OK OK This is an MC forum but I am a contractor and I need support so I think this question is valid.I have around £500 to spend on an new PC (excluding monitor). What should I buy? I want something fast and powerful and I like to use twin monitors.

Try CyberpowerPC or PCspecialist - you can get something decent for ~£450e.g. • Intel i5 760 Quad Core• 2GB PC10666 DDR3 RAM• 500GB SATA-II Hard Drive• Asus P7P55-M P55 MB• Thermaltake V3 Black Case• 24X Double DVD±R/±RW

A PC company called Novatech seem to be getting some good press of late (winners of a Which award I think). Prices always look good compared to others.

I quite like the look of the HP Pavilion Slimline s5535uk Desktop PC.- £479 incl VAT (on HP website)- Intel® Core™ i3 processor 540- 4GB memory- 500 GB hard drive- Intel HD Graphics

Cool, you people appear to know what you are talking about. Therefore, whilst on this subject what do you recommend on the laptop front for around £500 inc software.Thanks for any advice

More complicated with laptops as more 'key' factors to take into account aside from just cost. What are you key criteria (e.g. battery life, weight, processing power, DVD player, screen size, etc)?Why don't you take a look at the links below and make your own mind up:http://www.reviewcentre.com/products10.htmlhttp://reviews.cnet.co.uk/laptops/http://www.laptopreviews.org.uk/

Thank you, Another Anon, for the links above. Buying it primarily for a teenager so I imagine it's primary use will be Facebook and then google/Wwikipedia for c&p homework stuff

if it's for a teenager, just ask them - trust me, it's not about the specs, it's about what's cool to have.....

...and if they want a Mac, box their ears.