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Someone talk to me about computers


Parr8hed

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It's been years since I bought one.  I was just informed that we need one.  (I am not sure what for?)  I looked on-line and there are just way too many options for me. 

So tell me what I need and why?  We are not running and games or big software things.  Mostly just for kid's school crap, some bill paying, etc. 

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You might look into chromebooks.  They are suitable for most internet work and for internet based apps like google sheets (a substitute for works but not as powerful)  Schools use them for and with students.  They are relatively inexpensive to the point that you can buy more than one for the price of a cheap frugal computer.

On the other hand, any family doing heavier work like photoshop, archiving music and pictures might need to think about having one full sized machine around.  Those don't have to be the most expensive.

A chrome book will not run "programs" but only apps.  They are relatively secure from hackers for that reason.

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2 minutes ago, maddmaxx said:

You might look into chromebooks.  They are suitable for most internet work and for internet based apps like google sheets (a substitute for works but not as powerful)  Schools use them for and with students.  They are relatively inexpensive to the point that you can buy more than one for the price of a cheap frugal computer.

On the other hand, any family doing heavier work like photoshop, archiving music and pictures might need to think about having one full sized machine around.  Those don't have to be the most expensive.

A chrome book will not run "programs" but only apps.  They are relatively secure from hackers for that reason.

Kids get chrome books for school.  This might be good to have around for us since kids will be familiar with it.  I am hoping that if I drag my feet the wife will forget about it.

I think that the reason that she got worked up about it last was that a phone needed to be rebooted and needed to be plugged into a computer (I assume for iTunes?) and we didn't have a computer to plug in to. 

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Just now, Parr8hed said:

Kids get chrome books for school.  This might be good to have around for us since kids will be familiar with it.  I am hoping that if I drag my feet the wife will forget about it.

I think that the reason that she got worked up about it last was that a phone needed to be rebooted and needed to be plugged into a computer (I assume for iTunes?) and we didn't have a computer to plug in to. 

Chromebooks handle that and more easily.  Around the house womaxx and I do most of our stuff on chromebooks including taxes.  I only have one relatively new and one overhauled (still windows 7 and mostly useless online) computer that is used to run some equipment in the lab.  I keep then new one around partially for sentimental reasons and because I can still consult sometimes for the old design group.  But that computer was purchased more as a box from a gamer computer company and built up here with graphics and drives.

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1 minute ago, maddmaxx said:

Chromebooks handle that and more easily.  Around the house womaxx and I do most of our stuff on chromebooks including taxes.  I only have one relatively new and one overhauled (still windows 7 and mostly useless online) computer that is used to run some equipment in the lab.  I keep then new one around partially for sentimental reasons and because I can still consult sometimes for the old design group.  But that computer was purchased more as a box from a gamer computer company and built up here with graphics and drives.

Thanks.

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I assume you don't want to build your own.  

As far as manufacturers go, I've always had good luck with Dell.

In general, when I buy a computer, I by more computer than I need.  I want the computer to be usable for as long as possible, if I get more RAM and speed than I need today, there is a better chance it will handle software upgrades 5 years from now.

Get at least 16 Gig of RAM, 24 Gig would be better and should handle future software requirements.

Get an SSD (Solid State Drive) for your hard drive.  You'll love the speed.

Computer's with the intel 9i processors look over priced to me.  A 7i should be fine.

 

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All about price and expectations.  Certainly the Chromebook can handle a lot of easy stuff affordably.

Likewise, even a "low" end LAPTOP is miles beyond computers of years ago and can handle routine tasks effortlessly.  I do like Dells and also my cheap Acers do well.  Costco sells both reasonable.  I like that I also have multiple power bricks for Dells that I have accumulated over the years, and since we have two Acers, they have the same charger as each other so I don't run into the "where's the damn charger" issue.

SSD drive is best.  8gb still seems more than enough for "normal" use.  Win 10 is effortless (but so is ChromeOS).  Most lack some things now like a CD/DVD drive but a key is LOTS of USB ports!

Like 2Far, the laptop I am using to post this is a 7th gen i5 Intel:

image.png.65aaa47abd0a9e60a6ca852e3a64507b.png

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27 minutes ago, Razors Edge said:

All about price and expectations.  Certainly the Chromebook can handle a lot of easy stuff affordably.

Likewise, even a "low" end LAPTOP is miles beyond computers of years ago and can handle routine tasks effortlessly.  I do like Dells and also my cheap Acers do well.  Costco sells both reasonable.  I like that I also have multiple power bricks for Dells that I have accumulated over the years, and since we have two Acers, they have the same charger as each other so I don't run into the "where's the damn charger" issue.

SSD drive is best.  8gb still seems more than enough for "normal" use.  Win 10 is effortless (but so is ChromeOS).  Most lack some things now like a CD/DVD drive but a key is LOTS of USB ports!

One thing the chromebooks lack is "lots of usb ports".  two seems to be about normal and if you chose to use a wireless mouse one of those gets used up quickly less you go to a company with a universal usb remoting scheme.  I think I've heard of one that allows a mouse and other things to be remoted between one usb receiver.  It's very useful to have a memory card slot built into the book as that becomes your primary bulk storage device if you are saving lots of pics and music and documents etc. (in 8's case perhaps an extra card for porn)

I would frankly give up my HDMI port on my Acer for a third usb port.  Yes, you could use a hub but that's just another thing to plug in which IMO sort of does away with the easy portability of a laptop. (thus the wireless mouse)

This is my current version with the speakers on top (nice place so you can hear them)

https://www.amazon.com/Acer-Chromebook-CB5-571-C09S-15-6-Inch-Full/dp/B00T03KQ34

Yes, I bought the white one because it was available and a bit cheaper at the time.  Did I mention that it gets dirty easily.

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We sell Acer, Lenovo and the Surface Pros. i5 processor, 8 GB RAM and 250 to 500 GB SSD Hard Drive is a sweet spot right now. More RAM is always good if the budget allows. Don't be afraid to look at i7s. They are often close in price to i5s depending on supply and demand. Laptop supply is still pretty tight, but improving. 15.6" screen is plenty if you plan to haul it around at all. Buy a bigger monitor if you want to see more when at home. Monitors are cheap anymore. HDMI out is nice to have for the monitor or to stream to a TV when camping..

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One thing to recognize, too, is that if you or the kids are going to type a lot or use without a mouse, then various brands have far superior keyboards and different touchpad options.  I find Dell keyboards and the old IBM (now Lenova) to have some of the best keyboards and also prefer that little mouse type doodad in the middle of the keyboard versus a regular touchpad.  I generally use an external mouse, and often disable the touchpad.

Anyway, read reviews on the keyboards if you can.  A cheap feeling keyboard can be a real headache.

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2 hours ago, Mr. Grumpy said:

I assume you don't want to build your own.  

As far as manufacturers go, I've always had good luck with Dell.

In general, when I buy a computer, I by more computer than I need.  I want the computer to be usable for as long as possible, if I get more RAM and speed than I need today, there is a better chance it will handle software upgrades 5 years from now.

Get at least 16 Gig of RAM, 24 Gig would be better and should handle future software requirements.

Get an SSD (Solid State Drive) for your hard drive.  You'll love the speed.

Computer's with the intel 9i processors look over priced to me.  A 7i should be fine.

 

All this, of course, assumes price is no object.

If price is a problem, 12 GB RAM and a quad-core processor that's around 3.4 GHz or faster (AMD Quad-Core A12-9720P is up to 3.6 GHz, great and cheap) will run 1080p, 3D Anaglyph movies smoothly and should be fast enough to handle any ordinary stuff for years.  AMD processors work about the same as the same GHz and core number Intel processors but are a lot cheaper (hundreds).

 

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1 hour ago, groupw said:

We sell Acer, Lenovo and the Surface Pros. i5 processor, 8 GB RAM and 250 to 500 GB SSD Hard Drive is a sweet spot right now. More RAM is always good if the budget allows. Don't be afraid to look at i7s. They are often close in price to i5s depending on supply and demand. Laptop supply is still pretty tight, but improving. 15.6" screen is plenty if you plan to haul it around at all. Buy a bigger monitor if you want to see more when at home. Monitors are cheap anymore. HDMI out is nice to have for the monitor or to stream to a TV when camping..

Good point about the camping.  That might be important for 8.  I don't camp.

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Since the kids have a Chromebook, you may want to go with PC.  Like @jsharr said, maybe get yourself a Dell loaded w/ Windows.  I was reminded this last weekend that you cannot do everything on a Chromebook as they don't have the same wide popularity.  For instance, I bought another device (let's call it a FitBit) and I would not be able to sync it up on and use it on the Chromebook -- it needs a Windows computer or Mac.  Most 3rd party companies target Microsoft Windows as their base platform.  Mac is cool but they are pricier and while it has a greater user acceptance than that of a Chromebook--  it too is behind.  If you don't care about any of that then Max's input on Chromebook has you covered.  But my guess is if your work is asking for you to get one -- they're probably not thinking Chromebook.  If you buy a PC/Windows machine then you'll be covered for sure.  And your runts at home can continue to use Chromebook -- and not yours.

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2 minutes ago, Dottles said:

Since the kids have a Chromebook, you may want to go with PC.  Like @jsharr said, maybe get yourself a Dell loaded w/ Windows.  I was reminded this last weekend that you cannot do everything on a Chromebook as they don't have the same wide popularity.  For instance, I bought another device (let's call it a FitBit) and I would not be able to sync it up on and use it on the Chromebook -- it needs a Windows computer or Mac.  Most 3rd party companies target Microsoft Windows as their base platform.  Mac is cool but they are pricier and while it has a greater user acceptance than that of a Chromebook--  it too is behind.  If you don't care about any of that then Max's input on Chromebook has you covered.  But my guess is if your work is asking for you to get one -- they're probably not thinking Chromebook.  If you buy a PC/Windows machine then you'll be covered.  And your runts at home can continue to use Chromebook -- and not yours.

That's too bad.  A garmin talks to the chromebook via my phone and Garmin Connect.

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Just now, maddmaxx said:

That's too bad.  A garmin talks to the chromebook via my phone and Garmin Connect.

Does it really?  I bought a Garmin device a few years ago and it did not. I could not initially get it to load and configure.  Glad they have stepped up their range.  Fitbit is a work in progress.  A huge online presence complaining about their crap load and install.  Even with Windoze I had to get creative.  

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I found the touch screen & HD display very nice on my Chromebook. 

I do have a MS laptop for those rare times I need something besides a Chromebook. It's becoming more rare so I'm about to dump that LT. I always feel like a caveman when I have to use it

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