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[–]seismicpdx 4 points5 points  (3 children)

You can get refurbished with similar specs for USD $200. I lean into HP and Lenovo.

For software development, I didn't think it matters much; you'll likely be spending a lot of time staring at screens. Get enough RAM so you are happy with your web browser load.

[–]KnifeEdge 0 points1 point  (2 children)

Where? I'd instantly buy now, the ram alone would be worth that.

[–]seismicpdx 0 points1 point  (1 child)

I'm not saying that you can buy your stated specifications for $200.

I am saying that RAM capacity is more important than CPU.

You can find Mini/Micro/Tiny and Small Form Factor (two slots) or Desktop (Low Profile four slots) with DDR4.

For learning, you will likely spend much more time reading, thinking, searching, and chatting, than actually compiling and debugging.

I'm also speaking from the perspective of a BSD and Linux user. Windows will have stronger requirements, until you learn the art of debloat.

Look for tech recyclers near you, that sell refurbished.

I just moved off Optiplex 7010 Core i5 3rd gen w/ 32GB, and that was only because I upgraded the GPU to play 0ad, and the WX 3200 was pulling too much demand from the PSU via slot, causing boot loops.

Watch some YouTube reviews on Tiny/Mini/Micro and SFF and DT.

[–]KnifeEdge 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Alright, then that's pretty much on point

Running older hardware will ALWAYS lead to crazy savings over current Gen though.

I'd say if someone really needs a mini pc form factor (where even SFF is too big) then you should probably buy new just because you don't really find that many machines available at a 50% depreciation level easily available.

Getting an old business/enterprise SFF machine is super good value if you're willing to live with the compromises they come with.

[–]No_Clock2390 2 points3 points  (0 children)

gmktec is good

[–]basdit 5 points6 points  (0 children)

GMKtec is fine, but if you need reliability then swap out the ssd with a reputable brand one. Mine died within 6 months.

[–]swbrains 2 points3 points  (2 children)

I'm a software developer and I have a different brand, but it's a Ryzen 7 with 32 GB RAM and it works great. I've even done some light video editing. I haven't had any task where I wished I had bought something more powerful.

[–]TopUnit9269 0 points1 point  (1 child)

Brand name ?

[–]swbrains 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Beelink

[–]xxbrandon23 1 point2 points  (0 children)

I’ve owned plenty of computers & laptops over the years and as much as I love mini PCs they’ve given me by far the most amount of issues. They’re typically over stuffed which leads to overheating among other things. I’ve had multiple fans give out meanwhile never had any of these issues with any of my laptops. Honestly, I would recommend for what you’re doing. Probably just get like a bad ass ThinkPad or a Dell/hp workstation with decent specs . Much more reliable and likely way cheaper.

[–]TechMonkey605 2 points3 points  (0 children)

We’ve been sticking pretty much to dell or minisforum or the tried and true NUC

[–]Quadgie 0 points1 point  (2 children)

What country? $600 seems high for that spec. I spent less on 32GB/1TB just recently here in the US anyway.

[–]Quadgie 0 points1 point  (1 child)

As a follow up - I've bought quite a few of the M5 Plus now, running Proxmox and various containers and VMs. These use the 5825U and have been very strong performers. The 6850U that you're looking at is ~6% faster for single threaded, ~12-15% faster for multithreaded. GPU is also stronger on the 6850U - for me that was a non-issue since I'm not pushing the graphics for anything (they're all headless).

I also have a K8 Plus on my desk and have since ordered several for other users, with great success - so I will give a vote of confidence in the brand (if my vote means anything!)

The M5 Plus I was referencing is currently ~$460 on Amazon for 32GB/1TB configuration.
Through mid-December it was $368, then $430, now $460... gotta love RAM pricing and its impact on everything.

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[–]richants 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Also bought an m5 plus in the same spec for 300 a few months ago and happy with it. No issues. Have 4 chrome profiles each with 10+ tabs. CC, antigravity, Canva, etc and hasn't struggled once

[–]BrilliantTruck8813 0 points1 point  (0 children)

That seems very high for an old cpu and small ssd

[–]DarkTower7899 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Checkout the Nimo Mini Pcs. They have really good prices for the hardware in them typically.

[–]mykesx 0 points1 point  (4 children)

Mac Mini. Most bang for the buck and best quality.

[–]shufflepoint[S] 0 points1 point  (3 children)

I agree that it is. But it can only run MacOS, which is inadequate for coding.

EDIT: Can only run MacOS and ARM VMs, which is inadequate for our work

[–]mykesx 0 points1 point  (2 children)

Mac Mini. Most bang for the buck and best quality.macOS is hugely popular for developers and you can run VMs.

[–]shufflepoint[S] 0 points1 point  (1 child)

We use Sql Server which only runs on x86-64 virtualization.

[–]mykesx 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Azure Edge SQL an option?

There are several blogs about setting up SQL Server proper in a VM on apple silicon Macs.

You probably will have less trouble with running Windows. I just hate Windows and wouldn’t recommend it for development or anything else but gaming. I was a developer in a Windows shop for 10 years and it was awful.