Quick wins for a faster PC:
Repair Windows errors before they cause bigger problemsFix Now →Scan for outdated or missing drivers - takes under a minuteDriver Scan →It depends on what you mean by “looping.” If you only want to repeat a video while watching, YouTube’s built-in Loop control costs nothing and needs neither a desktop nor a cloud VM. If you need a remote browser or a continuous YouTube Live broadcast, those are different jobs with different costs. Google Cloud’s listed e2-micro compute rate works out to about $6.11 for 730 hours, before disk and network charges; without a desktop price, measured power draw, and local electricity tariff, there is no defensible universal break-even figure.
First decide what “looping YouTube videos” means
Repeat a video while you watch
YouTube’s player can repeat a video or playlist directly. On a computer, open the video, right-click inside the player, and choose Loop. You can also loop a playlist. This is ordinary playback, not a live broadcast, and does not by itself call for a VM or a dedicated computer. See YouTube Help’s instructions for looping videos or playlists.
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Keep a remote browser playing
A VM can host a browser that plays YouTube remotely, but that requires an operating system and browser as well as the VM itself. A low-cost shared-core VM should not be assumed to behave like a desktop running a browser continuously. The price comparison below is a compute reference, not a browser-performance or reliability test.
Broadcast prerecorded videos as YouTube Live
A continuous live broadcast of uploaded prerecorded material is a production workflow, not the player’s Loop control. It may use a computer running streaming software, a cloud VM configured for playout, or a cloud playout service. Compare those options only if a live broadcast is actually what you need.
#1 Best Overall
- Model: Dell OptiPlex 7050 Small Form Factor (SFF)
- Processor: Intel Core i7-7700 3.60 GHz
- Memory: 32GB DDR4 Ram
- Storage: 1TB Solid State Drive (SSD) Fast Boot + Storage
- Operating System: Windows 11 Pro (64-bit)
What Google Cloud’s e2-micro example costs
Google Cloud’s general-purpose pricing page lists an e2-micro on-demand compute rate of $0.008376428 per hour in its USD reference pricing. Multiplying that rate by an illustrative 730 hours gives approximately $6.11 for compute alone. That is a calculation from the hourly rate, not a quoted monthly bill or a universal regional price. Check the current rate for your region and consumption model on Google Cloud’s general-purpose VM pricing page.
The e2-micro is a constrained reference point, not a desktop equivalent: Google documents 2 guest-visible vCPUs, 1 GiB of memory, and 0.25 fractional vCPU capacity for this shared-core configuration. Shared-core instances time-share physical CPU resources. Those specifications do not establish that a browser will perform reliably for continuous playback.
Rank #2
- [INTEL POWERED CONTENT] - Built with a 8th Generation Hexa-Core Intel i5 and 32GB of DDR4 RAM; Modern, Windows 11 ready, with 4K support, Executive multitasking, media streaming and smooth, multi-tab web browsing; Perfect as an all-purpose multimedia computer; built for content creators; Plenty of RAM and Mass storage for photo and video editing powered by Intel HD 630
- [LATEST WIRELESS TECH] - This Dell Desktop Computer easily connects to the internet through the Built In WiFi / Bluetooth
- [SOLID STATE STORAGE] - This Dell Computer setup comes with an ultra-fast 1TB Solid State Drive (SSD); Setup as the primary boot device; Boot and load programs with lightning speed ; Additional expansion available
- [BUY & OWN WITH CONFIDENCE] - From the world's largest Microsoft Authorized Refurbisher; Quality Guarantee and Free Tech Support; Award-winning Customer Service; | Support Sustainable Business
- [MODERN HI-SPEED PORTS] - USB 3.0 (x4) | USB 2.0 (x4) | DisplayPort (x1) | HDMI Port (x1) | Audio Combo Jack (x1) | Audio Out (x1) | RJ-45 Ethernet (x1) | Internal SATA (x3)
Compute is only one part of an all-in VM cost. Google says VM, storage, and networking charges are involved, and persistent disk is billed separately. Depending on your setup, network use and applicable software or licensing charges can add to the total. Use Google’s VM pricing information and calculator for a deployment-specific estimate.
How to compare a refurbished desktop with a VM
Use the same task and comparison period for both options. For a desktop, count its purchase price, energy use, and maintenance. For a VM, count compute, disk, network, and applicable software costs. Include a monitor only if it will actually stay on; a monitor can materially change a desktop’s energy use.
Rank #3
- This Certified Refurbished product is tested and certified to look and work like new. The refurbishing process includes functionality testing, basic cleaning, inspection, and repackaging. The product ships with all relevant accessories, a minimum 90-day warranty, and may arrive in a generic box. Only select sellers who maintain a high-performance bar may offer Certified Refurbished products on Amazon.com.
- Dell Optiplex 3050 SFF Desktop computer PC, Intel Quad Core i5-6500 up to 3.6GHz, 16GB DDR4, 256GB SSD
- Includes: USB Keyboard & Mouse, USB WiFi adapter, Microsoft office 30 days free trail.
- Port: Front: USB 3.0(2), USB 2.0(2); Rear: DP, HDMI, USB 3.0(2), USB 2.0(2), RJ-45.
- Support 4K (3840x2160) Dual display, makes it easy to connect two monitors at the same time, and you can expand working Windows, mirror content, or expand a single window across multiple monitors.
Calculate the desktop’s energy cost
- Measure or obtain a credible figure for the desktop’s average power draw in watts under the workload you intend to run. Do not treat a power-supply rating as the machine’s measured average draw.
- For continuous operation, calculate energy use as
average watts × hours ÷ 1000to get kilowatt-hours (kWh). - Multiply the kWh total by your local electricity price per kWh. Add any monitor use and relevant maintenance costs.
- For a longer comparison, allocate the purchase price across the period you expect to use the refurbished desktop. State that useful-life assumption rather than treating the upfront cost as a recurring monthly bill.
Calculate the VM’s cost
- Choose the VM type and region that can handle the actual workload; do not use e2-micro as a performance guarantee.
- Estimate the hours the instance will run during the same comparison period. For always-on use, 730 hours is an illustrative month, not a promise of exactly 730 billable hours.
- Add the region-specific compute estimate to disk, network, and any applicable software or licensing charges.
- Compare that total with the desktop’s purchase cost allocation, energy, and maintenance over the same period.
There is no supported desktop-versus-VM break-even number without a real refurbished desktop quote, measured or documented power draw, local electricity tariff, and a specified VM configuration and region. Those inputs can change the result substantially.
Which option fits the job?
| Need | Starting point | Important qualification |
|---|---|---|
| Repeat a video or playlist while watching | Use YouTube’s built-in Loop control. | This is player playback, not a continuous live broadcast. |
| Run a browser remotely | Estimate a VM sized for the browser workload. | The e2-micro price is compute-only reference pricing; it does not establish browser performance or all-in cost. |
| Keep a physical machine running locally | Compare a refurbished desktop’s upfront price and measured energy use against the VM’s complete charges. | Include the local tariff, monitor use, maintenance, and the period over which the hardware cost is allocated. |
| Broadcast uploaded videos continuously as YouTube Live | Choose a playout method designed for live streaming. | This is separate from looping a video in YouTube’s player; setup, recovery expectations, and total cost differ. |
Or let it run in the cloud
For continuous YouTube Live playout of uploaded videos, StreamNeo is an alternative to running a desktop or configuring a VM. Upload a recording or build a playlist, add your YouTube stream key once, and go live. StreamNeo loops the uploaded videos from the cloud, so your computer and home connection do not have to stay on.
Rank #4
- 【AN INDUSTRY LEADER】- As a Microsoft Authorized Refurbisher, we pride ourselves on producing quality remanufactured PCs. Every machine is handled with care, and our experts are dedicated to giving them a new life. We are committed to reducing e-waste, and it is our goal to ensure each machine we process can satisfy our customers needs.
- 【PROCESSOR】- Intel Core i5 7500 (6MB Cache, 3.4GHz up to 3.8GHz Turbo Boost). TPM 2.0 is recommended for Windows 11, yet this PC only has TPM 1.2. This PC may not support all security features and newest updates.
- 【RAM & STORAGE】- 16GB DDR4 RAM, 512GB SSD, Preloaded with Windows 11 Pro 64-bit.
- 【CONNECTIVITY】- 2x Display Port 1.2; 1x HDMI 1.4; 1x USB 3.0 Type C; 5x USB-A 3.0; 4x USB-A 2.0
- 【BUILT IN WIFI & BLUETOOTH】- Built-in Intel 7260 featuring the latest 802.11ac Wi-Fi for enhanced wireless performance and integrated Bluetooth for seamless device connectivity.
- One flat price per slot for any uploaded quality up to 4K 60fps, with no re-encode or quality tiers.
- Automatic recovery if YouTube drops the stream.
- The first day is free, with no card required; one free day per account.
- Monthly billing is $9.99 per month.
StreamNeo is for streaming uploaded videos to YouTube; it is not a remote browser for ordinary YouTube viewing. See StreamNeo, then start the free day.
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Quick Recap
Best Value
- Powerful 8th Generation Processor - The Dell OptiPlex 7060 desktop computer is powered by an Intel 6-core 8th Generation i7-8700 processor, which can reach up to 4.60 Ghz, enabling efficient multitasking.
- Microsoft Windows 11 Pro – This Dell small form factor desktop computer comes pre-installed with the Windows 11 Professional operating system. Microsoft has reimagined how the PC should work for you and alongside you, and this Windows 11-powered desktop is redefining productivity.
- Smooth Multitasking – The Dell OptiPlex is equipped with a blazing-fast new 512GB M.2 NVMe solid-state drive (SSD), which stores important files and applications while supporting faster boot speeds and higher data transfer rates.
- High-Performance Office Desktop – This business desktop computer serves as a reliable workstation, suitable for both home and business computing. The spacious desktop tower case allows for future expansion, making it an excellent fit for use as an office PC.
- Rich Ports – This Dell OptiPlex computer is equipped with 5 USB 3.0 ports, 2 USB 2.0 ports, and 2 DisplayPort ports, supporting dual-monitor connections. Additionally, a wireless keyboard and mouse are included.
Product prices and availability are accurate as of the date/time indicated and are subject to change. Any price and availability information displayed on Amazon at the time of purchase will apply.
