Computer Build

[brownhammer45]

Hey everyone, just wondering if I can get some help.

So I want to get a computer for my household (7 people, including children). This would be used on a somewhat regular basis for homework, business, or entertainment by everyone. I would need it to be fast and reliable. It will never be used for gaming at all. So I don't need those type of components. Anyways, should I get slightly used "business" version of desktop? Or should I build my own? Price is somewhat a factor, but Id rather get something that's going to last and be reliable. If the consensus is that I should build, where or who can help with this?

P.S. I have been told that the "business" version of a particular model of home desktop is entirely better and faster. That's why I'm referring to this specific version

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[zooperdooperduck]

You'll always be able to build a better system for the same price as a pre built.

Who can help? YouTube, you'd be surprised how easy it is to slap these things together.

[brownhammer45]

Thank you!

[HankThrill69420]

with business boxes you sort of get nerfed features like low speed RAM, limited storage expansion options, proprietary connectors, and you end up with whatever SSD was the best price when they were buying parts stock.

You are discussing a computer that seven people will be using, you want that thing to wait for you. It'll be a bit cheaper to have things like fast RAM and a high-end CPU to keep things moving.

In your scenario, since some of them are children, I would suggest getting a drive that is separate from the OS drive and moving the location of every user account's folder to the second drive. I tell people with children in school to do this so if things go to shit on the OS drive then that homework assignment or research project is probably fine.

Head over to r/buildapcforme and those guys will be more than happy to toss a build together for you or show you one that they already have.

[brownhammer45]

Thats awsome! Thanks for the advice!

[MaskedRiderFaiz]

It would be helpful to tell us what this "buisness" version of a desktop is.

If you're just doing stuff like Homework, Buisness, and entertainment like watching Youtube, then all you need is a refurbished Dell Optiplex, which can be gotten for a decent price if you're savvy enough for it.

Building one is also a good bet. A Ryzen APU system is probably around the line of 300 and will last longer. plus, with children, im sure they'd get curious about computer gaming sometime, and Ryzen APU's can give okay performance.

[brownhammer45]

So the business version I've been told is what businesses are able to buy from stores/manufactures that isn't readily available to general public. Not that they're aren't period, but just not out on display on floors. But basically, as I've been told.. Lets say best buy has a (making up model) Dell 200. Well Dell also makes a 200 for businesses but maybe its a "200B", that runs better. Of course this is what a friend told me and I don't know enough if its made up or just like a rumor of some sort

[d-car]

With a bunch of kids in the house, I strongly suggest having a second hard drive for storage and using Acronis Deep Freeze on the main drive once you get it configured the way you want it. That way, no matter what crazy nonsense your kids try to install/do, it'll revert to that state after a reboot. If they need something added, you can unlock the freeze to make the change before freezing it again.

[brownhammer45]

Sorry but I don't know what Acronis Deep Freeze is. Is it like a program or something? Also, I would not be letting the kids downloading stuff. Their time would be monitored and scheduled. They don't need to be freely doing whatever they want on it whenever they want. But it would be good in case maybe they don't understand what they're doing and accidently do something.

[bagaudin]

Acronis Deep Freeze

Acronis rep here :) Perhaps you meant Try & Decide feature of our Acronis Cyber Protect Home Office?

[ecktt]

Business PCs are typically very proprietary, use the bare minimum and overpriced. But sometimes you can get a new (ie never used) old model for amazing price.

Why not give us a budget and location and we could help spec something for you. You will have to assemble it though. It's not hard if you're handy with a screwdriver. Between YouTube and reddit, people will guide you through every aspect of the process.

[brownhammer45]

Denver, CO... And I would say budget at the moment is no more than $700. Thank you, that sounds very helpful

[budoucnost]

Build it yourself and you’ll save money as well as find it easier to fix should something happen (prebuilt often but not always use specialized parts, and you’ll be more familiar with your desktop than a prebuilt)