Computer recommendations - simple and fast

March 19, 2023 1:03 PM

I need a new personal computer - laptop, desktop, mini, I don't care. I never take it out of my house as have a work-provided laptop. I am hoping for very specific recommendations - what model, what generation, etc.

Also - I am in Canada.

Uses:
- Microsoft Office
- Internet browsing

Needs to be:
- Fast and reliable with some longevity expected
- HDMI port as I use it exclusively with an external monitor / keyboard / mouse
- At least 2 USB ports
- SSD
- Ideally, pre-installed with Windows
- Decent memory but not really important as I mostly use Dropbox for file storage

Don't care about:
- Whether it's a desktop, laptop, mini, etc.
- Gaming specs
- Touchscreen
- Screen resolution
- Keyboard type or sounds or usefulness or whatever, or trackpad
- Battery life
- Weight or dimensions
- Fingerprint reader
- Foldability
- Camera
- Micro SD slot

I truly just need the most basic computer for minimal use that I will only ever use with external monitor / keyboard / mouse, it will never leave the house, and I don't want to have to buy another for a long time.

Please help with very specific recommendations - I am currently attempting to do my taxes and my current laptop cannot handle internet browsers, Windows Explorer, opening settings or the task manager, or general expectations of its most basic functions.

I have had both a Dell in the past, and a 5-year-old Acer now. Both had speed issues more or less out of the box.

My work laptop is a ThinkPad and it's SO GREAT. I'll happily buy one of those but I'm overwhelmed by models, specs, etc. and can't keep combing through reviews. Open to any very specific recommendations at all, I just want the thing to work.

Budget up to $1,500 CAD.

Thank you!

posted by mireille to Computers & Internet (12 answers total)

Best answer: We were in this same situation a month or so ago, and have been delightfully surprised by the Beelink U59 PRO Mini PC. It is $329
( CDN) and available in Canada.
posted by dum spiro spero at 1:19 PM on March 19, 2023 [2 favorites]

I'm not an expert but my needs are partly similar to yours (as far as tasks go) and I recently got a Thiknpad P14s second generation (which is almost identical to the T14 second generation but for some reason was significantly cheaper on the lenovo outlet). The only think I don't like about it is the trackpad. Honestly though it would be much cheaper and easier to get a desktop with comparable specs.

With Windows 10 or 11, it would be good to have 32GB of Ram for speed. Pretty much anything should be able to handle that and Thinkpads are known for holding up well.

Also, if you go for a laptop, I would avoid getting something too thin and light - those tend to have heat issues or other problems that arise from everything being crammed together. (For the T14 and possibly P14s, I believe that the next generation became a lot thinner and lighter).

If getting a laptop without needing to move it I would probably look into the cheaper Thinkpad L series and find something with 32gb ram, and add the longest lenovo warranty I could.

I also don't know much about external monitors, but mine has an HDMI port and it's very easy to get adapters for that sort of thing.
posted by melamakarona at 1:25 PM on March 19, 2023

There's a local "mom and pop" computer store in the city where I live. I've been purchasing computers from them for the past fifteen years, mainly for my workplace but also for personal use. The owners and the staff are very friendly and helpful, and they don't upsell. They build computers to order, based on the specs you provide. If you don't know the specs you want, you can tell them your intended use cases, and they'll recommend something appropriate. On rare occasions when the computer needs servicing, there's no need for shipping the machine – I just drive it over to the store, they fix it, and then I pick up again. It's very convenient.

I suspect that every city has one or more stores like this. My recommendation would be to find such a place and get your computer from them.
posted by alex1965 at 1:34 PM on March 19, 2023

I like buying computers at Costco since (at least in the USA) they have very liberal return policy if you don't like it. I looked at costo.ca and this Dell desktop looks like it meets your specs, except it has a Display Port instead of an HDMI port, but there are HDMI to Display Port dongles you can buy on Amazon.

Also I would call your attention to "memory", you say you use Dropbox but that relates to Disk Space not memory hardware. Insufficient memory will cause thrashing (programs and data being swapped out/in to disk drive to free up memory needed for what the human is trying to do {now}).

I am not an expert, just throwing one possibility out there for you to consider.
posted by forthright at 2:47 PM on March 19, 2023

You don't need a laptop or notebook, and indeed, most desktops are well overpowered for your use case.

What you need is a "mini-PC", either ex-business PC off lease, or purpose-built miniPC they sell to hospitals or small businesses that hides behind the monitor.

If you prefer new, here's a Geekom Mini i7 with 32 GB RAM and 1TB SSD for USD $669. It has HDMI port, USB4 Ports, Wifi 6, so it should last you a few years. In fact, I'd say 32 GB RAM is overkill, but they don't offer it with 16GB RAM and 1TB SSD. You can add your own SATA or M.2 drive later. Comes with Win 11Pro.

I looked at some of the off-lease computers off Woot.com and I don't find their specs compelling compared with that Geekom. You do save $100-200, but you get inferior CPU, tiny SSD (like 256GB), and much bigger box, and needs a HDMI dongle.
posted by kschang at 2:53 PM on March 19, 2023

If you really don't care about form factor, I'd probably get a desktop -- they're usually the easiest to upgrade over the years, can usually accept more RAM, are usually cheaper at the same specs, and so forth. The only advantage (besides size and portability) I can think of for a laptop is the battery, since you don't need to worry as much about interruptions due to power outages. On the other hand, you could get a UPS if that's a concern.
posted by trig at 2:56 PM on March 19, 2023

I'd tend to go with a desktop if portability isn't a factor. Manufacturer-wise, I always go with one of the preconfigured options from a specialist system builder. They'll have a PC for every usage case and budget and their systems tend to be well-assembled and good value. Your budget should buy you a pretty good PC, since you're not wanting to throw any money at graphics, which tends to be the priciest part. For non-gaming use, technology isn't really roaring ahead these days, so it's unlikely your PC will seem super-slow in five years.

One upgrade I'd suggest is dual monitors. Being able to view email and a document, or a website and a document on separate monitors is one of those things that, once you have it, you wonder how you ever did without.
posted by pipeski at 4:19 PM on March 19, 2023

There's a local "mom and pop" computer store in the city where I live.

If your location is up to date (or if you live in most major cities in the west), Memory Express is probably worth looking at. They have good prices, and tend to employ knowledgeable people as opposed to the big box blue shirts who were selling TVs yesterday and phones tomorrow. (I always used to walk in and just feel... "oh, that's a computer guy over there".) It's hard for me to say how helpful they would be in person to someone with limited knowledge, because I'm also a computer guy, but I think they're less likely to upsell you than other stores.

This $800 Acer desktop seems like it should be enough computer for all of your needs (the lack of separate graphics card does mean it will have limited gaming use), and should be in principle somewhat upgradable.

Another option is this $980 machine that is built in-house by them. (There's another version that's basically identical but $40 more if the first one runs out.) It's pretty similar to the Acer, the main differences being a little more RAM (the memory forthright talks about above) and I'd assume that they don't install all of the crapware that Acer does (like trials of antivirus software you don't need). I wonder if crapware might be a problem in your existing computers slowing down so much (and your work computer being a little better).

I second the comment about dual monitors (which both of these systems should be able to handle).

The other thing is that I don't know how long a life you can reasonably expect computers to have -- although out of the box speed problems are unacceptable. My desktop was built to a pretty decent spec a little over six years ago, and it's been upgraded a little since, but I'm not sure it'll make it to seven and would be surprised if I'm using it two years from now. Once you're in the middle of the market, which include the Dell mentioned above as well as the two I suggest, going up in price doesn't really get you that much more longevity. (I'd worry about the $300 one at the top for speed; I also have owned a series of mini-PCs for use on our television, and I wouldn't expect 5 years of acceptable speed on that one.)
posted by Superilla at 10:21 PM on March 19, 2023

As an IT person nowhere near Canada, of the suggestions so far, I recommend kschang's suggestion - the Geekom Mini i7 with 32 GB RAM and 1TB SSD for USD $669. Not only is price excellent (compared to the others), the form-factor is extremely convenient, Windows 11 Pro is pre-installed, it has enough specs/grunt to keep you going for quite a few years, and the wireless options and wide variety of (very up-to-date) ports will allow you to replace or add nearly any peripheral you could want.

ETA: Actually, I'm kinda tempted myself now...
posted by gible at 10:45 PM on March 19, 2023 [1 favorite]

The "only" downside of that Geekom is it uses Intel IRIS graphics, but as that is of zero concern to OP, it's perfect. It may even play some games quite decently, and 2 USB4 ports are plenty to even run another monitor be needed (and one can always add a hub). (Or one can always just drive a single ultra-ultra-wide monitor. :) )
posted by kschang at 11:32 PM on March 19, 2023

I don't have any suggestions for models (I'm a happy Mac owner) but would suggest you consider how you will use the computer. Even if you never take it out of the house, would there be situations where you'll want to use it on the couch or bed and would be inhibited by buying a desktop? Perhaps your employer doesn't mind you occasionally using the work-provided laptop for such things; I'd just hate to see you get locked into using a computer that is essentially fixed to a desk in a single room.

Modern laptops are perfectly capable of proving USB and connections to a keyboard, mouse, often an ethernet cable, and at least one external monitor. If you do go the laptop route, don't look for a slim model, which usually lack a large variety of ports.

As far as specs, no matter which form factor you choose buy as much memory as you can afford (16 GB minimum) and at least 512GB of SSD.
posted by lhauser at 6:00 PM on March 20, 2023

I just ordered (edit- and installed a few weeks ago) this Chuwi micro-tower for my mother. It's a remarkable piece of equipment for less than $400. The processor is just an i3-1215U, but it is a recent 12th generation. As long as you are not playing games (or even if you are) you will be more than fine.

It comes with Windows 11, and I really think the included 16GB will be enough.
posted by Tunierikson at 5:59 AM on March 21, 2023