under $300-$400 very small computer

[loler920a]

Hey linus forums, I'm back again calling for help. I need help building a super small computer that is able to do basic stuff such. That can handle a humid/hot work environment. Budget is 300-400 including OS. SRY that this criteria may be a hard cookie but it's for my grands and uncles. Also a side note it has to last a good few years without my maintenance. All money goes to computer and OS. If you have any questions just ask and I'll answer them as soon as I can. Thanks in advance. 

 

I'm thinking of it being an APU build that runs modern games well for my cuz's that live on the othersidde too.

[dizmo]

All their doing is browsing and such?

I'd go NUC and mount it to the back of the monitor.

[brob]

Hey linus forums, I'm back again calling for help. I need help building a super small computer that is able to do basic stuff such. That can handle a humid/hot work environment. Budget is 300-400 including OS. SRY that this criteria may be a hard cookie but it's for my grands and uncles. Also a side note it has to last a good few years without my maintenance. All money goes to computer and OS. If you have any questions just ask and I'll answer them as soon as I can. Thanks in advance. 

 

I'm thinking of it being an APU build that runs modern games well for my cuz's that live on the othersidde too.

 

Why does it have to be small? Small is generally more expensive.

 

When you say hot/humid environment do you mean tropical without a/c?

[asickduckie]

like @dizmo said, I would go with an intel NUC with an i3. Their newest model has a 2.5" hard drive mount, so you won't have to buy some stupid msata drive. It'll cost less than 400$ total, and will be small, quiet (no fan at all, just a passive heatsink) and more than powerful enough. Heck it'll probably cost you less than building a similar build yourself with wi-fi and all. 

 

Here's the link to the i3 nuc with a 2.5" hard drive mount: http://www.amazon.com/Intel-DisplayPort-i3-4010U-Consumer-BOXD34010WYKH1/dp/B00HOJAVDG/

 

So that's 290$, + you'll want to spend 40$ on ram, and the rest on a 50$ hard drive. 

[dizmo]

like @dizmo said, I would go with an intel NUC with an i3. Their newest model has a 2.5" hard drive mount, so you won't have to buy some stupid msata drive. It'll cost less than 400$ total, and will be small, quiet (no fan at all, just a passive heatsink) and more than powerful enough. Heck it'll probably cost you less than building a similar build yourself with wi-fi and all. 

 

Here's the link to the i3 nuc with a 2.5" hard drive mount: http://www.amazon.com/Intel-DisplayPort-i3-4010U-Consumer-BOXD34010WYKH1/dp/B00HOJAVDG/

 

So that's 290$, + you'll want to spend 40$ on ram, and the rest on a 50$ hard drive. 

Yups.

However, this is the kit that I'd go for. http://www.amazon.com/Intel-DN2820FYKH-Celeron-N2820-support/dp/B00HVKLSVC/ref=sr_1_3?ie=UTF8&qid=1392963380&sr=8-3&keywords=celeron+nuc

Yeah, I know. "ZOMG NOT A CELERON!?"

Before I hear that from like 10 people, it's not really a huge issue when you're talking about browsing and light applications. For his budget and use load, it makes perfect sense. They're no that slow.

Also it's $155 with build in WiFi. Add an SSD for $65, RAM for $40 (if you have a family member who loves tabs go with 8gb or install a very low resource browser for them), Windows for $80 and bam. Done. $350.

[asickduckie]

Yups.

However, this is the kit that I'd go for. http://www.amazon.com/Intel-DN2820FYKH-Celeron-N2820-support/dp/B00HVKLSVC/ref=sr_1_3?ie=UTF8&qid=1392963380&sr=8-3&keywords=celeron+nuc

Yeah, I know. "ZOMG NOT A CELERON!?"

Before I hear that from like 10 people, it's not really a huge issue when you're talking about browsing and light applications. For his budget and use load, it makes perfect sense. They're no that slow.

Also it's $155 with build in WiFi. Add an SSD for $65, RAM for $40 (if you have a family member who loves tabs go with 8gb or install a very low resource browser for them), Windows for $80 and bam. Done. $350.

actually come to think of it, a laptop is a much better solution. It's small compared to a desktop (not as small as a nuc), can be carried around anywhere, and for 350$ you can easily get some decent i3 laptops. The windows license is included of course, and there's no hassle. You could even get a used i5 laptop off ebay for 350$

[Octoix]

I'd go with a laptop not the NUC. For reasons stated above. Building your own PC for $400 isnt worth it you will spend loads of that on things such as Optical Drives, Wi-Fi or Wireless Adaptor etc. 

[loler920a]

Thanks I'll take a think about it