Trust Recycled Desktops? (Was: Good Cheap PC < Was: OT Mac Mini obsolescent?)

Wed Dec 6 15:16:09 MST 2017

With any used/refurbished/recycled hardware it varies greatly on who you
get it from. reputable vendors that stand behind their sale are worth
working with. But things can/will happen so test it and make sure.

On Wed, Dec 6, 2017 at 3:05 PM, Victor Odhner <vodhner at cox.net> 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 <michael at butash.net> 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 <vodhner at cox.net> 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 <cryptworks at gmail.com> 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 at 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 at 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 <vodhner at cox.net> 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.
>>>
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-- 
A mouse trap, placed on top of your alarm clock, will prevent you from
rolling over and going back to sleep after you hit the snooze button.

Stephen
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