Can I just start off by saying thanks all so much for taking the time out to respond, it is really appreciated!

Doc's pretty good at suggesting something to you I'm sure. Danny too but he's not around too often. Also anyone else from JU whose computer savvy. Don't feel too bad, I know what you mean cause I'm not too technical either

Hehe this is why I asked at JU.  I know they are a helpful bunch when it comes to this kind of thing, especially the lovely Doc!

Say goodbye to your old friend for me. It's done a good job in introducing you to a lot of people

Thanks chick, I shall pass on a goodbye!

he bought an eMachine, with a lLED flat screen, and they put his old hard drive in the new computer for a little over $400.

So is it a good idea getting my old hard drive put in, and can I get say a basic computer package, and then change things that will suit me, or will it be better going for what I want straight off?

Cheap machine, but works fine for me. If you lived close to me, I would build you, and maybe come out even cheaper. Good Luck, and may the computer fairy's be with you.

Thanks for the offer!  I guess England is a little far though!

I also didn't want to pay for a lot of extras. So, I went with a Mac. Now, I don't want to start the whole Mac/PC debate--cause I don't know enough about them.

As someone who has never had a mac, should I stick withwhat I am used to, or are they better?

You can even buy online so you don't have to deal with those icky sales people

That is a fantastic idea!

One otehr thing I do with any computer, is take off anything that has to do with AOL, McAfee or Norton. DL AVG, and Sygate. Both free, and very good. They do put a lot of stuuf that you don't need. Just unistallit. It took 10 minutes to uninstall all the junk off my nephews new computer.

I've always used Norton??  Is that bad?  Also, I have had aol lurking on this machine for a while, and just can't seem to get rid of it!  Are these programmes really that useless?

Ok, how soon do you want to get it? That will determine what you get. because Microsoft is about to come out with Vista (maybe - microsoft is always late with their new releases). But it is scheduled for the fall. So expect it in early 2007. If you can wait.

Doc, if you told me it was worth the wait, I would quite happily wait, though in 2007 I would start bugging you again for help no doubt!

I personally prefer Dell. You can go on Dell's web site and configure what you want. I would start at what Hippie has. I would upgrade the RAM if you can afford it (there is no such thing as too much RAM these days). A gig is good, 2 is better. And usually not too expensive. Both Dell and Gateway (Hippie can tell you about the eMachines) come with Ethernet standard (so if you have high speed, you are set). If you are doing dialup, that is a modest addition to the cost.

Right, I have had a Dell PC before and was really happy with it, so I would be quite happy to go with that.  The thing that has put me off a little is, I went to the Dell website, and it just baffled me (I know I am a simple soul) there was just to many options, and I didn't know what was best for me.  So I ended up picking the best of everything, and walkin away with a £4000 PC...which is just ridiculous for what I want!  So I left with my tail between my legs!

You dont mention your price points (Figure 1.8 dollars to a pound). But Dell starts around $299 (about 167 pounds) plus shipping (usually modest and sometimes thrown in - although they would probably charge extra for a UK Drop). That does not include a monitor. But if yours is doing fine, you may not need one. However, if you do have some extra cash, then look at a flat panel. I recommend the 17inch, but again it is a cost issue (the 17inch would run a bit extra and dell is running a special on the $499 so no extra cost - but the specials change weekly).

My price range is around £1500.  I need a new monitor, mine had an accident with a drink and is in a sorry state, lol!

You are not going to network this, right? If the answer is no (other than a high speed internet connection) stick with XP Home. If the answer is maybe or yes, do the Pro upgrade (pricey at $124).

No I'm not going to network it, just the high speed internet.

The $499 comes with a DVD/CD-RW drive, 512mb RAM, 80gb SATA drive. You can bump the RAM to 1gb for $33 and the drive to a 160 (not necessary if you are not going to do video, but songs......probably best to) for $44.

  

Right Doc, I've been looking at Entertainment PCs, and I quite fancy them...is this is a similar thing?  Because music, and videos and such are the type of thing I would like to play with really?

If you want to jump to about $1000, go with a laptop! With Wireless! I got my wife one for a few bucks over that, and it blows all my computers away (and why I am getting a new one SOON! I hate not having the best in the house!).

Oh I don't know!  I've always said I wouldn't get a laptop, just because I am so used to my good 'ol PC, and I don't really need to take it anywhere, so it's never been an issue.  Also I'm not sure about wireless connections, just how secure are they?  Would a laptop be better?

Do they have Wally worlds in the UK?

Well I have never heard of it...so I am guessing not.

Your sitting in your favorite chair wrapped up in your favorite blanket on a cold morning. The coffee is finished brewing and you're ready for your daily JU fix. You reach down beside you and grab your wireless laptop and just start working.

Oooh that does sound tempting!  Grrr...

For the basics this is all you need. If you want to run PhotoShop, this isn't your computer.

I would like to run photoshop really....

That sounds like the best. I 've scavenged some eMachines, and, 400 gigs of hard drive I've got a gig and a half ram, but, like I said, I do music, recording and writing other stuff, 200 tracks, and Ive never had any lag. seriously, that suprized me. It boils down to how much you want to spend for what you're going to do. Good luck. And say goodbye to you're old friend.

Right I have done some podcasting, so I have got quite a bit of recording equipement, and I have got near to 2000 songs...maybe more...does that change anything?  I will say goodbye to my old friend for you, hehe!

So he taught me a little about programming, and around a month later we got it to play. I was astounded. I have been into computers since. By the way, this computer was about the size of a football field, and now , my watch has more power.

Since I use my PC so much, I am a little ashamed that I know so little about them.  I should really make an effort to learn more, but I don't really know how to go about it.

With a good wireless modem (and good security to protect your connection) these machines are fantastic for the blogger/writer. We're moving to a new place that has a large balcony and awesome views. I can hardly wait to be sitting out there, laptop at hand and blogging while watching the sun set over the city.

Grrr...I do think a laptop would be good for the writer in me!  Now I really don't know what to do!

The whole building was a single computer that had far less computing power than the average scientific calculator has today but I was in love with computers from that day on. I think I was 6 or 7.

It's amazing how easily they can grab your imaginations, yet they have changed and improved so much since then!

Thanks for all your help guys, and I am sorry about all the questions...I'm still learning!

I would stay away from Dell laptops until they stop exploding.

Norton Anti-Virus is fine. But dont load the rest of the crap. And stick with a PC. Macs are fine, but if you know PCs, no point in jumping.

And for the £1500, I will snoop around and see what I come up with. You can get a LOT of computer for that.

I would stay away from Dell laptops until they stop exploding

That's that out then!

And for the £1500, I will snoop around and see what I come up with. You can get a LOT of computer for that.

Aww thanks Doc...that's really nice of you, I would be really grateful!

I would stay away from Dell . I take Norton & Mcafee off , first thin. Also, anything to do wit AOL. Like I said, it depends on what you want. I've seen some good suggestions here, also some bad ones. Personally I would buy an eMachine. They're cheap. Do what you want, and I have around 5000 songs and about 80 videos., from Kiss to Tim Mcgraw. Best of luck. Oh hey one othe thing. External hard drives are getting fairly resonable. I would invest in one of those. Peace. Good luck.

If you need something basic then go with the Gateway E-2600 Mainstream Performer. It has
Intel® Pentium® 4 Processor 531 Technology (3.00GHz, 800MHz FSB, 1MB L2 cache)


Microsoft® Windows® XP Professional Edition (SP2)


ATI® Xpress 200 Chipset


256MB DDR2 PC4200 533MHz SDRAM (1-DIMM)


2 40GB Serial ATA150 7200rpm hard drive w/ two 2 mb cache


20x min./48x max. CD-ROM drive






Desktop Value Plus Service Plan -- 3 year part/labor/NBD on-site/3 year technical support3

GatewayShield™—Comprehensive Security Solution It is only $599.

There is something basic for you just 1 dimm slot, 256 mb of ram with no cd burner just a basic drive. But you said basic. You can get a external cd burner or hard drive and stuff though. Good luck. Here goes the link for the computer.


http://www.gateway.com/products/gconfig/prodseries.asp?seg=cp&gcseries=e2600&clv=Img

Oh yeah in that link you will see two choices. The $609 one is Windows Vista Capable so when Windows Vista comes out you can upgrade to Windows Vista.

As someone who has never had a mac, should I stick withwhat I am used to, or are they better?

I don't know that I would say that they are better, but I've never had a mac before this one and I find it incredibly easy to use, and think the photo software that is included is pretty sweet.

Well I have never heard of it...so I am guessing not

Walmart owns Asda in the UK.

Sorry for the multiple messages, Sally. I'm working in fits and spirts today.

Check out Link. The first one (749 GBP) is the one that I just bought. Has everything you'd need.

Dell has a "Scratch & Dent" store where they sell canceled orders, rebuilt systems and blemished systems. In most cases they end up selling machines at about 50% of the New configured price. I have a CAD operator who bought one alomost 2 years ago that's still running with no problems and because it was a canceled purchase she ended up wth MS Office 2003 Pro and a "configured" $1600 machine for less than $700 You'll have to asked the sales rep for the Web address and you have to be quick cause there's a short period between being posted and being bought.

Have a look here http://www.meshcomputers.com/  Plenty of performance and features for your £

 

I would stay away from Dell

OK...why?

Oh yeah in that link you will see two choices. The $609 one is Windows Vista Capable so when Windows Vista comes out you can upgrade to Windows Vista.

So would it be worth upgrading? (I shall go and look at that website too...thanks!)

I don't know that I would say that they are better, but I've never had a mac before this one and I find it incredibly easy to use, and think the photo software that is included is pretty sweet.

Oooh I want good photo software!  I shall have a look into them, thanks!

The first one (749 GBP) is the one that I just bought. Has everything you'd need.

The link didn't work, but I will have a look around that website anyway, thanks again!

You'll have to asked the sales rep for the Web address and you have to be quick cause there's a short period between being posted and being bought.

Will I find info about that on the Dell website?

Have a look here http://www.meshcomputers.com/ Plenty of performance and features for your £

Right I looked, and it looks pretty impressive...my next question is, should I go for just a desktop or an entertainment system?  Which will do more for me?

Thanks again folks x