Desktops & Servers > Hewlett Packard Desktops & Servers > Intel Celeron D > Personal Computer > PC

Advantages: Industry standard, good support, solid
Disadvantages: Doesn't like non-hp parts, develops noise

...the Celeron version and £400ish for the Pentium 4 version (I'd go with the P4). Support is very good from HP. When buying one from an HP Authorised dealer you will get a years onsite warrantee. Overall, this is a good PC and you won't have many problems. ... Read review

Advantages: Cheap high spec computer, easily upgradable
Disadvantages: Onboard shared graphics, misleading advertising

When I brought this PC I was updating from a very old pentium 2. I only had a £300 budget and was expecting to get a computer in the mid range spectrum, around 2.4gig 256mb of Ram. Basically a word processor. So I was very surprised when I was able to get a 3.06ghz machine with 512mb RAM with 80GB of memory. Not only that but it came with all inbuilt software. I have microsoft works, Real Player, Windows XP and lots of other software bundles with ...
...of hundred pounds. The computer was quick enough when I first brought it but I have to admit that since uploading games etc it slowed down considerably, I have since upgraded to 1GB Ram which now has my computer running super speed. I have loaded Rome and Medieval total war, Dawn of War, The Movies as well as 230 hours of Music and the machine is still running very quickly. All the instructions (other then assembly) are found already stored on ... Read review

Advantages: Fast, Reliable and Cheap
Disadvantages: No monitor, not very asthetic

This computer is packed with about as much as you could expect for such a low price, however it lacks a monitor and that is probably one of the biggest disadvantages. It is clearly a computer meant as a workstation or a replacement for an older PC that still has a working monitor. It is important to note that, as with any computer, it's life span is likely to be the latter end of 2 years. Having said that any computer can last a lifetime if you ...
...than what you want it for. Overall it is probably best if you shop around as this computer in particular is currently entry level, in another 6 months or so it won't even be seen as a low-end computer. Unfortunately as technology goes this will be out of date fast. ... Read review

Advantages: Tv card, 6 Usbs, Dv input and S - Video Input
Disadvantages: Can be sluggish but most of the time is ok

I brought this brand new from Comet a year ago and have found it to be a bargin really. I know you can buy a computer from Pc world, Dixons and it would be fine but i got a sense that it is a quality product. I find the 6 Usb ports and the 56k modem inside to be useful for using my printer, scanner etc with no trouble. The tv card is useful for recording precious moments off tape, DV input and S video. It also has a 80gb hard drive and my one ...
...burn black and white images to the surface of a lightscribe dvd without labels! As you may or may not know lightscribe is a great piece of kit with stunning results. You get a good software package with the pc as well as remote control for your tv card. I would recommend this product if you cannot afford a media center pc. ... Read review

Advantages: Excellent all round service.
Disadvantages: None, so far.

Having never used a computer before, unless you count the Sinclair ZX, I was slightly apprehensive looking at this "intelligent television set", but upon sitting down and "playing" for a while I found that it was very simple to connect up, all plugs, leads, etc., were clearly labelled, instructions concise and to the point. After a month of blundering around something happened and suddenly it wouldn't do anything except start up, I phoned Mesh in ...
...I was trying to explain, e-mailed me instructions on how to fix my problem, followed up with a phone call to check that I understood the procedure. After doing as I had been instructed my "baby" now works perfectly. I have since realised that the problem was all my fault, Mesh must have realised this, but their attitude to a complete beginner was, in my opinion, second to none. I would recommend Mesh to anyone who was looking for a first computer, ... Read review