My current desktop is quite ancient, and I'm going to need a replacement and hope for some advice from y'all. I need one with plenty of storage since i will be partitioning the HDD for Windows 8.1 and Linux Mint Debian Edition. My current one (7 years old)is at my computer guru's and he's had a serious family illness and I have no idea when he will be able to get it back. My backup one is 13 years old (1.4 Athlon chip, 1536 RAM, 320 Gig HDD, dual boot with Windows XP and LMDE
Here are the facts:
1) I usually use a product until it is obsolete or becomes unreliable or when it costs more to fix than a new one (To upgrade to Windows 8 will require new hardware).
2) My wife just bought a new laptop with Windows 8.1, so I'm going to have to learn that OS from the ground up anyway.
3) I prefer the Linux Distro, LMDE (mate)
4) My computer is used as a jukebox (through my sound system), email, surfing, photos, and forums. I also fancy myself an author. I am not a gamer
5) I expect to put up to $600 into just the cpu since I've all the peripherals.
6) I have not gotten into touch screen and will cross that bridge when I get to it but would like the new cpu with the ability to add that in the future.
7) I'd like one powerful enough to still be functional for at least five years (hopefully more).I'm currently using 7 - 14 year old ones with Windows XP and LMDE (Mate).
8) This computer will be hardwired into my router.

Based on Consumer Reports HP appears to have among the top reliability ratings. So, among others, I's seriously considering purchasing a HP 700 Envy 700-056 from Office Depot which is only 3 miles away, so if it dies, I can take it back easily.

With our business membership and discounts and sales, I should be able to get this unit for $500+.

I've considered a laptop, but plan on using this unit in a fixed location and desktops are less expensive than comparable laptops. And I'm somewhat biased against laptops as i was given a HP laptop in 2012 for Father's Day which was brought out and set up without my notice and a 14 year old grandkid poured her drink into it ruining it before I ever even turned it on. (I can clean and/or replace keyboards.) And no, there wasn't a replacement warranty on it!!

Suggestions, comments, and other recommendations will be appreciated since the only time constraint is the April cessation of security support for Windows XP. We do have a Walmart 2 miles away and Best Buy, Target, and Staples, computer shops nearby in our area.

Thanks for any assistance,
tlcmd (aka Dick)

I've always had good luck with Dells. I have three of varying lineage right now (netbook, laptop, desktop) and have had several others over the years. I also have a Lenova graphics tablet which absolute rocks and runs Linux like a charm.

If you are willing to pay a little more for a native Linux install (because they don't have the volume), there's Zareason (I have one of their tablets; it's very well-made), System76, and ThinkPenguin that I know of.

1 members found this post helpful.

There were times when every new CPU was a step forward. I remember when I upgraded from i286 to i386. Wow. These times are over. My wife's nettop is an Atom with 2 GB of RAM. It is snappy running Gentoo, she is happy with it, it does everything she needs. Internet, email, photo editing. Cost me less than $200 ... well I had the case and a hard drive. She never shuts it down - it is low power and it is not acting as a space heater. Forget $600 CPU ... even if you live in Alaska there are cheaper ways to keep you warm.

1 members found this post helpful.

Frankbell and Emerson,
Thank you for your replies to my post. They are helpful. One reason I put the $600 limit for a cpu in order not to eliminate any suggested ones which were in the more expensive price range. I am still on the fence and am researching the purchase of a new computer since I have working ones with Windows XP, Vista, and Windows 7, all with dual boots of LMDE and one of those Windows OS.
The other reason i put the $600 upper limit is that I am 73 and since my oldest computer is 14 with a 1.4 GHz Athlon chip and still runs both Windows XP and LMDE (somewhat slowly), I'd hope to invest the cash into a unit which has the power to last and accept a newer or updated OS I liked. but without having to significantly upgrade the hardware.

Thank you again for your input. I'll add it to my store of knowledge and let you know what I get.

tlcmd (aka Dick)

You might want to take a look at reconditioned machines. If you are going to put Linux on the box, you can get a lot of bang for your buck.

My girlfriend has had such good luck with TigerDirect over the years that's it has become the first place she looks when she needs something computer-related.

I got three of my Dells over the years from a reliable secondhand shop near where I used to live. I'm typing on one of them now, a P4 tower that I've had for at least six years.

I have a hunch you're looking to do what I did two years ago - get yourself as future-proof a computer as you can (won't be obsoleted quickly). My answer was to build my own. Don't worry about your age - I was 78 then, and that was the first time I ever tried to build one. It's not really "build", it is more like "assemble parts".

From this bit-

I think that tlcmd doesnt mean 'CPU' but rather 'box', or 'boxxen' or 'case without monitor/keyboard/mouse/speakers'.

I probably wouldnt get one of those.

Its an AMD 'fusion' system with an 'APU' (GPU + CPU on the same package). The AMD A10 6700 APU has an AMD 8670D GPU, which is new enough to still have possible issues with the closed source and open soruce drivers.

You are also paying for that GPU, which has more power than you will need if you dont use the system for gaming.

I'd spend a little more and get an intel i5 (should be doable for under $700 even if yuo go to HP or one of teh otehr major manufacturers). Or if you want to stay under $600, a AMD fusion compatible CPU without the GPU (e.g. one with a Athlon X4 760K) or an AMD AM3+ 'piledriver' system (FX-8XXX or FX-6XXX)