I have a bit of a problem with my computer which I've been limping along for the past four years while life just devours every penny I earn. I reckon I can get it through this year but that'll be it.

My mouse randomly turns itself on and off. The keyboard works most of the time. The monitor keeps doing weird bleeding-screen stuff. The speakers don't always work properly. I can't stream video, I can't use a microphone. Scanning pictures crashes the system, I'm still on Windows XP and I'm getting to the point that many things are just impossible to do.

This is bad, because I need to use the computer to earn a living. That means a complete replacement and at the moment that's looking to be a budget of at least £500 GBP, which is a lot of money. My computer was last updated with second hand parts about 8 years ago.

So I need work and I need a lot of it. I want to get a decently future-proofed machine so I have time to put savings away for its inevitable replacement in a few years down the line. Mainly, I want a machine that isn't going to be a chore to live with and can get through a full day's work without the need for a restart.


Can you help? I hope so.