HELP I need a new desktop PC

[artie]

Here's an interesting video about getting more out of an older machine.



I might switch when support for win 10 ends.

 

[niemeyjt]

Avoid the JL one - it is a headline maker / loss leader. Avoid Pentium, Atom and Celeron processors - frustratingly slow. Get an i5 as a sensible midrange processor. AS others have said, get an SSD and a good mount or RAM (say 16Mb)

If OP is on Windows 7 then the forthcoming EOL for W10 is unlikely to be an issue. I think Win10 needs an activation code, but these are a tenner if you are prepared to download the media.

Likewise a new version of Office if you must - LibreOffice otherwise.

Also, remember MS are offering an extra year support for Win 10 for £30.

My personal view, not to everyone's tastes, are "If it ain't broke, don't fix it" and if you can, go Linux and escape the Apple / Microsoft ecosystem for ever.

You may find some corporate machines coming onto market soon that wont run W11 - another option

 

[JSW]

^^ This is the way to go, Apple and MS are just too prohibitive, it's their way or learn to jump through hoops, and be constantly annoyed at stuff you have no interest in, being installed behind your back.

I made the switch to Linux a couple of years ago, never looked back, personally I'd avoid Zorin and go for Linux Mint, far more customisable, IE you can make it look and behave how YOU want, not how Apple and MS say it WILL look.

Something like This would be perfect, ex-corporate machine, so built like a tank, I5 7th gen, 16GB RAM, 512GB NVMe SSD, 2 additional drive bays, Linux Mint would be super-fast/responsive on one of those.

 

[XTiffy]

I have two computers (excluding laptop) both HP one running Windows 10 and one 11. I have connected both to same keyboard/monitor etc. So support for windows 10 is not an issue as I access the web on the windows 11 machine. If the OP kept his windows 7 computer but added an up to date computer alongside there would not be an issue with older software.

 

[GuitardoctorW7]

I had to look up what an AIO was and to my surprise it is a Windoze version of my iMac that I have had since 2009. Poor old girl is getting little long in the tooth. I'll save a little and get a Mac mini. I can use my existing mouse and keyboard (I think) and just have to add a monitor and it will likely see me out.

The new M4 Mac mini in base config is excellent value for money

 

[HOJ]

@JSW that looks like a very good option, going to order one, thank you, I will stick with windows at this time, as i have read there may be issues with getting my SU programme active on a different platform, and the worst case would be as @XTiffy outlines I could run with both.

Thank you for everyone's input, really appreciate it.

 

[Skydivermel]

For another £20 you can get this. Much better PC all round. https://www.amazon.co.uk/ionz-Deskt...fos.23648568-4ba5-49f2-9aa6-31ae75f1e9cd&th=1

 

[JSW]

@HOJ when the new machine turns up, you could clone your existing installation using rescuezilla, super easy to use, download, copy to USB stick, boot from the stick and clone your existing installation to a new drive (SSD preferably)
Then just unplug the data cable from the motherboard, and it will boot from the new drive. You could also take a backup of your existing install, rescuezilla will compress the output to a fraction of the original size, save it to USB, spare drive, wherever. If you find you ever need it, it's a ten minute job to reinstall from the backup, bit of a swiss army knife when it comes to computer related stuff, highly recommended.

 

[Spectric]

A little caution re Windows 10. Recent rumours talk about M$ dropping support for it in 2025.

That is to force people onto windows 11 and that opens a new era in software because W11 must have the TPM module, the trusted platform module which is like a security controller within that can enable programs to run. Long term we will end up renting our software like Adobe and MS currently do with some programs and all will end being managed by te TPM. Basically it can allow different access levels to a program, you pay and the supplier provides the access needed but the program is a single program just your access can be restricted to only allow you to use certain functions unless if you want the next set you pay.

If you can build with lego then you can build a pc, the hardest part is to ensure all components are compatable and that you are not restricting performance by using certain components. Also these days many connectors and interfaces have changed so often much easier to just build a complete new PC without using parts from the old one, maybe the case and keyboard but getting a larger higher resolution monitor is also worthwhile.

 

[trvlr]

thank you for the update re' ryzen and M$ OS (Win 11 in this case). Also I run Mac systems entirley these days. My 2010/11 Macbook Pro is way out of date - stuck on the predecessor to Catalina; but no issue there as I really don't use anymore. I have a Mac Mini (2012 vintage) and it's stuck at Catalina. I boot that from an external SSD (for reasons various, and no bearing on discussion here). I like the older Minis as one could upgrade the HDD, Ram and who knows what else. Sadly these days most kit comes with glued in (aka soldered) HDD (or equivalent; and RAM likewise; with no end user options to upgrade stuff. Which having said... I will at some time in the near future go for a new Macbook (probably Pro as it has more ports than the standard model - though not that many more).

Re' ant-virus... I used to be a mod on a now sadly long gone forum (computing.net); and anti-virus was a frequent topic. General consensus amongst the pest control/removal cognoscenti was that BitDefender was the best (runs on M$ OS, Mac Os, and Linux). There is a freebie version - you simply have to check updates (definitions etc. ) manually; whereas the subscribition does it all for you. They have assorted deal worth investigating - multiple licenses/OS etc.; and a very good VPN. Computing.net was an independent site for yonks, but then fell under into the Toms Hardware site; before disappearing...

 

[HOJ]

when the new machine turns up, you could clone your existing installation using rescuezilla, super easy to use, download, copy to USB stick, boot from the stick and clone your existing installation to a new drive (SSD preferably)
Then just unplug the data cable from the motherboard, and it will boot from the new drive. You could also take a backup of your existing install, rescuezilla will compress the output to a fraction of the original size, save it to USB, spare drive, wherever. If you find you ever need it, it's a ten minute job to reinstall from the backup, bit of a swiss army knife when it comes to computer related stuff, highly recommended.

Might need some help on that, I did a full back up over the weekend, to a separate hard drive.
New box should be here tomorrow, but won't get chance to do anything till Wednesday, I'll post an update then.