Choosing a PC for my dad

[Mortem420]

As the title says, I'm trying to choose a PC for my dad but I'm not sure whether to go custom built, pre-built or laptop.

My dad would like a computer that can be used for business aspects such as Quickbooks and microsoft office programs. But he also wants to be able to do music mixing with a DJ controller (turntable/ mixboard) as well as i think he wants to be able to do some gaming.

The setup needs to be able to be hooked up to a sound system so that he can do all of this on big speakers in his workshop.

I would just like some different options as for what parts should be used if its a custom build or which laptop should be purchased if he would be better off with a laptop.

Any help with this would be much appreciated

 

[SchizTech]

This sounds like a use case which doesn't involve portability or ease in moving the unit about, thus the reason to have a laptop doesn't seem relevant. Meanwhile the naturally larger screen that would be attached to a desktop becomes a plus, as does the greater extensibility of a desktop: it'd be easier to add internal components related to the audio uses and of course, a graphics card for the gaming. We could provide assistance in compiling a parts list for a custom build, though it would help to have a price range.

 

[rgd1101]

forgot the most important info, what the budget?

 

[Mortem420]

Ah yes sorry, the budget. Umm... id say maybe like 2 or 3 grand. The computer is for my dad so if its something he'll want then he'll pay for it. The only reason why a laptop would be relevant is because he might like to be able to have something he can take with to job sites to do invoices and emails and such with.

Could a Microsoft surface or whatever not be used for this so that he has the desktop there all the time and then that way he also has something portable to take with him. Or can the surface only be used as like a desktop replacement option with external monitors.

My idea for this was get a desktop and a Microsoft surface and then just plug in or sync the surface to the pc for file transfer/extra screen. Is this viable idea or can the surface not be used that way

 

[SchizTech]

Well that budget could fit both a desktop and a laptop. There are a number of ways to sync data, including the cloud. If he signs into both with the same Microsoft account then 5GB of OneDrive storage is free (additional storage can be bought from either MS or his favorite cloud service, and an Office 365 account lets him use the most up to date Office on both with a OneDrive bonus too). It seems like the needs for the portable device are less demanding than what he'd sit at home for, so 1+1 does offer the best of both worlds, at a cost.

 

[Mortem420]

Well I kind of wanted to avoid cloud storage for anything but backup. My dad isn't much of a computer person and I don't wanna confuse the <removed> out of him so I wanted to be able to keep files locally for the most part.

I know that that kind of budget could fit a desktop and a laptop but it could also fit a desktop and the new surface pro and idk if my dad would want a full laptop as well as a desktop because when I was talking to him about it he seemed to really like the idea of the desktop for main business stuff and music mixing and then the surface as a portable solution.

I'd almost say the need for the portable device is about even with the need for the desktop. I was hoping to go the way of just connecting the surface to a desktop because the desktop would be better for the gaming/music making end of what he wants and then the surface would be better for the business aspect

Language removed by moderator.

 

[SchizTech]

Sorry, I meant to include a Surface in the broad usage of "laptop." These days it's not as clear as it once was.

OK. If he has a small amount of stuff to sync he can keep everything available everywhere and not worry about the distinction. If that's still too confusing or there might be more synced stuff than that's practical to do with, a shared drive could work. Or, you can connect the two via a USB cable - but not a standard USB cable. Just connecting USB to USB can damage one or both systems.

http://www.hardwaresecrets.com/connecting-two-pcs-using-a-usb-usb-cable/

 

[Mortem420]

If all it would take is a special USB cable to connect a Surface to a PC then that would probably be the simplest and best way to go about doing that. Majority of the need for connecting the 2 would be simply for like file/data transfer between them and it seems like the USB bridge cable is for just that.

So it seems like the whole portable aspect of this has been figured out, now I just need a parts list for a good desktop build. A case with lots and lots of dust filters would be preferred seeing as the desktop will be in a workshop which is quite dusty and dirty

 

[Mortem420]

And yeah I guess the Surface could be classified as a "laptop" of sorts seeing as is basically is a laptop, just in a smaller tablet form

 

[SchizTech]

Here's a start to a desktop. You can go through different cases but this one is big, which lets a lot of air pass through (or make any other tweaks you like). --> https://pcpartpicker.com/list/DLFWWX

I have a device I use to blow out my PC every now and then: https://www.amazon.com/EasyGo-CompuCleaner-Electronic-Alternative-Compressed/dp/B00S7CH6FK. Compared to the cost of buying lots of compressed air cans over time it pays for itself.


If his audio mixer needs a particular port other than USB of some variety, add an add-in card for that.

 

[Mortem420]

Here's a start to a desktop. You can go through different cases but this one is big, which lets a lot of air pass through (or make any other tweaks you like). --> https://pcpartpicker.com/list/DLFWWX

I have a device I use to blow out my PC every now and then: https://www.amazon.com/EasyGo-CompuCleaner-Electronic-Alternative-Compressed/dp/B00S7CH6FK. Compared to the cost of buying lots of compressed air cans over time it pays for itself.


If his audio mixer needs a particular port other than USB of some variety, add an add-in card for that.

You listed here i should get the GTX 1070 Ti 8GB. I think that may be a bit overkill. Im not really looking for gaming at like 1440 or 4K or anything. 1080P at 60FPS would be good enough seeing as it would be my dad's pc and he probably wont be using it that much for gaming but having the option to game is nice. Would the GTX 1060 6GB be a better choice or should i aim lower than that even??

 

[SchizTech]

Well a 1060 offers much better performance. There's a premium for that but both go for well below even a cheaper 1070. In terms of bang for the buck the 1060 seems well positioned.