I have to buy a new desktop - any advice?
 

I am working with my laptop as it is too much trouble getting my desktop over to Spain.

Whats the latest and greatest desktop config out ATM?

I looked at the Alienware site and REALLY like the idea of solid state drives for system files.

Not really a gamer, but I do like to have a play with The Sims sometimes - so a good but not great video card is ok......

and of course it has to be shipped to the Canary Islands - Thats the catch :)

If you're paying someone else to build your machine for you, don't go with alienware - they overcharge. Do a search on this same topic, and you'll find loads of advice.

Alienware looks cool, but I have never had a problem with Dell.

Put it together by Yourself. If You can't, just ask a friend to get You assistance. It takes 30 min. for noob with assistance. And You got exactly what You need. And way better, cause if You buy some complete PC with for example 24 month guarantee, You're in trouble after 2 years when Your moddabird dies. If You by each component, with average or above average quality, You'll mostly get 36 months, sometimes 60 or lifetime.

Buy Asus MB, Core2Duo some 2Giga RAM, DVD-RW LG (might look for lightscribe just few $$ more expensive), get some quality powersupply with low noise, some Hitachi or Seagate SATA.

I build all my machines, but get a Dell for just general use. Don't get their cheap celeron shit though. Get a in betweener with a few gigs of ram etc atleast.

These days, Alienware is just Dell with a snazzy case.

I see a lot of people like to recommend Dell, but do they use proprietary cases or power supplies or anything like that?

My parents had a Compaq computer die recently simply because the power supply quit working. Take it in to try to find a power supply that will work and discover it is all proprietary bullshit that can't be fixed unless you send it back to Compaq.

That's BS.

I built a system myself about 4 years ago with quality parts and it is still running strong today.

I thought that interface looked familiar.....

build your own it's pretty easy and you get much more value for your money.