Spend My Money For Me!

[samran]

Right,

firstly, thanks in advance.

I've decided that I need a new desktop. The laptop at home has a 20GB HD and is pretty slow these days, no matter what I do.

So, I have 30,000 baht which I'm going to spend probably at IT mall this weekend. I'm looking for your advice on what to spend it on.

I'll outline a day in the life, you tell me what to get:

- Computer is on at least 6-8 hours per day.

- Basic word processing.

- Use excel and powerpoint alot for work. Sometimes the files get fancy and complex, so I don't want to have my computer choke on me. My current laptop seems to be doing this more and more.

- Multiple windows are open - again, would like to avoid the computer choking or slowing down when this happens.

- Use internet a bit - I'm sure download speeds are the key here, but if there is anything inherent in the computer specs that can make the experience better, let me know.

- I'd like to down load TV shows and movies, a couple of series here and there per year, and be able to either store them on my computer, or burn them onto DVD.

- I don't do gaming.

- Am partial to the flat screens - bigger is nicer.

- I have a wireless router at home (belkin) (though an alternate internal fax modem would be nice if you recommend one)

- Would ideally like to interface my computer to the TV and stereo, especially for downlaoded programmes.

- We use skype quite a bit...maybe something with a camera or a good set up for this.

- We store tonnes of photos and music on our current system

- Baby proof - if possible (we have a little one who has just started walking)

- Printer and/or scanner would be nice, but not essential.

I'm assuming dual core is all the rage? This is the key thing for speed?

What sort of minimum memorty should I be lookign at --> And what is nice to have.

That is about it....let me know what would be good to buy!

[anthos]

just posted my best references here http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/index.php?sh...14131&st=15

about this computer http://www.shop4thai.com/en/product/?pid=18625

it's exactly in your budget

[samran]

thanks for the link, seems like I'll need to spend 10K baht more though...

[Simmo]

I setup that same Pavilion model for an accountant friend of mine recently. Performs well for Office tasks and he can play older games like Sims 2 etc. The black 19" LCD monitor is fairly stylish for HP & looks good in a home office.

I'd want to go for 2GB Ram for any Vista computer though.

[JohnC]

You do not say where in Thailand you live so the following will either be useful or as much use as a snowball in a bbq!!

Last saturdays edition of the weekly Pattaya People Newspaper had an excellent full page article expalining what you can get for your money depending on what you want the PC for. Unfortunately the article is not yet on the internet copy of the paper.

[Nikkijah]

thanks for the link, seems like I'll need to spend 10K baht more though...

Why? this pc in the link comes out at just under B30,000

[Nikkijah]

I setup that same Pavilion model for an accountant friend of mine recently. Performs well for Office tasks and he can play older games like Sims 2 etc. The black 19" LCD monitor is fairly stylish for HP & looks good in a home office.

I'd want to go for 2GB Ram for any Vista computer though.

I take it that this Pavilion is upgradeable enough to just add an extra 1024 RAM and for a cheap price right?

[samran]

thanks for the link, seems like I'll need to spend 10K baht more though...

Why? this pc in the link comes out at just under B30,000

my bad....still got that $1 = 40 baht in my head!

As for location, BKK. I'm thinking of going to Fortune tower.

[grtaylor]

Anyone got any thoughts about these very cool looking Acer Aspire computers? Top of the range is 30,000.

http://www.acer.co.th/product/aspire/L310/index.htm

I know that looking cool isn't really a criterion for deciding on a computer, but mine is dying too, and I have limited space on my desk.

Cheers,

G

[samran]

Anyone got any thoughts about these very cool looking Acer Aspire computers? Top of the range is 30,000.

http://www.acer.co.th/product/aspire/L310/index.htm

I know that looking cool isn't really a criterion for deciding on a computer, but mine is dying too, and I have limited space on my desk.

Cheers,

G

I've been told that the small units, while they look great, suffer the same problem as laptops, that it is hard to upgrade them given the lack of space in the unit.

Now, I'm a complete computer numpty, but it kinda makes sense....

[Nikkijah]

Anyone got any thoughts about these very cool looking Acer Aspire computers? Top of the range is 30,000.

http://www.acer.co.th/product/aspire/L310/index.htm

I know that looking cool isn't really a criterion for deciding on a computer, but mine is dying too, and I have limited space on my desk.

Cheers,

G

I've been told that the small units, while they look great, suffer the same problem as laptops, that it is hard to upgrade them given the lack of space in the unit.

I suppose they don't have much air-flow going through them so components may heat up in the tropical temps...

[youbet]

That is about it....let me know what would be good to buy!

Seems to me what you want is in the range of 16-18,000 with real brand names like HP not 30,000

[samran]

That is about it....let me know what would be good to buy!

Seems to me what you want is in the range of 16-18,000 with real brand names like HP not 30,000

really? Interesting. Any suggestions?