Want New PC-HELP

[EMD4ME]

:blush:


Hello Team PA,

I don't need a new PC but want one. I have 3 days off and want to shop quick. I am a tech dummy.

Here's what I think I want.

1) Large hard drive space so I can save a ton of videos/pictures.
2) High quality video quality
3) My current PC has had the mother board or something like that burn out 3x. Guy I bring it to at Chinatown says you watch too many videos, it burns out. $50 dollahs. I fix. I couldn't get myself to tell him it's race replays that causes all that video time :lol: :lol: :lol:
4) I have windows 7. It will take me 12 years to adjust to something new. Can I keep windows 7?
5) I will probably buy a tablet too for mobile handicapping. Want simple technology to move pics from tablet to pc
6) What is this 4K I hear of? 4K video graphics or whatever?
7) How do I switch my Kaspersky from this PC to the new one? I just paid for a 1 year subscription.
8) I don't use MACs. Have no clue about them.

I would sincerely appreciate any advice :blush:

[Dave Schwartz]

1) Large hard drive space so I can save a ton of videos/pictures.
Yes.

2) High quality video quality
There is high quality and then there is HIGH quality. My son, who is a set designer (just finished Planet of the Apes 3) uses a $1,500 video card. If you get a computer that supports HDMI you will likely have "good enough" quality.

3) My current PC has had the mother board or something like that burn out 3x. Guy I bring it to at Chinatown says you watch too many videos, it burns out. $50 dollahs. I fix. I couldn't get myself to tell him it's race replays that causes all that video time.
Now you are talking about OnBoard video cards. Yes, the cheapies can fry. I have 12 computers (give or take). Rarely have to replace a video card.

4) I have windows 7. It will take me 12 years to adjust to something new. Can I keep windows 7?
Whichever OS you get (not sure about 10) just buy the Stardock product called "Start8." Gives you back a Win7 desktop. (Costs $4.95)

5) I will probably buy a tablet too for mobile handicapping. Want simple technology to move pics from tablet to pc
This is so easy that not worth a comment.

6) What is this 4K I hear of? 4K video graphics or whatever?
See item 2.

7) How do I switch my Kaspersky from this PC to the new one? I just paid for a 1 year subscription.
Uninstall, reinstall. (I use Kaspersky.)

8) I don't use MACs. Have no clue about them.
More power, nicer OS. Way more money.


My Recommendation: Dump the on-board video and get a dual head card. That will give you TWO monitors. Watch video on one while you look at data on the other.

[EMD4ME]

1) Large hard drive space so I can save a ton of videos/pictures.
Yes.

2) High quality video quality
There is high quality and then there is HIGH quality. My son, who is a set designer (just finished Planet of the Apes 3) uses a $1,500 video card. If you get a computer that supports HDMI you will likely have "good enough" quality.

3) My current PC has had the mother board or something like that burn out 3x. Guy I bring it to at Chinatown says you watch too many videos, it burns out. $50 dollahs. I fix. I couldn't get myself to tell him it's race replays that causes all that video time.
Now you are talking about OnBoard video cards. Yes, the cheapies can fry. I have 12 computers (give or take). Rarely have to replace a video card.

4) I have windows 7. It will take me 12 years to adjust to something new. Can I keep windows 7?
Whichever OS you get (not sure about 10) just buy the Stardock product called "Start8." Gives you back a Win7 desktop. (Costs $4.95)

5) I will probably buy a tablet too for mobile handicapping. Want simple technology to move pics from tablet to pc
This is so easy that not worth a comment.

6) What is this 4K I hear of? 4K video graphics or whatever?
See item 2.

7) How do I switch my Kaspersky from this PC to the new one? I just paid for a 1 year subscription.
Uninstall, reinstall. (I use Kaspersky.)

8) I don't use MACs. Have no clue about them.
More power, nicer OS. Way more money.


My Recommendation: Dump the on-board video and get a dual head card. That will give you TWO monitors. Watch video on one while you look at data on the other.

Thank you Dave!

So, what laptop should I buy? What company? What size hard drive/or whatever it is you call it should I make sure it has?

Dual head card? Does that mean having 2 monitors? Or a split screen?

Do most current laptops support HDMI?

Once again, THANK YOU!

[EMD4ME]

Stupid question:

I tried to google it but no luck finding the answer in my english :lol:

Where do PICS and Videos get saved? Is that Ram Space? In other words, what should I make sure I have (when buying a laptop) so that I can save hundreds or thousands of pics and videos?

Is it a large (1 TB Ram or 16 GB Memory) or is it something else?

[NorCalGreg]

:blush:


3) My current PC has had the mother board or something like that burn out 3x. Guy I bring it to at Chinatown says you watch too many videos, it burns out. $50 dollahs. I fix. I couldn't get myself to tell him it's race replays that causes all that video time :lol: :lol: :lol:




Should have just said you fried the motherboard watching "adult" movies..

I read that ....**cough**..... is quite common.

[Longshot6977]

Stupid question:

I tried to google it but no luck finding the answer in my english :lol:

Where do PICS and Videos get saved? Is that Ram Space? In other words, what should I make sure I have (when buying a laptop) so that I can save hundreds or thousands of pics and videos?

Is it a large (1 TB Ram or 16 GB Memory) or is it something else?

Pics and videos get saved on the hard drive. You can get a 1 or 2 TB (terabyte) drive pretty cheap nowadays for a desktop and probably a 320 or 500 GB (gigabyte) hard drive for a laptop. The laptop hardware will usually cost more than its desktop counterparts. Hard drives are the storage space and ram is the memory or temporary storage location. If you're gonna run a lot of apps/programs and keep them open at the same time, get as much ram as possible. If you want to store a lot of pics/videos, get as big a hard drive or SSD (solid state drive) as possible.

[EMD4ME]

Pics and videos get saved on the hard drive. You can get a 1 or 2 TB (terabyte) drive pretty cheap nowadays for a desktop and probably a 320 or 500 GB (gigabyte) hard drive for a laptop. The laptop hardware will usually cost more than its desktop counterparts. Hard drives are the storage space and ram is the memory or temporary storage location. If you're gonna run a lot of apps/programs and keep them open at the same time, get as much ram as possible. If you want to store a lot of pics/videos, get as big a hard drive or SSD (solid state drive) as possible.

Excellent, excellent, excellent ADVICE Longshot6977. Thank you as well sincerely!

[Dave Schwartz]

I did not realize that you're looking for a laptop. That changes things.

Try this...

1. Go to Best buy. Check out some Toshibas.

2. Look to see if there are two models that look very similar - one being an older model. You may be able to get a great deal. I got a $900 Toshiba a couple of years ago for under $600.

or

3. Look for a refurb online. You can save

Special note: I vowed never to deal with Dell again. The customer service and tech support is just excellent - until it isn't. Once you complain, you can never get good support from the again. (Seriously - you get routed to different caliber of support.)

[ReplayRandall]

Go to Best buy. Check out some Toshibas.


Also, check out ASUS......Best Laptop I've ever owned, sharpest picture screen.

[Dave Schwartz]

True. Asus always made the best motherboards and their laptops have a great reputation.

Not sure about speed, though. That's why I went for the Toshiba.

[DeltaLover]

EMD, as I told you yesterday night you should simply make the transition from M$ to linux. Ubuntu is more user friendly than windows and a much better operating system for many reasons: no need for antivirus, frequent updates, simpler architecture, open source culture and tons of free software. In this forum you will see some postings about people who try to stop the sun, wanting to continue using antiquated operating systems like windows 7 or even XP, simply because they are afraid to move ahead; this is a very bad mentality as technology is all about moving ahead and never looking back and those who fail to realize it are quickly transformed to dinosaurs struggling to keep up with innovation..


In this page you can see some of the laptops I have to recommend to you:

https://system76.com/laptops

If you need a bit more performance you will need some customization. The following is a box that I think it needs your needs at a low price:


http://i67.tinypic.com/16glu01.png


We can always go through the customization process together of course...

[mikesal57]

Sticking with Dave's recommendation on Toshiba...

You can get this at Best Buy...But you'll need a little time on learning windows 10...
As for transferring things from one to another...buy a 64gig Flash Drive..they r cheap


http://www.bestbuy.com/site/toshiba-satellite-radius-2-in-1-15-6-touch-screen-laptop-intel-core-i5-8gb-memory-750gb-hard-drive-brushed-metal/4203500.p?id=1219706548682&skuId=4203500

[EMD4ME]

I made a mistake at the beginning of this thread. I said PC, meant laptop.

I thank you ALL for your feedback. I have to run to the hospital and will be back tonight. I will check all info as soon as I get back.

THANK YOU

[RunForTheRoses]

Check out pricewatch.com and only buy from a seller with good and may reviews.
A flash or usb drive would be an ok way to move files back and forth, an external hard drive is also a solution and offers more permanent backup.
Have heard good things about the surface pro.
Linux is cool but winbloze may be more easy to use.

[Red Knave]

All the above mentioned advice is good. I have previously owned and would recommend Toshiba or Asus (including refurbs). HP and Dell not so much.

My advice is to first decide how much you want to spend and then buy as much computer as you can for that amount. They're getting to be commodities now so, generally speaking, you will get the same pricing for the same quality of machine at most major retailers.
Buy it somewhere that will still be around next month in case you need service and consider a place like Costco where you can return anything even if you just don't like it.

[EMD4ME]

I have to say, I took the virtual tour of System 76 and it was nice.

I like the fact that antivirus is not even needed.

Looking at the local best buys and whatnot as well, to be sure. Thinking of taking the leap from windows to Ubuntu or whatever it's called :lol:

Appreciate the feedback everyone! Very much so.

[DeltaLover]

I have to say, I took the virtual tour of System 76 and it was nice.

I like the fact that antivirus is not even needed.

Looking at the local best buys and whatnot as well, to be sure. Thinking of taking the leap from windows to Ubuntu or whatever it's called :lol:

Appreciate the feedback everyone! Very much so.


http://i64.tinypic.com/30c233o.png

[PaceAdvantage]

I like the fact that antivirus is not even needed.And why is that?

[DeltaLover]

And why is that?

Although possible to be created,viruses are not a serious problem for linux. In the linux world the most common use of anti-virus software can found when running a Linux-based file server or mail server and mostly to to not allow windows infected files to spread the virus to other windows systems.

See also here:

https://www.linux.com/news/software/applications/8261-note-to-new-linux-users-no-antivirus-needed

[PaceAdvantage]

Although possible to be created,viruses are not a serious problem for linux.Thank you. That's kind of what I thought, but I wasn't sure.

When 80%+ of internet enabled desktops/laptops are using some flavor of Windows while less than 2% are using Linux, one can see why Linux is basically off the radar of any potential virus/malware creators. There is simply no payoff potential.

It's not necessarily that Linux is "better" or "more secure" although that may CERTAINLY be the case...I don't know. I'm sure you can tell me all the reasons why Linux is vastly superior to Windows in terms of OS security. But, the main reason why linux doesn't have a problem with viruses is because hardly any likely targets are using it and therefore it isn't worth targeting them.

[DeltaLover]

Thank you. That's kind of what I thought, but I wasn't sure.

When 80%+ of internet enabled desktops/laptops are using some flavor of Windows while less than 2% are using Linux, one can see why Linux is basically off the radar of any potential virus/malware creators. There is simply no payoff potential.

It's not necessarily that Linux is "better" or "more secure" although that may CERTAINLY be the case...I don't know. I'm sure you'll tell me all the reasons why Linux is a vastly superior to Windows in terms of OS security. But, the main reason why linux doesn't have a problem with viruses is because hardly any likely targets are using it and therefore it isn't worth targeting them.

What you say here of course is correct and a good part of the reasoning of why linux is more secure than windows and needs no antiviruses.

On top of the limited user base, there are also other reasons having to do with LINUX design, implementation and also its open source culture that allows thousands of developers to read its code base and catch potential flows very quickly. The following article attempts to summarize these features (although it is far from been comprehensive):

http://www.pcworld.com/article/202452/why_linux_is_more_secure_than_windows.html

I am a very early adapter of linux which has been my main OS since late nineties and never faced the need to install antivirus.

More than this I have worked (and continue to work) for some of the largest software development companies in the world, where the most popular OS choices for the devs are either Mac OSX or linux (note that OSX is a flavor of linux) and have never seen anyone using antivirus (or even been advised to use one)...

[headhawg]

It's not necessarily that Linux is "better" or "more secure" although that may CERTAINLY be the case...I don't know. I'm sure you can tell me all the reasons why Linux is vastly superior to Windows in terms of OS security. But, the main reason why linux doesn't have a problem with viruses is because hardly any likely targets are using it and therefore it isn't worth targeting them.Same with Apple's OSX as well. But I do think that both are inherently more secure as it's much more difficult to mess with the kernel in comparison to Windows. I would use Linux in a heartbeat, but don't want to run Windows apps through an emulator. Maybe Win10 will piss off enough people that they will move to another platform, and software developers will take advantage of that migration.

[Flysofree]

Same with Apple's OSX as well. But I do think that both are inherently more secure as it's much more difficult to mess with the kernel in comparison to Windows. I would use Linux in a heartbeat, but don't want to run Windows apps through an emulator. Maybe Win10 will piss off enough people that they will move to another platform, and software developers will take advantage of that migration.

My uneducated guess is that Microsoft will dominate the market as long as they dominate the lower end price... I mean I would love to have an Apple, but my pocketbook says just say NO.

[headhawg]

Linux is effectively free, so it's not just about price.

[MOG4023]

Hey EMD4ME,

For what it's worth, here's what I did:

In 2012, I had a fairly new lap top at the time (just a run of the mill $700 machine with windows 7 etc) that I used strictly for business (excel, email) but needed another horse'n around lap top. I was just getting back into handicapping and just won $1,400.
So off I go to my local computer shop. I ended up buying two (2) USED Lenovo Think Pads at $220 cdn each. He loaded up Windows 7 etc. Top of the line units, heavy suckers, finger print readers blah blah - just reconditioned. I got them configured identically. I use them for all my 'surfing','capping' and 'nefarious activities'. Two machines, each with external monitors (bought used as well) hooked up and I had a cool set up. My own little OTB shop in my kitchen.

Still both running today BUT one had a HD failure BUT it was a new HD the guy had put in. It had a warranty. Shipped it off to Western Digital got a replacement. Now I needed operating software, wasn't interested in trying to get a pirated Windows so I went with Ubuntu and it is a pleasure to work with.

Caution on Linux (Ubuntu) is you may find software that you normally purchase may not be available for Linux for example; tax software.

If I had only one lap top in my life, I am not so sure it would run Ubuntu but that's just me. I am self employed so I must be able to exchange files with clients with speed, ease and compatibility.

Excel files work fine - you can open them in "Libre' - looks the same. You can even save back as excel.

All 3 lap tops only ever get software added. Everything else is stored on external hard drives. That way if a lap top fails - toss it out. If lap top gets stolen - who cares. Everything gets stored on jump drives and they get duplicated periodically.

The good thing about the cheap reconditioned lap tops is they are the only ones that leave my house / office. They go to the track. If they get stolen, I really don't care. None of my data is lost. No client data is lost.

Cheers

[Flysofree]

Linux is effectively free, so it's not just about price.

That's a good point in the case of LINUX, but it's (as far as I know) an operating system that has to be installed by the user or someone knowledgeable about computers. That rules me out. In the case of an Apple computer the OS is already installed out of the box so not an issue for the less skilled computer folks like me.

[johnhannibalsmith]

I bought this puter for the primary reason that it had enough horsepower and room/capacity for aftermarket upgrades that it should last me a good long while. It has and seems likely to for the forseeable future. Which I'm starting to regret. I'm ready to be done with Microsoft as much as possible and switch to Linux but simply don't have the will to convert the existing machine and all that I use it for currently. I'm not any sort of computer techie, especially these days, but anyone that is in EMD's spot and decides to start off fresh on a new machine with a Linux OS gets an Amen Bruddah from me.