PC users - is this an OK deal?

[ua_guy]

The short: I need to run a homegrown Windows program and instead of buying Parallels and a Windows license so I can run this program on Mac OS, I figured why not spend a few bucks to get a whole machine to replace an aging Chrome desktop that I use in my shop.

$250

DELL DC15250 (15")
New/sealed in original box. No story on the origin, but he sent me the service tag and it's real and the warranty is good through October 2026 on the original 1-year.

Intel i3100U 8g DDR4 Ram 512gb SSD
Windows 11 Home

1. I'm not sure of the major differences between windows Home and Pro these days. It appears Home does not offer disk encryption?

2. I have no idea what a "Core 3 100U" processor is (that's what the side of the box says it is). AI says it's an entry-level processor, not shocked, but Intel seems to make 17 different models of entry processors these days. The same computer with a Core i5 something-something is available new for $400 from Dell and I have no idea if that's a better processor or not. AI says similar with i5 having more GPU cores? Neither of these laptops output 4k video so does it even matter if either one can stream full HD 1080p smoothly? It will be used to run a dinky little program (it interfaces with ancient on-board diagnostics for vehicles), web-surf/read, and stream video and music.

3. For $250, do you think there is better value in buying a used-something?

[QuarterMillionMan]

Intel Core 3 100U


The Intel Core 3 100U is an entry-level notebook CPU based on the Raptor Lake-U Refresh series (Alder Lake architecture), which was introduced in January 2024. The CPU offers 2 performance cores (P-cores, Golden Cove architecture) and 4 of the 8 efficiency cores (E-cores, Gracemont architecture). The P-cores support hyperthreading (therefore 8 threads together) and clock from 1.2 to 4.7 GHz. The E-cores clock from 0.9 - 3.3 GHz and should offer comparable performance to old Skylake cores (e.g. i7-6300HQ). The Core 3 does not offer vPro features for management.

I'm guessing it should be fine given it was introduced in Jan 2024 which is fairly new.

[QuarterMillionMan]

HP - 15.6" HD Touch-Screen Laptop - Intel Core i3-1315U - 8GB Memory - 256GB SSD - Natural Silver - Walmart.com

I just ordered this laptop from Walmart for $365. Mainly I look at the processor which this one is a 13th generation which is fairly new. For your's I couldn't find what generation but Jan 2024 is fairly new.

[kork13]

Personally, I generally don't buy lower than i5 processors (or equivalent AMD chips). But for a computer doing nothing but minimal tasks, that should be fine.

[ua_guy]

Holding pattern for now. Marketplace guy went silent, and the current version of what he's selling if I were to buy direct from Dell, Dell wants $400+. I might also pause on the idea and look at something a little more robust, a little more future-proof? Hmm.

[QuarterMillionMan]

Today rec'd my new HP 15.6" touch screen 13th generation core i3 from Walmart for $365, very nice. Will sell my old Lenovo 15.6" touch screen 12th generation core i5 which is not that old (bought it in 2025 and the 1 year warranty exprired). My philosophy is to replace items while it is still reuseable and sell it rather than running it into the ground until the wheels fall off and trashing it for $0. I'll probably get $100 for my old Lenovo. I'll post it in the eBay thread when it sells in about 2 weeks or longer (I'm not in a rush to sell it). Debating to upgrade this new HP from 8 GB RAM to 32 GB, and upgrading the 238 GB (250 GB) NVME SSD to 1 terabyte which would make this new laptop blazing fast but I don't really need blazing fast.

[LivingAlmostLarge]

can't you get a new one for that much at best buy?