Need a new computer???

[EugeneNine]

I don't understand how people can use a laptop as their primary machine. I had to use one for a couple of weeks while traveling for work, and having to look down at the screen instead of straight ahead for a desktop monitor just killed my neck. And the keyboard sucks in comparison - at least I had a mouse and didn't have to use that miserable trackpad.

Its a touchpad, trackpad is Apples name for a touchpad. I've been using laptops as primary machines since the 90's, won't ever go back. The trick is to take a little bit of time to get used to the touchpad then crank the speed up.

Pretty much every brand has decent products now a days, only brand I really avoid is Apple.

 

[Robotech]

Pretty simple solution. I have a 24" monitor, wireless mouse and keyboard sitting on my desk. Either my wife or I can plug in and be running using the extended desktop feature with both the big screen and the laptop.

It's easier (and more comfortable) to sit a laptop on my desk when needed than to sit a desktop PC in my lap on the sofa.

Some years ago when the company IT department finally agreed that I needed a new computer, rather than supply a laptop (necessary) and a desktop workstation, they went with a high-end, tricked out 17" Dell Precision laptop, a docking station with more room for cards and another hard-drive, 24" monitor, keyboard and wireless mouse.

The laptop was as powerful as many high-end workstations, and worked well with CAD software with both the monitor and laptop screen used together.

Of course, this was a fairly expensive system (~$6k without software.), and it was a very heavy laptop to take on the road, with limited battery life, but it did the job.


Currently I favor the i5 and i7 Intel processors, Gigabyte or Asus motherboards, and Windows 7. My current personal laptop processor is a bit older, but it still lets me run a virtual machine with Windows XP (Free from Microsoft) to support some legacy business/school/engineering software that weren't able to run on the main Win 7 installation.

Another big consideration is whether or not there are drivers available for any older peripherals you are still using. I had to work pretty hard to get my flatbed scanner working again with the upgrade from XP to Win 7, and while I managed to get my TV input card working finally, a Windows update killed it again and I eventually had to get a replacement card that had the Win 7 drivers.

 

[Rastoff]

I'm not trying to say go buy a Mac. I'm just trying to admit that several years ago I did buy one and one of the things I did with it was some light video editing and was blown away by it. I still would try the Wipedrive and reinstall what you actually need first before buying a new PC and spending all the money. As an FYI I'm still seeing reports that people upgrading to Windows 8.1 are getting some serious blue screen of death type bugs so if you do go new keep that in mind.

Sorry, I wasn't directing that at you.

I think the Wipedrive is a good idea, but I'm balking at starting over. I'm pretty sure I have a Windows 7 disk around here somewhere, but I don't know where.

It's my understanding that Windows 8 is geared toward touch screen stuff and if you don't have one, it's not great. Since I don't have a touch screen, and don't want one, I'm sticking with Windows 7. I haven't had any trouble with it.

I'm also wondering if it's worth it to just drop a new video card and some more memory in there. That could help a lot. Running the video off the motherboard has never been a good idea.

I hear good things about Linux, but would I be able to run all my Windows based programs on it?

 

[ChattanoogaPhil]

I think sticking with 7 is a good idea. And dropping some memory and a new vid card in your computer won't cost much even if you later decide to get a new computer anyway. Getting a (1-2)TB external to expand your storage will work with a new computer too.

 

[quneur]

I hear good things about Linux, but would I be able to run all my Windows based programs on it?

Some but not all. Wine (Windows Emulator) will work on some older programs but newer bloatware can be a hit or miss.

Linux grew up from being a technical OS to being an OS for everyone. As such, it also has to retain the technical aspects to keep techies happy. Its different from the Mac and Windows as both grew up with the non-tech user in mind. You need to treat Linux as another peice of software like Adobe (which is what an OS is). You can be a novice or expert depending upon how much you need it to do.

The benefits are:

1. Its free
2. 99% of the software is free
3. because of its directory structure, less prone to malware attacks
4. very stable

If you are going to use a computer to just surf the internet and simple programs then Linux is your best option. Linux will not allow files to be written or read unless you give it specific permissions to so, you don't really need resident malware scanners. If you need to use specific software then use the OS is was written for.

BTW, the best novice Linux flavor is ubuntu in my opinion. Other variants (distributions) often times will be slow in updating their repositories (where you get software) and more often than not, software will install itself in odd places. Trying to find the executable file can be a hunt through the entire file system. Ubuntu is easy to use and install and it has a search feature (the best feature of Ubuntu) which will find all your applications.

To use Linux effectively, you need to learn a few things: respositories, file permissions, Unix directory structure, software dependencies and writing/editing various initialization files. Most of it is one or two commands but you need to know what's going on. Its easy too learn but there's always one more command which works better or newer. Not hard but because there's alot it can be daunting. Think of it as DOS on steriods. I say burn an Ubuntu DVD/Live version and play around before installing it. Other option is dual boot Windows/Linux or virtual box Linux. Sorry for the length but changing OS isn't something to do likely.

 

[wildenout]

+1 for Mac, they can do anything a PC can and then some. No viruses to boot! Plus most of the desktops come with that Terrabyte of storage. They once told me I could save every picture I ever saw and it still wouldn't fill it in my lifetime...

 

[Rastoff]

I wrote something, but it clearly falls on deaf ears and people don't actually read before posting anyway.

 

[cmort666]

For a desktop computer, I build my own.

If you know ANYTHING about computers, or are willing to learn, that's the ONLY way to go, ESPECIALLY if you HAVE to have a working computer at all times.

Name brand computers tend to be highly proprietary, although some of them are less so than previously. There's NOTHING on my PC besides the motherboard and processor that can't be replaced at 3:00am with a trip to Walmart.

I haven't owned a name brand desktop since the '90s.

I'd build my laptops if I could.

 

[cmort666]

To those that have helped, thank you for all your advice and help. I appreciate it very much.


To those that just want to say, "Go buy a Mac", you're not helping. I've already stated a few times that I've owned a couple and don't want another. If you want to help with finding a new PC, fine. Otherwise...

The MAC O/S is Linux deeply buried under Apple's user interface.

Personally, I've never felt the need to be that insulated from the operating system. If I wanted Linux, that's just what I'd get, and in fact, that's what I just put on my mother's old Toshiba laptop that she sent me when Geek Squad talked her into buying a new one, since I had no money or vacation time to go to Illinois and fix it myself.

I'm not sure I see the point in spending a LOT of money for a computer so that I can run a heavily disguised version of Linux, when I could just run REAL Linux for FREE, on MUCH cheaper hardware.

 

[Rastoff]

The MAC O/S is Linux deeply buried under Apple's user interface.

Now there's something I didn't know.


I think I'm just going to add a video card for now. That will get me most of what I want I think.

 

[ChattanoogaPhil]

Before buying another vid card, are you certain your card does't have both a VGA and DVI?

 

[EugeneNine]

The MAC O/S is Linux deeply buried under Apple's user interface.

Personally, I've never felt the need to be that insulated from the operating system. If I wanted Linux, that's just what I'd get, and in fact, that's what I just put on my mother's old Toshiba laptop that she sent me when Geek Squad talked her into buying a new one, since I had no money or vacation time to go to Illinois and fix it myself.

I'm not sure I see the point in spending a LOT of money for a computer so that I can run a heavily disguised version of Linux, when I could just run REAL Linux for FREE, on MUCH cheaper hardware.

Technically Apple's OS is BSD based with a very annoying interface on top of it by a terrible company whose followers believe them to be perfect.

And yes, why over pay a *******ized unix by an arrogant company when you can use the same thing with a better interface on better hardware for free. I switched to Linux a decade ago.