Where to buy older model PCs (that are brand new)?

JJ_Egan

It can be more expensive to just put in new motherboard that requires new cpu and new ram , than buying new .

My last non self build is second user recon job sub £200 . Its a well enough specced network machine  .

https://www.pcbitz.com/

OnlyTheBestWillDo

Rony said:

Hi,

So I am soon to be in need of a new computer. However I do not need a super computer, latest range PC. What I am after is last generation (or even one before that) top of the range PCs.

For example, I usually go for Dell XPS. However, looking on Dells website, every XPS PC they are selling is Intel 11th generation of the latest model.

I wouldn't even mind having 10th Gen or 9th Gen, but these are not being sold? (I think there is one 10th Gen on Currys)

Is there a place on the market where I can buy these older computers? Whenever I search google it gives me second hand computers, which is not what I want,

Like with phones, it is still really easy to buy a phone that is two generations back, why is it so difficult with computers.

Thanks,

If you have already found one @ Currys, then why are you asking here?

https://www.ebay.co.uk/p/25043361146?iid=353406625456

DELL has them at a similar price as Certified Refurbished: https://outlet.euro.dell.com/Online/SecondaryInventorySearch.aspx?c=uk&cs=ukdfh1&l=en&s=dfh&sign=PXhcOSHtr1T4IOw/PR7UdfTzquOscVHBLL1br0sLceFUX8OnSUrDL8L9ccpGcA7rdKQ17P0rdFdd9MRCGScAiMwVwBj+T63mej0UgnEPNxYdjB4LyQDZjZk4qM6mqVVwqRkfzxdy27nxvonMfwR0Bjrn7PDNB9nk7p7piRZkzqWnwyzS3XccFAramZ5b6sWE6YJQMAUL1UK3Y226giaD1MayE3SQdi2m++xqDqDPx78QuQQO/0SNBA==

https://www.dell.com/learn/uk/en/ukdfh1/campaigns/first-time-customer-dell-outlet-uk



Disappointing specification:

Front:
3 USB 3.1 Gen 1 ports
1 USB 3.1 Gen 1 Type-C® port
1 headset port

Back:
2 USB 2.0 ports
4 USB 3.1 Gen 1 ports

Rony

J_B said:

Think MSE     Why do you need one.

Is it possible to upgrade what you have?

What is it's exact make and model?

*Maybe* you could upgrade it for around £50 (?) rather than spend 3/400 on a new one.

So I currently have a laptop, but that is slowly dying and I want a PC desktop as my next computer! So can't really upgrade :P

Ibrahim5 said:

You need to find a computer supplier that buys new PCs and then leaves them hanging around for 5-10 years in their original boxes while their value depreciates to nothing.

That makes sense.

But then, in the same token, why do phone suppliers by new Phones and hold them for many years? Is it because phones depreciate at a slower value than PCs?

Deleted_User said:

I wouldn't worry about what generation the processor is, just start with a budget, set of requirements such screen size / resolution / weight / storage capacity / battery life etc and narrow down the list from there.

Comparing the computer just on the generation of the processor is futile, some 8th gen processors perform better than some 11th gen processors for example.

Yes I agree that is logical. But there is a psychological factor too. For example, when I lay out my criteria, and it matches me with an Inspiron for example, in my head I want an XPS because I feel it is more premium. Which is why I want an older XPS rather than a latest model, but mid to low range PC if that makes sense? xD

Maybe I need to get out of that mindset.

Neil_Jones said:

Computer performance has plateaued to a large extent where the only differences between generations of processors are the model number and the processor socket types.  You're not going to notice a whole world of difference between 10th generation and 11th.  If the generation jump was higher, you probably would notice it. 

Anyway a lot depends on the supply and demand of the processor chips.  Silicon is in short supply at the moment, which is what the chips are made out of it.  When some of it is available its going to be used on (for computer processor purposes) for the latest generation chips and hardware, because that's how this market works.  If you want what is effectively last year's technology that's what eBay is for.

Comparing to mobile phones is like apples to pears - its not the same comparison.  One of the things that drives computers and computer hardware is the gaming sector.  They need more powerful graphics card, meatier power supplies, processors with a bit of oomph behind them and a decent size screen.  Likewise the dropping of Windows support for older hardware and that everything eventually gravitates towards newer hardware.  What drives mobile phone sales is their flexibility, their smaller size, the fact they can hold a shelf's worth books/music/video/whatever and the apps market, which will support older versions of Android sometimes going back many years.

I agree RE the processors. Which is why I wanted a 9th gen, as for the stuff I need it for, I won't notice the difference between 9th and 11th gen.

I didn't even think about the chip shortage, I need to factor that in too

I understand that PC and phone are different from a functionality point of view. But I would have expected them to be similar when it comes to stocking older models (which I am clearly wrong). I am guessing the demand for older phones is higher than the demand for older computers. Windows dropping older hardware, doesn't Android do the same? The latest Android OS won't support certain phones that are too old.

And ebay, thanks for that. I have barely ever used ebay, so maybe I will take a look here!

getmore4less said:

The games machine builders put together new basic machines using older gen main components.
Very competitive market so close to DIY build prices.

Have a look at the cheaper deals by this guy on HUKD

https://www.hotukdeals.com/profile/sarden84/deals

Budget and requirements will drive the build.

Graphics cards supply has distributed the market but if you can live with on board there are some decent machine under £300

Thanks! I will take a lookIbrahim5 said:

With PCs you should never need a 'new' one. You just replace the parts that need replacing. The biggest 'upgrade' is the motherboard, processor and RAM which need to be bought together because they normally aren't compatible across different eras. I have never had a failed processor or RAM but have had plenty of faulty motherboards. I have had bad experience buying used motherboards off ebay. So I will only use brand new boxed Asus or Gigabyte motherboards. I will then happily buy a used CPU and RAM from ebay. Need an SSD of course if you haven't got one. My last few builds have been done like that. The key is to find an older brand new motherboard which isn't always easy. Ebuyer have plenty of 9th generation motherboards although ebay don't seem to have many used 9th generation CPUs at the moment.

I have recently started to see this. But you also need to have the knowledge to apply this, which I don't! Something that I am building on slowly over the years lol

JJ_Egan said:

It can be more expensive to just put in new motherboard that requires new cpu and new ram , than buying new .

My last non self build is second user recon job sub £200 . Its a well enough specced network machine  .

https://www.pcbitz.com/

Thanks I will take a look

OnlyTheBestWillDo said:

If you have already found one @ Currys, then why are you asking here?

...

Because the one on Currys that I found was still over a grand.....

My question is not really to help me find one, but what sites/places sell last gen brand new computers so that I can have a browse!

I looked at the Dell Outlet, but still they aren't brand new, they are refurbished, which is another kettle of fish. Even still, I think refurbished is still more expensive than last generation!

debitcardmayhem

Have a look at palicomp or chillblast e.g. https://www.palicomp.co.uk/intel-mercury-cof9

JJ_Egan

Most don't sell brand new old spec unless they have bought and failed to sell , typically that would be small computer shops .

Neil_Jones

Rony said:

I understand that PC and phone are different from a functionality point of view. But I would have expected them to be similar when it comes to stocking older models (which I am clearly wrong). I am guessing the demand for older phones is higher than the demand for older computers. Windows dropping older hardware, doesn't Android do the same? The latest Android OS won't support certain phones that are too old.

Due to the way Android is distributed, it falls to the manufacturers to release the updates.  The only real exception is the Nexus series, which is made by Google, who also commercially sponsor Android.  Everybody else though its up to them when (or if!) you get an Android update from what the phone came with.

I was referring to app support, not hardware support.  Plenty of apps on the store that will run on Android 2.3.6 for example, though efforts are made to push focus towards modern Android implementations/versions for new apps.

baza52

Ibrahim5 said:

With PCs you should never need a 'new' one. You just replace the parts that need replacing. The biggest 'upgrade' is the motherboard, processor and RAM which need to be bought together because they normally aren't compatible across different eras. I have never had a failed processor or RAM but have had plenty of faulty motherboards. I have had bad experience buying used motherboards off ebay. So I will only use brand new boxed Asus or Gigabyte motherboards. I will then happily buy a used CPU and RAM from ebay. Need an SSD of course if you haven't got one. My last few builds have been done like that. The key is to find an older brand new motherboard which isn't always easy. Ebuyer have plenty of 9th generation motherboards although ebay don't seem to have many used 9th generation CPUs at the moment.

this reminds me of Only fools and horses where trigger has had the same broom for 20 years but has had 17 new heads and 14 new handles lol

JJ_Egan

You forgot the medal for the broom .

Ibrahim5

The last time cases were changed was the introduction of the ATX case in 1995. I bought mine in 1996. So my main PC is built in a 25 year old case. It must have had a few motherboards. Some people seem to understand that it doesn't matter. Some people don't get it. They seem to think that it would somehow behave like an old PC.

baza52

Ibrahim5 said:

The last time cases were changed was the introduction of the ATX case in 1995. I bought mine in 1996. So my main PC is built in a 25 year old case. It must have had a few motherboards. Some people seem to understand that it doesn't matter. Some people don't get it. They seem to think that it would somehow behave like an old PC.

why would anyone think it would behave like an old PC? I'm surprised you haven't upgraded the case in all that time but i guess this is a moneysaving site