Replacing the old pc and I hate it
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Joined: Apr 2008
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From: Albany, UPSTATE NY
Originally Posted by dlq04,Nov 30 2010, 10:19 AM
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.
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.
All along technology has evolved and more stuff gets written for newer processors and can slow down a laptop whose RAM and hard disk space is minimal by todays standards.
I gave in and ordered a Lenovo laptop with the following specs I found through deals2buy.com
Lenovo IdeaPad Y560 - 06465CU, Intel® Core™ i7-740QM Processor (1.73GHz), 15.6" HD Wide LED, 8GB RAM, 500GB, DVD Recordable (Dual Layer), ATI™ Mobility Radeon™ HD 5730 1GB, 802.11 b/g/n, Bluetooth, 1.3MP webcam, Dolby® Home Theater audio and a subwoofer, 6-in-1 card reader, Multitouch pad, VeriFace™ face-recognition software, Windows 7 Home Premium 64-bit, 6 Cell Battery, 1yr Warranty - Black
I seriously considered getting a MAC seeing how hooked I am to my iPhone, but as my laptop will also be used for work, I just found PC/Windows 7 to be the best option for me. Needless to say I can get a lot more for the money I'd be spending on a basic MAC book.
While Best Buy is a good place to see and feel several laptops, may I recommend http://www.deals2buy.com/
Another good retailer is Amazon. If going through deals2buy, validate the seller and ensure that the seller is a proper business and unlike the person Rob posted about in another thread. Good luck
Joined: Mar 2003
Posts: 45,924
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From: Loveland, CO
I have a Dell PC that is working fine (about 3-years old) and an HP laptop (2+ years old). I've never had a problem with my Dell PC but have sent the HP laptop in twice, under extended warranty. Both are good to go for now. 
I like having wireless at home although I do have my PC hardwired. My son and his girlfriend are always on their laptops when they come here.
I like having wireless at home although I do have my PC hardwired. My son and his girlfriend are always on their laptops when they come here.
Registered User
Joined: Oct 2000
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From: Bay Area
Here is what I think: Wait until after Christmas and look on Craigslist for all the used computers people are dumping because they got new ones for Christmas. For home use, many of the used computers are still good enough and powerful enough.
Registered User
Joined: Oct 2000
Posts: 7,401
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From: Napa
I have always had Dell's through the business dept. not home, and always had good luck. I am typing on my 5 year old Dell now.
Second, get as much RAM as the machine will hold. 2GB ain't enough.
Second, get as much RAM as the machine will hold. 2GB ain't enough.
Joined: Nov 2007
Posts: 11,119
Likes: 47
From: Wildwood, TN.
I'm enjoying my Macbook Pro, plenty of great features, amazing image quality and blazing fast. And wireless is the way to go!
http://www.apple.com/macbookpro/features.html
http://www.apple.com/macbookpro/features.html
Joined: May 2002
Posts: 7,250
Likes: 1,577
From: Somewhere in NJ
I was expecting this thread to be more about the agony of switching computers. Data, music, pics, applications, etc... from one PC to another. I'll get to some suggestions at the end.
I have a Dell at home. It's my 2nd one in about 10 years now. Did a memory and video card upgrade and had to replace the power supply, and that's all its required so far. I've been happy otherwise. I don't play the latest games, so an uber-PC isn't a necessity at all. If you're using an 11 year old PC, I'd imagine its for basic home productivity use and some web surfing, not any hard core usage.
Absolutely get a wireless router. They all come with 2, 4 or 8 wired ports which you can still use normally, but adds the flexibility that newer devices (not just laptops, but A/V equipment, TVs, etc... can use). Lock it down and you'll be fine. I do wire everything I can, but some things or some locations make no sense to wire.
As for transitioning, I do the following as a habit, which makes my transitions very easy (as well as sharing between numerous PC/devices on my network - including my A/V receiver, Xbox, PC, work laptop, GF's laptop, and others). Get yourself a NAS type storage device. Get in the habit of saving your data, music, pictures, whatever on it. Then, when you turn on your new PC, you just need to install application software, and the data you require is all still around. Mind you, this isn't an external USB hard drive, but on that connects right to you network and you manage via a web page and looks like a regular drive to your PCs.
It also means that since my primary PC isn't required to 'share' the network resources, I don't have to create guest accounts or fiddle with my PC to let others print or see my music. They can go right to the source device to get them. My PC can also be off and the other devices can use the resources.
Same thing with a printer - either wireless, or network attached, not something directly attached to one PC.
Just my suggestions, GL with a new purchase.
I have a Dell at home. It's my 2nd one in about 10 years now. Did a memory and video card upgrade and had to replace the power supply, and that's all its required so far. I've been happy otherwise. I don't play the latest games, so an uber-PC isn't a necessity at all. If you're using an 11 year old PC, I'd imagine its for basic home productivity use and some web surfing, not any hard core usage.
Absolutely get a wireless router. They all come with 2, 4 or 8 wired ports which you can still use normally, but adds the flexibility that newer devices (not just laptops, but A/V equipment, TVs, etc... can use). Lock it down and you'll be fine. I do wire everything I can, but some things or some locations make no sense to wire.
As for transitioning, I do the following as a habit, which makes my transitions very easy (as well as sharing between numerous PC/devices on my network - including my A/V receiver, Xbox, PC, work laptop, GF's laptop, and others). Get yourself a NAS type storage device. Get in the habit of saving your data, music, pictures, whatever on it. Then, when you turn on your new PC, you just need to install application software, and the data you require is all still around. Mind you, this isn't an external USB hard drive, but on that connects right to you network and you manage via a web page and looks like a regular drive to your PCs.
It also means that since my primary PC isn't required to 'share' the network resources, I don't have to create guest accounts or fiddle with my PC to let others print or see my music. They can go right to the source device to get them. My PC can also be off and the other devices can use the resources.
Same thing with a printer - either wireless, or network attached, not something directly attached to one PC.
Just my suggestions, GL with a new purchase.
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Joined: Oct 2002
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From: Scottsdale
I have had a Dell desktop for more than 5 years with only one problem. That being a hard drive that decided to somehow forget to work. They fixed it over the internet.
I have had a succession of laptops including severa Lenovos, an HP, and a Dell. I have had not issues with my HP, but know several who have and HP is a b***H to deal with.
I have not had to deal with Dell in a few years, but the last time I did they were OK to deal with. The Lenovos were all work laptops and got hauled around the world with me. They worked great except that after 5 years of plugging in and unplugging cable internet, the socket quit working.
A friend of mine has a netbook, and it is slow, the graphics are pretty bad, and after see how it is decided against one.
Absolutely go wireless. After the initial setup, it is a breeze to use, and you can have internet radio, wireless printing, multiple laptops, and a host of others on your network. Do not leave the network unsecured though. I even have my smartphone connect to my wireless network.
The last laptop I bought personally was a 17" display HP. It was so heavy that I basically leave it at home now and use it as a separate desktop. I also have several outboard hard drives. Memory is so cheap now, you might as well buy lots of memory. I have a 250 GB portable hard drive that I use on trips. I have a 500 GB on my laptop at home and a 1TB on my desktop.
I think computers are getting to the point where they are throwaway items, just plan on buying a new one every 3 - 4 years.
I have had a succession of laptops including severa Lenovos, an HP, and a Dell. I have had not issues with my HP, but know several who have and HP is a b***H to deal with.
I have not had to deal with Dell in a few years, but the last time I did they were OK to deal with. The Lenovos were all work laptops and got hauled around the world with me. They worked great except that after 5 years of plugging in and unplugging cable internet, the socket quit working.
A friend of mine has a netbook, and it is slow, the graphics are pretty bad, and after see how it is decided against one.
Absolutely go wireless. After the initial setup, it is a breeze to use, and you can have internet radio, wireless printing, multiple laptops, and a host of others on your network. Do not leave the network unsecured though. I even have my smartphone connect to my wireless network.
The last laptop I bought personally was a 17" display HP. It was so heavy that I basically leave it at home now and use it as a separate desktop. I also have several outboard hard drives. Memory is so cheap now, you might as well buy lots of memory. I have a 250 GB portable hard drive that I use on trips. I have a 500 GB on my laptop at home and a 1TB on my desktop.
I think computers are getting to the point where they are throwaway items, just plan on buying a new one every 3 - 4 years.
Thread Starter
Joined: Jan 2001
Posts: 45,843
Likes: 8,344
From: Mish-she-gan
I guess I have ruled out laptops:
* I am not one to sit bent over with a laptop on my knees watching tv. I prefer to sit at a desk and type in typewriter style.
* I find I do not like laptop keyboard's. I've got some busted fingers & arthritis and find them too flat and too small. I understand I can hook up a standard keyboard to a laptop at home but I'm not sure that makes sense.
* The docking station idea has merit but I won't be switching envirnments often enough for that.
I'm tempted to buy a netbook for future travel and as a second pc source around the house. If so, I thinking Toshiba Mini-NB255-N250. $330. 7hr battery, 2.8#, 250gb hard, and big keyboard for a small unit. Just 1gb memory.
For the desktop, I am considering Asus Essentio CM5671-05.
Pentium Dual-Core E5500 processor, 4GB of memory, a 1000GB hard disk, integrated graphics, a DVD burner. Approx $500. No speakers. And I don't think it's wireless.
CR's Take: Highs - Very good performance while running productivity applications. Loaded with a large 1000GB hard disk. Has an optical digital audio output. Comes with both DVI and HDMI video out. Lows - Does not have any FireWire ports. Does not come with any speakers. Does not come with a printed user guide. Power and CD eject buttons are hard to access. Case does not have hard disk or CD activity LED indicators.
Got'a do something soon; the noise (yah, it's back) is killing me!
* I am not one to sit bent over with a laptop on my knees watching tv. I prefer to sit at a desk and type in typewriter style.
* I find I do not like laptop keyboard's. I've got some busted fingers & arthritis and find them too flat and too small. I understand I can hook up a standard keyboard to a laptop at home but I'm not sure that makes sense.
* The docking station idea has merit but I won't be switching envirnments often enough for that.
I'm tempted to buy a netbook for future travel and as a second pc source around the house. If so, I thinking Toshiba Mini-NB255-N250. $330. 7hr battery, 2.8#, 250gb hard, and big keyboard for a small unit. Just 1gb memory.
For the desktop, I am considering Asus Essentio CM5671-05.
Pentium Dual-Core E5500 processor, 4GB of memory, a 1000GB hard disk, integrated graphics, a DVD burner. Approx $500. No speakers. And I don't think it's wireless.
CR's Take: Highs - Very good performance while running productivity applications. Loaded with a large 1000GB hard disk. Has an optical digital audio output. Comes with both DVI and HDMI video out. Lows - Does not have any FireWire ports. Does not come with any speakers. Does not come with a printed user guide. Power and CD eject buttons are hard to access. Case does not have hard disk or CD activity LED indicators.
Got'a do something soon; the noise (yah, it's back) is killing me!