I'm looking to study a diploma but I'm in need of a desktop computer to complete my studies with. I'll be mainly using it for Microsoft office and the internet to gather information.
I need the pc, monitor, mouse, keyboard and printer so any suggestions would be great. Hoping to keep it around the $1000 mark but a bit more is fine.
I've been looking at getting this pc http://www.harveynorman.com.au/computers-tablets/computers/d…
Thanks in advance
I'll be studying online so I don't really need it to be portable and and i think I would be more comfortable with a desktop. But if you got any laptop suggestions or reasons behind it I'd be happy to hear them
Studying from home can get really monotonous. You should consider getting a laptop instead so you can work from a park or a library, places that will motivate you to work :)
Get a prebuilt from PCByte during a 20% off eBay sale. Beware of their PSU choice though.
http://stores.ebay.com.au/Pc-Byte-Store/Intel-Core-i3-/_i.ht…
I recommend at least i3-6100 and 8gb RAM.
Monitor - there's always sales if you look around OZB; MSY, eBay etc. Should set you back ~$200 for say 24" 1080p.
KBM - depends if you want a mechanical keyboard. If not, a membrane KB + mouse might set you back ~$30?
Printer - get a cheap laser printer. They last forever even with the toner included.
What should I look for in regards to the power supply unit?
I think you can just choose to upgrade it under the eBay page, you just have to checkout together. If you don't plan to game/add a GPU to the computer, then don't bother changing it IMO (since it's gonna be similar quality to the one that the HN one is gonna have).
bearing in mind their upgrades and add-on items are the main way they earn the $$ and one way you will overpay for a build.
If you're buying a basic rig for e.g, and you're adding in a better GPU / PSU / Case / more drives, you can easily be paying a premium instead of getting a good deal. Beware of this tricky sales tactic.
For e.g the GTX 1060 (3Gb) Add-on will add $499 to your bill…. On Static ice, the actual RRP is $285 to $299
That's $200 more than you should've paid… the price for laziness and not doing any research.
Be sure to keep a copy of the Parts.PDF handy (or Static Ice search) to use as a reference guide for how much you should pay for a part.
If unsure, just buy a custom desktop directly from MSY, you will generally get one of the lowest prices with the least amount of effort in research or bargain hunting.
You could also consider a laptop with a dock/desktop monitor for that price. You'd get the best of both worlds.
Plenty of used SFF pcs on ebay. Just grab new screen and kb/mouse.
$1000 is considerably more than you need to spend.
Literally any new computer will well exceed your needs.
My routine suggestion for less technically minded family and friends is to buy a cheap ($500) computer twice as often as a $1000 system. It gives them a fresh start every few years and goes some way to avoiding the software issues that seem to plague some users over time.
I just finished a post grad degree (with thesis) and before that an undergrad dip.
the undergrad diploma was entirely by distance.
for both of these courses I used a hard rubbish PC, dual 19" monitors (hard rubbish) and a $7 Microsoft wireless keyboard and mouse.
look on ebay or gumtree for an inexpensive rig. $1000 is massive over kill. you can pick up a reasonable pc for study needs (MS office and interweb research for ~$200)
don't forget some uni's offer free msoffice for students.
where in QLD are you?
Any reason why you want a Desktop over a laptop? Just that Laptops you can take to class etc, far more flexible. Then get a black and white laser printer if you absolutely need one. Can get all you need for under $500.