New Desktop computer

[AlbacoreA]

There are two negatives (i) no USB-A ports so you cannot connect a usb stick without a separate usb hub and (ii) the power button is in a really awkward place.

There is some software that only runs on Mac and that is why I have one.

In this day and age I would only be using cloud based office software e.g. Google Docs unless there is a good reason not to.

You can buy a usb c stick. Or use an adapter. Same on the MacBooks for years so not a new problem. I do like having both.

Yeah the power button. What were they smoking that day.

Probably fine for most people. I find the cloud too slow and clunky for many things, especially for lots of files. Use it daily for work.

 

[ClubMan]

I really like that Mac mini, the internal power supply is much more compact and reduces cable clutter. I'd like one. But I use my windows more than I do my MacBook. I may be too old to change habits. I fear I wouldn't use a mini if I bought one.

I like NUC/1L small form factor Intel/AMD PCs and use them for most of my computing needs/wants (running Windows (10), Linux, Proxmox etc.) these days. Mostly bought second hand on Adverts or simply pulled from the WEEE recycling cages while the corpo guy turns a blind eye. It's amazing/shocking what people throw out. So far I've repurposed a few small form factor PCs, a laptop, a BNIB front/rear car dashcam kit, two Android TV boxes, and miscellaneous other bits and pieces...

 

[mathepac]

Nothing wrong with the hardware Microsoft are obsoleting it's not all cheap hardware either. No idea where you got that from.

A lot of it is from 3rd or 4th tier manufacturers which can't keep pace with Microsft's software upgrades, ergo cheap and nasty a lot of it. You can't sell bargain basement-priced computers using leading edge components. Does that make my meaning clearer?

Apple obsolete stuff all the time. They are no different. Probably worse since they make things unrepairable with no upgrades possible.

Not all the time. If you don't see any difference(s) between Apple and Microsoft then this interaction becomes almost obsolete

My brother and I must have daydreamed our respective ways through the years we owned and operated an Apple dealership and a parallel business specialising in Apple-compatible hardware upgrades and repairs.

Other World Computing in the US, owned by Larry O'Connor, has a significant worldwide business in repurposing, upgrading, repairing, developing, manufacturing, and selling Apple-compatible hardware as well as being an Apple software developer and an Apple main dealer. I'm still a customer of that business.

I fear you may have forgotten more about Apple's product lines than you ever knew

Interestingly that new Mac mini is an extrusion not milled from a block. Which is clever manufacturering.

The Macmini is a brilliant implementation of the "system on a chip" concept. Upgradability gets binned at an early stage in this process in order to support overall size & heat reduction & speed improvements.,

 

[ClubMan]

A lot of it is from 3rd or 4th tier manufacturers which can't keep pace with Microsft's soft upgrades, ergo cheap and nasty a lot of it. You can't sell bargain basement-priced computers using leading edge components. Does that make my meaning clearer?

Most hardware is commodity stuff these days. But companies try to "innovate" to make it seem like constant upgrading is a necessity even when it's not for what most people need to do on a computer.

 

[AlbacoreA]

A lot of it is from 3rd or 4th tier manufacturers which can't keep pace with Microsft's software upgrades, ergo cheap and nasty a lot of it. You can't sell bargain basement-priced computers using leading edge components. Does that make my meaning clearer?

Not all the time. If you don't see any difference(s) between Apple and Microsoft then this interaction becomes almost obsolete

My brother and I must have daydreamed our respective ways through the years we owned and operated an Apple dealership and a parallel business specialising in Apple-compatible hardware upgrades and repairs.

Other World Computing in the US, owned by Larry O'Connor, has a significant worldwide business in repurposing, upgrading, repairing, developing, manufacturing, and selling Apple-compatible hardware as well as being an Apple software developer and an Apple main dealer. I'm still a customer of that business.

I fear you may have forgotten more about Apple's product lines than you ever knew


The Macmini is a brilliant implementation of the "system on a chip" concept. Upgradability gets binned at an early stage in this process in order to support overall size & heat reduction & speed improvements.,

MS has made products from Intel, HP, Dell not compatible. Is Intel 4th tier? Is a Dell Xeon Workstation basement level?

What can you buy from OWC that will internally upgrade any recent Mac Mini?

Apple Support.

Supported - Up to 5 years after the end of production. Full support for both software updates & hardware repairs. Vintage - Between 5-7 years after the end of production. When an Apple device becomes “Vintage” it will no longer receive routine software updates and isn’t guaranteed by Apple to be repairable at an Apple store or authorized service provider. Obsolete - 7+ years after the end of production. Obsolete products lose all support—no more repairs, system updates or security patches.

Of course you can get around it with OpenCore same as can with Win11.

Maybe its just me, but I'm not seeing why you need any of these "upgrades" to do office work. It hasn't got any more complicated to write a letter head or print it. If you can get away with basic office applications, for a decade or so, you're not doing anything complicated that needs the power.

 

[AlbacoreA]

I like NUC/1L small form factor Intel/AMD PCs and use them for most of my computing needs/wants (running Windows (10), Linux, Proxmox etc.) these days. Mostly bought second hand on Adverts or simply pulled from the WEEE recycling cages while the corpo guy turns a blind eye. It's amazing/shocking what people throw out. So far I've repurposed a few small form factor PCs, a laptop, a BNIB front/rear car dashcam kit, two Android TV boxes, and miscellaneous other bits and pieces...

We maintain a bunch of NUCs for AV systems. I like them, and you can usually upgrade the storage and memory unlike a Mac Mini.

But all have external power bricks. Which is ugly. The Mac Mini is so cutesy.

 

[mathepac]

Yep I got the built-in obsolescence

What can you buy from OWC that will internally upgrade any recent Mac Mini?

Did you bother to read this?

The Macmini is a brilliant implementation of the "system on a chip" concept. Upgradability gets binned at an early stage in this process in order to support overall size & heat reduction & speed improvements.,

If you're finding it difficult to keep up let me know and I'll slow down

 

[mathepac]

Maybe its just me, but I'm not seeing why you need any of these "upgrades" to do office work. It hasn't got any more complicated to write a letter head or print it. If you can get away with basic office applications, for a decade or so, you're not doing anything complicated that needs the power.

Where did I suggest they were for office work? Point it out to me please. Are you confusing things you think with words I didn't write?

 

[mathepac]

I like them, and you can usually upgrade the storage and memory unlike a Mac Mini.

The Macmini is a brilliant implementation of the "system on a chip" concept. Upgradability gets binned at an early stage in this process in order to support overall size & heat reduction & speed improvements.,

I'll try again, again

 

[AlbacoreA]

Where did I suggest they were for office work? Point it out to me please. Are you confusing things you think with words I didn't write.

The thread is about people with older systems being forced to upgrade through forced obsolescence. When all they are doing is office work.

I don't think that's ok. I don't agree with misinformation about 4th tier parts. Or that Apple doesn't force obsolescence when it does.

This doesn't help the OP.

 

[mathepac]

The thread is titled "New Desktop Computer" and OP writes:

As a replacement what specs do I need for a normal every day computer for domestic use

Less writing and more reading is needed.

 

[AlbacoreA]

...on line banking letters etc and will my office 97 still work

Whatever you decide. If you're thinking of upgrading make sure you have backups of your data, all up-to-date AND tested.

 

[AlbacoreA]

Thanks for your reply. I thought a desktop would be Easier to upgrade or repair, I previously had a laptop that couldn't be repaired .
If I was to purchase a later version of Office, would it be backward compatible for old Office files

What have you upgraded in the past that you might want to upgrade.

Formatting is mostly the issue with office files. But you hardly care how old office files are formatted. You're unlikely to print them. I assume just reference them..