Currys v Comet v PC World for new PC purchase

[SurreyGuy]

I need to buy a new PC with wireless internet capability. I want to speak to a real person when I do this, so I'm not looking to purchase via the internet.

Can anyone please advise me as to which of the above 3 places are the best. If anyone can recommend anywhere else, then that would be good too! :o)

T.I.A.

[vehelpfulguy]

The problem with speaking with a real person is that they may be on a bonus to sell a certain model of laptop, not just the best one.

Some companies, or shops, may offer say a �50 bonus to sell a HP or a Sony so you cannot be sure you are getting an honest opinion.

You may also speak to a good person in PC World or a bad person in Currys so it is pot luck who you get.

I would look at PC magazines, like What Laptop, who give fairly honest reviews. Web site here:

http://www.whatlaptop.co.uk/

Other PC magazines like PC Pro do regular laptop reviews, so have a look in W H smith at the front covers to see what magazines are doing a group laptop review.

http://www.pcpro.co.uk/

I would also wait a month or so and get a laptop with Windows Vista on it.

If you buy one with XP on it, and want to upgrade to Vista later, you may have all sorts of problems with drivers etc (laptops often require very specific drivers)

[vehelpfulguy]

One more thing, after reading the reviews in What Laptop and other PC magazines, if you have any specific questions ask them here, or on another forum, and you are likely to get a more honest answer.

Once you have settled on the make and model you want, THEN you can hunt the web to find the best deal.

As well as the shops you list, Staples do some good deals on laptops.

Note there are likeky to be some bargains after Xmas.

Vista is due out end of Jauary so some shops will be pushing hard to clear stock in January before new laptops with Vista on them become available.

[SurreyGuy]

Thanks vehelpfulguy - v.helpful (as always) :o)

I am having a BT line fitted at the start of January and I want to get a PC before Xmas (as I won't have the time/opportunity to do it afterwards).

I just want a Pc that I can do "normal" Word and Excel stuff on, access the i'net, play/burn CDs/DVDs and download some music from (say) iTunes - gonna get an iPod soon! :o)

Does that help? :o)

[fbg40]

Hi Surrey Guy,
If you can manage to get to Ashford in Middlesex, try a shop called Computer Man. A friend recently wanted a PC (first time buyer), went into the shop and asked the guy's advice. He sat her down, asked exactly what she wanted and how much she wanted to pay etc., and built exactly to her specs. She is delighted. I don't think you can beat the personal touch.
Good luck
FBG40

[SurreyGuy]

Thanks

[vehelpfulguy]

Sorry, I misread your append and thought you wanted a laptop, although most of my answers still apply.

For what you want to do any modern PC will do, although not many PCs come with MS Office on it, and it is not cheap to buy (you say you want to do Word and Excel).

I bought 2 Dell PC for relatives recently. They cost just over �400 pounds each and for that got a good spec machine.

Dell are very reliable and in both cases the PC was delivered withing about 3 days.

If you do want MS Office buy the Teacher and Student version 2003 which is less than �100 at the moment.

[vehelpfulguy]

To answer your question about which shop.

In fact Currys, Dixons and PC World are all owned by the same company.

If I was forced to shop at one of them I would go for PC World as at least their core business is computers (although they are starting to do TVs and DVD players),

But I would do as fbg40 says and find a local person who can perhaps build a PC to order. You can then go back to them for help and advice.

But DONT pay more than �500, you can get a PC you want for less than that.

[SurreyGuy]

Thanks vhg

I do want a PC (although I may buy a laptop at a later date to allow me to watch TV and surf!).

Funnily enough, I DO know a local guy who was gonna build me a PC, but he said Dell do good ones for roughly what it would have cost him to build me one! Great minds and all that! :o)

I'll prob have to go to PC World as I| need the PC before Xmas AND (as I said) I can speak to a human being!

Thanks to you both for the advice/tips.

[vehelpfulguy]

Make sure you get a large monitor.

At least a 17", but see if you can get a 19", it makes viewing such a pleasure.

[SurreyGuy]

Ok, will do. Thanks.