You don't need to be an 'investor' to invest in Singletrack: 6 days left: 95% of target - Find out more
I’m returning an old Win10 box that was supplied through work (since Win10 is no longer supported and it can’t be upgraded) and I’ve decided just to buy my own PC for using at home.
Requirements are pretty basic. Mainly just (MS) Office stuff, browsing and watching various streaming services (YouTube, iPlayer etc). But I want something that won’t be landfill in a few years. So what is the minimum spec I should be looking at for a Win11 box?
I know about Linux and am happy using that most of the time, but sometimes I just need a windows box.
Can you clarify whether you want a laptop or a desktop? If the latter do you also need a monitor?
Desktop. I already have a (work) laptop but this is something for home use and I'd like to avoid having to chuck it away in a few years so a desktop seems like a better option (more possibilities to upgrade in future). Not sure whether I should go for a full size box or whether one of the slim/mini style boxes would work just as well in that regard.
Already got a couple of monitors, so no need for those. One of them is actually an old Panasonic TV, so basically I watch videos on that one and do office stuff on the "standard" monitor. That does mean that I'll need a graphics card with VGA and HDMI outputs, but that's pretty standard these days I guess and I could even pull my existing Nvidia card out and put it in a new box I guess.
What I'm unsure of is the minimum processor and RAM configuration to stop it being obsolete too soon.
Thanks.
What's your budget?
I've always found CCL Computers to be very competitive, anything there will suit your needs for a good few years.
Thanks. Don't really have a budget at this stage. Just trying to work out what the minimum spec is for it not to be junk in a few years. To be honest, even the basic ones seem over specced for my needs. This is what CCL seem to think is a basic Home/Office PC, for example.
https://www.cclonline.com/ccl-alpha-core-i3-home-and-office-custom-build-pc-421349/
Looks fine, but do I really need a 500 GB SSD disk when all my documents live in the cloud these days?
No bluetooth though. Do I need that?
You definitely looking for Windows? A Mac mini would suit well if you just wanted something easier to use/better supported than Linux for various streaming services, MS Office etc.
The M4s available now - or a refurbished earlier model if you find one - would work well now and for some time in the future. They are amazing bits of kit.
I'd just make sure you get at least 16GB ram - it's the base config on the M4 / current models but the older ones may only have 8GB.
Mac Mini is a good shout as a current M4 16GB model will be useful for years. If you want a Windows PC I would be tempted to get a budget mini PC for approx £200 with the acknowledgement that it may need to be replaced in 2-3 years - plenty available on Amazon.
If one of your monitors only has VGA then you will probably need a USB-VGA adapter.
Thanks @euain. I wouldn't rule out a Mac if they are the best bang for your buck. I'm pretty OS agnostic really. I've worked with most systems (from the BBC micro and PDP-11 onwards) over the years. So tend to just view any computer as a processor, some memory, some storage and a user interface. But I'm more familiar with how to do things in Windows (or Linux) these days and do find it a bit frustrating when I have to fix issues on my wife's macbook and can't work out how to do basic stuff. Something to do with old dogs and new tricks I guess 😀
Something like this I guess:
Only seems to have one HDMI output though, so not sure how I'd connect my two existing monitors.
You'd need something like this: Another Amazon link - USB-C to HDMI to plug in the second. Or get a cable for the monitor with USB-C/Thunderbolt at the computer end.
Edit to add - here's a refurb option for the mini on the apple site: Apple link
Windows 11 will work perfectly well on processors that aren't officially supported and the installation procedure isn't overly complex. I'm running it quite happily on an old 4th gen i5 at home.
No computer will last for ever, but at least by getting something that'll last you further into the future you're not contributing as heavily to throw-a-way consumerism. The cheap stuff is already old. If you're saying it'll need replacing in 2-3 years, then I'll guess it'll only be optimal for year, then gradually becoming increasingly sub optimal over the next couple of years. Don't contribute to fast-tech consumer culture!
Only really came to say that. I don't have actual recommendation, unless you're interested in buying a custom built PC and then trigger's brooming it with upgrades as the years progress.
Thanks @euain Definitely an option if I can steel myself to learn some new tricks.
unless you're interested in buying a custom built PC and then trigger's brooming it with upgrades as the years progress.
Kind-of. I guess what I'm looking for is a home/office PC that will work out of the box but which will allow me to replace components (rather than the whole thing) as they need upgrading.
That CCL machine will be fine. But so much choice out there, cheaper machines possibly okay also but as sirromj says buying something more future-proof is wise.
As for 500Gb, probably is overkill but can you ever have too much storage space 🤣 If you need to add Bluetooth you can pick up a dongle for a few quid.
It might also be worth checking Dell Outlet, they often have some good deals.
Conversely those little PCs from Amazon for sub £200 are fine, I bought one recently, runs office, web etc. fine. I expect to still have it when Windows 12 is a reality (it replaced an expensive Vista era laptop that finally fell apart). Are PCs really that upgradeable? The new mini PCs are cheap because they are small and don't actually contain much so less consumed from the start is another way to look at them. We also use loads at work, I fairly harsh conditions, they seem a lot less prone to failure than the £700 PCs they superseded.
Are PCs really that upgradeable?
I don't know to be honest. They certainly used to be. It used to be the case that a PC was basically a box with a power supply, fan, some ports and a load of standard slots into which you could plug all of the components. It seems that these days a lot more stuff is getting packaged together (to reduce costs) with more proprietary case designs, which limit options for upgrading.
Yes, I have always favoured the traditional "mini-tower" case for that reason. Easier to work on, more room to upgrade, etc.
It might also be worth checking Dell Outlet, they often have some good deals
I wouldn't if future upgrades or repairs are a priority - they are full of proprietary components that aren't easily sourced.
I have a Dell mini tower that was very good value and has been totally reliable. However as soon as I started looking at upgrades it proved problematic. If something breaks it will be a PITA.
Thanks folks. Would I be right in thinking that the CCL Home/Office PC I linked to above is just going to be a standard box and fairly up-gradable? It refers to it as a "custom build" and despite being a Home/Office build the specs keep referring to a Gaming PC, which suggests they've just put office type components in a standard case.
Thanks folks. Would I be right in thinking that the CCL Home/Office PC I linked to above is just going to be a standard box and fairly up-gradable? It refers to it as a "custom build" and despite being a Home/Office build the specs keep referring to a Gaming PC, which suggests they've just put office type components in a standard case.
In short, yes. That will be a standard ATX case with a standard ATX or micro ATX motherboard and an ATX power supply.
Try to ignore 'gaming' or 'office' that's just nomenclature. It's the specification of the components that's what's important.
Smaller form factor PC's are often running small form factor power supplies of various standards, often proprietary motherboards too, which makes upgrading things more complex at best, and impossible at worst.
Perfect. Thanks.
Just reading your earlier posts, seems you want to run dual monitors? Looks like the machine you linked above has just one hdmi output.
If you want something that you can upgrade on the future, I'd probably look at something with an AMD AM5 processor. Given how long they supported AM4, and are still releasing processors, there's a good chance you'll avoid having to change motherboard and RAM if you decide to upgrade processor (Intel tend to change the socket regularly).
With regard to storage, there's not a massive price difference between 500 and the smaller SSD's. Drop storage size if if the price difference gives you a boost on the processor or GPU.
If you're not gaming on it or using software that requires dedicated graphics, drop the GPU and it'll give a bit more wiggle room for other components in your budget. You OP didn't suggest you'd need a dedicated GPU.
*Just seen you want multi monitor setup, I can't think of any MB that'll support that with onboard graphics.
If you wanted to go compact, mATX case and motherboard won't restrict too much in the future. May limit GPU choice if you did decide to add at a later date.
There's more flexibility in build you own, I suppose, from a pile of bits you've selected. A pre-built will likely come with a GPU and sacrifices on CPU, motherboard, PSU quality, etc. I've self built all my PC's since the late 90s and usually manage a better spec for the price of pre-build.
Sorry if I've strayed in to egg sucking territory, these are just my musings and ramblings. Thought they may be helpful.
Thanks both. The dual monitor thing shouldn't be an issue. I think that CCL box has a VGA and an HDMI output, which is basically what I'm using at the moment. If not, I can pull the graphics card from the box I'm currently using before giving it back to work since I bought that with my own money when the original one died.
Sorry if I've strayed in to egg sucking territory, these are just my musings and ramblings. Thought they may be helpful.
They are indeed. Thanks.
Thanks both. The dual monitor thing shouldn't be an issue. I think that CCL box has a VGA and an HDMI output, which is basically what I'm using at the moment. If not, I can pull the graphics card from the box I'm currently using before giving it back to work since I bought that with my own money when the original one died.
That CCL one doesn’t have a graphics card, its running 'onboard graphics'. so If it doesn’t have the video outputs you require you can throw a cheap graphics card into it that does.
I say cheap because if you try to stick a power-house graphics card into it, the PSU may not have the suitable cables or raw power, to power it. Does your existing graphics card require a dedicated power feed from the power supply unit?
Good question 😀 I don't think so, but it's a couple of years old now I think. I'll open the box and check before ordering anything
Good question 😀 I don't think so, but it's a couple of years old now I think. I'll open the box and check before ordering anything
What model graphics card is it? another option, with it being a 'custom' build, is to call them and make sure the PSU has PCIe power cables for GPU's
The card is just a basic NVIDIA GeForce GT 710. So just a single slot card with no additional power connectors. Should be simple enough to work.
The card is just a basic NVIDIA GeForce GT 710. So just a single slot card with no additional power connectors. Should be simple enough to work.
Should be just fine then..one possible issue is if the graphics card came from a small case, it might have a small bracket fitted to it so it may not secure to the PC case properly.. I.e. ...
I would go for a standard PC size case which makes replacement parts/upgrades easier.
I don't really understand the conversations around a PC that only lasts for 2-3 years.
I had my last work computer for ~7 or 8 years and it worked great until it was replaced with a laptop during COVID. That laptop is 4 years or so old & works just as well as it did when new.
I have a laptop at home that was bought in late 2011/early 2012. I replaced it 18 months or so ago with a new one as the onboard graphics were struggling with 3-D printer slicer previews etc. But it still runs fine for general internet browsing, iplayer, youTube, basic 3-D CAD etc. My daughter uses it regularly and it boots from cold in ~30seconds.
So long as you keep the computer reasonably 'clean' and don't clog it up with pointless programs, browser plug-ins, stuff that insists on running at start-up etc. there is little reason why it should slow down.
I have a Zwift PC in the garage that I bought second hand for £200. It boots in about 15 seconds and runs Zwift at very high resolution with no issues whatsoever. I have had it at least 3 years - can't remember exactly when I bought it, but it runs just as fast as the day I first turned it on.
Thanks folks. My current box is (I think) a tower case. So shouldn't be an issue there.
I take the point about PCs lasting too. Most are so massively over specced for basic office tasks that they really should last for ages. The only reason I'm getting rid of this old PC is because it was supplied through work and they want it back since they can't support Win10 anymore and want to take the opportunity to rationalise the number of devices by getting us to use a single laptop rather than having desktop devices in the office and at home. Fair enough I guess. I have asked about keeping the box so I can build my own home PC, but I'm sure there are policies that prevent that too.
I would go for a standard PC size case which makes replacement parts/upgrades easier.
I wouldn't.
Standard ATX cases are massive things full of empty space, they're big, ugly, and only exist at the low-end because that the manufacturer of a £200 PC can get them cheap.
Caveat to that that the likes of Dell make PC's that a physically that big, but use no standard ATX sized parts and should be avoided.
The ubiquitous office mini PC's they sell by the 1000 to corporations (and are available cheap on ebay as a result of everyone transitioning to laptops over covid) are pretty robust and reliable things, and if they do break, there's spares on ebay if you know how to fix one (which would be the same barrier on a standard ATX PC).
If you really wanted a custom PC, then ITX at least makes sense as a form factor for home office use. But the OP doesn't need a custom PC, that 710 card is so old that even the most basic processors will have better onboard graphics these days. It's like saying "I need a new car" and someone suggesting buyilding a kit-car because you already have an old lawnmower in the shed with an engine. If he wants to use his old VGA monitor, just get a USB-C -> VGA adapter (or just buy a pair of nice DP monitors, because like mini-PC's there's mountains of them on ebay as offices shut in favor of home/flexible working).
I have asked about keeping the box so I can build my own home PC, but I'm sure there are policies that prevent that too.
It's certainly worth asking, let them remove the disks and at least you can then make use of the hardware for the price of a new SSD.
Win10 is no longer supported and it can’t be upgraded
Win10 is supported until October. You can get another year of free security support if you enable cloud backup.
Apparently, bypassing the Win11 update prohibition on older hardware is pretty simple. Otherwise, just buy a mid-range PC with an Intel i5 CPU (or whatever the AMD equivalent is), at least 16 GB RAM, and the biggest SSD you can afford. You should be able to run an extra monitor off a USB-C port, but you need to check that - some USB-C ports support video, some don't. Or you can buy a dock that supports multiple video output.
I would go for a standard PC size case which makes replacement parts/upgrades easier.
I wouldn't.
Standard ATX cases are massive things full of empty space, they're big, ugly, and only exist at the low-end because that the manufacturer of a £200 PC can get them cheap.
Caveat to that that the likes of Dell make PC's that a physically that big, but use no standard ATX sized parts and should be avoided.
The ubiquitous office mini PC's they sell by the 1000 to corporations (and are available cheap on ebay as a result of everyone transitioning to laptops over covid) are pretty robust and reliable things, and if they do break, there's spares on ebay if you know how to fix one (which would be the same barrier on a standard ATX PC).
If you really wanted a custom PC, then ITX at least makes sense as a form factor for home office use. But the OP doesn't need a custom PC, that 710 card is so old that even the most basic processors will have better onboard graphics these days. It's like saying "I need a new car" and someone suggesting buyilding a kit-car because you already have an old lawnmower in the shed with an engine. If he wants to use his old VGA monitor, just get a USB-C -> VGA adapter (or just buy a pair of nice DP monitors, because like mini-PC's there's mountains of them on ebay as offices shut in favor of home/flexible working).
You must live in a different dimension to me.. A standard ATX 'mid tower' is perfect for building in as they come at all price points, are super easy to work with... You don't have to worry about a gpu being too big (within reason) you can use a standard ATX psu rather than an over priced sfx psu, you can fit multiple ssd drives, you can fit a better or more quiet cooler.
And when you come to upgrade properly you can sling in an ATX or micro ATX motherboard with wanton abandon.
Oh and the Airflow and cooling will be a shed load better too.
I wouldn't touch smaller form factor unless you are a gluton for punishment.
I have asked about keeping the box so I can build my own home PC, but I'm sure there are policies that prevent that too.
I can see two issues here.
1) A policy around data retention/storage, which shouldn't be an issue if it's been set up properly. Data should be held externally and in any case you'll presumably have access to the same data with the new laptop.
2) They may require the hardware back as part of brokering a deal with the supplier of the new ones. Back when I last went through a tech refresh we replaced piles of **** knows what going back years with all-new Dell laptops, part of the agreement was that Dell wanted x number of desktops and y number of laptops back in return. Gods know why but it was what it was.
It's how I ended up keeping my Lenovo, I requested clarification as to whether they wanted my laptop back or merely a laptop. After a bit of umm and aah they confirmed that yes it was just a numbers game. As I was helping out in IT at the time I had a cupboardful of laptops in various states of disrepair so I handed those over instead, box ticked.
Lol.
Yeh I'd does depend on the company.
At the start of covid my work obviously gave those that didn't have a laptop, a new laptop..
This resulted in a massive pile of Dell 22" monitors (everyone had duel 22" monitors on their desk as standard issue, you could request better monitors if you could justify it, do the designers and Feds tended to have fancier set ups) they tried to flog to staff for 20 quid a pop or whatever.. But they didn't have many takers as they were all a bit long in the tooth by that point...
And given the company basically built websites... Pretty much all the staff were tech savvy and already had better monitors at home anyway... They couldn't give them away, lol.
I think the vast majority were palmed off to some recycling /refurb outfit.
So it really depends on what arrangements the company has with the hardware supplier.
As for form factor, it's horses for courses.
If you're the sort of person - like me - who's inside the thing every five minutes tinkering about with something then a minitower makes a lot of sense. Yes, modern ones are mostly full of air (mine bloody well isn't!) but everything is a standard design going back decades.
Small form factor (SFF) machines are more suitable for "here's your computer, if it goes wrong we'll replace it" environments, or more generally for people who aren't bothered about things like future upgrade options. Yes, there are standards here also, but nothing like as ubiquitous as ATX-family systems.
Pretty much every SFF machine I've worked on has been a pain in the ass in some fashion. Sure, it might be a standard ITX motherboard, but I've got to remove the optical drive and/or hard drive to get to (sometimes) a single DIMM slot on it, and if the PSU goes bang then that may be proprietary to that particular system and they stopped making them last year.
There are specific use cases for SFF machines, don't get me wrong. But IME the answer to "what SFF PC?" is mostly "a laptop."
You must live in a different dimension to me.. A standard ATX 'mid tower' is perfect for building in as they come at all price points, are super easy to work with... You don't have to worry about a gpu being too big (within reason) you can use a standard ATX psu rather than an over priced sfx psu, you can fit multiple ssd drives, you can fit a better or more quiet cooler.
And when you come to upgrade properly you can sling in an ATX or micro ATX motherboard with wanton abandon.
Yes, but I stand by my analogy with the car.
It's like your gran asking what small car should she get, and recommending a caterham 7 built around her old lawnmower because it'll allow her to work on it easily at the weekend.
Now gran may well have spent her life repressing her inner Clare Williams, but it's unlikely. She would probably be better of with a Toyota Yaris. And that with a little maintenance (or even with none at all) it'll probably fulfill her basic car needs for 7 years even if the dipstick is obscured behind a piece of plastic and harder to reach.
Small form factor (SFF) machines are more suitable for ....................... people who aren't bothered about things like future upgrade options.
I feel like this exactly describes the OP? "Mainly just (MS) Office stuff, browsing and watching various streaming services (YouTube, iPlayer etc)"
There are specific use cases for SFF machines, don't get me wrong. But IME the answer to "what SFF PC?" is mostly "a laptop."
I agree, although the criticisms of SFF PC's are equally applicable with the added challenge that the difference between a ~£300 SFF, a ~£400 laptop and a ~£600 business laptop are mostly that the expensive laptop is in a far more robust chassis and suited to actual portable use, the cheap laptop tends to break unless you use it like a SFF with a built in ergonomic nightmare of a screen.
I feel like this exactly describes the OP? "Mainly just (MS) Office stuff, browsing and watching various streaming services (YouTube, iPlayer etc)"
I don't disagree, and based on almost every near-identical "what PC?" threads which have been created on STW like once a fortnight for the last decade, this exactly describes the vast majority of users and the answer hasn't changed. I was simply trying to add some context around those variously advising the OP that they must/mustn't do something.
Aside: I've just spotted that the OP mentions Windows 11. That might be a deal-breaker in keeping the extant minitower depending on how old it is.
Just buy a decent quality 'mid tower' or full size tower... this is my 'office machine' 😉 in a lian-li case, it was a billy bargain at £55 so I couldn't pass it up, the compoments do look a bit lost, as its a micro ATX board that I blagged off my mate after I killed my proper grown-ups board, it will be getting upgraded in future though and it won't look so empty:
[URL= https://images2.imgbox.com/2f/97/WCtreGVG_o.jp g" target="_blank">https://images2.imgbox.com/2f/97/WCtreGVG_o.jp g"/> [/IMG][/URL]
This is my gaming machine, another Lian-li, but a fully aluminium, vintage PC-A10 - it's a magnificent beast and has space to run two full size power supplies side-by-side. It's 18 years old now, yes you read that right 18! it's old enought to vote!!! 🤣
[URL= https://images2.imgbox.com/aa/4d/mXe4fQ0t_o.jp g" target="_blank">https://images2.imgbox.com/aa/4d/mXe4fQ0t_o.jp g"/> [/IMG][/URL]
The thing with buying a proper case in the first place is you never really need to get a new one when you upgrade the PC, and they are so much easier to work with, especially if you want to upgrade to more powerfull parts, far superior airflow - the CPU coolers in both of mine are bigger than a NUC, lol!
Sorry about the pics - I cant get the image upload to work on the forum, so I had to host them.
I feel like this exactly describes the OP? "Mainly just (MS) Office stuff, browsing and watching various streaming services (YouTube, iPlayer etc)"
Fair enough. I can't help how you feel 😀 I'm not sure how you get from just wanting to use a PC for basic office stuff to not wanting to upgrade it though. Especially when I said that's specifically what I did want to do in my original post. Or at least that "I want something that won’t be landfill in a few years".
I appreciate that everyone is trying to be helpful though and do appreciate all of the response. It's turned into a more interesting conversation than my rather boring post deserved.
I can see the kit car analogy and I'm sure a SFF PC would do me just fine for a while, but I'm specifically trying to reduce waste, now and in the future. My existing two monitors are nothing special, but do the job I want just fine, so I'd rather not "just replace them". I've got a graphics card and the DVI and HDMI cables that I need to use them already, so a box that lets me drop the card in makes sense I think. As I say, I do appreciate all the alternative views though.
If you've already got a tower case and a (somewhat old) GPU, then all you need is:
Motherboard
CPU
CPU cooler
Memory
Storage
PSU
You can get reasonable motherboard/CPU deals from most retailers, e.g. https://www.awd-it.co.uk/amd-ryzen-7-5700x-8-core-4-1ghz-3d-v-cache-msi-b550m-pro-vdh-cpu-bundle.html at £190
2 x 16GB DRR4 memory will cost you about £50
1TB solid state SATA drive about £40
Decent PSU about £50
CPU cooler about £25
Maybe stick another £15 on for a pack of case fans if you really want to.
So you're about £350 for a top notch "office productivity" machine and just about the only thing you'd ever need to upgrade anytime in the future would be the GPU.
Cheaper motherboard/CPU/memory bundles are available on eBay but I've found these tend to be older/lower spec and therefore not quite the bargain they first seem. Would still work fine for office and streaming though and might save you £50
Edit: I just looked at the CCL one you linked. It's a very low spec CPU so while it'll do the job you may find it's not the best. What spec is the computer you're handing back to work?
Mrs Zip needs a new laptop with windows 11. It will be secondhand from our local computer shop.
She just needs it to do our accounts on. However once we retire we need it for browsing ,photo and music storage.
We know nothing about computers ,what are the minimium numbers we should be looking at?
I have just completed a motherboard and CPU swap to enable windows 10 to jump to windows 11. Desktop computer in a tower case so the physical bit of swapping the stuff was easy enough. Bought a MSI b760 gaming atx board and an intel core i3 with on board graphics. Updated the M2 SSD to an nvme drive for the operating system. Board and chip was £225 from scan and 512gb nvme £35. Took me longer to figure out command line stuff to format and partition the nvme drive and install windows 10 with the original code and then update to 11. Hopefully it'll last as long as the previous 9yr pc that wasn't broke but didn't have the tpm2.0 security stuff for windows 11.
My next PC will be mini pc, as I haven't opened the case of mine in years, the caveat being I don't play games or work with CAD/video. My current PC, one I built in 2016* (i5/8gb ram) is still more than capable of easily running everything "(MS) Office stuff, browsing and watching various streaming services (YouTube, iPlayer etc)", except Win 11 (without a work around). If you spec it right in the first place, and that doesn't need to be top end gear, it'll still last for years.
A quick random search (not a recommendation) brings up the like of this Ryzen mini pc do you really need more?
Mrs Zip needs a new laptop with windows 11. It will be secondhand from our local computer shop.
Any thing that is above the i3 processor (though I prefer i5) or AMD equivalent, & is less than 5 years old so has the TPM 2.0 (for Win 11) module, should be fine. I'd also want 16gb of ram, and an SSD drive (goes without saying)
* I hadn't realised it was that old
Mrs Zip needs a new laptop with windows 11. It will be secondhand from our local computer shop.
Pick one or the other. It's not impossible I suppose, but you'll be lucky to find anything second-hand which will run W11.
Any thing that is above the i3 processor (though I prefer i5) or AMD equivalent
This has nothing to do with it, it's the generation of CPU which matters.
I'd buy a Micro format i5 16GB RAM 512 GB( or 1TB). Should last for years. We've been rolling out Dell Optiplex Micro at work, they seem good and have VGA / HDMI / Displayport graphics plus 6 USB ports.
Don't think there is any point with large Tower cases any more unless you are building a gaming machine. I've a couple of Towers and they are literally a waste of space.
Mrs Zip needs a new laptop with windows 11. It will be secondhand from our local computer shop.
She just needs it to do our accounts on. However once we retire we need it for browsing ,photo and music storage.
We know nothing about computers ,what are the minimium numbers we should be looking at?
This is on offer on amazon at the moment for £299..
Lenovo IdeaPad Slim 3 | 15 inch Full HD Laptop | Intel Core i5-12450H | 8GB RAM | 512GB SSD | Windows 11 Home
I've also got a bit of skin in this game, so while we're on the topic...
I've been mini PC curious for a while. Main reasons are aesthetic: more desk space, tidier look, hopefully quieter. Also need something which can drive my new QHD monitor (and ideally 4k to future proof).
Also want something with Win 11 because sometimes it's just necessary - currently use Ubuntu, and will probably try and dual boot.
Current PC is c. 2010 vintage. i5 650 quad core 3.2GHz, 16Gb RAM, 500Gb SSD. Enough grunt for my use.
When I last built a PC, Moore's law was still reflected in processor clock speeds so it was fairly easy to spec something. Now it seems I can pay quite a lot for a "slower" but obviously more modern CPU. How much should I be worrying about the numbers?
This has nothing to do with it, it's the generation of CPU which matters.
You seem to have totally ignored the "& is less than 5 years old"... as the 8th gen was released in 2017, you have no need to know which gen it is & is simply confusing non-IT ppl
What do we think about this for £325?
The shop is near us, they are nice people and will set this up like the old one for us .
HP Probook Refurbished Laptop
13.3" Screen
Intel Core i5 Processor
16Gb Memory
512GB M.2 Fast SSD Hard Drive
+1TB Storage Drive
Intel HD Graphics
HD Web Cam
Card Reader
Wireless
Bluetooth
USB-3
HDMI
Windows 11 Professional
12 Months RTB warranty
How much should I be worrying about the numbers?
Not a huge amount, unless you're wanting top of the line. Even then I reckon the nerds into that kind of thing can only tell the difference between one CPU and another by using hardware monitoring software.
You don't mention what you're using for, but realistically you can spend about £650 and build something that'll be upgradable in the future but plenty good enough for 4k streaming and office stuff.
E.g. https://uk.pcpartpicker.com/list/ctFZmC would do absolutely fine and should you get into hardcore gaming or video editing then it's easy to add more storage, RAM, better GPU, etc.
This is on offer on amazon at the moment for £299..
Lenovo IdeaPad Slim 3
I was looking at the IdeaPad Slim last night as it happens. My partner is going to need a new laptop soon and I was eyeing it up as a birthday present. One of the concessions made with the Slim is that the RAM is soldered to the motherboard.
You seem to have totally ignored the "& is less than 5 years old"... as the 8th gen was released in 2017, you have no need to know which gen it is & is simply confusing non-IT ppl
What I missed was you speccing something that will run sensibly rather than merely "at all." Microsoft has a big-ass list of compatible processors including Atom and Celeron CPUs, both of which I'd avoid like the black death for reasons wholly unrelated to Windows 11.
This is on offer on amazon at the moment for £299..
Lenovo IdeaPad Slim 3
I was looking at the IdeaPad Slim last night as it happens. My partner is going to need a new laptop soon and I was eyeing it up as a birthday present. One of the concessions made with the Slim is that the RAM is soldered to the motherboard.
I have an asus laptop of the same spec, gen 11 i5 though rather than the gen 12 of this one. it has expandable RAM and I bought it because of that, but to be fair, I've not felt the need to upgrade it from 8gb. It's absolutley fine but I dont do anything too demading with it, just use it for travel, so your usual web surfing, watching videos, bit of office work etc.
Its also a very slim trendy one.
Might be worth checking as some of these models have 8gb soldered, but a normal slot for another stick thats not really advertised, so you could chuck in an extra 8gb (or whatever) if you really wanted to.
Or maybe it has 4gb soldered and a physical additional 4gb stick in the slot? Either way you can just sling a bigger stick in the slot.
Dunno if this is exactly the same model..
As recommended in previous threads, I just bought a new tower PC from SCAN computers.
My existing 10yr old DELL PC now takes 15 minutes to wake up and is unsuitable for Windows 11. I rang SCAN computers and received some good advice on the spec I needed to get a decent life from the new PC, I settled on an i7 processor, without having to upgrade for a good few years. I don’t game, or anything else with a high level computing requirement. Ran through all the peripherals I use with SCAN, including 2 screens, to make sure the PC had enough connection points. Only additional purchase was a cheap pair of speakers/woofer as mine was damaged mine a while back.