Computer at Aldi - any good?

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Roadkill_6mm

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Neil
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I'm in the market for a new computer....my current desktop is running windows XP with :

64bit AMD processor running at 2200mhz
1 gbit Ram
75gb hard drive
Nvidia 7900GT graphics card

Its getting a bit old and wheezy - just had to format and reinstall windows to unchoke it somewhat!!

I mainly use my computer for image processing (Elements 8) and web surfing etc.

I wouldnt mind giving lightroom a go, and possibly CS5 - but I'm aware my current system will not run them.

So, I've seen Aldi (whom I've had a few bargains from before) have a PC on sale from tomorrow abd was wondering what people think - I'm completely out of touch with whats what in computers these days!!

Link here

In a nut shell it has:

# AMD Athlon™ II X4 620 quad core processor 2.60GHz, 2MB L2 Cache

# ATI Radeon™ HD 4200 graphics

# 3GB (3,072MB) DDR3 SDRAM

# Multiformat DVD/CD burner1 supports all the usual DVD/CD standards, including dual layer DVD-R and DVD+R

# Wireless LAN IEEE 802.11n-standard technology with up to 300Mbit/s., 802.11b/g compatible2

# 1TB (1,000GB) hard disk for more than 200,000 songs or photos

# Network controller Ethernet LAN (10/100/1,000MBit/s.)

# Integrated flash memory card reader, reads and writes all current flash memory cards4

# eSATA connection for connecting external SATA devices
# 8 channel high definition audio5

# Connections:
Front: 2x USB 2.0, 1x Microphone, 1x Headphone, 1x eSATA
Rear: 2x PS/2, 4x USB 2.0, 1x FireWire, 1x LAN (RJ-45),
1x Front line out, 1x Back surround line out, 1x Centre/subwoofer line out,
1x Side surround line out, 1x Line in, 1 x SPDIF optical out, 1x VGA, 1x HDMI

and costs £430

What do you think for the money??

ATB

Neil
 
The price seems very reasonable given the specification of the machine. Although that doesn't really say much about build quality - still even if you can to open up the case and tidy up a bit, add additional cooling etc it's a good price.

I assume this is the base until only?

For what you want the CPU and memory are more than enough. I'd be interested to see what the HDD spec is but as long as it's 7200rpm and has a couple of MB cache you'd be fine.








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It's quite a reasonable spec for the money.

If you look on Dell there is a quite similar PC for £450 so I would say it's decent but not astounding value.

If you don't fancy building your own PC then give it a go.
 
Thanks for the replies.

I did consider building my own PC - thing was by the time I'd priced everything up it was coming close to the price of one off the shelf. I've never built a PC before but it wasnt something I considered daunting (I havent built one from scratch but have tinkered changing processors, adding memory, new hard drives and graphics cards in the passed which I figured was pretty much similar to building one!)

gingerweasel - yes the price is for the base unit (with mouse and keyboard)

ATB

Neil
 
Have had 2 Medions for about 5 years, still got them in use, never gone wrong, nothings ever failed, just upgraded occasionaly by me.
They've been a lot less trouble than our 2 high end PCs.:)
 
It will certainly do what you want.
 
Used Medions for last 8 years, thats two from Aldi. The latest bought in January and they have run great with no problems. Still using old one to download stuff. :thumbs:
 
Medions have always had good reviews. If you do buy it I would add a second hardrive to put my documents on.
 
Blake said:
I personally would go for a bigger brand name in laptops, such as Acer:

http://www.comet.co.uk/shopcomet/pr...444G32M?cm_sp=FeatureEnd-_-Laptops-_-position

Compaq:

http://www.comet.co.uk/shopcomet/pr...Q71-401?cm_sp=FeatureEnd-_-Laptops-_-position

Tesco also have some good deals on Acer at the moment.

I bought my laptop from John Lewis just before xmas, 4 gig ram, large hard drive etc for £399.
Click to expand...

Thing is I dont want a laptop, these are desktops! :) (thanks for the pointers though as the Mrs is looking at replacing my laptop which she dropped........out of an upstairs window onto the concrete patio!!

icnoble said:
Medions have always had good reviews. If you do buy it I would add a second hardrive to put my documents on.
Click to expand...

Yeah, I bought an external hard-drive a while ago for backing up/storing things on when I needed to re-install windows etc :thumbs:
 
I had a Medion one from Aldi some time ago, it was very good but I have heard that the more recent ones are not as good as they use to be?
 
i have had various medion products , i have had no problem with them . the customer service is excelent . I have never tried the return policy as i have never had too.

Cheers Steve
 
Also they give you a 3 year warranty standard..

:thumbs:
 
the dabs computer is better in most respect , execpt the graphic department,
this can be rectified at not to greater cost.

the basic spec is better.

Cheers Steve
 
Yep......had a Medion from Aldi......Brilliant, no problems if i had to phone Medion then I always got good backup support.
 
Not used the CC but remember having an issue with the PC once and found the solution very quickly on the Medion site.
 
Roadkill_6mm said:
Thanks for the replies.

I did consider building my own PC - thing was by the time I'd priced everything up it was coming close to the price of one off the shelf. I've never built a PC before but it wasnt something I considered daunting (I havent built one from scratch but have tinkered changing processors, adding memory, new hard drives and graphics cards in the passed which I figured was pretty much similar to building one!)

gingerweasel - yes the price is for the base unit (with mouse and keyboard)

ATB

Neil
Click to expand...

Build your own Neil, its so much fun! The hardest part for me was working out what spec and components to buy. It was really easy to put together as well, even though I never opened up a PC in my whole life prior to this. Everything is pretty much plug and play these days. I'd definitely do it again and I think it took me 6hrs from opening packages to connecting to the internet and visiting TP :thumbs:
 
Median PC's are solid and well built and excellent value for money there is a reason they sell out within a day or so in most Aldi and Lidal stores.

I built my own PC last tiem and to be honest its not that much cheaper if cheaper at all than some prebuilt machines. It is however fun... if your a geek like me.... and also gets you to know your way around whats inside the shiney box.

1 bit of advice that is always good to know, espeically if you are thinking of installing a new GFX card or DVD/BluRay/Hard disk is check the power rating on your PSU, alot of the mainstream PC's Acer, HP, Dell are install watery PSU's that are designed only to power the factory fitted PC with no upgrades.
 
This machine is reviewed in the current Compter Active mag. They give it 5 stars and recommend it (as long as you're not planning on playing top-level games).
 
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