Mini pc or all-in-one for CAD$500 budget

September 6, 2024 8:21 AM

Searching for a computer to replace a decade-old desktop. All tasks are web based (banking, clicking sketchy links from Facebook), but Windows is familiar for this person. Monitor should be at least 24". What's a good enough solution?

An all in one sounds ideal, but I'm not sure about quality. A $300 mini PC and a new $150 monitor were my immediate thoughts.

While I used to enjoy learning about specs and such, the past 5 years have changed me. I'm asking for something that's basically a Chromebook, but it has to run Windows.

I think most importantly I might want to know about pitfalls for either form factor. Like built in wifi or non-replaceable/upgradeable RAM or storage.

posted by Acari to Computers & Internet (4 answers total)

The HP EliteDesk series are small, easily powerful enough for all of your use cases, and are cheap on eBay. Look for an AMD Ryzen processor and 16GB RAM, and make sure it has wifi (not all of them do). I have one of these that my kids use for Minecraft, which it handles like a champ.

A good monitor isn't expensive these days. I had an extra (27" Asus 4K -- a good monitor!) a while ago and discovered I couldn't even sell it on Facebook marketplace for $80 because the used market was so flooded. New monitors from reputable makers are frequently on sale and within your budget. Keep an eye on the resolution, though; many of the less expensive ones are 1080P.
posted by qxntpqbbbqxl at 8:44 AM on September 6

Also note the video connection -- DisplayPort (e.g. Lenovo ThinkCentre) is the new more capable standard, HDMI (e.g. Beelink) if you want to hook up to your TVs.
posted by credulous at 11:08 AM on September 6

If you want to build one, here is a parts list that comes out to USD $362 and is a bit better than the one I'm typing this on.
Nice thing about building it yourself is getting the features you need, and can make sure it has expandability.
posted by Sophont at 11:29 PM on September 6

I could have this same question anytime soon., though I would need access to a commodious storage device for backups of computers past. I have more fears and worries about Windows as Microsoft (and Google and. ...) require closer and more opaque ties to the cloud, and use the "rented" software ploy that makes things more expensive.
posted by SemiSalt at 5:13 AM on September 7