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Have you tried using price comparison sites together with the Intel model numbers? (e.g. D865PERLX). If you need other model numbers, try checking dabs.com or Intel's site first.

Personally, I'm pretty happy with Intel-based Asus and Gigabyte as they generally have more features for the same price as Intel's boards and have proven to be compatible and reliable for me. On the other hand, I can't help but notice that the quality vendors seem to use Intel-on-Intel boards in their top-of-the-line server hardware.

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I bought a Logitech keyboard recently which has about a dozen additional keys on it. These are all marked with helpful things like "webcam" and "shopping". It also had one marked "iTouch", a button whose sole purpose was to open your browser and take you to the iTouch website - iTouch being the software that was bundled with the keyboard. WOW, SO USEFUL.

Fortunately you could use the software to customise these. You also had an "F-Lock" key which could switch your 12 function keys between 12 other (also programmable) functions. I spent a while programming all these for more useful things, but it was a week later when I realised that the F-Lock key always defaulted to "on" when I turned my computer on. Always. Numlock, Capslock and Scroll Lock all remembered their previous state, but I had to turn off F-Lock every time I powered on because I use function key shortcuts so often. This became so annoying that I eventually uninstalled the software.

In conclusion, the Logitech Cordless Desktop MX ain't worth the cash overall, but the MX700 mouse is worth every last penny.

Those in Northern Ireland will know that the biggest problem for us is pp charges. To help with this i've compiled a wee list of shops and charges usually for something small and light like an ethernet card. Sorry if any of it is wrong - if so please contact the site and let them know that they need to make it clearer.

• CCL Computers Online 10 extra. 3.95 for small order 7.50 large all + VAT
• Insight Direct 19.99
• MicroWarehouse claim they don't ship outside uk mainland
• SavaStore 15 + VAT extra
• Scan Computers UK citylink so expensive - they quote 7 + VAT for non-NI will contact you for exact pricing
• Simply Computers 12.95 + VAT
• Overclockers UK 3.48 + VAT 2nd class recorded
• ebuyer 15 surcharge on NI p&p
• Komplett.co.uk approx 10 p&p
• aria .co. uk 11.95 + VAT for under 8KG
• Novatech 15 extra p&p
• Kustom PCs
• Tekheads.co.uk RM Recorded from 2.85
• mini-itx.com 8 - 12 +VAT
• LinITX.com 2.39 recorded or 6.05 next day special (+ VAT i think)
• TheCoolingShop.com free delivery on orders over 4 but under 2KG - over 2KG = 20
• PC Nextday 17.61 inc. VAT next day
• Leapfrog Computers Ltd 6.90 + VAT
• Chillblast 1.18 inc VAT recorded 5.29 special
• Stuff-uk.net under 100g 3.75, under 500g 4.05, under 1KG 5.25, under 3KG 6.60, large over 1KG 10.50, all + VAT
• CaseTech.co.uk from 2.95 based on weight for 3-4 day courier. guess + VAT
• Crucial UK over 25 free p&p. under 25 2.95
• Over-Clock UK from 1.42 2nd class post to 4.59 citylink
• Micro Direct Ltd. 17.63 inc. VAT
• Carrera SSC 64 for complete system
• MESH Computers 20 inc. VAT
• dabs.com 5.88 inc. VAT extra

Ah, sorry...

Give this a go:-

dabs.com

25 quid.

cd's have hard time fitting in a pocket.

8cm mini-CDs.

Fit almost any CD drive since the late 80s (yeah, the format *has* been around that long).

Hold 210MB.

Plus.... interesting talking point as they look "cute".

I doubt that you'll see KR songs that skew to the 1930's or 1940's, seeing as the majority of PS2 game players are probably not in that target audience. Of course, Konami and PS2 have a huge benefit of being able to draw from the catalog of Sony artists (not actually checking to see if Avril, REM, and Cher -- artists currently on the KR game -- are on any of the Sony-related labels). Cross-promotion can be a wonderful cost-reducing thing for everyone.

A side note about my earlier question on the "karaoke DVD/video game microphone adapter" -- it looks like it's just a box that sits between the audio in/out feeds from the DVD/game system and the stereo. I wouldn't want to feed the video through it (looks like it supports composite only, not s-video or component), and I question if I would want to permanently pass all audio through the box as well in case that would affect any Dolby/surround game features from other non-karaoke games... aside from the fact that I'd want to run audio through the optic cable instead of the RCA cables. So, back to the original question: any other suggestions for connecting microphones to a stereo while still allowing DVD audio to play?

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I really can't say I've missed the windows key, who needs a keyboard on an mp3/DVD player anyway?

Anyway my T40 came with 2 spare textured nipples and 2GB ram.

My mp3 player's better than yours so nah.

If they are, then yes they are. I'm in the UK, and all the ads I see include VAT these days (this used to be a real problem, hence the new law). Like I said, some places will claim the "business" exemption, but they're treading a fine line. I haven't got any dead tree ads to hand, but looking online:

Dabs, Dell and Dixons all give the tax inclusive price as the headline. In my random sample of 3 sites, that gives me a 100% hit rate.

If you find sites advertising to consumers with non-tax-inclusive prices as the headline, report them to trading standards.

Do you actualy NEED 2 Mpix+ or is that is that just a 'nice to have'? like wise do you need a flash, or will you mostly be taking pictures out doors?

If neither apply, you might be better served by buying a load of cheap digital cameras, and while trying not to break them, not worrying over much if you break a few. After all, that $1000 budget will buy an awfull lot low cost $50 cameras like this one.

Of course you can still keep arround a few disposable cameras, in case you need to take picutes at night or such like.

In any case, do you expect to break them that often? the conditions on a construction site can't be that much harsher from those experenced by backcountry hikers and campers, who don't usualy break their equipment.

128MB Memory Stick: 58.73 UKP (not inc. VAT)
128MB Compact Flash: 30.27 UKP (not inc. VAT)

Both prices from Dabs. (Normally, I buy memory from Crucial, but they don't stock memory sticks.)

So: memory sticks are expensive, hard to get, and only work in Sony devices. That's a pretty fair reason not to use them in my book.

I was pissed off recently because I can't use my Switch (Debit Card) on Dabs, but looking at it realisticly, it makes sense because with most banking online in the UK, most (if not all)Credit Cards have insurance against online theft (wheras I don't think the Debit Cards have the same protection).

But I know that isn't the point (relying on the insurance), because the systems (and banks) need to catch up with the standards that the internet/online world requires. Not only the banks have problems, but remember Amazon.com keeping quiet about major breaches of security and customers bank details being overly exposed... I never saw the image, but didn't someone modify their logo so that it said 'Shhhh!'?,

Just my 2 fruadulently obtained cents (processed through 'Online Data Corp's credit card transaction processor).

A 15" TFT monitor costs about £150, add a £100 digital tuner.

A poor quality 15in. TFT screen might cost you £150 (even then I doubt it, want to provide an example? I couldn't find any.*) but this screen was particularly lauded for it's picture (and sound) quality. Now I wouldn't argue for a second that the reviewer at Empire is the foremost authority on TFT displays but, if he's reviewing a TV/PC monitor, it's fair to assume that he knows the difference between a bad picture and a good one. Which, I guess, is the most important thing to consider when talking about something that you're going to stare at for long periods of time.

This TFT includes a top-notch (again, according to the reviewer) speaker system, custom picture-in-picture software, other inputs, etc. And, something that you're perhaps overlooking, it's a stand-alone device that will work with any PC - the oldest, least impressive desktop or laptop will do. So, we're a far way away from a basic, no-name flat panel.

Of course the price is at a premium right now. These kind of devices offering simple, elegant TV/PC interaction aren't mass market solutions at the moment - when they are their prices will reflect that.

Early adopters/people who can't wait to have the latest thing accept that their paying a price premium now to have something that will be cheaper. It's not for everyone and, obviously, it's not for you. However, it might be just the right thing for others.

Just because you wouldn't buy it that doesn't make it any less valid a solution.

(* I looked for at TFTs priced between £100 and £300 at www.dabs.com, probably the UK's biggest PC retailer. The cheapest 15in. flat panel that they had available was at £265 excluding VAT, £311 including. Coincidentally, this was a Philips 150S, the display that their TV/PC display is based on. The price excluding VAT of the 150MT is £586, a difference of £321 - a lot less than you're suggesting. Even then, we're comparing the a cheap street price of one monitor to the manufacturer's quoted price of another. If you want to make comparisons, by all means do so, but please make sure that you're comparisons are real and valid and that you're not comparing apples to oranges.)

They have an excellent website: good selection, well laid out, good navingation tools (View by name, View By Price, include tax etc.) and good ordering system. They have good prices and very reasonable (my last order €8 on ~1½ kg) shipping charges which importantly is with DHL Express (2 days), so you can track your shipment on the DHL website (which is brilliant - I've been stuck in limbo several times not knowing when or if a shipment will arrive when buying from other retailers like dabs.com). And no I don't work for Komplett, just a happy customer.

As many others have said it will probably not be cheaper when you build your first machine but you will get higher quality parts. What this means is that when it comes time to upgrade (in 9-12 months) you only need to upgrade part of your system (say, only motherboard, processor, memory and graphics card). Also having bought quality parts any you upgrade can still continue to have a useful life as a server or SO's machine.

If you are going to build your own machine you do need to do your homework. Overview sites like http://www.arstechnica.com/, http://www.sharkyextreme.com are useful but don't always get it right. I find component/area focused wesites invaluable. Here are some good examples: http://www.motherboards.org/ , http://www.3dsoundsurge.com/ , http://storagereview.com/

Also a good idea is to lurk for a while in some of the product newsgroups / online forums.

One thing that you should not forget is that building your own PC is a lot of fun! It's interesting, satisfying and educational. So in the long run I think that it is both cheaper and more rewarding.

Althought this seems to be very USA orientated (understandably) I've noticed a few requests for Australian vendors but none for UK vendors. My favourite at the moment is Dabs but can anyone recommend any others?

On the subject of whether a computer is worth building yourself, I'll admit my geekiness and say i actually enjoy putting together a computer, so it doesnt matter how long it takes. Plus you'll know it inside out if you ever need to fix it.

I reckon that between my own orders and those from companies I've worked and ordered for, I've placed about £13,000 of orders, of various sizes. Out of all that, everything has been perfect apart from one dead power supply which was replaced next day without returning the defective one, and they've even been happy to take back stuff that we ordered and then didn't want. I can really recommend them.

Another good place that's worth a look is overclockers.co.uk, though the bias is very much on what's en vogue in the gaming market. But they often have good prices on things, although you need quite a large order to offset post and packaging.

But often, I think you'll find that you'll end up spending more in the long run building a PC yourself, as you won't get a cheap OEM deal on Windows (assuming you don't want Linux), and when you realise how crap most of the components are in a pre-build "cheap" box, you'll want to buy higher quality bits for your own box.

Good luck!
Ralf

Sorry - not true - as 2 minutes on Google will show.

I know of a damn good NEC budget projector (VT45G) with optical shift lens (allows you to correct from off axis picture distoration both horizontal and vertical) for 1,600 UKP at Dabs The US version (VT45) is available for 1,600 USD at LA Computer Center

Other points
1) 800x600 excedes most TV standards and is the resolution of most budget projectors
2) Picture quality due to hardware is more dependant on the optical path and the amount of 'dark space' around the pixels
3) This is worth doing if you have the spare kit lying around, or can pick it up on ebay / computer fairs, otherwise get yourself a decent budget projector


No I don't work for NEC - but I'm really impressed with this bit of kit!

...but I've already got one!

When I bought my computer two years ago, it was a Cyrix with a PCChips motherboard and a 14" VGA monitor. Now only the case remains.

RF keyboard + mouse, 15.1" Sony flat screen, 1.1GHz thunderbird, a GeForce 3 Titanium and vast rolling expanses of RAM.

And all for about 1/3rd of the likely price of this thing. I'm just a little upset that that TBird is almost obsolete already! Now twin 2GHz Athlons - that would be droolworthy.

...but I've already got one!

When I bought my computer two years ago, it was a Cyrix with a PCChips motherboard and a 14" VGA monitor. Now only the case remains.

RF keyboard + mouse, 15.1" Sony flat screen, 1.1GHz thunderbird, a GeForce 3 Titanium and vast rolling expanses of RAM.

And all for about 1/3rd of the likely price of this thing. I'm just a little upset that that TBird is almost obsolete already! Now twin 2GHz Athlons - that would be droolworthy.

...but I've already got one!

When I bought my computer two years ago, it was a Cyrix with a PCChips motherboard and a 14" VGA monitor. Now only the case remains.

RF keyboard + mouse, 15.1" Sony flat screen, 1.1GHz thunderbird, a GeForce 3 Titanium and vast rolling expanses of RAM.

And all for about 1/3rd of the likely price of this thing. I'm just a little upset that that TBird is almost obsolete already! Now twin 2GHz Athlons - that would be droolworthy.

...but I've already got one!

When I bought my computer two years ago, it was a Cyrix with a PCChips motherboard and a 14" VGA monitor. Now only the case remains.

RF keyboard + mouse, 15.1" Sony flat screen, 1.1GHz thunderbird, a GeForce 3 Titanium and vast rolling expanses of RAM.

And all for about 1/3rd of the likely price of this thing. I'm just a little upset that that TBird is almost obsolete already! Now twin 2GHz Athlons - that would be droolworthy.

I just tried to order that Creative PCI TNT2 Vanta from Dabs, and after a couple of weeks of 'on order from manufacturer', the order was cancelled since the manufacturer had discontinued it! Feh. Or was that just Dabs? I haven't found it anywhere else, nor the G200 PCI Dual-head, which I know did exist.

Many companies in the UK are only using 40-bit SSL, which is blatantly insufficient. Offenders include Dabs Direct, who actually told me that they're happy with 40-bit SSL and don't intend to upgrade.

I've spoken to NatWest Streamline, who perform CC clearing for many online retailers, and they don't intend to increase their minimum security guidelines to 128-bit SSL. I know know which of the two is being more negligent.

Even the Which? Web Trader Scheme doesn't mandate 128-bit SSL, which is insane.

They finally got a price for the Xentor in EB. Hmm....100 quid sounds not too bad, although I think it's only a 16Mb version.

I'm tempted by the Creative Labs TNT2 Ultra (about £145 from Dabs I think). I think I'll stick with the TNT2 and Creative Labs since I already have a Creative TNT.

Can't wait for XF86 4.0 and proper hardware acceleration.

BTW, did you get hit hard at RGU by Worm.Explore??

They've now shot down in price. I can buy a Panasonic DVD-RAM for £400 ($640) at Dabs.