It is time, sadly, to replace my locally made DigiLink desktop which is approaching 11 years. I upgraded the CPU, ram, hard drive in 2005. Now, it is making some terrible noise of late - but, it comes and goes. I took it apart and blew out both fans, etc. with the air compressor and got lots of dust & dirt but no magic fix. I replaced the power unit a few years back. I'm thinking it's time; don't want to put anymore money into it.

What to get.... netbook, lap top, or another desktop? Or maybe a netbook and a desktop?

According to Consumers Reports Toshiba gets good reliability rating on the first two, with Apple leading the desktops. Of course that just adds to the hard decision. Do I switch to a Mac? Closest Mac store is over an hour away.

I was thinking of a Dell but their reliability ratings are not as good as I expected and many of the recent reviews I read make them sound terrible. I know, who writes reviews . . . upset people for the most part. My experience with HP products has been bad, so they are off my list.

And then there's that whole wireless crap. I don't want wi/fi at home. Call me old school but I still like the idea of wires, a router, and a firewall.

I'm heading down to Best Buy today to hear what some temp employee who is trying to make his Christmas bonus has to say.

Did I mention, I hate this. I suspect many love getting new tech'y crap but not this guy. Too hard for old dogs to learn new tricks.

All I've really figured out is I want 2GB or more RAM and probably 500GB hard drive. That and an easy to use keyboard.

Anyone care to toss out advise? This old dog can use it.

 

Well, here's my .02. I'm no computer expert and can't really advise on hardware, but I can tell you I bought a Dell PC for home use and I've been happy with it. I think is a Vostro? I had guidance from one of the young NE guys when my old PC was dying.

As far as the net book, I was just talking to my sister who has one. She ended up spending over $300.00 on a net book as she wanted it to have some software and a decent keyboard as well as a few other extras the inexpensive ones don't have. A few bucks more and you could probably get a laptop. I guess it depends on what you want to do with the computer. Do you want one when you travel?

 

I have a Toshiba Laptop, and I love it. I replaced an HP with the Toshiba, and the difference is amazing. I also have a Dell Desktop, which I use most of the time, but it is slowly dying, so I will be replacing it shortly, I fear. I will not replace it with another Dell.

Come on, Dave. Get a wireless router...it gives you so much more flexibility, plus when you have your kids visit, they can bring their laptop and use it as they desire without using yours.

My $.02.

 

Good suggestion, Gene. I've given this some thought too. My grandkids are now fighting over computer time at my house. If I had a net book or a lap top they would both have computer time. I've thought of buying one or the other, but have yet to pull the trigger. If we traveled more, I'd already have purchased something........I'm waiting to see what Dave buys.

The wireless connection can be made secure, Dave.

 

I have installed a program called Network Magic on all my computers, which makes setting up a wired and wireless network a breeze. It also alerts me if anyone tries to tap in without my permission.

 

LOVE, LOVE, LOVE my wireless router. Jim can use his laptop, I can use my kitchen laptop to look up quick recipes, and the kids can use their laptops when they come. LOVE IT. I still have desktop in the office and the router is installed there. We DO have it password protected and only the kids and we share that code since we'd just as soon not provide service to the entire coast.

 

Used to be, laptops involved compromises with respect to memory and power, but that's not so true any more. They do tend to be a bit more expensive than desktops, though. Still, I think they're at the point that the thing to do is get a laptop and to consider a dock and a big monitor (for "desktop" use) -- then you can have the best of both worlds. (A dock will also accept a full sized keyboard and a real mouse.)

And I second the wireless approach, particularly if you get a laptop. That way, you can take out on the deck or wherever and be fully connected. HPH

 

Laptop, wireless router, wireless printer.

 

We have a Dell desktop at home. I use that one off a router. Printer connected to it. No problems at all. The +1 also has a laptop which is wireless. Same ISP - $19.95 per month. My agency is all Dell.

 

We don't travel much, not yet, but hope to when +1 retires next June. That's why I'm thinking it might be good to have a travel pc of some kind.

Can you see me I could not stand to hear my old pc screaming at me and suddenly, today, it's quiet as a mouse so far. How does know I'm about to toss it out? If it keeps it's yap shut, I can take more time to decide or . . . put it off longer.

Thanks for the advise; I really appreciate hearing it.