I'm looking to put together a basic PC build for my parents that can handle multiple browser tabs, basic Office tasks, and video streaming to their networked TVs. They typically upgrade every 8-10 years, so I want something that won't slow down too much in a few years. My budget is around $600, excluding peripherals. I'm now considering a mini PC instead of a traditional build. Any recommendations?
4 Answers
I suggest looking into a custom office build. You can get a Ryzen 5 CPU, good RAM, an SSD, and all the components can be fairly inexpensive while still being powerful enough for their needs. Plus, it's easy to upgrade later.
A mini Dell Optiplex would be a great choice too! Just make sure it has an SSD and 16GB of RAM, and they’ll be set for a long time. You can find those for pretty cheap as well!
Honestly, going for a prebuilt option would be smart, especially if you're okay with a fresh start by wiping any bloatware. Mini PCs from brands like Beelink are solid for the price and perform great for non-gaming tasks. You can easily find something in the $400-$600 range that should last a while.
Don’t stress too much about the performance needs. My dad uses an i3 6100 with just 8GB of RAM and an SSD, and it's perfect for basic tasks. If they don't game, saving money on the build is definitely possible. Consider getting an i3 12100 with 16GB of RAM for under $200. You could use the leftover cash for a nice monitor!
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