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

Wed Dec 6 15:16:57 MST 2017

I am standing by an sbc and running mpv. You could buy two complete setups for less than the cost of a used intel pc and administer it from literally anywhere in the world using duckdns. 

Someone said you need 8gb of ram to play a video further up the conversation. When Linux needs 8gb to run mpv, I will move to BSD and never look back. 

No fans, no moving parts, low power consumption, 4k capability, full administration from anywhere on Earth, and every setup costs less than $70. So you could buy redundancy for the device for less than a $100 bill.

If you are concerned about the sd card, you could buy a ssd kit for the device and run an msata or just normal old ssd. A bit pricier but its just a hat. 

Every part is available with one day delivery on amazon as well. No weird ass used frankenpc setups that lead to days lookin for parts or hacking crap together with bailing wire or proprietary connectors.

Sbc, case, sdcard, and a power connector. If it breaks? Toss it and replace and just burn the same image to the sd card. 

> On 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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