Laptop or Desktop PC?
Whatever computer you are looking for, whether it is a laptop or a desktop, we have a product to suit your needs and budget. There's also a large range of PC peripherals and accessories. Competitive technical support packages and warranties are available on all our computers. You can buy in confidence knowing that we have UK based technical support on hand 7 days a week.
The first decision you'll have to make when buying a computer is whether to get a laptop or desktop PC. Both offer their own benefits.
Laptop Computers
The benefit of a laptop computer is portability. With ever improving technology there is little difference between many laptops and their desktop counterparts.
The key thing to remember is that laptops are not easy to upgrade, so you should look to buy the best technology and largest hard drive you can afford to future-proof your investment.
More expensive laptops will feature larger screens, more memory, improved battery life and even Blu-ray drives, which are great if you will be using your laptop to view high definition content.
Desktop Computers
Desktop computers are a great choice if high performance and flexibility are important to you. They are normally located in one place in the home or home office, making weight less of a problem. This means desktop computers can be packed full of technology.
You will generally get larger hard drive space, faster processing and the ability to mix and match screens to a size that suits your needs.
So if you need high performance at a great price, then a desktop computer may be the best solution for you.
Key features to look out for
Your choice of laptop or desktop computer will also be influenced by what you want to use it for. The following information gives some guidance on the spec you need to consider, depending on the computer's use.
The specification of a computer can be quite confusing to the majority of users, but there are several important elements to consider when choosing your desktop PC or laptop. If you simply want to use your computer for basic word processing, email or web browsing, then the spec can be quite low. However, if you do a lot of downloading or like to watch videos on your computer, you need to consider a larger hard drive and a high RAM. When choosing your computer always think about both your present and future needs.
Computer Hard Drive
The hard-drive is the long-term data storage system. Most of our computers come with at least 120GB, which is sufficient for general use and storing some music, movies, digital photos, office applications and games. If you want to store lots of data, look for 250GB or more. You can also purchase portable hard-drives if you find that you are running out of space.
Computer Graphics
The graphics capability of your computer will determine how good images look on your monitor. All of our products will run general applications and browse the web.
If you want to play games or watch high definition content, then choose a machine with a dedicated graphics card from nVidia or ATI Radeon. The dedicated memory will ensure your games run faster and show richer or additional detail on screen. The higher the reference number, the better your graphics card will perform.
Computer Optical Drives
All of our multi-format optical drives will play and record all variants of CD's and DVD's (R/RW/ROM/+/-). A dual-layer burner will allow you to double your capacity onto a compatible disk and can usually fit 2-3 hours of DVD quality content. If you want high definition (HD) playback, look for Blu-ray™ drives. Lightscribe products will allow you to burn basic images or text directly onto the disk so you don't need to label them separately.
Computer Processors
The computer processor drives the performance and quality of applications. Our range of products feature Intel or AMD branded computer processors. In general terms, the higher the reference number of the processor, the better your applications will look and perform. See www.intel.com or www.amd.com for more information (these links will open in a new window, Argos is not responsible for the content of these sites).
Ramdom Access Memory (RAM)
All of our computers come with a minimum of 1GB RAM which is suitable for running general everyday tasks. If you are running numerous applications at the same time, you should look for 2-3GB of RAM. Some of our computers have 4GB installed which are great for people who run lots of applications and require fast reaction times.
Computer Connectivity
You need to ensure your computer has enough ports of the right type for the PC devices you intend to plug in. We have outlined the most common below, which provide an efficient means of connecting peripherals such as printers, digital cameras and external hard drives.
USB ports allow wired connections between your computer and numerous peripherals such as printers and digital camera's, and you can never have too many.
FireWire/IEEE 1394 ports are faster than USB ports, and are commonly found on digital cameras and camcorders, etc.
Bluetooth allows you to wirelessly connect to other Bluetooth enabled devices within a range of around 10 metres - great if you have a Bluetooth compatible printer, digital camera or mobile phone.
Card readers will read data directly from memory cards within a compatible device such as a digital camera or mobile phone.
Wi-Fi enabled products allow you connect to the internet wirelessly, assuming you have an active internet connection and compatible device, such as a wireless router.
Laptop Weight
It is important to check dimensions and weight, to ensure your laptop is truly portable. Some of the larger laptops are designed as desktop replacements, so you need to look at the slim, lightweight models if you are likely to want to use your laptop on the move.
Networking
Most computers come with built-in modems allowing internet connection. If you're interested in setting up a wireless home network, read our guide to Wireless Networking.
Making the most of your computer at home
There's no need to be stressed when setting up your computer at home. Argos offers a range of PC support services, taking the strain and offering a helping hand should you get stuck along the way.
Home IT Call
When you have computer problems or technical questions it's reassuring to know there's someone you can turn to. Our dedicated IT experts can give you straightforward, jargon free help with things like:
Connecting your computer, camera or printer
- Setting up a secure wireless router
- Diagnosing and fixing computer problems
- Helping you develop new computer skills
- Helping you keep safe online and protecting your computer from viruses and spyware
For further details, and full terms and conditions, see Home IT support or call us free on 0800 500 241.
Home IT Visit
Prefer one of our IT experts to come round? One of our professional engineers can visit your home to give the help that you need. Our engineers can help you with:
- Setting up a new computer - including software installs and setting up your e-mail
- Secure wireless set up - for easy, secure online access around your home
- General help - troubleshooting computer, printer and other problems or tutorials
- Computer health check - we'll spring clean your computer so you can get the most
from it
So whether you need one off help or ongoing support across a wide range of IT
and computer issues, you'll get straight through to an expert who can help.
For further details, and full terms and conditions, see Home IT support or call us free on 0800 500 241.
Warranties
For added security and piece of mind, we offer competitive warranties on all computer purchases which will cover accidental damage for the first 12 months and also adds 2 years of breakdown coverage on top of the standard 12 month manufacturers' breakdown warranty, giving you a total of 3 years breakdown coverage (subject to terms and conditions).
See Breakdown cover for more details.