OT: Buying a new desktop

[temery]

I have a friend who was just hired as manager of a tennis club, and the accountant wants her to buy a new computer. He insists Apple products won't be compatible with what he uses.

She'll be using Quickbooks.


Suggestions?

 

[HuskyHawk]

Sounds like he just doesn’t want a Mac. QuickBooks Desktop for Mac 2021 Accounting Software | QuickBooks

I’m biased but Dell has a “Black Friday in July” event that just started yesterday. Dell Inspiron Desktops

 

[Husky Alien]

Best bang for your buck. Look into HP ProDesk 400 G5:

Operated by the Windows 10 Pro operating system. Intel 6 Core i7-8700 processor which is fast and quick in terms of performance. Intel Smart Cache memory of 12 MB. In the sections of RAM memory, it is equipped with 16 RAM DDR4. 256 GB SSD (Solid State Drive) and 1 TB HDD (Hard Disk Drive) which is enough for the users to store their data. Equipped with a 4 GB AMD Rdn RX550 graphics helps to provide great colors and better image processing. With Bluetooth and Wi-Fi connectivity.

$600.00 - $800.00 depending where you buy. Check Amazon.

 

[WhereistheDove?]

I have a friend who was just hired as manager of a tennis club, and the accountant wants her to buy a new computer. He insists Apple products won't be compatible with what he uses.

She'll be using Quickbooks.


Suggestions?

Is quickbooks the most intensive thing she’ll be using the computer for? If so, there’s a pretty low bar for computer that will be fine. Acer, Asus, Dell, HP, etc are all making good units and you can get some nice small form factor ones for not too much money. I’d just make sure to get something with at least 8 GB of ram and an SSD if possible. Those two will make the day to day usability much nicer.

 

[Improviser]

I have an older Acer and Quickbooks works fine on it.

I have QB Desktop, but QB has an online, and more expensive version where the data can be shared with other users in the same business. This would be beneficial especially in a work environment where employees worked remotely and needed to view the data.

 

[HuskyHawk]

Is quickbooks the most intensive thing she’ll be using the computer for? If so, there’s a pretty low bar for computer that will be fine. Acer, Asus, Dell, HP, etc are all making good units and you can get some nice small form factor ones for not too much money. I’d just make sure to get something with at least 8 GB of ram and an SSD if possible. Those two will make the day to day usability much nicer.

Yep. The simple answer is that the components are going to be more or less the same in any Windows desktop. The build quality may vary, and support will be of different levels.

 

[Stinger92860]

Desktop, why? Go with laptop and and extra monitor.

 

[WhereistheDove?]

Desktop, why? Go with laptop and and extra monitor.

I mean if the computer is always going to be stationary and only used for work/in the office, there's really no point in getting a laptop.

 

[Fishy]

Quickbooks work fine on Macs.

Get a Dell or an HP or a whatever - unless you’re spending some money, they are all the same generic bits slapped into in a generic plastic case. No reason to overthink it.

 

[Mr. Wonderful]

If you want to spend money to upgrade some part of the computer, spend it on memory first instead of processor or storage.

 

[polycom]

If you are only using quickbooks you can basically get anything. Macs are a waste of money for 80%-90% of people who won them.

 

[FlippinCrazy!]

Quickbooks work fine on Macs.

Get a Dell or an HP or a whatever - unless you’re spending some money, they are all the same generic bits slapped into in a generic plastic case. No reason to overthink it.

Yeah a little ridiculous to make an employee buy a new computer, even moreso when quickbooks should work perfectly fine on a Mac. Unless of course the employer is paying for it. If not, it sounds like an employer I wouldn’t wanna work for too long so wouldn’t break the bank…

 

[FlippinCrazy!]

If you are only using quickbooks you can basically get anything. Macs are a waste of money for 80%-90% of people who won them.

Generally agreed, though I will say take a look at the new Mac Mini with the M1 chip, which runs for around $700. Performance and specs wise, it beats out the majority of desktops/laptops at that price point.

 

[WhereistheDove?]

Generally agreed, though I will say take a look at the new Mac Mini with the M1 chip, which runs for around $700. Performance and specs wise, it beats out the majority of desktops/laptops at that price point.

Agreed, great little computer for most users as long as software compatibility works for their needs (i.e. any consistent excel user can tell you how frustrating the dumbed down version you get on ios is).

 

[polycom]

Generally agreed, though I will say take a look at the new Mac Mini with the M1 chip, which runs for around $700. Performance and specs wise, it beats out the majority of desktops/laptops at that price point.

Fair but how many people are buying mac mini's?

 

[Fishy]

Agreed, great little computer for most users as long as software compatibility works for their needs (i.e. any consistent excel user can tell you how frustrating the dumbed down version you get on ios is).

Microsoft made some idiotic decisions with the iOS version of Excel. Just inexplicable….like, do you want to put a header on this spreadsheet? Ooooo…no. Need a computer for that.

 

[jleves]

Kinda like TVs, computers have become pretty generic. Processors have gotten faster than most people need for basic tasks like Quickbooks, web browsing, email and office applications.

So like TVs, my advice is go to Costco and get what is in your price range. They extend the warranty and have a 90 day return policy which you really can't beat.

The only thing you really need to make sure of these days is that the main drive is an SSD and not a harddrive.

Something like this makes sense: https://www.costco.com/hp-pavilion-desktop---amd-ryzen-5-5600g.product.100767850.html

 

[WhereistheDove?]

Microsoft made some idiotic decisions with the iOS version of Excel. Just inexplicable….like, do you want to put a header on this spreadsheet? Ooooo…no. Need a computer for that.

View attachment 68538

I’m sure they were very purposeful (and it worked). I work with companies that almost exclusively use macs… all except for their finance and accounting departments who are almost exclusively on PCs.

 

[Fishy]

I’m sure they were very purposeful (and it worked). I work with companies that almost exclusively use macs… all except for their finance and accounting departments who are almost exclusively on PCs.

The Mac version is complete, we were referring to the iOS version.

I am very sure that not allowing mobile users to put a header on their spreadsheet was very purposeful.

They nerfed it in dumb ways to prop up the desktop product.

 

[WhereistheDove?]

The Mac version is complete, we were referring to the iOS version.

I am very sure that not allowing mobile users to put a header on their spreadsheet was very purposeful.

They nerfed it in dumb ways to prop up the desktop product.

Good point, I mistyped initially. I will say, the mac desktop version is garbage for any more detailed user. Dumbed down in very frustrating ways if you need anything more than the most basic functions. Again though, clearly a business decision by Microsoft and one that worked.

 

[Waquoit]

I’m biased but Dell has a “Black Friday in July” event that just started yesterday. Dell Inspiron Desktops

Thanks for the heads up. I've waiting to pull the trigger and don't think I'm going to do better.

 

[temery]

Yep. The simple answer is that the components are going to be more or less the same in any Windows desktop. The build quality may vary, and support will be of different levels.

Not sure if it's still true, but when I taught technology I was told companies like Dell use the same parts in every machine. Many of the less expensive computers are built with part from many vendors - which ever can deliver with the lowest price at the time.

This comes into play when trying to troubleshoot hardware and software issues.

 

[WhereistheDove?]

Not sure if it's still true, but when I taught technology I was told companies like Dell use the same parts in every machine. Many of the less expensive computers are built with part from many vendors - which ever can deliver with the lowest price at the time.

This comes into play when trying to troubleshoot hardware and software issues.

Probably not still a thing. Any PC maker is sourcing components from largely the same group of manufacturers (and commonly switching them constantly to battle the current component shortages). I will say from a quality standpoint, it’s probably easier now to pick a good PC than it has ever been. Pick the specs you want at the right price and unless you’re a gamer or other power user, you’ll get a good computer.

 

[temery]

Probably not still a thing. Any PC maker is sourcing components from largely the same group of manufacturers (and commonly switching them constantly to battle the current component shortages). I will say from a quality standpoint, it’s probably easier now to pick a good PC than it has ever been. Pick the specs you want at the right price and unless you’re a gamer or other power user, you’ll get a good computer.

'Which PC maker has customer service comparable to Apple?

And what component should see look for. No need for high end graphic nor extra memory.

It'll be used strictly for a small business (maybe 20 employees), will use Office, including whatever their db program is now and Quickbooks. Perhaps some email or text blasts when the club will be closed due to weather.

 

[WhereistheDove?]

'Which PC maker has customer service comparable to Apple?

And what component should see look for. No need for high end graphic nor extra memory.

It'll be used strictly for a small business (maybe 20 employees), will use Office, including whatever their db program is now and Quickbooks. Perhaps some email or text blasts when the club will be closed due to weather.

I’ve built my own the last couple so can’t really comment on the customer service for each nowadays.

If it’s strictly for business uses, you’re fine with the processor integrated graphics. Absolutely no need for a dedicated graphics card. Any reasonably new CPU will also be fine to handle that work. Really the two just convenience things I’d look for are at least 8 GB of RAM and an SSD. That will boot up much faster and have enough RAM to handle anything you need. Outside of that, it’s probably just a question of form factor. Again, the bar here for a PC that can handle this load is pretty low so they should be happy with just about anything on the market now.

 

[HuskyHawk]

Not sure if it's still true, but when I taught technology I was told companies like Dell use the same parts in every machine. Many of the less expensive computers are built with part from many vendors - which ever can deliver with the lowest price at the time.

This comes into play when trying to troubleshoot hardware and software issues.

As someone who works there, it's sort of true. The configurations vary, but suppliers are consistent. What is different now is supply chain scarcity. Back 20 years ago it was cheaper to build one from quality parts. I did that a couple of times. Now, Dell, HP, Lenovo are going to be prioritized for scarce components, and are going to get them cheaper. The big names will also have quality control testing on everything that comes in.

At this point, given that those brands are price competitive, and have vastly better support than some of the smaller foreign based brands (yes Lenovo is China, but it was IBMs pc business), I think it's an easy choice.

Edit: Also, as @WhereistheDove? said, no need for a dedicated GPU unless you do hard core gaming or video editing. The newest intel processors (11th gen) have a new Intel® Iris® Xe GPU that is a substantial improvement over past versions. They had to do it because Apple's M1 is so strong. I would think a Core i5 would be sufficient in this case, but an i7 may last longer.

 

[CTMike]

I know you are looking for a desktop but have you considered a Palm Treo or Blackberry?

 

[auror]

Best bang for your buck. Look into HP ProDesk 400 G5:

Operated by the Windows 10 Pro operating system. Intel 6 Core i7-8700 processor which is fast and quick in terms of performance. Intel Smart Cache memory of 12 MB. In the sections of RAM memory, it is equipped with 16 RAM DDR4. 256 GB SSD (Solid State Drive) and 1 TB HDD (Hard Disk Drive) which is enough for the users to store their data. Equipped with a 4 GB AMD Rdn RX550 graphics helps to provide great colors and better image processing. With Bluetooth and Wi-Fi connectivity.

$600.00 - $800.00 depending where you buy. Check Amazon.

I'm posting this on a ProDesk. 7 years in. Runs 12 hours a day. Added some additional RAM once, otherwise no issues.

 

[Husky Alien]

I'm posting this on a ProDesk. 7 years in. Runs 12 hours a day. Added some additional RAM once, otherwise no issues.

They are a work horse. Never had an issue with my ProDesk, going on 6 years. As you did, just added additional RAM also. Getting my monies worth.

 

[Drumguy]

I’m a CPA and my question would be why didn’t she recommend QBO. There are some companies that it’s not a good fit, but most companies can be online now, so you can use whatever computer you want.

that said, if you’re looking for a quality pc, we use Surface laptops, with Samsung curved monitors.

let me know if you want an offline conversation..