Using a PC to make phone calls...

That's not going to work too well if you have extremely limited resources, mate. Your safest bet is to go with a major brand like Dell or Gateway, just to give two arbitrary examples and pay for an OEM version of what you are looking for that will work well from the outset or the Service Plan will cost them, which is not compatible with the bottom line if they sell you something that does not work acceptably.

A refurb with known stability and limited upgrade possibilities, a barebones with minimal (component-only) guarantees but many later expansion options, or factory-built with known compatibilities that absolutely will work -but is not the cheapest way to go.

Got to decide on only one path, mate.

81 posted on 08/13/2013 10:06:26 PM PDT by Utilizer (Ba-con Ah'hkkba'aar! <- In muzlim world are only fast goats & slow boys. Slow goats all dead. ->)

Get a laptop with HDMI out then you can also hook up a monitor to it. For good laptop deals go to Lenovo outlet. See how it works for a few days. Sometimes prices really get low.

Check out their doorbusters. If you want one DOORBUSTERS must be in capital letters to get the discount. They also have desktops

Good deals but check it for a while. Don’t jump immediately
http://outlet.lenovo.com/SEUILibrary/controller/e/outlet_us/LenovoPortal/en_US/catalog.workflow:CompareByNeed?current-catalog-id=A4A41B4CA13D4754AE2FBF7721EBF357&current-category-id=FA8B804379350E2206FA3ADCC6219BF1&menu-id=products&ref-id=products#/?page-index=1&sort-criteria=1

82 posted on 08/14/2013 2:59:26 PM PDT by dennisw (The first principle is to find out who you are then you can achieve anything -- Buddhist monk)

I just want a computer that will let me edit video with Ubuntu Studio or play games that I know my “low-end” laptop won’t play right now. If this laptop had more RAM and a graphics accelerator I probably wouldn’t be asking these questions. It doesn’t have the space for a graphics card.

My humble suggestion...

Video accelerators "cards" are typically built in on the motherboard. My Dell has an integrated Intel GMA 4500. Most of the ones on the motherboard will not be screaming fast.

The two big vendors left besides Intel are Nvidia and AMD/ATI Technologies.

The key is getting a version of the OS that is compatible with drivers that support the accelerator.

Often an upgrade to a new OS version will cause old drivers to not work; a case like that is highlighted here:

http://cygwin.com/ml/cygwin-xfree/2011-01/msg00001.html

Mesa 3D is the open source implementation of OpenGL. OpenGL is a specification, not an implementation. You'll need to make sure what you need to is installed on your OS; I find it best to do this type of install at the outset, then leave it alone, as changing the X Windows configuration can easily disable X Windows and requiring most people to reinstall. Recovering any files you need would have to be done without the Desktop. I like to keep my files in one directory, keep up to date backups of that directory, and generally not mess with my X Windows config or upgrades in general. Installing new software, which brings along prerequisite packages is "adventurous" enough as it is, IMHO.

Here's an example of "going too far" with one's Operating System version:

http://elrepo.org/bugs/view.php?id=355

CentOS 6.4, the current version, apparently uses new versions of something in the graphics stack of software that is incompatible with some old video drivers.

Here's one guy's comment:

"I have a AMD FirePro 3D V4800. It fail after upgrading to CentOS 6.4. I had to downgrade Xorg to CentOS 6.3 to fix the probelm."

This is the kind of research I'd do before buying.

1) get to know the available accelerators from your PC vendor
2) research to find which version of your desired OS WILL definitely support drivers and actually successfully enable DRI (direct rendering using the accelerator) with which particular model of accelerator, i.e., ATI/Radeon model m, Nvidia model m, etc.
3) Should web search a little as well and make sure your desired monitor won't present known problems. You can certainly buy PCs with no monitor today if you want to use your current one (Dell threw one in for free with my PC - they were determined to get rid of one ! I'm using it now, so it worked out.).
4) Before you buy anything, on a working PC, download the bootable image (suitable for burning onto a DVD) of the working version of the OS that you want to install, then burn it onto DVDs, then try to boot from them and make sure they work (you won't have to actually install, quit before then). This DVD will enable you to always reinstall and "start from scratch" - even if you have no way to get to the internet.
5) Go on Dell's (or other? major vendor) website and "build" or select options for PCs, selecting accelerators you know will work. You might not be able to get all the options you want, especially having your linux installed, since doing it yourself will allow you to choose install options (of course I assume you're comfortable doing this). But you'll get to know what models of PCs they are selling, what the basic differences are (get an idea of the right "line" of machine), and how much they cost.
6) Now you'll be ready to make a call and talk to a salesman to purchase a PC, and have the best chance of it working as you expect.

83 posted on 08/14/2013 3:05:55 PM PDT by PieterCasparzen (We have to fix things ourselves)

Also, you always get more “bang for your buck” in computing power from a desktop than a laptop.

There’s a price to pay for making the same component small.

So, if comparing apples to apples, you’ll find desktops cheaper.

84 posted on 08/14/2013 3:07:31 PM PDT by PieterCasparzen (We have to fix things ourselves)

To: PieterCasparzen

I saw a Youtube with some weird guy playing games like Doom and Quake on a mid-level PC, the video was from a couple years ago. It’s not like I am asking for the moon.

I just want a computer to do what his did. I don’t care if it uses Windows XP normally, I always have my live discs/USB’s. My laptop works with them, so it shouldn’t be too difficult. :P

85 posted on 08/14/2013 3:12:28 PM PDT by GeronL

To: PieterCasparzen; dennisw

Wow Pieter, that is some post.

I will definitely research Linux compatibility for the graphics/video card before I guy it.

86 posted on 08/14/2013 3:15:45 PM PDT by GeronL

I got a 404 from that site.

87 posted on 08/14/2013 3:19:00 PM PDT by sopwith (LIVE FREE OR DIE)

Yes, but I clicked over to the Amazon Kindle web app and it was there. I can look around when I land in the wrong spot.

88 posted on 08/14/2013 3:32:03 PM PDT by GeronL

To: PieterCasparzen

I just booted up the Knoppx 7.0 disc and it seems to work just fine on my laptop. That is the kind of compatibility I need, if something doesn’t work right I might just want to hurt myself.

I am paranoid like that. :)

89 posted on 08/14/2013 3:33:23 PM PDT by GeronL

Excuse me, Knoppix 7.0

90 posted on 08/14/2013 3:33:46 PM PDT by GeronL

91 posted on 08/14/2013 6:01:43 PM PDT by dennisw (The first principle is to find out who you are then you can achieve anything -- Buddhist monk)

everything on that page says $207 with “ecoupon”

92 posted on 08/14/2013 6:27:17 PM PDT by GeronL

eCoupon=DOORBUSTERS

what you type in to get that 207$ price

93 posted on 08/14/2013 10:33:43 PM PDT by dennisw (The first principle is to find out who you are then you can achieve anything -- Buddhist monk)

To: topher; All; amnestynone; kingu; RinaseaofDs; VAFreedom

The MagicJack came in the mail today, and I set it up.

Compared to the trouble I had with A T & T with a LANDLINE, this was simple.

My biggest problem is that the network was not up when it tried to configure MagicJack. That was fixed by unplugging MagicJack and plugging it back in.

Then it worked like a charm.

Thanks, all!

94 posted on 08/16/2013 7:38:04 PM PDT by topher (Traditional values -- especially family values -- which have been proven over time.)

How’s it working now and which Magic Jack did you get? There are at least three types. I am looking into this only because my local phone co has jacked up rates the last year.

I prefer a simple land line but due to price increases they are making me out to be a fool while everyone else is finding better ways to connect

So...I am out!!!

95 posted on 08/30/2013 10:21:47 AM PDT by dennisw (The first principle is to find out who you are then you can achieve anything -- Buddhist monk)

I got the 2009 USB version.

I have solid 4G at home (line of sight from Virgin Mobile USB stick to Cell Tower about 100+ yards away).

As long as I make sure I select 4G as my speed, I am okay.

I also have access to a very high speed internet at a University -- but I avoid use of that during peak times.

Works fine for me, and the price for a year is great.

You also receive an email with any Voice Mail - a feature I like.

96 posted on 09/03/2013 8:33:13 AM PDT by topher (Traditional values -- especially family values -- which have been proven over time.)

“I got the 2009 USB version.”

You got the older model that plugs into the computer. The newer ones (magicjack plus) plug into a router so it works even if computer is turned off. The newer one has reviews all over the place at Amazon

97 posted on 09/03/2013 1:08:53 PM PDT by dennisw (The first principle is to find out who you are then you can achieve anything -- Buddhist monk)

I know. I don't have a router -- I have a USB Internet connection that plugs into my computer.

I have LINE-OF-SITE with a cell tower for 4G Internet Connection on this USB Internet stick.

The USB stick will work on my desktop or either of my laptops.

98 posted on 09/04/2013 12:54:01 PM PDT by topher (Traditional values -- especially family values -- which have been proven over time.)

So this and a cell phone is good enough for your “at home” telephone communications? No more land line or Vonage?

99 posted on 09/04/2013 4:23:53 PM PDT by dennisw (The first principle is to find out who you are then you can achieve anything -- Buddhist monk)

To: amnestynone; topher; TomGuy

We just helped a couple install the magicjack that plugs into the router. I will check with them to see how it is working. I was thinking that would be a good option.

You can call anyone (I use magicjack app on my android phone to make work conf calls when I am working from home); free and don’t have to use my phone minutes.

You can register your number with 911, make 911 calls and receiving 911 alerts.

100 posted on 09/04/2013 4:27:54 PM PDT by ican'tbelieveit

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