Hey everyone! A former neighbor reached out to me because his old PC isn't compatible with Windows 11, and he's looking for a new machine. I'm helping out without charging for labor since they've been supportive in the past. However, budget is a concern. I'd like to avoid going for the cheapest parts that might break down too soon.
The neighbor uses OneDrive with an Office 365 subscription for work documents, and his wife uses it for photos. They mainly browse the internet, handle Office tasks, and spend a few months a year using TurboTax for their large family's taxes. I want to ensure the new setup is reliable. Here's the build I've come up with: [PCPartPicker List](https://pcpartpicker.com/list/fCCg74). The total comes to about $661.52. They're keeping their existing monitor, keyboard, and mouse. Before I talk to them about the cost, I'd love some feedback or alternative suggestions!
5 Answers
I agree with the mini PC route! You can usually find decent options ranging from $300 to $500, suitable for light use. Just ask him for a rough budget and see what’s available on Amazon that meets those specs.
Definitely lean towards a mini PC. It’s usually more budget-friendly than building a custom rig, especially for basic tasks like theirs.
A mini PC could be a great solution! For around $300, there are options like the GMKtec with a Ryzen 7 5824U that comes with 32 GB RAM and a 1TB SSD. It's well-reviewed, super compact, and definitely fits their needs.
If the main issue is Windows 11 compatibility, why not stick with the old PC? You could use Rufus to upgrade it, and it’d probably handle the upgrade just fine. But, if they really want something new, that’s a different story.
By the way, I saw that you can get Windows 11 for only $10 on Groupon if they want to keep their existing setup and upgrade it. Just a thought!
That’s a good idea! I found a slightly lower spec version with Windows 11 pre-installed for just $279. Here’s the link: [GMKtec Mini PC](https://www.amazon.com/GMKtec-Windows-Pro-Desktop-Computers/dp/B0CWXYK4TZ).