Looking for Business computer replacement

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EL34

New Member
Jan 27, 2024
13
5
3
Hi All,
I subscribe to Patrick on YouTube and have watched a bunch of his videos.
I need some suggestions to replace my 11 year old Windows 10 pro business desktop computer.

Here's list of what I currently have and have upgraded over the years
AMD FX(tm)-8120 Eight-Core Processor 3.10 GHz
16 gigs ram
250Gb Samsung SSD
3 monitors (I need 3 but they are all 1440p)
3 USB printers
5.1 surround system, but stereo will be ok
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I want to retire the old system and get rid of the under the desk dust sucking system that I have to blow out every now and then
I have several other desktops that I do specific task on
I do all my backups to a NAS that backs up to another NAS every day
I don't need a huge SSD for my business, 250gb is fine
I don't do any high end graphics processing
I don't need a high end graphics card
I don't need multiple RJ45 jacks as I have seen on some mini's
I run a wired 1 gb network
I want a reliable PC and price is not a factor, but keep it reasonable of course. :)

Can anyone point me to a mini that fits my needs?
Thanks
 
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zachj

Active Member
Apr 17, 2019
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For your needs I'd say an HP Z2 Mini is more than enough...if you want to keep it for a decade I don't know that I'd recommend you to buy a used one but you could certainly save a decent chunk of change by avoiding the G9.


It uses standard laptop memory so I personally wouldn't pay HP for memory--their prices are exorbitant--and I would instead buy it on Newegg.

I also wouldn't pay HP for an SSD upgrade for the same reason; I'd buy that on Newegg too.
 
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zachj

Active Member
Apr 17, 2019
199
131
43
There's a VESA mount available for the HP Z2 that would let you mount it to the back of one of your displays and get it out from under the desk entirely.
 
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EL34

New Member
Jan 27, 2024
13
5
3
Thanks all
I was hoping to keep the cost under $400
That's why I was attracted to the mini's I see Patrick reviewing?
I was seeing $900+ for those HP's
 
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EL34

New Member
Jan 27, 2024
13
5
3
Regarding that HP computer
I could just put new guts in my desktop for $900

I really want to check out these mini's
There are so many out there and I would like a suggestion for one that would be good for my needs
I see some have multiple ports for monitors
 
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EL34

New Member
Jan 27, 2024
13
5
3
I see some mini's with type C ports that can also run a monitor.
So can I run 3 monitors via a couple HDMI's and a type C?
 
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louie1961

Active Member
May 15, 2023
269
115
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I picked up an HP Elitedesk Mini G9 (if-12500T processor) with a 500gb NVMe drive, and 16 gb of RAM for just under $500 on ebay. That's a lot of PC for the money. I also picked up a GMKtek N100 based NUC with 8gb of memory and a 256gb NVMe for $130. I use it as a Proxmox virtualization host. I was shocked at how nice it is and how much power it has. Before I stripped out the drive for a larger one, I booted up windows 11 to see how it ran. It was quite snappy for just doing web browsing and office type tasks.

I think any of NUC-like mini PCs from Beelink, Miniforums, etc. would serve you well. Just find one that fits your budget. Something like this for $407 seems to be right up your alley

store.minisforum.com

Minisforum NAB6 Lite

store.minisforum.com store.minisforum.com
 
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BeTeP

BeTeP

Well-Known Member
Mar 23, 2019
661
441
63
To support multiple monitors on almost any system - get a monitor with MST and daisy-chain the rest.
 
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louie1961

Active Member
May 15, 2023
269
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Not sure I would trust Amazon reviews after having worked there for the last 5.5 years.
 
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louie1961

Active Member
May 15, 2023
269
115
43
Patrick has much better reviews. Go check out his mini PC videos and find one you like
 
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EL34

New Member
Jan 27, 2024
13
5
3
"Not sure I would trust Amazon reviews"

The drivers comment was a bit too much for me.
I do look at reviews and it's easy to tell if they are legit or not
 
BeTeP

BeTeP

Well-Known Member
Mar 23, 2019
661
441
63
EL34 said:
I already have 3 monitors
Click to expand...
You do you. All I was saying that for a long time there has been another way of connecting multiple monitors to a system which does not require matching number of video outputs.
 
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Peter Blanchard

Active Member
Jun 30, 2022
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EL34 said:
I see some mini's with type C ports that can also run a monitor.
So can I run 3 monitors via a couple HDMI's and a type C?
Click to expand...
If the type C port supports DisplayPort Alternate Mode, you can connect up to 2 x 4K 60Hz displays. I've a USB C "dock" (they are more "dongle" form/size in my mind) that has one DP and two HDMI - the dongles do the conversion from DP to HDMI. HDMI to both VGA and DVI-I exist if you have older monitors. I use DP to DVI-I in one set up.

Thunderbolt docks are more expensive and don't offer any advantages in most use cases.

Sure, using a "dock" can make things messier than having all the ports you need on a mini-PC but depending how many USB devices you have, you might well need a hub anyway. Few come with mounting options. Velcro is your friend though.

iirc, modern integrated graphics typically support three displays max? It was the case for a long time but not sure about the latest generation of solutions. If you ever need to go four monitors, the options aren't great.
 
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