FOAK: New PC for the kids

They had:

Acer Aspire L100 Computer System AMD Athlon 64 3800 Dual Core 1024MB
160GB DVD/RW Windows XP Media Center + 19" Widescreen TFT Monitor -
ebuyer.com

But the main board is dead and gone... just over a year old }:-(

All I need is a box with a minimum of the above spec [a better
graphics card would be nice]

Can the FOAK recommend and good deals?

 

http://www.novatech.co.uk/novatech/ranges.html?t=pc&c=home have a range of
systems available without monitors[1]

Note: the price quoted on that page does not include an operating system
either.

[1] although they cheakily picture each system with a monitor

 

This is *me* we're talking about here.

 

Look. It's easy.
If you can play with Lego and Meccano then you have the necessary
skills to replace a motherboard.

 

In message

Look mate, even Veggie can do this.

 

Go to www.pcworld.co.uk there's a good bunch of deals with some good kit at
cheap prices, easy to navigate the site as well.

 

Try this and go clicky clicky:

http://www.powerc.com/uk/ps/search/1//code/cs-game-el/act/gpage

 

There a couple of sites that list Dell deals - DMX dimension being the one I
can remember. And you can use Quidco. I know Dell have a very bad rep if you
want to upgrade, but I can't remember the last time I did upgrade a PC,
beyond maybe a stick of RAM or new hard drive. My Dell certainly hasn't
blown up yet, and was *very* cheap.

 

Assuming he's made the right diagnosis... Me, I'd just buy a
new MoBo first and swap the memory and CPU into it. Only then would I
try replacing the CPU. But then, I've done a bit of this sort of stuff
lately.

OTOH, what was the warranty on the original system? It's usually
more than a year.

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Brunel University. Ivan.Reid@[brunel.ac.uk|cern.ch] Room 40-1-B12, CERN
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KotPT -- "for stupidity above and beyond the call of duty".

 

Acer is a year, unless you pay extra. The premiums on the lad's laptop
seemed reasonable for extended breakdown & accidental damage cover. Even
more so, since he's managed to scratch the screen twice and let his
labrador puppy chew the PSU in the first 6 months.

 

Pretty much a thing of the past, their normal size desktops tend to use
standard form factor bits these days.

 

Smell of Geriatric Auvache?

 

TBH my experience is that Acer, and all the other cheap laptops are *shite*.
Compare them to a decent laptop and you realise how much shitter they are
for the £100 saved.

 

I sought advice here before making a purchase. Acer came out as
representing good value for money, considering my modest sub £350 budget.

I was surprised to read that some makes I perceived as good quality no
longer held that reputation by those that know. Cheaper Toshibas, in
particular were considered poor quality.

So far, the Acer has proved a decent purchase. It has been vandalised by an
inconsiderate teenager and his ill-trained pet. The machine itself
continues to work. The RTB insurance/warranty, bought in anticipation of
said vandalism, has been excellent too.

 

I've supplied, IIRC about 100 of them. They have been soundly abused and
basically keep on ticking. Two have had to go back and the warranty
service ha been very good.

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Triumph Sprint ST 1050: It's blue, see.
www.cuore-sportivo.co.uk

 

I'm not saying they blow up or anything. They're just shite at being laptops
compared to a half decent one - ie, big and heavy with **** all battery
life. Given that most people tend to use a laptop as a portable computer
within the house, it's often a non-issue.