Desktop died, not sure what to do about computer

[Johann]

Buy a Raspberry Pi for 65 bucks and go.....cheapest options.

I have one - also have a Beaglebone Black. They are great machines - particularly for experimenters or for single-purpose use, like TV streaming. However, if you're going for anything remotely like general use, you'd best be VERY familiar with Linux - most OS's available are Linux based. Android requires quite a shift in thought and come to think of it, there's Linux in its bloodline, too. There is a cut-down Raspberry Pi version of Windows 10 (one available free from Microsoft) but it's not the full-bore Win10 we normally get on PCs and the OP said he'd rather not have WIN 10 anyway. Some VERY tech-savvy people have made earlier Windows versions work on the Pi - or at least made the opening screen come up. However, it requires one to be quite a high-order geek to get it going and I've never seen it work nearly as well as on a PC. Not suitable for daily use, as I see it.

For the money, these single-board computers are unbelievable, considering what was available a very few years ago. But there's a learning curve and limits to what they will do. The Microsoft NUC (Next Unit of Computing) single-board machine will run regular Windows 10, but it's considerably more money. By the time you buy one and all the add-ons, you could build a regular desktop. The only novelty here is small size. Unless you have patience, learning time and intend to do some serious experimentation, I don't see a Pi as a general replacement.

As I said before, there are other cheap options. If you need to be up-and-running quickly, try an alternate.

J.