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Finally replacing my Windows XP computer(s)
Posted on 3/10/17 at 10:23 am
Posted on 3/10/17 at 10:23 am
Not long ago I bragged here how I was still using perfectly usable xp computers I bought 14 years ago, a desktop and laptop. A few weeks ago the motherboard chip for ethernet malfunctioned on desktop, so I pulled out my laptop and have been using it fine last few weeks. Couple days ago Firefox sent me notice they will discontinue upgrades for xp users sometime later this year. I'm using Kaspersky anti virus and they are about only virus vendor still supporting xp but that probably will end soon. So I've been shopping and found a steal at Wal Mart, a HP laptop with 17" screen, 8 gig ram, 1 terabyte disk, 3.0 usb ports, 4 core processor, etc.,....for $450! A drawback I thought at first was the 5,400 rpm disk, but turns out the latest 5400 rpm drives are faster for data/reading than the 7200 rpm drives of just 5 years ago. I've read that Wal Mart can sell brand name computers cheaper than most places because their models are loaded with bloatware that may be a pain to properly remove, but I think I'll give it a go. This HP is not a powerhouse, just for average users, but its specs crush my old trusty Dells, both of which were powerhouse models at the time, both costing more than $2k.
This post was edited on 3/10/17 at 10:33 am
9
Posted on 3/10/17 at 10:31 am to Tidemeister
(no message)
This post was edited on 4/21/17 at 11:08 pm
Posted on 3/10/17 at 10:38 am to pioneerbasketball
quote:
I hear ya. I'm still using dial up.
Don't know if you're joking but my Earthlink provider gives all users dial-up as a backup if cable/DSL has outage, and it has happened now and then down through the years. And when using the dial-up backup it actually does okay for simple web browsing, checking email, but literally dead on any site with heavy graphics/video.
Posted on 3/10/17 at 11:08 am to Tidemeister
quote:
So I've been shopping and found a steal at Wal Mart, a HP laptop with 17" screen, 8 gig ram, 1 terabyte disk, 3.0 usb ports, 4 core processor, etc.,....for $450!
if you plan to use this computer for 15 years like the last one, you might get better specs...
Posted on 3/10/17 at 3:49 pm to NYCAuburn
I technically have had the same computer at least the one I work on for about 12 years now but everything in it has been replaced twice over. Run an asus AMD fx 8350 16 GB corsair 2tb raid setup with g-force gtx 1080 video card and ati all in wonder for multi monitor support I use 3 monitors at once. Its also water cooled. But I have uses the same case.
I hate windows 8+ I really use Linux mint for my work PC and for ducking off I use a chrome book
I hate windows 8+ I really use Linux mint for my work PC and for ducking off I use a chrome book
Posted on 3/10/17 at 3:50 pm to NYCAuburn
That's more than enough for browsing the net checking emails
Maybe add a stick of ram in there but you can do thatfor 80 bucks and 5 minutes
Maybe add a stick of ram in there but you can do thatfor 80 bucks and 5 minutes
Posted on 3/10/17 at 8:01 pm to Tidemeister
In my experience:
Don't shoot low on a new PC.
Aim high. You don't want to be in this same boat in 2-3 years. This is a case of splurge a little so you maximize what you get in the long haul. I'm not saying you need to fork out 2k, but don't be afraid to spend a bit on this.
To further elaborate, the specs you're looking at are at the low end in today's market. Tech is continually improving at an insane rate, so it will just become even more obsolete.
Don't shoot low on a new PC.
Aim high. You don't want to be in this same boat in 2-3 years. This is a case of splurge a little so you maximize what you get in the long haul. I'm not saying you need to fork out 2k, but don't be afraid to spend a bit on this.
To further elaborate, the specs you're looking at are at the low end in today's market. Tech is continually improving at an insane rate, so it will just become even more obsolete.
Posted on 3/10/17 at 10:27 pm to Tidemeister
(no message)
This post was edited on 4/21/17 at 11:02 pm
Posted on 3/10/17 at 10:46 pm to pioneerbasketball
quote:
3 down for $99/month.
I can't imagine there are many customers for it.
Posted on 3/11/17 at 2:28 am to Evolved Simian
This post was edited on 4/21/17 at 10:50 pm
Posted on 3/11/17 at 7:58 am to Tidemeister
You get what you pay for.
I'd suggest saving up and buying a Mac (even a slightly used one). I have two 2009 17" MacBooks. I have put Samsung SSD's in both of them and they work like brand new. I also have several older iMacs that I am upgrading. I've never had a virus problem with any of them.
I'd suggest saving up and buying a Mac (even a slightly used one). I have two 2009 17" MacBooks. I have put Samsung SSD's in both of them and they work like brand new. I also have several older iMacs that I am upgrading. I've never had a virus problem with any of them.
Posted on 3/11/17 at 8:49 am to Kodar
quote:
In my experience:
Don't shoot low on a new PC.
Aim high. You don't want to be in this same boat in 2-3 years. This is a case of splurge a little so you maximize what you get in the long haul. I'm not saying you need to fork out 2k, but don't be afraid to spend a bit on this.
To further elaborate, the specs you're looking at are at the low end in today's market. Tech is continually improving at an insane rate, so it will just become even more obsolete.
The specs I gave are definitely not low end, right in the middle. There are plenty of Windows 10 machines for under $400, with specs like 2 or 4 gig ram, 500mb storage, low end Celeron processors and graphics. I can upgrade to 16 ram and swap out for a SSD drive later on if I want, or add a portable T3 Samsung SSD (which I did already for my office machine), for under $150, and Windows 10 will be supported well into the future. Again, $450 too good to turn down imo. I did look at more powerful machines but just not worth it for my type of usage.
Posted on 3/11/17 at 10:25 am to Tidemeister
PCpartpicker.
frick Walmart, if you can follow motherboard instructions you can build a much better PC that will be mid/near top of the line for half the price. Or find a complete build on there for your price range that will shite on Walmarts.
ETA: I always want to get at least 4 years out of a PC.
frick Walmart, if you can follow motherboard instructions you can build a much better PC that will be mid/near top of the line for half the price. Or find a complete build on there for your price range that will shite on Walmarts.
ETA: I always want to get at least 4 years out of a PC.
This post was edited on 3/11/17 at 11:21 am
Posted on 3/11/17 at 11:26 am to pioneerbasketball
You are Hughes net, The biggest scam there is?
This post was edited on 3/11/17 at 11:27 am
Posted on 3/11/17 at 12:17 pm to 870Hog
(no message)
This post was edited on 4/21/17 at 10:25 pm
Posted on 3/11/17 at 2:29 pm to pioneerbasketball
Crazy, I have 15 down for 45$ And can get 50 for I think 100$.
Posted on 3/11/17 at 2:55 pm to 870Hog
(no message)
This post was edited on 4/21/17 at 10:20 pm
Posted on 3/12/17 at 7:50 am to 870Hog
This post was edited on 4/21/17 at 9:56 pm
Posted on 3/13/17 at 3:58 pm to Tidemeister
Quality control on laptops nowadays is really shitty. The manufacturers have taken a cell phone model approach to them where they and a lot of general consumers, expect to upgrade every 2-3 years, so they don't really make machines that last. The bigger legacy companies like Dell make so much money on enterprise servers and crap they really don't care. Chinese brands are starting to make a push in, and I don't really need to explain their quality control. I'd steer away from Wal-mart, IMO.
For a desktop, build your own at Fry's and never question otherwise. For a laptop, get an HP at Best Buy for like $700-$800. Go the cheap route at your own risk.
For a desktop, build your own at Fry's and never question otherwise. For a laptop, get an HP at Best Buy for like $700-$800. Go the cheap route at your own risk.
Posted on 3/15/17 at 10:08 am to pioneerbasketball
Waiting on that GoogleFiber here in Atlanta... I'm in the "signups coming soon" phase, which likely still means 6-9 months away. 70 for 1gig up/down... yes please. Of course, by the time it rolls out, VZ will likely be closer to their "5G" wireless test trials in ATL which is roughly 20x the speed... but no way to get yourself onto the trial market... they're selecting specific areas based on proximity and conditions...
And I second what most have said here, shoot for high-middle of current specs... can usually find some value options there and much more likely to last you 3-4 years than buying at the bottom end, and getting 12-18 months.
And I second what most have said here, shoot for high-middle of current specs... can usually find some value options there and much more likely to last you 3-4 years than buying at the bottom end, and getting 12-18 months.
This post was edited on 3/15/17 at 10:17 am
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