Daily Computer for Mom

[RhinoBW]

Hello,

I was hoping to get some opinions on a computer for my mom. Her computer died out on her and it looks to be an issue with the mobo, one that just so happens to be proprietary and not worth replacing at this point. I am not looking to purchase her a new one since I do not have the time, right now, to build her one. The sooner she can have one, the better.

She only uses her computer for Microsoft Word, the occasional program (such as tax software), and the typical web use for Facebook, YouTube, and Gmail.

I am a bit jaded by what I expect out of my gaming rig, but the less money spent (for her uses), the better. However, I do want her to have a PC that runs without hick-up.

I was considering this:
http://www.dell.com/us/eep/p/inspiron-3847-desktop/pd?oc=fdcwrt201h&model_id=inspiron-3847-desktop

I imagine that an integrated graphics card will be enough for her needs. I question if an i5 is needed, or if an i3 is adequate enough that she wouldn't notice a difference. I only wish that these low-end Dell's came with SSD drives, even 128gb would suit her needs.

If anyone knows of better options, that would be great too.

 

[Clayto1332]

You could consider getting her something from here:

http://stores.ebay.com/Dell-Financial/_i.html?_fsub=2

These are refurbished by dell and are real solid. The ones they have right now are all small form factor, but have either i3 or i5 processors and Windows 7 Professional. Should be nice and user friendly.

The one you posted has Windows 8 and if your mom isn't used to it she probably won't like it. Otherwise, less than 500 dollars for an i5 desktop and a monitor is a good buy.

 

[MalakiArtook]

really anything will do. a i5 for emails and facebook is plenty. you can shop around but in the long run it doesn't really matter and she will never be using more than half the machine anyway. really you could spend half that and still be fine.

 

[Xyos]

Just buy a cheap chromebook. They are designed exactly for people like your mother who just do some office work, web browsing, and youtube/facebook.

 

[Math Geek]

a quick build would net a better system. you could easily make an a10 build with a ssd for a small chunk of change. would be plenty for her needs easily and pretty cheap.

PCPartPicker part list / Price breakdown by merchant

CPU: AMD A10-7850K 3.7GHz Quad-Core Processor ($134.95 @ SuperBiiz)
Motherboard: Asus A78M-A Micro ATX FM2+ Motherboard ($49.95 @ SuperBiiz)
Memory: Kingston Savage 8GB (2 x 4GB) DDR3-1866 Memory ($63.99 @ Amazon)
Storage: Crucial MX100 128GB 2.5" Solid State Drive ($59.95 @ SuperBiiz)
Case: Fractal Design Core 1300 MicroATX Mini Tower Case ($32.99 @ NCIX US)
Power Supply: Antec 450W ATX Power Supply ($23.98 @ Newegg)
Optical Drive: LG GH24NSC0B DVD/CD Writer ($12.99 @ SuperBiiz)
Total: $378.80
Prices include shipping, taxes, and discounts when available
Generated by PCPartPicker 2015-02-11 10:31 EST-0500

i am assuming you can reuse the windows. this would be plenty of pc for her for a long time to come for cheaper. no need for an i5 for web surfing. just overkill and some. and of course the gpu of the a10 is a lot better than the i5 gpu by a good bit.

 

[RhinoBW]

You could consider getting her something from here:

http://stores.ebay.com/Dell-Financial/_i.html?_fsub=2

These are refurbished by dell and are real solid. The ones they have right now are all small form factor, but have either i3 or i5 processors and Windows 7 Professional. Should be nice and user friendly.

The one you posted has Windows 8 and if your mom isn't used to it she probably won't like it. Otherwise, less than 500 dollars for an i5 desktop and a monitor is a good buy.

They show a monitor in the image, but it will not include a monitor (none-the-less, her current monitor is fine). I will have to look into these refurbished ones a bit more.

Just buy a cheap chromebook. They are designed exactly for people like your mother who just do some office work, web browsing, and youtube/facebook.

The Chromebook won't be an option because it will not run her software.

a quick build would net a better system. you could easily make an a10 build with a ssd for a small chunk of change. would be plenty for her needs easily and pretty cheap.

PCPartPicker part list / Price breakdown by merchant

CPU: AMD A10-7850K 3.7GHz Quad-Core Processor ($134.95 @ SuperBiiz)
Motherboard: Asus A78M-A Micro ATX FM2+ Motherboard ($49.95 @ SuperBiiz)
Memory: Kingston Savage 8GB (2 x 4GB) DDR3-1866 Memory ($63.99 @ Amazon)
Storage: Crucial MX100 128GB 2.5" Solid State Drive ($59.95 @ SuperBiiz)
Case: Fractal Design Core 1300 MicroATX Mini Tower Case ($32.99 @ NCIX US)
Power Supply: Antec 450W ATX Power Supply ($23.98 @ Newegg)
Optical Drive: LG GH24NSC0B DVD/CD Writer ($12.99 @ SuperBiiz)
Total: $378.80
Prices include shipping, taxes, and discounts when available
Generated by PCPartPicker 2015-02-11 10:31 EST-0500

i am assuming you can reuse the windows. this would be plenty of pc for her for a long time to come for cheaper. no need for an i5 for web surfing. just overkill and some. and of course the gpu of the a10 is a lot better than the i5 gpu by a good bit.

Unfortunately, I won't have time to build one in a timely manner with my job and an ongoing house hunt.

 

[Clayto1332]

My partner and I have purchased hundreds of these refurbished Dells, straight from Dell, via Dell financial services on ebay. I don't remember ever having to warranty one or send one back. Great low cost machines for grandma....