PC tower & monitor shopping around

cisko65

Hi, I need to replace my deskop PC which I was told might have a hardware problem (mend it might not be worthy). I would like Windows and I used the PC mainly for internet, Words/OpenOffice and a few other programs. I would like a tower with monitor. 

A friend said the following would be enough:

- a 2-3 old model, like a 10th generation processor intel core i5

- 8 gb

I've seen that in the description of the products there many other characteristics. I'll be waiting for the Christmas sale (£650 max) but I need to be prepared.

Thanks for your help.

PS Any comments on the refurbished?

tacpot12

If buying refurbished, you need to be careful that the machine can run Windows 11. 10th Gen Core i5 should be fine, but check all the specs carefully, and ideally buy it with Windows 11 preinstalled and something in writing to say that the hardware meets the requirements for Windows 11. 

I would take a look at a Mini PC. There is virtually no requirement for a CD-Rom drive these days, so your 'desktop' machine can be tiny. I would be looking for a minimum of 512GB of storage to give you storage space for many years to come.

GDB2222

I agree with Tacpot. Take a look at something like this:

https://www.amazon.co.uk/GMKtec-G3-Computer-Ethernet-Business/dp/B0CH81C4K3

There are hundreds of different ones on Amazon, so you can choose the spec to suit your needs. I’d recommend getting one with 16GB of RAM. 

These are also available on Ali Express, considerably cheaper, but not everyone is willing to grapple with AE, plus you may be charged duty. 

cisko65

Thanks. Lots of homework...

debitcardmayhem

This looks fairly priced and leaves room for a monitor
 https://www.amazon.co.uk/MINSFORUM-NAB9-i9-12900HK-Threads-Computer/dp/B0DBR26GWH/ref=sr_1_16?crid=1B9XS5NDKC8SM&dib=eyJ2IjoiMSJ9.UHf7n0q-HYDD6TrRqcqCdO9ZK4cbQx3NxGNO9HaP9dSiKmts_Mk-C4k22A3MmsCwGulTlbW4ZEvEHGSfQq_KGQnmI21R2YrJ-8SDnvye_6FiigqjNdJwFM9YEMM1-ZqnRdZynEhcffB_fXsKS6xTHhFYqccZcYersKqfXaK1p567KIX0JHhQ_VAVSqmF_8WXKQ8ayO1cv0Ljvvsk2URaKIlnKUybAZgg_JMNttUtQr5P_zmhDXQ74wez33KvdReC4anynUEdQIQyRf2QwGP79Q.hmdgQUBIEHSbXTR-Hho1Hx6yFvpzk5v6yKv7su6AxU0&dib_tag=se&keywords=minisforum+venus&nsdOptOutParam=true&qid=1733595632&s=computers&sprefix=minisforum+venus%2Ccomputers%2C74&sr=1-16&ufe=app_do%3Aamzn1.fos.23648568-4ba5-49f2-9aa6-31ae75f1e9cd

J_B

Can't you use your existing monitor?

victor2

If you know a local PC shop who supplies refurbished PCs AND is recommended by others, it might be worth a visit.

I did that a few months back and got a 9th generation i7 based system (with Windows 11) at a good price. I have dealt with the guy over the last several years though, and trust him to supply good machines (generally ex-business Dell PCs) at a fair price.

Can't say I'm a fan of Windows 11, but rumour has it that Windows 12 is in the pipeline, and will hopefully be better, and will run on this PC!

cisko65

J_B said:

Can't you use your existing monitor?

Thanks J-B, I thought about it and I will need to find out if it's still good enough.

cisko65

victor2 said:

If you know a local PC shop who supplies refurbished PCs AND is recommended by others, it might be worth a visit.

I did that a few months back and got a 9th generation i7 based system (with Windows 11) at a good price. I have dealt with the guy over the last several years though, and trust him to supply good machines (generally ex-business Dell PCs) at a fair price.

Can't say I'm a fan of Windows 11, but rumour has it that Windows 12 is in the pipeline, and will hopefully be better, and will run on this PC!

Thanks for your advice. I'll see if I can find a recommended shop in London for refurbished PCs. My tech skills are not that good and it might be on the safer side to buy a new PC in chains such as Curry's. 

Vitor

I agree, given the OP's usage a mini-PC in the £200 to £250 range with Windows 11 Pro makes a lot of sense.

cisko65

Besides the monitor what are the advantages of the mini PC compared to my Lenovo laptop?
- (Intel(R) Pentium(R) CPU  N3700  @ 1.60GHz   1.60 GHz

-Device RAM 4.00 GB
Thanks again.