Purchase computer for students

[purge11]

Hello,

Wondering if anyone can help. We have fairly low spec machines. See spec below

OptiPlex 780
Intel(R) Core(TM)2 Duo CPU E8400 @ 3.00GHz (architecture: x64; 2993 MHz)
3.9 GB RAM
Windows 10

We are wondering whats the next spec up or perhaps next 2 steps up in spec? We can't afford a high spec though, the computers will be used for internet and light documentation every so often.

Thanks

 

[ubuysa]

If all they are used for is accessing the Internet and light documentation (MS Word?) every so often then what's wrong with the PCs you have?

 

[purge11]

Some students complain they are slow, but it would be nice to have a computer spec ready just incase we decide to give in to demands. I doubt we go for i7 machines, thats going overboard, but not sure what would be the next step up from the computer specs we have at the moment.

 

[ubuysa]

What is your budget per PC?

Is there anything else they have to be able to do apart from Internet browsing and a bit or MS Word?

 

[purge11]

Well I think £200 if going for budget or £400 for a higher spec machine. All the students do is surf the internet for research and accessing files and sometimes they will use MS office to write up course work. Nothing fancy for now.

The computers are connected to a domain, which unfortunately does slow down logins at times, but after login things go ok. Would it be possible to give me a budget spec and a higher spec please, would be grateful

 

[Stephen M]

There is a lot of good free software about which you can save money on, either Libre or Open Office are as good as the Microsoft version and do all it does. Unless you use specific software that requires Windows you could consider transferring to Linux, that will save almost 100 quid a machine when you buy new.

Do you have all the keyboards, monitors etc that are needed.

 

[purge11]

Thank you Stephen,

That sounds really great, We have the monitors and keyboards, so we are fortunate there.

 

[ubuysa]

Well I think £200 if going for budget or £400 for a higher spec machine. All the students do is surf the internet for research and accessing files and sometimes they will use MS office to write up course work. Nothing fancy for now.

The computers are connected to a domain, which unfortunately does slow down logins at times, but after login things go ok. Would it be possible to give me a budget spec and a higher spec please, would be grateful

PC Specialists (PCS) sell custom built PCs primarily for gamers and other high end users. The most basic PCs that PCS build are well over £300 ex VAT I'm afraid.

 

[purge11]

Thanks for the update. We were very lucky to get the previous builds for £60. What would be a basic spec for around £300 ex VAT?

 

[ubuysa]

Thanks for the update. We were very lucky to get the previous builds for £60. What would be a basic spec for around £300 ex VAT?

The absolute cheapest PC that PCS build is this one....

Case
PCS 3312B BLACK CASE
Processor (CPU)
AMD A6-9500 Dual Core APU (3.5GHz) & Radeon™ R5 Graphics
Motherboard
ASUS® PRIME A320M-K: Micro-ATX, AM4, USB 3.0, 6GB/s
Memory (RAM)
4GB Corsair VENGEANCE DDR4 2400MHz (1 x 4GB)
Graphics Card
INTEGRATED GRAPHICS ACCELERATOR (GPU)
1st Storage Drive
240GB ADATA SU630 2.5" SSD, SATA 6 Gb (520MB/R, 450MB/W)
DVD/BLU-RAY Drive
NOT REQUIRED
Power Supply
FSP 250W 80+ BRONZE POWER SUPPLY (For PCS 3312B BLACK Case Only)
Power Cable
1 x 1 Metre UK Power Cable (Kettle Lead)
Processor Cooling
STANDARD AMD CPU COOLER
Thermal Paste
STANDARD THERMAL PASTE FOR SUFFICIENT COOLING
Sound Card
ONBOARD 6 CHANNEL (5.1) HIGH DEF AUDIO (AS STANDARD)
Wireless/Wired Networking
WIRELESS 802.11N 300Mbps/2.4GHz PCI-E CARD
USB/Thunderbolt Options
MIN. 2 x USB 3.0 & 2 x USB 2.0 PORTS @ BACK PANEL + MIN. 2 FRONT PORTS
Operating System
Genuine Windows 10 Home 64 Bit - inc. Single Licence
Operating System Language
United Kingdom - English Language
Windows Recovery Media
Windows 10 Multi-Language Recovery Image - Unlimited Downloads from Online Account
Office Software
FREE 30 Day Trial of Microsoft® Office® 365 (Operating System Required)
Anti-Virus
BullGuard™ Internet Security - Free 90 Day License inc. Gamer Mode
Browser
Microsoft® Edge (Windows 10 Only)
Warranty
3 Year Standard Warranty (1 Month Collect & Return, 1 Year Parts, 3 Year Labour)
Delivery
STANDARD INSURED DELIVERY TO UK MAINLAND (MON-FRI)
Build Time
Standard Build - Approximately 3 to 5 working days
Price: £317.00 including VAT and Delivery

Unique URL to re-configure: https://www.pcspecialist.co.uk/saved-configurations/amd-am4-home-office/zqKmQ37hYa/

TBH even that is probably overkill for the uses you describe, PCS may not be the most cost-effective vendor for your needs.