New Desktop Computer What Do I Need?

[Kingston]

Last one…am mad to consider a mini PC from Amazon?

Deal: NiPoGi Mini PC,16GB RAM+512GB M.2 SSD Mini Computer,Intel Celeron N5105 Mini Desktop PC Windows 11 Pro up to 2.9GHz,Support 4K Triple Display,2.5" SATA SSD,WiFi 2.4G/5G,Bluetooth4.2,Office Small PC https://amzn.eu/d/f0Ju7g1

Just under £200, seems like very good value. Shall be mainly for browsing web (accounts are in cloud) and excel.

 

[milkloss]

Would avoid an all in one myself unless the space is absolutely necessary.
currently have one with a dodgy touchscreen which needs disabling every now and again as it goes fruit loop. Would also like a larger monitor.

 

[Cowabunga]

Hi,
Looking for a similar thing to the OP
Have followed advice in the thread and found this. Thoughts?

https://www.laptopsdirect.co.uk/punch-technology-silver-contender-ryzen-5-5600g-16gb-250gb-ssd-windows-11-p-pdt-702-1092/version.asp

TIA

250GB onboard permanent storage [hard drive] may well be solid state but not of adequate capacity for most people in a Windows PC. Many Chromebooks, that store their operating system, apps and files mainly in the Cloud, have as big hard drives. I have to go back at least 15 years, probably longer, since I had a drive that small. If you know what you are doing and what you want, it may well be sufficient.

It does not seem to include a keyboard or mouse nor speakers either. Maybe you could use existing hardware? It is nice to be able to choose one’s keyboard and mouse though, in my opinion. No mention of Bluetooth wireless connection either, which is an absolute essential for me so that the mouse or trackpad and keyboard can be wireless.

A good monitor is another essential purchase missing from this kit.

These are dirt cheap units. If dirt cheap is your priority and they are adequate for your needs, such as basic office terminals, then fine. The important thing is that you realise what you are getting, and not, and its limitations.

 

[Kingston]

250GB onboard permanent storage [hard drive] may well be solid state but not of adequate capacity for most people in a Windows PC. Many Chromebooks, that store their operating system, apps and files mainly in the Cloud, have as big hard drives. I have to go back at least 15 years, probably longer, since I had a drive that small. If you know what you are doing and what you want, it may well be sufficient.

It does not seem to include a keyboard or mouse nor speakers either. Maybe you could use existing hardware? It is nice to be able to choose one’s keyboard and mouse though, in my opinion. No mention of Bluetooth wireless connection either, which is an absolute essential for me so that the mouse or trackpad and keyboard can be wireless.

A good monitor is another essential purchase missing from this kit.

These are dirt cheap units. If dirt cheap is your priority and they are adequate for your needs, such as basic office terminals, then fine. The important thing is that you realise what you are getting, and not, and its limitations.

Thanks for the reply.

Shall probably look for something with a bit more storage then.

Do need a new monitor and mouse & keyboard could do with being replaced too. Have some nice speakers.

Price probably biggest factor as won’t get a huge amount of use. Just excel for record keeping and internet browser really.

 

[Timbo]

Last one…am mad to consider a mini PC from Amazon?

Deal: NiPoGi Mini PC,16GB RAM+512GB M.2 SSD Mini Computer,Intel Celeron N5105 Mini Desktop PC Windows 11 Pro up to 2.9GHz,Support 4K Triple Display,2.5" SATA SSD,WiFi 2.4G/5G,Bluetooth4.2,Office Small PC https://amzn.eu/d/f0Ju7g1

Just under £200, seems like very good value. Shall be mainly for browsing web (accounts are in cloud) and excel.

In a word... NO!!!

I 'm typing this on an i5 6500, a 7 year old CPU. Pretty good performer at the time. The N5105 benchmarks at ~48% slower than my 2015 i5 cpu. Should tell you more than enough......

They are also bonded to the board, so no scope for any upgrade.

If you must have a NUC, go big - in the £7-900 range for properly good spec.

 

[ollie989898]

Just ring Novatech or Overclockers and tell them what you need to do with the thing. They both have (or certainly did have) a box and ship back warranty and use branded components from all the big names.

 

[Cowabunga]

Last one…am mad to consider a mini PC from Amazon?

Deal: NiPoGi Mini PC,16GB RAM+512GB M.2 SSD Mini Computer,Intel Celeron N5105 Mini Desktop PC Windows 11 Pro up to 2.9GHz,Support 4K Triple Display,2.5" SATA SSD,WiFi 2.4G/5G,Bluetooth4.2,Office Small PC https://amzn.eu/d/f0Ju7g1

Just under £200, seems like very good value. Shall be mainly for browsing web (accounts are in cloud) and excel.

This is what I would call ‘scraping the bottom of the barrel’ but in an interesting way. This price includes VAT, so around £190 + VAT. Look around and see what you get for that much these days. Not much! However it does get you one of these mini-PC units that are a league better than my tall desktop I was using around 20 years ago and that cost about £1000 including a floppy and CD drive, external budget speakers and a traditional CRT 11” monitor.

These little computers, much like Single Board Computers, actually have quite a fan base and they are capable little machines as long as you work them within their limits. The nearest I have to one of these is an old Toshiba netbook laptop N410 with 10” screen, running W7 Starter. These were all the rage about 15 years ago and has 320GB hard drives and 2GB RAM at most. Did include everything you expect from laptops though, at £199 back then, which was even then seem as something of a budget bargain.

 

[Lincs Lass]

Had my desk top for ten years , its been running W8.1 which is now out dated ,,my computer genius has told me it can have W10 upgrade but thats also finishing in 2025 ,,after that to get to W11 ,,its a complete new system ,,more expense

 

[Cowabunga]

An Apple Mac Mini isn’t that far out of the ballpark price wise and way way ahead on performance, although it does sensibly warn to ensure that this entry level machine is suitable before buying.

Refurbished Mac Mini - Intel Core i5 2.3GHz - 8GB - 500GB - Gold Grade

Buy Refurbished Mac Mini - Intel Core i5 2.3GHz - 8GB - 500GB - Gold Grade today!

tech.trade

£540+VAT will get a new, startlingly high performance Mac mini M2, the very latest base model which will be good for another decade with its high speed internet and Bluetooth. If more memory than basic is required then connect a USB hard drive, or even a super fast NVME 4 drive connected though the ultra fast Thunderbolt terminal. These will need keyboard, mouse and monitor, which may push the price over the top compared to some budget options with Windows operating systems. Or not, depending whether new software would be needed, at a cost, on the W-PC.

These may be much higher performance machines than required today but they are quality products compatible with all major office software and comes included with the complete Apple Office suit, back up, anti-virus and more. No charge for future operating system or supplied app updates either. My 2011 base level iMac still works like a champ and I’ve yet to find anything that no longer works with it, although I did upgrade the original 4GB RAM to 12. 4 is just not enough for multiple browsers and many tabs open in each while also running eMail and Excel, all running at the same time.

 

[Kingston]

This is what I would call ‘scraping the bottom of the barrel’ but in an interesting way. This price includes VAT, so around £190 + VAT. Look around and see what you get for that much these days. Not much! However it does get you one of these mini-PC units that are a league better than my tall desktop I was using around 20 years ago and that cost about £1000 including a floppy and CD drive, external budget speakers and a traditional CRT 11” monitor.

These little computers, much like Single Board Computers, actually have quite a fan base and they are capable little machines as long as you work them within their limits. The nearest I have to one of these is an old Toshiba netbook laptop N410 with 10” screen, running W7 Starter. These were all the rage about 15 years ago and has 320GB hard drives and 2GB RAM at most. Did include everything you expect from laptops though, at £199 back then, which was even then seem as something of a budget bargain.

£30 discount on there too so £165+ vat! Anyway, thinks worth spending a bit more for something a league or two up!

 

[LukeMcCullagh]

This also seems like a good deal on Amazon

Deal: Windows 11 Pro Desktop PC 16GB RAM 512GB SSD Intel Core i7-4765T Processor Computer with Type C USB 3.0 HDMI VGA Ports, Small Size and RGB Light Design, Including Mouse Keyboard https://amzn.eu/d/3I2BO01

£339

Not sure about all in one, hadn’t looked. Advised against earlier in thread (not sure why)

The all in ones have a tendancy to overheat and really tricky to repair or upgrade if needed.

The only issue with that PC is the processor is really old it is 4th Generation and they are on 12th Gen now. With only PCs with 8th Gen or newer able to go to Windows 11 so when they end support for Windows 10 you may find you have to get a new PC again.

 

[LukeMcCullagh]

https://www.amazon.co.uk/HP-ProDesk-400-G6-SFF/dp/B09QCWYYDG/ref=sr_1_26_sspa?crid=1OZXKHYOHDLEM&keywords=pc&qid=1676370324&refinements=p_n_feature_browse-bin:21740491031&rnid=182781031&s=computers&sprefix=pc,aps,276&sr=1-26-spons&sp_csd=d2lkZ2V0TmFtZT1zcF9hdGZfbmV4dA&psc=1

https://www.amazon.co.uk/Dell-OptiP...Z2V0TmFtZT1zcF9tdGY&psc=1&smid=A1AE220B0U2TA3

This isn't a bad option. The other thing to look at is what connections your current monitor has.

 

[LukeMcCullagh]

The main upgrade issue for Windows 11 is the supported processors you can look up any PCs you see on the link below and it helps make sure you can get on Windows 11 and extend the life of the PC

https://learn.microsoft.com/en-us/w...pported/windows-11-supported-intel-processors

 

[Kingston]

The all in ones have a tendancy to overheat and really tricky to repair or upgrade if needed.

The only issue with that PC is the processor is really old it is 4th Generation and they are on 12th Gen now. With only PCs with 8th Gen or newer able to go to Windows 11 so when they end support for Windows 10 you may find you have to get a new PC again.

Ahh bugger, ended up ordering this (could still cancel).
Says windows 11 pre installed?

Have ordered a new monitor as current one very tired

 

[LukeMcCullagh]

Ahh bugger, ended up ordering this (could still cancel).
Says windows 11 pre installed?

Have ordered a new monitor as current one very tired

Might be worth canceling there are ways to get around the upgrade but they aren't supported and might cause future problems, just double checked the list and that processor isn't on there.

 

[Kingston]

Might be worth canceling there are ways to get around the upgrade but they aren't supported and might cause future problems, just double checked the list and that processor isn't on there.

Ok thanks also just checked the list

 

[Kingston]

https://www.amazon.co.uk/HP-ProDesk-400-G6-SFF/dp/B09QCWYYDG/ref=sr_1_26_sspa?crid=1OZXKHYOHDLEM&keywords=pc&qid=1676370324&refinements=p_n_feature_browse-bin:21740491031&rnid=182781031&s=computers&sprefix=pc,aps,276&sr=1-26-spons&sp_csd=d2lkZ2V0TmFtZT1zcF9hdGZfbmV4dA&psc=1

https://www.amazon.co.uk/Dell-OptiPlex-i5-8500-UHD-Grafik-Refurbished/dp/B07T1HQHH7/ref=sr_1_42_sspa?crid=1OZXKHYOHDLEM&keywords=pc&qid=1676370324&refinements=p_n_feature_browse-bin:21740491031&rnid=182781031&s=computers&sprefix=pc,aps,276&sr=1-42-spons&sp_csd=d2lkZ2V0TmFtZT1zcF9tdGY&psc=1&smid=A1AE220B0U2TA3

This isn't a bad option. The other thing to look at is what connections your current monitor has.

I see these are referbs, tend to be ok?

 

[LukeMcCullagh]

I see these are referbs, tend to be ok?

Yeh they always work for my day job we have supplied a lot of companies with them and not had issues.

You also get the 1 year warranty which helps a lot. Never had to use it on any we have supplied.

 

[Timbo]

I see these are referbs, tend to be ok?

Not bad machines, but at that money they're over priced.

Go to ITZOO or Stone Refurb or similar for the same but cheaper.

 

[LukeMcCullagh]

I mean if it was me I would lean towards the Dell they are really solid machines that are easy to work with.