Desktop for Home Use Budget $700 What Do I Buy?

LMugwumpPaul on 24/02/2015 - 18:33

Looking to buy a desktop (already have a monitor) Need some suggestions about what to buy. Live in Ballarat and Happy to buy locally or go to Melbourne if needed

Uses: office work (word etc), Statistical Analysis (SPSS etc), Movie watching, photo editing

need wireless, good amount of storage, not sure what else
any recommendations re places to purchase or what specs greatly appreciated

Mugwump

Computing

Comments

  • frondono on 24/02/2015 - 19:44

    google dell outlet

    • scrimshaw on 24/02/2015 - 19:49
      +1

      There are only AIO's at the moment in the Optiplex section. they are very good value but have downsides too, mainly the fact that they are AIO and cannot have more than a single drive installed.

  • scrimshaw on 24/02/2015 - 19:45

    http://au.pcpartpicker.com/p/DMmdzy

    Some notes about the above desktop

    $700 ish
    Core i3
    no dedicated GPU
    small form factor (mini ITX)
    8GB RAM
    2 drives, 1 256GB Crucial SSD + 2TB Toshiba HDD
    efficient 500 watt PSU
    TPLink networking adapter
    No operating system — try sourcing from a place with education discount or from MS HUP program.

    Doesn't sound like you need a powerful system, so a Core i3 will be fine for your use. At most an i5 if you really want to get into major video/photo editing and such (this breaks the budget), but everything else can remain unchanged.

  • Richardc on 24/02/2015 - 22:20

    I will buy a laptop and connect to the monitor.

  • shadowarrior on 25/02/2015 - 11:19

    Buy a NUC.

  • Geekomatic on 25/02/2015 - 12:38
    +1

    This is a very good deal, imho:

    http://www.centrecom.com.au/hp-6305-pro-amd-a8-5500b-quad-co…

    Cheers

    • 17833 on 25/02/2015 - 13:47

      This looks good, does it have wireless? Pretty hopeless at deciphering specs. Thanks.

    • scrimshaw on 25/02/2015 - 13:53
      +1

      It does not have a Wireless NIC, so you'll have to add in one.

      It's a small form factor so you must use a card that is 'low profile' in order to install the card

      The desktop only has room for one 3.5" hard drive which is currently occupied by the 1TB drive. In order to upgrade, you must remove the existing drive.

      Also note it only comes with Windws 7, but since Windows 10 is coming anyway it's probably of no consequence as you can upgrade to 10 for free.

      • 17833 on 25/02/2015 - 14:05

        Thanks, I know I am hijacking the thread a bit, overall is this a decent computer for the price range? The cpu looks a few years old. Thanks again.

        • scrimshaw on 25/02/2015 - 14:10
          +1

          most of the current AMD processors can be considered a 'few years old' in terms of performance level.

          That's because their processor architecture is still based on pretty old technology whereas Intel is about one or two steps ahead.

          However that doesn't mean AMD proc's are bad — their higher end processors are often neglected by PC vendors because they don't represent much value, but their lower end components are often found in a lot of low-cost computers. Like this Medion.

          Sadly HP seems to be the only vendor willing to sell AMD machines at this point, many others have gone with Intel.

          This isn't a bad machine overall, considering it has 3 years warranty.

        • Geekomatic on 25/02/2015 - 19:30
          +2

          Here's what the reviews say on the CPU:

          http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16819113…

          Exceptional ratings at newegg.com

          The low-profile cards are easy to find.

          "Only Win 7"? It's 7 Professional.

          16GB RAM…top-performing CPU, Pro OS, 3 year warranty (others give 1 year). This is a business-level machine.

          RE: room for hard drives— you can fit SSD's anywhere with velcro.

          RE: wifi, any USB wifi dongle will suit- it doesn't have to be an add-in card. Personally, I'd use the slots for sound/video upgrades if desired.

          FYI

        • 17833 on 26/02/2015 - 12:02

          @Geekomatic: Thanks everyone for the feedback.

  • MugwumpPaul on 25/02/2015 - 13:43

    Thanks for the comments. I will have a look at the centrecom deal

  • 17833 on 27/02/2015 - 09:18
    +1

    Hi OP, I am not good with computers, but am in the same boat as you, am looking for a desktop around your price. This one is going to be $560 tomorrow at Harvey Norman. It has inbuilt wireless, half the RAM as the centrecom computer and 1yr warranty vs 3yr. The Harvey Norman runs win 7 pro, the hp win 8.1. Other then that, I am not sure which is the better buy. http://www.harveynorman.com.au/computers-tablets/computers/d… The newspaper screenshot is here https://www.dropbox.com/s/cmueen8zjg3v4yx/PressReader%20-%20…

    • Geekomatic on 27/02/2015 - 14:53

      I just set that very computer up for a client last week. It weighs about as much as a toaster & even after optimizing, it's completely unremarkable…

      By comparison, I have 4-5 yr. old dual/quad cores that far outperform it. Keep in mind, I'm talking about real-world use— not benchmarks which never reflect the average person's uses.

      Just so you have an idea of what ought to happen with a new PC/laptop:

      When you click on anything— any icon for any program, it should open up instantaneously. So fast that you don't actually see it open. If it isn't like that, it's either running substandard hardware or is seriously hampered by settings/software.

      Good luck shopping!

      PS/FYI: as has been stated, the Win 7 can upgraded for free to Win 10 later this year.

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