which acer desktop to buy?

[veryhotcook]

On the small island I live on Acer is the only widely available make of desktop to buy. Can anyone advise me on the best model to buy. It wil be just for home use. I would prefer Intel Core 2 Duo, minimum of 1GB RAM, preferably 256mb for graphics, not sure what I would need on hard drive, if possible RAid Level 1 to ensure backup, but 2x160GB would be nice, are there ones with front panel ports, audio jacks, oh, and 400-watt power would be nice. I only need the tower. As you can tell I know very little about computers. I have been using an old clapped out one for the past couple of years but it is now dying. Any help would be appreciated. Please remember the only make I can easily obtain is Acer. Hoping someone can stop me from making a a very expensive mistake! Thanks in advance. Veryhotcook

[Ethel]

You seem to know exactly what you want - it should be easy enough to identify the one for you.

What country are you in? It is pointless me looking at Acer specs in the UK if you elsewhere - the models may be different or not available.

[veryhotcook]

Thank you Ethel. I am good with words. I live in Canary Isles with come under Spain. My Spanish is pretty poor. I really do not know much about computers. My first encounter was just over a year ago on an old second hand emprex. I am a mature woman of 55 so have even less going for me IT wise. But, I do use the computer a lot for info and that is where I got those specs. I will give you some models that are on sale here. Acer Veriton 3900, Power F6, Aspire T671, T660, T180 annd M3600, Power 1000 and 2000. I tried asking the guy in the computer shop which he recommended but he just shrugged. Don't know if that meant he didn't know or couldn't care! I do try with the Spanish lingo but very difficult when you live in a British dominated tourist area. Any info would be most gratefully received. Thanks in advance, Ma Baker, aka, veryhotcook

[Ethel]

I can't understand why you want such high specs - is it used for high end gamers' games, or video editing?

[veryhotcook]

no, just the usual office things. I do download a lot of music and store it on the computer and likewise pictures and photos. I told you I know zilch about computers! What specs would you say I needed. For present needs and a bit more for the future! Is there such a thing as a computer that will grow with you? Muchos gracias!

[Ethel]

Any desktop will be upgradeable, far more easily than a laptop.

My desktop is five years old - and still coping well, with just a couple of upgrades. Don't forget that the RAM and hard drives are getting cheaper every month - and very easy to upgrade in the future.

I like the F6. Have a good look at that one and see if it will suit you.

[veryhotcook]

Thank you so much for taking me seriously. I will certainly take on board what you have recommended. Just one thing before I go shopping, tomorrow, is there any benefit to having intel core to Pentium? Or is it just a matter of choice. Look forward to your reply and then I can get on with my cake making and decorating, not called veryhotcook for nothing! Ta very much again.

[Ethel]

If you can hang on until February, I'll go shopping with you in Tenerife.

If you have the choice, go for the Intem dual core but really I don't think it is so important for your uses.

Enjoy your shopping trip - and don't get carried away.

[veryhotcook]

Not that far away, Fuerteventura actually! Bit of a trek to go to Tenerife for my shopping! Many thanks for your help. It really has helped me. Enjoy Tenerife, I must admit I prefer it on the 'quiet island'. Hasta luego!

[Ethel]

Have you bought one?

[veryhotcook]

Got orders for 6 birthday cakes so I have not been out of the kitchen since you last heard from me. I am hoping to go and have a look today. I will post a msg when I have got it!