Well it came time for me to replace my parents PC (extremely intermittent HDD startup fault) and I decided to go the Mini PC route and settled upon this:

Zotac ZBOX-CI320NANO-U-W2 with Windows 8.1 mini PC 64GB SSD and 2GB ram

My parents only use a computer for E-mail so I believe this will be enough for them.

So what do you all think?

 

What about them? Should be perfectly fine.

 

Good idea. I may do something similar for my parents. I thought about getting a mac mini but this seems much cheaper.

 

I bought one when they were called Nettops (and Netbooks existed) Found it ok for a while but became underpowered real fast.


I wouldnt do it again.

 

The game has changed since then. Especially when browsing/email/light office work is the only goal.

 

i would do a intel NUC over the Zotac

 

Not really. The Nettops were about the same as far as power. Tablets replaced the Netbook. Something like this is nice until next year when Windows 10 drops and this thing can't handle it. And mom and dad hate Windows 8.1 because they hate the lack of start menu and you can't get them to 10, etc.

I would personally get them a Android or Ipad instead.

 

Yes really although maybe not with this particular model.

Processors are more powerful while using way less power. Integrated graphics are far and away better then they were even just two years ago. Chipsets are smaller with more options.

I use 8.1...classic shell is easy to install.

The thing about tablets and phones are you still need a "home base". This fulfills that requirement.

 

For email you only need a 10 inch tablet.

 

Win 8.1 has boot to desktop but I am going to leave metro as the main screen as I can use the big E to do straight to mail...and eff that 10" tablet when one can use a 24" 1080p monitor. My parents are in their 70's so small screen is out

 

My parents are in their 70's and my parents use their Ipad more then a PC.

 

Intel crams entire Windows PC into a HDMI cord - newsnet5.com Cleveland

 

Neat but they lost me at Atom and 2GB.

 

The new atoms are much better than the older ones...I have a venue 8pro and it's pretty fast even with only 2gb of ram..