New Kit

[jayemcee]

Windows XP about to expire and hardware now about 10 years old. Think it is time to decide what to replace it all with. I read that Windows 8 bears no resemblance to what I am used to and that it really needs a touchscreen.
Being a closet Luddite I do not wish to undertake a whole new learning curve. I would prefer a CPU, a moniter, keyboard and mouse.
What do you think an "oldie" should look out for?
Any advice would be welcome.

[SlackAlice]

Windows 8 and 8.1 are both touchscreen compatible, but can also be used with a keyboard and mouse. I'm assuming you wish to replace a desktop pc?

I'd suggest you wander around Pcworld, Currys, Tescos, Staples and Sainsburys to name but a few and try them to get an idea of what you like and need.

[hc4361]

I have been using W8 for over a year without a touch screen and really like it.

What do you do with your pc? Do you need a powerful machine for high end gaming or video editing? Do you need a huge screen?

What is your budget?

[Buenchico]

>>>Windows XP about to expire

No, it's not. So-called 'support' for it will cease soon but there are plenty of XP users (such as myself) who turned off 'Windows updates' several years ago anyway. It will still carry on working.


>>>Windows 8 bears no resemblance to what I am used to and that it really needs a touchscreen.

I'm no fan of Windows 8 but you can switch back to a 'classic' desktop. Windows 8.1 also has the Start button restored to it.

Having got that out of the way (and assuming that you're not seeking a PC that requires a lot of processing power, e.g. for high-end video editing or playing the latest games), I'd be looking for a basic Windows 7 machine myself. (My netbook runs Windows 7. It's not a big jump to go from XP to 7). Consider one of these
http://www.accomputerwarehouse.com/products/computing/windows-7-pcs
together with a monitor
http://www.accomputerwarehouse.com/products/computing/monitors
(I can thoroughly recommend that firm).
You can get a keyboard and optical mouse from any large supermarket. I'm using one of these right now
http://direct.asda.com/ASDA-Smart-Price---mouse/000567126,default,pd.html
and it's just as good as far more expensive models. (My keyboard cost me £2, brand new, from a charity shop!)

[craft1948]

Well I'm an oldie and I have a Samsung all-in-one with wireless keyboard and mouse, so plenty of room as the gubbins is all in the 23" monitor so no separate CPU. It has the touch screen facility which I never use.

[clivebeca]

What's your budget? I abandoned Windows just over 2 years ago, for An Apple MacBookPro [I'm now 67!]. Best spend on a 13.3 Laptop [MeThinks!]. Virtually abandoned the mouse also, and totally reverted to Keyboard. I can do almost anything on it, and doesn't take long to learn 'new tricks' and still easily run the old ones. You pays your money and takes your choice - where do you live, if close to an Apple Store, go in and try one.

[VHG]

I think the best move you can make is to buy a desktop PC with Windows 7 on it.

This is not that great a leap from XP and as far as I am concerned one of the best versions of Windows ever.

You can still visit web sites where you can buy a PC and choose the version of Windows you want on it, such as at Novatech.

http://www.novatech.co.uk/pc/?s=1

[galeck1947]

You can still buy Windows 7 desktops and laptops from HP and Lenovo go to their website store to check them out. If you want to purchase one from a computer retail store then you can order it from them with Windows 7 preinstalled until a date which is to be determined by Microsoft it used to 8th October 2014 but has been changed now.

[jayemcee]

Thank you all so much for your advice which I have printed off and will thouroughly digest. I store a few thousand photos (picasa), email,skype,browse download some but not masses. Think I would like to stick to a desk top and have always thought that having separate components made it easier and cheaper when things failed. Would like to continue with a mouse and/or keyboard and will take the advice given to go and physically browse round a showroom, having first browsed thru the websites that you have recommended. Thank you again.

[linbig]

Why waste your hard earned on a new pc ? Why not try a new OS instead ? Have you considered using Linux ? It is totally free and will do anything that M$ will do !
Linux Mint is top of the tree at the moment and is a superb Os .
I use Linux , in different guises , on all four of our pcs. These range from a circa 2000 notebook up to a fairly "modern" dual core desktop.
Imho it is about time people were stopped from being "brainwashed" into believing that Winnows and Macs is the only OS out there!
If you would like more info please come back to me. I am usually here most evenings.

Being a closet Luddite I do not wish to undertake a whole new learning curve.

I to am an "oldie" (over 65) with no knowledge of pc's ,except using them at home, and I believe that if I can use Linux anyone can.
Thanks for reading my slight rant...........but you know...................!