Need a new Computer

jonbeeza

jonbeeza

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Looks like my very old computer finally needs replacing, it has been limping along for the last year or two. Looking at a laptop of some sort, but no idea of the latest stuff. I will not be using it for gaming, only for going on the net and viewing photos and video on the laptop. I do not use a great deal on a computer, only stuff like Silkypix and Nikon Capture NX-D. Suppose I would like a reasonable quality graphics card. Just wonder what I could get for about £300 or £400 odd?
 
Almost anything new would do that, I'd be looking for a 1TB storage and 8GB RAM
 
4wd said:
Almost anything new would do that, I'd be looking for a 1TB storage and 8GB RAM
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Just been looking on John Lewis, and with those specs are roughly about £300 to £400 price range. Wonder if it is worth spending a little more, and get something with a dedicated graphics card :thinking:
 
Have a look on the Dell UK Outlet. If you keep am eye on it you can get some fantastic deals at around half price with full warranty. I've probably had 20 machines from them.

General rule - avoid anything with a Celeron processor. i3 or i5 fine, at least 4gb RAM and a solid state drive if you can really makes a difference.
1920x720 resolution is also worth it.


Your budget is enough to get something quite nice.
 
landwomble said:
Have a look on the Dell UK Outlet. If you keep am eye on it you can get some fantastic deals at around half price with full warranty. I've probably had 20 machines from them.

General rule - avoid anything with a Celeron processor. i3 or i5 fine, at least 4gb RAM and a solid state drive if you can really makes a difference.
1920x720 resolution is also worth it.


Your budget is enough to get something quite nice.
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Just had a look on the Dell Outlet, some good looking spec machines on there. Just a case of comparing them now.

Ta
 
My Current Computer

Processor Intel Core 2 CPU 6700 @ 2.66GHz 2.67GHz

Installed Memory 2.00 GB

System type 32 bit

Not very well clued up on Computers, but I can assume the above is pretty feeble :)
 
Feeble is all relative - that's about the same spec as the machine I'm typing on (Intel 5400 but 4GB RAM) running Linux. For what you described the onboard graphics will be fine - look for a quicker processor, 4GB RAM and an SSD if you can afford it at all, plus HD resolution or higher (budget low-res screens are nasty, especially on 15" laptops).
 
The above is about a third of the speed of the average smart phone by comparison so anything will blow it out of the water.

Personally I would look for an i5 with 4 true cores. Not an dual core with HT.

8GB of ram as dual channel modules rather than a single stick as you'll notice the speed difference.

An SSD with 60GB of storage to put a few programs on like photoshop and the OS will be fine so long as you have circa 750-1tb of HDD space too.

Value at the moment comes in the Lenovo variety from John Lewis or currys etc.

I'd recommend looking at spending a little more and having a look at what MSI have to offer. As power house laptops go they are probably the best at the moment in terms of value per £ spent.
 
If buying Lenovo or Dell pick from their business range. MSI are a bit hit and miss when it comes to finding replacement parts for repair, where as the Dell and Lenovo machines have better spares availability and generally easier to dismantle and put back together again afterwards. Same is not so true for the consumer orientated machines, they are a bit more disposable.
 
ancient_mariner said:
Feeble is all relative - that's about the same spec as the machine I'm typing on (Intel 5400 but 4GB RAM) running Linux. For what you described the onboard graphics will be fine - look for a quicker processor, 4GB RAM and an SSD if you can afford it at all, plus HD resolution or higher (budget low-res screens are nasty, especially on 15" laptops).
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I assumed my computer was a low model as it is very old ;) . It is starting to play up now, so I feel it is time to get a new one..
 
I picked up a HP 8200 elite with 250gb HD, 4gb ram, gt210 GPU and i5 for £120. Added some extra ram to take it to 8gb, ssd for OS and 2tb HD for data and am very happy with speed using LR5.

With my dell c2d 8500 when using brushes in LR it was slow, with the HP it works fine.
 
sep9001 said:
I picked up a HP 8200 elite with 250gb HD, 4gb ram, gt210 GPU and i5 for £120. Added some extra ram to take it to 8gb, ssd for OS and 2tb HD for data and am very happy with speed using LR5.

With my dell c2d 8500 when using brushes in LR it was slow, with the HP it works fine.
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Not too sure if I would go second hand, knowing my luck I would end up with a duff machine. Having a look what I can get new for not too much money, probably up to about £400 :)
 
take a look at scan computers, they often have special deals on. https://www.scan.co.uk/

I got all the parts from them to build my own a few years back and still good

Do you actually need a new computer or just upgrade your existing one. Even clearing out dust can make a big difference . add an SSD hard drive- increase the RAM -get rid of crud etc etc as a few suggestion. Try tweaking it by holding down the Delete key on startup ans see what the computer is doing., maybe it just needs a few alterations to the settings.
 
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realspeed said:
take a look at scan computers, they often have special deals on. https://www.scan.co.uk/

I got all the parts from them to build my own a few years back and still good

Do you actually need a new computer or just upgrade your existing one. Even clearing out dust can make a big difference . add an SSD hard drive- increase the RAM -get rid of crud etc etc as a few suggestion. Try tweaking it by holding down the Delete key on startup ans see what the computer is doing., maybe it just needs a few alterations to the settings.
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It is a very old Computer I have had it for years, it was passed onto me from a relative, who also had it many years before. It does need upgrading, plus it has a crack in the screen. By the time I buy all the bits for an upgrade and replace the screen, I may as well have bought another pc..

I will have a look at the link you suggested :)
 
Jon the thing that really determines the type of PC you need is the filesize of your photos and the editing programs you are running.

Years ago when I had a 350D with 8MP sensor I used a core 2 duo with a celeron processor and 2GB RAM and this was fine running Serif PhotoPlus 7 as my editing program and converting the RAW files to TIFF to edit them.

No real problems with speed.

Today I run an i7 with 16GB RAM and a 500GB SSD because I now have a 1Ds MKII and my TIFF files are 95MB and use Serif PhotoPlus X2 as my editing program.

With that I can load about 10-15 files and that combo will cope with all my editing needs so far.

I have also tried out editing the 450MB TIFF files of the Canon 5Ds which it could still do but I could only load 3 pics that size and editing was slow but possible, so I'm not sure how it would cope if you are running PS etc.

So you need to think carefully about your future needs as well.
.
 
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petersmart said:
Jon the thing that really determines the type of PC you need is the filesize of your photos and the editing programs you are running.

Years ago when I had a 350D with 8MP sensor I used a core 2 duo with a celeron processor and 2GB RAM and this was fine running Serif PhotoPlus 7 as my editing program and converting the RAW files to TIFF to edit them.

No real problems with speed.

Today I run an i7 with 16GB RAM and a 500GB SSD because I now have a 1Ds MKII and my TIFF files are 95MB and use Serif PhotoPlus X2 as my editing program.

With that I can load about 10-15 files and that combo will cope with all my editing needs so far.

I have also tried out editing the 450MB TIFF files of the Canon 5Ds which it could still do but I could only load 3 pics that size and editing was slow but possible, so I'm not sure how it would cope if you are running PS etc.

So you need to think carefully about your future needs as well.
.
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I use Silkypix and Nikon Capture NX-D to convert my fuji and Nikon raw files. My Nikon raw files are the largest files I convert, at about 20MB. Both Silkypix and Capture programmes do at times struggle to run, and Capture NX-D does cause my PC to wheeze and whir a lot, sometimes crashing altogether :(
 
Have a look at refurbished.

Have bought a few things, Laptops, Camera, etc. comes like new with Manufactures Warranty.
 
stryvya said:
Have a look at refurbished.

Have bought a few things, Laptops, Camera, etc. comes like new with Manufactures Warranty.
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I tend not to look at refurb stuff, as you don't always know how much it has been used and abused. I will probably go to Currys and John Lewis, and compare both specs along with prices.
 
jonbeeza said:
I tend not to look at refurb stuff, as you don't always know how much it has been used and abused. I will probably go to Currys and John Lewis, and compare both specs along with prices.
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To be honest most Refurbed stuff is New but from a damaged Box or Similar. but your choice, and means that it has been thoroughly checked better
a new one .

My Canon EOS 600D came via Canons E-bay store with only a 2 figure Shutter count, had it for 2 Yrs and got back more than I paid for it
 
Little update:

Just vacuumed the inside of the PC, it was thick with dust fluff and cat and dog hairs. Formatted the hard drive, so there is now no junk on it. It seems to behaving itself at the moment, and no strange noises and wheezes. Going to re install both Silkypix and Nikon Capture NX-D and see what happens. Fingers crossed :)
 
Just be aware that vacuuming can create a lot of static electricity, which can also kill computing components: generally it seems best to remove the worst of the matted fibres by hand, then blow out the rest. Hope this gives your machine a new lease of life. :)
 
ancient_mariner said:
Just be aware that vacuuming can create a lot of static electricity, which can also kill computing components: generally it seems best to remove the worst of the matted fibres by hand, then blow out the rest. Hope this gives your machine a new lease of life. :)
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The missus went mad at me for vacuuming the PC, mainly because I had taken the side panel off to Vacuume while PC was still on :eek:
The Computer seems to be running OK, now that I have cleaned it. I will still keep an eye out for another PC with better spec, as I use Silkypix and Nikon Capture to convert RAW files. It can be a little slow to wait for the file to convert, if any other programme is running, it does tend to slow the whole process down...
 
I find a hairdryer on a cold blow setting will quickly clear all the crap that has built up over the last few months - I think I'd be worried about expensive components being snatched off the motherboard if I used a vacuum!
 
A rocket blower is worth a try to clean out the inside of a computer and the cooling fans
 
petersmart said:
What camera do you use; do you shoot RAW and what is the image size of your pics?
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Only use a bog standard D3300 that produces file sizes about 20MB, and the fuji X10 that produces files even smaller. Just converted one Fuji RAF using Silkypix, the fan came on the PC as though it was working under strain. I closed Silkypix then opened Nikon Capture NX-D, converted one NEF and fan came on again but very loudly this time. Seems like the PC is struggling to run the two programmes. Takes the fun out of converting the images, as it is a little alarming when it gets very noisy, feels like the PC is going to go bang :eek:
 
I mean do you crop the image at all because that is a very large image.

At the moment my images are produced at about 1700x960 pixels so I can view them on my TV screen.

What do you do with the finished images because working at that size the PC you have will really struggle.
 
petersmart said:
I mean do you crop the image at all because that is a very large image.

At the moment my images are produced at about 1700x960 pixels so I can view them on my TV screen.

What do you do with the finished images because working at that size the PC you have will really struggle.
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I save mine to hard drive for viewing on TV, or I may print the ones I really do like. I tried changing to smaller dimensions, but still struggles to covert.Programme stops mid way for a little breather, then after a little while continues..
 
Well if you batch convert them to JPEGs then re-size them to half the usual size then edit THEM you may find that your PC will work better.

You can batch convert them with Easy Thumbnails:

http://www.fookes.com/easy-thumbnails.

I've experimented with that and find it works well on large images - for instance I can reduce my images from my Canon 1Ds MkII which are usually 4992x3328 to 2496x1664.

Or you can simply reduce the filesize (set quality to 90%) with no resize and use that.

Either way your PC could have an easier time.

Then after you edit them you can use easy thumbnails again at 90% to reduce the filesize even more for uploading or viewing etc.

But whatever you do make sure you copy your original files to work on.

You could also try a simpler editing program as well which will not consume as much resources on your PC.
.
 
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For 3 or 400 you will get disappointments if you try any video editing music recording or gaming. You will be able to get email though. :)
 
petersmart said:
Well if you batch convert them to JPEGs then re-size them to half the usual size then edit THEM you may find that your PC will work better.

You can batch convert them with Easy Thumbnails:

http://www.fookes.com/easy-thumbnails.

I've experimented with that and find it works well on large images - for instance I can reduce my images from my Canon 1Ds MkII which are usually 4992x3328 to 2496x1664.

Or you can simply reduce the filesize (set quality to 90%) with no resize and use that.

Either way your PC could have an easier time.

Then after you edit them you can use easy thumbnails again at 90% to reduce the filesize even more for uploading or viewing etc.

But whatever you do make sure you copy your original files to work on.

You could also try a simpler editing program as well which will not consume as much resources on your PC.
.
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Ok thanks, will try experimenting with sizes and see how things go (y)
 
GT von said:
For 3 or 400 you will get disappointments if you try any video editing music recording or gaming. You will be able to get email though. :)
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Good job he specifically stated he would not be gaming and made no mention of video editing or music recording then eh?
 
RichardtheSane said:
Good job he specifically stated he would not be gaming and made no mention of video editing or music recording then eh?
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Yet... Lol. What if that changes? I didn't always do those things either until I built a computer that could, then I found that I love those things too. If you like living within pre set boundaries, good luck. I love options.
 
landwomble said:
This isn't a bad machine by any means
http://www.hotukdeals.com/deals/hp-...1080p-screen-359-10-hp-store-using-10-2457336
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Thanks for the link, having a look at the deal now.
GT von said:
Yet... Lol. What if that changes? I didn't always do those things either until I built a computer that could, then I found that I love those things too. If you like living within pre set boundaries, good luck. I love options.
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No not into gaming, I did have a try at gaming on a relatives PC many years ago. Did not get a liking for it way back then, could not see myself ever taking it up..
 
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