Cheap Desktop - Thoughts?

[ExtraSlow]

Looking for a basic desktop, pretty much only used for web surfing. Occasional minor photo editing in GIMP

Needs to be a windows machine.

Looking at these from MemEx:
Lenovo S510, $449 - http://www.memoryexpress.com/Products/MX64214
HP ProDesk 400 G3, $499 - http://www.memoryexpress.com/Products/MX65339
Higher Spec version of the Lenovo S510 - $549 - http://www.memoryexpress.com/Products/MX65163

Have had some issues with computers dying on me, and it's driving me insane, so I'd probably be looking at the MemEx IPR, but I see that HP has some kind of 3 year warranty.

Originally posted by MemEx Website
3/3/3 HP Warranty: 3 Year HP Limited Onsite Parts and Labor Warranty
HP's Warranty Terms and conditions vary by country. Certain restrictions and exclusions apply.

Any thoughts on that HP warranty?

[Seth1968]

Even the most basic computer built in the last few years will have more than enough "power" to do what you, and 99% of the population want it to do. For virtually every end user, the computers speed has little to nothing to do with the type of processor or amount of ram.

Check out the refurbished desktops from Staples. You can't go wrong at $130.00 for a decent desktop. I know dozens of people who use these without any unusual hardware issues.

If you go this route, make sure it has the video port you want, or you might have to pick up a cheap video adapter.

http://www.staples.ca/en/Refurbished...by=1&min=&max=

Change the Sort option to Price (low to High)

[ExtraSlow]

Originally posted by Seth1968
Check out the refurbished desktops from Staples. You can't go wrong at $130.00 for a decent desktop. I know dozens of people who use these without any unusual hardware issues.

Yeah, I'm sure they are fully as reliable as a "brand new" unit, but I seem to be having a streak of bad luck, and that memex IPR is so hassle free, I'd like to just know it was easy to get it fixed/replaced, you know?

[Seth1968]

I don't know anything about Mem's IPR, but you can buy 3 or 4 of the refurbished ones for the price of one at Memex.

With your previous computer issues, are you mainly talking about hardware or software issues?

[revelations]

Get a used PC from kijji for 100$ and stick in a 125$ SSD ..... 95% of the issues are HDD related.

[ExtraSlow]

One issue was with unstable video output, which seems really unlikely, and another I'm pretty sure was a hard drive, although it may have been a motherboard issue. That desktop won't even boot up.

[revelations]

^ btw that mobo you left me that refused to POST/ boot - turns out the pins on the CPU board mount were bent.

[ExtraSlow]

Hah, wonder how that happened.

[revelations]

Also, if you have consistent issues with PCs dying - have you tried a UPS device ?

[Seth1968]

Originally posted by ExtraSlow
One issue was with unstable video output, which seems really unlikely, and another I'm pretty sure was a hard drive, although it may have been a motherboard issue. That desktop won't even boot up.

So were these normal hardware failures given the age of the computers? In general, hardware failure will begin at about 4 years with the main culprits being the mobo, hdd, or power supply.

[ExtraSlow]

Originally posted by Seth1968


So were these normal hardware failures given the age of the computers? In general, hardware failure will begin at about 4 years with the main culprits being the mobo, hdd, or power supply.

I would say my problems have been "before normal" in several cases.

[ExtraSlow]

Originally posted by Seth1968
I don't know anything about Mem's IPR, but you can buy 3 or 4 of the refurbished ones for the price of one at Memex.

I just don't think I can bring myself to buy something with a nearly decade old architecture. Those cheaper staples unites are all Intel Core2 Duo processors, which is probably plenty enough for my extremely light useage, it's still 2006 technology.

Have found an online seller who has the same Lenovo S510 (10KY002AUS w/ Core i3-6100, 4GB, 500GB, Win 10 Pro) for $369, so i think I'll go get Memex to price match that for me tomorrow. Figure the price match will pay for the IPR.

[revelations]

^ you can also find some sweet deals on refurbished systems on BestBuys website. 150$ can get you a complete package (monitor, box, keyboard mouse).

[ExtraSlow]

The bestbuy ones seem slightly better than the Staples refurbished. Didn't realize how big the world of refurbished hardware was.

[realazy]

What about directly from dellrefurbished.ca?

Sign up for the email and there are regular coupon codes for 40-50% off.

The regular price is ridiculous, but the price after 40-50% off is decent.

[Xtrema]

Want a bit of flare?

http://www.ncix.com/detail/hp-pavili...m?promoid=1590

$100 off right now for the next few days. I will take this over the $549 Lenovo. 4 more GB of RAM alone is worth it, bigger hard drive but shitter processor, similar to an i3. So the only downside may be GIMP, everything else should be good.

[Sugarphreak]

...

[ExtraSlow]

Originally posted by ExtraSlow
I just don't think I can bring myself to buy something with a nearly decade old architecture. Those cheaper staples unites are all Intel Core2 Duo processors, which is probably plenty enough for my extremely light usage, it's still 2006 technology.

Have found an online seller who has the same Lenovo S510 (10KY002AUS w/ Core i3-6100, 4GB, 500GB, Win 10 Pro) for $369, so i think I'll go get Memex to price match that for me tomorrow. Figure the price match will pay for the IPR.

Yeah, Picked up that Lenovo S510 (w/ Core i3-6100, 4GB, 500GB, Win 10 Pro) which was $360 after the price beat.

Will run it for a while, and could slap in another 4GB of RAM for $45 and an SSD and still be under $500.