Reliability and lifespan of a mini PC

[lizt84]

Hi,
I am considering whether to get a mini PC or a desktop PC, I am not looking for anything high spec (my budget is £400) I will use the mini PC/ PC for internet, Microsoft Office, music and skype. I tend to leave my computer turned on most of the time.

My main issue is lifespan, my last two laptops both broke just a month or two after their warranty ended, both with overheating/fan issues. I really want a PC that will work for 2-3 years before I need to replace it. I have heard that mini PCs are less reliable, other people have told me it is silly to get a mini PC and I would get a lot more for my money with a desktop. However, I am keen to get something a bit smaller and less energy draining.

Does anyone have any knowledge of the reliability and lifespan of mini PCs?

 

[liamnic2]

A mini pc should last 2-3 years if you do the things you say your going to be doing, internet etc....
But with a desktop, after 2-3 years, you could simply upgrade the parts bit by bit instead of buying another PC.

 

[lizt84]

This is what I am looking at buying costs about £500 including the monitor etc
Case
Inwin Mini-ITX BM643 Case + 160W PSU


Processor (CPU)
AMD ATHLON II X2 255 (3.10GHz/2MB CACHE/AM3)


Motherboard
ASUS® M4A88T-I DELUXE: 880G Chipset, 2x DDR3, 2 x USB 3.0, 6 x USB 2.0


Memory (RAM)
4GB SAMSUNG 1333MHz SODIMM DDR3 MEMORY (2 x 2GB)


Graphics Card
Integrated ATI Radeon™ HD 4250 + HDMI, DVI-D


Memory - 1st Hard Disk
500GB SERIAL ATA 3-Gb/s HARD DRIVE WITH 8MB CACHE (7,200rpm)


1st DVD/BLU-RAY Drive
8x SATA DVD±R/RW/Dual Layer (+ 24x CD-RW)


Memory Card Reader
INTERNAL 52 IN 1 CARD READER (XD, MS, CF, SD, etc) + 1 x USB 2.0 PORT


Sound Card
ONBOARD 8 CHANNEL (7.1) HIGH DEF AUDIO (AS STANDARD)


Network Facilities
INTEGRATED GIGABIT LAN & WIRELESS 802.11N CARD (AS STANDARD)


USB Options
8 x USB 2.0 PORTS @ BACK PANEL (MIN 2 FRONT PORTS) AS STANDARD


Bluetooth & Infrared Options
Integrated V2.0 Bluetooth Adapter + EDR Capability


Operating System
Genuine Windows 7 Home Premium 64 Bit - inc DVD & Licence (£79)


Office Software
NO OFFICE SOFTWARE


Anti-Virus
BULLGUARD INTERNET SECURITY - FREE 90 DAY TRIAL


Monitor
19" Widescreen TFT 1360 x 768 2MS, D-Sub, DVI, 18.5" Panel (£79)


DVI-D & HDMI Monitor Cables
1 x 2 METRE DVI-D CABLE (£5)


Keyboard & Mouse
LOGITECH® MK250 WIRELESS KEYBOARD & MOUSE COMBO (£22)


Speakers
LOGITECH S220 2.1 SILVER/BLACK SPEAKER SYSTEM (£18)


Warranty
3 Year Silver Warranty (1 Year Collect & Return, 1 Year Parts, 3 Year Labour) (£5)


Delivery
STANDARD INSURED DELIVERY TO UK MAINLAND (MON-FRI)


Build Time
Standard Build - Approximately 10 to 12 working days
Quantity 1

 

[lizt84]

A mini pc should last 2-3 years if you do the things you say your going to be doing, internet etc....
But with a desktop, after 2-3 years, you could simply upgrade the parts bit by bit instead of buying another PC.

I can't upgrade PCs, I don't have the skills or time to learn! So I would just be buying another when it dies

 

[liamnic2]

I can't upgrade PCs, I don't have the skills or time to learn! So I would just be buying another when it dies

Learning to upgrade a PC is not very hard at all. I have never upgraded a PC part but I know how to.

 

[PCS]

For a budget of £400 I would recommend our AMD based silent Mini PC. It's not designed for gaming or video editing, but for for internet, Microsoft Office, music and skype it's perfect. The best thing about is is that it's SILENT - there are no fans ever!

Here's a good spec for £400:

Case
PCS Hush! Silent Mini-ITX Case + 60W PSU
Processor (CPU)
AMD® Zacate™ E350 Dual-Core Processor (1.60GHz) 1MB L2 Cache
Motherboard
ASUS® E35M1-I DELUXE: FCH A50, SATA 6.0GB/s, USB 3.0
Memory (RAM)
4GB SAMSUNG 1066MHz SODIMM DDR3 MEMORY (2 x 2GB)
Graphics Card
Integrated AMD® Radeon HD 6310 Graphics - DX11
Memory - 1st Hard Disk
500GB SERIAL ATA II 2.5" HARD DRIVE WITH 8MB CACHE (5,400rpm)
1st DVD/BLU-RAY Drive
8x SATA DVD±R/RW/Dual Layer (+ 24x CD-RW)
Sound Card
ONBOARD 6 CHANNEL (5.1) HIGH DEF AUDIO (AS STANDARD)
Network Facilities
INTEGRATED GIGABIT LAN & WIRELESS 802.11N CARD (AS STANDARD)
USB Options
4 x USB 2.0 PORTS @ BACK PANEL (MIN 2 FRONT PORTS) AS STANDARD
Operating System
Genuine Windows 7 Home Premium 64 Bit - inc DVD & Licence (£79)
Office Software
FREE Microsoft® Office Starter 2010 (Limited functionality Word & Excel)
Anti-Virus
BULLGUARD INTERNET SECURITY - FREE 90 DAY TRIAL
Warranty
3 Year Standard Warranty (1 Month Collect & Return, 1 Year Parts, 3 Year Labour)
Delivery
STANDARD INSURED DELIVERY TO UK MAINLAND (MON-FRI)
Build Time
Standard Build - Approximately 10 to 12 working days
Quantity
1

Price: £388.00 including VAT and delivery.

Configure Here: http://www.pcspecialist.co.uk/computers/amd-silent-mini-pc/

 

[lizt84]

That looks good, I like the idea of it being silent, however this may be a stupid question, but what stops it overheating?

For a budget of £400 I would recommend our AMD based silent Mini PC. It's not designed for gaming or video editing, but for for internet, Microsoft Office, music and skype it's perfect. The best thing about is is that it's SILENT - there are no fans ever!

Here's a good spec for £400:

Case
PCS Hush! Silent Mini-ITX Case + 60W PSU
Processor (CPU)
AMD® Zacate™ E350 Dual-Core Processor (1.60GHz) 1MB L2 Cache
Motherboard
ASUS® E35M1-I DELUXE: FCH A50, SATA 6.0GB/s, USB 3.0
Memory (RAM)
4GB SAMSUNG 1066MHz SODIMM DDR3 MEMORY (2 x 2GB)
Graphics Card
Integrated AMD® Radeon HD 6310 Graphics - DX11
Memory - 1st Hard Disk
500GB SERIAL ATA II 2.5" HARD DRIVE WITH 8MB CACHE (5,400rpm)
1st DVD/BLU-RAY Drive
8x SATA DVD±R/RW/Dual Layer (+ 24x CD-RW)
Sound Card
ONBOARD 6 CHANNEL (5.1) HIGH DEF AUDIO (AS STANDARD)
Network Facilities
INTEGRATED GIGABIT LAN & WIRELESS 802.11N CARD (AS STANDARD)
USB Options
4 x USB 2.0 PORTS @ BACK PANEL (MIN 2 FRONT PORTS) AS STANDARD
Operating System
Genuine Windows 7 Home Premium 64 Bit - inc DVD & Licence (£79)
Office Software
FREE Microsoft® Office Starter 2010 (Limited functionality Word & Excel)
Anti-Virus
BULLGUARD INTERNET SECURITY - FREE 90 DAY TRIAL
Warranty
3 Year Standard Warranty (1 Month Collect & Return, 1 Year Parts, 3 Year Labour)
Delivery
STANDARD INSURED DELIVERY TO UK MAINLAND (MON-FRI)
Build Time
Standard Build - Approximately 10 to 12 working days
Quantity
1

Price: £388.00 including VAT and delivery.

Configure Here: http://www.pcspecialist.co.uk/computers/amd-silent-mini-pc/

 

[PCS]

The case is mesh based to allow for a good airflow over the heatsink, but more importantly it just doesn't produce enough heat to overheat. It has a very low TDP (thermal design power).