New build or iMac for my dad?

mrochester · 24 Jul 2011 at 18:41

Hi all

My dad has ageing Pentium Dual Core PC which is getting slower and slower. I'd like to do something about this. His requirements are fairly basic as all he does with the computer is browse, email, photos and scanning. I've had a bit of a think about it and there are essentially 3 things I can do:

1) Reinstall Windows 7 but leave the hardware exactly as it is.

2) Buy some new hardware (mobo, CPU, RAM, SSD) and reinstall Windows 7.

3) Buy a 21" iMac.

Number 1 appeals because it is the cheapest at zero cost. However, over time, it'll get back to being as slow as it is now.

Number 2 appeals because it'll basically be a faster version of what he has now. However, it means the oldish monitor and yards of cabling would remain.

Number 3 appeals because it would get rid of nearly all the cable clutter. I also think iPhoto would be a great way for my dad to organise his photos. However, the cost is the most expensive, and there'd be a learning curve.

There are additional + and - to each option, but these are the main ones I can think of.

Has anyone got any thoughts? What would you do?

Thanks!

M.

original poster · 24 Jul 2011 at 18:53

I'd personally go down the iMac route.

Granted there is a learning curve however Lion really is a fantastic OS.

I'd imagine I will be in the minority recommending this option though.

Jony27 · 24 Jul 2011 at 18:53

id definately choose option 2, especially with an SSD.
how much are you planning to spend for option 2?

whitecrook · 24 Jul 2011 at 18:54

Imac. The money spent will be time and hassle saved downnthe line.

mrochester · 24 Jul 2011 at 19:07

Jony27 said:
id definately choose option 2, especially with an SSD.
how much are you planning to spend for option 2?

Option 2 would be approximately £260 (Core i3, 4GB ram, mobo, 64GB SSD).

Then there's a massive step up to the £879 for the iMac.

Jony27 · 24 Jul 2011 at 19:12

it means the oldish monitor and yards of cabling would remain.

by oldish, do you mean a CRT monitor?
and by cabling, do you mean inside or outside the case, because a modular PSU could help with that

d_brennen · 24 Jul 2011 at 19:13

If your dad is anywhere near the aptitude of my mum I'd say rebuild his PC with Ubuntu. She only uses it for web browsing and emails. Nothing to go wrong with it and everything she needs (browser, word processor, picture viewer and video player) built in.

Goes like stink too

lennshow66 · 24 Jul 2011 at 19:16

I'd go down the imac route, your dad will probably just care about useablity over everything else.

Kobi · 24 Jul 2011 at 19:18

mrochester said:
Option 2 would be approximately £260 (Core i3, 4GB ram, mobo, 64GB SSD).

Then there's a massive step up to the £879 for the iMac.

+1

Besides, how do you know he'll like the mac OS? i bought a mac couple years ago, wanted to see what the fuss was about. Gave it a good 4 months, but in the end i found i was trying to make myself like it because i spent so much money on one. Sold it and went back to my pc.

Not sure whats all involved but how about the best of both worlds and make a hackintosh?

Jony27 · 24 Jul 2011 at 19:19

dont you need like a G31/G41 mobo/chipset for a hackintosh?

Zarf · 24 Jul 2011 at 19:34

I went the macbook route with my Mum, thinking it would be all intuitive and easy to use for her. If your dad is anything like as technologically impaired would advise against it tbh, too much of a learning curve if they are already used to windows.

She likes iPhoto but it doesn't integrate well with Google Picasa online albums. Couldn't get her used to Openoffice (mainly the file formats, she was always forgetting to save as microsoft compatible and causing issues when she sent documents to other people) and Office for Mac is slower than office for Windows. Trying to use the macbook with a non-apple uk usb keyboard is way more hassle than it should be but I refuse to pay through the nose for an official one. Had issues with her buying some PC only software down the line so i've ended up having to run parallels on it anyway which is another layer of complication.

On the upside, backups are painless with Time Machine and there's been no malware issues, but overall if I was to do it again I'd save the extra expense and hassle and build a PC.

Lelouch · 24 Jul 2011 at 19:37

Maybe you could slap in a 2nd hand Core 2 Duo or Quad on your dad's mobo and maybe an 8400GS or something of the like?

BIGBC · 24 Jul 2011 at 19:39

Do you really have to ask?
Build a machine, save a packet and get the same performance

The Ubuntu idea is probably a good one to try first though.

durbs · 24 Jul 2011 at 19:49

I'd go the iMac route, old dads generally just want to browse the web, send mail and do a bit of word processing. The Mac is perfect for that BUT realistically way more expensive than Option 2 so, heart says iMac, head says cheap Athlon re-build - you could build a new speedy rig for peanuts (and have fun speccing and building it for him!).

Wouldn't say Linux, its a pretty toss desktop OS when compared to Win 7 or OSX and better suited to advanced users who wish to tinker or run a box as a server (before the Linux brigade chime in, i've got any number of Linux VM's of different flavours running here for testing and the thought of using one as my main 'working' desktop OS sends a shiver down my spine, bleeargh). There's a learning curve for Linux and an oldie who isn't an enhusiast wouldn't have the interest to learn it IMO. OSX is a bit friendlier for a newbie or casual computer user.

mrochester · 24 Jul 2011 at 19:51

Jony27 said:
by oldish, do you mean a CRT monitor?
and by cabling, do you mean inside or outside the case, because a modular PSU could help with that

Actually no it's a 20" Dell TFT and it's actually perfectly servicable (it's the 2001FP) but it looks pretty dull and everything seems really tiny on it. And by cabling I meant externally. It would be so nice to get rid of a lot of it!

If your dad is anywhere near the aptitude of my mum I'd say rebuild his PC with Ubuntu

Sorry I did forget to mention that he does need Office too, so it's Windows or OSX only. And my mum needs Publisher so that would require a Windows installation on the Mac anyway so that she has access to that.

Win 7 or iOS

Freudian slip much?! I had to be careful when typing OSX above as I nearly put iOS too. Just goes to show which way we're heading!

Razor-BladE · 24 Jul 2011 at 19:56

You're saying £250 to build a new pc, but keeping the old monitor, when you're considering buying an imac for £600 more?

durbs · 24 Jul 2011 at 19:58

mrochester said:
Freudian slip much?! I had to be careful when typing OSX above as I nearly put iOS too.

lol, had to edit mine for the same reason. Think thats what Apple want us to do as they slowy phase out the desktop OS and slip iOS in its place gradually.

Jony27 · 24 Jul 2011 at 19:59

get him a DELL U2311H

mrochester · 24 Jul 2011 at 20:01

Razor-BladE said:
You're saying £250 to build a new pc, but keeping the old monitor, when you're considering buying an imac for £600 more?

You've got no choice but to get a monitor with the iMac

Razor-BladE · 24 Jul 2011 at 20:56

Hah yeah, but what I'm saying is why not buy a new monitor along with building a pc?