[upchuck]

I’ve used Lenovo desktop computers and laptops for years. At the Computer Learning Center where I volunteer we have 10 Lenovo desktops. We are on our second batch as the technology overran the first bunch.

Here’s the good part: in all those years with all those computers, not one problem.

The holder on a DVD drive got broken off due to a dumb student. When I called the Lenovo 800 number it was answered with “Hi this is Mike with Lenovo Support in Atlanta, how can I help you.” Nice southern drawl. I explained the problem and he said, “No problem, we’ll over night you two DVD drives. Put one on the shelf as a spare.” Now THAT’S customer support.

[SunkenCiv]

Laptops, phones, gaming reviews:

https://www.youtube.com/c/Dave2D/videos

[shotgun]

I judge them by how well they will launch AutoCad Civil 3D with a 80MB drawing and then do a full regen on it.

[matthew fuller]

Great article, thanks.

[minnesota_bound]

I put together my own as it is simple to look up what the best parts are and then they just snap together along with some screws. Install Windows and your other software.

The last time was nearly 6 years ago and that desktop pc with a gigabyte motherboard has after upgrades to 32gb ram and a SSD. It is very fast. The Dell Optiplex 5040 desktop from work built in 2017 is slow as molasses as everything is in the “cloud”

I will build another one day but it is not really needed.

[Tallguy]

I usually read the reviews from 2 - 3 years back, pick one, then go look for a reconditioned model on Ebay. Watch what they go for at auction and see if you can get a quick hit on a “Buy it Now”.

Then I strip off all the OS and do a Linux/Ubuntu build. Done this 3X and I always end up with a fast, reliable system.

[Thud]

Desktops are better for games.

[daniel1212]

"1. HP Envy Desktop BEST DESKTOP COMPUTER OVERALL If you prefer the tower form factor in a desktop PC, then the HP Envy is absolutely the way to go. Thanks to a 10th-generation Intel Core i5 CPU, an NVIDIA GeForce GTX 1650 and 8 GB of RAM, it’s capable of handling any task you throw at it (within reason). It’s also good enough for gaming and VR and doesn’t look completely hideous. It even has a DVD burner, which is a rarity these days. With an extremely reasonable starting price of just $699, "

Absurd. i do not like to advertise for Amazon, but I think a far better buy would be,

Dell Optiplex 7010 Desktop Computer - Intel Core i7 Up to 3.8GHz Max Turbo Frequency, 16GB DDR3, New 1TB SSD, Windows 10 Pro 64-Bit, WiFi, USB 3.0, DVDRW, 2X Display Port (Renewed) CPU Model Core i7 Computer Memory Size 16 GB Configured with Intel’s top of the line Core i7 series processor $369.99 FREE delivery: April 8 - 13

[daniel1212]

" At minimum, you’ll want to buy computer with 4GB of RAM, but 8GB of RAM is preferable."

8GB of RAM? Try 16GB.

[daniel1212]

" If you’re a gamer or a creative professional (photographer, illustrator, video editor, etc.) you will likely want an 11th generation Intel Core i7 CPU (or an AMD Ryzen 7 CPU)."

I do not play games, but usually have 6 or 7 browsers open, with over 600 tabs total (for different purposes, from forums to shopping), and about a dozen documents, and after a few days I tend to run out the 32GB of RAM unless i restart a browser or two. My is a budget build of a (under $400.00) AMD Ryzen 33200G 4.0GHZ O.C. with 32GB RAM. Thank God for instruments to be used for good in service to Him.

However, AMD (at least) CPU prices have skyrocketed, About a year ago you could get this:

https://pcpartpicker.com/list/82zhy4

AMD Ryzen 5 3400G 3.7 GHz Quad-Core Processor   $144.99 
ASRock B450 Pro4 ATX AM4 Motherboard    $90.99
Team T-FORCE VULCAN Z 16 GB (2 x 8 GB) DDR4-3000 CL16 Memory    $52.99
PNY XLR8 CS3030 500 GB M.2-2280 NVME Solid State Drive  $64.98
   ADATA SU635 240 GB 2.5" Solid State Drive    $26.99
DIYPC Ranger-R8 ATX Mid Tower Case  $46.99
CoolMax 500 W ATX Power Supply  $23.53
Insignia NS-PCF8050 23.96 CFM 80 mm Fan     $7.95
Reeven Coldwing 65.2 CFM 140 mm Fan     $7.99

Base Total: $467.40
Promo Discounts: -$5.00
Shipping: $6.99
Total: $469.39

This is without the OS. Note the AMD Ryzen 5 3400G can by OC'd to over 4GHz, and comes with Wraith Spire Cooler. BIOS should be updated from AS Rock before installing that, and which should be done on the PNY XLR8 CS3030 500 GB M.2-2280 NVME Solid State Drive. Read manual first.

Now the AMD Ryzen 5 3400G is $279.99. Even the AMD Ryzen 3 2200G is $256.80!

[McGruff]

The Defense Contractor I worked for always bought Dells. I so have I. Solid machines.