[RedSuedePump]

Hi all,

 

I run a small business from home and need a couple of desktop computers to be able to do this.

 

Unfortunately, my daughter has a passion for Roblox/Minecraft/SimCity, which she plays online and I don't like the idea that my work computers are being used for this, I'd like to keep the work and online gaming activities on separate computers.

 

I looked at the possibilty of buying another desktop but I'm not sure I want to spend £300-400 so that my daughter can play Roblox. I also thought about running her gaming on a Raspberry Pi 3, but Roblox and Minecraft don't seem to like Linux.

 

Then I came across this:

 

https://www.amazon.c...lv_ov_lig_dp_it

 

It looks like it does what an ordinary desktop does but costs a lot less. The question is, why? I can see that it has less disc space but I can live with that as I have a 500GB hard drive and have only used up 40GB after 5 years working on it.

 

Would this give me the performance of my other desktops? If so, I'll give my box to my daughter and use the mini PC for myself. I only really use my computer for internet access, email and Microsoft Office applications, so my needs aren't that great.

 

Does anyone here know what the drawbacks of a mini PC might be?

 

Thanks in advance for any guidance.

 

RSP

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Hi RSP,

 

Honest answer, would you purchase one for your daughter to play Minecraft and Roblox on, if the answer is no then it is no good for a business type computer, it just has too many limiting factors tbh.

[phillpower2]

Hi RSP,

 

Honest answer, would you purchase one for your daughter to play Minecraft and Roblox on, if the answer is no then it is no good for a business type computer, it just has too many limiting factors tbh.

[RedSuedePump]

Hi Phil,

 

So what are the limitations?

 

My assumption is that if it can run Windows 10, then surely it will enable me to access the internet, send email and use Office?

 

Alternatively, if it will handle Roblox and Minecraft, that would work out well for me.

 

I suppose I could create different logins on my existing computers but am I right in thinking that if a virus contaminates one login, the whole of the data on the computer is lost?

 

RSP

[phillpower2]

Hi RSP,

 

The device would be ok for internet and online shopping etc but it has no upgrade path and my point was that they are no good for even basic games because of the weak graphics and limited storage capacity with the latter being a real problem and I have seen many of these mini PCs suffer device failure and Windows corruption because of the minimal storage space.

 

Better option for me would be to go the refurb route;

 

REFURBISHED HP Pro 6000 Dual Core 4GB 500GB Windows 10 Pro with WiFi

 

Dell Optiplex (SFF) Core 2 Duo 4GB 500GB + 17" TFT & Windows 10

[RedSuedePump]

Wow, they're reasonably priced.

 

I did look at refurbed on Amazon but the OnBuy prices look better.

 

Have you experience of buying from them?

[phillpower2]

Best Answer

Had a couple of refurbed Dells a few years back from similar type companies and while they didn't have all the bells and whistles of a gaming rig they were bullet proof and i only got rid of them when I downsized, the two companies allow you to use PayPal as well.

 

Both of those refurbs cost a fair bit less than what Windows 10 on its own would cost you.