Can I get some advice on buying a desktop?

Should I buy new, second hand or refurbished?





What are the issues associated with each? I can think generally of guarantees, security, price, software. I'm no expert at all though and I'd like to balance the pros and cons before making a decision.Can I get some advice on buying a desktop?
I'd go for new. As stated, second hand is out of date, and might have problems that you don't know about. Refurbished is probably ok for second choice as it will have been checked over and will be under a warranty.





Remember to get a proper surge protector with modem protection, the Belkin is about a tenner from Curries. It will protect you from a lightning strike down the phone line, as well as a power surge through the wall socket. An extension cable 'with surge protection' is not the same thing, avoid like the plague.


Also cost in a proper office desk and chair or you risk ending up with a bad back. And get a cd wallet to keep all your program discs in one safe place in case you ever need to re-install!





As for security, new is a problem as they all try to sell you a suite; and thats not the best option.


Here's a list of freeware you can use;





The Windows firewall doesn't stop malware on your pc from dialling out. Zone Alarm firewall is free for personal use and stops unwanted incoming and outgoing traffic. You choose which programs are allowed to access the internet. It's fairly easy to use and updated regularly.


http://www.zonelabs.com Zone Alarm firewall





Shields Up security site;


https://www.grc.com - check your firewall works


http://www.grc.com/optout.htm - grc anti spyware program and info.





http://www.mozilla.com/ Firefox web browser


http://www.opera.com/ Opera web browser


Instal both these web browsers, turn off javascript on one and use that browser for vising unknown websites. They don't support Active X so thats one less way for problems to get on your pc.





Winpatrol is a handy utility that tracks cookies on your pc and stops unwanted changes to your startup folder.


http://www.winpatrol.com





Spywareblaster works with Internet Explorer and Firefox. It won't uninstall spyware that is already on your pc, but it will prevent hijacks and other malicious changes to your browser.


http://www.javacoolsoftware.com


http://www.siteadvisor.com -Site Advisor warns about malware on sites you are about to visit.


http://www.avast.com - Avast Antivirus


http://www.ewido.net - AVG(Ewido) anti trojan.


http://www.grisoft.com/doc/1 AVG anti virus


http://www.lavasoft.com - Ad-Aware SE Personal anti adware


http://www.safer-networking.org - Spybot Search and Destroy anti spyware


http://spywarewarrior.com/rogue_anti-spy鈥?/a> - The Spyware Warrior site identifies fake anti spyware programs.


http://www.bitdefender.com -BitDefender can be used as a second, on demand anti virus.


http://www.ccleaner.com Cr*pcleaner Registry cleaner and privacy tool


http://www.mailwasher.net/ -spam filter





Remember to update and run all of you anti malware programs at least once a week.





http://www.openoffice.org - freeware office suite


http://audacity.sourceforge.net/ -Audacity music tool.


http://www.ejay.com - music making program


http://www.eecs.wsu.edu/paint.net/ -Paint.net Paint with layers.


http://www.irfanview.com - useful graphics tool


http://www.download.com/Deep-Paint/3000-鈥?/a> - Deep Paint, brilliant painting program.


http://www.gimp.org - Like Photoshop 7


http://www.inkscape.org - vector image toolCan I get some advice on buying a desktop?
You're welcome - and have fun with your new pc.

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Go with new.


Second hand is old tech.


Refurbished had problems before and they can occour again.


New is better in any way but it will more expensive
Go for desktop every time....Dell have some good deals...I bought a Dimension 3200 from them a year ago....superb !! and very cheap.
buy new and cheap www.savastore.com Keep away from Dell as i personally dont like them and also they are a white good....when the tech is old you just throw it out and buy a new 1. Not good at all and also a bit of a bu**er when they go wrong.





Just my 2 cents





Regards





Rob
I'd go with new, you'll often be able to customise them to some extent to get exactly what you want and they'll be able to run the latest software more effectively as they're generally faster.





Security generally isn't an issue for refurbs as they'll have been updated with the latest patches for whatever operating system they're running. Second hand computers are a bit more dodgy as you don't know whether they've been kept well by the previous owners.





The main advantage, other than customisability, of new computers is the warranty - you get a VERY limited warranty on refurbs and no warranty on second hand computers.





The main disadvantages of new computers is the price, though that is often offset by reliability, the fact you get legit software with full keys, support for your machine and compatibility with the latest products.





Personally I'd go with Mesh Computers http://www.meshcomputers.com/ , they're very good computers, their customer service is excellent. They're a little more expensive than some, but it's definitely worth it. Also they do computers with AMD processors which, in my opinion, totally outstrip the performance of Intel processors.
always buy new, refurbished are refurbished for a reason, they have broken down b4 recently, and are likely to do it again 1 week after your warranty runs out. I always recommend www.tiger-direct.com for buying computers, cheap prices make it a must see for computer buyers
if you buy new buy from an assured manufacturer. If you buy from a Private, always make sure the software is legal. windows XP has a CD key on the outside of the case for verification the same goes for some other software but NOT ALL.


Dell are good price,


pcworld are over priced


try meshcomputers.com





If you buy second hand, same as above but always make sure you get a written letter from the seller detailing the warranty information normally 14-28 days.





If you buy a reconditioned computer the waraunty should be 28 days.





Hope this helps
My advice is to go onto the WHICH? online magazine. They are excellent at giving impartial advice on best value for money. I know you specified desktop, but if you're looking for a laptop ACER are supposed to be good.





Hope this helps!!!