Small, cheap System. HELP!

Pickers · 04-04-2012, 13:57

Hey guys!

Im so out of the loop these days with computing, that I would appreciate some help from guys that know their thing - thats YOU!

Basically, we are accumulating a lot of photos that would be devestating to lose, and I've been using my Dell Studio 1557 and a couple of external backup drives for everything for over 2 years now.

I just thought it may be useful to once again delve back into the desktop market and hope to pick up something reasonable for not a lot in small form factor (I've seen some really slim ones around now, but a shuttle cube thing would be about right if it permits a stabler, smoother, faster machine)

Im not looking for a high powered beast, but something which can handle accessing a myriad of folders containing photos, office documents and things and smoothly running windows. So a large size fast access HDD would be great.
I dont intend to be doing any gaming per se on it so graphics arent really a concern, although photo image processing could happen a bit. But if it could run Steam games then that might be nice for a little fps one in a blue moon!
Im beyond the desire to build systems now (cos I always end up with problems) so a ready built thing minus peripherals would be ideal.

In short, my Dell laptop (i7 1.60 GhZ, 4 Gig ram, ATI moblity radeon HD4570) does what I want, but may be aging, so a permanent desktop replacement would be 'ansome.

I cant afford to break the bank, am I expecting too much for around the £200 mark?
I have BT home hub which has a USB port so I could stick a HDD into that for central file storage, but tbh my computing days are behind me and I just want something quick and easy to maintain.

God I'm a fussy sod!

Mark · 04-04-2012, 14:15

There are several Atom-based solutions (Asus EeeBox and its ilk) in that price range, but they're on the very bottom end of photo manipulation capability. If you want more, you'll have to pay more, and if you want a Shuttle-type custom build, a fair bit more (high-volume Chinese box shifters are always going to win on price at the budget end of the market).

Pheebs · 04-04-2012, 23:28

Remember the media computer?! Would you like that in about 4 months time!?

I'm not even joking

I do all sorts on it although sometimes when I have a few AI files open as well as Photoshop and Skype it can go a little bit slow but that's hardly surprising! Other than that... it's dandy!! We play too much L4D2 as well on Steam! Which reminds me... do you play this and do you play under Pickers?!?! If so.... a number of months ago I played (and nailed!!) you!! Haha!

Anyway, being serious!!

If not... my advice... I would get a back up external HDD for now and then put the pennies away for something a bit better in the future than a quick grab now

I've been turned by the Apple crew now too although that's from the design perspective!

Let me know and good luck shopping!!

Pickers · 05-04-2012, 16:42

Ha, no my steam account predates that name, so they were an imposter. I'll save my money for now, especially as car troubles have re-emerged!

Pheebs · 05-04-2012, 20:49

Aww it made me laugh but "you" disappeared before I could type anything on the screen!

Boo to car problems

Keep smiling! If you would like the media computer in 4 months say and it's all yours (wasn't expecting moolah for it btw

)

Pickers · 08-04-2012, 08:22

Thanks, but I'm alright without; I'm sure you could find someone else who would want it!

04-04-2012, 13:57	#1
Pickers Absinthe Join Date: Jul 2006 Location: Cornwall Posts: 2,692	Small, cheap System. HELP! Hey guys! Im so out of the loop these days with computing, that I would appreciate some help from guys that know their thing - thats YOU! Basically, we are accumulating a lot of photos that would be devestating to lose, and I've been using my Dell Studio 1557 and a couple of external backup drives for everything for over 2 years now. I just thought it may be useful to once again delve back into the desktop market and hope to pick up something reasonable for not a lot in small form factor (I've seen some really slim ones around now, but a shuttle cube thing would be about right if it permits a stabler, smoother, faster machine) Im not looking for a high powered beast, but something which can handle accessing a myriad of folders containing photos, office documents and things and smoothly running windows. So a large size fast access HDD would be great. I dont intend to be doing any gaming per se on it so graphics arent really a concern, although photo image processing could happen a bit. But if it could run Steam games then that might be nice for a little fps one in a blue moon! Im beyond the desire to build systems now (cos I always end up with problems) so a ready built thing minus peripherals would be ideal. In short, my Dell laptop (i7 1.60 GhZ, 4 Gig ram, ATI moblity radeon HD4570) does what I want, but may be aging, so a permanent desktop replacement would be 'ansome. I cant afford to break the bank, am I expecting too much for around the £200 mark? I have BT home hub which has a USB port so I could stick a HDD into that for central file storage, but tbh my computing days are behind me and I just want something quick and easy to maintain. God I'm a fussy sod! __________________ Pictures

04-04-2012, 23:28	#3
Pheebs Deep Throat Join Date: Jul 2006 Posts: 6,512	Remember the media computer?! Would you like that in about 4 months time!? I'm not even joking I do all sorts on it although sometimes when I have a few AI files open as well as Photoshop and Skype it can go a little bit slow but that's hardly surprising! Other than that... it's dandy!! We play too much L4D2 as well on Steam! Which reminds me... do you play this and do you play under Pickers?!?! If so.... a number of months ago I played (and nailed!!) you!! Haha! Anyway, being serious!! If not... my advice... I would get a back up external HDD for now and then put the pennies away for something a bit better in the future than a quick grab now I've been turned by the Apple crew now too although that's from the design perspective! Let me know and good luck shopping!! __________________ http://www.spiffingdesigns.co.uk

05-04-2012, 16:42	#4
Pickers Absinthe Join Date: Jul 2006 Location: Cornwall Posts: 2,692	Ha, no my steam account predates that name, so they were an imposter. I'll save my money for now, especially as car troubles have re-emerged! __________________ Pictures

05-04-2012, 20:49	#5
Pheebs Deep Throat Join Date: Jul 2006 Posts: 6,512	Aww it made me laugh but "you" disappeared before I could type anything on the screen! Boo to car problems Keep smiling! If you would like the media computer in 4 months say and it's all yours (wasn't expecting moolah for it btw ) __________________ http://www.spiffingdesigns.co.uk

08-04-2012, 08:22	#6
Pickers Absinthe Join Date: Jul 2006 Location: Cornwall Posts: 2,692	Thanks, but I'm alright without; I'm sure you could find someone else who would want it! __________________ Pictures

04-04-2012, 14:15	#2
Mark Screaming Orgasm Join Date: Jul 2006 Location: Newbury Posts: 15,194	There are several Atom-based solutions (Asus EeeBox and its ilk) in that price range, but they're on the very bottom end of photo manipulation capability. If you want more, you'll have to pay more, and if you want a Shuttle-type custom build, a fair bit more (high-volume Chinese box shifters are always going to win on price at the budget end of the market).