buying a pc

[maitre d']

Am looking to invest in the near future in a top of the range pc [probably Dell].  We want it to last for a good few years to tide kids through secondary school, have the max memory available, broadband, upgradeable etc .  Is there a maximum amount of space [memory] you could get? Any hints or tips, just don't want it to be redundant in a few years time [current PC's are both W95 and are now so out of date].  ANy ideas what to do with the old two? could we wipe everything that's on them & use the hard drive to back up files etc?  What sort of conections, could you say link one of the old ones to new one & use it as a remote server?

Thanks

[peanut]

They are advertising a Dell dimension 2400 or 3000, cant remember which but it comes with a free flat panel display upgrade. I have a Dell 2400, it came with 128 mb of memory and I have upgraded it to 756mb. the max is 1gb. You usually get at least 40gb hard drive. I bought a second hard drive with 160gb for a total of 200gb. And also bought 2 dvd drives, one player one burner. The dvd burner will also burn cd. Why 2 dvd you ask, well its to copy discs. The Dell comes with windows xp. So, yes they are totally upgradeable. This sale I mentioned above is for $700. You will have the option (when ordering online) to make any upgrades you want but check the prices first, you may be better off getting it the way it is and buying the upgrades somewhere else. You may even be able to use parts from your old machines to upgrade the new but check the compatability first. Click Here to look at the one im talking about. If you do not like it you can navigate through the site for more.

[peanut]

sorry, my mem is upgraded to 768mb not 756mb

[peanut]

You can also use a router and link all 3 together. To access other computers, the one you are trying to remote access must be on.

[Mattk]

my advice would be not to buy top of the range as they make u pay for that !

go for something slightly below top spec and the savings are large.these can always be upgraded at a later date

[dodgyshirt]

If both of the old ones are running W95 then their specs will be so low as to be practically unusable. You would encounter all sorts of problems trying to network off either of them.
As regards redundancy, any piece of computing equipment is outdated as soon as it leaves the shop.
Also remember that with branded PCs, most future upgrades are brand-specific and can cost several times that of generic components.
Finally now is not the best time to buy a PC intended to last for many years as Microsoft will be rolling out their latest offering, Longhorn, in a few months time to replace XP.

[Craigb6]

There is a max limit of 4gb of ram if it is a 32 bit system, more if u buy a special 64 bit pc. Network the old ones as im sure they are fine for internet browsing, but not much else.

[richb14]

If i were you, id go to www.web-systems.co.uk or www.ebuyer.com you can use these to get everything seperate for nothing! All you need is someone to out it akk tigether, this works out literally �100's of pounds cheaper then dell/pcworld etc. Hope this helps, Rich.

[mattie]

If you want a top spec PC, ask a gamer, if they haven't got a top spec PC, they will know what to put in one.

Have one custom built, but remember, you get what you pay for.

[Thunderchild]

if u get the two old ones neted to the new one then a good use for them is at www.find-a-drug.org