I know $300 isn't much and ideally I'd be spending quite a bit more. I do have a laptop I can try to muddle through with, it's just old and to be honest I wouldn't be surprised if it died on me sometime in the next year. In a few years I could probably afford better, but for now the $300 would be it (and that's pushing it). So I'm looking to buy something in case that goes out (ideally before that happens). I have a monitor and accessories, so I'm just needing a desktop or laptop.
What I'd like is a laptop or desktop for general every day use - email, browsing online, word docs and the occasional spreadsheet. The other two main programs I use are genealogy software and some basic photo editing (beginner). I have a dslr and would like to do more with my photos, I have PaintShop pro and expect to use that for the time being. Eventually I may try photoshop, but not for awhile.
I'm ok with a refurb, and I'm not expecting top of the line. Just something that will work well. I have a basic idea of hardware components but I'm by no means an expert (so please be patient if I don't understand or get things wrong, lol). Recommendations I've read suggest a pc w/ a i5 quadcore or better, 8-16GB ram (ok w/ buying something with just 4 and upgrading myself), and SSD if possible. I've read conflicting info about graphics, so I'm not going to even guess at what I need there. It also looks like the best bang for my buck would be a desktop.
My main concern when looking at refurbs is the age of the processors - looks like i5 4th gen is the newest in my budget range, most are 3rd gen (looking at sites such as newegg, dell refurb, etc). Are these too old? Any thoughts on this and anything else would be appreciated it. I don't want to waste my money if it's a bad idea...
What I'd like is a laptop or desktop for general every day use - email, browsing online, word docs and the occasional spreadsheet. The other two main programs I use are genealogy software and some basic photo editing (beginner). I have a dslr and would like to do more with my photos, I have PaintShop pro and expect to use that for the time being. Eventually I may try photoshop, but not for awhile.
I'm ok with a refurb, and I'm not expecting top of the line. Just something that will work well. I have a basic idea of hardware components but I'm by no means an expert (so please be patient if I don't understand or get things wrong, lol). Recommendations I've read suggest a pc w/ a i5 quadcore or better, 8-16GB ram (ok w/ buying something with just 4 and upgrading myself), and SSD if possible. I've read conflicting info about graphics, so I'm not going to even guess at what I need there. It also looks like the best bang for my buck would be a desktop.
My main concern when looking at refurbs is the age of the processors - looks like i5 4th gen is the newest in my budget range, most are 3rd gen (looking at sites such as newegg, dell refurb, etc). Are these too old? Any thoughts on this and anything else would be appreciated it. I don't want to waste my money if it's a bad idea...
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