Recommendations for Dell Desktop and x 2 24inch monitors

Recommendations for Dell Desktop and x 2 24inch...

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Following an excellent response on a previous thread on dual monitors, I am now ready for change over.

I would be grateful for recommendations on a Dell desktop with 2 monitors of 24" each. Please provide links. Does not have to be Dell. Can be any other make.

EDIT

It is for small practice with 2 staff in total.

Thanks for your help.

Replies (7)

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By cymraeg_draig
29th May 2011 19:28

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Why Dell?  There are better machines out there for much less.

Also, if you're running Windows7 and 2 monitors, you need 6Gb RAM, a terabyte of HD (the extea cost is pennies), and vital with 2 monitors, is a good video card with at least 1Gb of onboard dedicated memory.

Also be careful to ensure that you have at least a 500W power supply or overheating of the video card will become an issue.

 

 

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FT
By FirstTab
29th May 2011 20:09

Thanks CD. As you can see I am not very good at the hardware requirements. That's where good people like you come in.

I will change the OP.

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By cverrier
30th May 2011 07:27

64-bit
6Gb of RAM only makes sense if you use the 64-bit version of Windows. This isn't a problem, and a lot of PCs come with this as standard now. Your software will work fine.

BUT - A word of caution. 64-bit Windows needs 64-bit drivers. If you intend to connect any older hardware (scanners, printers,etc) to the new machine - make sure there are 64-bit drivers on offer from the manufacturer.

Avoid the 64-bit version of Office - it delivers no benefits unless you're into ENOURMOUS Excel sheets, and quite a few add-ons for Office won't work with it.

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By User deleted
30th May 2011 08:59

64-bit

Avoid 64-bit like the plague. I didn't (foolishly listened to someone who I thought knew computers inside out and would give me flawless advice) and its impacted on my software choices.  32-bit is fine. I mistakenly thought that 64-bit would give me lots of power, speed and all things nice (its a bigger number than 32 was my logic) but I didn't realise that it wasn't necessary and would stop me loading my old version of VT Transaction (before they changed it), and various other bits.

I've got a Dell pc and its fine. Got a Dell printer too - it was wireless till I upgraded my BT little black box and since then it's fickle as **** and will only do wireless when it fancies, if the sun is at a particular angle, the moon is in Venus, the planets are aligned and I'm wearing clean socks (or some equally random combination). So I'm not quite the Dell fan I'd like to be. Or BT for that matter. But anyway. 

 

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By cymraeg_draig
30th May 2011 09:42

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64 bit really isnt a problem now - it was to begin with, but now software is designed to run with it, and Windows 7 has a compatability mode fpr older software.

i dont see the point in buying a computer that will be obsolete in a couple of months, no matter how cheap it is. Make a list of the minimum requirements you need, and stick to it.

I wouldnt recommend anything less than 6Gb RAM - but frankly, the more the better.One often overlooked part of compters, and an area manufacturers often cut corners, is the power supply. We recently saw a mass produced made by Acer and marketed under the Packard Bell brand sold by PCW.  It was fitted as standard with a Nvidia GT220 video card.  The manufacturers specifications for this video card clearly state – “MINIMUM recommended system power 300W”.  However, the computer was fitted as standard with a Delta Electronics power supply model number DPD250AB-22D – Output 250W Max. And then they wondered why graphics intense applications repeatedly crashed the machine as the card demanded more power than was availabnle, overheated, and switched itself off.

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By orchardacc
30th May 2011 14:19

Just as you will advise your client

Why dont you concentrate on what you are good at and get yourself an IT company that understand your requirement to advise you accordingly. I understand you are only two but sometimes doing things the cheaper way could end up very expensive. I started off with one staff and my IT guy recommended a server, two screen monitors etc, at the time i thought "what a waste of money" but as the practice grows everything fits in nicely.

What i am trying to say is, dont base your requirement on where you are now but where you see yourself say in couple of years time.

If you want details of my IT guy, please inbox me.

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FT
By FirstTab
30th May 2011 15:30

orchardacc

Thanks. IT person is a good idea. I will look into this.

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