Computer Suggestions? - Page 2

[Chi-Chi Mama]

a quick note on HPs - my sister just got one om some big sale - I believe at Circuit City... She first got it somewhere else for $700+ on sale, then saw it at CC for $599 - it's got tons of features.. though like so many PPs said, you only need so many.. But see if can catch some of the back-to-school sales before they're over if you need one soon.

[kijip]

Originally Posted by velochic

I think the MAC/PC wars will go on forever. It's true that PCs are more practical for the layperson, but MAC is really just years ahead of PC when it comes to R&D. It's almost like comparing Apples to Oranges (pun intended ).

As for PCs being more practical for laypeople, I just remember that my office brand spanking top of the line new PC desktop frequently crashes and causes me issues. Those issues just don't happen at home, where we have a Mac Book Pro, another MacBook Pro and an iMac. I consider hitting cntl alt del and restarting in the middle of a grant application to be impractical. Especially impractical the 5th time in the same week. : Heck, I can't get my Outlook to function without several error messages per day. I'll admit it is better than it used to be...we all know about the blue screen of death. Not to mention, I or my BIL or my husband are troubleshooting my dad's freaking Vista every other day, and that is not an exaggeration.

And Shaggy Daddy, who the heck said geeks don't like design? My husband and I are both geeks and we both prefer our technology to be well designed, and dare I say it, sleek? I like it to work seamlessly and look nice to boot. And that does not degrade my geek cred. There is no shame in valuing the extra snazzy features tech wise or design wise.

[polyhymnia]

Originally Posted by kijip

As for PCs being more practical for laypeople, I just remember that my office brand spanking top of the line new PC desktop frequently crashes and causes me issues. Those issues just don't happen at home, where we have a Mac Book Pro, another MacBook Pro and an iMac. I consider hitting cntl alt del and restarting in the middle of a grant application to be impractical. Especially impractical the 5th time in the same week. : Heck, I can't get my Outlook to function without several error messages per day. I'll admit it is better than it used to be...we all know about the blue screen of death. Not to mention, I or my BIL or my husband are troubleshooting my dad's freaking Vista every other day, and that is not an exaggeration.

I hear this all the time but I have NEVER had problems like these in my 14 years of using computers (PCs). The one time I used an apple (in middle school) I messed it up because I pushed what I thought was the "eject" button to take the disk out but it was really the power button - there was no eject button.

Anyway, I have no idea what some people do to their computers but I just can't figure out how some people have a system that crashes so much. :

[ShaggyDaddy]

it's true. there are many forms of geek. Specifically Geek when mentioned in the context of computers tends to exclude Apple Fanatics, possibly excluding ones who run X on a mac, and I am not talking about OSX either.

A modern connotation Geek would neither be suprised, nor faltered about an application on a windows crashing, especially Vista or Outlook. Instead said geek would have so many work arounds and fixes that windows or whatever OS would work to their liking.

I reboot my windows machine at work approx once every 6weeks, and usually it is because of company policy. My Unix machines at work are almost never rebooted.

I suspect you are an Technology is art geek. A different and much more socially acceptable and "cool" geek. This is the culture Macs are targeted toward. Sleek good looking devices that cost 3x as much are par for the course. Buying a device that is exclusivly expensive, but has features anyone can use is exactly the opposite of what Geeks want. We want to use the same tools everyone else has to get vastly superior/more interesting results. Look at Phone Phreaks back in the day... How much fun have you ever had with a payphone? Probably not much, but that is because you don't know how to reboot it, or get free calls, or bounce 1800 calls to other numbers etc etc. Exclusivity through obsessive tinkering is Geek... Exclusivity through price is fashion.

I will give you a for instance... My 4 year old phone does all that the Iphone does and more, but it is slightly less pretty and only cost $100 and service is 1/3 as much as the Iphone service... Oh and I can play Nintendo games on it and it talks to my Tivo at night so I can watch last night's episode of Heroes on my phone at lunch... Can every user who has a Treo 650 do these things? Not by a long shot, but since I am a Geek, I can get more out of what everyone else has.

[LankyLizards]

Bummer...I asked at the financial aid office today and it looks like it's going to be a couple mroe weeks before any of my loans are available for me to use. However, on the bright side, this gives me a chance to be a smart consumer and shop around.

[mightymoo]

The longer I live the more amusing I actually find all of this. I remember being a student and everyone hating netscape, because it was usurping mosaic and it was the evil one. Oh, until Microsoft created internet explorer, then it was poor valiant Netscape! These companies capitalize on our inherent desire to root for the underdog.

I also disagree that microsoft=walmart, because while yes microsoft is cut throat in the market like walmart, and you may not like the business deals they make to gain market share for their products they treat their employees very well and do not exploit children in third world countries to make their products. Believe you me, if paying small children a pittance and cutting benefits for their employees would get microsoft greater profit, they probably would do it too, but as it isn't, they don't.

I feel corporations are evil, because they utterly lack morality on the large scale. They only live to maximize profit, so if you want them to act in a way that is moral, laws and incentives have to be put in place to make immorality unprofitable. If anyone is to blame, its the legislature who does nothing to prevent this, and given that you can't get elected without corporate sponsors, the blame really rests with us as a people for not demanding change, demanding a government which is not able to be heavily influenced by corporations. It's just the nature of the beast. :

[melissel]

Originally Posted by mightymoo

The longer I live the more amusing I actually find all of this. I remember being a student and everyone hating netscape, because it was usurping mosaic and it was the evil one. Oh, until Microsoft created internet explorer, then it was poor valiant Netscape! These companies capitalize on our inherent desire to root for the underdog.

I also disagree that microsoft=walmart, because while yes microsoft is cut throat in the market like walmart, and you may not like the business deals they make to gain market share for their products they treat their employees very well and do not exploit children in third world countries to make their products. Believe you me, if paying small children a pittance and cutting benefits for their employees would get microsoft greater profit, they probably would do it too, but as it isn't, they don't.

I feel corporations are evil, because they utterly lack morality on the large scale. They only live to maximize profit, so if you want them to act in a way that is moral, laws and incentives have to be put in place to make immorality unprofitable. If anyone is to blame, its the legislature who does nothing to prevent this, and given that you can't get elected without corporate sponsors, the blame really rests with us as a people for not demanding change, demanding a government which is not able to be heavily influenced by corporations. It's just the nature of the beast. :

:

[kijip]

Originally Posted by ShaggyDaddy

A modern connotation Geek would neither be suprised, nor faltered about an application on a windows crashing, especially Vista or Outlook. Instead said geek would have so many work arounds and fixes that windows or whatever OS would work to their liking.

This is the thing, these are never my own computers. They are configured for work. And if I can't get my work done, which is managing a non-profit and writing grants, then I am wasting my time that is supposed to be spent on my non-IT profession, with my own workarounds and fixes.

Where exactly or more precisely who exactly gets to determine what is and is not best for another user? Or specifically what is a purer form of geekdom? I have no interest in mocking you for your PC selection, why is it ok by you to deride someone for gosh forbid enjoying their technology to work and have a small visual footprint? This is the thing, there is no objective source of if PC or Mac lovers are right or wrong. In fact, alas, they both are always right because no one can tell you what is best for you except for you and vice versa. FTR, I am too into my music collection to put it on any digital music player and too much a simpleton to care if my phone ever makes more than a phone call. We are not gadget people. It's a sad sad day when a math brain like me loses geekdom, LOL. To say nothing of my spouse, the personification of a geeky pharmacist in training.

[kijip]

Originally Posted by crayolaab

Anyway, I have no idea what some people do to their computers but I just can't figure out how some people have a system that crashes so much. :

I don't know either, but I have run into on the workplace networks for all 5 workplaces since high school. They are not my computers, so I can't say why they crash. They just do. It is not unique.

[kijip]

Originally Posted by LankyLizards

Bummer...I asked at the financial aid office today and it looks like it's going to be a couple mroe weeks before any of my loans are available for me to use. However, on the bright side, this gives me a chance to be a smart consumer and shop around.

The most use for your cash is going to be a PC, and there are a lot of laptop back to school specials so the timing of your loan funds is a good thing. We got a great pc lap top for a gift for about $400 last year so there really are some low prices available if you watch the sales.

[ShaggyDaddy]

Originally Posted by kijip

It's a sad sad day when a math brain like me loses geekdom, LOL.

In most modern connotation, non-pejorative use of the word Nerd is reserved for people empassioned with "useful" and/or acedemic subjects, such as math.

Geek, however is reserved as a non-pejorative label for people who are driven by a passion for trivial things... such as one's choice in computer hardware or music player or how many tasks they can complete using their $100 cellphone. Or perhaps pointing out modern connotation of slang terms in a silly internet arguement

I wasn't trying to be offensive, but I guess if geek were a sought after label, that would be offensive.

My original point has been lost, but here it is:

Macs are a lot of things, some good, some bad, but they are not frugal.

[polyhymnia]

Originally Posted by kijip

I don't know either, but I have run into on the workplace networks for all 5 workplaces since high school. They are not my computers, so I can't say why they crash. They just do. It is not unique.

Oh, I get that, and I see it often too... but I have been fortunate enough to avoid it, so it really makes me wonder what the difference is.

[FamilyFriendlyLife]

Have not read all of the posts here, + readily admit to possessing only basic tech knowledge. Just FYI - purchased my HP laptop in Jan. 2002; it has been used daily, took me through my MBA, + has traveled extensively, including overseas + recently across the country in a bumpy RV. It is still going strong, + I have a new HP laptop for work - the work version has a separate numeric keypad which was a necessity for me.

From a frugal standpoint, I use free firewall (ZoneAlarm) + anti-virus (Avast) software - downloaded from PC World website; both received good reviews.

[LankyLizards]

Originally Posted by FamilyFriendlyLife

Have not read all of the posts here, + readily admit to possessing only basic tech knowledge. Just FYI - purchased my HP laptop in Jan. 2002; it has been used daily, took me through my MBA, + has traveled extensively, including overseas + recently across the country in a bumpy RV. It is still going strong, + I have a new HP laptop for work - the work version has a separate numeric keypad which was a necessity for me.

From a frugal standpoint, I use free firewall (ZoneAlarm) + anti-virus (Avast) software - downloaded from PC World website; both received good reviews.

Ooh, good tips! As soon as my financial aid money becomes available to me I'm getting my self to a store. Right now HP laptops are looking like the best option. If I can get a more affordable desktop computer computer, though, that may be an option. Money is basically non-existent lately, so the cheapest is the best.

[kittywitty]

Originally Posted by sonrisaa29

I believe that Dell and Apple both offer student discounts on their computers through their websites. I'd buy a mac in a minute if I had the money for it. I use a mac at work and in the past two years, its crashed once. I cannot say the same thing with my PC sadly.

One thing with macs is to me they're kind of like a Honda, they'll hold their resale value better than a PC. Plus I think they're just a general all round better computer. That said it will be more money up front. What is your price range?

I also think hard drive space especially on a laptop is extremely important. Are you just using the computer for papers, or also to keep pictures, movies etc on as well?

:

I have a VAIO I bought for school last year. Before I dropped out.

It sucks. My SIL's inexpensive dell laptop is a million times better and cheaper. I would buy a mac in the future, though, probably.

[californiajenn]

Mac

I've all kinds of brands and I love my mac. No matter how dilligent I was, no matter what anti-virus, firewall programs I used, my PC's always ended up crashing. I've had my mac (ibook 14 in., no longer sold) for 3 years and have had all of one problem. And that is with close to zero maintence. I purchased it with a student loan, as I was a poor college studen then, and I absolutely made the right decision.

I used macs at work at my last job, as well as home. When I switched companies, I had to use PC's again and they are not nearly as user friendly as every likes to think. I feel that macs are easier to use, easier to take care of and worth the money.

[nylecoj]

Sometimes http://bensbargains.net/ has deals on computers.

As far as the Mac versus PC debate goes, I prefer Macs as well for security, however, Shaggydaddy has a very good point that for basic functionality a PC will work just as well and for a lot cheaper. That said, if you will be doing any editing or graphics work, definitely get a Mac.

[LankyLizards]

Originally Posted by nylecoj

Sometimes http://bensbargains.net/ has deals on computers.

As far as the Mac versus PC debate goes, I prefer Macs as well for security, however, Shaggydaddy has a very good point that for basic functionality a PC will work just as well and for a lot cheaper. That said, if you will be doing any editing or graphics work, definitely get a Mac.

That site is awesome! They have really low prices. Do you think a used Mac is too much of a gamble?