new PC shopping

[smastroyin]

So, I am still running XP on my PC.  I don't use my home PC all that much.  Internet, some household budget stuff, etc.  I used to keep very current and upgrade constantly when I was a PC gamer but I'm not that anymore and I don't even have time to keep up with console games nevermind the wealth of PC games.  The last time I really upgraded my machine was probably 2009.  Don't ask me what's in it, I don't remember, but it is probably state of the art for an AMD processor in 2008.
 
I was going to finally upgrade to a new version of Windows, but that seems to be at least a $100 investment, and more like $200 for something that is actually secure (unlike Vista).  Since I don't really need a monitor, it seems like it would be just as cheap for me to buy a PC and get an upgrade anyway.  I do not need this PC to be mobile.  I would like to spend less than $500 but can probably go higher.
 
So here are my options:
 
1)  Buy peripherals that allow my Nexus 7 to act more like a PC for times when I want that experience.  Because a cheap computer isn't going to perform that much better.
1a) do that but with a higher performing tablet. 
2)  Fully embrace the google lords and buy a Chromebook with a docking station
3)  Get a new PC tower or laptop with Windows pre-installed
4)  Look at one of those all-in-one type deals but I assume I exchange a bunch of performance for the touchscheen and form factor.
.
.
.
10)  Suck it up and just buy a new MB/Processor to go along with the new OS.  Here's the thing, I have enough projects and monkeying around with my PC isn't near the top of the list anymore.
 
For my usage, what do you guys think are the best options?
 

 

[EricFeczko]

If you care about security, I would avoid a chromebook at all costs.

If you are not gaming anymore, my recommendation is to go with a laptop with a solid-state drive and a touchscreen, and buy a Logitech wireless mouse/keyboard (~20-40 on amazon). Assuming you have a TV at home, you can basically use your TV as a monitor, and save on your cable/internet/whatever bill by dropping packages and switching to Amazon prime/Hulu plus/Netflix/HBO go (and MLB.tv if you live out of MA like me). I save about $100 a month by doing so.

The windows 8 interface is built for a touchscreen, and a solid-state drive transforms the performance of the machine. If you look on sites like techbargains.com, you can find deals for such laptops at under $500:
http://www.techbargains.com/catsearch.cfm/0_3_0





 

 

[jayhoz]

This is my hair brained theory and I think that you should be the first, and likely only, person to adopt it.
 
Tablets are very difficult to use if content creation is your goal even with the best accessories.  They are media consumption and productivity enhancing tools primarily.  Laptops are ill suited for computing needs within the home.  At reasonable price points, they lack the HDD space and processing power that one would want if you want them to be more than web surfers or document editors.
 
For the money, I think a powerful desktop, a relatively cheap tablet, and a home entertainment system is the best setup.  Make the desktop the hub of your network.  Use it to push content to your TV/Tablet, archive your digital files, and run your household applications.

 

[Couperin47]

You have told us what you don't do on a puter anymore (serious gaming), you have not told us what you actually use it for. We can assume, email, browsing and perhaps some media (at least youtube, etc.) What else DO you do or want to do? The problem with appliances like tablets and chromebooks is, as already noted above, they are very restricting and many wind up 'not doing X' because they CAN'T.

 

[smastroyin]

I don't do much.  Most of my media consumption is through my PS3, Tablet, or Phone.  Heavy computing needs I typically push through my work laptop which is a horse due to the fact that I run some heavy software on it (not as much as I used to, but it still needs to be capable).  My IT folks don't care that much about my personal usage as long as I don't abuse it/infect it, which I don't.
 
But anyway, it would be largely your basic office type stuff, doing taxes, tracking budgets, blah blah blah.  I'm not producing much content that requires computing power.  The biggest suck of time that I have is that it takes about 5 minutes for spotify to read my 150ish GB music collection every time it boots, it would be nice to improve on that kind of thing.

 

[Couperin47]

I don't do much.  Most of my media consumption is through my PS3, Tablet, or Phone.  Heavy computing needs I typically push through my work laptop which is a horse due to the fact that I run some heavy software on it (not as much as I used to, but it still needs to be capable).  My IT folks don't care that much about my personal usage as long as I don't abuse it/infect it, which I don't.
 
But anyway, it would be largely your basic office type stuff, doing taxes, tracking budgets, blah blah blah.  I'm not producing much content that requires computing power.  The biggest suck of time that I have is that it takes about 5 minutes for spotify to read my 150ish GB music collection every time it boots, it would be nice to improve on that kind of thing.

 
Ahh OK:
 
Office type stuff and taxes = MS Office and Turbotax at a minimum this means no tablet, no chromebook you want a real puter. Sounds like at a minimum 256 Gig SSD to keep that music collection is the answer to your annoyance. I'd build a low end Intel i5 box and stuff it with 2 SSD (a 120 Gig for OS & Programs) and a 256 for music and media.  You have a monitor, can probably reuse your video card which may be better than the i5 built-in graphics, and your current hard drives for additional storage should usable.. 2009 puts you right around when sata II was getting replaced by sata III and either will work just fine. You can live with just 4 Gig of ram.  Sounds like you built your last box...what's the case (decent chance it can be reused), power supply (50-50 chance on that).

 

[AlNipper49]

Just buy something dumb from Lenovo outlet or Dell.  Don't overthink it because you don't use it enough.  Literally everything you can buy over $400 is going to suffice for your needs.  In four years just throw the piece of shit out and buy a new one.  $100 per year for a PC, like $8/month if you want to look at it in monthly budget terms like I do when I make a purchase.  Like Coup says maybe I'd do for a SSD and 8GB rams if you really want to be a high roller for what you do.