Need a new computer

[Glenn]

Honestly.. cheap computers don't last because they use cheap parts.

So.. how much did you pay for your cell phone? And how often do you upgrade?
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Glenn
74 Beetle Specs | 74 Beetle Restoration | 2180cc Engine
"You may not get what you pay for, but you always pay for what you get"

Member #1009

#BlueSquare

עַם יִשְׂרָאֵל חַי

[gt1953]

The desktop unit in use is a dell, purchased it in 2013, Windows on it. The last two laptops purchased were used refurbished business class Latitude's. Still cranking along. Next one will be similar as the fellow whom does the refurb on them knows the PC's. They do everything I want. One is like 5 or 6 yrs old.
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Volkswagen: We tune what we drive.
Numbers Matching VW's are getting harder to find. Source out the most Stock vehicle and keep that way. You will be glad you did.

72 type 1
72 Squareback
({59 Euro bug, 62, 63, 67, 68, 69, 73 type ones 68 & 69 type two, 68 Ghia all sold})

[mark tucker]

www.discount computer.

[gt1953]

Mark Tucker the link does nothing but want you to set up a domain.
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Volkswagen: We tune what we drive.
Numbers Matching VW's are getting harder to find. Source out the most Stock vehicle and keep that way. You will be glad you did.

72 type 1
72 Squareback
({59 Euro bug, 62, 63, 67, 68, 69, 73 type ones 68 & 69 type two, 68 Ghia all sold})

[sb001]

At the headquarters of the world's largest retailer, more and more personnel are switching to Linux machines. Especially the modular/ category development crew. One of the company's agendas has been smaller environmental footprint, which boils down to repurposing laptops among other things. So the IT guys come in and reimage the old Windows laptops with Linux software for those who want it, and provide a basic training short course. Take from that what you will.
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I'm the humblest guy on this board.

1969 autostick sedan, family owned since new
1600 SP engine
Solex 30 PICT 3 carburetor
Bosch 113905205AE autostick distributor

[calvinater]

Glenn, my cellphone was free with AT&T in 2011, pantec flip phone. Still going strong original battery. Havent really had my own computer in years , been using daughters old macbook 2010 model. Wont open some websites (wolfsburg west, The Tims (heads) etc ) ,just wanted basic internet at a low price, hope it works out
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"Albatross"!

[Erik G]

bought a chromebook over the weekend. It's fast and does most stuff. Acer, convertible, referb $200

It's going back to Fry's though. I wanted something that could get on Kodi. It does, but it's not stable. One little thing and it stops and goes back to the main menu

[sb001]

[Luft kühl]

[Volks Wagen]

[Cusser]

I have Windows XP.

Well, this week I needed to download a converter to convert DVD discs I've made (not commercial films) to MPEG or MP4 files. Then I needed to update to a Media Player that could play MP4. My first try, I lost my CD and DVD drives, had to restore computer to 2 days earlier. Then I downloaded different ones, OK.

Today I updated MalwareBytes and I also had to add PowerDVD from disc, as I couldn't play the DVD discs, just convert from them. When I did that, I lost FireFox, just got Crash Report. So I had to uninstall FireFox, then download and install again. So now everything back to working.

I hate computers.....I hate computers.....I hate computers.....I hate computers.....I hate computers.....I hate computers.....I hate computers.....I hate computers.....I hate computers.....I hate computers.....I hate computers.....I hate computers.....I hate computers.....I hate computers.....I hate computers.....I hate computers.....I hate computers.....I hate computers.....
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1970 VW (owned since 1972) and 1971 VW Convertible (owned since 1976), second owner of each. The '71 now has the 1835 engine, swapped from the '70. Second owner of each. 1988 Mazda B2200 truck, 1998 Frontier, 2014 Yukon, 2004 Frontier King Cab. All manual transmission except for the Yukon. http://www.thesamba.com/vw/forum/album_page.php?pic_id=335294 http://www.thesamba.com/vw/forum/album_page.php?pic_id=335297

[windfish]

Cusser, bit late now, but if you ever have a video file that wont load again download VLC (orange traffic cone) -- it plays about everything.
And Handbrake is a great free DVD ripper.
btw, Windows XP is nolonger receiving updates, it's probably time to move on.

calvinater, if that old macbook is acting up I think the Apple Store will reinstall the latest OS it can run for free. I'm still running a 2012 Macbook Pro; upgraded it's hard drive to an SSD, works great for webbrowsing and light Photoshop work.

Macs run the same hardware as anyone else. They tend to do a decent job choosing quality components and their laptops tend to be durable, but that's no different than a comparably spec'd PC. I built a hackintosh for my brother, runs fine, and it has significantly more power than a similarly priced Mac Mini.

Kinda late to this thread, but really, if the software you need runs only in Windows then you need a Windows PC. Otherwise Macs and Chromebooks are a great option. Mac can even run Windows in Bootcamp or virtualized, but the main reason to buy a Mac (imo) is for the operating system.

Linux, meh. I ran Linux (mostly Fedora, started with Core 3) as my main OS for ~ 6 years, it was fun while I had the time and ambition to poke around, and it's gotten waay better, but I'm not sure I'd recommend it to someone who wasn't an enthusiast. Or at least someone who didn't have a a local enthusiast to help out.
macOS is certified Unix, Linux is Unix-like.

[calvinater]

Resurecting this old thread, ( its mine i started it damnit!)

Anywho , a word to the wise, Do Not spill Tang on your keyboard, bad things happen.

Looking for a new laptop, any current suggestions ?
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"Albatross"!

[markswagen]

don't split anything on your keyboard.
l like dell lap tops, have been using them for the last 20 years, 4 of them.
l currently have a dell XPS 13.
l got 7 years out of my last XPS13, l had Lattitude D300 before that, before that, the first one, l think it was a Lattitude C600 l think

[Glenn]

You can replace the keyboard on a laptop.... if the machine is worth saving.

I also have been using Dell for the past 25 year at work and at home. I like the business lines, Optiplex (desktop) and Latitude (laptop), yes they are more expensive but they last longer.

Last year i replace my, built in 2013, Optiplex 9010 with a new 7000. My current laptop is a Latitude E5340 14" that's 7 years old and last year, I did a clean install of Windows 11 Pro and it runs great.

I manage 16 desktops at my synagogue and they are all off lease Optiplex that were 4 years old. I paid $305 each for a machine that originally for $1100 when new. So buying off lease is a great way to save... if you don't need he latest machine.

https://www.microcenter.com/product/675112/dell-latitude-3420-14-laptop-computer-(refurbished)-black
Dell Latitude 3420 14" Laptop Computer (Refurbished) - Black Intel Core i5 11th Gen 1145G7 2.6GHz Processor; 16GB RAM; 256GB Solid State Drive; Intel Iris Xe Graphics
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Glenn
74 Beetle Specs | 74 Beetle Restoration | 2180cc Engine
"You may not get what you pay for, but you always pay for what you get"

Member #1009

#BlueSquare

עַם יִשְׂרָאֵל חַי

[calvinater]

Thanks Glenn for the tip , just ordered a 3540 plattitude, scratch and dent , $488 +tax. Should do all i need .
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"Albatross"!

[Abscate]

Ifixit has great titorials, parts, and tools to fix PCs and Macs. SAved me 10,000s over 48 semesters of undergraduate computers, plus medical schools, plus law schools.

Back market dot com has great deals on used stuff, unlocked, just replaced my personal for $200 with a like new IPhone

Rossman Group in TX does great repairs at good pricing if you don’t want to deal with a repair, too,
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.ssS!

[Cusser]

[Xevin]

[scottyrocks]

I like Windows.

The computer I'm on now is my 12 year old HP running windows 7. It does basically everything I need it to, although ad-packed screens do slow it down.

I have, on this machine, a program called process explorer which allows me to close individual tabs, including invisible one, which speed things up a bit.

It does have a little keyboard bounce, and a few keys don't work, but I use a plug-in keyboard, anyway, as i find it easier to use.

I don't know its total battery life at this point but I used it unplugged for up to 3 hours with no issues.

My 2nd and 3rd laptops are also both HP. The 2nd one was given to me by my daughter when she went Mac. It runs Windows 8. I don't like the interface, though.

The newest one is a big-screen HP running Windows 11. I won it at this past company Christmas party. I find this one easier to use than the W8 machine. I disabled the default Microsoft Edge browser so I could use Firefox.
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“If you care for a thing long enough, it takes on a life of its own, doesn't it? Mending old things, preserving them, looking after them – on some level there's no rational grounds for it.”
– D. Tartt, 'The Goldfinch'