This…I stand by my previous recommendation of a good laptop, dual monitors, and a dock for ~1,500. Get an encrypted cloud service like Backblaze since OneDrive/Gdrive (unless you’re using Gdrive backup) are not actually backups, but rather sync, as in if you delete something in one place it will be deleted in another, add in a physical drive (encrypted) and you can rotate to the safedeposit.
Computer nerds, give me some advice.
- Thread starter BlueC
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This…I stand by my previous recommendation of a good laptop, dual monitors, and a dock for ~1,500. Get an encrypted cloud service like Backblaze since OneDrive/Gdrive (unless you’re using Gdrive backup) are not actually backups, but rather sync, as in if you delete something in one place it will be deleted in another, add in a physical drive (encrypted) and you can rotate to the safedeposit.
I know machines in that price range can meet those minimums, but I also know from experience that those machines can barely keep up for a short time and windup costing money. 10 years ago I started out with a mid level consumer grade Dell. About two years later I had to replace it with my current unit, which has just now had an issue. I don't know the actual load I typically place on my computer, but I'm confident I won't be happy at that minimum.
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This one does last a long time, I rarely use it though. I prefer my desktop when needing a computer at home or else I'm running one of my surface style computers.
Sure you can get nicer, I personally have a laptop that at least meets those specs with a 2k screen that I paid like 500 for. Although I'm an AMD guy, the $/performance is wayyy better. I have never came across software that won't run on AMD in over a decade of computing.
Intel vs AMD, processor manufacturer. Someone mentioned earlier it wont run some software... That hasn't been the case for me, so I figured I'd mention it.
I would NEVER buy a $300 computer - at least not a NEW $300 computer. Consumer grade systems are utter crap.
AMD is the formerly also-ran CPU manufacturer that finally kicked Intel in the pants when they weren't looking.
When AMD launched the Ryzen series of processors, their performance blindsided Intel.
At one point, Microcenter said that 85% of their custom built desktop PCs were powered by Ryzen instead of Intels.
Initially roughly the same performance but only a fraction of the power use, and by the Ryzen 3rd gen they were beating Intel performance while using less power.
I have not found a program yet that won't run on my Ryzen 3700X. It's several years old but still has more than enough horsepower for games, virtual machines, and video editing.
Of course now the x86 processors are being overshadowed by ARM processors with more performance and insane battery life.
When AMD launched the Ryzen series of processors, their performance blindsided Intel.
At one point, Microcenter said that 85% of their custom built desktop PCs were powered by Ryzen instead of Intels.
Initially roughly the same performance but only a fraction of the power use, and by the Ryzen 3rd gen they were beating Intel performance while using less power.
I have not found a program yet that won't run on my Ryzen 3700X. It's several years old but still has more than enough horsepower for games, virtual machines, and video editing.
Of course now the x86 processors are being overshadowed by ARM processors with more performance and insane battery life.
That’s a lot of meme sharing power there.
I do most of that with my PHOOOOOONNE
I’ve not used my desktop for forums. Really only used it for Fusion 360.
In all seriousness… what could you possibly need a machine with those specs for? Not knocking it, just curious. I do a fair amount of CAD work and my work machine probably was 10% the cost.
Any kind of CAD, video editing, graphics creation, etc. That looks like a good SolidWorks machine to me.
I got a screaming deal on it too. My previous desktop was about 10 years old. This one should last me a while.
I got tied up at work yesterday but NAS was going to be my recommendation once confirmed non cloud storage is a requirement. Most NAS systems will even do both (sync to on premise and then, with an option selected, sync to cloud) if you ever change your mind.
I've watched a few videos trying to learn what NAS is/does/can do, so I'm building questions. From what I'm understanding, NAS is essentially standalone hard drive(s) that I integrate into my local network, and backup my files on. These NAS units have to be accessed via any computer on the network and can not be run/accessed independently. Is that correct?
From what I'm seeing there are 1, 2, and 4+ bay units. I assume a 2 or 4 bay unit would be what I want? My current work file storage is somewhere around 75-100 GB, (I don't know if that's everything, but it is the majority) which averages somewhere 10-15 GB per year. I have reason to believe my files are about to get a little larger, but I have no real idea of size yet. Then I have pictures to store, current folder say 7.32 GB, but I add daily and delete after about 6 weeks. Can it be set up to automatically add and delete these files? Can things like my software program be stored and/or accessed on a NAS?
Additionally, I'd like to back up our family pictures and videos, which is currently around 40 GB on this machine, and I'm sure the wife has an equal amount of more on hers, which is where I think a secondary bay/hard drive comes in.
I'm still trying to figure things out where I can ask meaningful questions.
I've been working in IT for many years. For cloud/NAS, just figure that if your data isn't in at least two places, it can be gone in a second. Your SSD/nvme drive can die and a laptop can be lost or stolen.
At work, all of our network storage is through Microsoft Onedrive/sharepoint. This means that you keep files on your PC in locations that sync with Onedrive (desktop, documents and pictures folders) everytime you close the file. That way it's always in the cloud/Internet in case something happens to your laptop.
For home, I do somewhat regular backups to another hard drive. I also pay monthly for Carbonite (cloud backup).
My work also doesn't allow desktop PC's anymore unless there are special circumstances. Instead, everyone gets a laptop and a docking station. You can connect screens, keyboard, mouse, printers, etc to the dock.
For PC specs, I'd recommend 16GB RAM and 1TB or higher storage space. I prefer AMD hardware. I bought a gaming PC in a black Friday sale: AMD R7 7700 processor with an AMD 7900 GRE video card. My laptop is a Lenovo AMD that around 3 years old. For the most part, you get more for your money with AMD. Regarding AMD not being able to run specific software: That is absolutely false.
I re-evalutate AMD vs. Intel every time I buy a new gaming PC, about every 3 years. This time around AMD was the better deal. Also, Intel has had recent problems with CPU's that have problems and get degraded. That's mostly fixed now, but not an issue with AMD. Bottom line, it doesn't really matter. If you buy a $500 laptop, Intel or AMD is going to be similar. You're unlikely to notice a difference.
For brands, I usually go with Dell or Lenovo. At work, we only buy Dell. Previous 3 jobs over 20 years have only bought Dell. That said, pretty much any name brand is going to be fine. HP is also decent, but not my first choice. Again, for the most part, they're all the same components and you're going to get what you pay for.
If you need something higher performance (Gaming, CAD, video editing) I'd consider a gaming laptop. Only down side to a gaming laptop is if you need it to be portable: Gaming laptop batteries don't last as long because of the higher end video card. They also weigh more and are often thicker. I have a friend that is a surveyor and does some CAD. He just gets a gaming laptop when he needs a new one.
At work, all of our network storage is through Microsoft Onedrive/sharepoint. This means that you keep files on your PC in locations that sync with Onedrive (desktop, documents and pictures folders) everytime you close the file. That way it's always in the cloud/Internet in case something happens to your laptop.
For home, I do somewhat regular backups to another hard drive. I also pay monthly for Carbonite (cloud backup).
My work also doesn't allow desktop PC's anymore unless there are special circumstances. Instead, everyone gets a laptop and a docking station. You can connect screens, keyboard, mouse, printers, etc to the dock.
For PC specs, I'd recommend 16GB RAM and 1TB or higher storage space. I prefer AMD hardware. I bought a gaming PC in a black Friday sale: AMD R7 7700 processor with an AMD 7900 GRE video card. My laptop is a Lenovo AMD that around 3 years old. For the most part, you get more for your money with AMD. Regarding AMD not being able to run specific software: That is absolutely false.
I re-evalutate AMD vs. Intel every time I buy a new gaming PC, about every 3 years. This time around AMD was the better deal. Also, Intel has had recent problems with CPU's that have problems and get degraded. That's mostly fixed now, but not an issue with AMD. Bottom line, it doesn't really matter. If you buy a $500 laptop, Intel or AMD is going to be similar. You're unlikely to notice a difference.
For brands, I usually go with Dell or Lenovo. At work, we only buy Dell. Previous 3 jobs over 20 years have only bought Dell. That said, pretty much any name brand is going to be fine. HP is also decent, but not my first choice. Again, for the most part, they're all the same components and you're going to get what you pay for.
If you need something higher performance (Gaming, CAD, video editing) I'd consider a gaming laptop. Only down side to a gaming laptop is if you need it to be portable: Gaming laptop batteries don't last as long because of the higher end video card. They also weigh more and are often thicker. I have a friend that is a surveyor and does some CAD. He just gets a gaming laptop when he needs a new one.
I just ordered a box O' parts from Amazon for a new desktop. I yakked at my dance teacher's husband about it, he keeps up with this stuff, I no longer do as I retired from IT 8 years ago so don't know the current state of the art. $900 delivered got me an AMD "Ryzen 7 5800X 8-core, 16-Thread Unlocked Desktop Processor" - not the utter top of the line but should be fine, gaming MB, AMD gaming video, Samsung 2 TB SSD, 64GB RAM, some kind of psychedelic lit ATX case, 650 watt power supply, blah, blah, blah. Should last me a number of years, I expect a minimum of 10 years out of a system, this 2011 Mac Mini has had a good run.
I'm curious as to why? That is the exact opposite of the policy at my old outfit. *shrug*
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