computer

[Auburn]

Home PC's let you use large monitors, something a laptop can't do.

Not necessarily. I hook my Surface up to a docking station at home and have two 23 inch monitors on it. Works for me.

I do the same with a Dell D3100 which can handle up to 3 monitors, gives you several USB ports. I use it with my surface at work, and my personal surface at home. You can also plug in or Bluetooth keyboards and mice or hardwire them.

 

[Tyler]

Or you could try this...

 

[Auburn]

Home PC's let you use large monitors, something a laptop can't do.

Not necessarily. I hook my Surface up to a docking station at home and have two 23 inch monitors on it. Works for me.

If the laptop has a HDMI output it can be connected to any TV with a HDMI input. Also true for an iPad to connect to a HDMI TV but it requires a $50 adapter.

Or you can chromecast (or other) to TVs that are ready to receive it and no HDMI is need at all.

 

[Bounce]

If you can find an Apple store, then you may find the have great deals on refurbished Macs and their laptops.

Lots of inventory that changes regularly. I've only ever bought 2 apple products through places other than the refurb store. I just sold my 2013 15" Macbook pro that was loaded, a thunderbolt 2 doc, and other accessories along with an extra 85w wall charger for $1000. Replaced it with a Mac Mini which uses desktop processes instead of laptop (M) CPUs. Even though the numbers may sounds equal or better on the laptops, the power-sipping design of the laptop chips mean they won't match the desktop competitors. If you already have external mouse, keyboard, monitor, then (IMO) that's the way to go.

https://www.apple.com/shop/refurbished/mac

 

[FJRay]

Lots of good info. None of it makes sense to me cause I'm so far behind the world. My tool boxes still have wrenches not gigabytes. Gotta try to catch up a little.

 

[Geezer]

Lots of good info. None of it makes sense to me cause I'm so far behind the world. My tool boxes still have wrenches not gigabytes. Gotta try to catch up a little.

Are you simply looking for a new computer that will be your only device or are you using more than one device, such as a second computer or smart TV?

Do you have wifi in your home? If so the the wifi router serves as your network. You can attach devices to the network either by plugging them into USB ports on the wifi router (faster) or simply using the wifi connectivity (slower but more convenient). It all sounds complicated, but most devices connect easily and come with instructions.

 

[dcarver]

I have spent time in Ray's workshop. He already has a big screen TV hanging on the wall. From what I've seen Ray use his shop PC for is primarily basic tasks. Mostly stuff like looking at **** (motorcycle ****, you perverts!) on the internet, finding parts. He's not big into pictures or video production. I've never seen MS Word, Excel or Access open on the screen.

And even though Ray claims to be a luddite, he's actually not. Semi-Luddite, maybe better fits.

Laptop vs desktop?

Desktop. I just don't see Ray needing or wanting to carry a bulkier laptop, as compared to tablet, on a ride or to a restaurant, etc.

Conventional or SSD hard drive?

SSD, no brainer.

PC or Mac?

Mac.

1. All in one. Standalone monitor not required. Ray doesn't have all that much room on his work desk. Too many catalogs and what not.
2. With $80 bucks he could buy Parallels and Windows on his Mac virtually. So if tried the Mac OS and didn't like it, he could inexpensively run Windows on the Mac. That's my configuration at the Hondarosa. I run various MS server editions, Win7, Win10, Linux etc.

PC Vs Mac Pros and Cons

1. PRO PC -
   File management is easier, IMHO. More prompting of 'Are you sure?' prior to executing a file name change for example. Directory and file listing is easier to visualize. Creating new folders you have handy button to click. (Choose File > New Folder, or press Shift-Command-N)
   
2. Smarter drag and drop for moving files. Mac's you have to
   How to copy files on a Mac system
   ​Select all the files you want to copy to the destination folder. (Hold down the [Command] key while you select each file.)
3. Press and hold the [option] key. ...
4. Click the files you want to drag from the source folder, and then drag and drop them onto the destination folder
   

[*]​PRO Mac

1. 
   ​Easier to install applications
2. Less virus infection threat level. Still need anti virus though
3. Better standardization of program user interface
4. Can run Windows if wanted
5. GREAT service support
6. ​Rarely ever require reboot
7. Updates just work better than PC, and easier too

But I think Tyler had the best answer!

Or you could try this...

 

[FJRay]

Lots of good info. None of it makes sense to me cause I'm so far behind the world. My tool boxes still have wrenches not gigabytes. Gotta try to catch up a little.

Are you simply looking for a new computer that will be your only device or are you using more than one device, such as a second computer or smart TV?

Do you have wifi in your home? If so the the wifi router serves as your network. You can attach devices to the network either by plugging them into USB ports on the wifi router (faster) or simply using the wifi connectivity (slower but more convenient). It all sounds complicated, but most devices connect easily and come with instructions.

new computer and it is the only one, it's connected to the router via Ethernet cable. My tablet just gets used for mindless surfing and books to read. The phone is just a phone not my life.

What I have could probably be cleaned up and upgraded (it's a 15 year old ASUS desk top) but there are no techs close and they charge 100.00 door to door. It does have windows 10 but I liked 7 better

 

[RichDoyle]

Ray, you say your needs are simple, but exactly what are they? Specifically, what applications do you use beyond a browser?

Some obvious examples:

Microsoft Office apps (Word, Excel)?

Open Office?

Quicken or Quickbooks, other accounting/financial software?

Specialty apps like autocad? I have various things to support flying and performing, for example.

Not everything is available on all platforms (i.e., Mac vs. Windows vs. Chromebook vs. Linux). A downside of using the virtual machine approach (which I had to both of our Macs for awhile) is you have to deal with constant software updates for each of the operating systems and the virtual machine software itself.

 

[Bounce]

Lots of good info. None of it makes sense to me cause I'm so far behind the world. My tool boxes still have wrenches not gigabytes. Gotta try to catch up a little.

Are you simply looking for a new computer that will be your only device or are you using more than one device, such as a second computer or smart TV?

Do you have wifi in your home? If so the the wifi router serves as your network. You can attach devices to the network either by plugging them into USB ports on the wifi router (faster) or simply using the wifi connectivity (slower but more convenient). It all sounds complicated, but most devices connect easily and come with instructions.

Or, better yet, plug in Ethernet to the router for better speed than USB (except for something like a hard drive)

If you needs M$ Office for yourself and aren't a student on the company isn't paying for it, Check out LibreOffice. It's open source and you pay what you think is appropriate (donation). It reads and writes M$ files. I've often used it to "fix" an M$ file someone can't open (open/save in LibreOffice and then their M$ software can open it again).

Win7 is being deprecated by M$ 1/2020. That means no security patches or support and software developers will continue to abandon it for the growing installed base of Win10.

I really like the new Mac Mini ("It has the meats ports!"). But again for basic needs, an older Mac Mini from the refurb store would be at big cost savings. A small monitor is cheap to find for his needs (as are $10 keyboards and $5 mice). I've been using VMWare's Fusion for many years. Updates are as easy as any other update. Get a notice, click on install, wait, and bingo-bango. Over the years, the things I need to run in Windows has shrunken down to 2 things: My Cobb AccessPort (For tuning my Subaru STi) and the Power Commander software for the FJR. Neither get used much once you figure out how you like the tune in your vehicle.

The advantage of the Mac is all the stuff it comes with for free. If he's not locked into M$ Office, Apple GIVES you the 3 basics (presentations, spreadsheets, and word processing) at no extra cost. While M$ either sends you to the aftermarket, Apple rolls about 85%-90% of the basics in with the OS. So a refurb might seems a little high ($300-500) but that's it as far as purchasing anything other than wants.

I went and looked at the Apple refurb page and it must be getting an update because it’s blank right now. Check back and see what’s out there (full warranty).

https://www.apple.com/shop/refurbished/mac

 

[Blind Squirrel]

Chromebook.

 

[Geezer]

Apple products are a lot pricier than similar Windows computers. If you are accustomed to Windows then you are probably better off sticking with that. Windows 10 is a little different from Windows 7, but not nearly as different as switching to a completely different operating system.

Also, the advantage of a laptop is that you can take it to the workbench or kitchen table when you want to and it runs on batteries for hours so you don't need to always have power. I carry mine to the garage when I'm using a procedure to fix a vehicle, and I put it on the kitchen counter when I am using a recipe for baking or cooking. It is very convenient and has all of the capability of a desktop machine.

 

[dcarver]

Everyone is overthinking Ray's computing needs. No Office, Quicken, etc. Just, sorry Ray, simple stuff. Cruise internet for parts. Not get 50% into order and have PC crash. Then take an hour to get healthy again.

Mac or PC,

Ray needs simple, easy, relatively inexpensive.

 

[Bugnatr]

Ray, I bought a referb Lenovo lap top from overstock.com works fine with windows 10...windows 7 IS history. Stick with a pc if that's what you are used too.

What you need to do is hook up with a friends high school grand kid who can help you transfer your data or pay some tech dude to do it for you.

 

[FJRay]

The KISS system works well for me. I never touched it today and nothing went wrong. I think I'm on to something here.

 

[harper]

Think "old dog, new tricks." Go back to paper and pencil and a desk dial phone.

 

[Bounce]

Apple products are a lot pricier than similar Windows computers.

Not actually. Built with the same hardware and cases, they price out about the same.

As for the advantages of a laptop, when you have a tablet (as does the OP) that becomes something used far less often. It's why I recently replaced my Macbook Pro with a Mac Mini. For those who don't want to dig into the tech, the macOS is as easy as it gets. You can dive into the power and even work from a Unix command line but if not, it just works. Have to wipe and rebuild? No need for media, a network connection and it will say "Pardon me, I'll be back in a bit.", and come back running and updated when the screen welcomes you to log in.

For super-simple stuff that puts itself back to its original state when you shut down, a cheap Chromebook is the next-best option.

After supporting Windows (and DOS before it) for 40 years, I will tell you that Windows is overly complex in its demands on end users. Win10 has addressed some of this but how it does it (forced updates) is typical M$ heavy-handedness.

 

[Mossyrocks13k]

... or you could watch this site for a good inexpensive computer..

https://www.techbargains.com/

 

[NBB]

Home PC's let you use large monitors, something a laptop can't do.

That,s not the case for me, one of my Laptop's (dell 1TB SSD 32GB) is running a 32" 4k, and a 27" 4K. and doing cad work on it.. Of course it has a low end quadro card, JSNS. Many gaming cards word work well, and many are embedded now adays.

2nd lower priced HP also 1tb and 16GB drives 2 27's very well, embedded graphic on this one.

 

[rbentnail]

Home PC's let you use large monitors, something a laptop can't do

Not true at all. The HDMI port of my Toshiba laptop will drive an old CRT big screen and any of my 3 usb ports will drive a 32" TV as a 2nd screen. Very helpful when doing tutorials- I see the text on my laptop and practice on the 2nd at the same time. It's how I learned BaseCamp from newenglandriders.
The Dell rugged tablets we use at work come with a docking station providing input from a regular keybd and output to a big screen for working at a desk along with the standard mobility of a tablet.

There's all kinds of options for this stuff.