Choosing a new computer - tower or all in one?
 

My All in One computer is 6 years old and I'm ready too replace it. We went to Best Buy today and I selected one, came home, and it had poor reviews. I'm looking for a mid-range (around $600) with Intel chip. Do not do gaming. Any suggestions?

Hard question to answer since we do not know for what or how the computer is going to be used. My personal preference would be a laptop which can function as a tablet. Microsoft Surface, the HP version of the Surface, or an Apple Air Pro.

Thanks Mleeja. I definitely want a desktop. The question is whether to go with a tower or all in one and which computer to go with in the $600+ range. Definitely want Windows 10. I use Microsoft Office Suite, particularly Word and Excel and would like speed accessing Internet pages which I realize is mostly up to Comcast. I'm looking for an Intel chip, 1TB, good speakers, DVD/CD RW.

Desktops are generally less expensive than laptops and are easier/cheaper to repair or upgrade. There are two local outfits that custom build -- to suit your needs and budget. Village Mobile PC Repair (next to the Comcast office on 441) 245-1500. He built me one last year...top quality components, fair price. I went with a solid state hard drive (quicker, more reliable).
There's also MMD, on 441 south of 466A.
Buy local...service is everything.

I would buy it from Sam's club because of their 90 day return policy. It looks like they have an HP with Intel I5 processor, 8 gb ram, Windows 10, and 1 tb hard drive for $555. If you want to spend a little more, you can get an I7 processor, which is the current state of the art for intel, especially since a 6 year old desktop is really not very old. I use an 8 year old I5 desktop, and it still does everything I need to do, and it cost $500, 8 years ago. Desktop towers have not really gone done in price, because most people buy laptops. Also, there is no way you will get a 1tb "solid state" hard drive computer in your price range.

I wouldn't choose a tower, why take up space when you don't need to. I bought an HP all-in-one a couple of years ago and it's nice. I bought a TV and a washer/dryer from Best Buy recently and got good deals and I looked at computers when I was there and thought they were suppose to be coming down in price, they seem to be a little high to my liking.

I noticed in the Sunday paper that Office Max had a nice HP all-in-one with a 23.8" screen (that's good size) and wireless mouse and keyboard 8 GB Memory and 1 TB Hard Drive, Intel Processor for $529.99, I thought that was a good price. They're website shows 4 in stock at the store on 441 across from the Summerfield Walmart.

HP 24 g016 All In One PC 23.8 Screen Intel Pentium 8GB Memory 1TB Hard Drive Windows 10 Home by Office Depot & OfficeMax

If you want a laptop and you're use to a desktop, then you'll want the bigger screen, a 17". I've notice most manufacturers seemed to be feauturing smaller screens. Office Max has a 17.3" Lenovo Laptop 8 GB Memory and 1 TB Hard Drive, Intel Processor for $479, the website said they have 4 in stock.

Lenovo IdeaPad 320 17 Laptop 17.3 Screen Intel Core i5 8GB Memory 1TB Hard Drive Windows 10 Home 80XM0000US by Office Depot & OfficeMax

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I just looked at my actual newspaper flyer and the 23.8" all-in-one for $529 that is on sale, is not the one I linked to above. The one above is $50 off and has an Intel Processor, the one in the flyer has an AMD processor but with all the same specifications except it has a touch screen and they indicate $150 off also at $529. So if you go to the store, they have two HP all-in-ones for $529 on sale both with the same size screen and specifications, but one has a touchscreen with an AMD processor and the other has Intel but not a touchscreen.

I'm just trying to be helpful. If your experience is like mine then adding some money to your budget and buying an Apple is the best thing to do. You spend time using your computer not fixing it. It is rough to spend the extra but I'm at the 9 year mark with a 27" desktop and still running fine. Good Luck. I bought a Windows 10 laptop several months ago....Garbage.

If space is not an issue, go with a desktop and separate monitor. That gives you flexibility if (1) the monitor fails or (2) you decide to upgrade to a larger monitor.

With an all-in-one you are paying a premium for the convenience.

I believe this could be what you're looking for: Intel Pentium 2.4GHz Quad Core N3700 NUC Mini PC | Talk of the Villages

The solid state drive is enticing. I was leaning to the All in One because my desk is in the main living area of the house but think maybe with a nice monitor I could make this work. Do you know Steve?

I would check out these computers available new on Amazon before buying a used computer. But, there is no way that this type of computer will compare in performance to an Intel I5 or I7 tower computer, and the hard drive is pretty small.

I find BB often has older models. Check online or if you find one check online for best prices to get best bang.

Have you looked at Chromebooks? You have Calc, Docs and Slides (compatible with Excel, Word, etc.).
It comes up online very quickly, never gets a virus or malware.
It works mostly online, but you can do work offline. All you documents are on the cloud, so you can get them anytime you want and you can get a previous version through the history tab.
If it breaks (or gets stolen), all you need to do is buy a new one and sign on! All your "stuff" is there.

They are mostly in the $200 range, but newer and pricier models allow apps that do many of the things a laptop can do.