Tuesday, April 8, 2025

Recommended Computers: Desktops & Laptops, Used & New


Whether you're setting up a home office, upgrading your workspace, or simply looking for a dependable computer for daily use, finding the right system that balances performance, reliability, and price can be tricky. That’s why I’ve put together this quick list of recommended computers across different categories—from small towers to slim desktops, from affordable mini-PCs to reliable laptops—so you can choose what best fits your needs and budget. These are systems I’ve personally worked with, recommended to clients, or even used myself in the field. Let’s dive in!

Small Tower Desktop: Dell Inspiron 3030 = $720 (+/-)

The Inspiron Small Desktop is now ready for business with an easy-to-use, built-in Trusted Platform Module to protect your data and a wide variety of ports and slots to connect all your personal and business devices. The Inspiron Small Desktop packs great performance features and capabilities into a small chassis designed to seamlessly fit in any space.

Slim Form Factor: Lenovo ThinkCentre M70q = $740 (+/-)

Great little desktop for the money! The M70q can support multiple monitors and run multiple applications and most business programs without issue! It should be noted that these are not gaming PCs, and do not have the video power to support a graphic-intensive game. But they are great solid state computers, with a good amount of storage, are lightning fast, and come with extras such as Bluetooth and WiFi6.

Mini-PC: GMTek M3 = $350 (+/-)

Then, there is also the "Mini-PC" option as well. Mini-PCs are usually only about 6.5" square and about 4"-5" thick. For general office work, school work, etc they are GREAT affordable options to needing to buy a full-sized desktop PC. But they are not good for strenuous tasks such as Photo or Video editing, music/video production work, running a LOT of programs at once (Outlook and Word open while streaming a 4k video, and also having 10 tabs open in Chrome), etc. But for just general use, they are usually GREAT!

New Laptop: Lenovo ThinkPad E14 Gen 6 = $750 (+/-)

The Lenovo ThinkPad E14 is a 14-inch business laptop designed for on-the-go professionals, offering a blend of performance, security, and reliability:

Used Laptop: Lenovo IdeaPad 1 = $450 (+/-)

This is a laptop (if that's preferred) I have been recommending for over a year now and have not had anyone come back angry/upset with their purchase! Great performance value for what your spending!

Refurbished Laptop: Dell Latitude 5490 = $250 (+/-)

A cheaper laptop option (older and refurbished) is the Dell Latitude 5490. For general use with light storage needs, these things are amazing for the price!! I purchased one for my field tech to use, and it's been a GREAT little system for them!!

No matter what kind of work you're doing—whether it’s basic office tasks, schoolwork, or just casual browsing—there’s a computer here that can handle the job without breaking the bank. I’ve chosen each of these based on real-world use, reliability, and value. If you’re still unsure about which one is best for your situation, or if you need help setting one up, feel free to reach out to Pacific Northwest Computers in Vancouver, WA. We’re always happy to help you get set up with the right system for your needs!


You can visit our website at www.pacificnwcomputers.com, or check out all our resources and contact options at www.linktr.ee/pnwcomputers


Happy Computing!


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Benefits of a Custom-Built Computer

Top Benefits of a Custom-Built Computer

✅ 1. Tailored Performance for Your Needs

You’re not paying for things you don’t need (or missing things you do). We can build specifically for:

  • Office work, QuickBooks, spreadsheets
  • Photo or video editing
  • Music Production
  • Gaming
  • Server or virtualization environments
  • Quiet or low-power systems

💡 Example: If you don’t game, you won’t be sold a power-hungry GPU. If you do edit video, you’ll get the right CPU/GPU combo.

✅ 2. High-Quality, Name-Brand Components

  • No cheap “OEM-only” motherboards or power supplies
  • You get real warranties from the component manufacturers (often 3–5 years)
  • You can choose brands you trust: ASUS, MSI, Gigabyte, Corsair, Samsung, etc.

🛡 Better parts = better reliability and fewer headaches down the road.

✅ 3. Easier Future Upgrades

Custom-built systems are built with standardized parts, not proprietary cases or motherboards.

  • Want to upgrade the RAM? Easy.
  • Add another SSD or HDD? Not a problem.
  • New GPU in 3 years? Just plug it in.

Prebuilt from HP, Dell, or Lenovo often have limited or blocked upgrade paths.

✅ 4. No Bloatware

  • Custom builds come with a clean install of Windows
  • No trial antivirus, manufacturer "assistants", or bundled junk slowing your system down

⚡ Result: Faster boot times, better security, more free space

✅ 5. Better Cooling & Noise Levels

  • You can choose quieter fans, better airflow, or even near-silent builds
  • Avoid thermal throttling that’s common in compact OEM PCs

💨 Quiet + Cool = longer hardware life and a more comfortable workspace


Types of Custom Computers/Custom PCs:

Full-Tower Custom PC

✅ Pros:

  • Excellent airflow & cooling potential – ideal for high-performance builds
  • Tons of space – fits large GPUs, multiple hard drives, and custom cooling setups
  • Better cable management – easier to keep clean and organized
  • Future-proofing – room to expand/upgrade later (more drives, more fans, etc.)
  • Quieter operation – more room = better airflow = lower fan speeds = less noise

❌ Cons:

  • Big & bulky – takes up a lot of space on or under a desk
  • Heavier – not ideal if you need to move it often
  • Overkill for basic users – not necessary if you're doing light office work or browsing
  • More expensive – typically costs more than mid or mini-towers
  • Requires more fans – more volume = more cooling zones to manage


Mid-Tower Custom PC

✅ Pros:

  • Great balance of size and expandability
  • Fits full ATX, microATX, and Mini-ITX motherboards
  • Supports most GPUs and cooling solutions
  • Easier to manage than full towers – not as bulky
  • Wide availability – tons of styles, brands, airflow options
  • Usually cheaper than full towers

❌ Cons:

  • Less internal space than full towers (fewer drive bays, tighter for cable management)
  • May not fit the absolute biggest GPUs or custom liquid cooling setups
  • Airflow can vary – depending on model and layout
  • Harder to work inside than a full tower if you have big hands or lots of parts

Mini ITX Custom PC

✅ Pros:

  • Super compact – perfect for small desks, travel setups, or minimalist builds
  • Portable – some cases are small enough to fit in a backpack or carry-on
  • Clean aesthetics – small form factor = sleek, tidy appearance
  • Quiet potential – smaller systems often use low-power, low-noise components
  • Can still be powerful – with the right components, you can game or work hard

❌ Cons:

  • Limited component compatibility – must use a Mini-ITX motherboard
  • Tighter build space – cable management and airflow can be tricky
  • Limited cooling options – fewer fans, limited space for large air or liquid coolers
  • Less room for upgrades – usually 1 GPU slot, fewer drive bays, and RAM slots

Rackmount Custom PC

✅ Pros:

  • Mountable in a standard 19" server rack – perfect for organized IT spaces
  • Excellent airflow and cooling control – designed for thermal-heavy workloads
  • Space-efficient for multiple systems – stack multiple PCs/servers in one rack
  • Great for headless systems – remote-access machines, storage nodes, render farms
  • Optional hot-swap bays – ideal for backup servers, NAS, virtualization, or media production

❌ Cons:

  • Not desk-friendly – not meant to sit under or on top of a desk like a tower
  • Loud fans by default – many rackmounts use high-RPM fans unless customized
  • Limited GPU/CPU cooler support – must check case height (1U/2U/4U)
  • Harder to work on – accessing components often requires sliding out trays or rails


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