PC Pals Forum
Technical Help & Discussion => Windows PCs & Software: Help, News & Discussion => Topic started by: Simon on November 25, 2010, 22:08
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Some relations are looking for a basic cheapish desktop, and have asked my opinion on HP machines, such as this model from Amazon (http://www.amazon.co.uk/G5206uk-Desktop-Pentium-LightScribe-Windows/dp/B00457WT4E/ref=sr_1_34?s=computers&ie=UTF8&qid=1290193509&sr=1-34). They don't need anything too flashy, they are not mega gamers, and only use the PC for office tasks, emails, web browsing, etc. I have no experience of HP myself, so does anyone have an opinion on these?
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Only one left in stock Simon! I don't like HP printers. I've had two and both met their demise very prematurely. I think their desktops are known to be "cheap and cheerful" .
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It doesn't need to be that one, Clive. I just need to know what they are like generally, as a brand. :)
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See above. I edited it. ;D
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;D
Thanks Clive. Their prices range from the one I linked to, to +£2K, so I guess you get what you pay for. I know Rik likes HP printers, and I was actually looking at one myself the other day. The trouble is, the people buying are very 'mainstream', and will want a known brand. To be honest, they'll probably end up going to PC World. :ack:
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I've been using one for the last three years. It's reliable, nothing flashy. I don't like the bloatware that came with it (especially Vista) but it does the job admirably. I've added a TV card and the system can cope quite happily with recording two channels simultaneously.
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Thanks Gill. I think bloatware is an unpleasant fact of life with any branded machine. :(
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Notebooks in particular. :( I've had nothing but good experiences with HP.
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:thumb:
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Only experience Ive had with HP is that a friend of mine bought one, and didnt get a disc copy of Windows but had to burn his own from the machine. That was impossible to do, as the PC constantly refused to do so. After dozens of reminders to burn a copy and dozens of failures, he gave up.
A chap at PC World told me that no PC comes with a disc of Windows today; a very poor decision in my opinion, with a few pence saving by manufacturers.
:ack:
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I also think it's poor, but it a fact of life these days, DG, and not just common to HP. Not sure about the burning bit, but usually, there's a hidden partition for the Windows installation, for recovery purposes, but a CD would be much better, and, as you say, would cost a few pence to include.
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a hidden partition is normally the way, but its not use if your hard drive fails completely.
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It's one way of getting you to pay manufacturers to fix their machines. :(
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Except, it's your machine...
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It is, but that's the net effect - or buy your own copy of the OS. One way of selling warranties, I guess.
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Indeed.
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The whole thing is a racket-I hate modern day life. No sense to anything!!!
>:( >:(
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Except life itself, perhaps?
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It does get to you like that. Things were much simpler in earlier times.
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I'm not convinced they were, its just a perspective issue.
And all of these issues - first world problems.
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I think it's an age issue. We all think things were better 'in our day'. That said, there's a hell of a lot more bureaucracy to deal with these days. I wonder, Sam, if you'll look back in 20 years, and think things are better today than they are at that time?
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We didn't have hip-hop and tuition fees in my day. That said, we did have tank-tops and the Osmonds . I suppose things must be getting better, but the speed of improvement is so slow as to barely perceptible.
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Except life itself, perhaps?
Oh yes Rik- Life itself is great-I just dont like all the b******s of today-Press one -press two -key in Mothers Maiden name etc!!!! Also 50% off this item in the Sale-when the bloody item was only dearer for about a week before anyway. You know what I mean-
:sigh:
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I think it's an age issue. We all think things were better 'in our day'. That said, there's a hell of a lot more bureaucracy to deal with these days. I wonder, Sam, if you'll look back in 20 years, and think things are better today than they are at that time?
I'm sure I will.
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We didn't have hip-hop and tuition fees in my day. That said, we did have tank-tops and the Osmonds . I suppose things must be getting better, but the speed of improvement is so slow as to barely perceptible.
Speed of improvement in health care and things like that though is exponential. We will always have things that certain sections of society dislike or disagree with, we just have to get on living our lives doing what we enjoy and not let others bother us.
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That's the trouble, Sam. It seems there's a team of people who's job it is to bother us. ;D
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or you just get bothered too easily... I know I do.
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Oh yes Rik- Life itself is great-I just dont like all the b******s of today-Press one -press two -key in Mothers Maiden name etc!!!! Also 50% off this item in the Sale-when the bloody item was only dearer for about a week before anyway. You know what I mean-
:sigh:
I do. :)
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or you just get bothered too easily... I know I do.
Sue can't understand why I don't take an interest in the fact that our neighbour's car wouldn't start this morning. To me, it's too easy to get involved, and eventually get upset, by what the neighbours do. If it affects me, I'll take an interest, until then I won't. :)
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Although, it's good to keep an eye on elderly neighbours, especially during the winter. :)
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Agreed, I was just saying that other people's lives are their own affairs and shouldn't be subject to my scrutiny in the normal course of events.
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Indeed. And you would hope that attitude to be mutual.
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You would.
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:congrats2: on the 18,000! :thumb:
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Already??? :laugh:
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Thanks, Simon. :thumbs:
I'm known for quantity, not quality, Clive. ;D
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Nearly 170,000 posts next door speaks volumes. :devil:
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I do like a big amp. ;D
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:laugh:
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Or steak... :o:
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Had one last night. Real meat and potato pie tonight. :)
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Nearly 170,000 posts next door speaks volumes. :devil:
That's an enormous number Rik. What dedication! :D
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383 days online, Clive. Simon modestly omits to mention that he's got 35,000 posts and 128 days online there too.
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Had one last night. Real meat and potato pie tonight. :)
:thumbs:
You've really got to try the Steak & Stilton.
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383 days online, Clive. Simon modestly omits to mention that he's got 35,000 posts and 128 days online there too.
:hee-hee:
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Home-made Cornish pasties last night - they were so good I'm having another tonight :) .
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:thumbs: :thumbs:
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How I love home made Cornish pasty. Lots of meals out this week but I will definitely have time to make some next week. :D
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You both need to try Real Pie pasties. :thumb:
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I know exactly what goes into my pies and pasties and I can tailor them precisely to my taste, so I think I'll pass on the commercial ones.
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Yes, no added salt in mine. :D
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RPC products are good though.
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That's Delia's Christmas cake in the oven. Gas mk 1 for 4.5 hours. 8-)