Help Me Replace My Windows Computer

In My Humble Opinion
1

There was a thread earlier this year regarding replacement of a Mac, and there are also a couple of threads regarding building a new computer or replacing parts on an existing computer. Well, I have a 2017 Windows desktop PC, and I need to replace it with another Windows desktop PC. I want to buy one off the shelf, but there are a lot of models/configurations available. I need some guidance.

I have a few requirements. I want 32 GB of RAM, and I want a 1 TB Solid-State hard drive. I don’t need a new monitor, although if the price is right, I’d consider it. I think I want an Intel processor, but I have no idea what model or speed I need. I don’t think I need an add-on graphics card, but, again, if the price is right, I would certainly consider it.

My computing needs are not great. I surf the Web, I run Quicken, I do a bit of Excel work, I manage the books (via Excel and Quicken) of our small family LLC, and I’m in the midst of a large family-photo scanning project which may or may not ever get completed. I do very little, if any, photo editing.

My current desktop is a Dell, I have a Lenovo laptop, and my wife has an HP laptop. I’m not partial to any particular brand.

Based on my requirements, I’m finding prices ranging from 800 to 2000 bucks. While I want to say that money is no object, I don’t want to buy something I don’t need, but I do want to get a quality unit that will last me for several years.

If you can give me any guidance, I’d appreciate it. Furthermore, if you can find a ready-to-buy unit online that you think would fit my needs, that would be even better. I would welcome any suggestions and will try to answer any questions that may arise.

Thanks in advance!

2

I’ve been IT for more than 3 decades and I will NOT buy another HP computer. I was prompted to install an urgent BIOS upgrade that wiped all the settings to default, causing an annoying prompt every time I booted the computer. When I contacted HP Support they would not help me without a paid support contract. I ended up tracking down the info I needed online, but that’s a hard no for me.

Dell and Lenovo are both solid choices. I’m typing this on my Lenovo desktop with a Ryzen 7 with 32GB and 2TB SSD and have no issues but Intel processors generally have an integrated GPU that would do you well if you are not playing high res games.

3

This is good info. I should add that in my online shopping, HP is consistently the lowest priced of the 3 brands you and I both mentioned. Probably a good reason for that.

4

I have had OK results with Gigabyte motherboards. You can pick ones that are high-end, midrange, Intel or AMD, whatever you want.

5

I have also been in IT for nearly 30 years and I will no longer buy anything from HP.

I’m not a big fan of Dell anymore either but I might consider them for what the OP wants.

I’m curious why you want so much RAM? I mean, if you want it that’s fine but in your use case I am not seeing where the RAM is needed unless you have a zillion open browser tabs and your photo scanning project is super0high resolution photos with massive file sizes (which would then make me think you’d want an SSD bigger than 1TB).

ISTM you could get away with integrated graphics on a CPU but maybe an inexpensive secondary video card might be nice to have.

One way to go is to buy a dirt cheap pre-built (HP or whatever) and just replace it if it breaks.

This company has gotten some good reviews. Gamers Nexus even said one of their pre-built PCs doesn’t actually suck ($2400 though).

This PC seems about right for you although it only has 16GB of RAM (something easily solved though…I can’t say for certain but you could probably get them to put in 32GB for an extra charge).

6

Dell is on state contract in Arkansas. All the state agencies and universities get special pricing.

I’ve used various models at work my entire career. Dell has a special page for us to purchase

This is their retail page at various prices.

Optiplex is their smaller desktops

7

I used to be in IT. I learned long ago that more RAM is a good thing to have. And I’d rather have it now than add it in the future. But your point is well taken.

Thanks. I will check it out.

8

I’ve been checking this out most every day ever since I started my shopping search.

Interestingly, I’m finding better prices on Dell models via Amazon, Newegg, or Google Shopping.

9

The ones on retail sites are standard builds. They have models with a standard set of options.

That’s fine and the price is better.

The Dell site offers configurable pc’s. Where you pick what you want and they build it.
Many people don’t need a custom build.

I see on the Inspiron page they have a $150 discount option for standard models

10

Costco has a pretty good deal on a Dell, you would just need to upgrade the RAM.

11

I don’t know if it’s changed but Costco used to have a generous return policy on electronics and I think they extend the manufacturer warranty on computers.

12

Is Windows 11 subscription based?

My Win 10 laptop loses support next year.

13

No, Windows 11 is not subscription based. The loss of support for Windows 10 is the same thing that happened to previous Windows versions. No change there.

14

I always buy a new laptop when support ends for my version of Windows. That’s how I went to Win 7 and years later to Win 10.

Which is why Microsoft ends support. :wink:

15

How long are you going to be keeping this computer? I bought two new ones each with 32 GB. I’m sure 16 will be fine now, but nothing is getting less memory hoggish and I suspect that in a few years anything with 16 will be as slow as my old one was.
No one much mentioned CPU speed, but I suspect with your workload anything will be fine.

16

I do not think 32 GB is “too much” RAM. If you are really not going to use it— never play any games, compile any programs, edit any media— that’s one thing; a couple of browser tabs are not going to take that much.

17

I would say that, even if it turns out you need 32GB three years from now, it is probably the simplest of upgrades someone can do to their PC. Even people who are totally uninterested in building a PC can swap in more RAM in a few minutes and it is very easy.

The hardest part is making sure the RAM is compatible with your motherboard and that takes about five minutes of research.

18

Normally, adding memory to most PCs is simple, though you may need to remove some of the existing memory to free up slots but I believe some cheap notebook systems come with soldered-in memory.

19

Amazon has good prices on refurbished PCs ans laptops. The one I’m using now has a mousepad with two sets of buttons, one of which doesn’t work.

20

Can I ask why you need a new computer at all? Does something feel slow to you?

Your needs are pretty generic, and honestly, I think any 10-year-old computer would do just fine. A latest-gen Intel processor and 32 GB is kind of overkill for what you describe, actually, and an add-on graphics card (GPU) would do you no good unless you’re gaming or making heavy use of long-running Photoshop filters. If you’re not going to be doing that, don’t waste money on a dedicated graphics card.

Do you happen to live near a Microcenter? They have some of the best values (and also in-store repairs/support) in the desktop market. Their house brand is Powerspec, which are very good values & quality for the money: 32GB and greater : PC Desktops : Micro Center

They also sell generic PCs from other brands, including slightly older refurb models that meet your specs from $170 and up (or new from $600): 32GB and greater : PC Desktops : Micro Center

I think any of those will do just fine, really. Personally, I would choose a Powerspec myself over any major consumer brand (Dell, Lenovo, HP, etc.) because they’re made of quality parts. The mainstream brands typically are not, unless you pay top dollar for their gaming machines.

PS As an aside (hopefully won’t start a flame war): Sorry, you weren’t super clear… does it have to be a PC? The new M4 Mac Mini is going to be tremendously better and more reliable for years to come than any of those options above, and it’s in the same price range. Apple has gotten so far ahead of Intel and PC hardware in general that they’re not even in the same league anymore… unless you specifically need Windows for gaming or there are certain apps you need that won’t run on Mac, there’s really no reason to use Windows anymore. PC hardware and build quality is really terrible these days compared to the modern Apple Silicon Macs.