Frank Gaydos on sun 20 sep 09
Donna,
First you need to decide PC or Apple.
If PC I would go with Dell which I have had good luck with.
They have a great website with bargains galore on an auction site. You can
great a very nice notebook for under $300.00!
http://www.dellauction.com/
Good luck,
Frank
----- Original Message -----
From: "Donna Ward"
To:
Sent: Sunday, September 20, 2009 5:05 PM
Subject: I need a new computer
> My PC is in it's death throes. I need a new computer. I think I want to
> stay with a PC. Can I ask you all for your recommendations? I am barely
> computer literate. I use my computer for news, e mail and word
> processing. I shop and idly search the web for interesting things that
> catch the corner of my mind. What would you suggest for someone like me=
?
>
> Thank you all in advance
>
>
> Donna Ward
> meandmrc@earthlink.net
>
Donna Ward on sun 20 sep 09
My PC is in it's death throes. I need a new computer. I think I want to s=
tay with a PC. Can I ask you all for your recommendations? I am barely co=
mputer literate. I use my computer for news, e mail and word processing. =
I shop and idly search the web for interesting things that catch the corner=
of my mind. What would you suggest for someone like me?
Thank you all in advance
Donna Ward
meandmrc@earthlink.net
Cathi Newlin on sun 20 sep 09
Tried to send this directly but you have restrictions on your email Donna.
I build systems for a living and have for about 15 years now.
My best advice is to trot down to Walmart and buy whateved package they hav=
e
that fits your budget.
There is *no* noticable difference in computers if you shop by brand.
All the innards come from the same manufacturers. The only real differences
between brand name computers are the logo, the case and the software.
Any PC you buy new will come with Vista, Windows 7 or perhaps XP installed.
Anything you get from WalMart in the $500 to $1000 range will in all
likelihood be better than what you have.
Beyond hardware, most name brand computers load the systems up with their
proprietal software.
Most of this you don't need and won't use, so have a computer savvy friend
come over and remove what you don't think you'll use, thus freeing up more
memory and storage space.
I personally prefer AMD processors to Pentium processors as they run cooler
and thus (IMO) more effeciently, but most lay folks won't really notice a
difference between the two.
Unless you have a hard core demand like video editing, serious gaming,
programming etc, you probably won't benifit from super-duper bells and
whistles like ultra fast video processing.
Get something with at least a 120 gigabyte hard drive and at least a
gigabyte of RAM. I don't really think you will find anything less than that
at Wally World.
You won't get a better computer at Best Buy, Office Depot etc - most likely
just a more expensive one.
Last advice, if you are on a dial-up connection, request a modem - most new
systems don't come with them!
Hope that helps :-)
Cathi Newlin, Angels Camp, Ca
cathi@box49.com
box49@caltel.com
cathi@SquarePegArts.com
-------------------------------
California Boxers in Need:
http://CaliforniaBoxer.org
----- Original Message -----
From: "Donna Ward"
To:
Sent: Sunday, September 20, 2009 2:05 PM
Subject: [Clayart] I need a new computer
> My PC is in it's death throes. I need a new computer. I think I want to
> stay with a PC. Can I ask you all for your recommendations? I am barely
> computer literate. I use my computer for news, e mail and word
> processing. I shop and idly search the web for interesting things that
> catch the corner of my mind. What would you suggest for someone like me=
?
>
> Thank you all in advance
>
>
> Donna Ward
> meandmrc@earthlink.net
>
Randall Moody on sun 20 sep 09
On Sun, Sep 20, 2009 at 5:05 PM, Donna Ward wrote:
> My PC is in it's death throes. I need a new computer. I think I want to
> stay with a PC. Can I ask you all for your recommendations? I am barely
> computer literate. I use my computer for news, e mail and word processin=
g.
> I shop and idly search the web for interesting things that catch the cor=
ner
> of my mind. What would you suggest for someone like me?
>
> Thank you all in advance
>
>
> Donna Ward
> meandmrc@earthlink.net
>
Acer is a good choice and cheap also. Be aware that if you buy if from Bes=
t
Buy it will come with a lot of junk ware. We just got a laptop for my sons
and I had about two hours of removing the junk from it. Once I got that don=
e
it is great. I spent less than 400 bucks for a very fast computer with a bi=
g
hard drive, 4 gigs of ram and a webcam.
--
Randall in Atlanta
Vicki Hardin on sun 20 sep 09
Donna, you may want to know that Windows 7 comes out October 22nd. So, if
you want to be cutting edge, you may want to wait, or if you want the
current operating system, you may want to purchase now. A beginning of the
line computer could nicely accommodate Internet browsing, email and word
processing. If it were me, I would expect to pay no more than 500.00
Vicki Hardin
http://ClayArtWebGuide.com
Frank Gaydos on mon 21 sep 09
Another source of cheap computers is WOOT!
www.woot.com sells remainders and odd lots of electronics.=3D20
They have one item each night at 1:00 am and sell till they are all =3D
gone or till the next woot at 1am.
They have an active chat room to discuss whether the item that night =3D
is a deal or not.
Tonight it is a:
HP Pavilion 17=3D94 Dual Core Entertainment Notebook w/ Blu-ray
$679.99
a.. + $5 shipping
a.. 2.20 GHz AMD Turion RM-74 Dual-Core Mobile Processor 1MB L2 Cache
a.. 17.0=3D94 Diagonal WXGA+ High-Definition HP BrightView Widescreen =3D
Display (1440=3DD7900)
a.. Full Size 101-key compatible keyboard with keypad
a.. 4096MB DDR2 RAM (8192MB maximum)
a.. ATI Radeon HD3650 with 512mb dedicated memory
a.. 500GB SATA 5400 RPM hard drive
a.. LightScribe Blu-Ray ROM with SuperMulti DVD=3DB1R/RW with Double =3D
Layer Support
a.. 5-in-1 integrated Digital Media Reader for Secure Digital cards, =3D
MultiMedia cards, Memory Stick, Memory Stick Pro, or xD Picture cards
a.. 4 Universal Serial Bus (USB) 2.0, 4th port shared with eSATA
a.. 2 Headphone Out
a.. 1 Microphone In
a.. 1 VGA (15-pin)
a.. eSATA +USB 2.0
a.. 1 RJ-11 (modem)
a.. 1 RJ-465 (LAN)
a.. 1 Notebook expansion port 3
a.. 1 IEEE 1394
a.. 1 Firewire (4-pin)
a.. Altec Lansing speakers with SRS Premium Sound and Sub-Woofer
a.. Touch Pad with On/Off button and dedicated vertical scroll Up/Down =
=3D
pad
a.. HDMI port allows you to display video from the notebook on a HDTV=3D2=
0
a.. Genuine Windows Vista Home Premium 64-bit with Service Pack 1
a.. HP Mobile Remote Control
a.. 8-Cell Lithium-ion battery
a.. 90W AC Adapter
John Rodgers on mon 21 sep 09
Donna,
Just about any name brand you can buy at a box store will work
reasonably well. You will get some good advice in this area. One thing
to be careful of is the operating system.
Microsoft's Windows XP - turned out to be a really good operating
system. It was stable, not too flakey, and performed well. It has been
out there fore several years now, but Microsoft is about to retire it
completely - ie, it is on the verge of no longer being supported with
upgrades and fixes, and in the progression of things newer software
available that will run on it will become less and less available. But
if you can find a computer with this as the operating system, it is
still pretty good.
Microsoft's Vista - which superceded Windows XP - was bad news in my
view. I was fortunate to learn early about the program and I stayed with
Windows XP rather than upgrade to Vista. I am very glad I did. Most
everyone I know in my circle of friends who work with computers for a
living absolutely hate Vista. Right now there are a lot of computers
out there with Vista on them, but most suppliers are dumping them
because the new Microsoft Windows 7 is about to come out.. So everyone
is trying to unload anything with Vista already on it, and also the
Vista software packages, as well as Windows XP - the latter because it
is now "old hat". But if you can find a copy of Windows XP anywhere, it
would be worth getting it just to have it as a back up. But stay away
from Vista.
Microsoft Windows 7 - this is the latest - and whether the greatest only
time will tell. Has a lot of new, and nice features. For now, it is
available only as a "Beta" version. Until a short time ago, you could go
to the Microsoft website and download a free copy. I am running one
right now. It has a built in "stop" so that at some point if I do not
get the forthcoming "official release" as an upgrade it will just stop
running at some point. So far I really like this new "7" . It is very
intuitive, and has thus far been easy to use. The official version will
be out in October, so you may want to wait until then and get it.
So there you have it.
Windows XP - a stable operating system but about to be retired and no
longer supported
Vista - a current operating system that many people find problematic
and despise.
Windows 7 - Microsoft's newest - seemingly very good but without a track
record yet.
Good luck.
John Rodgers
Chelsea, AL
Donna Ward wrote:
> My PC is in it's death throes. I need a new computer. I think I want to=
stay with a PC. Can I ask you all for your recommendations? I am barely =
computer literate. I use my computer for news, e mail and word processing.=
I shop and idly search the web for interesting things that catch the corn=
er of my mind. What would you suggest for someone like me?
>
> Thank you all in advance
>
>
> Donna Ward
> meandmrc@earthlink.net
>
>
John Rodgers on mon 21 sep 09
Wayne,
You are right! Ubuntu Linux is good if you don't need all the other
mainstream programs that are developed for Mac's and PC's. I have a 60
hz machine with Ubuntu Linux on it and it's great for the limited use I
have for it. As you said - for browsing and e-mail, and a few other
things - with Linux installed it's terrific! But - I do a lot of heavy
graphic and video work and need a work horse in both the machine
performance and capacity as well as the software - so I have a dual core
PC with 3 hz Intel processor, a monster of a video card, ieee1394
connections all over the place and Adobe's CS3. I can't get the CS4 to
run on Windows 7 so it will be CS3 ufn.
Regards,
John Rodgers
Chelsea, AL
Phoenix Rising Farm wrote:
> Gwynneth is right. (K)Ubuntu rocks! I use it for our computer that
> houses
> all of our music and videos. Four years, hundreds of CDs and DVDs loaded,
> no crashes, no virii, no issues at all!
> The only problem with Linux (any distribution, there are hundreds) is
> that
> most "mainstream" applications are not designed to run on it. For some,
> you can use a "windows emulator" to mimic Windows,
> but that isn't always a great solution. Still, for generic tasks like
> web browsing
> and email, (k)ubuntu or another Linux distribution is the way to go. AND
> you
> can install it on older slower computers without a lot of space
> required...
> it's not a memory hog.
>
> Best,
> Wayne Seidl
>
> Gwynneth Rixon wrote:
>> Never mind Microsoft/windows, what about Linux (we use Ubuntu)?
>> Uses less energy to run, no virus problems, fast booting up....if it
>> is good enough for Google?!
>> Well worth considering
>> Gwynneth
>>
>>
>
Lee Love on mon 21 sep 09
On Mon, Sep 21, 2009 at 8:31 PM, Phoenix Rising Farm wr=
=3D
ote:
> Gwynneth is right. =3DA0(K)Ubuntu rocks! I use it for our computer that h=
ou=3D
ses
> all of our music and videos. Four years, hundreds of CDs and DVDs loaded,
> no crashes, no virii, no issues at all!
I agree with Gwynneth and Wayne. I run all my favorite open source
software that I first learned on Winows in Linux. Linux is a
great way to access the web.
--
Lee Love, Minneapolis
"The tea ceremony bowl is the ceramic equivalent of a sonnet: a
small-scale, seemingly constricted form that challenges the artist to
go beyond mere technical virtuosity and find an approach that both
satisfies and transcends the conventions." -- Rob Sliberman
full essay: http://togeika.multiply.com/journal/item/273/
Les on mon 21 sep 09
Hi -
My vote definitely goes to an Apple IMac or an Apple Macbook Pro ......
Also, is a "notebook" a "computer"?
Les.
lcrimp@shaw.ca
On 2009-09-20, at 8:20 PM, Frank Gaydos wrote:
> Donna,
> First you need to decide PC or Apple.
> If PC I would go with Dell which I have had good luck with.
> They have a great website with bargains galore on an auction site.
> You can
> great a very nice notebook for under $300.00!
> http://www.dellauction.com/
>
> Good luck,
> Frank
> ----- Original Message -----
> From: "Donna Ward"
> To:
> Sent: Sunday, September 20, 2009 5:05 PM
> Subject: I need a new computer
>
>
>> My PC is in it's death throes. I need a new computer. I think I
>> want to
>> stay with a PC. Can I ask you all for your recommendations? I am
>> barely
>> computer literate. I use my computer for news, e mail and word
>> processing. I shop and idly search the web for interesting things
>> that
>> catch the corner of my mind. What would you suggest for someone
>> like me?
>>
>> Thank you all in advance
>>
>>
>> Donna Ward
>> meandmrc@earthlink.net
>>
John Britt on mon 21 sep 09
Donna,
Just go to the Best Buy and talk to the people there. You are not the onl=
=3D
y=3D20
person who isn't a geek. See what they say and then go to Office Max and=
=3D
=3D20
talk to them.
Then you will have an idea.
Apples are great if you are rich ( $1500 - $2000 ) and remember that you =
=3D
will=3D20
have to be an Apple snob for life! But if you want one for $300 - $700 g=
=3D
o=3D20
with a PC.
John Britt
www.johnbrittpottery.com
Russel Fouts on mon 21 sep 09
If you're staying with PC, don't buy anything until October when
Microsoft releases Windows 7. Otherwise, you'll get Vista and you don't
want that.
If you buy now, you'll get Vista with, maybe the possibility to upgrade
to W7 but, as mel said, the upgrade isn't very smooth. Best to install
new or buy new with W7.
I've been running W7 on one of my computers and am very impressed with
it. I think it's going to be one of MS' better operating systems.
Russel
Gwynneth Rixon on mon 21 sep 09
Never mind Microsoft/windows=3D2C what about Linux (we use Ubuntu)?
Uses less energy to run=3D2C no virus problems=3D2C fast booting up....if i=
t is=3D
good enough for Google?!
Well worth considering
Gwynneth
> Date: Mon=3D2C 21 Sep 2009 22:05:29 +0200
> From: Russel.Fouts@SKYNET.BE
> Subject: Re: I need a new computer
> To: Clayart@LSV.CERAMICS.ORG
>=3D20
> If you're staying with PC=3D2C don't buy anything until October when
> Microsoft releases Windows 7. Otherwise=3D2C you'll get Vista and you don=
't
> want that.
>=3D20
> If you buy now=3D2C you'll get Vista with=3D2C maybe the possibility to u=
pgra=3D
de
> to W7 but=3D2C as mel said=3D2C the upgrade isn't very smooth. Best to in=
stal=3D
l
> new or buy new with W7.
>=3D20
> I've been running W7 on one of my computers and am very impressed with
> it. I think it's going to be one of MS' better operating systems.
>=3D20
> Russel
=3D0A=3D
_________________________________________________________________=3D0A=3D
With Windows Live=3D2C you can organise=3D2C edit=3D2C and share your photo=
s.=3D0A=3D
http://clk.atdmt.com/UKM/go/134665338/direct/01/=3D
The Fuzzy Chef on mon 21 sep 09
Donna,
> There is *no* noticable difference in computers if you shop by brand.
> All the innards come from the same manufacturers. The only real differenc=
es
> between brand name computers are the logo, the case and the software.
> Any PC you buy new will come with Vista, Windows 7 or perhaps XP installe=
d.
This isn't completely accurate. One of the benefits of the higher-end
brands (like Levono or Apple) and lines (like ) is that the parts are
better selected and far better tested. However, I will agree that in
the "cheap computer" market (under $700) there aren't a lot of
differences, so Cathi is essentially correct where you are concerned.
However, different manufacturers and stores do have radically different
approaches to accepting returns and performing warranty repairs. This
tends to vary all over the place; I recommend reading up on CNET,
Consumer Reports and other places which track customer satisfaction.
Really, you want to make sure that your computer comes with a 1-year
parts & manufacturing warranty, and that they'll accept it back with no
questions and won't require you to pay shipping if it is taken back.
> Just go to the Best Buy and talk to the people there. You are not the
only
> person who isn't a geek. See what they say and then go to Office Max and
> talk to them.
I wouldn't suggest taking advice from anyone at Best Buy or Office Max.
The likelyhood that they know any more about computers than you is
miniscule, but they'll try to see you whatever they have too many of anyway=
.
Definitely do not rely on Best Buy's in-house repair service; they are
notoriously bad.
I recommend online vendors for the best deals in low-end PCs; I just
bought a $320 eMachine, including shipping, from www.newegg.com. I've
also had good experiences with TigerDirect.
I do think that both Linux and Macs are worth a look, *if* you can find
someone you can rely on (neighbor, relative) who understands them. My
in-laws are on Linux now and find it easier to use than Windows, but
often need to wait for my visits to fix something they've broken. The
complete lack of computer viruses is nice, though.
Unlike others on this list, I wouldn't wait your purchase on Windows 7;
there's no particular reason to believe it'll be less broken than Vista.
--Josh Berkus
Kathy Forer on mon 21 sep 09
On Sep 21, 2009, at 1:55 PM, John Britt wrote:
> Apples are great if you are rich ( $1500 - $2000 ) and remember that
> you will
> have to be an Apple snob for life! But if you want one for $300 -
> $700 go
> with a PC.
Actually you can get a pretty darn incredible Mac Mini for $599 (bring
your own screen, keyboard and mouse) or a really great MacBook for
$999. Both include $100 printer rebates.
But whatever you do, leave room for an extra $75 for a backup hard
drive!! Get it twice the size of your computer's internal hard drive
and BACKUP BACKUP BACKUP. Get two backup drives. Backup to the cloud!
(Mozy, Carbonite, MobileMe, Amazon S3)
Drives and boards get fried or dropped and we lose data. It's so much
nicer when you can do an easy restore.
And don't forget a good surge protector. But even expensive ones that
say they insure the equipment don't work if you live in a place with
iffy electricity and get zapped. I've seen one actually melt. Luckily
I had unplugged all my equipment beforehand. Unplug the surge
protector itself in a nasty storm! I also recommend a UPS/
Uninterruptible Power Supply. In the event of an outage, it allows
time to shut down gracefully.
And if you do get an Apple, don't forget AppleCare. It costs extra but
is well worth it. Check out ebay or http://www.lacomputercompany.com/cgi-bi=
n/rpcart/featured.cgi?group=3Dappcare
to save $50 or so.
I heard of one lawyer who stuck to his old 386 PC until today, just so
he could use Write Now. His machine is kicking it, fifteen years
later, how will he move into the modern world? Linux may come to his
rescue.
Consider how long you will have the computer and invest accordingly.
And if you can't afford really good equipment, get what you can and
take care of it as best you can. But it's cheaper in the long run to
spend more in the beginning.
Kathy Forer
kef@kforer.com
Phoenix Rising Farm on mon 21 sep 09
Gwynneth is right. (K)Ubuntu rocks! I use it for our computer that houses
all of our music and videos. Four years, hundreds of CDs and DVDs loaded,
no crashes, no virii, no issues at all!
The only problem with Linux (any distribution, there are hundreds) is that
most "mainstream" applications are not designed to run on it. For some,
you can use a "windows emulator" to mimic Windows,
but that isn't always a great solution. Still, for generic tasks like
web browsing
and email, (k)ubuntu or another Linux distribution is the way to go. AND
you
can install it on older slower computers without a lot of space required...
it's not a memory hog.
Best,
Wayne Seidl
Gwynneth Rixon wrote:
> Never mind Microsoft/windows, what about Linux (we use Ubuntu)?
> Uses less energy to run, no virus problems, fast booting up....if it is g=
ood enough for Google?!
> Well worth considering
> Gwynneth
>
>
Anita Rickenberg on tue 22 sep 09
The person who wants to replace her computer admits that she isn't =3D
computer
savvy and wants it to do basic chores as inexpensively as possible. My
suggestion is to get "plain vanilla" for both the computer and the =3D
operating
system. A PC with Windows operating system can be purchased relatively
cheaply and enough people are familiar with Windows that she can ask for
advise easily. Upgrades and replacement parts are also widely available
anywhere from eBay to many on-line stores. There are also any number of
basic books out there that she can reference for help. Keep it simple.
Anita
Gwynneth Rixon on tue 22 sep 09
I have enquired at a local shop about a refurbished laptop- looks like it =
=3D
will be cheaper with ubuntu...
My daughter is a graphic designer and has a Mac- so she uses Mac OSX and Ad=
=3D
obe CS-so that seems to be the answer if you want to do a lot of graphics. =
=3D
Macs seem fairly standard for anyone doing any amount of graphics=3D2C alth=
ou=3D
gh son#3 (whose computer this is) is a signwriter and is using the ubuntu g=
=3D
raphics programmes ok.
Gwynneth
> Date: Tue=3D2C 22 Sep 2009 08:03:12 -0400
> From: adr@ATLANTICBB.NET
> Subject: Re: I need a new computer
> To: Clayart@LSV.CERAMICS.ORG
>=3D20
> The person who wants to replace her computer admits that she isn't comput=
=3D
er
> savvy and wants it to do basic chores as inexpensively as possible. My
> suggestion is to get "plain vanilla" for both the computer and the operat=
=3D
ing
> system. A PC with Windows operating system can be purchased relatively
> cheaply and enough people are familiar with Windows that she can ask for
> advise easily. Upgrades and replacement parts are also widely available
> anywhere from eBay to many on-line stores. There are also any number of
> basic books out there that she can reference for help. Keep it simple.
> Anita
=3D0A=3D
_________________________________________________________________=3D0A=3D
Get the best of MSN on your mobile=3D0A=3D
http://clk.atdmt.com/UKM/go/147991039/direct/01/=3D
Randall Moody on tue 22 sep 09
On Tue, Sep 22, 2009 at 8:03 AM, Anita Rickenberg wrote=
:
> The person who wants to replace her computer admits that she isn't comput=
er
> savvy and wants it to do basic chores as inexpensively as possible. My
> suggestion is to get "plain vanilla" for both the computer and the
> operating
> system. A PC with Windows operating system can be purchased relatively
> cheaply and enough people are familiar with Windows that she can ask for
> advise easily. Upgrades and replacement parts are also widely available
> anywhere from eBay to many on-line stores. There are also any number of
> basic books out there that she can reference for help. Keep it simple.
> Anita
>
I noticed that. Donna stated that she wanted to stay with PC and that she
isn't computer savy and many of the replies were "go Mac" or "try X geek
ware"! It seems that many missed the main jist of her question. The reason
I recommended Acer is that they are the world's third, and closing in on
second, largest computer maker. They are easily found at most retail stores=
,
although I do recommend not buying any computer from Wal-Mart due to the
extremely low end components and that they are PC based.
Donna, are you looking for a laptop or a desktop?
--
Randall in Atlanta
Carl Finch on tue 22 sep 09
At 02:05 PM 9/20/2009, Donna Ward wrote:
>My PC is in it's death throes. I need a new computer.
Hmm, perhaps you do, but perhaps you don't!
My wife's 6 year old, bottom-of-the-line Dell model 2400 was taking forever
to boot up and to shut down. I tried all the usual remedies (anti-virus,
of course, plus anti-malware, disk defragmentation), all to no avail. Her
40 GB hard drive, though not even half full, clickety-clicked interminably
during boot-up and shut-down.
The fix was easy and free. Simply save off the files she wanted to keep,
reformat the drive, and reinstall Windows and the few programs she
uses. Of course, as a "barely computer literate" person you might have to
hire this done, but most any computer shop ought to be able to do it
for.... I dunno... you'd have to ask.
Anyway, I'm curious to know just what it is that makes you believe your
computer is dying. And to help judge whether it's worthwhile to repair it,
what its brand and model are. But your requirements are very modest, and
assuming they will remain that way, just about any new computer will please
you.
> I think I want to stay with a PC. Can I ask you all for your
> recommendations? I am barely computer literate. I use my computer for
> news, e mail and word processing. I shop and idly search the web for
> interesting things that catch the corner of my mind. What would you
> suggest for someone like me?
Absolutely stay (as close as you can) with what you have! Questions like
yours invariably bring out all the geek (and pseudo-geek) responses you've
already received. [I really wanted to suggest you buy what I just did, a
veritable CRAY it is! But what the heck...]
>Donna Ward
>meandmrc@earthlink.net
My regards to Mr. C!
--Carl
in Medford, Oregon
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