New computer time
Discussion
I think my current computer may be on the Fritz ( separate thread).
I'm looking for a recommendation for a new computer. My old one had a Radeon HD5750 graphics card fwiw and the classic Windows 7 Professional as I like the interface but it seems new stuff doesn't like my browsers.
I really use my computer for photo storage and music storage with programs like a Libre/Word and for playing videos. I don't really do any photo editing or anything clever not do I play games on it.
I would like it to play 4k video as my current computer struggles with it.
My key requirement is speed, the faster the better so a small SSD for boot and a large SSD for storage though I have a couple of 500Gb SSDs here already that I could use.
I am not sure if Windows 10 is going to be better than Windows 11, I've read about issues with the latter but terminating support for the former.
Google is suggesting something Dell but I've also read bad stuff about them...
All very confusing.
I'm looking for a recommendation for a new computer. My old one had a Radeon HD5750 graphics card fwiw and the classic Windows 7 Professional as I like the interface but it seems new stuff doesn't like my browsers.
I really use my computer for photo storage and music storage with programs like a Libre/Word and for playing videos. I don't really do any photo editing or anything clever not do I play games on it.
I would like it to play 4k video as my current computer struggles with it.
My key requirement is speed, the faster the better so a small SSD for boot and a large SSD for storage though I have a couple of 500Gb SSDs here already that I could use.
I am not sure if Windows 10 is going to be better than Windows 11, I've read about issues with the latter but terminating support for the former.
Google is suggesting something Dell but I've also read bad stuff about them...
All very confusing.
I built my own (Pentium 17-12xxx desktop, 32gb RAM, 2tb SSD storage, 1tb boot ssd) took about 2 hours (choosing the parts took 4 months!!) and then the 8-hour windows install.
Cost 50% of the equivalent shop bought affair.
Has been going strong for 4 years.
Enjoyed the satisfaction so much am about to build another
Cost 50% of the equivalent shop bought affair.
Has been going strong for 4 years.
Enjoyed the satisfaction so much am about to build another
Look at the Dell Outlet:
https://outlet.euro.dell.com/GDOOnline/Online/Inve...
14th generation i5, 16Gb RAM, 1TB SSD, W-Fi & BT, Windows 11 Pro - £564. There are other options for more money.
https://outlet.euro.dell.com/GDOOnline/Online/Inve...
14th generation i5, 16Gb RAM, 1TB SSD, W-Fi & BT, Windows 11 Pro - £564. There are other options for more money.
Thanks for the suggestions.
I'm one of those people who thinks future-proof means if an i5 will do, why not an i7, if 16Gb RAM will do, why not 32..
I always think a graphics card is de rigeur, whether it is or not.
It doesn't need to be new. I've always bought from MESH in the past but some recent reviews suggest slipping standards so I'll have a look at a refurb but want to be able to have a good supply of USB and probably Type C.
I have several HDDs that have had stuff backed up and I need to attach and see if any still work and clear it all out. I do hate waste
I'm one of those people who thinks future-proof means if an i5 will do, why not an i7, if 16Gb RAM will do, why not 32..
I always think a graphics card is de rigeur, whether it is or not.
It doesn't need to be new. I've always bought from MESH in the past but some recent reviews suggest slipping standards so I'll have a look at a refurb but want to be able to have a good supply of USB and probably Type C.
I have several HDDs that have had stuff backed up and I need to attach and see if any still work and clear it all out. I do hate waste
LuS1fer said:
Thanks for the suggestions.
I'm one of those people who thinks future-proof means if an i5 will do, why not an i7, if 16Gb RAM will do, why not 32..
I always think a graphics card is de rigeur, whether it is or not.
It doesn't need to be new. I've always bought from MESH in the past but some recent reviews suggest slipping standards so I'll have a look at a refurb but want to be able to have a good supply of USB and probably Type C.
I have several HDDs that have had stuff backed up and I need to attach and see if any still work and clear it all out. I do hate waste
For what you are doing with the PC you don't need a graphics card & as mentioned you'll be paying a significant premium for 32Gb of RAM - roughly £200 more on the Dell models.I'm one of those people who thinks future-proof means if an i5 will do, why not an i7, if 16Gb RAM will do, why not 32..
I always think a graphics card is de rigeur, whether it is or not.
It doesn't need to be new. I've always bought from MESH in the past but some recent reviews suggest slipping standards so I'll have a look at a refurb but want to be able to have a good supply of USB and probably Type C.
I have several HDDs that have had stuff backed up and I need to attach and see if any still work and clear it all out. I do hate waste
You still haven't mentioned a budget.
Mr Pointy said:
For what you are doing with the PC you don't need a graphics card & as mentioned you'll be paying a significant premium for 32Gb of RAM - roughly £200 more on the Dell models.
You still haven't mentioned a budget.
£1000 maximum, half that if I can get away with it.You still haven't mentioned a budget.
You are absolutely right though.
LuS1fer said:
£1000 maximum, half that if I can get away with it.
This is an example of what you could get on the refurbished market (Dell Optiplex 7060):https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/286520075915
8th Gen i5, 16Gb RAM, 256Gb NVMe SSD - £222 with discount. The Optiplexes are solid little machines, dead easy to work on & lot of spares available. Not the latest & greatest but it will run two 4k screens - I know, because that's what I'm looking at now. The only thing I would check is how the RAM is configured - 2x 8Gb is ok, 4x 4Gb is to be avoided as it makes it expensive to upgrade.
I've gone from paying a premium for new PCs to regarding them as disposable items & £222 is almost that. There are lots more if you just search ebay for Dell Optiplex. Spend any spare cash on upgrading your screen/s if they aren't already 4k.
The base spec Mac Mini at £550 is an incredibly powerful computer. It could easily handle video editing, for example, so it's way more than you need. The point being is that it's better value than a Windows machine and will probably serve you well for the next 15 years, the Apple architecture is just miles ahead.
If you've already got a decent monitor then it's half your budget, or you could get a new 4k one, and possibly add external storage as you need it.
I was a staunch Windows user for about 20 years, then moved to Mac with a new job around 8 years ago. macOS is just nicer, cleaner and doesn't feel like you're constantly having to do maintenance jobs to on optimise performance.
If you've already got a decent monitor then it's half your budget, or you could get a new 4k one, and possibly add external storage as you need it.
I was a staunch Windows user for about 20 years, then moved to Mac with a new job around 8 years ago. macOS is just nicer, cleaner and doesn't feel like you're constantly having to do maintenance jobs to on optimise performance.
Edited by billbring on Thursday 26th March 09:03
Mr Pointy said:
Look at the Dell Outlet:
https://outlet.euro.dell.com/GDOOnline/Online/Inve...
14th generation i5, 16Gb RAM, 1TB SSD, W-Fi & BT, Windows 11 Pro - £564. There are other options for more money.
I used the dell outlet years ago for my last PC - great to deal with even when something broke. If my friend didnt build them I'd have gone back to them for an upgrade.https://outlet.euro.dell.com/GDOOnline/Online/Inve...
14th generation i5, 16Gb RAM, 1TB SSD, W-Fi & BT, Windows 11 Pro - £564. There are other options for more money.
Refurbished Dell from eBay, bought a couple recently with decent spec and W11 for under £100.
No connection other than a happy customer
https://www.ebay.co.uk/str/blackmoreit
No connection other than a happy customer
https://www.ebay.co.uk/str/blackmoreit
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