Seeking computer purchase help

http://www.freerepublic.com/~baynative/ ^ | 11/18/17 | Baynative

[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.

[IamConservative]

I’d give a look at a Chromebook. Much simpler and cheaper than a Windows machine. The newest version of ChromeOS can run android apps.

[Enlightened1]

LOL! Hilarious!

Thanks for the laugh!

[Enlightened1]

My pleasure!

[adorno]

What is chrome supposed to add as a benefit?

It's supposed to be a minimal effort OS.

If that doesn't work, go with a Windows 10 S computer, which might be a bit more familiar.

However, I still don't see the problem with Windows 10 as it stands. I've been using Windows 10 since the beginning, and it works "almost" exactly like Windows 7. In fact, my wife, who is not computer-literate, asked what was the difference between Windows 7 and Windows 10, because, she could not tell any difference. Just set Windows 10 to look/work like Windows 7 and you're good to go. No need to use the Windows-10 tiles-like interface.

[Baynative]

"Just set Windows 10 to look/work like Windows 7 and you're good to go. No need to use the Windows-10 tiles-like interface."

I didn't know that is possible. Does 10 include the traditional Office programs like Outlook, or is all of that different too?

[dayglored]

FReeper computer help ... PING!

You can find all the Windows Ping list threads with FR search: just search on keyword "windowspinglist".

A little late to the party, but better late than never...

[dayglored]

> Get on the dayglored Windows ping list.

Baynative: Interested in being on the Windows Ping List?

upchuck: Thanks for the mention!

[dayglored]

>> "Just set Windows 10 to look/work like Windows 7 and you're good to go. No need to use the Windows-10 tiles-like interface."

> I didn't know that is possible.

I use the Classic Shell application to make my Windows 10 installs more sane. I can get the user interface close enough to that of Windows 7 that it becomes useable.

> Does 10 include the traditional Office programs like Outlook, or is all of that different too?

Microsoft Office is a separate application suite. It does not come bundled with Win10.

If you already have a licensed copy of MS-Office you can install and run it on Win10. If not, you'll have to purchase MS-Office separately, which runs $350 for the full (pro) version, somewhat less for the limited home/student versions. Or take the monthly subscription "Office 653" path.

Or if you're budget-restricted, take a look at the free LibreOffice suite, which runs on Windows, Mac, and Linux, and is very cross-compatible with MS-Office Pro. And did I mention, it's FREE?

[ptsal]

SEARCH AMAZON

WINTEL — $100

[Dalberg-Acton]

You might try downloading Linux Mint Cinnamon 18.2 and burning it to a DVD. Then boot with the DVD and have it install (replace) Windows.

I dumped Windows and installed Linux Mint. The operating system is just as easy to use as Windows. Big plus, I don’t ever have an update take control of my computer.

[Brandybux]

"Most pcs and laptops come with 4GB. Bump that to 8GB or even 32GB."

I offer this observation in case you do end up with a Windows 10 machine . . .

My son-in-law, far more techy than I am, built my PC from parts purchased at Fry's Electronics. I paid for all the parts for two computers (one for me, one for him) after he inquired what I would do with mine (typical things, plus video and audio editing, some graphical stuff with Photoshop and Adobe Illustrator). BTW, the bill for this was comparable to what I'd pay for ONE computer at Best Buy or Office Depot, for comparable power.

I ended up with a machine with 16 gigs of RAM.

I have had no difficulties at all with overloading the system. I've had several memory hogging programs (Adobe programs are the greediest) running simultaneously with a brower, a word processor, and streaming audio (Spotify). A check of Task Manager shows me the use of RAM and it's rarely gotten up to 50 percent. It's like working with your stamp collection on a desk the size of a football field. Your operating system just never runs out of working space.

Perhaps some here use software that justifies 32 gigs of RAM, and perhaps they'll explain why. I'd be curious to know.

[JohnyBoy]

>Perhaps some here use software that justifies 32 gigs of RAM, and perhaps they’ll explain why. I’d be curious to know.

With a SSD drive (especially if you’re running v2 SSD) for virtual memory, there’s no reason to get 32 gigs of ram. Save the money on ram and get a big fast SSD drive

[JohnyBoy]

>Firefox updated and screwed up my operating. Now having to use Chrome, not a big fan, but it updates less.

Try palemoon. It’s a fork of firefox done before firefox got bloated and runs fast with all the right add-ons.

[adorno]

Microsoft includes Edge browser, which bundles MS Office Online as a bar across the top of the screen. Those are not full-fledged Office apps, but for most people, they’re adequate enough.

These appear on Edge browser. You can also open MSN.com on any other browser and get the MS apps to show.

Word
Excel
PowerPoint
OneNote
Sway
Mail
People
Calendar
OneDrive

But, like another FR above mentioned, there are other adequate enough applications that can be used in lieu of the MS applications. You’ll have to install them and maintain those yourself.

[cynwoody]

They’ve all been scanned and cleaned using Photoshop through windows.

If I did switch over to Apple, would the files transfer?

Image files and PDFs are OS-independent.

As for Photoshop, it works fine on the Mac. In fact, when Photoshop 1.0 was released in 1990, it ran on the Mac exclusively. Version 2.5 was the first to run on Windows.

[TChad]

Windows 10 with Classic Shell using "Classic settings" will be immediately usable by someone who has never seen a version of Windows after XP. Classic Shell puts everything back where it belongs.

Don't waste your money on soon-to-be-orphaned Windows 7. Win 10 is quite stable, and Microsoft stands behind it.

DO install Windows updates. They are a PITA but they are there for a reason.

If you don't want Windows, you can install Linux Mint to a hard drive and go with that. There is a learning curve, but it won't be too bad. Mint is designed to look and work like Windows XP. Ask for help setting Mint up here. About two years ago I recommended Mint to a non-tech-savvy guy who was considering replacing his Windows laptop. I helped him set it up, and he has been using Mint ever since without serious problems.

Either way, you can use the Libre Office suite (word processor, spreadsheet, etc.) instead of Microsoft Office.

Classic Shell, Linux Mint, and Libre Office are high quality free programs. Just download and install.

[Varmint Al]

I have a dozen friends using Linux Mint KDE 64 Bit. They are very happy with it. The updates are easy and the system is solid. All were ex-Windows users and it was easy for them to convert over to Linux.

It was easy for them because I installed the OS for them. It is an easy install and much easier than any Windows install I have done. Only a personal password is required and NO authentication is required.

The beauty of Linux Mint is that I can instal the complete OS with all the important applications on one hard drive and then duplicate that hard drive for other computers. All of the necessary drivers are built in. Linux Mint finds the wireless hardware almost automatically and is a snap to setup. (Try that with Windows and the included wireless setup CD)

Also going from Linux Mint KDE 17 to 17.3 is as easy as one click of the Update Manager. The Update Manager automatically checks for updates and does NOT bug you with Pop Ups. The manager icon merely puts a blue dot in its icon's center when an update is avaliable.

I am sure happy I cut the ties with Microsoft 2 years ago.

Here is a link if you are interested in trying Linux Mint 17.3 "Rosa" KDE version.

You can download the .iso file and burn the image to a DVD and run Linux Mint right off the CD to see how easy it is to use. If you like it, you can install it alongside Windows and make a duel boot system.

It does take a little learning and most of the icons on the desktop bring up text to identify them with the mouse over.

One of the beauties of Linux is that all of the drivers and included in the Linux kernel so when you boot up it identifies the hardware and uses the correct drivers while it is loading.

PS I have installed Linux Mint on about 10 different laptops including 4 Dell 620 Latitudes and it works great.

Update: Linux Mint 17.3 "Rosa" KDE version has all the bells and whistles and is completely customizable. The newer 18.0 version is lacking in many of the neat features, in my view.

Good Hunting... from Varmint Al