New PC Advice Required

[magicrat]

A work colleague and my sister are both looking for a PC, and unfortunately they've come to me for advice. I'm no expert, so I'm not too fussed in advising them, but I'm the most qualified person they know. So I turn to the forums for advice.

I've looked at Dells and come up with the follwoing.

1st option for work colleague, he's approaching his 50s, never used a PC in his life till recently when he had to start using one in work, so he wants one at home to familiarise himself with it. He is not a games player so the combined graphics card below should not be a big problem.

Dell 2400

Intel® Pentium® 4 Processor (2.80GHz, 512kB L2 cache, 533MHz FSB)
Microsoft® Windows® XP Home Edition
512MB DDR RAM (Was 256MB)
80GB Hard Drive (7200 RPM)
15" Analogue Flat Panel Monitor (15.0" v.i.s.)
Integrated 10/100 NIC
Integrated Intel® Extreme Graphics
Integrated Audio
48x CD-RW/DVD Combo Drive
1 Year Collect and Return (CAR) service

£599 inc Free Dell printer

2nd for my sister, she has 2 kids, so will need to be suitable to run some games & educational software. Her boyfriend is a farmer and he wants to use programs to help with farm accounting etc.


Dell 4700

Intel® Pentium® 4 Processor with HT Technology (3.00GHz, 512kB L2 cache, 800MHz FSB
Windows XP
512MB Ram
80GB Hard Drive
15" TFT
Integrated Intel® Pro 10/100 NIC
128MB nVidia® GeForce4T FX5200 TV-Out Graphics (DVI)
Integrates Sound
48x CD-RW/DVD Combo Drive

Cost - £699 - Free Dell Printer

Any advice would be greatly appreciated. Thanks in advance

[rnurse]

It's often worth speccing a system up in the 'small business' section of Dell's website as well as the 'home' section, as the deals (free extra memory etc) often differ between the two. Also different options are available (e.g. you can specify a Celeron for the 2400 and save money if speed isn't too important). Don't forget Dell charge £49+VAT delivery (not sure if you included that in your prices), though sometimes they have free delivery promotions. If I was buying a new Dell PC, I'd probably buy it with a decent processor, but the minimum memory, graphics, hard disc and optical drive options - its usually cheaper to add your own components for much less than the Dell upgrade prices.

[magicrat]

It's often worth speccing a system up in the 'small business' section of Dell's website as well as the 'home' section, as the deals (free extra memory etc) often differ between the two. Also different options are available (e.g. you can specify a Celeron for the 2400 and save money if speed isn't too important). Don't forget Dell charge £49+VAT delivery (not sure if you included that in your prices), though sometimes they have free delivery promotions. If I was buying a new Dell PC, I'd probably buy it with a decent processor, but the minimum memory, graphics, hard disc and optical drive options - its usually cheaper to add your own components for much less than the Dell upgrade prices.

Thanks rnurse, I'll have a look at the business section. I'd rather get the full system at the start. Whilst I'd be happy to play with my own PC, just, I dont want to start opening up others.

The prices include delivery and VAT.