i only want a basic pc for internet use, im not into all singing all dancing computers so i was tempted by a packard bell but ive heard such bad reports about them yet there seems to be a lot of them out there so advice please and remember im not interested in connecting it to a phaser ion transmitter which bypasses the binary hard drive to create a manuel android with a free packet of mini chedders as a bonus, plain english please ta very much.
If you can build Lego you can make your own, its not rocket science. I`ve just built a very basic one for a friend and the hardware costs amounted to �210 for the base unit buying the parts from my local computer market.Add to this the operating system and peripherals. Alternatively your local small shop will build you one for very little more and using generic components will be easily upgradeable at reasonable cost unlike the branded ones such as H.P.
Dell are advertising a pc on tv at the moment ideal for your needs and it comes with a 17 inch monitor for �299 including v.a.t and delivery which i think is great value for money.
Go to Tesco - they are doing some very good deals at the mo. Don't expect the staff to be knowledegable but nowadays buying a PC isn't really a minefield at all.
The only thing I'd say is DON'T buy an "Internet Ready PC" for about �200 from one of the small computer shops - they're usually 7 year old machines worth little more than a fiver that they've stripped out and put the smallest amount they can get away with on.
The Dell mentioned (from tv ad) would be a good bet, but always ignore what Dell recommend from their upgrades because they'll add �600 or so.
The PC that I built for my friend was based on an MSI mobo fitted with an AMD 1600XP CPU with 52 X CD-ROM, 40GB HDD, 256MB DDR RAM, 32MB GFX, 56K modem & Lan card for �220. None of the parts were even available 7 years ago and were in fact all new. This spec. is perfectly fine for the internet which was the intended use of bobtheduck.
The Dell one is a bargain, I had a Packard Bell for years and years, I have upgraded its memory and graphics card and my sister has it now and its still going strong.
Always check out the software that is coming with the cheap deals. You say you want it for the internet but are you sure you wont want to use it for letters, reports or even simple spreadsheets? Make sure it has the minimum MS Works on it so you can still do the simpler word processing and spreadsheets.
The main problem with upgrading major branded PCs is that they do not use generic components and require their own brand upgrade modules whiich makes upgrading a dear do. A cheap initial purchase can become expensive in the long run.
I hear that dell is good for over the phone deals. I would personally build my own, but this can be a bit complex. Dell will tailor make the right pc for you :D!