Please help me pick a computer for my parents

[paper_box]

Hello all,

The 21" iMac I got for my parents some 5 years ago has seen it's end.

Hence I'm looking to get a new computer for my parents.

I'm quite disconnected with the tech scene so I am hoping you pros can advise on a replacement solution for me!

I'm happy to switch back to Windows and my other requirement is a large enough monitor (>23") for my aging parents. Budget <$1,000. Basic emailing and Facebooking only.

Should I take a walk down Sim Lim to grab a DIY desktop bundle and a monitor or should I opt for a branded all-in-one desktop, i.e. ASUS, SAMSUNG, HP or DELL?

The Dell 23" Inspiron AIO for $1,200 looks fantastic. Would you advise on a similar/cheaper model?

Any hot deals going around?

THANK YOU!

 

[Ark Law]

A NUC will do nicely. Will edit to include spec later

NUC: i3 34010WYK - $398 (Best Bargain)
RAM: Crucial 4GB DDR3-1600 1.35v sodimm - $50
SSD: Plextor M5M mSATA 128GB - $105
OS: Win7 HP 64bit OEM - $115

Total excl monitor: $668

Monitor w/ bleh speakers: AOC i2367FH - $225
Monitor w/ OK speakers: AOC i2473PWY - $415
Monitor w/ slimmest bezel: Dell U2414H - $340

Highest maximum incl monitor: $1089

optional:
Wifi: Intel 7260AC - $50 (Cybermind)
Wired KB&M: Logitech MK200 - $22
Wireless KB&M: Logitech MK270 - $38
Speakers: Edifier M1250 2.0 - $15 (Cybermind)

All parts sourced from Tradepac unless otherwise stated

 

[paper_box]

Cheers Ark! Can you advise on a monitor screen too? I am thinking of build-in speakers to save space and hassles of plug and play. What do you think? Any suggestions?

 

[paper_box]

Also how would you compare the NUCs against the Mac Minis @$788?

 

[Ark Law]

Also how would you compare the NUCs against the Mac Minis @$788?

NUC carries a big price premium for its size, which is pretty much how PC stuff go by these days. The smaller, the more expensive. Can get royfrosty/alternativeX to recommend ITX build which are more cost-effective. But NUC is the way to go if you want maximum space saving. Keep in mind I've spec-ed the -WYK slimmer NUC instead of the -WYKH which allows you to use an mSATA SSD together with a 2.5" SATA SSD/HDD. This may be of important note if you need 1TB additional storage for your parents

Versus Mac minis, Apple's chosen processor is faster, but lag an important part which affects UI experience massively (OS difference aside): an SSD. Plus NUC have a considerably smaller footprint. My own NUC in bottom 2 pictures for size demo

-WYK vs -WYKH

 

[Alternative X]

Also how would you compare the NUCs against the Mac Minis @$788?

Mac Mini specs:
$599 Variant
CPU: 2.5Ghz (to 3.1Ghz) dual core i5
HDD: 500GB 5400 RPM
RAM: 4GB (2 X 2GB) DDR3-1600

$799 Variant
CPU: 2.3Ghz (to 3.3Ghz) quad core i7
HDD: 1TB 5400 RPM
RAM: 4GB (2 X 2GB) DDR3-1600

Opinions:

Over priced pieces of junk (As usual with Apple) with the right specs in the wrong places and wrong specs in important places. You do not need a i5 or i7 to use email or Facebook. A SSD in the NUC with an i3 processor will easily be more responsive and faster than the Mac Mini (that 5400 RPM HDD will have a very adverse effect on the responsiveness of the system) and will be more suitable for your parents' needs.

A M-ATX build would be cheaper than an ITX build.

 

[GeForce]

Mac Mini going to EOL already though..

 

[Alternative X]

Mac Mini going to EOL already though..

How come? Bad sales?

 

[GeForce]

How come? Bad sales?

its been 671 days since last update. Expecting a revamped one later this year.

 

[paper_box]

I am overwhelmed by the responses! Thank you for sharing your POVs. They're much appreciated! NUCs look really impressive!

BIG SHOUT OUT ESPECIALLY TO ARK LAW FOR THAT COMPREHENSIVE POST!

I hope to check back here soon after I investigate further on my own research and share with you guys on the outcome

 

[IronMac]

Do your parents really want to go over to Windows 8.1?

Frankly, just hang around the Certified Refurbished page on the Singapore Apple site and see how much their refurbished iMac 21 inchers go for. RRP is $1488 for a BNIB.

 

[IronMac]

How come? Bad sales?

Sales are fine. I read about people buying them and raving about how they do everything that they need to do.

 

[Alternative X]

Do your parents really want to go over to Windows 8.1?

You can choose to install Windows 7 if you do not like Windows 8, the NUCs do not come preinstalled with any OS.

 

[Kiwi8]

If u know how to DIY your computer, then can do it. At least if parts spoil u can just stick in a replacement and carry on.

 

[nyquist_ty]

I think Chromebook may be a good alternative for surfing web, Youtube and other web-based activities.

It is relatively cheap, portable and small sized. You can connect to external monitors via HDMI if you want a bigger screen.

https://www.google.com/intl/en/chrome/devices/hp-chromebook-14/#specs

 

[Ark Law]

I think Chromebook may be a good alternative for surfing web, Youtube and other web-based activities.

It is relatively cheap, portable and small sized. You can connect to external monitors via HDMI if you want a bigger screen.

Valid point. But if it's gonna be connected to external monitors long-term, it's gonna look stupid and take up real estate on the desk. If one is embedded with Google's ecosystem, it's a no brainer really. If one isn't, then it's how well they'll be able to learn and adapt to a wholly cloud based machine.

The NUC's pitfall is that the CPU is non-replaceable. But hey, at least there's the 3-yr onsite warranty.

 

[ykgoh]

There's something called a ChromeBox by Acer, Asus, Samsung and HP too.

• ASUS Chromebox - ASUS
• HP Chromebox| HP® Singapore

Acer and Samsung Chromebox don't seem to be available in Singapore though.

 

[gold_eagle36]

if your parents are used to MAC might as well just get another MAC

 

[CyberTron]

Just stick to mac since ya parents are familiar with the mac. No need to consider future upgrade as ya current one last ya 5 years

 

[paper_box]

Thank you for the replies. Valid points on sticking on with being on the Mac OS with their learnt behaviour. My mom still uses XP in the office and I've only recently set them up at home with that old iMac (used to be a DIY Windows desktop).

Chromebook looks really interesting. I did not consider that. It might have it's own restrictions but it seems like it serves it's purpose. Although there may be a slight learning curve to switch from Microsoft Word to Google Docs., it might be the way forward!