HTPC Bargin - would you buy

[Pablo1870]

Hello all,

If I can get this for £299, is it a good buy?:

HTPC - Hp 500-319na

Is it a bargin for that price?

Use: HTPC - connected to TV, and all round second family PC.

No gaming. But will be using emet, and prob. a pretty heavy weight security suite.

My sincere thanks, and likes, to all those that contribute their advice,

Pablo1870

[shaithis]

Overkill for what you want, plus isn't going to look too great by the TV. For what you want, my preference is for a self-built AM1 system.

You can put an AM1 together for about £200, it will be near-as-damn silent and be a small sleek box.

[Pablo1870]

I agree completely that for now, and maybe the next couple of years, its overkill. But I want this to be around for 5 to 6 years, as htpc, plus all round family pc.

As its a family pc, I tend to run heavy on security software, and use the more intensive real time protection packages (plus emet).

Will come with a 1 year warranty, (actually you have up to 6 in the UK).

I guess what im asking is that for the price of £299, is it still worth going for?

Or, is this simply a bad idea?

Only part i'll be adding, is a secondary Ssd drive.

My sincere thanks to shiathis, please keep your input comming.

I also welcome the input of any other members of the hexus community,

Pablo1870

[abaxas]

TBH if it's a HTPC you might as well buy a 3 year old SFF ex corp box.

[WellofSouls]

Would be cautious with PC World/Currys refurbished PCs. My current one was a refurb, had to get the graphics card replaced twice as well as the PSU and motherboard. The techs they send round to your house (they have to do work to preserve the warranty) are pretty clueless, don't wait around to see if the problem is actually solved and are pretty dangerous. I had one who didn't even bother to unplug the PC whilst replacing a graphics card.

[rich835]

I don't see much point in a HTPC these days. There are so many low power, small client units around now, like the Roku etc.
My solution is to run a client like a Roku connected to the TV, and have a Server somewhere else with all your media. (e.g. in the garage!)

[LiverpoolsNo9]

Better off sinking about £80 into a Raspberry Pi 2, with a Flirc case and other accessories. http://mymediaexperience.com/raspber...-with-raspbmc/

You then have the added bonus of it being completely portable, for room to room, hotels, or visiting friends.