Specification For A New Desktop Pc

[Heaton21]

Please can someone suggest what are the most important parts of a computer specification to look for.
I just use it for web surfing and emails, plus Word & Excel. Quite often I have lots of tabs open at once. But I do not download films or play games.
To get quick surfing should I have a large RAM eg 8GB and what about processor speed? I am generally looking at HP Bases (not a laptop) between £320 and £430 but am currently going around in circles.
Is Windows 8.1 faster than Windows 7 anyway? Any advice would be very much appreciated.

[tamborine]

Laptops dont need a desk nor take up as much space and within your price range. I have W8 (xmas gift) to pass on as its horrendous & nofaster than my preferred XP lappy.

As to specs. 8gb is ample. You want CD reader & burner, wifi, bluetooth & camera for Skype. Invest in wifi printer with fax/copy/scan, HP 4630.

[Heaton21]

Thank you Tambourine
I have a study and desk so don't need a laptop for use in a confined space. Also I need a proper keyboard for typing and a largish screen to view maps and documents, so will definitely be getting a base unit.
Have just seen a Dell Inspiron 3847 which is only £319, but a good spec, although never had a Dell computer before.

[bhg481]

Windows 10 is supposed to be out sometime next year (no Windows 9) so I'm waiting until then to replace my desktop.
Dell are OK unless they go wrong when you'll spend a lot of time talking to people who eat curry trying to find the correct person.
You don't need a fast processor for the use you'll be putting it to and the chances are that your current peripherals will work on your new system, as will your screen.

[Daffy6543]

http://www.dinopc.com/shop/pc/Stego-AMD-6600K-95p2162.htm

Perfect for your needs and a great company too :)

If you wish to source your own PC you need at least a 2.8ghz processor (higher is better), and around 8gb of RAM. Avoid buying on the high street as you get less PC for your money.

[VHG]

First of all, if all you are doing is web surfing, emails and basic office work you don't need a powerful machine, or to pay a lot.

You certainly don't need 8Gb of memory, 4Gb is ample.

Also processor speed is not that import for most of the work you do, and processor speed will not affect download speed, he most important thing for that is your broadband speed.

You could have the most powerful computer in the world, but if your broadband speed is slow it wont download it any quicker.

I love Windows 7, but I HATE Windows 8. Microsoft sacked most of the key developers who created Windows 8 they were that disappointed with it.

I would either try to buy a machine with Windows 7 on it (not easy to do nowadays) or wait for windows 10 (but that is months away).

Some companies who make desktop PCs do allow you to select which version of Windows you want on it and offer Windows 7 so maybe go with one of them.

[VHG]

I notice on that DinoPC posted above you can customize it and select Windows 7 Home premium for the same price.

The spec look good for the price though I have no idea what the company is like as I have never used them.

Note this £319 does not include screen, keyboard, mouse, or speakers but you can add them during the customization.

[Daffy6543]

You can choose Windows 7 on the link above by choosing to customise your specifications, you can also choose less RAM but why bother when it is so cheap anyway. You could also downgrade the CPU if you want, but again, why bother when it doesn't save you that much money.
The price of the unit I linked to is less than your bottom quote as is, it would obviously be slightly less if you downgrade everything.

[Heaton21]

Thank you very much to everyone who replied.
Sorry I am late in replying, Virgin Media was down in our area for several hours and then I have been gardening.
When it does work our connection is "up to 152Mb" so as fast as it goes.
I solved the problem I had earlier this week so perhaps it would be best to wait for Windows 10 as suggested.
At least I know now that I don't need a high spec pc.
Thank you all.