Recommendations for a church data storage system


Sigurd

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The B&W group of the local Priory has been becoming increasingly aware of the loss of experience and knowledge as the volunteers age and leave without new blood coming in. In the past new volunteers ensured this "racial memory" was sustained. Now we feel that we will need to start putting what we have on paper and what is created new from reports and meeting is stored in a digital form. So what should we use?
Finance is limited, maybe up to £450/500 , computer literacy is very limited, so no complicated cloud based systems. I am by far the most competent in this respect, but I am one of the oldest!
So options are a second hand one salvaged from someone - as a storage option possibly OK but needs to be able to run some apps - mail, web, WP - so probably too slow.
A refurbished laptop from Amazon is certainly a possibility. A PC refurbished or new is also an option. And of course a new laptop.

To reasonably future proof I am thinking along the lines of a reasonably fast machine, with a good sized storage, preferably SSD. For apps LibreOffice saves money, though Office 365 might be better as most people will use that at home.

Any suggestions re CPU, or anything else that is relevant? I've been landed with making the recommendation to the B&W group.
 
Windows Build/Version
Windows 11, latest.

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    Windows 11
    Computer type
    PC/Desktop
    Manufacturer/Model
    Updated Chillblast
    CPU
    Intel i7 12700K Twelve Core 3.6Ghz
    Motherboard
    MSI PRO Z690-A DDR4 Motherboard
    Memory
    Corsair 32Gb Vengeance RAM
A choir of Angels? :-)



Selection - Amazon UK




Maybe, these two items...

ASUS Vivobook




I'd recommend a 15-16" screen, 16-32GB of RAM, approx. 500GB SSD... and about 2TB external hard drive.
And I would get a NEW one.






If you absolutely insist on refurbished laptops.... get a DELL that was refurbished by DELL... aim for one with the specs listed just above... minimum.

DELL - Refurbished
 
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    Win 11 Home ♦♦♦22631.3374 ♦♦♦♦♦♦♦23H2
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    Built by Ghot® [May 2020]
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    AMD Ryzen 7 3700X
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    TWIN2X2048-6400C4DHX (2 x 1GB, DDR2 800)
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    WD 36GB 10,000rpm Raptor SATA
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    PC Power & Cooling Silencer 750 Quad EPS12V
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    Firefox 3.x ??
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    Still assembled, still runs. Haven't turned it on for 13 years?
Hello Sigurd,

I would keep in mind the following:

Windows 11 has very specific hardware requirements. But, at this time, even computers that do not meet those specifications can still install Windows 11. And from what I see, many that are being sold as used, refurbished, etc., are older pc's that do not fully meet those specs but have Windows 11 installed. When they are sold, they never say, "This computer meets all the Microsoft hardware specifications for Windows 11." So if one of those is bought, there is the risk that, at some point in time, Windows 11 upgrades/updates will no longer work on them. That is the situation that many of us find ourselves in.

I would go with a new pc that specifically meets the hardware requirements. Possibly, if the refurbishing stated that it met all the requirements, then I would consider it.
 

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    Windows 11/Linux Mint
    Computer type
    PC/Desktop
    Manufacturer/Model
    Dell Optiplex 960
    CPU
    Intel Core 2 Duo CPU E8400 @ 3.00 GHz x 2
    Memory
    8 GB
    Graphics Card(s)
    Intel 4 Series Chipset Integrated Graphics Controller
    Monitor(s) Displays
    HP x22LED
    Hard Drives
    Crucial 250 GB SSD, HD 1Tb
I agree with what's been said regarding hardware. More difficult is your dilemma of not having anyone other than you who knows what to do with it after you are no longer around. Lack of new blood seems to be so common these days in small religious organizations everywhere. Where I live small country churches also struggle to keep their doors open as congregations have aged or passed. Many, many have reached the point where they can't.

I have read your posts about your efforts on behalf of your priory and I commend you, Sir. You will be rewarded. I pray your priory remains sustainable. God Bless you all.
 

My Computers

System One System Two

  • OS
    Windows 11 Pro 23H2 22631.3296
    Computer type
    PC/Desktop
    Manufacturer/Model
    Dell Optiplex 7080
    CPU
    i9-10900 10 core 20 threads
    Motherboard
    DELL 0J37VM
    Memory
    32 gb
    Graphics Card(s)
    none-Intel UHD Graphics 630
    Sound Card
    Integrated Realtek
    Monitor(s) Displays
    Benq 27
    Screen Resolution
    2560x1440
    Hard Drives
    1tb Solidigm m.2 +256gb ssd+512 gb usb m.2 sata
    PSU
    500w
    Case
    MT
    Cooling
    Dell Premium
    Keyboard
    Logitech wired
    Mouse
    Logitech wireless
    Internet Speed
    so slow I'm too embarrassed to tell
    Browser
    Firefox
    Antivirus
    Defender+MWB Premium
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    Windows 10 Pro 22H2 19045.3930
    Computer type
    PC/Desktop
    Manufacturer/Model
    Dell Optiplex 9020
    CPU
    i7-4770
    Memory
    24 gb
    Monitor(s) Displays
    Benq 27
    Screen Resolution
    2560x1440
    Hard Drives
    256 gb Toshiba BG4 M.2 NVE SSB and 1 tb hdd
    PSU
    500w
    Case
    MT
    Cooling
    Dell factory
    Mouse
    Logitech wireless
    Keyboard
    Logitech wired
    Internet Speed
    still not telling
    Browser
    Firefox
    Antivirus
    Defender+MWB Premium

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