I only buy refurbs from the local university or college. You might think of replacing the power supply and then you are good to go. Also get a compressor and dust the machine. Be sure to hold the fans steady as you can damage the fans when you blow it. (tip from a local pc shop) On Wed, Dec 6, 2017 at 5:05 PM, Victor Odhner wrote: > Mike, this is for a small church. The apps are so simple (playing MP3s or > MP4s) that repairs would not be complicated and might be substitution of > another computer. But I really want to stack the odds for reliability as > much as I can (within reason). My simple mind has leaned towards all new > components. > > So, some questions: > > - Am I unreasonable to distrust recycled desktops? > - Todd, how old are the “parts computers” that you have been buying? > - Are brand-new computers an improved technology, or maybe lower > quality assembly? > - Would my project suffer from sitting idle most of each week? > > *I have had a bad experience with second hand, but that was laptops.* > > (I’ve been told that laptop failures are all on the mother board, or those > built-to-fail power cords.) > > > *But my application is different: it’s a desktop*, which will be sitting > on a shelf and being run for just a few hours a week. I expect that would > be more reliable over time, and desktops let us swap components. > _________________________ > > On 20171206, at 14:45, Michael Butash wrote: > > If this is going to run for a business, I'd suggest buying a moderate dell > server or decent workstation ala precision or poweredge. You can get > 40-50% off deals from Dell Financial Services regularly for some 2-3yr old > hardware, and still get some warranty. I always buy Dell Outlet refurbs, > get full warranty, and wait for good coupons on whatever I'm looking for at > the time. > > If it dies, you probably want to know you can get a part replaced > reasonably fast. Fry's never fails to let me down when I need some > critical in a pinch not having it, and there's really no where else left > local. > > -mb > > On Wed, Dec 6, 2017 at 10:46 AM, Victor Odhner wrote: > >> OK, I’ve decided on Linux. (No longer OT*!*) >> >> I need recommendations on an adequate PC to run stereo music and videos >> (1920x1080 projector) for a church. >> >> I decided that Linux would be best to ensure that we can have good >> performance and up-to-date software for this well-defined application. We >> wouldn’t be at the mercy of Apple or Microsoft dragging us around a sharp >> corner. My main backup guy has been using Linux (Mint, like me) for some >> years, and the apps are basic enough that our other users would be >> comfortable. >> >> I’d like to keep this as cheap as reasonable, concentrating on solid >> quality (e.g. really adequate power supply) so that we wouldn’t have to >> worry about it for 5 to 10 years. I’d want all parts to be brand new, or >> almost. >> >> Is there still a Linux systems store in the Valley? Should I just put >> together a box with parts from Fry’s or the Web? >> >> Hey, is there someone out there who would like to give me a quote for an >> assembled box? (I have kb, monitor and mouse.) >> >> Thanks, >> Victor >> _________________ >> >> On 20171130, at 14:55, Stephen Partington wrote: >> >> well if you are looking to maintain portability you can look at the Intel >> NUC. but really this relies entirely on what your budget is. >> >> Looking at your existing application Digital Performer installs on >> Windows or OSX, also you can look into the Hackintosh. there are some build >> guides out there that run with a fully tested hardware configs to consider. >> >> But the Mac mini is a viable system even with the age of the device. >> >> On Thu, Nov 30, 2017 at 12:26 PM, Carruth, Rusty < >> Rusty.Carruth@smartm.com> wrote: >> >>> I’m not very happy with Micro$oft’s product, especially 10 (have you >>> actually tried to install 10? I have. Goodness, talk about a step back >>> into pre-history! It refused to install because there was a CHANCE that it >>> wouldn’t boot – even though I had just proven that it WOULD boot in that >>> configuration – and no way to override their ‘help’!) >>> >>> So, for me, its ‘buy the most powerful, RAM-loaded system I can manage >>> (with SSD if possible), and install Linux Mint. >>> >>> But that’s just me ;-) >>> >>> *From:* PLUG-discuss [mailto:plug-discuss-bounces@lists.phxlinux.org] *On >>> Behalf Of *David Schwartz >>> *Sent:* Thursday, November 30, 2017 12:23 PM >>> *To:* Main PLUG discussion list >>> *Subject:* Re: OT: Mac Mini obsolescent? When next release? >>> >>> I’d be tempted to get an all-in-one Windows machine (most seem to have >>> touch-screens now) or a small iMac. >>> >>> AIO Windows machines are well under $1k. >>> >>> Stick to the KISS principle here. :-) >>> >>> -David Schwartz >>> >>> On Nov 30, 2017, at 11:32 AM, Victor Odhner wrote: >>> >>> Spun off from the Genius discussion: >>> >>> The Apple CEO reportedly says Mini is still part of their product line, >>> but he won’t say anything about the next release. >>> >>> I was another Mini shopper, for supportability and video resolution >>> reasons. Our church music team needs to update a 2009 Mini. I want to get a >>> *new* desktop (laptop wouldn’t fit our config): my goal is to give them >>> hopefully 5+ years of reliable operation. Any comments would be welcome. >>> >>> Now looking at ditching the Mini, going to Windows or Linux to drive our >>> video projector (MPV rocks) and an MP3 player. The Mini is where our >>> Digital Performer lives (music synthesizer), but I’ve converted most of our >>> library to MP3s and I can still use the old Mini if I need to get creative. >>> >>> --------------------------------------------------- PLUG-discuss >>> mailing list – PLUG-discuss@lists.phxlinux.org To subscribe, >>> unsubscribe, or to change your mail settings: >>> http://lists.phxlinux.org/mailman/listinfo/plug-discuss >>> >>> >>> --------------------------------------------------- >> PLUG-discuss mailing list - PLUG-discuss@lists.phxlinux.org >> To subscribe, unsubscribe, or to change your mail settings: >> http://lists.phxlinux.org/mailman/listinfo/plug-discuss >> >> >> --------------------------------------------------- >> PLUG-discuss mailing list - PLUG-discuss@lists.phxlinux.org >> To subscribe, unsubscribe, or to change your mail settings: >> http://lists.phxlinux.org/mailman/listinfo/plug-discuss >> > > --------------------------------------------------- > PLUG-discuss mailing list - PLUG-discuss@lists.phxlinux.org > To subscribe, unsubscribe, or to change your mail settings: > http://lists.phxlinux.org/mailman/listinfo/plug-discuss > > > --------------------------------------------------- > PLUG-discuss mailing list - PLUG-discuss@lists.phxlinux.org > To subscribe, unsubscribe, or to change your mail settings: > http://lists.phxlinux.org/mailman/listinfo/plug-discuss > -- :-)~MIKE~(-: