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Cheap Desktop Recommenation (1 Viewer)

J

James Daulton

Footballguy
My Pop's 12 year old computer is so riddled with viruses and slowness that I can't take going over there to "fix" it anymore.  I want to buy him a new one but it has to be a desktop.  He uses the thing only to read email and surf.  I've been looking online but I don't have any experience with reconditioned ones, etc and I'm completely in the dark with desktops.  I'd like to spend less than $300.

 
Good old fashioned wood makes for a cheap, adequate desktop.  Stick with something simple like oak or pine.  No reason to get too fancy here.

 
Ok, talked to Moms, apparently Pops also uses Word occasionally so a chromebook is out.  Thoughts on this high performance machine?

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16883285286

Oh, and I'm not agonizing over a few bucks, I just hate to get ripped off.  If someone has a link to a surefire winner, I'd appreciate it because I really don't feel like spending any more time on this than I already have.  I have tons of #### I want to buy to consume my research time. 

 
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James Daulton said:
Ok, talked to Moms, apparently Pops also uses Word occasionally so a chromebook is out.  Thoughts on this high performance machine?

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16883285286

Oh, and I'm not agonizing over a few bucks, I just hate to get ripped off.  If someone has a link to a surefire winner, I'd appreciate it because I really don't feel like spending any more time on this than I already have.  I have tons of #### I want to buy to consume my research time. 
Click to expand...
Have him make a switch to Google Docs...does all the same stuff Word would do.  You could still open Word to view or convert if you need to edit on a chromebook

 
James Daulton said:
Have you ever dealt with old people and computers?  It's a miracle he can turn it on.
Click to expand...
Yes, I have.  I thought about that as I was typing.  It may be an issue, but I managed to get my then 83 yr old father up to speed (now 85)...took a while, but we got there.

 
James Daulton said:
Ok, talked to Moms, apparently Pops also uses Word occasionally so a chromebook is out.  Thoughts on this high performance machine?

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16883285286

Oh, and I'm not agonizing over a few bucks, I just hate to get ripped off.  If someone has a link to a surefire winner, I'd appreciate it because I really don't feel like spending any more time on this than I already have.  I have tons of #### I want to buy to consume my research time. 
Click to expand...
I think you can work with a free webbed-down version of Word within a browser (or switch to Google Docs), which may keep the Chromebook on your list of options. Just signup for a Microsoft account (go to outlook.com for prompts to create an account).

 
Chrome book is the easy answer here.  He doesn't need Microsoft Word.  He'll do just fine with the Google document program that does everything an old man would ever even know to do with Word.  Don't be a fool.  

 
Mister CIA said:
I think you can work with a free webbed-down version of Word within a browser (or switch to Google Docs), which may keep the Chromebook on your list of options. Just signup for a Microsoft account (go to outlook.com for prompts to create an account).
Click to expand...
Yeh, I typically love google products and avoid MS but surprisingly the online version of Word works for me much better than Google Docs. The online version of Word is just about the only MS product(other than Win10) I still use now that they have begin trimming back the storage of OneDrive.... because, you know storage just keeps getting MORE expensive over time. What idiots.

Since it's constantly backing up in the cloud you also avoid that inevitable phone call when your father insists he didn't touch anything but his entire document just disappeared. Seamless, offsite backup was tailor-made for old folks. 

 
Otis said:
Chrome book is the easy answer here.  He doesn't need Microsoft Word.  He'll do just fine with the Google document program that does everything an old man would ever even know to do with Word.  Don't be a fool.  
Click to expand...
That's pretty harsh bro.

 
James Daulton said:
Ok, talked to Moms, apparently Pops also uses Word occasionally so a chromebook is out.  Thoughts on this high performance machine?

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16883285286

Oh, and I'm not agonizing over a few bucks, I just hate to get ripped off.  If someone has a link to a surefire winner, I'd appreciate it because I really don't feel like spending any more time on this than I already have.  I have tons of #### I want to buy to consume my research time. 
Click to expand...
That actually looks pretty good to me.  He should be surfing pron and filling it with viruses in no time!

 
Chromebox has arrived and I'll be setting up this evening.  Putting all you mother####ers on notice in case things go South and I feel the need to come ITT and vent. 

 
Set up was a breeze.

Except for the printer!  No one told me that you need a network printer to use with the chromebox.  They have a 2011 printer connected via usb.  The chromebox and direct connected printers are no bueno.  Killing me!

 
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James Daulton said:
Set up was a breeze.

Except for the printer!  No one told me that you need a network printer to use with the chromebox.  They have a 2011 printer connected via usb.  The chromebox and direct connected printers are no bueno.  Killing me!
Click to expand...
Buy a wireless printer for$60. Don't think my epson was anymore than that. Price of Chromebook and printer still less than half that of decent desktop or laptop. 

 
Mister CIA said:
What does dear ol' Pop need to print? Is he running an underground book report sweat shop?
Click to expand...
Look, I'm just trying to cover my bases here.  The last thing I need is a call at 5am from my beloved parents saying that they can't print my brother's 8 year old's soccer schedule.  Believe me, that call is not something that would be in the top 10 of dumb calls from my beloved parents. 

 
James Daulton said:
Look, I'm just trying to cover my bases here.  The last thing I need is a call at 5am from my beloved parents saying that they can't print my brother's 8 year old's soccer schedule.  Believe me, that call is not something that would be in the top 10 of dumb calls from my beloved parents. 
Click to expand...
We need a top 10 ranking here.

 
James Daulton said:
Am I Bill Gates and made of money all of a sudden? 
Click to expand...
In your opening thread you were asking sub $300. New Chromebook and printer fit your request. 

If they're both new, it's insurance to prevent those late night phone calls. 

 
Just to round this thread out, the chromebox and google whisper or whatever printer has been installed and Pop's been playing with it for a week now.  The only comments I've gotten are "this thing is awesome"  "it's so fast" and "why didn't you get this for us earlier?"

The only negative I can possibly say about the chromebox is that it unearthed a horrible internet speed problem at their casa (5 down/8 up).  So I've been tasked with solving this and now have to install the new router when it arrives.  Regardless, even with the pathetic down speed, the chromebox has still exceeded all expectations and basically stopped those fantastic "fix my computer" 8pm calls. 

Thanks FBGs! 

 
James Daulton said:
Just to round this thread out, the chromebox and google whisper or whatever printer has been installed and Pop's been playing with it for a week now.  The only comments I've gotten are "this thing is awesome"  "it's so fast" and "why didn't you get this for us earlier?"

The only negative I can possibly say about the chromebox is that it unearthed a horrible internet speed problem at their casa (5 down/8 up).  So I've been tasked with solving this and now have to install the new router when it arrives.  Regardless, even with the pathetic down speed, the chromebox has still exceeded all expectations and basically stopped those fantastic "fix my computer" 8pm calls. 

Thanks FBGs! 
Click to expand...
5 down and 8 up? Wow.

 
James Daulton said:
New router successfully installed and they're now getting 18 down and 20 up.  More than adequate.  Chalk up another win for the #1 son.  Of course my stupid 4 year older sister is still the executor.  But I'm working on it....
Click to expand...
Wait...I'm confused. Typically the download speed is faster than upload speed. Regardless that's a lot better!

 
I know right?  I was confused too but that's whey every reading has shown.  Perhaps I should sublease their wifi upload speed to some cam girls or something.  Make some cash to buy my new fridge. 

 
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OMG, 2 call just now because they confused the chrome password for the new router password.  "We can't get into the computer!"  Help me!

 
James Daulton said:
OMG, 2 call just now because they confused the chrome password for the new router password.  "We can't get into the computer!"  Help me!
Click to expand...
Time to change the passwords so they are all the same.

I suggest P@55word

Favorite of our IT Dept. 

 
Fishboy said:
Time to change the passwords so they are all the same.

I suggest P@55word

Favorite of our IT Dept. 
Click to expand...
I went to Verizon's site to do just that the second it was up and running.  I couldn't log on though using admin and the password that came with their router.  I assumed that the router needed to be live on Verizon's network for a period of time before it would let me in.  I don't know, like I said, I know just enough to be able to hook the chomrebox up.  Asking much more of me is really pushing it. 

 
is it a verizon router?

If not that will have a default of like

admin

password

You shouln'dt have to log into the router barely ever once it's setup

 
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