I need a new computer...can't decide whether to get another desktop or go just to a laptop...some people are telling me to wait and just get a "tablet" because they're the future...very confused now...any thoughts from Border friends...
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I need a new computer...can't decide whether to get another desktop or go just to a laptop...some people are telling me to wait and just get a "tablet" because they're the future...very confused now...any thoughts from Border friends...
I prefer laptops. So easy to port around to wherever you need to be. I would think especially for school that this would be handy. My kids both have Apple laptops for school and rave about them. I've never had one so wouldn't know. I'm pretty happy with my Compaq.
I have a PC laptop (which isn't very portable - 17" and very heavy) and an iPad. It's a very good working combo for me. The laptop does things the iPad is not capable of but when traveling, I usually only need the iPad for the basics.
I have a Mac desk top and would never have another one! I mean never! Not to say it hasn't been a good one, because it has, but I'm always running in to places that it isn't compatible. Some sites don't work with a mac. Maybe it's because I just don't know how to work it, but I've tried my hardest!
If I ever get to get a new one it will be a microsoft based laptop.
I've got a laptop (Compaq/HP) desktop and a laptop (Toshiba) and use them interchangably depending on what I'm doing. IMO it isn't so much about hardware as software...I can transfer from one to the other without a problem. I've considered getting a tablet because they really a very portable and easy to take along but I've tried the one my aunt has and wasn't exactly 'over the moon' with it.
While my laptop works fine, I'd never get another Toshiba but that's just me. Best advise I can throw out there is to go out and check out your different options until you find something you really like.
You already have a desktop, so it's possible that buying a new one, you only need to replace the CPU, and keep the mouse, keyboard, and display you already have, which is the cheapest option you have. So cheap, in fact, that for the price of a good laptop, you might be able to get a good CPU AND a tablet.
For myself, software geek that I am, I go crazy without one of my laptops. Since I went straight to Glenn's concert at Town Hall from Penn Station, I didn't take my laptop with me and it's literally the first time I've traveled without a laptop in about ten years. I use Lenovo (formerly IBM) only because they are more ruggedized than other brands and can handle the travel. I have to use PC-based machines due to the work that I do. As for tablets, I've found they are not user friendly when it comes to typing anything. Games and reading are fine, but if you want to type out a long email (or concert review!) it's very frustrating. I can honestly say after buying a new Droid Razr phone (big display yet very thin), I don't really see the need for a tablet at all anymore.
So...like others have said, it depends on what you want it for on what's best for you.
Like P4D I have a 17" HP laptop at home. It is too cumbersome to travel so I usually just bring my iPad. I don't think you could use a tablet without having a computer as well. I have a little net book at work which stays there, and I only do school related stuff on it. That's because it's predecessor was stolen from a secure staff room last year.
I'm interested in what you say about macs Brooke, since I had it in mind for my next upgrade. Now you are making me think.
Write down a list of things you'd like to use it for and anything that you particularly want or that bugs you, & take it with you when you look at your options. I personally will only consider a full-size keyboard - I'm a touch typist and can't cope with being slowed down by piddly little keys.
Also think about what functionality you have on your cellphone and/or whether you are likely to be upgrading that. I have just got a new phone (the Galaxy SII - which has since been superseded, but I'm happy with my model), and I'm gobsmacked by what they can do now.
There are very lightweight, powerful laptops available now that are way more portable than they used to be (my 6 year old laptop is VERY heavy), and probably have higher specs than your existing desktop.
Like everyone else has already said, it really depends on your own personal needs and what you will do with it. As VA pointed out, any kind of typing in great length is a total PITA unless done with a laptop or PC keyboard. For basic reading and research, tablets are fine as are any number of smart phones. In a perfect world, I would just own one of everything, but if I had to choose over laptop or PC and could only have one, I would take the laptop because at least it's portable. I would also choose laptop over tablet because it can do more things (that I like to do). I had a large laptop too, and as cumbersome as it was, I still lugged it with me everywhere that I went. It's almost impossible to not find wifi spots these days unless you visit my friend Nettie out at Taylor's Crossroads, NC. :hilarious:
Thanks for all the input...hate to spend money on stuff that will be outdated in six months...but I guess that's the nature of the beast with technology...but have some good ideas now...thanks again!
Another question here as I'm thinking about getting a new computer too, probably a laptop.
How much memory and ram (???) do I need for basic personal stuff, itunes, dvd watching, etc?
These days to be honest I'd recommend at least 4GB... Even stuff like YouTube eats it up... Personally I'd go for 8GB - that's what I use in my iMac. I don't use a laptop anymore (use an iPad) but if I did I'd get 4GB. 8GB is standard on most new desktops, 4GB for laptops. Don't get 2GB. It's not enough in today's world IMO even for simple browsing/email. If you wanted a supercomputer desktop model (which it sounds like you don't) then even 16GB is not really overkill IMO. But my general rule is 8 for desktops, 4 for laptops. 8GB is preferred.
My laptop has 8GB of RAM. When you start running out of RAM, your system gets slower. Every single operating system update slowly uses up more and more RAM, so unless you plan on getting a new laptop every year, go big. In my opinion! 'Basic personal stuff' might sound small, but on my last laptop (a 32-bit Vista machine), opening a PDF file for the User Manual for my camera could tax it. Granted, I use my laptop for work, but I hadn't planned on that when I bought it (I have a PC at the office I can access remotely, but it has less of everything and drives me crazy). The only thing I thought about getting and didn't was a solid state hard drive, but determined I could buy two new hard drives for the cost of upgrading to one solid state one. So I do back-ups often because this one will die soon since it's a year old and I leave it running 24x7.
still can't decide whether I want to do away with my desktop and go only with a laptop...I like my desktop because of the 20"monitor...or maybe I'll to one of those all in ones you can move around easily...any ideas on those...would love to hear...:dizzy:
Remember you can plug your laptop into the bigger monitor when you are at home.:)
Ok, thanks for the recommendations guys! I really appreciate it.
Another thing, how do I go about getting my itunes off my mac and on to a new windows machine?
I'm not quite sure Brooke, but I think I saved all my iTunes to the desktop. Then I put them on a memory stick. When I got my new machine I transferred them over, logged into iTunes using my original account and then reloaded the music into iTunes. A bit cumbersome. I wonder would iCloud be an option for you? Ie save everything on iCloud and then pull it down onto your new machine. But seek advice. Don't take what I say as written. I'd hate you to lose anything.
I ended up using a program to rip everything from my iPod back onto my new computer. Again, not ideal, but it worked for me since everything I had on iTunes was on my iPod anyway.
There is an iTunes library folder that you can copy to the iTunes folder on the new PC. :)
Hate to see you leaving the good side though. :D I'm a Mac guy all the way - iMac and iPad for me! And if US Cellular ever gets the iPhone I'll have that too so I can ditch my POS HTC Android! :D I'm stuck with USC due to where I live. I'm an avid Steve Jobs follower - one of my heroes. I bought into his "cult" a long time ago. First computer I ever touched was an Apple. The first computer I ever owned was a Mac and have used Macs/iPods/iPads ever since I was little.
Ok, so to move my itunes on my mac can I move them all to a flash drive and then plug that in to my new pc or laptop? How big of a flash drive do I need. I think I have around 1500 songs on my mac itunes.
Does anybody have a Blackberry Playbook? If so, I'd like to hear your comments, pro & con.
Ah ha! Thanks Tk!
I'm still undecided about a laptop or pc. I don't really need a laptop. I just think they are cool. I don't travel that much that I would need to take it with me. Will a laptop last as long as a desktop?
I am on my 3rd laptop, but I bought my first one around 1994. I do think they last pretty long. I just got a new one because I needed to update.
The best thing about a laptop is that if you have a problem with it, you can easily just bring it someplace to be fixed, rather than have to get someone to come to your house to fix it. You also have the option to take it anywhere easily. I would highly recommend getting a laptop. Just my opinion.
Brooke, another great thing about the laptop is that when you are wireless, you can go out on your deck or patio to work out side, I often go on my terrace to work or I can even take it up to my roof pool because they have wi-fi up there. Also just take anyplace in your house, very easily. Do consider it :thumbsup:
I actually just got home from the store...bought a laptop to replace my desktop...very excited..:)
Ok! Thanks Tk!
Zelda, I'm :jealous: What kind did you get?
Congrats! I love my laptop!
Laptops are so much better because they allow you the freedom of portability. You're not tied to a tertiary position because of the RJ-45 hookup. I can sit where I want to in my house on my computer. Make sure you have a good, strong router that allows for longer distances, and password protect it. I sell computers, and we carry very few desktops anymore.
:hilarious::hilarious::hilarious::hilarious:
I'm lucky if a laptop lasts 3 years for me... Not the software but the hardware. I'm pretty rough with my laptops though - I take them all over, eat around them, and use them constantly.
I'm getting ready to buy a new one next month. MacBook Air 13 inch probably. I'm a Mac guy - I use a current model iMac for my main machine but I really want something more better for typing than my iPad for times when I need apps or to do lots of typing. As of right now I just have the iPad and my iMac.
I stand corrected. This is my 4th laptop! So that's 4 in 18 years. I guess that's not too bad. They seemed to have each lasted over 4 years. The older ones did not have the memory that the ones they have today do. My first one was a 486! That is ancient. It was an IBM Thinkpad & it cost a fortune, if I remember correctly... I had some strange programs on there too, like Lotus123. Do you remember that one! LOL:hilarious:
I'm sure you will love it Zelda! Hope you are enjoying your new toy!:thumbsup:
Zelda, just plug it in, that will charge the battery. There will be an indicator on the screen to let you know when it is fully charged.