What’s out there, I want to buy my mum a computer as she recently did lessons for older people who missed out. I can tell she enjoyed using the internet although she is worried she will break computers and for some reason can’t seem to use the trackpad on my macbook. 😆

I’m sure Dell used to make something but I can’t find it.

One of these these. Maybe.?

My parents run Windows quite happily on my old Mac Mini…

Rachel

Dell Zino

http://www.dell.com/uk/p/inspiron-zino-hd-410/pd.aspx?c=uk&cs=ukdhs1&l=en&s=dhs&~ck=mn

or the Zotac Zbox

http://www.mini-itx.com/store/zbox-ad10

Problem with small form factor PC’s is 9 times out of 10 they run an Intel Atom Processor out of a netbook. Which means the computer is barely up to anything beyond web browsing anyway.

Plenty of small desktop PC’s out there, some still not a huge amount bigger than a Mac Mini, but with proper desktop processors in them…

Those Zino’s are quite expensive for a PC might as well buy the macmini. Good point in regards to the atom chip!

Laptop + USB mouse?

Fujitsu Siemens Q5030 or whatever their up-to-date equivalent is. Great little PC. Has a proper C2D processor, fast enough for me not to have bothered looking at what specific chip it is.

Dell Insprion Zino?

£267 isn’t anything close to a MacMini unless you buy second hand.

Thanks brassneck, Dell want another £200 on top! Ebuyer is far more reasonable. I’ll have a look at the fujitsu.

If it’s just web surfing an Atom processor will be fine, don’t get too tied up on processors.

I’ve got an Atom based machine, and I agree with what others have said, they are really underpowered (if running Win7) and not that cheap when you factor in the cost of Windows. MacMini looks a lot better.

I run wim7 on my (current model) mac mini – its bloody perfect, plus apple keyboard and trackpad.

I spent ages trying to find somethign as nice (off the shelf or custom built) with no avail.

But personally for your mum….I would get a ipad!