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Frank asked: “I have a computer that is completely shot. It just won’t work anymore. It is an older model. I’m interested in your idea of a good computer at a nominal price. It will just be for home use. Looking for a PC.”
Well the first question we want to ask is whether a regular computer is even needed, or whether you’d do better with a Chromebook. Some of the new Chromebook models use very nice hardware and soon ChromeOS will also run many Android apps, which opens up the choice of software considerably.
The bottom line is that Chromebooks are resistant to viruses and security hacks, and they don’t lose performance over time in the same way a Windows or Mac computer will. Because they work entirely in the cloud, your data is always safe.
The bottom line is that Chromebooks are resistant to viruses and security hacks, and they don’t lose performance over time
Chromebooks, however, are simple devices that run the Chrome web browser and, as noted, soon Android apps as well. If you need things like Microsoft Office or Adobe Photoshop, you are not Chromebook material. You’ll need a Windows or Mac computer.
For a modest price, there is no choice. You go with Windows. Even the cheapest new Mac, one of the refurbished ones in the Apple Store, costs far more than a comparable Windows computer. So, which Windows machine? There are, quite literally, a million of them.
For a modest price, there is no choice. You go with Windows.
One value priced desktop computer is the Acer T ATC-710. For just $529 it comes with a 6th Generation Intel Core i5-6400 (2.7 GHz) 16GB of DDR3 RAM, a 2 TB HD with a 96 GB SSD, and Intel HD 530 Graphics. It includes Windows 10 Home.
A great value priced laptop is the HP 250 G5. That model is available configured many different ways, but we found one for just $369 with a 5th Generation Intel Core i3-5005U (2.0 GHz), 4GB of DDR3L RAM, a 128 GB SSD, and Intel HD 5500 Graphics with 15.6″ TN LCD screen with a matte finish. It comes with Windows 10 Home.
There are fancier computers and faster computers, but these are two solid machines from name brand companies that are very fairly priced and excellent performers. Don’t forget you’ll need a screen to go with that Acer desktop PC, figure $99 for a nice one.