Nettop advice needed

[zombibikini]

I only have experience with top end gaming stuff, but now I want to buy or build something just good enough for web surfing, downloading goodies, and watching movies, mostly.
I just stumbled into the world of nettops and wonder if someone can recommend a brand and appropriate model for me.
How much RAM do I need? How much CPU power do I need for the basics? i3, i5, AMD something??
I already have a spare SSD and external disk drive.
My monitor needs HDMI or DVI-D and is an ultrawide, so hogs a bit more power than a 1920x1080 screen.
Low power is ok, as long as it isn't total bog land when watching youtube or something. No Atom's for me.
Thanks for any advice!

 

[dexxterlab97]

Why nettop? They are farily small and usually do not come with enough power. For basic use an i3 will be good enough. 4-8GB RAM

 

[manv]

If web browsing and watching movies at 1080p is all that you want try going for an A6 or an A8 which comes with a decent integrated graphics. 4-8 GB of ram is more than sufficient for that purpose. You might also want to use some linux distribution along with it to reduce your cost of initial setup because you do not plan to use any windows specific app. Cheers!

 

[dexxterlab97]

If web browsing and watching movies at 1080p is all that you want try going for an A6 or an A8 which comes with a decent integrated graphics. 4-8 GB of ram is more than sufficient for that purpose. You might also want to use some linux distribution along with it to reduce your cost of initial setup because you do not plan to use any windows specific app. Cheers!

Ubuntu and other linux os is not really a good way for downloading stuff. Most apps has to be installed via terminal commands and it is really confusing. Stick with Windows

 

[manv]

Really??? What was the last ubuntu version you used? Im using the latest 16.04. I can install any package in ubuntu by downloading the .deb files and then just running it like in windows(not exactly the same the ubuntu software center pops up asking whether to proceed installing it or not). Ubuntu being confusing ...... not very sure about that. I find it easy to use. Its a personal preference.

 

[dexxterlab97]

Really??? What was the last ubuntu version you used? Im using the latest 16.04. I can install any package in ubuntu by downloading the .deb files and then just running it like in windows(not exactly the same the ubuntu software center pops up asking whether to proceed installing it or not). Ubuntu being confusing ...... not very sure about that. I find it easy to use. Its a personal preference.

Not all software comes with deb file for you to quickly install. When it comes with some basic programs Windows is still better. And yes I am running Ubuntu 16.04 plus Windows 10 dual boot. Windows is much more user friendly. It's not only about installing deb files

 

[zombibikini]

I'll be using windows, in any case.

 

[dexxterlab97]

What is your budget?

 

[manv]

It all depends on personal preferences. I was a huge windows fan . But I tried out ubuntu a month back just because I wanted to learn about it. Now I find myself using ubuntu way more than windows. It is well and more for basic browsing watching movies plus light programming etc. I only use windows when I am in need to use a windows specific app. The final choice is yours. Choose as per your tastes

 

[dexxterlab97]

It all depends on personal preferences. I was a huge windows fan . But I tried out ubuntu a month back just because I wanted to learn about it. Now I find myself using ubuntu way more than windows. It is well and more for basic browsing watching movies plus light programming etc. I only use windows when I am in need to use a windows specific app. The final choice is yours. Choose as per your tastes

He is buying a nettop so it will most likely come with Windows pre-installed and there is no need for Ubuntu.

 

[zombibikini]

I'd like to spend ~300-400 tops. Don't see any need for anything that would warrant more money. You asked why nettop? I like the size, simplicity, efficiency.

 

[dexxterlab97]

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=9SIA8X53Y31935 has HDMI port.

 

[manv]

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16856164009&cm_re=nettop-_-56-164-009-_-Product
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=9SIA85V4628847&cm_re=nettop-_-83-218-035-_-Product
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16856164027R&cm_re=nettop-_-56-164-027R-_-Product
I liked these 3. Fits your description.

 

[dexxterlab97]

https://www.amazon.com/ASUS-VivoMini-Barebones-i3-6100U-UN65H-M067M/dp/B01EZGYUJG/ref=sr_1_8?s=pc&ie=UTF8&qid=1469551494&sr=1-8&refinements=p_n_feature_two_browse-bin%3A562240011%2Cp_36%3A-30000

or this

 

[dexxterlab97]

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16856164009&cm_re=nettop-_-56-164-009-_-Product
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=9SIA85V4628847&cm_re=nettop-_-83-218-035-_-Product
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16856164027R&cm_re=nettop-_-56-164-027R-_-Product
I liked these 3. Fits your description.

most of them doesn't come with any hard drive installed. Not good for downloading goodies

 

[manv]

He has a spare ssd.
Its got better integrated graphics for running videos at 1080p. Thats why I recommended them.

 

[dexxterlab97]

he has a spare ssd.

oh my bad didnt see that. Yeah those will fit but there is no harm for having extra 500GB of space

 

[manv]

he has a spare ssd.

oh my bad didnt see that. Yeah those will fit but there is no harm for having extra 500GB of space

True