I Bought a Refurbished Win 11 Computer

[Qs Laptop]

The mini pcs are a trade off. If you really like the small size and don't plan on doing upgrades, that's a great way to save space. I have a use mini pc that I bought used a few years back. It's sole purpose is paired up with a webcam to use as a pet camera.

Now for my regular PC on my desk, I prefer a tower where I can easily add components like a new HDD or graphics card.

I've built my last two desktops for this very reason. I figured I might want to upgrade at some point. However, since 2019 I found that I only added a USB expansion card. That's why I'm leaning toward a mini-PC for my next computer.

 

[GenXguy]

There are some workarounds for installing Windows 11 on older hardware that is not supported officially by Microsoft.

Also note that Windows 10 isn't going to suddenly stop working despite not getting security updates, and you will likely still be able to get Chrome and Firefox updates for some time afterwards. And yeah, of course, the OS wouldn't get security updates at that point. Use anti-malware software that doesn't end updates. Consider your use case.

 

[easysurfer]

For my disk space set up, I have a 1 TB SSHD (yes, those this still exist) as my C drive, along with a 4 TB HDD that's partitioned into two 2TB partitions. One partitions is for my Marcum daily backups. The other partition is for manually backing up a folder that holds my data for extra safety. I also use some HDDs to make backups externally in case the 4TB drive goes kaput.

 

[Ian S]

I bought a Minisforum UM790 PRO miniPC last summer and it's an amazing little machine. I ordered it with 64 GB of memory and it came with a 1TB UVME SSD. It has the Ryzen 9 7940HS CPU with the 780M graphics. Since it had the room for a second UVME drive, I added a 4TB one for data including videos and images. It has the latest USB4 ports as well as USB3. It's very quiet compared to my old mid-tower desktop. My only quibble with it is it only has WIN 11 Home not Pro. It could easily wind up being my last computer!

 

[aja8888]

There are some workarounds for installing Windows 11 on older hardware that is not supported officially by Microsoft.

Also note that Windows 10 isn't going to suddenly stop working despite not getting security updates, and you will likely still be able to get Chrome and Firefox updates for some time afterwards. And yeah, of course, the OS wouldn't get security updates at that point. Use anti-malware software that doesn't end updates. Consider your use case.

Yes, on my Win 10 PRO desktop I only use Chrome as my OS and really only use the machine for TurboTax. Although I do have scanner software on there, but lately, I have been creating PDF;s with my iPhone.

 

[RetiredAt55.5]

Yes, on my Win 10 PRO desktop I only use Chrome as my OS and really only use the machine for TurboTax. Although I do have scanner software on there, but lately, I have been creating PDF;s with my iPhone.

It doesn't sound like TY 2025 Turbo Tax will be supported (i.e. can be installed) on Windows 10.

I also only keep a Windows box for Turbo Tax purposes, and I refuse to use the online version of TT.

So, I'm going to have to do something about my Windows 10 pc, which according to Microsoft can't be upgraded to 11. It sounds like maybe one can hack around this, but I'm lazy and I'm not looking for new "projects".

 

[Ian S]

When you are looking at refurbished PCs, make sure they accommodate the NVME M.2 form of SSD storage. These are much faster than the older SATA SSDs and a fraction of the size of the older format.

 

[stepford]

Wow, I feel like a dinosaur here. Still running the PC I built 11 years ago just prior to retirement. Win 7, Win 10, Linux (all financial and sensitive stuff done only on Linux). Still does everything I want.

 

[target2019]

It doesn't sound like TY 2025 Turbo Tax will be supported (i.e. can be installed) on Windows 10.

I also only keep a Windows box for Turbo Tax purposes, and I refuse to use the online version of TT.

So, I'm going to have to do something about my Windows 10 pc, which according to Microsoft can't be upgraded to 11. It sounds like maybe one can hack around this, but I'm lazy and I'm not looking for new "projects".

Yes, same here. I recall the TurboTax warning this year. I have a newer Windows 11 set up, so I'm ready to go

 

[Al18]

The miniPC running Windows 11 are small enough they can sit on a desk next to your monitor. Consider buying one just for financial stuff and the tax program. Most monitors can handle two computers. A few bucks for a wireless keyboard and mouse and you can run both computers.

 

[aja8888]

Yeah, if TTAX 2025 won't be compatible with Win 10, I'll have to get one of those minis.

 

[Ian S]

The miniPC running Windows 11 are small enough they can sit on a desk next to your monitor. Consider buying one just for financial stuff and the tax program. Most monitors can handle two computers. A few bucks for a wireless keyboard and mouse and you can run both computers.

I use a KVM switch. The newer ones have hdmi or display port video connections.

 

[easysurfer]

I returned the computer I bought that had a non Win 11 compatible CPU. The computer I bought that is compatible arrived today. I haven't opened the box yet as I'm still waiting on a HDD to clone the system to. The computer is a HP Workstation tower type that does have 5.25 in bays. Those aren't that plentiful these days. One thing I don't like though is HP has it's own non-standard sized power supply. So, if the power supply ever needs replacing, I can't just get any ATX power supply and install. Doable with some type of power supply adapter, still gripe worthy .

 

[AudiDudi]

I returned the computer I bought that had a non Win 11 compatible CPU. The computer I bought that is compatible arrived today. I haven't opened the box yet as I'm still waiting on a HDD to clone the system to. The computer is a HP Workstation tower type that does have 5.25 in bays. Those aren't that plentiful these days. One thing I don't like though is HP has it's own non-standard sized power supply. So, if the power supply ever needs replacing, I can't just get any ATX power supply and install. Doable with some type of power supply adapter, still gripe worthy .

BTDT with HP Power supplies, both on customer PCs and my own current desktop. They also seem to rivet the power supply case so even changing the fan is tough.

 

[gman57]

I just bought a new HP desktop. Gets here tomorrow. My old system (7+ year old SSD HP laptop) started to fail on startup about a month go. I was getting "SMART" backup immediately errors. It says hit enter to continue boot which it does and it still works fine but I figure 7+ years with no problems I might as well upgrade. Apparently SSD drives can go bad, I never knew that. Apparently they only have so many read/writes in them. I was getting an error about only 11% something or other and I thought so what. I started researching and it starts at 100% so 11% isn't much left.

 

[easysurfer]

BTDT with HP Power supplies, both on customer PCs and my own current desktop. They also seem to rivet the power supply case so even changing the fan is tough.

What does BTDT mean? From the context, I'm guessing not something positive .

 

[aja8888]

What does BTDT mean? From the context, I'm guessing not something positive .

Been there, done that,

 

[AudiDudi]

What does BTDT mean? From the context, I'm guessing not something positive .

BeenThereDoneThat

 

[calmloki]

Must be the season - our new Beelink came in at dawn on Sunday morning. We went wacky and sprang for a brand new computer rather than the refurb units we normally buy. BTD!

Beelink SER5 with 8-Core AMD Ryzen 7 5825U, 32GB DDR4, 1TB NVMe M.2 SSD,Triple Display 4K@60Hz Output, Wi-Fi 6,Bluetooth 5.2,W-11 Gaming Office Mini Computer​

Gal uses her's harder, so she took the scary steps from Win 10 to Win 11 and was pleasantly surprised at the relatively painless transition. Had to get new printer drivers, but a number of the old programs work, and Win11 happily mated with our network. Seems like it will be a good deal.

 

[Ian S]

With a miniPC, because of the densely packed electronics, you want to be sure there's good cooling. Because I added a second SSD which generates its own heat, I added an external fan which at 120 mm is the perfect size for the MiniPC to sit on. Based on temperature numbers for the SSDs and the CPU, it drops temperatures noticeably.

 

[AudiDudi]

With a miniPC, because of the densely packed electronics, you want to be sure there's good cooling. Because I added a second SSD which generates its own heat, I added an external fan which at 120 mm is the perfect size for the MiniPC to sit on. Based on temperature numbers for the SSDs and the CPU, it drops temperatures noticeably.

good idea. M my new one should be here in an hour or so. Thinking of using PCMover to transfer everything from old to new. Worth the $30, IMO.

 

[easysurfer]

good idea. M my new one should be here in an hour or so. Thinking of using PCMover to transfer everything from old to new. Worth the $30, IMO.

Have you tried PCMover before? I have not but was wondering if you did, how easy that or not that went.

 

[AudiDudi]

Have you tried PCMover before? I have not but was wondering if you did, how easy that or not that went.

I have not tried it but a friend used it recently to transfer his wifes old PC to new. Said it worked perfectly.

 

[easysurfer]

I have not tried it but a friend used it recently to transfer his wifes old PC to new. Said it worked perfectly.

Thanks. I thought about using something like PC Mover, but then again I don't mind starting with somewhat of a clean slate and installing only what I need. For example, I have a ton or old bookmarks that I haven't used in ages.

 

[AudiDudi]

Thanks. I thought about using something like PC Mover, but then again I don't mind starting with somewhat of a clean slate and installing only what I need. For example, I have a ton or old bookmarks that I haven't used in ages.

I'm more worried about it moving Quicken 2016 and MS Office 2003 (which I can't find the disks/keys for.) Book marks can usually be exported/imported - I've done that a few times with Fire Fox.