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Thread: Desktop computer for home use

  1. #1

    Desktop computer for home use

    Looking at potentially getting a home computer

    The monitor obvs I can put what I want to it

    It’s the “computer” by I’m unsure of

    I won’t be gaming, just surfing and occasional spreadsheets etc

    Any thoughts?

  2. #2
    Master r.dawson's Avatar
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    Speak to the guys at pc specialists. Good guys and won't sell you more than what you need.

    https://www.pcspecialist.co.uk/

    Sent from my Pixel 2 using Tapatalk

  3. #3

  4. #4
    for what you want it for i would not bother with a desktop , just get a laptop and sit at a desk with it - at least you can take the laptop somewhere else if you want to.

  5. #5
    Master sish101's Avatar
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    I have bought a number of second hand small format Dell Optiplex computers for my private clients and they have been perfect. Small footprint, virtually silent but with enough power for browsing, MS Office and other apps. Windows10 runs very smoothly. Always go for an SSD and 8GB RAM.


    Sent through the ether by diddling with radio waves
    Last edited by sish101; 24th January 2021 at 19:40.

  6. #6
    Master sish101's Avatar
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    https://microdream.co.uk/dell-optipl...oaAk6SEALw_wcB


    Sent through the ether by diddling with radio waves

  7. #7
    Master blackal's Avatar
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    Quote Originally Posted by r.dawson View Post
    Speak to the guys at pc specialists. Good guys and won't sell you more than what you need.

    https://www.pcspecialist.co.uk/

    Sent from my Pixel 2 using Tapatalk
    Had my last two machines from them.

    If I need one - will prob go back to them too.

  8. #8
    Master Alansmithee's Avatar
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    Smile

    I'm a life long PC user and too old to change but I think a mac mini for the same price with the new M1 processor would be in consideration:

    https://www.theedustore.co.uk/mac-mi...-year-warranty

    If Op wants to go cheaper given their usage - the Dell outlet is worth a look it's hard to link directly but there is the following:




    • Dell Outlet Inspiron 3881 Small Desktop
    • Intel Core 10th Generation i5-10400 Processor (6 Core, Up to 4.30GHz, 12MB Cache, 65W)
    • Windows 10 Home
    • 8GB (1X8GB) Up to 3200MHz DDR4 UDIMM Non-ECC
    • 1TB 3.5inch SATA Hard Drive (7200 RPM)
    • 256GB PCIe M.2 NVMe Class 35 Solid State Drive
    • Small Desktop with 260W L6 EPA Black PSU (Bronze)
    • Qualcomm QCA9377 802.11ac Dual Band (1x1) Wireless Adapter
    • External English/UK USB Black Keyboard
    • 8x DVD+/-RW


    £460 all in.


    OR

    idea centre 510 from lenovo

    Processor: 8th Generation Intel® Core™ i7-8700 Processor (6 Cores, 12 Threads, 3.20 GHz, up to 4.60 GHz with Turbo Boost, 12 MB Cache)
    Operating System: Windows 10 Home 64
    Memory: 8 GB UDIMM DDR4 2666MHz
    Storage: 2 TB 7200 HDD 3.5"
    Optical Drive: DVD±RW
    Warranty: 1 Year Depot
    AC Adapter: 210W
    Keyboard: Yes
    WiFi Wireless LAN Adapters: Lenovo Wireless (1x1 AC) & Bluetooth® 4.0

    https://www.hotukdeals.com/deals/len...lenovo-3651784
    Last edited by Alansmithee; 24th January 2021 at 19:48.

  9. #9
    Master Lampoc's Avatar
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    +1 for Dell Outlet plus if you know any students you can get another 20% off the price.

  10. #10
    Craftsman DONGinsler's Avatar
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    Even if not gaming. Good to have a decent video card. Couple of SSD drives. i5 Intel CPU and match the motherboard to it

    8GB ram

    I like certain games so my video card is a Geforce GTX 1660. Not gaming. Last one I had was a GTX 550

    I just rebuild my old ones with new hardware every 5 years or so

    DON

  11. #11
    Master
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    My desktop is a Mac mini (late 2012) with a nice Dell monitor. It’s getting a bit long in the tooth now and When I come to replace it, it will be with a new Mac mini.

  12. #12
    Master Christian's Avatar
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    Mac mini

  13. #13
    Master
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    There a new iMac on the way, rumoured to look like the Pro XDR display, and using Apple silicon.

  14. #14
    Craftsman trott3r's Avatar
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    I prefer a desktop for a large display and decent keyboard

  15. #15
    Quote Originally Posted by Sweepinghand View Post
    I won’t be gaming, just surfing and occasional spreadsheets etc

    Any thoughts?
    If that’s all you’re using it for I’d get a tablet, or laptop. Even neat desktops like iMacs or Mac mini’s need to be on display all the time and take up a dedicated work space to use them.

    I love the flexibility to work where I like.

  16. #16
    Craftsman Gromdal's Avatar
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    Quote Originally Posted by trott3r View Post
    I prefer a desktop for a large display and decent keyboard
    Nothing is stopping people with a laptop from doing this - I use an eight year old Lenovo T440P that I've upgraded the screen to 1080p and put a SSD in for under £200 two years ago as my primary PC. I bought a docking station off eBay for £20 and this is hooked up to the monitor, keyboard and mouse and external speakers that all stay at my desk, and when I need to I have a laptop I can wander off with by pushing one button to undock all the connections. If you're not buying a desktop with any gaming/graphics requirements, any decent second hand laptop/desktop is going to get you doing what you need to be doing far cheaper than buying new. As previously mentioned, anything i5 and 8gb of memory is going to be enough to keep you going on the basics of web surfing and office tasks for a good while yet.

  17. #17
    Master
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    Quote Originally Posted by sish101 View Post
    I have bought a number of second hand small format Dell Optiplex computers for my private clients and they have been perfect. Small footprint, virtually silent but with enough power for browsing, MS Office and other apps. Windows10 runs very smoothly. Always go for an SSD and 8GB RAM.
    I'd agree with this but the Dell outlet also has some good PCs listed. There's an i5-9400 with 8Gb ram & a 250Gb M2 drive for £360 which is plenty powerful enough & comes with a year's warranty.

  18. #18
    Grand Master oldoakknives's Avatar
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    If not an iMac (and they can be had s/h for reasonable cash) then a Mac mini. Ta ta Windows and never look back!
    Started out with nothing. Still have most of it left.

  19. #19
    Master
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    I'm amazed by the longevity of a well purchased desktop PC. The PC I am writing this on was purchased almost 11 years ago to the day. Fairly expensive with an i5 processor and 2TB hard drive but not excessively so. During that time, I have upgraded the RAM from I think 6 to 12GB, gone through a keyboard/mouse or two and updated the OS to Windows 10 but that is it! I am tempted to replace it with something else but since I don't game I can't really see what it would add.

    I agree that a laptop can be added to a seperate monitor/keyboard and you can't take the desktop with you but I find laptops much more difficult to upgrade and they never seem to last that long before battery life becomes an issue and/or they get damaged somehow!

  20. #20
    Master
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    i needed a small pc for the kitchen as I prefer a bigger screen and decent sound, so opted for an HP all in one. I know these have limitations for upgrades and you're reliant on it not breaking down but it has a lovely screen and neat 'Applesque' keyboard.... not the cheapest solution but too obtrusive in kitchen and sound quality is very good

    https://www.currys.co.uk/gbuk/comput...07968-pdt.html

  21. #21
    Craftsman
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    I'd suggest you consider 2 devices. I consider the Mac Mini M1 a steal at $699, though you'll likely also want to budget an external drive. It is the most sensible arrangement. Add to that an iPad for browsing. The standard version is just £329.

  22. #22
    Master r.dawson's Avatar
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    All these recommendations of Mac minis at £700 and the like.

    The OP wants to browse websites and do spreadsheets. All it needs to do is run chrome.

    Save some cash and just get a budget pc.

    Sent from my Pixel 2 using Tapatalk

  23. #23
    Intel NUC

    get an i5 (or faster) , SSD, 8GB RAM minimum, windows 10

    so small fits behind the screen - and some models can handle up to 3 displays with thunderbolt port

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