Help me find cheap desktop!

[ColaCock]

My PC constantly shuts off due to a hardware issue I haven't been able to identify after some troubleshooting (memory swap, HD swaps, re-installs, etc) without swapping the motherboard. Pisses me off because I've only had it for 3 years. I've been living with this issue for almost a year and it has become progressively worse.

Here is what I am looking for- I have been browsing online but haven't found "that deal" yet:

- Intel. This past PC was my first AMD and I am scarred now.
- Memory amount is irrelevant, I have 8GB in spare sticks from troubleshooting. It MUST be DDR3, however...and take my extra 8GB.
- HD size isn't important, I have a 750GB from my current I can use as well as a 500GB external.
- Windows 7 64-bit, please.
- I want to spend less than $300 and get the best machine possible with these specs. Would really like to be under $250.
- In store or online, I don't mind.
- Tower only...I already have a 24" monitor.
- Built-in wireless would be a big plus.

I don't game. My main uses are:

- Browsing internet, videos, etc.
- Photoshop/Illustrator
- Photo storage

All help is appreciated!

[lchite4]

A quick search got me this. With everything you require, esp Windows 7 (Why??) I got this. $20 above your price range, but solid comp. I'm sure you could do a little more internet digging and find a special or something, but this is a great website if you want to look around.


http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16883258039

Hope this helps.

[Gamecock1983]

Build one man. You can build a powerful, custom machine that won't cost a lot more than a low end desktop.

[ColaCock]

Originally Posted by Gamecock1983

Build one man. You can build a powerful, custom machine that won't cost a lot more than a low end desktop.

I had thought about that, but the warranty would be nice and I really just don't want to put the time/effort in with all of the other projects I have.

Maybe if I had a "buy this" list and I knew it would be at my price point, I'd consider it. I could do some searching online I suppose, I have an actual TigerDirect store a couple blocks away- so getting the parts wouldn't be a problem.

[Todd803]

Originally Posted by ColaCock

My PC constantly shuts off due to a hardware issue I haven't been able to identify after some troubleshooting (memory swap, HD swaps, re-installs, etc) without swapping the motherboard. Pisses me off because I've only had it for 3 years. I've been living with this issue for almost a year and it has become progressively worse.

Here is what I am looking for- I have been browsing online but haven't found "that deal" yet:

- Intel. This past PC was my first AMD and I am scarred now.
- Memory amount is irrelevant, I have 8GB in spare sticks from troubleshooting. It MUST be DDR3, however...and take my extra 8GB.
- HD size isn't important, I have a 750GB from my current I can use as well as a 500GB external.
- Windows 7 64-bit, please.
- I want to spend less than $300 and get the best machine possible with these specs. Would really like to be under $250.
- In store or online, I don't mind.
- Tower only...I already have a 24" monitor.
- Built-in wireless would be a big plus.

I don't game. My main uses are:

- Browsing internet, videos, etc.
- Photoshop/Illustrator
- Photo storage

All help is appreciated!

Check the Lenovo outlet HERE on a daily basis. They come with full warranty but will have Win8 on them.

They have a few under $300 right now like an i3 for $279. Woot.com has desktop sales from time to time as well.

[ColaCock]

Originally Posted by Todd803

Check the Lenovo outlet HERE on a daily basis. They come with full warranty but will have Win8 on them.

They have a few under $300 right now like an i3 for $279. Woot.com has desktop sales from time to time as well.

Looking at that now, that is a great deal. Going to look more into it now and see if it has enough RAM slots, etc to really be what I need.

Also, I thought I read that PCs with Windows 8 can somehow be downgraded to Windows 7 free of charge? I don't like Windows 8 at all...but imagine I could figure to live with it if needed. Don't suppose I could use my current license from my dead PC to install Win7?

[The Yancey]

I have gotten lots of deals here: http://www.tigerdirect.com/. You can buy a system or a full kit and throw it together yourself.

[ColaCock]

Originally Posted by The Yancey

I have gotten lots of deals here: http://www.tigerdirect.com/. You can buy a system or a full kit and throw it together yourself.

Yance, there is a TigerDirect store around the corner from my house. I also checked online with them...didn't really find anything that stood out to me from the box. I will keep looking, just wanted to make a purchase by the weekend.

[uscgrad68]

Originally Posted by ColaCock

Looking at that now, that is a great deal. Going to look more into it now and see if it has enough RAM slots, etc to really be what I need.

Also, I thought I read that PCs with Windows 8 can somehow be downgraded to Windows 7 free of charge? I don't like Windows 8 at all...but imagine I could figure to live with it if needed. Don't suppose I could use my current license from my dead PC to install Win7?

I bought a laptop with Windows 8 and tried to get Staples technical support to convert it to Windows 7, like my second laptop. They said that they had tried it with someone else and it did not work. So, if you find someone who tells you differently and it works, please post the results.

At the same time, Windows 8 is OK. You get used to it - just a few key clicks and I can easily do the same thing as on my windows 7 computer.

[gamecock88]

Hold out. Desktops are a dead technology so there are bound to be some sweet deals on packages but building will be your best bet.

[TheMule]

Originally Posted by ColaCock

Looking at that now, that is a great deal. Going to look more into it now and see if it has enough RAM slots, etc to really be what I need.

Also, I thought I read that PCs with Windows 8 can somehow be downgraded to Windows 7 free of charge? I don't like Windows 8 at all...but imagine I could figure to live with it if needed. Don't suppose I could use my current license from my dead PC to install Win7?

Drivers may be difficult or impossible to find for the downgrade from 8 to 7. Try Classic Shell on Windows 8 to make it look like Windows 7.
http://classicshell.net/

[ColaCock]

What do you guys think about this Dell refurb unit?

http://www.dfsdirectsales.com/StoreC..._ram_250gb_hdd

I can get it for $319 with a coupon. It has an Intel Core i5 and says it has 4 slots for memory. Also has Windows 7, except it's 32 bit instead of 64.

This looks like former computers leased to businesses/government?

Thoughts?

[The Yancey]

Originally Posted by TheMule

Drivers may be difficult or impossible to find for the downgrade from 8 to 7. Try Classic Shell on Windows 8 to make it look like Windows 7.
http://classicshell.net/

This. Either that or StartX will give you the look and feel of old Windows while keeping all of the benefits of 8.1.

[The Yancey]

Originally Posted by ColaCock

What do you guys think about this Dell refurb unit?

http://www.dfsdirectsales.com/StoreC..._ram_250gb_hdd

I can get it for $319 with a coupon. It has an Intel Core i5 and says it has 4 slots for memory. Also has Windows 7, except it's 32 bit instead of 64.

This looks like former computers leased to businesses/government?

Thoughts?

Bad news because it is a proprietary system. You have to get everything from Dell. There are better deals out there.

[sandstorm2001]

Originally Posted by gamecock88

Hold out. Desktops are a dead technology so there are bound to be some sweet deals on packages but building will be your best bet.

Explain.

[Jwilson]

Originally Posted by gamecock88

Hold out. Desktops are a dead technology so there are bound to be some sweet deals on packages but building will be your best bet.

No they're not. Not even close. The issue is repair cost. Laptops are comparatively very expensive to repair. Labor. You have to disassemble the things for any serious repair. Parts costs are higher as well. Acquisition costs for desktops are lower. For the casual user, email, internet, facebook, etc., desktops will have a much lower total ownership cost over it's life. Whatever I said for laptops versus desktops, you can say the say the same for tablets as well.

[ReadR00ster]

Why do you have to have a an INTEL? Go with AMD you'll save some money.

[BleedsGarnet]

Your power supply is bad

[gamecock88]

Originally Posted by sandstorm2001

Explain.

Actually tablets and touch screen in general is killing sales of most desktops, aside from serious gamers and corporate users. Laptop and Desktop sales are in double digit sales declines year over year. Windows 8 had hoped to curtail that some but only made it easier for the casual user to transition away. As for the comments on repair cost, I completely agree with you but the casual buyer doesn't even think about how easily they can open it up and work on it. They're commodity throw away items. Apple is about the only co that can consistently get over the $1,000 range for laptops anymore. Sure there are those in the niche market. With sales in such sharp declines, volume of the large desktop components drops and prices for that stuff will increase if you can find it at all before too much longer. Go to any computer store and look around. 10x more laptops than desktop pcs and 30x more tablets. Those #'s are in no way scientific but are from my observation's only.

There are dozens of articles written about it but here's a good one from WSJ. Pay special attn to their graphic showing the decline year over year. It's actually falling off quicker now: http://online.wsj.com/news/articles/...14973888155516

image: http://si.wsj.net/public/resources/i...0410191805.jpg

More from Bloomberg: http://www.bloomberg.com/news/2014-0...-shopping.html

Software is moving to cloud environments, optical drives are becoming less of a standard, and hard drives are becoming SS more often. All in an effort to make things smaller, portable and have a longer battery life. Technology is killing the desktop PC.

[The Yancey]

The desktop has at least a decade of life. My suggestion is to go with a mid tier non proprietary model that can be upgraded easily. If you can find a model you like online and Best Buy has that in store they will match the online price.