Posted on 11/18/2017 2:05:14 PM PST by Baynative
I am in need of a new computer. I gotten the blue screen of death three times.
I am not very savvy on operating or even on understanding a lot of the technical stuff.
I know I don't want Windows10 because my wife has been struggling with it and I don't handle frustration well. I also don't like the idea of "renting" software with potential contract changes every year.
I have heard that there are outlets that sell laptops with Windows7. That's what I've been using for years and it is where I'm comfortable. I'd like directions on where I might buy one of those. Or whether I should just go to Mac and learn how to use an entirely new system.
Do SEARCH on places that sell them, like Amazon, etc.
See the selections down the left side, choose Win7 etc.
Then set UPDATES TO OFF.
The best suggestion for you is to increase your memory. Most pcs and laptops come with 4GB. Bump that to 8GB or even 32GB.
You'll notice the difference and love it.
You be better off using Computers at your local Library.
Windows 10 is fine. If you don’t want understand how to properly update and maintain your Computer. You will be dosappointed.
Not trying to be snide, but you need to keep in mind that Win 7 support is winding down fast and will soon disappear just like XP did. You can’t get updates for any XP browsers oer security and 7 will be there in a couple of years at most. the push to 10 is unstoppable, we will be absorbed just as the Borg do.
Dosappointed = disappointed
I wish FR had an edit function.
I’ve gotten the blue screen a time or two and am still using the same computer. If you haven’t done it copy off the error message and do a search, you might get lucky and find a way to get your machine going again. — Wishing you luck on this, computer problems are not fun.
All I can say is if I was buying one tomorrow, I’d look seriously and a Dell XPS 13 16gb/.5Tb SSD with a docking station.
Whatever you get 16gb Ram and .5TB SSD are pretty much mandatory. If a machine is limited to 8gb Ram stay away from it. You can add 16gb ram pretty cheap but some low end portables cannot accommodate it and then you are screwed. 4GB in the real world is not worth having, it’s just a pricing gimmick.
All I can say is check the specs carefully, you’re just buying parts if you go with a mainstream company. Lenovo has a history of selling bloatware and spyware.
I don’t know how you use yours but I like dual monitors.
If you’re a gamer I can’t help.
I have a Desktop for mine but at the time USB-C was just emerging so I didn’t want to be obsolete the next year.
Some pawnshops have win7 systems, but I wouldn’t spend over $50 for it.
The BSOD is not necessarily a new computer thing. If you don’t like Windows 10, you will probably not like a new computer because everything will be different. Your software has to be re-installed, your icons will all move, etc. Windows 10 can be made to look exactly like Windows 7.
Note that there are two types of memory.
Your Software will want enough RAM memory to run well — as another poster noted, at least 8 GB would be good.
Depending on the amount of pictures, movies, music, documents and software programs you expect to store on your computer, you will need storage. Hard to estimate for another person, but perhaps 1 TB is worth considering. Or you might get by with a quarter of that and just have 256 GB.
A different aspect — once upon a time, paying for a super fast processor (CPU) made sense for some people. These days, I would say that most people do not need to invest extra money to get anything special in this area.
Linux is the way to go if your willing to learn.
When Microsoft screwed everyone with this windows 10 crap. I switched over to Linux. It's a huge learning curve. Because of the difficulty involved in set up it's not good for-everyone. I personally went with Antergos Arch Linux though a lot of people that like Arch Likes Manjaro.
They call Arch linux bleeding edge technology. They are both a little buggy. Which means if I did it again I might start with Linux Mint. Ubuntu is the largest of the Linux based distro(distribution) but the owner does strange stuff that many are upset with.
youtube has more video learning programs then internal collage on line courses. it's been very helpful.
After 20 years of Microsoft idiocracy, I made the total cold turkey leap to All Apple, both personal and business....so glad I did......you may think there is a learning curve....but there is not...just do it....you won’t be sorry
Do not buy HP!!!
You could pick up a nice I5 or I7 for the $200-$300 range.
This is advice I would give family - cheers and all the best!
Tigerdirect.com
Newegg.com
Amazon.com
Walmart.com
Run searches for machines with Win7. They are still available.
Also, some offer ‘off-lease’ and refurb computers relatively cheap.
I am still on Win7 for both the laptop and desktop. I did buy a Linux laptop about a year ago. I am still trying to figure out things on it. Many software programs are not as ‘slick’ as the Windows programs. Linux is okay, but not great for productivity use.
I am still holding out against Win10, but figure we will be forced into it eventually.
I too got tired of buying all sorts of protection for my microsoft machines so I converted to a Mac in 2009.
You pay in the beginning but save in the long term.
I’m on a par with you on technical knowledge. I have a laptop and it’s great.
Just looked through my bookmarks and found this:
https://www.wikihow.com/Fix-the-Blue-Screen-of-Death-on-Windows
—Can’t remember how I fixed it, but if you want to try this page will give you a start.
Here is a link for something.
I have bought two of these for relatives. There may be more offerings of these type PCs via staples than just the one at the link below. Both of my purchases included 12 month guarantees that would fix or replace the machine, and at the low price I add two more years warranty. Both machines were like new and no problems with either one.
With a little research you may find more PCs like this at various prices on staples web site.
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