A Great Future Proof Computer - This One Will Last At Least 5 Years
In last month's newsletter we talked about the problem of buying a laptop computer. The crux of the matter was twofold -
- The new Microsoft Operating System Vista is being released early next year which will require serious computing power to work properly
- A new style of dual-core chip machines are being introduced to supersede the present computers we're all using at the moment. Windows Vista will need one of these dual core machines to run properly
Computer Buying Secret - Always Buy For Tomorrow
If there's only one secret to buying a new PC it's buying one with enough power to not only run today's applications but also tomorrow's. And this was the problem highlighted when wanting to buy a laptop last month. The Laptop manufacturers are only just releasing their Dual Core machines which means they're very expensive. The solution to this problem was one of these three options -
- Either buy an expensive dual core laptop costing £1,000+
- Get a stop go machine for no more than £500 (read the article in last month's newsletter for an explanation of this point)
- If you can wait until early 2007 when dual-core machines will be far better priced - 20%-30% cheaper than today's prices
Desktop Machines - It's A Similar Problem
The argument about buying a Desktop machine is similar to the Laptop problem but not as expensive because not only are Desktops always cheaper, Dual Core machines have been on the market for longer, meaning the prices are more realistic.
We're also in the market for a new Desktop machine and have been debating between getting a computer for around £350 (stop go machine expecting to last 2-3 years before it gets too slow due to the introduction of Vista) or a more expensive dual core machine. A trip to our local Computer shop came up with a quote for around £800 for a dual-core but this was just the box, no screen, keyboard etc. That seemed just too much.
- A trip to EBay came up with a price of around £600, again for just the box
- But when reading all the magazines in WH Smith last weekend we spotted a bargain, and we mean bargain
- On the cover of the latest PC Pro magazine was an article entitled 'Group Test of £599 Future Proof PCs'
- The winner was the Dell Dimension 9150 which includes a Dual Core Pentium 820 chip, 1024MB RAM, 160GB hard drive, good graphics card, 17 Flat Screen monitor (the reviewer liked this a lot) and a nice keyboard, speakers, infrared mouse etc
- The total price was just £599 including VAT & delivery
But if you go to Dell's website or telephone them looking for this price you'll get nearer £799. So you have to use the special Dell code (either on the telephone or input it on their website) of - PPUK5-D05915r
- The PC Pro magazine article and review of this machine which you can read here describes the price of £599 as 'ludicrously low' and quite frankly we agree
- What makes this PC so good is that it really is future proof in that the power it possesses will last at least 4 years if not 6 - What we mean here is that in 4 years time it should have no problems running the latest software
- We were so impressed with this deal that we've just put an order in for one and it will be delivered any day - We'll write a quick review next month
Be very careful though when you order from Dell because they make their money from all the extras they try and flog which in turn are very expensive. If you need anything on top, such as a printer or wireless network then you're far better off buying it from somewhere like Amazon.co.uk
- Having said this we did order just a couple of extras
- £6 for the original Windows disk and about £12 for another monitor port so we can run 2 screens
- For those who use their PCs a lot having 2 screens can speed up productivity dramatically
- The other screen we have just bought is an Acer 19" widescreen flat screen costing just £175 from Amazon, it gets some great reviews - check it out here
- Running 2 screens from the one computer is simple (as long as your graphics card has 2 slots), just plug the extra monitor in and start moving your mouse between the two to control either screen
- You're advised though to buy an extra piece of software called UltraMon costing $40 which makes managing the dual screens really easy - A free trial of the software is available here
Summary
Of course, real computer experts will find fault with this system perhaps pointing out that the hard drive should employ the latest technology or the Motherboard could be a higher spec. They would have a solid argument on some of these points IF the machine was going to be used for say CAD applications or by hardcore gamers. But for most of us, ie 90% of all computer users who do email, internet, MS Office etc then the spec, performance and future proof power of this Dell PC cannot be argued with.
Why Not Get Smart When Financing These Types Of Deal
On page two of this newsletter we summarised how it was far easier to get superior investment returns by focussing on your personal budgets and spending habits than trying to seek them out in the stockmarkets etc. So let's look at how we financed all of these technology purchases and saved a bundle of money.
- In the last month we've spent £500 on a laptop, £616 on a Desktop computer, £175 on a monitor, and another £300 on assorted bits and pieces
- Total cost of around £1,600
We financed all of this using a Sainsbury's credit card which offers 12 months interest free credit on all purchases. Our minimum monthly payment is 2% of the total balance, around £32 and we'll pay the full balance off in 12 months. The money is already deposited in a separate deposit account with ING Direct earning 4.50% so not only does this help our cash flow it also earns us a touch of interest on top.
If you're not using these kinds of simple strategies to borrow money with the credit cards then you should because it only takes 5 mins to apply for the credit card and open an ING account, both can be done online - see below. Whatever you do though make sure you're organised with paying both the final balance off and the monthly balance on time otherwise you'll find the 0% interest deal void.
Total saving by financing the deal like this is most probably around £100 which includes the ING interest and some hidden but unquantifiable benefits of the added cashflow should we need to use the money already on deposit.
- Sainsbury's Credit card
- ING Savings Account
