Buying A New Computer

Discussion in 'Gadgets & Tech Talk' started by Corie Henson, Sep 19, 2016.

  1. Corie Henson

    Corie Henson Veteran Member
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    Well, it's about time to buy a new one in place of our desktop that we bought in 2009. It's still running on Windows XP which is already an antiquated operating system. We actually have this plan of buying a new computer early this year but it is being delayed due to indecision. First issue is between a desktop and a laptop, which is more practical to buy. Second issue is, of course, the cost. The laptop is definitely more expensive than a desktop but it is portable such that we can bring it almost anywhere we please.

    In the months that passed, I could feel the pulling of the factors between the costing and portability. We want the laptop but we don't have the budget for it. Maybe we can settle the issue before the end of this year.
     
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  2. Yvonne Smith

    Yvonne Smith Senior Staff
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    Truthfully, we hardly ever even use our desktop computer anymore since both Bobby and I have (and LOVE) our iPads.
    While an iPad might not be suitable for running a business with, as Ken has also pointed out before, it is perfect for all the everyday things that we do online. We both have the keyboard case, which turns the iPad into a mini-laptop as far as typing ability goes; but with all of the unique options of a superb tablet.
    That being said, the computer that we have suits our needs quite well also.
    It is a Dell XPS-18, which is what is called an all-in-one computer. We use it as a desktop, on its pedestal, but it can also be used as either a laptop or as a (very large) tablet, since it can either be used as a touchscreen, or with the keyboard and mouse.
    @Ina I. Wonder has this same computer, and she didn't need the desktop pedestal stand, and she uses hers with the little "flipper" feet that stand it up as a laptop.
    With an 18" screen, it is almost as large as some televisions, and is great for watching movies with, also, and even though it is large, it can be carried around like any other tablet. So, if watching movies in bed is something you enjoy, the XPS-18 can simply be carried anywhere in the house you want to use it to watch movies.
    Having had my iPad and iPhone, I seriously HATE having to deal with any Windows product anymore; but even so, I would wholeheartedly recommend this computer for your consideration, @Corie Henson .

     
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  3. Krissttina Isobe

    Krissttina Isobe Veteran Member
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    I'm going to, well I wan!t to buy my own computer too. I've been shopping for 2 in one computer that can take nice pictures for I want to sell my vintage and antique things, comics, dolls and everything else I can make money with, but you need a good picture to do so. My cheap camera though digital and under $20, just isn't behaving as I wish, my pictures is so hard to see especially when we changed over to the new eco friendly light bulb with on 40 watts which is just not enough for good pictures. Mom has a pacemaker and doesn't want an smartphone near her, so here I am shopping for a 2 in 1 laptop, usb ports, picture taking, at least i3 and intergrated graphic abilities. I have heard that business 2 in 1 is virtually unbreakable. I like hp, because they have a built in anti virus, but hp is expensive like dell. Not a fan of apple anything for safari is okay, but I like bing and google. I'm hoping to get a computer on sale, but look for a good support system for it and tech help too with maintenance support. Good luckr Corey in finding your new computer!
     
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  4. Ken Anderson

    Ken Anderson Senior Staff
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    Computers are way cheaper than they used to be. Even new ones.
     
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  5. Frank Sanoica

    Frank Sanoica Supreme Member
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    We have a laptop bought in 2010, and my wife's Chrome Book, bought about a year ago. The laptop operates on Win.7. Her thingt is Google Chrome. I don't understand the difference between "Winderz' and Chrome. Do they not both offer a navigation from page to page? We have all of our pictures stored in the laptop. She has not figured out how to store pictures on the Chrome, though it has cameras.

    Now, what is an "iPad"?
    Frank
     
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  6. Holly Saunders

    Holly Saunders Supreme Member
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    I have a Mac desktop....

    I have a Toshiba Laptop with Windows...and I have an Ipad, and a Smartphone...


    I use the desktop way more than anything else because it's got a large monitor which I like and I'm not keen on touch screens so I like the use of the mouse

    I do attach a mouse to my laptop when I'm using it because the touch pad just doesn't respond well to me ..but I only use the laptop when I'm away on business or vacation..because it's Microsoft...and I hate them, but in truth it's handy to have both MAC and Microsoft on different computers for sometimes one can't do the job of the other...but for every day use I use the MAC desktop .

    That said I also have my Ipad too...and again I only use that when I'm out and about..rarely at home

    If it were me and I only had the funds for one computer I would OPT for a Laptop, simply because it's so portable.
     
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  7. Corie Henson

    Corie Henson Veteran Member
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    @Holly Saunders, I guess laptop is more practical to buy regardless of the cost. I am using a laptop for my job so I am accustomed to the portability of the laptop. It's just my husband who is hesitant with a laptop because of the cost but if I would be the one to decide, I would definitely go for a laptop. And @Yvonne Smith is right that an iPad is not much for business. Besides, my husband makes videos so a laptop is imperative for that.

    @Frank Sanoica, an iPad is a tablet made by Apple. It is more expensive than an ordinary table.
     
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  8. Cody Fousnaugh

    Cody Fousnaugh Supreme Member
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    Ken, we compared our new Dell computer with the cost of our old computer, bought in Dec. 2005, and found out the Dell was $300 some dollars more. But........the new monitor we bought for the new Dell was much cheaper than the monitor we bought for the old 2005 computer.
     
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  9. Yvonne Smith

    Yvonne Smith Senior Staff
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    An iPad is a top of the line tablet, @Frank Sanoica . I have my older iPad generation 4, and the newer iPad Pro, which is a larger version.
    The great thing about a tablet like the iPad is the versatility. It took me a while at first to get used to a touch screen, and being able to "stretch" something when I needed to make it larger in order to look at it better; but once I got the hang of doing that, I LOVE it ! !
    I have a keyboard that I use with the ipads; so it makes them essentially like using a laptop, except that I can use the touchscreen and not need a mouse or touchpad like a laptop has.
    The iPad is easy to carry along when I go somewhere, or when traveling, and it is much lighter weight than a laptop would be.
    Robin left me her MacAir laptop to use for a while (before she got me the Dell XPS-18), and it really frustrated me to have to regress back to Stone-age computing and not have the touchscreen or ability to use my fingers and enlarge something on the screen that I wanted to see better.
    Here is a short demonstration of an iPad that will give you an idea of what they are. It shows it set up with the keyboard; but of course, you do not need any of that since there is also the on-screen virtual keyboard if you want to use that instead. However, if you are doing much typing(as opposed to playing games or watching movies) then having the actual keyboard is a definite advantage.

     
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  10. Ken Anderson

    Ken Anderson Senior Staff
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    For those of you who are concerned about the size of a laptop or MacBook screen, keep in mind that you can add another, larger monitor. I can add as many as three monitors to my iMac and one to the MacBook without altering them.
     
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  11. Cody Fousnaugh

    Cody Fousnaugh Supreme Member
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    One thing to watch out for folks...........storing photos on your computer! If your computer gets a virus or something, and the hard drive has to be reformatted, you could easily lose all those photos you have on the hard drive. If a hard drive has to be reformatted, sometimes things (pictures, etc.) can be saved, but only a qualified computer tech can do that and it will cost. As for me, I don't keep any photos on our desktop hard drive. Have all photos on USB Flash Drives. All photos are pm duplicate Flash Drives. One set is at home and other set is in bank Safety Deposit Box.
     
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  12. Ken Anderson

    Ken Anderson Senior Staff
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    You can still spend a lot of money on a computer, which might be necessary for some people -- Macs aren't cheap, for example -- but there are new, low end computers, that would be fine for most people, for a couple of hundred dollars or less.
     
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  13. Yvonne Smith

    Yvonne Smith Senior Staff
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    Sure you can; but you can't carry it all around in your purse....... so there !
     
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  14. Gary Ridenour

    Gary Ridenour Veteran Member
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    I have an HP desktop with 7 installed. and luv it. plus if it breaks down i can fix it myself. not so sire with laptops
     
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  15. Gary Ridenour

    Gary Ridenour Veteran Member
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    good point. I back up everything on a CDRW disc.
     
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