How to determine specs ...

[blunomore]

Good people, as you wil recall from my previous forays here, I am a typical end-user of computers, so I need some assistance, please.

I need a desktop and am unsure of what the exact specs should be. How does one go about determining what the requirements would be in terms of the PC?

Thanks

[cerebus]

Hey blu w/b! How much do you have and what do you need to do with it? Do you have a monitor etc?

[Drake2007]

/falls off chair. WB Blu! :)

As cerebus says, budget and usage. Typicallly it helps to know what software you will run on it, guidline is the minimum spec for Windows 7 of which version is largely determined by the desktop being on a company domain or not.

[DJNgoma]

/falls off chair. WB Blu! :)


+1 :D. Remember netbooks and nettops are not something to consider as a primary pc.

[blunomore]

I have approx R 10 000 to spend, and this should include the OS and the MS Office software. Do not have a monitor - will have to buy everything.

It will be used in a small (one man) business.

Any ideas?

Thanks guys!

[Zenbaas]

I have approx R 10 000 to spend, and this should include the OS and the MS Office software. Do not have a monitor - will have to buy everything.

It will be used in a small (one man) business.

Any ideas?

Thanks guys!

WB Blu.
What type of work do you want to do on the computer...? Just normal office work or are there specific applications that you will be running on the system...?

[blunomore]

WB Blu.
What type of work do you want to do on the computer...? Just normal office work or are there specific applications that you will be running on the system...?

Normal office work, mainly using the MS Office applications as well as e-mail and internet. Nothing out of the ordinary :)

We do work with large documents though, so I would need a sizable memory.

[cerebus]

Hm for r10k how about an iMac?

[DJNgoma]

Hm for r10k how about an iMac?

+1, then bootcamp if you need Windows. At least when complaints are aimed... They are aimed at the Mac forum.

[Bizkit87]

Hm for r10k how about an iMac?

8 post to the first flame bait :whistle: nice going....

joking :D

[blunomore]

Any thoughts on what my specs should be guys?

[gregmcc]

If its only for a normal office machine and not a gaming machine then you don't need anything too high spec'd.

I'd go for a dual core 2.5 with min 2gb ram. You can always get another 2gb is you really have huge documents to open.

You can go for less specs but I wouldnt bother - your not going to be saving much. Everything else is pretty much standard, dvd writer, k/b, mouse, 300gb drive, graphics card doesn't need to be too fancy.

[cerebus]

Well really the iMac is a good bet - I used one in my previous job. But ok if we're going PC....

So 10k has to include everything? let's see how's about this:

Win 7 Premium: r1,400 (yes it's a rip-off)
MS Office 2007 student: r900 (ditto)
Samsung 2333SW: r1900
Intel Core 2 Quad Q8400 (2.66Ghz, 4MB L2 Cache) @ R1724
Asus P5KPL-AM SE G31 @ R471
Radeon hd4670 @ R800
4gb ddr2800: r600 or so
Seagate Barracuda 1.5tb @ R1200
Cooler Master Elite 310 RC-310-BWN1 @ R446
Vantec ioN2+A van-550A 550watt @ R722
DVD-RW - r250

=11000 roughly

Areas to save money on:
Graphics card if you don't plan on doing graphical work - 4350 perhaps?
monitor say 22" should be fine - W2234S @ r1500
Hard drive - 1tb@900
Odin 470w - r375

that should round your build down to r10k :)

[Conradl]

My advice, and most people will disagree :D is to get a tier 1 machine, e.g. HP, Dell. You can get an HP machine, E8400 processor, 2GB RAM, 320 gb HDD for around R6000. You can add a Samsung 23 inch monitor and Office 2007 and still be in budget.

The benefits are an industry proven lower chance of failure (1-5 years), and a full 3 year warranty. Although the specs are lower than a clone, the reliability is higher - which is what you need for business....

[cerebus]

+1 to that :)

You're a business not an enthusiast - you wouldn't know what to do if something broke. Get a business solution.

[Drake2007]

My advice, and most people will disagree :D is to get a tier 1 machine, e.g. HP, Dell...

Actually that's the better option, also have a look at Lenovo ThinkCentre (http://shop.lenovo.com/SEUILibrary/controller/e/zaind/LenovoPortal/en_ZA/catalog.workflow:category.details?current-catalog-id=8297675DB7E041B2AC0B295BAA75EFE3&current-category-id=D633584FEF1442D4BDCD273D4673570A&menu-id=Products) with extended warranty.

[Keeper]

blu, spend R3000-R4000 on a PC and go shopping with the rest - you really don't need to spend 10k for a PC with your requirements.

[reedOsama]

I have never tried this and probably wont ever try this (I'm more of a component by component type of guy...it
makes the PC feel like more of a bargain) but if you want a complete PC without the setup hassle then you could try

Evetech (http://www.evetech.co.za/)

and you could start here (http://www.evetech.co.za/Computer-systems/amd-phenom-ii-tri-core-custom-built-gaming-computer-54.aspx)

you can add what you want pretty easily and remember to check the actual specs rather than look at the picture...
there are a couple of pics with an elite case but the specs show a cm690(a very much better case)

EDIT: All this business man stuff... then just go here (http://www.evetech.co.za/Professional-PCs.aspx)

[blunomore]

So many opinions! Now I am well and truely lost.

1. Obviously the machine is more important than the monitor, right? So should I e.g. buy a better machine and spend less on the monitor?

2. But how to choose? HP, IBM, Dell ... ??? Asus?

3. Which is OS is better - Windows XP, Windows 7 or .. ?

Thanks guys

[Zenbaas]

Maybe something like this:


Performer PC

Intel Core2 Quad 2.6Ghz Q8400 CPU
4GB DDR2 RAM
500GB SATA II-7200RPM HDD
Foxconn 1333FSB MB
Coolermaster Elite Case + PSU
DVD Writer +_ ( 22x) Dual Layer (8.5GB)
Onboard sound with speakers
256MB ATI 3450 VGA Card
19" LG Wide LCD Monitor
Gbe Lan
Keyboard & Logitech Mouse
No OS Included
R5300 from http://www.pcint.co.za/pcs.php

[Rate My ISP]

blu, spend R3000-R4000 on a PC and go shopping with the rest - you really don't need to spend 10k for a PC with your requirements.

That is normally my line of thinking. Hell, I'd even rather pick up a cheap decent refurbished system (for normal office use a R10k system is overkill) and wait till a massive ship comes in to get something better. So I preserve my businesses cash-flow. Unless of course you're backed by millions in funding.

[Conradl]

So many opinions! Now I am well and truely lost.

1. Obviously the machine is more important than the monitor, right? So should I e.g. buy a better machine and spend less on the monitor?

2. But how to choose? HP, IBM, Dell ... ??? Asus?

3. Which is OS is better - Windows XP, Windows 7 or .. ?

Thanks guys

1. Depends. A bigger monitor is nicer to work on since you have a bigger work space. WRT to the specs of the machine, it depends on what you do. To give some perspective, I have dual quad servers running 50 -70 concurrent office users - and the processor runs at around 25%! Therefore, any processor that you buy new will be sufficient for "office work". I would rather spend on the monitor - you will notice the difference every time you work on the PC.

2. Most brands are stastically equal in terms of quality etc. (although some people have worse experiences with certain products, and some ranges are more prone to give problems). For the average user price is a factor, along with warranty. I would recommend HP, with a 333 warranty, and a Samsung monitor.

3. On a new PC Windows 7. On an older PC XP

You may also consider a Laptop?

Lastly, be careful of people who recommend a PC for under R5000! It is simply not possible to get a PC (min R3000), Windows (min R1000), a monitor (min R1000) and Office (R2000) for R3000-R4000.

[blunomore]

Maybe something like this:


R5300 from http://www.pcint.co.za/pcs.php

You read my mind! I was planning to buy from these guys.

I was stuck between 3 options - Performer, Power or Voyager ...

(Sorry for not responding to every post, but thanks a million for all the advice I am getting)

[gregmcc]

A quad core and all that disk space will be overkill for just a internet pc. I'd go for the powerhouse and get a extra gig or two of memory.

Although looking at it again iot might be worth spending the extra and getting the performer - got a coolmaster case and a 19" LCD which is always better. Mm and 4GB ram....ok def the performer. :)

[ToxicBunny]

I would follow Conrad's advice in terms of going with a tier 1 PC... though I would go with Dell and a 3 year NBD warranty... but thats because I'm biased :)

Say something like a Dell Vostro.....

[cerebus]

Monitor is very important, don't underestimate it. in some sense any spec will be ok for your needs but a good monitor will save you eye strain and so on. it's your first direct interface with the pc after all.

[ponder]

1. Depends. A bigger monitor is nicer to work on since you have a bigger work space.



Monitor is very important, don't underestimate it. in some sense any spec will be ok for your needs but a good monitor will save you eye strain and so on. it's your first direct interface with the pc after all.

+1

Monitor is the thing you are going to notice the most.

Blu, get yourself a nice 23" or 24" Samsung monitor, you won't regret it.

[RoMark]

Well really the iMac is a good bet - I used one in my previous job. But ok if we're going PC....

So 10k has to include everything? let's see how's about this:

MS Office 2007 student: r900 (ditto)

You are not aloud to use student edition for business purposes.

You will have to buy one of the more expensive packages or use the free Open Office.

[cerebus]

oh.....issat so?

[blunomore]

Finally opted for the 'Performer' PC from PC International + Windows 7 + MS Office 2007SBE.

Total bill was R 8 300.

[ponder]

Finally opted for the 'Performer' PC from PC International + Windows 7 + MS Office 2007SBE.

Total bill was R 8 300.

What monitor did you get?

[cerebus]

that one has a 19" lcd.

[blunomore]

What monitor did you get?


that one has a 19" lcd.

Jip, it was the 19 inch. It has not been delivered yet, but I think the monitor is Samsung or LG.

[ponder]

Jip, it was the 19 inch. It has not been delivered yet, but I think the monitor is Samsung or LG.

Ag no man, should have gone for a full HD 23" Samsung. Makes a world of difference to your desktop experience.

[Conradl]

Agree, the 23 inch is nice. It has big time WOW factor, whilst remaining beneficial for every day use!

[blunomore]

Ag no man, should have gone for a full HD 23" Samsung. Makes a world of difference to your desktop experience.


Agree, the 23 inch is nice. It has big time WOW factor, whilst remaining beneficial for every day use!

I just need the monitor to do my job, not like I'm watching TV on it :D

[cerebus]

meh I have to work on a 17"....19 would be heaven.

[blunomore]

meh I have to work on a 17"....19 would be heaven.

Out of curiosity - where/how would I find my current laptop's monitor size?

Tried looking under Properties, but did not see it.

[cerebus]

What is the model of your laptop?

[ponder]

I just need the monitor to do my job, not like I'm watching TV on it :D

You can do your job so much better on a big high resolution monitor ;)

[blunomore]

What is the model of your laptop?

Toshiba Satellite

[cerebus]

Which model number?

[blunomore]

Which model number?

Toshiba Satellite L30 - 113

[cerebus]

http://eu.computers.toshiba-europe.com/innovation/jsp/SUPPORTSECTION/discontinuedProductPage.do?service=EU&com.broadvision.session.new=Yes&PRODUCT_ID=125287

15.4" WXGA display

[blunomore]

http://eu.computers.toshiba-europe.com/innovation/jsp/SUPPORTSECTION/discontinuedProductPage.do?service=EU&com.broadvision.session.new=Yes&PRODUCT_ID=125287

15.4" WXGA display

In which case the new 19 inch monitor I bought will be a huge improvement for me !

[cerebus]

Not really...you'll probably be running at around about the same resolution and sitting further from the screen. It'll be fine though, you'll be happy with it.