Desktop PC
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I'm potentially looking for a desktop replacement PC. I've got an HP laptop which I am very happy with and I'm wondering do they make good desktops as well, or should I go for something else? Also, I'm based in the UK so I need a supplier that does the UK.
Recent blog posts: * Introduction to LINQ to XML (Part 1) - (Part 2) - (part 3) My website | Blog
Got a Dell Optiplex at work, very quiet, runs pretty cool (temp wise ;)). My girlfriend's family just got an Inspiron 530s as well and they're pretty happy with it, not a bad price either for the spec but I haven't had a play with it myself. Considered an iMac?
He who makes a beast out of himself gets rid of the pain of being a man
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I'm potentially looking for a desktop replacement PC. I've got an HP laptop which I am very happy with and I'm wondering do they make good desktops as well, or should I go for something else? Also, I'm based in the UK so I need a supplier that does the UK.
Recent blog posts: * Introduction to LINQ to XML (Part 1) - (Part 2) - (part 3) My website | Blog
I'v found that when you select the hardware and put the pc together yourself (instead of bying one off the shelve) you always come out better. Ofcourse that requires that you know (alot) about hardware or know someone who does (like I do ;P ) I just bought a new pc (well still needs te be deliverd) and without having tested I can say that I'm very confidend that it is better than anything hp/acer/medion/... have to offer (in the same price range) If you do decide to buy one off the shelve I heard that hp has some nice one's (definatly don't go for medion, my current one is such and they really are bad). One piece of advice tho Check the cooling in the case (that has always been one of the major problems in my experiance), make shure that you can add cooling if needed (or that there is enough present already)
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I'm potentially looking for a desktop replacement PC. I've got an HP laptop which I am very happy with and I'm wondering do they make good desktops as well, or should I go for something else? Also, I'm based in the UK so I need a supplier that does the UK.
Recent blog posts: * Introduction to LINQ to XML (Part 1) - (Part 2) - (part 3) My website | Blog
I had to use an old HP desktop in my last workplace - it wasn't like 90's ancient now, but it was a few years old. But it worked very well, handled heavy dev work with multiple instances of Studio 2005, that kind of thing, and the hardware itself was actually quite nice, from a usability point of view. It wasn't drop-dead gorgeous or anything, but I'd be happy to get one again. My home workstation is a maxed-out Dell Vostro. It's much faster (obviously) but the keyboard is a bit cheap 'n nasty, the fan's quite loud - put it this way, I'd prefer to have a HP with the same spec.
Smokie, this is not 'Nam. This is bowling. There are rules. www.geticeberg.com
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I'm potentially looking for a desktop replacement PC. I've got an HP laptop which I am very happy with and I'm wondering do they make good desktops as well, or should I go for something else? Also, I'm based in the UK so I need a supplier that does the UK.
Recent blog posts: * Introduction to LINQ to XML (Part 1) - (Part 2) - (part 3) My website | Blog
I have two HP desktops sitting on and under my desk here at work. The first is a small form factor one - an HP Compaq dc7700[^] of 2006 vintage - while the second is a tower workstation - an xw4400[^] bought this year. They've both been utterly reliable and are pretty much completely silent, even when being worked hard (I've developed C++ on both of them - compiling C++ with a good lathering of Boost[^] always stresses the machine pretty effectively). The performance is probably not the best, but it's OK. HP monitors are pretty nice as well - I've got 3 x 20" HP monitors (an 2035 and two 2065s) spread between the two machines. One warning note - I run Windows 2000 on the dc7700 and XP Pro on the xw4400, so I can't say what they're like with Vista (although Vista in VirtualBox[^] on the xw4400 is OK - only let down by the graphics! I get a 4.4 for Processor, 5.7 for memory and 5.9 for hard disk)
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I'v found that when you select the hardware and put the pc together yourself (instead of bying one off the shelve) you always come out better. Ofcourse that requires that you know (alot) about hardware or know someone who does (like I do ;P ) I just bought a new pc (well still needs te be deliverd) and without having tested I can say that I'm very confidend that it is better than anything hp/acer/medion/... have to offer (in the same price range) If you do decide to buy one off the shelve I heard that hp has some nice one's (definatly don't go for medion, my current one is such and they really are bad). One piece of advice tho Check the cooling in the case (that has always been one of the major problems in my experiance), make shure that you can add cooling if needed (or that there is enough present already)
Personally, I now build all PC's myself, and would recommend it. However, do not expect huge price savings. I have always managed to undercut Dell/Acer etc for a similar spec when I build, but by making some sacrifices. For example, The last 3 PC's I've built have all shared the same monitor saving some cost each time. I also tend to have much less hard drive space. I don't really have a need for 500gb, I'm just fine with my 80gb right now. You do get exactly what you want though, you don't ever have to worry about carpy unbranded hardware that you can't find drivers for, and no horrible pre installed trial software.
Simon
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I'm potentially looking for a desktop replacement PC. I've got an HP laptop which I am very happy with and I'm wondering do they make good desktops as well, or should I go for something else? Also, I'm based in the UK so I need a supplier that does the UK.
Recent blog posts: * Introduction to LINQ to XML (Part 1) - (Part 2) - (part 3) My website | Blog
I'm so frustrated with this... the owner of the company i work for (who knows nothing about computers by the way) insists the we ONLY buy HP computers. They payed +/- R10000(ZAR) for my dev machine(Intel Core 2 Duo, 2.33Ghz, 2gig ram), that was in January, where as i paid less than a R3700(ZAR) for my new home machine (AMD X2 dual Core, 2.7Ghz, 4gig ram)less than a month ago. the frustrating bit is that when i NEED a stupid 8 port switch for my dev work, i cant get one because the IT Budget has been blown!!! sometimes i feel like walking to his office and tell him that ill build his PC's for 75% of the price hes paying now... The Dell's and HP's sell you useless crap for double the worth of it... but that's just my opinion I just remembered something else, i opened up one of these HP's the other day to get a motherboards model number so i can go find XP drivers for it(i took off vista) only to be greeted with a NO NAME board...
Harvey Saayman - South Africa Junior Developer .Net, C#, SQL
you.suck = (you.passion != Programming) -
I'm potentially looking for a desktop replacement PC. I've got an HP laptop which I am very happy with and I'm wondering do they make good desktops as well, or should I go for something else? Also, I'm based in the UK so I need a supplier that does the UK.
Recent blog posts: * Introduction to LINQ to XML (Part 1) - (Part 2) - (part 3) My website | Blog
Overclockers[^] are very good suppliers if you want to build your own.
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I'm looking at Dells. The look great. Good price. I can remove the monitor, but I cannot seem to remove the mouse and keyboard which is irritating because I won't ever use them. I have an ergonimic keyboard and I can't use a mouse for any length of time.
Recent blog posts: * Introduction to LINQ to XML (Part 1) - (Part 2) - (part 3) My website | Blog
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Dell as long as you don't expect any software support. I've always done ASPs myself (All Spare Parts).
Visit http://www.notreadytogiveup.com/[^] and do something special today.
Trollslayer wrote:
Dell as long as you don't expect any software support.
I don't really need software support. I think I can manage that by myself.
Recent blog posts: * Introduction to LINQ to XML (Part 1) - (Part 2) - (part 3) My website | Blog
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I'm so frustrated with this... the owner of the company i work for (who knows nothing about computers by the way) insists the we ONLY buy HP computers. They payed +/- R10000(ZAR) for my dev machine(Intel Core 2 Duo, 2.33Ghz, 2gig ram), that was in January, where as i paid less than a R3700(ZAR) for my new home machine (AMD X2 dual Core, 2.7Ghz, 4gig ram)less than a month ago. the frustrating bit is that when i NEED a stupid 8 port switch for my dev work, i cant get one because the IT Budget has been blown!!! sometimes i feel like walking to his office and tell him that ill build his PC's for 75% of the price hes paying now... The Dell's and HP's sell you useless crap for double the worth of it... but that's just my opinion I just remembered something else, i opened up one of these HP's the other day to get a motherboards model number so i can go find XP drivers for it(i took off vista) only to be greeted with a NO NAME board...
Harvey Saayman - South Africa Junior Developer .Net, C#, SQL
you.suck = (you.passion != Programming)HarveySaayman wrote:
only to be greeted with a NO NAME board...
You expected to find a named board on a pre-built pc? On the Dell's you can't even get all the information off the board, like temps for example. Stupid Dell. For all I know my CPU has been slowly melting, I do get random crashed every now and then.
My current favourite word is: I'm starting to run out of fav. words!
-SK Genius
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HarveySaayman wrote:
only to be greeted with a NO NAME board...
You expected to find a named board on a pre-built pc? On the Dell's you can't even get all the information off the board, like temps for example. Stupid Dell. For all I know my CPU has been slowly melting, I do get random crashed every now and then.
My current favourite word is: I'm starting to run out of fav. words!
-SK Genius
SK Genius wrote:
You expected to find a named board on a pre-built pc?
yup X|
SK Genius wrote:
Stupid Dell
i agree
Harvey Saayman - South Africa Junior Developer .Net, C#, SQL
you.suck = (you.passion != Programming) -
I'm potentially looking for a desktop replacement PC. I've got an HP laptop which I am very happy with and I'm wondering do they make good desktops as well, or should I go for something else? Also, I'm based in the UK so I need a supplier that does the UK.
Recent blog posts: * Introduction to LINQ to XML (Part 1) - (Part 2) - (part 3) My website | Blog
Colin Angus Mackay wrote:
do they make good desktops as well
Short answer - no. My advice would be: Dell for price. Fujitsu Siemens for build quality. (and for not cramming the box with apps you have to uninstall ) Also the credit crunch means there's a heck of a lot of really good hardware on the second hand market. ( Often complete with NHS patient list or credit card record file :mad:)
'--8<------------------------ Ex Datis: Duncan Jones Merrion Computing Ltd
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Got a Dell Optiplex at work, very quiet, runs pretty cool (temp wise ;)). My girlfriend's family just got an Inspiron 530s as well and they're pretty happy with it, not a bad price either for the spec but I haven't had a play with it myself. Considered an iMac?
He who makes a beast out of himself gets rid of the pain of being a man
Phannon wrote:
Considered an iMac?
Nope... Just had a look, but at a 30-40% mark up on the same spec PC I figured it isn't worth it.
Recent blog posts: * Introduction to LINQ to XML (Part 1) - (Part 2) - (part 3) My website | Blog
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I'm looking at Dells. The look great. Good price. I can remove the monitor, but I cannot seem to remove the mouse and keyboard which is irritating because I won't ever use them. I have an ergonimic keyboard and I can't use a mouse for any length of time.
Recent blog posts: * Introduction to LINQ to XML (Part 1) - (Part 2) - (part 3) My website | Blog
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I had to use an old HP desktop in my last workplace - it wasn't like 90's ancient now, but it was a few years old. But it worked very well, handled heavy dev work with multiple instances of Studio 2005, that kind of thing, and the hardware itself was actually quite nice, from a usability point of view. It wasn't drop-dead gorgeous or anything, but I'd be happy to get one again. My home workstation is a maxed-out Dell Vostro. It's much faster (obviously) but the keyboard is a bit cheap 'n nasty, the fan's quite loud - put it this way, I'd prefer to have a HP with the same spec.
Smokie, this is not 'Nam. This is bowling. There are rules. www.geticeberg.com
melchizidech wrote:
I'd prefer to have a HP
They look like they could be good. However I found the website irritating. I'll take a longer look later.
Recent blog posts: * Introduction to LINQ to XML (Part 1) - (Part 2) - (part 3) My website | Blog
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I'm potentially looking for a desktop replacement PC. I've got an HP laptop which I am very happy with and I'm wondering do they make good desktops as well, or should I go for something else? Also, I'm based in the UK so I need a supplier that does the UK.
Recent blog posts: * Introduction to LINQ to XML (Part 1) - (Part 2) - (part 3) My website | Blog
I have a HP dx2250 and a HP dc5700. For me it works like a charm. I tell you I won't have anytime soon a custom built PC. These PC's are silent, reliable and robust [no I don't work for them]. I like that I get 3 years warranty for the entire box. I have 2 monitors so I did put another VC, but that's it. It's well worth the 10-15% price over what you got by building your PC.
Work @ Network integrated solutions | Flickr | A practical use of the MVC pattern
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I'm so frustrated with this... the owner of the company i work for (who knows nothing about computers by the way) insists the we ONLY buy HP computers. They payed +/- R10000(ZAR) for my dev machine(Intel Core 2 Duo, 2.33Ghz, 2gig ram), that was in January, where as i paid less than a R3700(ZAR) for my new home machine (AMD X2 dual Core, 2.7Ghz, 4gig ram)less than a month ago. the frustrating bit is that when i NEED a stupid 8 port switch for my dev work, i cant get one because the IT Budget has been blown!!! sometimes i feel like walking to his office and tell him that ill build his PC's for 75% of the price hes paying now... The Dell's and HP's sell you useless crap for double the worth of it... but that's just my opinion I just remembered something else, i opened up one of these HP's the other day to get a motherboards model number so i can go find XP drivers for it(i took off vista) only to be greeted with a NO NAME board...
Harvey Saayman - South Africa Junior Developer .Net, C#, SQL
you.suck = (you.passion != Programming)HarveySaayman wrote:
sometimes i feel like walking to his office and tell him that ill build his PC's for 75% of the price hes paying now...
And will you be providing support for it too? :rolleyes:
xacc.ide - now with TabsToSpaces support
IronScheme - 1.0 alpha 4a out now (29 May 2008) -
HarveySaayman wrote:
sometimes i feel like walking to his office and tell him that ill build his PC's for 75% of the price hes paying now...
And will you be providing support for it too? :rolleyes:
xacc.ide - now with TabsToSpaces support
IronScheme - 1.0 alpha 4a out now (29 May 2008)if required yes :) but hardware support is rarely needed... i "support" most of the computer / network related issues anyway. and i cant see how HP's support can cost THAT much money... its retarded.
Harvey Saayman - South Africa Junior Developer .Net, C#, SQL
you.suck = (you.passion != Programming) -
Personally, I now build all PC's myself, and would recommend it. However, do not expect huge price savings. I have always managed to undercut Dell/Acer etc for a similar spec when I build, but by making some sacrifices. For example, The last 3 PC's I've built have all shared the same monitor saving some cost each time. I also tend to have much less hard drive space. I don't really have a need for 500gb, I'm just fine with my 80gb right now. You do get exactly what you want though, you don't ever have to worry about carpy unbranded hardware that you can't find drivers for, and no horrible pre installed trial software.
Simon
Simon Stevens wrote:
You do get exactly what you want though, you don't ever have to worry about carpy unbranded hardware that you can't find drivers for, and no horrible pre installed trial software
very true I haven't been able to go below the prices of the dell/acer/hp pc's tho (the one I orderd now goes for 3000euro (with 2 24" screens in that price)) but I know that I'll be able to use my pc for at least 5 years without any significant problems (not like the one I have now with started to act up after 6months) maybe I should mention that there are 2 graphical cards in it, quad core (standerd these days), 4 gig ram, 750gig hdd, nice case (made for cooling) I got caried away a bit ;P
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Phannon wrote:
Considered an iMac?
Nope... Just had a look, but at a 30-40% mark up on the same spec PC I figured it isn't worth it.
Recent blog posts: * Introduction to LINQ to XML (Part 1) - (Part 2) - (part 3) My website | Blog