I would also avoid all-in-one computers. The custom parts are expensive, and computer makers are notorious for cutting corners to keep prices down. If you want a good desktop, just get a traditional tower, preferably Dell or HP. They’re a lot more reliable because everything is built with standardized parts. Here’s a link to a computer that has everything on your list. It even has decent graphics if you’re into video games, haha!
All the peripherals, like the monitor and printer, you can purchase as add-ons. I’m not sure if they do external hard drives, but you can get one on Amazon or Wal Mart, and plug it right into the USB port.
You DEFINATELY need internet security software like Norton. Windows is a magnet for viruses. If you have an active subscription to Norton, you should be able to login and download the software for your new computer from the Norton website.
I have an HP now and it has more-or-less held up for 11 years (got the fan replaced a few years ago). I do have an external hard drive; I use it for backing up of most all my files. Our Norton subscription allows more devices so I can download it. My son says I don’t need it though:
We paid enough for his CS degree and he’s a test engineer so I do listen to him…sometimes.
It runs in the backround and doesn’t interfere with anything. You can also run Superantispyware…there is a free version to test. This is pretty powerful software and doesn’t bog down your computer. It will actually run faster without leaving any programs around. It got a virus that I used "several " different products for and once I ran it, it got in without any problems. fyi
Yikes sorry about these links but run this in the backround. It’s great software and people in the know use it daily.
But if you stay with Norton you can just transfer the licence to the new computer. On their site they will tell you what to do. It’s pretty easy
My household seems to have monitors that reproduce- or else someone is buying things that I don’t know about! My own personal desktop computer is about 6 years old now and I’m just holding my breath that it doesn’t crash since I’m not sure when we last backed it up. I mainly rely on my work laptop.
This might not work for you. But my husband likes having a macbook laptop. Then he uses it with external keyboard and monitor for photo hobby and his more intense spreadsheets/paperwork.
After buying a consumer grade Dell for my wife, I’ll never buy a pre-loaded laptop again.
Over the years, I bought two Windows desktops for technical consulting from Cyberpower. They’re big on gaming computers and I found what I needed in the mid-price range. No bloatware, you chose all components, they assemble. Then you install what software you purchased, along with necessary drivers.
For the last two desktops, I used the old cases and just bought all new components online. Don’t recall the website that made it easy to choose the parts but there are probably a half-dozen now and it’s just a matter of keeping your hands clean and grounded to the case, screwdrivers, and plugging things together.
If you go this route, buy last year’s, or the year before’s, high-end parts. Price has dropped to about mid-range and you’ll be good for 6-7 years, before they start obsoleting you on your hardware, etc.
LOL, not building my own desktop. Son kept talking about it but went with a gaming laptop in the end. MSI GL63 8SC-059 15.6" Gaming Laptop, Intel Core i7-8750H, NVIDIA GeForce GTX1650, 8GB, 256GB Nvme SSD, Win10 https://www.amazon.com/dp/B07R6B94C7/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_tai_BQYpFbMMZ8K00
I just want to replace my aging desktop with something that will work roughly the same but better (I am sure I can handle Windows 10) and will let me use my existing software and files.
My 8 or 9 or 10 yr old Dell desktop is on its last legs. It came with Vista operating system right when they switched to Windows 8. When they completely ended support for Vista I considered buying (yes, I had to buy it) a Windows 10 upgrade, but I am so cheap I tried Ubuntu (free Linux) instead. It works pretty well, but very soon, could be next week or next year I will upgrade to a new computer. I think I will go with a laptop and just plug in my 2 monitors and keyboard and mouse. Probably spend $400 to $800. I would think a solid state drive would be nice - faster than the old style harddrive.
Oh, and I also have an external harddrive for backup. If you do likewise, I recommend leaving it UNPLUGGED routinely, and only plug it in when you do a backup. If you get infected by ransomware it could otherwise get to your backup.
We just retired our iMac after 10 years because the HD died and it wasn’t worth upgrading. It has a quad core CPU and 16Gb of RAM.
At this point I would get a Macbook pro and attach an external monitor/TV, keyboard and trackpad. You get the same functionality and the convenience of using your computer anywhere, even on the patio or in front of the tube. Macs are much better at handling multiple desktops, and this is from someone who uses Windows all day at work.
Personally I wouldn’t overthink it. The Lenovo that @Knowsstuff linked above looks quite nice for the price with the core i7 and SSD. Add a decent monitor like a 32” or 34” 4k for around $400-$500 and call it a day.
If you’re price-sensitive and want to save a few hundred bucks then you could drop down to a core i5 and regular hdd, and a 24” monitor. Once you use a 4k monitor though, it’s really hard to go back. I’d give up cpu horsepower before downgrading the monitor, if forced to make a choice. Also super-hard to give up SSD speeds once you get used to it.
If you’re extra price-sensitive, then take a look at the refurb machines on Best Buy for around $250.
Thanks everyone, I’m 99% sure I will wake up tomorrow and buy that Lenova that @Knowsstuff found. I checked with the CS son on choosing between the Lenovo’s. He basically said it was a choice between more power and more memory. I have no plans to store large files (I’m not making movies or anything) so will go for power!
I only wish I could get a big monitor! But anything over 24” will be too much for the small desk and office. I’ll most likely get the Dell. Then I just have to pick an adequate webcam for Zooming and such.
You do not need to spend that much money on a monitor unless your doing heavy graphics. There are many monitors that would do the job for $150 or around. Many sales now also. Not gonna make Quickbooks look that much better. Also it depends on the lighting in your office room. If your able to go to a store this is where I would want to actually see the monitor in action to get a clue. Some are glossy and some have a flatter look to them. Either can be the correct one depending on what your using the screen for the majority of the time and the lighting in the room. The computer I suggested has Both speed and memory for your “needs”. Have your son make sure you can upgrade both if needed in the future but I doubt you ever will. For functionality I use dual 27 inch monitors in the office on a single stand but my wife at-home has one 27 inch due to limitation and need. Personally, Instead of an expensive monitor I would evaluate upgrading the router /modem. I personally like fast. Even if your paying separately you can usually buy your own and get better use of your bandwidth.
Run Speedtest and then the name of your provider. See what your speeds are. If your not getting the number your paying for I will give you some suggestions. I actually get over the amount I am paying for with a better modem. This can eye opening… Lol.
Just as an aside I’m used to build my own going to computer parts store and picking out what I needed. Insulated wires etc. Dampening glues etc. Then I found some “white box” companies that built to order… Around a similar price. Lol. Like Dell would be on the line. When production stopped. The oem no name was next. Pretty much a Dell computer with a no name badge… Companies do this for laptops also.
Lenovo doesn’t come with a lot of crapware usually. FYI.
I won’t tell you I usually delete/wipe the computer and reinstall everything to make it as clean as possible and then load what I want. I do higher end speech recognition and need a fast, clean machine and software (just takes like an hour or so)… So no crapware at all… Lol…
Errr… Windows 10 updates have been “free” for like 2 years now. Get a thumb drive if more then 1 computer but just go to the windows upgrade site and see if your computers will upgrade. I did 10 for my medical office. All various versions of windows 7 some upgrades from Vista. All now windows 10, for free…
Just a thought, and I am an IT professional The biggest thing that slows down computers over time is the hard drive, which is going obsolete in favor of flash memory drives. I recommend HP, because all of their desktops run windows off of a flash drive, which makes it run exponentially faster than the hard drive counterparts. They still give you a 1 terabyte hard drive for storage, but you don’t even need that if you have an external hard drive.
Also, external hard drives aren’t the most reliable methods for backup. I’ve had hard drives go bad, and lose an entire movie collection(legal movies). I recommend going onto the Microsoft website and getting a subscription to Office 365. For $7.00 a month, you get the latest version of Office, and 1 terabyte of online storage, that you can easily set-up for automatic back-up of your files if your computer fails. Believe me, it’s worth it’s weight in gold.
I have just been seriously thinking of replacing our old router! I do have Speedtest on my phone and know that we’re not getting close to the speed our internet company claims they provide. I’ve just let it be because it seemed good enough and it works! I’m so afraid I’ll change it out and start having trouble. It’s not that I don’t think I can manage the change, it’s just less stressful not to bother ;).
But now may be the time. We have a small one story L shaped house and our modem and router are at one end; I did put in a WiFi extender a couple of years ago which really helped reception in the far bedroom.
I could ask our cable company to replace our modem with a combo, but it seems smarter to leave that be and just change the router.
@Knowsstuff - I would appreciate some suggestions. It’s just the two of us at home: two computers, two devices, two smartphones, and one older smart tv. We seldom have buffering problems. This caught my eye but it’s probably more than we need: TP-Link AC4000 Smart WiFi Router - Tri Band Router, MU-MIMO, VPN Server, Advanced Security by HomeCare, 1.8GHz CPU, Gigabit, Beamforming, Link Aggregation, Works with Alexa(Archer A20) https://www.amazon.com/dp/B084HLB7LJ/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_tai_fEaqFb0PGM0BM
I’m sort of of the school “if it ain’t broke, don’t fix it” and “leave well enough alone”.
Do the speed test on the computer not phone since your computer is most likely hard wired with ethernet. Phones vary to much and based more on the phones processor ability also.
Look at Arris modems. I personally like these separate so if the modem stops you still have Wi-Fi.
Hooking these up is simple and you can just copy what your currently doing wire wise. Your just putting into the new router /modem. Plus then you don’t pay the monthly fee to whomever…
Also with the nighthawk you can assign certain items like your cell phone to take presence over your husband’s… Lol… It reaches very far and will work with anyone’s adapter. Most you connect with wds anyway…
If you choose one… Update the modem if your not having issues with your router. Talk to your provider for which types they support and suggest. These change and I got the one the that RCN in Chicago uses and it’s fast per se. It’s paid for itself over and over. No more paying a monthly fee to the provider. The provider will have to register it so you will have to call. They can walk you through the setup also. Your talking like 2 wires. If you got speed test already on your phone… Lol… You got this…
I will upgrade to a new computer. I think I will go with a laptop and just plug in my 2 monitors and keyboard and mouse. Probably spend $400 to $800. I would think a solid state drive would be nice - faster than the old style harddrive.