A New Desktop

[Óttar]

I have an old HP desktop that I bought almost 10 years ago. Sometimes it runs smoothly, but every time I turn it on it takes a while to boot up and other times it goes to the boot screen and says "Port 00" and I have to hit the emergency shut down (power) button and then turn it back on again. It even does this after falling asleep from inactivity and then when I wake it up by hitting a mouse button or a key. It can be really annoying. It also slows down when I switch between tabs and then the scrolling bar goes slow and typing is a pain in the ass where I type and it takes a while for the letters to appear. I get really high strung when this happens, and it feels like my heart skips a beat. It is very irritating. The computer part is a big black tower and the fan and hard disk scanning noises can be loud and irritating.

I am not in a living situation where I can accommodate a large desktop computer. So... I am thinking of getting a mini-PC desktop.

I have been looking at mini PC review sites and videos on YouTube. I want something that is quiet, fast, and has adequate storage space (preferably 500 GB - 1TB).

I am thinking of the ASUS vivo mini, the HP Z3, or a Mac Mini because I am curious to try out a Mac again after more than a decade using Microsoft.

Does anyone have any recommendations? Is anyone really dead set against Apple products? I have heard some bad things about lack of expandability/compatibility and Apple purposely designing products to malfunction after ~ 3 years.

I have recently found a new and effective way to support myself, so my price range is up to $750 maybe more if the machine is really phenomenal.

The Asus Vivo mini



The HP Z3 workstation

This, the HP, I think, is more for graphic design, architecture, and engineers, but I've heard that it is fast and quiet.



The Mac Mini 2018

[frankhammer]

I've been using a couple of intel NUC's for a couple of years now for different applications. Each one specced to suit the job required.

They're still doing the job well.

For a engineering solution using autocad and such, esp requiring appropriate graphics and number crunching abilities, I still stick with a full sized PC, albeit, using the MATX motherboard.

[Iloko]

This is my Dell Inspiron:
(I'm happy with it!)

[Óttar]

I've been using a couple of intel NUC's for a couple of years now for different applications. Each one specced to suit the job required.

They're still doing the job well.

For a engineering solution using autocad and such, esp requiring appropriate graphics and number crunching abilities, I still stick with a full sized PC, albeit, using the MATX motherboard.

I mostly use my desktop for browsing the internet, and streaming. I enjoy listening to music and I might play the occasional video game, although very rarely.

My old HP desktop is slow. My laptop and even my smartphone go faster. I have been using this old computer for so long that I think a new mini PC will feel phenomenal in comparison.

My most important specs are that it is quiet, fast, and has enough storage space. Is the Intel NUC a superior mini PC?

[frankhammer]

I mostly use my desktop for browsing the internet, and streaming. I enjoy listening to music and I might play the occasional video game, although very rarely.

My old HP desktop is slow. My laptop and even my smartphone go faster. I have been using this old computer for so long that I think a new mini PC will feel phenomenal in comparison.

My most important specs are that it is quiet, fast, and has enough storage space. Is the Intel NUC a superior mini PC?

I wouldn't call it superior. Just another brand. Asus do great gear too. The trick with the NUC is go i3 plus, plenty of ram and use the appropriate ssd.

One of mine sits behind the TV as the streamer. It renders 1080p seamlessly on the fly.

[Óttar]

I wouldn't call it superior. Just another brand. Asus do great gear too. The trick with the NUC is go i3 plus, plenty of ram and use the appropriate ssd.

What do you think about an i5 or i7? What do you think about Macs? Why do you have several Intel NUCs?

[frankhammer]

What do you think about an i5 or i7? What do you think about Macs? Why do you have several Intel NUCs?

People like Mac minis. I'm not an Apple fanboy and the extra cost seems wasteful. Technology changes too quickly.

I tend to stick with i5 and i7 as a rule hence the "minimum" i3.

They're cheap, small and handy for different applications. What's not to like about them. I've put several together for friends and family to replace their aging PC's. I've never heard a complaint and everyone loves the fact you can hide them away anywhere. Also, they're not noisy.

[Óttar]

I am strongly considering buying a refurbished mid-2017 iMac. I want to make the switch after using Windows for almost 20 years. Is a 3.4 GHz Intel Quad Core processor good?

[frankhammer]

If you're ready and enjoy the Apple experience and can pick it up at a reasonable price, go for it. I can't be convinced to go the Apple route myself due to the lack of customisation and the software limitations.

Performance wise, it will be well above where you're at right now,