Thought I would turn to the experts on FBG's boards for some advice on a new computer. Mine is old,so old I don't even know how old it is. It's like me,it has trouble starting in the morning and is slow,I mean sloooooooooooooow. I need a fairly basic machine. I surf,do my banking,of course my fantasy football,some betting sites. Not a gamer. Anything I'm sure would be faster and more reliable than the clunker I have now. Don't want to spend a fortune but want something faster and reliable. Any suggestions from the fine people on this board? I'm not REAL computer literate so simple thoughts are appreciated. Thanks in advance to any who may help.
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Help Buying a New Computer (1 Viewer)
- Thread starter Rubi
- Start date
Rustoleum
Footballguy
I just know that I don’t like Windows S mode operating systems. Watch out for “deals” that have that as the OS.
For what you describe, I think a MacBook Air could be perfect, as long as storage space isn’t a major issue. Repair costs are high unless you have AppleCare though.
For what you describe, I think a MacBook Air could be perfect, as long as storage space isn’t a major issue. Repair costs are high unless you have AppleCare though.
STEADYMOBBIN 22
Footballguy
Apple IIGS will do all those things you describe.
Desktop
Eephus
Footballguy
Oh well nevermind then
Sullie
Footballguy
That's a preference,but I'm open to any suggestions
Sullie
Footballguy
The OptiPlex 7000 line offers new as well as refurbs from about $500 to $950. They're not sexy, they won't set the world on fire but they'll get the job done. At my office we replaced our 3-4 year old OptiPlex's with laptops a year or so ago and I've been using a couple of OptiPlex's around the house for different things. I've upgraded mine a bit (larger hard drives, added RAM, etc.) Again, not sexy but they get the job done if you're looking for cheap daily driver pc type work as you described.
Rustoleum
Footballguy
What are your main reasons for desktop vs laptop? For the use case you describe, you could probably even get by with an iPad, much less a desktop.
The amount of space you get back by not having a room/half a room, dedicated to keyboard, monitor, speakers, and desktop and assorted cords is real. (Full disclosure: I do have a desktop but I work in IT and do play some games on it too, but mostly 8m surfing on an old iPad.)
There are plenty of reasons to stick with a desktop, but don’t lock yourself into replacing like-for-like just because that what you have now.
drunken slob
Footballguy
Looking at a new Mac Mini. Mine is over 10 years old and am ready to upgrade.
Pretty sure you can just turn S mode off if you want.
higgins
Footballguy
Then I would suggest buying a docking station, monitor & a notebook. Notebooks are smaller than a laptop (can use it on the couch) & have all necessary ports you may use (USB, headphone jack) & you won’t have to learn how to use Apple OS. A notebook will only cost ~ $300.
NutterButter
Footballguy
Do people not endorse chromebooks anymore for those looking to just browse the web? I'd personally never buy anything but one if that's your only usage. If you want to be stationary, just get a monitor and the other accessories.
Rustoleum
Footballguy
Last time I looked at it for somebody I thought there was a license key required, and maybe the switch is irreversible once you do it? Been a year or more though, pre-Windows 11 for sure.
I could be misdirecting some of my disdain for S mode with it being out on bargain devices to make them feel snappier.
Rustoleum
Footballguy
My only knock on Chromebooks is the built in limit on updates. Of course, Apple does this too, but it doesn’t seem as cheap when they do it, lol.
I really like the chrome boxes we’ve used for digital signage in my school district. Wayyyy cheaper to buy a chromebox, some ommercial grade tv’s, an hdmi splitter/booster, run Google Sign Builder, and hand off a shared Google Slide doc than the soother solutions we looked at.
NutterButter
Footballguy
What is this?
Rustoleum
Footballguy
After a certain date they will no longer receive automatic updates, probably a bigger deal for school districts trying to manage a fleet of them.
I just looked and it looks like I’m showing my age, the limit is 10 years now, which I wouldn’t expect a Chrome book to last anyway. I remember that being maybe half that.
belljr
Footballguy
Yeah never heard that. They guarantee 10years of updates up from 5-6 years
NutterButter
Footballguy
10 years is like an eternity in electronics. I think that's a few more years than I'd even need before it broke, i broke it or i just decided to replace it.
Ministry of Pain
Footballguy
I have the same MBA for the last 6-7 years now, definitely about time to buy something new.
I find myself zoning in on iPad/iPad Pro this time around, something light and can be used for different purposes, not just a traditional laptop
I switched to Apple for laptops a while back and they've mostly been solid, 6-7 years no problems but eventually you always want something newer.
When i used a more traditional PC I found myself replacing them often, yearly I would say. Acer/Asus/whatever the brand/model it just seemed to not last long.
You might think you are spending more on an Apple product and you are but they do seem to last and work pretty well which could save you money over the long haul
There's a few things I don't like about them but they are comfortable to type and surf around on.
I find myself zoning in on iPad/iPad Pro this time around, something light and can be used for different purposes, not just a traditional laptop
I switched to Apple for laptops a while back and they've mostly been solid, 6-7 years no problems but eventually you always want something newer.
When i used a more traditional PC I found myself replacing them often, yearly I would say. Acer/Asus/whatever the brand/model it just seemed to not last long.
You might think you are spending more on an Apple product and you are but they do seem to last and work pretty well which could save you money over the long haul
There's a few things I don't like about them but they are comfortable to type and surf around on.
The bolded is correct, it is a permanent one-way switch to turn it off. It is a free change, though.
Switching out of S mode in Windows - Microsoft Support
Learn how to switch out of S mode to install apps from outside of the Microsoft Store or to upgrade to Windows 11.
support.microsoft.com
Ron Swanson
Footballguy
For this use case a chromebook, chromebox, or chromebase type product would be perfect. I switched exclusively to chrome machines about 5 years ago and it has been absolutely liberating. The forced Windows update at the worst time was the final straw for me.
Using a 2012 Macbook Pro at the moment. Still starts up under 10 seconds but obviously updates stopped a few years ago.
NutterButter
Footballguy
What's the purpose of the chromebox that the chromebook doesn't provide?
Ministry of Pain
Footballguy
@Rubi
-I wanted to alert you and others that might be thinking about a laptop purchase or anything computers related...it's almost time for this commercial to start
www.youtube.com
What I mean is Back to School means SALES and you can typically save 10-15% at least on an Apple product but perhaps even more savings on traditional PCs
I would be looking for some of these sales to appear in coming weeks.
In Florida, we have a tax free week/weekend where anything school related including computers I believe is tax free.
Another way to save a couple bucks on all this
-I wanted to alert you and others that might be thinking about a laptop purchase or anything computers related...it's almost time for this commercial to start
- YouTube
Enjoy the videos and music you love, upload original content, and share it all with friends, family, and the world on YouTube.
www.youtube.com
What I mean is Back to School means SALES and you can typically save 10-15% at least on an Apple product but perhaps even more savings on traditional PCs
I would be looking for some of these sales to appear in coming weeks.
In Florida, we have a tax free week/weekend where anything school related including computers I believe is tax free.
Another way to save a couple bucks on all this
Ministry of Pain
Footballguy
Dell is having a Black Friday in July/Christmas in July
appleinsider.com
-Says MBA starting at just $649
Good Luck!
Shop All Dell Deals on PCs, Monitors & Gaming
Shop Dell's Holiday Sale for great deals on laptops, desktops & accessories. Find the perfect balance of performance & price!
www.dell.com
Walmart Plus members can unlock $649 MacBook Air Early Access Deal
With Walmart Plus, which is 50% off for a limited time, you can pick up Apple's M1 MacBook Air at the all-time best price of $649 as the retailer takes on Amazon ahead of Prime Day.
Good Luck!
beer 30
Footballguy
I've had nothing but Thinkpads at work for about 15 years (current version T14). They get abused and keep coming back for more. Solid laptops.
My kids both have Macs and while I don't have anything particularly against them, they tend to have some niggling problems that just make me shy away from them. The different OS also works against them since I've been Windows for decades. I have iPhones and iPads, just never embraced the Mac products.
IvanKaramazov
Footballguy
This. If you're not a gamer and you're just using your machine for basic internet access, I'm not sure why you would invest in anything fancy. Just buy something on sale and plan on replacing it every 5-7 years.
Ron Swanson
Footballguy
The only real advantage is to be able to run multiple monitors without a docking station. I use a chromebox at my desk, a chromebase in the kitchen for recipes, etc., and a pixelbook when I travel. I could get by with one if I had to but they are all pretty cheap and everything syncs up so it's just easier for me. Come people also lie to use the Vesa mount to attach them to the back of a TV for a public computer, sign, etc.
NutterButter
Footballguy
Am I seeing that right that the pixelbook is about $1k? I think you and I have a difference of opinion of what's cheap if that's the case.
My Chromebook is like $200 and works just fine. I bought some android box for $30 for my TV to run my IPTV app. Added an IR extender so I could keep the box behind the TV while still using the remote. Works great.
Peggy
Footballguy
Video editing for one. I know all the phones have amazing cameras and set up to do all the TikTok/Influencer stuff, but even Twitter still prefers 720p video. You need a powerful video card to handle 4K+ 5K+ and all the new codec containers for the latest GoPro cameras and the like.
the moops
Footballguy
OK, add that to the list. Point still stands that 99% of people can get by with a laptop
NutterButter
Footballguy
No wonder you have so few followers on insta.
belljr
Footballguy
I honestly don't know but isn't the MacBook one of the best at video editing?
Ron Swanson
Footballguy
It hasn't been made since about 2017 and has a cult following so it can be pricey on the secondary market. It is still supported and performs very well and has a great form factor and keyboard. I didn't pay that much for mine...Am I seeing that right that the pixelbook is about $1k? I think you and I have a difference of opinion of what's cheap if that's the case.
belljr
Footballguy
They stopped making them in 2022. New ones with i7 Intel chip go for 1k on the Google storeIt hasn't been made since about 2017 and has a cult following so it can be pricey on the secondary market. It is still supported and performs very well and has a great form factor and keyboard. I didn't pay that much for mine...Am I seeing that right that the pixelbook is about $1k? I think you and I have a difference of opinion of what's cheap if that's the case.
Ron Swanson
Footballguy
That's the Pixelbook Go. I'm referring to the original Pixelbook. But both are great. And frankly, worth 1k. Not cheap compared to other Chromebooks but for a device that I bought in 2017 and still use almost daily that has no issues keeping up and performs great it's a bargain even at the full 1k. I've never come close to having a PC last that long.They stopped making them in 2022. New ones with i7 Intel chip go for 1k on the Google storeIt hasn't been made since about 2017 and has a cult following so it can be pricey on the secondary market. It is still supported and performs very well and has a great form factor and keyboard. I didn't pay that much for mine...Am I seeing that right that the pixelbook is about $1k? I think you and I have a difference of opinion of what's cheap if that's the case.
Kanil
Footballguy
I have ordered refurbished Dell's and have not had any problems. That's the only refurb brand I've used though.
Van Dyman
Footballguy
I have not ordered a refurb, but have considered Dell's refurbs several times and would feel confident trusting those. The Dells I have used personally or professionally (both laptops and desktops) have been rock solid and the hardware outlasted its usefulness.
Rustoleum
Footballguy
I have a Microcenter Mall near me and have good experiences buying from their return/refurb selections, both “house” brand and name brands like Dell.
Peggy
Footballguy
99% of people can get by with a smartphone.
Psychopav
Help us, Joebi-Wan Brynobi, you're our only ho
If you're going to buy a desktop and not building your own, I would 100% go refurb.
For laptops, I prefer Lenovo to Dell but ymmv. But I'd still go refurb if you can.
Peggy
Footballguy
Gat dang I miss Microcenter. Glad to hear they're still around.
snellman
Footballguy
Has anyone ever used something like this for your laptop? Screen extender
Do I need one? No. Would it come in handy when doing drafts and other multitasking? Most definitely. Reasonably priced as well (part of what makes me question it, price seems too good)
Do I need one? No. Would it come in handy when doing drafts and other multitasking? Most definitely. Reasonably priced as well (part of what makes me question it, price seems too good)
