More money for a worse computer?

[5hift]

As you will probably figure out soon, computers are not my forte and I could use any insight offered.

I am looking at a slim desktop pc to use as my media center/start the cord cutting process and have found these two I think would suffice:



Is there something I am missing or is the better computer (spec wise) $200 less between these two?

https://www.bestbuy.ca/en-ca/product/acer-aspire-xc-desktop-pc-intel-pentium-silver-qcj-5005-1tb-hdd-8gb-ram-intel-uhd-graphics-605/12308197.aspx?icmp=Recos_3across_tp_sllng_prdcts

https://www.bestbuy.ca/en-ca/product/hp-slim-desktop-pc-amd-a6-9225-1tb-hdd-8gb-ram-windows-10-english/12387269.aspx?icmp=fly-WDH-BB-2018-05-25-12387269


Is there anything even better for this purpose that I have completely overlooked?

Thanks in advance

[Disoblige]

Quad core vs Dual core.
Acer has bigger processor cache, faster RAM.

Technically it's a $100 difference, as the HP is on sale. The Acer is a faster computer overall.

[revelations]

Dont get an ACER. They put in the shittiest WD series drives that can fail after a ridonculously short amount of time. If you do get it, clone the drive with something that will last.

[Thaco]

Dont get an ACER. They put in the shittiest WD series drives that can fail after a ridonculously short amount of time. If you do get it, clone the drive with something that will last.

should never be using a spinner for your boot drive anyway, thats the biggest performance hit you can take.



but the biggest difference would be the processor, a dual core mobile AMD in the HP vs a quad core desktop intel in the Acer...
http://www.cpu-world.com/Compare/653/AMD_A6-Series_for_Notebooks_A6-9225_vs_Intel_Pentium_J5005.html

[Mitsu3000gt]

I suggest just buying an Nvidia Shield, that's all most people need IMO.

[jwslam]

I suggest just buying an Nvidia Shield, that's all most people need IMO.
I wanna know how much they're paying you to do all this marketing :rofl:

on topic:
What do you NEED out of a media center?
-storage
-local network streaming
-online streaming
-4K

[Mitsu3000gt]

I wanna know how much they're paying you to do all this marketing :rofl:

on topic:
What do you NEED out of a media center?
-storage
-local network streaming
-online streaming
-4K

Lots of people on here recommend the Shield and for good reason. It gives people the super easy "media box" interface with the functionality of a HTPC - in my experience that is all most people are after. It also offers everything you just suggested for less money than those media centers.

[Thaco]

Lots of people on here recommend the Shield and for good reason. It gives people the super easy "media box" interface with the functionality of a HTPC - in my experience that is all most people are after. It also offers everything you just suggested for less money than those media centers.

yeah TBH for a media center, i'd pass on a PC anyway, i have an old laptop i use exclusively for shaw freerange (on someone else's account because i don't have cable, basically only use it for sports) because it wont run on mobile platforms... other than that everythign else is on an android box, no need for a pc with massive HD, everything these days is streamed.

[jwslam]

Lots of people on here recommend the Shield and for good reason. It gives people the super easy "media box" interface with the functionality of a HTPC - in my experience that is all most people are after. It also offers everything you just suggested for less money than those media centers.
I don't doubt it's good at what it does... I'm just saying your posts are all over it like a fat kid on cake.

[Mitsu3000gt]

I don't doubt it's good at what it does... I'm just saying your posts are all over it like a fat kid on cake.

Why do you have such a problem with it? It's a great box (that you haven't even used by the sounds of it) and I recommend it for good reason. You seem somehow personally offended by this. The person above said essentially the same thing and I don't see you getting on his case. I haven't recommended the Shield to anyone in a long time - looks like the last time I recommended it to someone was December of last year. No fewer than FIVE different people mentioned it (that must really chap your ass) before I chimed in to answer some questions:

https://forums.beyond.ca/threads/405702-Time-for-a-new-kodi-box?highlight=nvidia+shield

I'm just trying to help the OP, who started by saying he doesn't know much about computers and wants to cut the cord - not sure why that bothers you so much. A powerful media box is perfect for that without having to manage a separate PC. This is a very reasonable option for him, there are no comparables on the market, and it requires zero computer knowledge.

[phreezee]

I concur, never buy an Acer.

[jwslam]

Why do you have such a problem with it?
Again, not having a problem with it.... just a wannabe jokester.

[Thaco]

not sure why people blame acer for shitty WD drives, all entry level machines use the same trash

[Mitsu3000gt]

not sure why people blame acer for shitty WD drives, all entry level machines use the same trash

Also can't you just look up what WD drive they are putting in and then check failure rates?

At any rate I wouldn't buy any of these PC's without an SSD. Especially if you're going to leave it on all the time I wouldn't want a spinner drive in there.

[5hift]

I really appreciate all the responses and info provided here everyone – thanks.

Believe it or not, I asked the sales guy at Best Buy the difference between these two desktops as they were priced the same in store, but significantly different online. He actually told me these two computers are identical in every way.

I guess should provide more details on what I need. I should also mention I have had an Acer for a computer during university, it took a ton of abuse and it stills works today – so I am not too afraid of getting another Acer, I am more concerned for getting the best computer for my needs.

About my needs. The only time I watch cable is for sports. Other than that I stream/dL everything. Mostly Netflix, but I do also use things like popcorn time and still torrent longer series like GoT etc. I would prefer storage just as then I can put my ITunes library/longer tv series on the media center but it is not critical. 4K would be great as I have a 4K tv but I am satisfied with even just HD.

I have thought of an android box/Kodi, but from what I have read you are constantly having to update/tinker with it in order to keep it working. I have also looked at the Shield, but I was unsure if it had any software restrictions to prevent me from illegally streaming from popcorn time etc. To give you an idea of how little I know about this, right now when I want to stream a game, I just type in “reddit streams game name” into google and click links until something works.

So any more insight or a point in the right direction where I can further read up on cord cutting for idiots would be greatly appreciated. Especially with all major american sports pretty much done besides baseball, I’m done with paying $100 a month to see the Blue Jays.