Good bang for the buck non-gaming PC

[Stoney Mason]

One my relatives was asking me advice on a good PC. This person mainly just surfs the internet, uses office, Youtube, etc. They don't need a gaming machine or anything. They are the type who wants to go to best buy or a place like that and get one. Any suggestions? I know what to look for in a gaming PC but not for regular user. Something preferably cheap but zippy enough to get done what they want.  Thx in advance.

[demi]

If all they do is casual stuff, why not just get any off the shelf machine?

[archnemesis]

I would just get a cheap Dell and uninstall all the bloatware.

[Tasty]

Samsung Chromebook: $250

[Stoney Mason]

If all they do is casual stuff, why not just get any off the shelf machine?

That's what I mean but I legit haven't bought a non-gaming machine in so long I don't know what's a decent one that does the basic stuff at an acceptable to good level and in a peppy fashion. I mean I could assume they all do since they are modern computers, but I would guess some are still far worse/better than others. I was mainly asking has anybody bought anything recently like that, they are very happy with as a basis for comparison.

[Momo]

Samsung Chromebook: $250

(Image removed from quote.)

 

[fistfulofmetal]

ps4

[Polari]

Andrex you're so predictable. Chromebook is a good option if they can use Google Docs instead of Office though, as they'll just keep going without any user intervention.

[Tasty]

Andrex you're so predictable. Chromebook is a good option if they can use Google Docs instead of Office though, as they'll just keep going without any user intervention.

Yup. Performance will never degrade and there's no antivirus software to install or nagging updates, etc.

[MCD]

A bunch of Windows 8.1/Haswell devices were announced at IFA 2013:

http://blogs.windows.com/windows/b/bloggingwindows/archive/2013/09/05/windows-8-1-tablets-and-pcs-unveiled-ifa.aspx
http://www.techradar.com/us/news/world-of-tech/ifa-2013-all-the-latest-news-1159615
http://www.theverge.com/tag/ifa
http://www.engadget.com/tag/ifa2013/

Wish there is a better list somewhere. As you can see, Toshiba's two new devices are well priced:

http://www.theverge.com/2013/9/5/4696168/toshiba-launches-two-new-windows-8-tablets-click-encore

Note: all 8 inch Windows 8.1 tablets come with free Office 2013 pre installed to drive the sales. So far, there is this new Toshiba and the first one announced about two months ago, Acer Iconia W3 (terrible but you get what you pay for, I guess).

Edit: if you need something now and can't wait for 8.1 then take a look here: http://www.microsoftstore.com/store/msusa/en_US/cat/Computers/categoryID.62684600

Most are pricey but they don't come with bloatware.