Posted on 11/07/2019 1:02:25 PM PST by knarf
I built a 30”x80” 2x4 frame and just dropped a masonite door into it. When its surface dies, I flip the door over.
I’m in your camp with the desktop. You should be able to buy a used 3-5 year old killer machine on Craigslist for $125. Yes you DO use/need memory; try to get Windows 7 (not 10) and 4 GB mem at minimum. Try to find someone who takes down clusters of office machines, that way they can give you a swap-out warrantee. I tend to disfavor the small-case Dells, I think they have heat issues but that may not be an issue for you. The LEAST popular types are the bigger desktops.
The names you never heard of is generally not an issue, but try to find an older office Dell.
Important: Ask the seller if he will provide the machine with ALL existing WDOs 7 updates. I have an older WDOs 7 machine that will not install all the latest updates (which, yes, are coming to an end soon)
These are computers inside themselves and come with Internet Attached (Cellular Data) so you are completely Mobile. With a Bluetooth Keyboard, Mouse, Printer and even a Compatible TV for Screen Sharing. It may be the cheapest thing to use (rather than buying yet another unit). I call it a Rig.
With my Iphone, I'm using Bluetooth Logitech K480 Keyboard and M920 Mouse. The TV is wireless Samsung for Screen Sharing. I'm using a wireless printer but Bluetooth ones are available.
The Keyboard was a Snap. So was the Screen Sharing. The mouse on the Iphone needs Accessibility, Assistive Touch, Device Add under that. I shrunk the circular pointer to it's smallest size and Set single click to App Use and Long Click to "Long Click" which was not the default.
I learned how to navigate by using the Function Keys on the Keyboard and with Mouse. The keyboard, you guessed it, was primarily for typing.
You can get a word processor app and I use "Numbers" for my formerly used Budget Spreadsheet.
I don't have a Spooler, so I have make sure no one else is printing or Scanning (combo device). My Cannon MG3200 needed a Cannon App and this allows me to scan right in without using the Iphone's camera.
I'm told with the Hotspot enabled you use the wireless on the TV to your iphone and then with a Bluetooth Printer you can avoid the router entirely.
There are limitations, such as I haven't been able to resize the screen, etc (for gaming). But I use Game Apps, Email, the Excel Budget spreadsheet, and Printing mostly.
Haven't figured out how to access a USB Flash Drive yet. But I see ones that do connect directly. Haven't found a CD/DVD/BLUERAY Writer for my rig. I'f that is a necessity, a Windows Smartphone have to be the base.
Rigs are often based on what you use them for. Nothing is perfect, but this was $50 (cheap)
cup holders shouldn’t be a problem
I bought a refurbished laptop three years ago through Amazon — a Dell. IIRC, it was $200. The vendor was out of Tampa. Knock wood, but it’s been perfect. Windows 7.
There were several desktops, too.
2016 Dell Optiplex 7010 Business Desktop Computer (Intel Quad Core i5 up to 3.8GHz Processor), 8GB RAM, 500GB HDD, DVD, Windows 10 Professional - $145.00 free shipping
I recommend that series as well, those things are awesome. Some gamers, put in a quad i7 and a decent GPU and turn it into a budget gaming rig
Those secretary boxes certainly were built nice
That works OK too. What is all this conversation about computers anyway?
i7 Quad with 16gb and an SSD, through in a decent GPU and you can turn it into a budget gaming rig as well
SSD is what makes the big difference on these machines, those old 5400rpm SATA drives are snails
Not that you notice on a power bill, but laptop is a much lower power consumer. I use laptop as mail, print, DNS server on local network. Also “cheap,” I get used thinkpad at eBay, $150 tops.
Pusing the PC hard definitely affects power consumption too, as you noticed. Same will hold on a laptop. pretty much any “do it faster/quicker” means “use more power.”
I’m still using the Mac mini I bought in 2009 - no hiccups, no problems - nada - it just keeps on going, as does the OS it came with.
Apple sells refurbished warranteed models, as does Other World Computing.
You get what you pay for.
And Jeffrey Epstein didn’t commit suicide. And neither Bill nor Hillary Clinton will never see the inside of a prison.
For the price of a Big Mac meal, you can get one of these gizmos. Complete plug and play:
https://www.amazon.com/Sabrent-Aluminum-External-Adapter-AU-EMCB/dp/B00XM883BK
Xglysmyc USB3.0 External 3D Blu Ray DVD Drive,Super Slim Portable Blu Ray CD DVD Drive Burner Player CD/DVD+/-RW Writer Reader Compatible. Depends on Drivers and Software availability.
This. This is my software development machine at work. i5, 32 gb memory. Have 2 1Tb drives in each slot. Going on 5 years solid. (Did I just jinx myslef??)
i9 64 gbs 5ghz
that’s sick!!!!
i paid 500 for a 16MB!!!! storage computer back in the day!!
16mb STORAGE.
that’s like the storage capacity of a bunch of floppy disks!!
i9 64 gbs 5ghz
that’s sick!!!!
i paid 500 for a 16MB!!!! storage computer back in the day!!
16mb STORAGE.
that’s like the storage capacity of a bunch of floppy disks!!
Bad advice. Win7 is End of Life in mid January 2020 and will not be getting any new security updates after that time.
FYI, I looked up the specs for your old computer. It is plenty fast for surfing the web. I recommend that you keep it and just replace the sound card for under $10, using the link I provided:
https://www.amazon.com/Sabrent-Aluminum-External-Adapter-AU-EMCB/dp/B00XM883BK
So 500gbs back then would have cost 200 million dollars!! :)
What a bargain!!
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