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Can the STW PC massive help... ?
I built my current PC about 7 years ago - works OK but is now slow and I'm thinking about an upgrade.
Checked the Motherboard and pointless upgrading the CPU as its almost the max speed for the board.
I've been out of the game for too long and not sure what is what now as prices seem to be cheaper than before.
Thinking of one of these options:
1. Buy a new PC (desktop) prebuilt.
2. Buy a new laptop and upgrade the old Desktop
3. Buy a laptop and ditch the old dekstop
4. Upgrade the Motherboard, CPU and Memory on my old desktop.
I'm not going to be playing 3D games on it, I may do some video editing but not a great deal. I do want to use it as a media centre and for storing music and photos but mainly it'll be used for surfing the net and doing docs etc.
I've got no idea what will be the most cost effective option as I'm not looking for top performance or to spend the earth on it.
Anyone got their views they'd like to share?
Another thing I've thought about is using the TV as the screen and running one of those small form factor PCs off it with a wireless keyboard and mouse.
Having changed from a PC to a laptop a couple of years ago, I would say go for the laptop. Especially if you want to use the net whilst your other half is watching crap on TV, without being accused of disappearing in the evening 🙂
PC is now cleaned up and kept for backup purposes, and occasional stuff such as playing with Google sketchup where a proper mouse and desk help.
Occasionally I will plug the lappy into the TV and use a wireless keyboard with a built in trackball.
Edit: I also got a network hard drive recently, sits alongside my router and means I can access all my files from either computer.
Definitely a laptop - so much more flexible and, if you get a good one, not noticeably slower for non-gaming activities.
Thing to remember with a laptop is that the case does actually matter - pick them up and twist them - if it feels weak and flexy and creaks, think how bad it will be in six months time.
Rachel
Video editing can be intensive - might need to elaborate a bit with what you are dealing with.
What is your old spec? Power Supply wattage?
Budget?
Building yourself is always cheapest.
Laptop is good for portability but costs more for the same spec as desktop and all computers depreciate.
If you are confident building and selecting the components do this.
If you want a prebuilt barebones or bundle then Novatech do some that might be worth a look
http://www.novatech.co.uk/novatech/barebones.html
http://www.novatech.co.uk/novatech/bundles.html
If you don't need much power this might be worth a look
http://www.ebuyer.com/product/225756
+1 for the laptop.
I was in the same boat a couple of years ago; realised I was speccing up a gaming rig solely to sit in an uncomfortable chair surfing the web and playing World of Warcraft, went "what the heck am I doing?", bought a laptop instead and never looked back.
The "TV as a monitor" idea is great for movies, not so much for actual PC usage. Even on a top-end TV you'll struggle.
Nah TV wise, you just need a low enough input lag for a computer or console.
I use this as PC monitor through a DVI-HDMI cable without any problems, sufring, games, films the lot
http://www.hdtvtest.co.uk/news/samsung-le32c530-le40c530-20100813815.htm
Video editing will mainly be Windows Movie Maker - nothing serious.
I'll want to use something for music and thinking about a Portable HDD to keep the tracks on - will I be able to share these with other PCs?
Thinking about a laptop so the kids can use it in the living room.
+1 laptop
Our desktop went pop last year, the wife already had a laptop so I just replaced it with another laptop.
Now we've one for business and one for 'family'.
I did though keep the spare hard drive to act as a backup - and upload every so often.