What boring 'officy' type of computers are the most reliable?

Haydon · Jan 7, 2022

A question to the pros here who service computers. What boring 'officy' type of computers are the best when it comes to preventing disasters like in the quote below, quoted from a parallel thread? What boring 'officy' type of computers are the most reliable? (not just with regard to drivers) Thanks!

Dch48 said:
I had one of my devices get totally borked by an Intel System driver that came from Windows Update. I tried everything to fix it and the only solution that finally worked was a wipe and reinstall of Windows, followed by Intel chipset driver installation, RCA proprietary driver installation, and finally, Intel Graphics driver installation. That is a hassle on that device because some of it's drivers are proprietary and can only be received from the manufacturer. They also have to be 32 bit because there are no 64 bit versions. The device therefore can only run 32 bit Windows 10. There are no updates for the proprietary drivers either. On that particular system, updating drivers after everything is working is a big no.

FrancoDT · Jan 7, 2022

Ah, what's the fun in going boring 'officy' type of computer...lol (just kidding). Having owned a couple Alienwares sometimes I wish I had gone boring officy lol.

Wynona · Jan 7, 2022

Haydon said:
A question to the pros here who service computers. What boring 'officy' type of computers are the best when it comes to preventing disasters like in the quote below, quoted from a parallel thread? What boring 'officy' type of computers are the most reliable? (not just with regard to drivers) Thanks!

The article you are referring to:

Dch48 said:
I had one of my devices get totally borked by an Intel System driver that came from Windows Update. I tried everything to fix it and the only solution that finally worked was a wipe and reinstall of Windows, followed by Intel chipset driver installation, RCA proprietary driver installation, and finally, Intel Graphics driver installation. That is a hassle on that device because some of it's drivers are proprietary and can only be received from the manufacturer. They also have to be 32 bit because there are no 64 bit versions. The device therefore can only run 32 bit Windows 10. There are no updates for the proprietary drivers either. On that particular system, updating drivers after everything is working is a big no.
The first thing I would say is that the OPs desktop will be obsolete if and when he/she chooses to install Windows 11.

The first thing I would tell you is to read this article: Minimum hardware requirements

The reason being that it seems Microsoft has now stopped selling Windows 32 bit to OEMs. IOW, if I'm reading correctly, Windows 32 bit will no longer install on current hardware. And, again if I'm reading correctly, you cannot buy a 32 bit copy of Windows.

OK, with that out of the way, pretty much any computer will run pretty much any software. Of course there are "gotchas".

If one is playing games, at the very least, more RAM is needed. And most likely a pretty strong graphics card. Ant that's the limit of my knowledge in the games field.

If one edits photos, again, more RAM will be called for. And most likely, a good graphics card. @Barman can elaborate on the graphics issue.

When I first started to look at computers for home, I was quite frequently asked, "What do you want to do with it?" To which I answered, "Anything I want to!"

However, if you just want to use a computer for the "run of the mill" things like surfing the web, email, viewing photos, writing articles, and even creating a few tutorials, standard hardware will probably suffice. We're talking 8 GB RAM, built-in graphics and sound, a good monitor, etc.

Check out this link from YouTube:

https://www.youtube.com/results?search_query=what+to+look+for+when+buying+a+general+use+computer

There are plenty of videos to help guide you on your way . . .

Winuser · Jan 7, 2022

I think this post would be better in the Chillout Room. It has nothing to do with needing support. And my answer to your question is that I have no idea of what computers are best for businesses.

Haydon · Jan 7, 2022

Perhaps I can rephrase the question to the professionals here who service typical computers in typical office buildings.

What type/brand/model of computers do YOU see in office buildings that just work without fail? (Despite adverse Windows Updates and what not)

And yeah, office computers are really boring for gamers, LOL. It was jimbo who coined the phrase 'boring officy computers' which I like very much, because that describes my main work computer perfectly

It won't be only me who would be interested to know what people in the trenches consider reliable devices (as distinct from performance devices, for example)

In any case, the issue in this thread is reliability

Porthos · Jan 7, 2022

Haydon said:
What type/brand/model of computers do YOU see in office buildings

The ones that the office got the best bulk purchase or the best deal from because they have purchased directly from and have a history.

Haydon said:
In any case, the issue in this thread is reliability

Any computer can be reliable until it isn't. Does not matter who made it. It is just a box of electronic components.

Haydon · Jan 7, 2022

Porthos said:
Any computer can be reliable until it isn't. Does not matter who made it. It is just a box of electronic components.

Well, computers that are only 'reliable' for 3 months won't get re-purchased. Perhaps the pros here can point out those bad ones for others to avoid.

Perhaps the pros here can point out the good ones for others to put on their short list.

glasskuter · Jan 7, 2022

There was a time I would have immediately answered Optiplexes or Precisions because the hardware was heavy duty and built for heavy use. Quality oozed out of them. Nowadays, I can't see much difference in the components in those models than cheaper mainstream units have. So if anyone is going to buy in todays market of OEM systems, buy the best specs for what you can afford. That said, I would recommend for anyone to build their own. It's not hard to do and you will know that you have the best quality components available. If you don't feel comfortable doing it yourself, seek help from one of your teckky friends or a reputable repair shop. Emphasis on reputable.

Bree · Jan 7, 2022

Wynona said:
if I'm reading correctly, Windows 32 bit will no longer install on current hardware. And, again if I'm reading correctly, you cannot buy a 32 bit copy of Windows.

Actually what you buy is a key, and that is valid for a 32 or 64 bit install. Microsoft do not permit OEMs to supply their current machines with 32-bit Windows 10 (there is no 32-bit W11). The do however promise to continue supporting our existing 32-bit installs until Windows 10 reaches end of support in October 2025. That includes providing the install media for download using the MCT. So if you really needed to, you could still buy a licence for W10 and do a 32-bit clean install.

Haydon · Jan 7, 2022

glasskuter said:
There was a time I would have immediately answered Optiplexes or Precisions because the hardware was heavy duty and built for heavy use. Quality oozed out of them. Nowadays, I can't see much difference in the components in those models than cheaper mainstream units have. So if anyone is going to buy in todays market of OEM systems, buy the best specs for what you can afford. That said, I would recommend for anyone to build their own. It's not hard to do and you will know that you have the best quality components available. If you don't feel comfortable doing it yourself, seek help from one of your teckky friends or a reputable repair shop. Emphasis on reputable.

Yeah, here is a very interesting article on the Dell Optiplex product line, from inception to now.

Dell OptiPlex - Wikipedia

en.wikipedia.org

Specs can be downloaded from the Dell website, but it unfortunately doesn't say how well Optiplexes can stomach adverse Windows Updates, for example.

But pros in the trenches can say whether Optiplexes or Precisions or some other brands are prone of getting diarrhea or not, for example. And recommend other brands with strong stomachs

Winuser · Jan 7, 2022

glasskuter said:
There was a time I would have immediately answered Optiplexes or Precisions because the hardware was heavy duty and built for heavy use. Quality oozed out of them. Nowadays, I can't see much difference in the components in those models than cheaper mainstream units have. So if anyone is going to buy in todays market of OEM systems, buy the best specs for what you can afford. That said, I would recommend for anyone to build their own. It's not hard to do and you will know that you have the best quality components available. If you don't feel comfortable doing it yourself, seek help from one of your teckky friends or a reputable repair shop. Emphasis on reputable.

I miss the days when I could go to local computers shows. They had some great deals and a very large selection of hardware and software. If you got there early enough and they had the hardware they would custom make your computer while you waited. Now the closest ones are somewhere around Baltimore MD. Too far for me to travel just to look around. Micro Center is now my go to place when I want to buy a new computer. The store in ST. Davids Pa is about 45 minutes from me.

Haydon · Jan 7, 2022

I once chatted with a very knowledgeable builder who among other things built her (yes, it is a she) own mega crypto-computer. She opined that she would prefer Acer or Asus, as they write their drivers in pretty conventional ways, as distinct from Dell writing their drivers in pretty unique ways. So, it may be that Acer or Asus are more resilient than Dell to bad Windows Updates (or to any bad events in the Windows ecology) or it may be that that has no effect at all on resilience, who knows.

And no, I would not build my own systems, it would cost 10 times more and the result would be 100 times worse :scream:

Wynona · Jan 7, 2022

Bree said:
Actually what you buy is a key, and that is valid for a 32 or 64 bit install. Microsoft do not permit OEMs to supply their current machines with 32-bit Windows 10 (there is no 32-bit W11). The do however promise to continue supporting our existing 32-bit installs until Windows 10 reaches end of support in October 2025. That includes providing the install media for download using the MCT. So if you really needed to, you could still buy a licence for W10 and do a 32-bit clean install.

Yes, I know all that, but what I was referring to was the original post. The question is about a new computer.

Ismeegaaaabe · Jan 7, 2022

The Lenovo T15s are super boring but there very reliable in terms of warranty from lenovo and super good! :)

Haydon · Jan 7, 2022

Wynona said:
Yes, I know all that, but what I was referring to was the original post. The question is about a new computer.

Well, f you had addressed the reliability issue in the OP and in the title of the thread, then it would have been right

----------------------
One other thing that may have a bearing on the issue at hand is this. It used to be that office productivity apps (I am not talking about games) are VERY demanding performance-wise on boring officy computers, hence the often given opinion to buy the best specs you can afford. But office productivity apps these days can run very well on contemporary Celerons and Pentiums! Of course, it would take only a few years for the Celerons and Pentiums to slow down on the further developing office productivity apps. You get better longevity with a system with higher specs. But even a modest i5 that is widely considered main stream these days can virtually guarantee you a decade worth of performance reserves in the specs vs apps race. So, the specs vs apps race is a non-issue for longevity, IMHO.

But reliability is an issue IMHO if you're aiming for a decade of longevity. How to gauge that if you are not asking people who are in the position to watch?

Haydon · Jan 7, 2022

Ismeegaaaabe said:
The Lenovo T15s are super boring but there very reliable in terms of warranty from lenovo and super good! :)

Yeah, they are quite expensive too, but may be worth the $ if they just keep working without fail. Your sig says that you are an IT pro, is that what you observed about the T15s? (I don't mean the warranty)

Edit: Comparing to the Optiplexes that were mentioned in the above. The model numbers beginning with '5' (like the Optiplex 5090) are the mainstream models, the '3' and the '7' are below and above, respectively. It looks like the Rolls Royces of the past are now manufactured to a price point.

bobkn · Jan 8, 2022

I doubt that the question has a solid answer.

From 2001 to 2016, my employer used Dells on 3 year leases. Because I pretended to be an engineer, they gave me Precision workstations.

Over the 3 year term, they were all entirely reliable. There was not much of an issue with Windows updates, partly because they were controlled by the company's IT department. Major OS upgrades were typically delayed by years, after retail release. I think that a lot of the PCs there now (I left nearly 6 years ago) are still on 7.

I'm not sure that company should be taken as a shining example, though. A lot of the CAD designers were getting by with small, low-res monitors. I don't know if the company would have supplied larger if requested. I was a bit annoyed when I was offered a second monitor - with a native resolution of 1680 X 1050. Who on Earth bought those, in 2015? (The pro software I used benefited from lots of horizontal pixels.)

z3r010 · Jan 8, 2022

If I was working back in Industry now, I'd supply everybody with NUC's or similar stuck to the back of their monitors, that way I could carry an entire swap-out PC in my coat pocket and not have my car filled with PCs and parts.

Haydon · Jan 8, 2022

bobkn said:
I doubt that the question has a solid answer.

From 2001 to 2016, my employer used Dells on 3 year leases. Because I pretended to be an engineer, they gave me Precision workstations.

Over the 3 year term, they were all entirely reliable. There was not much of an issue with Windows updates, partly because they were controlled by the company's IT department. Major OS upgrades were typically delayed by years, after retail release. I think that a lot of the PCs there now (I left nearly 6 years ago) are still on 7.

I'm not sure that company should be taken as a shining example, though. A lot of the CAD designers were getting by with small, low-res monitors. I don't know if the company would have supplied larger if requested. I was a bit annoyed when I was offered a second monitor - with a native resolution of 1680 X 1050. Who on Earth bought those, in 2015? (The pro software I used benefited from lots of horizontal pixels.)

Yeah, I love tossing up issues for which there are no boring pull-out-of-your-pocket answers

Waiting for 3+ years after RTM gets you a mature OS and improved system reliability, which is what happens if you buy a new computer just before your old one runs out of support. Most people will want to keep their SOHO computers for much longer than 3 years. Maybe people are buying a new SOHO computer if all the old one needs is a bit of maintenance.

With the W11 announcement, MS announced shorter Windows lifecycles. Such 'bad news' announcements happen for a reason, perhaps there are too many EOL issues in the real world.

Haydon · Jan 8, 2022

z3r010 said:
If I was working back in Industry now, I'd supply everybody with NUC's or similar stuck to the back of their monitors, that way I could carry an entire swap-out PC in my coat pocket and not have my car filled with PCs and parts.

Laptop & docking station is more common, I think. Connecting & disconnecting NUCs get old pretty quick.

I haven't heard of one, but I would be interested in a docking station for NUC with many additional ports