd-writer instead of a 52x writer They may have improved since i last seriously looked at their ads but i still don`t like the build quality and feel, they just feel flimsy
HTHWoof
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Bugger Aldi don`t have any atm
they do have these offer pretty frequently tho ;)
The only reason I didn`t buy one for myself is i`m (as usual) strapped for cash. Guess i could always sell my body :P
Woof
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