Desktop advice wanted

[Scummer]

Hi. My brother in law is looking to buy a desktop. Doesn't need anything flash, he'll mainly be browsing the web, doing a bit of wrod processing and accounts etc. Doesn't do much gaming (he's got a PS3 for that), only needs to be able to handle championship manager. Wants to spend less than £500. Anyone know of any good deals?

[Scummer]

Anyone? Forgot to mention his router is in the loft so he's going to need some wireless connectivity.

[Mewsta]

This one is £329 however comes without monitor altho you can pick a 17" one up for £50 and also need to get a wireless card but you can defo do for under £500 if you shop around a bit!

 

http://www1.euro.dell.com/content/topics/segtopic.aspx/minicat/new/upsell/lc_d005603?c=uk&cs=ukdhs1&l=en&s=dhs

[Essruu]

Mac Mini.

[Baj]

Mac Mini.

+ 1

[Kev]

I recently acquired one of these ...

 

http://www.pcworld.co.uk/martprd/store/pcw_page.jsp?BV_SessionID=@@@@0968368956.1262085687@@@@&BV_EngineID=ccciadejellflekcflgceggdhhmdgml.0&category_oid=&sku=921749&page=Product&fm=null&sm=null&tm=null

 

My only complaint is that the lead on the mouse isn't long enough.

[saint_stevo]

http://www.hotukdeals.com/item/568462/compaq-cq5223-quad-core-desktop-pc-

 

with this

 

http://www.google.co.uk/products/catalog?rlz=1C1_____enGB348GB348&sourceid=chrome&q=pci+wireless+card&um=1&ie=UTF-8&cid=18375475569954024154&ei=xSU6S7GIMIGk4QbL8YiqCA&sa=X&oi=product_catalog_result&ct=result&resnum=3&ved=0CBsQ8wIwAg#ps-sellers

[Scummer]

http://www.hotukdeals.com/item/568462/compaq-cq5223-quad-core-desktop-pc-

 

with this

 

http://www.google.co.uk/products/catalog?rlz=1C1_____enGB348GB348&sourceid=chrome&q=pci+wireless+card&um=1&ie=UTF-8&cid=18375475569954024154&ei=xSU6S7GIMIGk4QbL8YiqCA&sa=X&oi=product_catalog_result&ct=result&resnum=3&ved=0CBsQ8wIwAg#ps-sellers

 

That looks good. Tesco site says it's already got wireless built in?

[saint_stevo]

So it does....even better then!

[Scummer]

So it does....even better then!

 

Cool. I'll recommend that to him. Seems like a good price and a decent make.

[saint_stevo]

Cool. I'll recommend that to him. Seems like a good price and a decent make.

 

Agreed.

[Scummer]

Turns out they'd made a mistake and it doesn't have wireless after all. So what's the best option? A wireless card as suggested by saint stevo or a wireless dongle? What are the main differences? Ease of installation? Price? Speed?

[sotonjoe]

I wouldn't bother with wireless on a desktop unless you simply can't get a wire to the machine.

 

A wired connection is much stabler and faster in my experience and opinion.

[Scummer]

I wouldn't bother with wireless on a desktop unless you simply can't get a wire to the machine.

 

A wired connection is much stabler and faster in my experience and opinion.

 

Router is in the loft so wireless is essential.

[sotonjoe]

Router is in the loft so wireless is essential.

 

unlucky.

 

it's on the mac minis by default though.

[Scummer]

So has anyone got any advice as to what he should buy to make this desktop wireless?

[sotonjoe]

not without knowing if it has a spare pci slot. A wireless usb dongle is sure to work though.

 

Should still get a mac mini instead.

[saint_stevo]

get a USB dongle. Unless he is going to download 000's of GB's of stuff he probably will never know the difference