buying computer

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vdanzo

10 posts

Wannabe Geek

Topic # 242905 19-Nov-2018 16:34

hey guys been looking for a cheap computer

been eyeing this up https://www.pbtech.co.nz/product/EXWKSDEL3011/Dell-Optiplex-3010-Desktop-PC-A-Grade-OFF-LEASE-Bu

just need for surfing the web and might run a few emulators on it, any other computers i should look at budget $200

SpartanVXL

333 posts

Ultimate Geek
+1 received by user: 114

Reply # 2129575 19-Nov-2018 17:01

What kind of emulators? Just general web browsing or going to do more on it? You can get away with mail and web on a mobile or tablet nowadays.

This isn't the first time somebody has asked about these reconditioned machines. The problem I have with them is they're pushing 6 years with a paltry 4GB of memory and a old spinning disk. There is a reason why pbtech only give a 3 month warranty on them.

With $200 I can't think of anything short of finding throwaway machines on trademe, otherwise I would put together something low-end, maybe a ryzen apu with the money spent on getting that Optiplex up and running.

A Raspberry Pi could even suffice if all you needed was available on ARM.

amiga500

1134 posts

Uber Geek
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Reply # 2129726 19-Nov-2018 18:15

Most business computers are set up for power saving but they tend to be kept on 24/7 so people can access them quickly.

xpd

Chief Trash Bandit
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Lifetime subscriber

Reply # 2129808 19-Nov-2018 20:54

Ive got a Dell Vostro 410 sitting in the garage at the moment, 10 years old, and still working fine :) Dell makes their systems to last ;)

Ive got a Pi as well, which seems to run most emulated games fine, if thats what youre wanting to do.

XPD / Gavin / DemiseNZ

Server : i3-3240 @ 3.40GHz 16GB RAM Win 10 Pro Workstation : i5-xxxx @ x.xxGHz 16GB RAM Win 10 pro Console : Xbox One

https://www.xpd.co.nz - Games, geeks, and more.

1101

1594 posts

Uber Geek
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Reply # 2130055 20-Nov-2018 10:11

$200 budget , just get the best spec you can find.

Keeps in mind, it will be old, it wont be worth fixing if it fails
HP,Dell, Lenovo will have non-standard parts , so even a dead Power supply will make it a write off.
But its only $200 , not loosing that much IF it dies

Ex lease PC's will be a business class PC , could last a very long time . They tend to be very reliable on average
Plenty of places selling off lease PC's , just do a google search

tripper1000

781 posts

Ultimate Geek
+1 received by user: 475

Reply # 2130142 20-Nov-2018 11:51

It's the kind of machine I'd give to an elderly relative. If all you are doing is browsing the web and running some old game emulators this machine will be OK.

It isn't going to run 3d games or professional applications very well, but if that is of no consequence then go for it.