Family computer

LP

Your Brown Banana for Scale
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So the elders (dad mostly) needs a computer that he can watch youtube videos and do some basic excel/word and email checking on. He's currently doing everything on his smartphone.

Requirements:

  • No Laptops
  • No closed off non-expandable or modifiable thing
  • No mac
  • Decent-ish monitor size
  • CD Drive
  • Under $700

I have some ancillaries: Keyboard, mouse, and some leftover parts from another machine but it would mostly be brand new. We have an old 20-ish inch monitor that doesn't even do 1080p. It's like 1680x1050 or something.

I have two routes I want to take here: build a PC for him from scratch OR get something from Dell and get a monitor on the side.

For the build, I went with:
Intel Pentium G4400 Skylake Dual-Core 3.3 GHz LGA 1151 Chipset
Micro ATX Mobo with USB 3 headers and HDMI out
8 GB of DDR4 memory
120 GB SSD for the OS and applications
1 TB 7200 RPM drive for storage
A 23" refurbished 1080p IPS Acer monitor
Case

Not linked here: DVD drive, cables, Win 10 Home 64 bit, Corsair 450W Power supply (could bring this down to 350W non-modular to save $20, but could keep this in case I upgrade components).

I originally wanted this 27" 1080p IPS Dell monitor but to save on cost, I went with a smaller size figuring that it would be enough for dad (he needs to see big icons and big text).

Total (including 23" monitor): $568.80
Total (including 27" monitor): $648.76

If I got a Dell it would be one of these three:

http://www.dell.com/en-us/shop/productdetails/inspiron-3252-small-desktop/fdcwst313b
http://www.dell.com/en-us/shop/productdetails/inspiron-3650-desktop/fddclot207b
http://www.dell.com/en-us/shop/productdetails/inspiron-3656-desktop/fddccz306s

And given the price of the dell I could even get this monitor instead: https://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=9SIA4P056M8105

Total (with 23" monitor): $479.98 to $529.98
Total (with 27" monitor): $559.94 to $609.94



WHAT DO I DO?
 
Family computer

Honestly, if you expect them to keep the computer for more than 3 years, get a core I variant from the last two or three generations. It may be overkill now but later on, it will be just enough. I've had pentium machines and after about 3-4 years, they start to feel sluggish. Newegg seems to have a decent amount of refurbs and some new models with your storage specs for less than $700.

Obviously, make sure you get an SSD if the tower doesn't come with one.
 
Get a Dell, but not a cheap one. I get that not everyone can afford a hyper computer, but a couple hundred more now will make the difference between a machine that will last a few years, or the better part of a decade.
 
It feels like overkill to build a PC for tasks that can be accomplished by literally anything on the market. I would just go for one of the cheap prebuilts :dunno:
 
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Would an Intel NUC (or the Gigabyte equivalent) count as "non-expandable or modifiable thing"?

It would not, that would serve the needs, but once I add memory, storage and monitor (which is not included) it will exceed the budget.

Honestly, if you expect them to keep the computer for more than 3 years, get a core I variant from the last two or three generations. It may be overkill now but later on, it will be just enough. I've had pentium machines and after about 3-4 years, they start to feel sluggish. Newegg seems to have a decent amount of refurbs and some new models with your storage specs for less than $700.

Obviously, make sure you get an SSD if the tower doesn't come with one.

Yeah I think the time frame for this is short term, they are planning to move out of the country by September or so and so they will only have it until then. They may need it when they come back to visit just as a thing to use, by that time I might start upgrading components or building a new PC or something for funs (maybe). I plan to buy a few things for myself once they leave.

Get a Dell, but not a cheap one. I get that not everyone can afford a hyper computer, but a couple hundred more now will make the difference between a machine that will last a few years, or the better part of a decade.

I feel ya but really the chips now are fairly decent, I still have mine from 2011 and my computer is decently fast. I think if I have a platform to upgrade then I can do the things that I need to to future proof it, but they really need it only for simple stuff right now.

It feels like overkill to build a PC for tasks that can be accomplished by literally anything on the market. I would just go for one of the cheap prebuilts :dunno:

I'm kinda leaning towards this right now although building a PC is one of my favorite things to do. If I can find a cheap prebuilt that I can upgrade myself (it's not lacking in space or difficult/unwieldy to add or change components), then I'd go with that.

I'd save yourself the trouble and get a prebuilt, you can get some pretty decent ones.
Techdeals did a pretty good video on one that seems perfect for your needs.

links:
https://www.amazon.com/Acer-Desktop...0f-20&linkId=82e4e733541f8ec58cb4a3a875a2518b

Youtube video:

This might actually be perf. Thank you!
 
I'd buy a refurbished Dell Optiplex (business desktop). You get a warranty, they are easy to work on if needed, and if anything breaks parts are cheap and plentiful. In a previous job I managed a whole school of 400+ refurbished Dell Optiplexes.

http://outlet.us.dell.com/ARBOnlineSales/Online/InventorySearch.aspx?brandId=2802&c=us&cs=28&l=en&s=dfb&fid=9380&fid=4490&fid=4491&fid=100578&fid=7886&fid=9870&fid=7384&fid=9467&fid=9899&fid=9696&fid=4504&fid=7024&fid=7013&fid=10673&fid=8781&fid=111078&fid=119868&fid=111113&fid=111105&fid=111170&fid=111072
 
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I'd buy a refurbished Dell Optiplex (business desktop). You get a warranty, they are easy to work on if needed, and if anything breaks parts are cheap and plentiful. In a previous job I managed a whole school of 400+ refurbished Dell Optiplexes.

http://outlet.us.dell.com/ARBOnlineSales/Online/InventorySearch.aspx?brandId=2802&c=us&cs=28&l=en&s=dfb&fid=9380&fid=4490&fid=4491&fid=100578&fid=7886&fid=9870&fid=7384&fid=9467&fid=9899&fid=9696&fid=4504&fid=7024&fid=7013&fid=10673&fid=8781&fid=111078&fid=119868&fid=111113&fid=111105&fid=111170&fid=111072

I echo this. They're super easy to work on and that 3 year warranty is just great to have in the back pocket.
 
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