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Vista Home Basic or Premium
35 Answers
A computer in our price range appears to have the right level of widgets for our needs.
However it has Vista Basic, while others have Vista Premium. Is this a problem?
It would be used for sixth former and eventually university type work, loads of internet cruising, and some gaming.
However it has Vista Basic, while others have Vista Premium. Is this a problem?
It would be used for sixth former and eventually university type work, loads of internet cruising, and some gaming.
Answers
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Panic - this is your thread ... and all of a sudden it's hijacked with banter with johnny
to answer your question - I agree with vhg
a sideways thought ... 7 is out about the time they go back to school (just after)
the thing with uni is that they know what they want - and could well have a "preferred" hardware/software package.
(don't forget MS office home and student is verrrrrrry cheap)
also - the student uni and local shops will be doing some (normally) reasonable offers.
It's a bit of a dilemma - if the machine is right - but with home basic - it's not because home basic isn't suited to networking ... and the uni will have a propper grown up network - so you really do need premium.
I'd try to put off the decision until windows 7 comes out. 22nd October 2009
shops will be doing their best to sell - and there should be some good prices.
usually you can survive the first couple of months without all the right kit - they have PCs available - and freshers and stuff will take up the first month or so just getting established
to answer your question - I agree with vhg
a sideways thought ... 7 is out about the time they go back to school (just after)
the thing with uni is that they know what they want - and could well have a "preferred" hardware/software package.
(don't forget MS office home and student is verrrrrrry cheap)
also - the student uni and local shops will be doing some (normally) reasonable offers.
It's a bit of a dilemma - if the machine is right - but with home basic - it's not because home basic isn't suited to networking ... and the uni will have a propper grown up network - so you really do need premium.
I'd try to put off the decision until windows 7 comes out. 22nd October 2009
shops will be doing their best to sell - and there should be some good prices.
usually you can survive the first couple of months without all the right kit - they have PCs available - and freshers and stuff will take up the first month or so just getting established
ron - he'll need a website to do that
as keeps being said (by me at least)
it's not windows - and that's why the tech and geek go for it.
it's it's strength - and for beginners it's weakness - you need to know your way round a PC and have pretty good networking skills to get the best out of it
and while you can get a system running in a couple of hours - if you know what you are doing - you can make it sing and dance
chuck's a pro -
http://www.theanswerbank.co.uk/Technology/Ques tion768688.html
look at linux for dummies
http://www.amazon.co.uk/Ubuntu-Linux-Dummies-P aul-Sery/dp/0470125055
having said that - with ubuntu you'll need the earring - and a pony tail for good measure
(a mullet will do - but nothing says linux like a ponytail and baldspot)
(sorry chuck - i know you are the exception ;-)
as keeps being said (by me at least)
it's not windows - and that's why the tech and geek go for it.
it's it's strength - and for beginners it's weakness - you need to know your way round a PC and have pretty good networking skills to get the best out of it
and while you can get a system running in a couple of hours - if you know what you are doing - you can make it sing and dance
chuck's a pro -
http://www.theanswerbank.co.uk/Technology/Ques tion768688.html
look at linux for dummies
http://www.amazon.co.uk/Ubuntu-Linux-Dummies-P aul-Sery/dp/0470125055
having said that - with ubuntu you'll need the earring - and a pony tail for good measure
(a mullet will do - but nothing says linux like a ponytail and baldspot)
(sorry chuck - i know you are the exception ;-)
>I don't know what Linux is and I don't think any of my >friends or family have it so I don't think I would get it, >whatever it is.
I bet you and your family are running more versions of linux in your house than Windows.
They may not know it, but Linux is used in many PC products such as routers, network devices, printers and so on.
I bet you and your family are running more versions of linux in your house than Windows.
They may not know it, but Linux is used in many PC products such as routers, network devices, printers and so on.
Thanks AC.
The Uni bit was a red herring really - he is only just finishing GCSEs, and starting A levels this autumn. He is Uni material, but I was just looking ahead.
He works very hard, and promised himself, with christmas and birthday money and savings, to upgrade.
He wants with our blessing to celebrate the end of exams with the new Sims 3 game, but the old dog of a computer doesn't have the graphics or speed to keep up.
I think though that we will look again for one with Home Premium.
This is the one we were looking at, and have a discount code for 5% off at Dixons (5COMP)
http://www.dixons.co.uk/martprd/store/dix_page .jsp?BV_SessionID=@@@@1017060187.1245170168@@@ @&BV_EngineID=ccciadehhiefleicflgceggdhhmdgmk. 0&page=Product&fm=null&sm=null&tm=null&sku=053 934&category_oid=-32657
The Uni bit was a red herring really - he is only just finishing GCSEs, and starting A levels this autumn. He is Uni material, but I was just looking ahead.
He works very hard, and promised himself, with christmas and birthday money and savings, to upgrade.
He wants with our blessing to celebrate the end of exams with the new Sims 3 game, but the old dog of a computer doesn't have the graphics or speed to keep up.
I think though that we will look again for one with Home Premium.
This is the one we were looking at, and have a discount code for 5% off at Dixons (5COMP)
http://www.dixons.co.uk/martprd/store/dix_page .jsp?BV_SessionID=@@@@1017060187.1245170168@@@ @&BV_EngineID=ccciadehhiefleicflgceggdhhmdgmk. 0&page=Product&fm=null&sm=null&tm=null&sku=053 934&category_oid=-32657
Just a little more on my append above.
When Intel brought out their dual core CPUs the main desktop CPUs were called "Core 2 Duo". These are the best.
They also brought out a budget range of dual cores called "Pentium Dual Core" of which the E2220 was one.
These were not bad CPUs, but were not up to the speed of the full "Core 2 Duo".
I believe Intel are now stopping manufacter of the Pentium Dual Cores so that makes me think this is a slightly older machine (maybe end of line).
If you can try to go for a Core 2 Duo.
When Intel brought out their dual core CPUs the main desktop CPUs were called "Core 2 Duo". These are the best.
They also brought out a budget range of dual cores called "Pentium Dual Core" of which the E2220 was one.
These were not bad CPUs, but were not up to the speed of the full "Core 2 Duo".
I believe Intel are now stopping manufacter of the Pentium Dual Cores so that makes me think this is a slightly older machine (maybe end of line).
If you can try to go for a Core 2 Duo.
http://www.pcpro.co.uk/archiveproductsearch/2/ Desktop-computers
http://www.meshcomputers.com/Default.aspx?PAGE =PRODCATEGORYVIEWPAGE&USG=APPLICATION&ENT=APPL ICATION&KEY=71810
you'll need a graphics upgrade for the sims
http://www.meshcomputers.com/Default.aspx?PAGE =PRODCATEGORYVIEWPAGE&USG=APPLICATION&ENT=APPL ICATION&KEY=71810
you'll need a graphics upgrade for the sims
OK, I'll put my hands up. I have no idea how to tell if a computer has graphics to run Sims 3
http://www.thesims3.com/game/systemreq
Help!
http://www.thesims3.com/game/systemreq
Help!
I am not a games player, and not an expert on graphics cards, but I think the requirements for the Sims is not that great.
Even though I said to not buy that Compaq PC I think it will be able to play the Sims.
The sims says
> Intel Integrated Chipset, GMA 3-Series or above
And the Compaq PC says
>Intel GMA 3100
So that is OK.
But it will not play any games that require a bit more graphics power.
Even though I said to not buy that Compaq PC I think it will be able to play the Sims.
The sims says
> Intel Integrated Chipset, GMA 3-Series or above
And the Compaq PC says
>Intel GMA 3100
So that is OK.
But it will not play any games that require a bit more graphics power.
Brief explanation of graphics.
Inside the PC is a motherboard. This is the main board that contains all the electronics and everything plugs in to.
Some motherboards have the graphics built into them (called on-board graphics).
This can either be VERY basic graphics, suitable for only office type work, or slightly more advanced graphics that can play some games.
However if you want to play games that require decent graphics you need a graphics card. This is a card that slots into the motherboard.
They can range in price from �20 up to �200 or more.
Even the most basic graphics card at �20 will be able to play the Sims.
You only need the top of the range graphics card to play the latest games at the highest resolution.
So if possible look for a PC with a graphics card with at least 128Mb of memory (although 256Mb or 512Mb would be better).
Even if you dont buy a Dell, go to the Dell site and play around with "building" a dekstop PC to see the different graphics available on their site.
That may help.
Inside the PC is a motherboard. This is the main board that contains all the electronics and everything plugs in to.
Some motherboards have the graphics built into them (called on-board graphics).
This can either be VERY basic graphics, suitable for only office type work, or slightly more advanced graphics that can play some games.
However if you want to play games that require decent graphics you need a graphics card. This is a card that slots into the motherboard.
They can range in price from �20 up to �200 or more.
Even the most basic graphics card at �20 will be able to play the Sims.
You only need the top of the range graphics card to play the latest games at the highest resolution.
So if possible look for a PC with a graphics card with at least 128Mb of memory (although 256Mb or 512Mb would be better).
Even if you dont buy a Dell, go to the Dell site and play around with "building" a dekstop PC to see the different graphics available on their site.
That may help.
Here is Dell "deal of the day" (runs out today).
A desktop PC and screen for �329.
It has basic 3100 graphics, but you can add a graphics card for about �60 (overpriced but an easy option), or buy a card yourself and fit it after you bought the Dell.
http://configure.euro.dell.com/dellstore/confi g.aspx?b=&c=uk&cs=ukdhs1&kc=DOD&l=en&oc=D06451 6&rbc=D064516&s=dhs
A desktop PC and screen for �329.
It has basic 3100 graphics, but you can add a graphics card for about �60 (overpriced but an easy option), or buy a card yourself and fit it after you bought the Dell.
http://configure.euro.dell.com/dellstore/confi g.aspx?b=&c=uk&cs=ukdhs1&kc=DOD&l=en&oc=D06451 6&rbc=D064516&s=dhs
basically either of the machines here will be ok
if the boy is typical - it will be used for music, video ... and the biggie - games.
the dell offers a �19.00 hard disc upgrade
but a second 500Gb drive is �50 if you fit it yourself (easy to do - doesn't invalidate warranty)
games are by far the most resource hungry
so in both cases I'd go for the next graphics card up from basic
the other stuff are nice to have ... but it's window dressing
with the graphics upgrade ... both machines are better spec than the dixons deal - and a couple of quid under �410 ... - �20 dearer
if the boy is typical - it will be used for music, video ... and the biggie - games.
the dell offers a �19.00 hard disc upgrade
but a second 500Gb drive is �50 if you fit it yourself (easy to do - doesn't invalidate warranty)
games are by far the most resource hungry
so in both cases I'd go for the next graphics card up from basic
the other stuff are nice to have ... but it's window dressing
with the graphics upgrade ... both machines are better spec than the dixons deal - and a couple of quid under �410 ... - �20 dearer
