Suscipe Domine Traditional Catholic Forum

The Parish Hall => The Geek Forum => Topic started by: poche on February 19, 2013, 12:50:40 AM

Title: A Computer
Post by: poche on February 19, 2013, 12:50:40 AM
I have never bought a computer. What advice can any of you give me?
Title: Re: A Computer
Post by: Gottmitunsalex on February 19, 2013, 12:58:34 AM
Windows 7.
Title: Re: A Computer
Post by: voxxpopulisuxx on March 01, 2013, 06:27:01 AM
Dont go to best buy.  The best place is a small local computer repair shop...if it well run and organised...advertises etc. They will have great support and could fine tune the computer for your needs . Dells were always dependable for me...Running windows XP.
Title: Re: A Computer
Post by: Bonaventure on April 01, 2013, 11:56:32 AM
Quote from: Gottmitunsalex on February 19, 2013, 12:58:34 AM
Windows 7.

I've only heard bad things about it.
Title: Re: A Computer
Post by: voxxpopulisuxx on April 01, 2013, 03:53:20 PM
Quote from: Bonaventure on April 01, 2013, 11:56:32 AM
Quote from: Gottmitunsalex on February 19, 2013, 12:58:34 AM
Windows 7.

I've only heard bad things about it.
its better than 8!!!!!!!!!!!!
Title: Re: A Computer
Post by: Pheo on April 01, 2013, 04:05:29 PM
Quote from: voxxpopulisuxx on April 01, 2013, 03:53:20 PM
Quote from: Bonaventure on April 01, 2013, 11:56:32 AM
Quote from: Gottmitunsalex on February 19, 2013, 12:58:34 AM
Windows 7.

I've only heard bad things about it.
its better than 8!!!!!!!!!!!!

This man speaks the truth.  I tried Windows 8 out on a non-touchscreen laptop...I came dangerously close to punching it.  It looks like it was designed for tablets.  And I use the term "designed" loosely.  More like "thrown together."
Title: Re: A Computer
Post by: voxxpopulisuxx on April 01, 2013, 06:41:55 PM
you cant find any of the regular stuff like PROGRAMS! Its not set up like a tablet its set up like a darn PHONE...the thing that craps the most is you cant buy a new laptop without it unless you pay a premium...at least thats what happened to my poor mom who just figured out how to use 7 when she broke her laptop...all the woman wants to do is email, play fun games and surf.
Title: Re: A Computer
Post by: poche on June 11, 2013, 02:39:19 AM
I have seen some computers in the loccal pawn shop. What do you all think? 
Title: Re: A Computer
Post by: Mono no aware on June 11, 2013, 11:34:36 AM
Quote from: poche on June 11, 2013, 02:39:19 AM
I have seen some computers in the loccal pawn shop. What do you all think?

Considering that you've managed to be a prolific poster here, poche, in the five months since you first considered purchasing a computer, I'm of the opinion that you don't really need a computer.  Whatever method you've been using (work? library? telepathy?) seems to be serving you just fine.  Why waste money on a computer?

How about (instead) a nice, handsomely framed, autographed picture of Anna Kournikova at Wimbledon in 1999?  To Poché, it would say—my always-smiling Christian friend.  Keep on living the gospel.  Love, Anna K.

Title: Re: A Computer
Post by: Archer on June 12, 2013, 01:27:15 AM
Quote from: poche on June 11, 2013, 02:39:19 AM
I have seen some computers in the loccal pawn shop. What do you all think?

Poche, I would suggest www.bestbuy.com as a good starting place.  I'm sure from there you can branch out to other stores depending on what brand or type of computer you're looking for. 
Title: Re: A Computer
Post by: maryslittlegarden on June 12, 2013, 02:23:32 PM
Quote from: poche on June 11, 2013, 02:39:19 AM
I have seen some computers in the loccal pawn shop. What do you all think?

I bought one at a thrift shop a few years back.  It worked fine, but I didn't need something very fancy.  That said, you would need to be very careful.  The store that I bought from will label the item if it works (and if it doesn't work.) 
Title: Re: A Computer
Post by: james03 on June 12, 2013, 08:46:17 PM
I suggest getting a local shop to put together a computer.  I'd recommend Ubuntu Linux as the operating system (it is free).  The local shop will put it together.   Gives you Firefox web browser and a mail client for your emails.  Pretty much bullet proof.  Also, it will tell you when new updates are available and ask you if you want to update.  Finally, there are not a lot of computer viruses that target this system, so you don't have to be concerned about that.

Depending on your needs, I'd recommend saving money by asking for an I-5 processor.  Get 4 GB ram.  Get high speed ram.  Discuss this with the shop.  Depending on what you use the computer for, you might want to get (2) hard drives and ask the shop to set it up to run automatic back ups.
Title: Re: A Computer
Post by: OzarkCatholic on June 28, 2013, 09:07:42 PM
Once you go Mac, you'll never go back  ;)

[spoiler]This is coming from an IT guy at an engineering University.[/spoiler]
Title: Re: A Computer
Post by: Bonaventure on June 29, 2013, 11:51:43 PM
Quote from: OzarkCatholic on June 28, 2013, 09:07:42 PM
Once you go Mac, you'll never go back  ;)

[spoiler]This is coming from an IT guy at an engineering University.[/spoiler]

You are a smart man
Title: Re: A Computer
Post by: LouisIX on June 30, 2013, 01:48:09 AM
Quote from: Bonaventure on June 29, 2013, 11:51:43 PM
Quote from: OzarkCatholic on June 28, 2013, 09:07:42 PM
Once you go Mac, you'll never go back  ;)

[spoiler]This is coming from an IT guy at an engineering University.[/spoiler]

You are a smart man

Indeed.  Checkmate, KK.
Title: Re: A Computer
Post by: peanut on July 06, 2013, 09:49:35 PM
I disagree.  I had Macs for years and last year I switched to Windows - tired of paying 3 times as  much for the same thing.

I did try Kubuntu, Ubuntu, Fedora and Mint before settling for Windows - I liked all of them, especially Kubuntu - except for the small matter that none of them work! And if you can get them working properly, wait 5 minutes and they'll break again.
Title: Re: A Computer
Post by: Archer on July 08, 2013, 11:04:33 AM
My Dell is hanging on to life by its fingernails so I've put off buying a new one until I absolutely need to.

I think we've narrowed it down to either a Macbook Pro or an HP Envy, depending on how much I want to drop. 

Title: Re: A Computer
Post by: Penelope on July 08, 2013, 06:29:44 PM
Once you go Mac, you never go back.
Title: Re: A Computer
Post by: Lyubov on July 08, 2013, 07:33:37 PM
Quote from: Penelope on July 08, 2013, 06:29:44 PM
Once you go Mac, you never go back.

Unless you get tired of them breaking down on you...
Title: Re: A Computer
Post by: Pheo on July 08, 2013, 09:03:29 PM
Quote from: OzarkCatholic on June 28, 2013, 09:07:42 PM
Once you go Mac, you'll never go back  ;)

Quote from: Penelope on July 08, 2013, 06:29:44 PM
Once you go Mac, you never go back.

Reported for plagiarism.
Title: Re: A Computer
Post by: Penelope on July 08, 2013, 11:25:10 PM
Quote from: Pheo on July 08, 2013, 09:03:29 PM
Quote from: OzarkCatholic on June 28, 2013, 09:07:42 PM
Once you go Mac, you'll never go back  ;)

Quote from: Penelope on July 08, 2013, 06:29:44 PM
Once you go Mac, you never go back.

Reported for plagiarism.

Ha. Was that in this thread? I didn't read the whole thing. I rarely read anything in this subforum, really.
Title: Re: A Computer
Post by: Penelope on July 08, 2013, 11:26:03 PM
I thought I was being really clever, too.  :-\
Title: Re: A Computer
Post by: LouisIX on July 09, 2013, 12:33:56 AM
Quote from: Penelope on July 08, 2013, 11:26:03 PM
I thought I was being really clever, too.  :-\

At this point in human history, we're all just repeating things which have probably been said at least thousands of times before.
Title: Re: A Computer
Post by: voxxpopulisuxx on July 14, 2013, 12:26:56 PM
Quote from: LouisIX on July 09, 2013, 12:33:56 AM
Quote from: Penelope on July 08, 2013, 11:26:03 PM
I thought I was being really clever, too.  :-\

At this point in human history, we're all just repeating things which have probably been said at least thousands of times before.
everythings a remix
[yt]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=coGpmA4saEk[/yt]
Title: Re: A Computer
Post by: peanut on July 18, 2013, 11:05:09 PM
By the way, while I'm here - I'm getting Linux cravings again.  Is there an easy way to set it up alongside Windows without using that silly installer that puts it on the same partition as Windows?  I was thinking maybe that's why it didn't work properly.

Does anyone even know what I'm talking about?
Title: Re: A Computer
Post by: Kaesekopf on July 18, 2013, 11:31:32 PM
Peanut:
Backup goodies on your computer
Wipe computer
Partition hard disk with Linux
Install Linux
Enjoy Linux
Install Windows on secondary partition
Title: Re: A Computer
Post by: peanut on July 18, 2013, 11:35:34 PM
Quote from: Kaesekopf on July 18, 2013, 11:31:32 PM
Peanut:
Backup goodies on your computer
Wipe computer
Partition hard disk with Linux
Install Linux
Enjoy Linux
Install Windows on secondary partition

I tried that and it was too hard for my poor peanut brain :( Also I don't have a retail windows disc, only the restore disc that came with the computer.  Pity because Kubuntu was very nice to use, except when it wasn't.  ;D
Title: Re: A Computer
Post by: Kaesekopf on July 18, 2013, 11:46:29 PM
Quote from: peanut on July 18, 2013, 11:35:34 PM
Quote from: Kaesekopf on July 18, 2013, 11:31:32 PM
Peanut:
Backup goodies on your computer
Wipe computer
Partition hard disk with Linux
Install Linux
Enjoy Linux
Install Windows on secondary partition

I tried that and it was too hard for my poor peanut brain :( Also I don't have a retail windows disc, only the restore disc that came with the computer.  Pity because Kubuntu was very nice to use, except when it wasn't.  ;D

There are ways that you can repartition the Windows disk to make it smaller and install a Linux OS.

It's just really hard and liable to tank your Windows partition, because Windows is dumb.
Title: Re: A Computer
Post by: peanut on July 18, 2013, 11:56:44 PM
Darn. I'm too scared to try that. I guess next time I get a new computer I'll specifically look for a system that's reputed to work with Linux.  I can tolerate Windows 7 but I don't want none of this Win 8 nonsense!  :P
Title: Re: A Computer
Post by: Archer on July 20, 2013, 12:46:37 PM
Well our dell officially died so my hand was forced.  I was tempted to go Mac, but we wanted a larger screen and the Macbook pro 15" was just too expensive.  Almost 2k for a laptop? I can't justify that right now

So I went with an HP Envy.   So far I like it with one major exception.  Windows 8.  Its dumb.  Imagine literally attempting to merge the tablet/smartphone world with the PC world and you have Windows 8.  It's worthless.  When you first start up the computer it takes you to your home screen which has all your apps on it.  Just like a tablet or smartphone you can download apps and it displays them on this screen.  But then at the bottom you have an icon labeled desktop which takes you to your regular windows desktop, minus the start button on the bottom.   So far it's a little difficult to get around just because you're never sure if you should be using the desktop or the app page.  I have a feeling I won't use the app page at all

But other than that it's a good machine.  It runs fast, the trackpad/mouse thing is ok once you get used to it, the raised keyboard makes typing easy, the HD screen is large, and it's an aesthetically pleasing laptop.  The best thing by far though is the sound.  The Envy uses Beats Audio which has incredible sound quality.  I think it's going to be a serviceable laptop for what we need.  Internet browsing/streaming movies.  I probably would have been happier with the Mac, but for $1000 bucks less this HP will do the trick.