Posted on 02/04/2014 2:47:51 AM PST by knarf
I want to replace my old, very gunked up Dell, and would like to have W7, if possible
Check out a Mac Mini - they start @ $599 - and often an Apple certified refurbished Mac Mini can be had for $100 off.
That said, I have a 2011 Mac Mini. I installed Parallels 8 (a virtual machine that allows Windows or Linux to be operated inside of the Mac OS) and then bought a Windows 7 System Builder DVD @ Amazon.
The thing is bullet proof and works extremely well.
Best of both worlds.
If you go the iPad route, again check out the Apple refurb store -— BIG $$$ savings. Add a Bluetooth keyboard/cover.
Using an iPad and a program like Documents To Go you can create and edit MS Word, Excel and PowerPoint files (Docs To Go Pro - $20.00).
Add an AirPrint printer (as someone else mentioned STAY AWAY FROM HP!) and you have a wonderful system.
BTW, AirPrint requires a decent wireless router...
Best of luck!
Of course no security required. It’s not a real computer. Who in the hacker world would bother with an overpriced bling toy?
By the way, it is full of security holes. IPad indeed.
ASUS started out making motherboards, IIRC, and developed a reputation for a quality product. I bought one of theirs as a replacement back in the early 1990’s. They eventually expanded into notebooks, etc.
My wife has had an ASUS EeePC netbook for a couple of years and loves it.
Trust me when I tell you you will be happier and have a longer lived computer if you go with any Apple product.
I have used every possible configuration of winter system out there (even my own home built). The truth is if you want functionality with near zero problems then Apple is the way to go.
I would pick either the newest iPad with retina display, a Mac Air (light weight and wonderful). If you need more oomph (and 9-% of users don’t) then you could go with a Macbook Pro. If you INSIST on a desk top version, the Mac is great for that too.
Good luck to you. My Macbook Pro (purchased in 2004 is still working like a champ). I got an iPad with retina display for Christmas and think it is wonderful. Sprung for a keyboard and I am good to go
Yeah, I know. But with smart phones, tablets etc. it was going to happen sooner or latter.
All the computer power in those things (I,myself own a Nexus 7) reduces the need for Desktops and laptops for many people. Heck I've reduced my time on the Desktop and laptop significantly using my tablet.
When I upgraded from XP to Win7, I bought a Samsung Laptop. It lasted just 1 month after the warranty. They did not even have a replacement motherboard (the problem) so I could try to get it repaired locally. I now have an $800 door stop.
I would avoid Sam-junk.
I replaced it with a Dell Win7 laptop. After several months I started having problems with the hard drive. It was sluggish and seemed to be riddled with errors. I bought a new harddrive locally and transferred the image from the repair disks. It has worked great since, and responds much faster.
I had good luck with an ACER XP laptop. In fact, a relative still has it and it still works fine. I bought it in 2007.
When my XP desktop (Tigerdirect made system) which quit a couple of years ago, I replaced it with a GATEWAY Win7 desktop. I have not had any problems with it at all.
ACER now owns GATEWAY.
later
I didn’t care for Windows 8 much until I installed Start 8, now I don’t hate it. I have a Win 7 and Win 8 computer and find them about the same now.
I wouldn’t let Windows 8 be the sole deciding factor.
My Win 7 laptop is Samsung, the Win 8 laptop is Asus, they have both been problem free. Before that I had HP and Toshiba, I had a few problems with them.
Surprisingly, the two laptops that have had the most mechanical failures and software glitches in my house are the two Macs.
Why do you need a desktop or laptop? Is there some specific application software you are using? I stopped using Windows computers five years ago. I replaced it with an Apple Mac Mini for those occasions when I need a full size keyboard and mouse and big screen and printers, etc. but 95% of the time (like now) I’m using an iPad (WiFi and 3G) on the couch, at the breakfast table, on the porch, down the street, on the plane.
I have been very pleased with their products, prices, and customer service. With the most recent computer there was a problem requiring a replacement. They went out of their way to ship me a new one and give me time to move my data before returning the old one.
Garde la Foi, mes amis! Nous nous sommes les sauveurs de la République! Maintenant et Toujours!
(Keep the Faith, my friends! We are the saviors of the Republic! Now and Forever!)
LonePalm, le Républicain du verre cassé (The Broken Glass Republican)
TONS of advice and information here ...
Thanx, all
I DO have one parameter I neglected to mention ... I need a larger screen because of my eyes so the smaller notebooks, pads etc., are out.
I have a 17" monitor now and I think I saw an 18 1/2 ... I'll probably spring for that if I put this together piecemeal.
ALSO ... I cannot ... repeat ... I CANNOT get the hang of flippin' my finger in place of a mouse ... I'm locked into the 90's and I'll stay here 'til I die.
For a laptop, I use 17”. They are a bit higher priced, but worth it.
For desktop, I purchased a 24”. They are relatively inexpensive $120-150 range. Check prices on 27”-ers, too.
Ditto on the ASUS.
ASUS is a good computer. I bought many of them for the DoD when I was designing and testing specialty software. Toshiba is so very proprietary that I had trouble getting them cleaned up and usable for the tests and for field trials.
I have mixed feelings regarding HP but it seems that nowadays they work well and have a pretty good track record (from what I have read).
My grandchildren get Macs when entering high school, where a computer is needed.
Their parents makes then pay for 1/2 the cost themselves because of the price.
They love them.
.
You pay more for Apple but you get your money’s worth.
I subscribed for a year of telephone help from Apple simply because there is no Apple store nearby.
First of all, don’t buy ANY consumer PC. They are all junk. Buy only a business class PC.
That being said, avoid like the plague any PC HP makes.
If you’re willing to pay for the best, the Panasonic Toughbooks are the only way to go. Builtin 3-yr factory warranty, and full U.S. support. And yes, the default is Windows 7 Pro x64.
The second best in my opinion, and less expensive, are SOME of the Dell business class models.
For years, I’ve purchased Dell Optiplex or Latitude PCs with built-in 3-yr factory warranties. Good build quality and good service support, at least relative to other companies. And the default factory OS on these is W7 Pro x64.
The Optiplex 3020, 70x0, and 90x0 are what I buy for client desktops. For laptops, I go with the Latitude E55x0 or E54x0 series, which have just been replaced with the Latitude 14 3000 and Latitude 15 3000 series, which I’ve yet to buy, so can’t speak directly to in terms of quality. The extra 70 bucks to extend any Dell warranty from 1-yr to 3-yrs is worth the money.
Minimum of i5 processor and 4GB RAM
For laptops, avoid solid state HDs; instead go with a 500GB 7200 rpm HD.
I like the intel wifi chip better than the dell.
builtin webcam is a nice option.
DVD+-R/W (not ROM) optical drive.
Pretty much everything else is a bell or whistle.
If you’re going desktop find a local custom shop, get exactly the computer you want without stuff you’ll never actually use cheaper.
Costco is on-line, so......
Our HP printer is wonderful. Bought it during the Thanksgiving sales.
My laptop is a refurbished one and I bought the extended warranty (since it was not Costco). It is a drop, crack whatever coverage, so I am happy. Plus it was exactly what I wanted. 17.3”, 2.8ghz, 1T HD, ten-key and it is purple! lol Not too bad for $400. :)
Disclaimer: Opinions posted on Free Republic are those of the individual posters and do not necessarily represent the opinion of Free Republic or its management. All materials posted herein are protected by copyright law and the exemption for fair use of copyrighted works.