Buying advice needed for PC

[chaucer73]

Hello, thanks for info on this site.

I am looking to buy a moderately priced dell - probably a vostro 200st

I use the machine at home for general purpose computing, word/excel/ppt etc, web browsing, storing & manipulating digital photos, downloading & playing music. Not really needed as a gaming machine. Internet access is through Bt home hub.

I want a PC that will last - my present one is about 7 years old.

Got several questions

1] Are the 19" - 22" flat monitors they offer any good? Are they good for the future of downloadable digital TV or should I stump up for the digital monitor?

2] Should I opt for Vista basic, premium or XP Pro?

3] I want good cpu and ram but how much is enough these days ... ?

4] I want wireless connection to homehub so do not think I need a modem. However, should I switch ISP in the future will I need to have had a modem installed?

5] How do the vouchers work? I have trialled going through the checkout and each time the voucher listed next to the link I followed has not been accepted.

Many thanks

[spannerzone]

Originally Posted by chaucer73

Hello, thanks for info on this site.

I am looking to buy a moderately priced dell - probably a vostro 200st

Got several questions

1] Are the 19" - 22" flat monitors they offer any good? Are they good for the future of downloadable digital TV or should I stump up for the digital monitor?

Don't confuse digital monitors with Digital TV - A digital monitor usually refers to the connection method between it and the PC (this is called DVI as opposed to the older 'analogue' connection that's called VGA. So essentially the monitor will only be good as a PC monitor and won't receive TV, digital or otherwise.If you're referring to HDCP copyright protected downloaded content then you might have an issue, I don't think the Dell standard monitors have this feature, along with many others..... perhaps you can explain exactly what you mean?

2] Should I opt for Vista basic, premium or XP Pro?
That's a personal choice! - make sure your existing hardware (printers/scanners etc) have Vista drivers available, go to the manufacturers site and see if they're Vista capable... if not then your answer is clear! (either get new hardware or use XP) - Personally I still prefer XP as it's stable, less demanding on memory and works with all my 'old' printers etc

3] I want good cpu and ram but how much is enough these days ... ?
With XP 512mb is the minimum but 1Gb or more is ideal.... for Vista 512mb is totally useless unless you like long waits and lots of eggtimers!, 1gb is usable but ideally 2Gb is the best option. CPU wise, I'd avoid the Celeron but the Dual core Pentiums (these are cut down Core2 Duos, or get a Core2 Duo 2Ghz.... quad core is fine for the power user but dual core will be fine for some time

4] I want wireless connection to homehub so do not think I need a modem. However, should I switch ISP in the future will I need to have had a modem installed?
No, the modem Dell offer is old fashioned 'Dial up 56k' and not broadband at all. It's also not wireless so your Vostro will need a wireless card fitted (or usb wireless) to go wireless. If your PC is next to the homehub then use ethernet wire (network cable) as it just works and no configuration required.

5] How do the vouchers work? I have trialled going through the checkout and each time the voucher listed next to the link I followed has not been accepted.
Are you trying to use the US vouchers? they don't work on the UK site.

Many thanks

[chaucer73]

Originally Posted by spannerzone

[chaucer73]

Also, what's the difference?

Intel® Core™ 2 Duo E4400 Processor (2.0GHz,800MHz,2MB cache)

and

Intel® Viiv™ Core™ 2 Duo E4400 Processor (2.0GHz,800MHz,2MB cache

[spannerzone]

Intel Viiv is a marketing tool/name they devised, it originally meant that a 'Viiv' PC was the hub of your entertainment centre that could stream media and watch it. It originally meant a minimum specification that PC builders had to adhere to, to ensure a minimum standard if you like.

Now, however Viiv seesm to mean very little, as clearly these Dells aren't really media pc, they don't have TV cards or anything like that, so really Viiv means bugger all in these cases.

Check out Intel's Viiv page here: http://www.intel.com/products/viiv/index.htm

I'd suggest that there's no difference at all between them, sometimes you have to select Viiv if you choose the 'Premium or Ultimate' Vista as they have media PC capability unlike Basic or Business.

Vista Business does have Windows media player included but not the 'Media Centre' (like Windows MCE 2005) built in.

Personally I think that Ulitimate is a waste of money compared to Home Premium, sadly you may not get a choice.... Vista Basic isn't bad but it has some features missing, Vista Business has some other features missing, but some others added.... You need to check out the MS page that compares Vista versions to see what's what. http://www.microsoft.com/windows/pro...ns/choose.mspx

or check out http://www.winsupersite.com/reviews/winvista_02.asp which shows every feature included/missing from the various versions of Vista.

My option, is XP.

[chaucer73]

Hello

various things got in the way of my purchase a few months back,

I am now looking at the inspirons and have some need of advice

is the intel better than the AMD (530...531) - it seems more expensive?

is it worth paying more for a slimmer tower ... seems you cannot get a double dvd facility which I want?

thanks

[spannerzone]

Is Intel better than AMD? - there's no real answer! - both offer good performance, currently Intel's Core 2 duo are reckoned to be slightly better in most aspects but to be honest there's little in it..... I've got several Intel core 2's and they run almost stone cold and perform well.

Slimmer cases look nicer but have more limited upgrade options as they use 'half height' cards which are few and far between (graphics etc)

As to whether you need to add a second optical drive, well I've never found a need. You don't need 2 DVD's to make copies...