Desktop Deals Master Thread

[Chuchum Ainer]

Just throwing this out there: Is there a reason one suspects that an i3 will not be sufficient for an office machine? I would think that the RAM will be far more important.

Sufficient now, but for how long?
And many office machines end up being used for heavier work to. As a primary machine, it should be able to do more than just the minimum, when it's called on to do so. 

[mevinyavin]

Sufficient now, but for how long?
And many office machines end up being used for heavier work to. As a primary machine, it should be able to do more than just the minimum, when it's called on to do so.

A 2nd-gen i3 was good through at least 8th gen with a RAM upgrade. 8th gen i3s are still fast today. That isn't enough?

[Chuchum Ainer]

So in your opinion, a 14th gen i3 desktop should be enough for web, canva, occasional indesign, bit of excel etc for at least 5 years?

And by the same logic, the opitplex for sub $300 should last a while longer too, no?

Which would you say is the better buy?

[aygart]

A 2nd-gen i3 was good through at least 8th gen with a RAM upgrade. 8th gen i3s are still fast today. That isn't enough?

Will they run windows 11 when super for Windows 10 ends?

[DaasTora]

Will they run windows 11 when super for Windows 10 ends?

https://forums.dansdeals.com/index.php?topic=134667.msg2853783#msg2853783

[mevinyavin]

So in your opinion, a 14th gen i3 desktop should be enough for web, canva, occasional indesign, bit of excel etc for at least 5 years?

And by the same logic, the opitplex for sub $300 should last a while longer too, no?

Which would you say is the better buy?

Should be enough? I would be surprised if it wasn't. (That list of yours is included in the phrase "basic office work"? Interesting.) With the caveat that at the end of its life, things may take a bit longer.

I strongly prefer new computers, even inferior branding (ie Inspiron vs Optiplex), over refurbs with old hardware. So that is my answer regarding the better buy. However, when someone tells me that the boss requires X, I find them what they are looking for. I consider it to be my job to advise, not to force people to do what they don't want to do.

[Chuchum Ainer]

Should be enough? I would be surprised if it wasn't. (That list of yours is included in the phrase "basic office work"? Interesting.) With the caveat that at the end of its life, things may take a bit longer.

I didn't say basic office work, I said basic office desktop.
IME many people get a desktop for "simple" things, but then they need it occasionally for remote desktop, indesign, maybe a premier pro attempt, and their computer is not up to the task. Especially if it's a good few years old.

So if we are talking someone who buys a bunch of machines at once for a specific use case, is one thing.

People buying one machine for their school's office, or their home office, or just their family, should usually not go too low, and look at something a step above the minimum for their needs.

[Chuchum Ainer]

Lemaiseh I think Im going to suggest they get one of these, depending if they want to go to microcenter
https://www.microcenter.com/product/682548/lenovo-ideacentre-3-07irb8-desktop-computer $429 13th Gen i5, in store only (smallish)

or
https://www.dell.com/en-us/shop/desktop-computers/xps-desktop/spd/xps-8960-desktop/usexpsthcto8960rpl17 $500 ($649, minus $150 dell amex offers). 14th gen i5 (big. well built.) ETA: 10% email code works as well

the $469 ($350 after ram upgrade and amex offers) small inspiron is great value, but would need an extra step on my part of sourcing and installing another ram stick.

[aygart]

https://www.dell.com/en-us/shop/desktop-computers/xps-desktop/spd/xps-8960-desktop/usexpsthcto8960rpl17 $500 ($649, minus $150 dell amex offers). 14th gen i5 (big. well built.) ETA: 10% email code works as well

This only has one monitor port and it is DP not HDMI

[Chuchum Ainer]

True

This only has one monitor port

True. bit of a drawback. I think it could be daisy chained to hook up a second one, or use a splitter, but I'm not sure. The USB c ports are a letdown.

and it is DP not HDMI

DP is better

[Yo ssi]

DP is better

Ish

[Chuchum Ainer]

Ish

Educate me

[mevinyavin]

I didn't say basic office work, I said basic office desktop.
IME many people get a desktop for "simple" things, but then they need it occasionally for remote desktop, indesign, maybe a premier pro attempt, and their computer is not up to the task. Especially if it's a good few years old.

So if we are talking someone who buys a bunch of machines at once for a specific use case, is one thing.

People buying one machine for their school's office, or their home office, or just their family, should usually not go too low, and look at something a step above the minimum for their needs.

I don't agree with this. I'll break it down:
1. I always do offer people the best bang for the buck option as well as the minimum option, explaining that the minimum will work (and fast) now, but there is a chance that it won't towards the end of its life. It has been my experience that most choose to go with the cheaper option unless the more expensive one is very close in price. Getting a POSSIBLY better use from the computer in 3-5 years for a definite 50% more in price is a waste of money IMHO. Perhaps you disagree, and that is fine, but I don't push the higher cost on them - only mention it. (Some 20% of the time, the buyer does go for the higher buy.)
2. Remote desktop is usually a RAM upgrade at best. That's what I tell them if they get 8GB or less. I strongly discourage 8GB soldered for this reason.
3. Indesign's requirements are benign. I would find it hard to believe that the computer wouldn't be capable of it.
4. Premiere is the hardest hitting of all Adobe programs. It is next-to-impossible to predict what it might need in five years, and a waste of money to spend on specs misofek. You need 4GB of VRAM!

But as I said, you are welcome to your opinion.

[Yo ssi]

Educate me

It's technically more advanced but would recommend HDMI at this price point.

[Chuchum Ainer]

https://www.dell.com/en-us/shop/desktop-computers/optiplex-micro-form-factor/spd/optiplex-7020-micro/s009do7020mffus_vp
Down to $650 for i5/16gb/256gb, removing mouse and keyboard, no additional video ports, yes wifi card.
$710 for USBc video and 512gb, no wifi card. or $730 with wifi card.

[Chuchum Ainer]

https://www.dell.com/en-us/shop/desktop-computers/optiplex-micro-form-factor/spd/optiplex-7020-micro/s009do7020mffus_vp
Down to $650 for i5/16gb/256gb, removing mouse and keyboard, no additional video ports, yes wifi card.
$710 for USBc video and 512gb, no wifi card. or $730 with wifi card.

I'm not currently looking, but would the small inspiron (for $699 i5/16/1tb) be better or if that's subjective, more powerful? optiplex is a better line supposedly, but the chips aren't equal, and the larger case and more powerful power supply should mean the cooling is better, no?

ETA: 10% email code works for both

[shapsam]

Any recommendations for a new computer for basic to mid-level programs, and to be able to connect 3 monitors?

[atwnsw]

Any recommendation for a solid desktop computer (maybe Black Friday deal) to replace my 8 year old Dell XPS?
No gaming.  Mainly surfing, spreadsheets, bill management and occasional photo editing.
This is my primary computer for household so it needs to be a higher end machine/reputable.
Future Proof is preferable.
1 TB SSD and either 16GB or 32GB Required.

[Yisroel Tech]

Any recommendation for a solid desktop computer (maybe Black Friday deal) to replace my 8 year old Dell XPS?
No gaming.  Mainly surfing, spreadsheets, bill management and occasional photo editing.
This is my primary computer for household so it needs to be a higher end machine/reputable.
Future Proof is preferable.
1 TB SSD and either 16GB or 32GB Required.

What's your budget range?

If you're happy with XPS in general, why not another XPS...

This one https://www.dell.com/en-us/shop/desktop-computers/new-xps-desktop/spd/xps-8960-desktop/usexpsthcto8960rpl25 (14th Gen Intel Core i9-14900 processor, NVIDIA GeForce RTX 4060 Ti 8 GB GDDR6 GPU, 32GB DDR5 RAM, 1 TB NVMe SSD storage) is the latest and greatest, and I think for $1449.99 it's not bad.

(On top of that you may get 10% off with their email signup https://www.dell.com/preferences/signup/?cjdata=MXxOfDB8WXww, and another 10% cash back now with Rakuten https://www.rakuten.com/r/YA4251?eeid=45830)

You can also bring it down a bit by going with an i7 instead of the i9 https://www.dell.com/en-us/shop/desktop-computers/xps-desktop/spd/xps-8960-desktop/usexthbts8960gskj

[Chuchum Ainer]

https://www.dell.com/en-us/shop/desktop-computers/inspiron-small-desktop/spd/inspiron-3030-small-desktop/useishbts3030gssh

$500. Minus amex offers ($50 off $250, $100 off $500, 10%) email code might work, and portals. Solid deal for simple latest gen desktop