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

Ibrahim5

It's a 35W i3. I believe in not creating heat in the first place.

baza52

Ibrahim5 said:

It's a 35W i3. I believe in not creating heat in the first place.

so you clearly don't upgrade as often as you led us to believe. 

Ibrahim5

I upgrade when I need to upgrade. I never quoted a frequency.

baza52

Ibrahim5 said:

I upgrade when I need to upgrade. I never quoted a frequency.

ok that's cool.

OnlyTheBestWillDo

Rony said:

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!

If you cannot afford XPS, then forget about XPS. You are wasting your time and the time of others with that. How much did you imagine it was going to cost? £500 for a new old XPS??
Set a budget and go from there; rather than setting yourself useless tasks.
No point in buying new old; that is a bit dopey, as it's not just about the processor.
Even if you managed to find one, what kind of warranty do you think that you would receive? 12 months at best. So what difference if it is Certified Refurbished or not?? It will be as new without even a scratch.
Even the new XPS is surprisingly limited, as shown in the specs above. Hardly premium. But at least you can extend the warranty with the latest.
1 USB 3.1 Gen 1 Type-C® port as opposed to 1 USB 3.2 Gen 2 Type-C® port or Thunderbolt 4.
USB 3.2 was introduced in 2017!



Even the previous iteration; the 8930 had Gen2 slots.

If your budget is £500, then look for the best £500 can buy, instead of uselessly burdening yourself with the name XPS. Do you even need a separate graphics solution?
If you have to have an XPS; Currys has an i5 for £780.

OnlyTheBestWillDo

If you don't need discrete graphics; then save your money: https://www.aldi.co.uk/medion-i5-8gb-1tb-ssd-desktop-pc/p/711234446655000....whoops...sold out!

Ryzen 5 4350G: https://www.aldi.co.uk/medion-ryzen-5-8gb-desktop-pc/p/715922501280800

Not necessarily a recommendation; it just allows you to make comparisons. Not too sure about their PSU. Also may use 'binned down' components.
'Binned down' meaning, for example, if a component; say an i5 CPU doesn't meet it's spec, then it may be sold as an i3 by trimming down the i5 spec to an i3 spec.

Dandytf

I'm using Dell 2021 11th gen i5.
Nice laptop, though for OP Dell Vostro used to be good value.

p.s.  PayPal Credit support Dell purchases, I paid over few months 0% interest.

OnlyTheBestWillDo

Dandytf said:

I'm using Dell 2021 11th gen i5.
Nice laptop, though for OP Dell Vostro used to be good value.

p.s.  PayPal Credit support Dell purchases, I paid over few months 0% interest.

What does this have to do with anything here? The OP is looking for a Desktop.

getmore4less

Did you abandon your "top end pc" (without dedicated graphics)  purchase last Nov?

https://forums.moneysavingexpert.com/discussion/6216824/desktop-pc-ports-uma-only#latest

With a bit more information on what you are after with use cases someone could point you to something suitable.

If you are unlikely to be doing major upgrades with most more recent on board graphics that can cope with most basic user stuff and light gaming/editing you could get a perfectly good base for under £300 that would have plenty of life in it. 

Ibrahim5

With a PC you need to check out ALL the components. For me the PSU and the motherboard are very important. These are often totally lacking in the specification list. People often just buy the cheapest for a particular specification. Manufacturers do this by giving you the spec you ordered but the cheapest of other components. Cheap PSUs are awful. Noisy fans. Unreliable. I really only like Asus motherboards. Cheap motherboards have capacitors which don't last long. So you have to make sure you know every component on a PC that you buy.