I think the last dedicated thread on desktops was over six years ago! I have an 11 year old HP desktop computer, and every day I assume it could black screen me and never come back. (I do have everything important backed up on an external hard drive.)
Our son is supposed to be advising me, but so far hasn’t actually made recommendations. So of course I turn to this great CC community for help!
I don’t want a laptop because portability is not an issue; I use my iPad most of the time. But there’s still plenty I want to do on a regular computer. Also I really prefer to type on a keyboard instead of a keypad; much easier to use my old touch typing skills.
I’ll need to access/install:
-WiFi
-printer
-scanner
-external hard drive
-Norton security (although son says I don’t need that)
-Adobe Photoshop
-Canon camera software.
-New Office software, probably just the student version. Mine is currently Office 2007 and -I have a lot of EXCEL and Word documents I want to access.
-I need sufficient USB ports (3 or 4).
-DVD drive, although it doesn’t have to write, just read, so I could use an external drive if necessary.
I really really would like something that isn’t full of ads and programs that they’re trying to install and sell. I would like a bigger monitor than my old 17", no more than 24" for the space.
I like the idea of getting rid of the tower with an all-in-one, although son says I can get more for my money with a desktop and new monitor. I like the simplicity of one unit, I have no real need to consider upgrades, and I don’t need a ton of power or speed or bells and whistles. I’ve been watching some of the streaming services on my iPad and would enjoy watching on a bigger screen (it’s not always convenient or even possible to watch some of them on our old smart tv). And it would be good for Zoom and Google Duo video calls; my current monitor does not have a built in camera. Also I get the impression that although all-in-ones are not truly portable, it’s not that difficult to move them to another room.
There aren’t a lot of all-in-ones (don’t need a Surface or iMac) and way too many desktops for me to try and figure out what’s right.
It’s been a while since I bought a desktop PC. I’ve “built” (which really means buying the components and putting them in the case) the last several I’ve owned.
I’m not really a fan of All in 1s, not sure why not.
You’re right to be concerned about bloatware (the packaged stuff that comes preinstalled). Every time I get a new laptop the first thing I do is remove the stuff I don’t want (which is most if not all of it). Norton/McAfee/whatever is the first to go. I have been using the built in Windows Defender for years and never had an issue. I can’t tell you anything about Macs, although in general that is more of a closed environment.
As far as which brands are better or worse as far as bloatware goes, I couldn’t tell you. My guess is it doesn’t matter that much, and is probably a moving target.
Most of the software you list is pretty basic, with the possible exception of Photoshop, which may require more than a low-end CPU. I’m not up to date on this, but I would get at least an Intel I3 or the AMD equivalent (no Pentiums or Celerons, if those even still exist). Also, get at least 8 gigabytes of RAM, and also a solid state drive (SSD) if your storage needs aren’t that great. My latest build has an SSD and I will never go back.
As far as USB ports go, with your device list you should probably get a separate USB hub with it’s own plug (so it doesn’t depend on the PC for power). There are never enough USB ports.
Honestly, though, I think you should consider a laptop. You can always plug in an external monitor and keyboard.
3 of my 4 kids have MacBooks and have been very happy with them. If the Apple ecosystem works for you and you don’t mind paying a premium an Apple product is certainly something to consider. There are certainly fewer decisions to make, which is a plus.
I am in the exact same situation. My HP tower is ancient and it needs to be replaced. I just don’t know what to replace it with. Must be windows (my daughter has a mac and I have used them but I don’t want one). I don’t need the portability of a laptop and want a real keyboard, real mouse, and a large screen (at least 24 inches). I currently have and use external speakers and a webcam but those could be built in. I need to have a real Office license (which I know will cost me almost as much as the new PC), currently using Office 2010 - I don’t want office 365.
My husband has shopped on line a little but every computer gets some bad and some good reviews. My current HP tower has had a noisy fan from the moment we bought it (my biggest complaint is the fan noise).
I’m not considering an iMac because I want everything to work as closely as possible to the way it does now, but better ;). I don’t want to have to figure out, for example, how to deal with my years of tax files created with PC software. Price isn’t really an issue but I don’t want to pay for more than I need.
I used my previous iMac for 8 years with no problems, and it still works. I bought a new one 1 1/2 years ago because I work with photo and design software a lot and needed an upgraded processor. We have had 4 iMac among us for the past 11 years which were trouble-free. Our Dell and Asus machines were a whole other story. However, I do understand not wanting the huge learning curve and transferring all your files and applications to a new operating system!
I had an all-in-one and the monitor went out, meaning I had to replace the whole thing. My dad always advised against buying the all-in-one type devices, unless you replace frequently anyway.
I have a laptop with a docking station, keyboard, mouse, and two huge monitors. It’s set up in my home office (I have been a remote worker for almost 6 years), but if I need it to be portable, I can move the laptop. My laptop has a built-in camera, and I have another camera I use that’s attached to the top of one of my monitors I use when I’m at my desk. My laptop is an HP Elitebook.
DH replaced the last desktop with a very high end HP about 7 years ago. It was recently replaced with a business level Dell laptop. He has a nice large screen and a full size keyboard.
We did the same set up for 88 year old MIL who also didn’t want anything to “change”.
Just be aware, if you aren’t running Windows 10…things will be different. And newer ap versions are different too. No choice, (e.g. if you use WORD, the newer version is very different).
I’ve had an ASUS for 6 years and it’s been fine. Pretty much anything you buy these days, other than at the ultra-low-end, or Chromebook, will do what you need.
Dell was very good about service/repairs my D’s laptop. If you can hold out until Black Friday, you may find a few good deals. Pretty much anything with an i3 or i5, 16GB RAM, either a 100GB SSD and 1-2TB hard drive or a 512GB SSD if you don’t have heavy storage needs, will work. A good monitor and mouse/keyboard (I usually get a Kensington combo) are worth the extra few $$$.
Do not buy an all in one. They look cute but your paying for crap and they tend to fail.
Windows 10 with I5 or I7 with 16g ram. 8 will bog down. Lenovo makes nice desktops and some are thin. Costco has some. They also have various size monitors. Forget an i3. Just don’t.
Dell tends to be higher priced and has crapware. Lenovo tends to not.
I can’t recommend a specific computer as mine is a very very cheap old Windows tablet that would not have enough power for Adobe Photoshop. However, I love the fact that it is portable. When at the home office, I simply plug it into all the peripherals: monitor, second monitor (sometimes), full keyboard, wireless mouse, a portable DVD drive (sometimes) - all through a USB hub with its own power source.
It feels like a full desktop unit when at my desk, but I can unplug it from the desk, and head outside on gorgeous days, or elsewhere in the house for an occasional change of venue, or when I travel. I’d never go back to a tower computer unless you need the greater power, or ability to upgrade internal components.
So far I’ve come up with two possible desktop towers, a Lenova and an Acer (or one of two Acer’s, actually, still trying to figure out the difference):
There don’t seem to be a lot of differences between the Lenova and Acer. Is there something I’m not seeing about why one would be better or worse than the other? And is it better to buy directly from the manufacturer rather than Amazon, Best Buy, etc.? (We are not Costco members.)
I’m in no particular hurry so can wait to see if the Acer 895 becomes available again. Or if there are sales. Or I can get the Lenova!
I have used plenty of Dell monitors and they have all been fine. We might actually have the one you linked to or one of its predecessors. In general, a monitor is a monitor. The differentiating factor for me has always been whether the stand is adjustable (tilt and height). The first flat screen monitor I ever bought (at CompUSA’s going out of business sale, which I still have), had a terrible stand so I had to shell out for a better one. To me, tilt adjustment is a must have, height adjustment a good to have.
To me it’s all price point. Gen 10s have been out for awhile so just get that 16 g ram is my minimum since windows 10 takes a lot of processing power. I5 or I7… There are differences with monitors but for your purposes most will do unless your doing something specific.
If Gen 9 is that much a better price then get that but be wary since sometimes they are very close in price so get the latest model.
Lenovo is the old IBM and still make good computers. Places to get decent pricing that you might not think about is office depot /Staples for them BTW.
Acer makes decent laptops. Not sure about their towers. We have a Lenovo at home that has to be over 10 years old and works fine.