It is an operating system that comes with all of the source code to it, nothing is hidden and people that use it can fix it if needed. There are many window managers that allow it to be used like Windows from a user standpoint in fact I can even run Windows programs under several virtual machine systems. Currently I have a Windows Netflix application under Wine running in Linux Mozilla (Firefox) that masquerades as running on Windows NT. I also have a collection of computer emulators that make my system look like other machines (such as IBM mainframes) that allows me to run other operating systems. There are lots of us that play with such stuff.
Wow, I'd stay away from an AIO computer (All In One). They are harder to work on is something goes wrong and generally the specs I think suck compared to a regular desktop. Look at the spec of a similiar priced desktop and compare. You get way more computer for your money. Sorry, but at that price point, in a few years, it will be throw it away and get new (if something happens, if it still works, then you're good). I did an upgrade years ago, $2600 and I'm still rocking it today, and it's still faster then a lot of stuff that's coming out now. ([email protected], stock) If your wife wants to dab in Photoshop, it's best to spend a little more for something that will do more then just barely run it, but to be able to have some headroom. I personally would never buy from bestbuy, they rape you! Check out Newegg and save! Just my $.02.
Not sure about your computer saavy, but I prefer to stay with what I know how to operate.... Let us know what she buys!
I think yall are way out of my realm of comprehension with these here computating devices Im going to take my time with this I have the money set aside and I will do some more research I think Ill wait until cyber monday and see what pops up there.
I don't know why, but I've ownd several HP's that start out good, but in two years are broken and not worth repair. I broke three laptops, and had two desktops bind up. Now using Gateway without problems. Need to keep reviewing content and kick it out of the startup menu and uninstall stuff that comes in on the backside of other programs. I have a huge back up hard drive that helps.
When you install stuff, always do a custom install and uncheck the crap that you don't want that comes with what you downloaded.
Ive talked to some more people with my wife this time and I think now were both leaning towards a regular desktop with a tower. She was the one pushing for an AIO but now sees that we can get more computer for the same price as an AIO. Now to do some research on towers and monitors were taking our time with this but hopefully in the next couple of weeks well have one.
Excellent. Two ways to go. 1. Buy it off the shelf with features you want plus a lot you don't. Usually cheapest 2. Design one on a web site. Might cost a liitle more, but you get what you want. Get one with the potential to double the capacity. Try to get a rally large HD LED screen. Much easier on the eyes. I run two big screens with up to 4 full size screens open when I am paying bills. No tabbing and opening and closing files. I create a backup with every montly bill payment.
Visit this site for an app that will help with this: http://unchecky.com/ I knew I just read about one, but I couldn't remember the name of it. Good to hear you chose to not go the AIO route! Deciding on what you want is going to be the tough part now. If I had to buy from someone, I'd probably go with HP as I've had about the best of service with them as any one. I've had Dell and got the run around with their India tech support. I just got done battling with Lenovo, they were about the same and had to send my laptop in 3 times before they finally got it fixed (I was at the point of demanding a new unit....that they didn't make anymore). I go the build it yourself route. Initially costs more the first time, but after that, I don't need to buy another case or power supply any more, so I can spend more on the internal parts. That goes the same with monitors and speakers, I have a 24" that I like and 5.1 Klipsch, so don't need to get that new every time. The bad part, if you buy from a company, you will have to get used to Windows 8. Have someone build it for you, you can get Windows 7. I personally hate how 8 is laid out and all the crap they changed (first thing I did was to make it like 7 and it's gotten better). Good luck and be sure to post what you end up doing and pics of the new unit!
Dell is forbidden in my house they are pure evil and their machines are garbage We had a laptop from them and it broke every couple of months they did fix it but it was a struggle and such a PIA with it being broken every couple months. Ive been playing with the windows 8 and Ive kind of figured it out it seems to be based on a smartphone. I dont know enough about computers to try and build one or have one built and for what were going to use it for I think a factory built computer thats upgradable in the future.
My office gives me Dell laptops. The hard disks tend to die on my every 6 months. the Dell desktops we have do ok, but they are workstation class machines (big $$$$$).
Good decision. YOu will have much more upgradability, and options in a regular tower desktop. As fasr as budget, I think if you can spend up to $1k you will geta very good machine, and down the road you can extend life by increaing ram, changing out virdeo cards, etc. For the photoshop usage make sure to get a decent CPU, at least 8GB or ram (expandbable) and do not get integrated graphics =- buy one that uses a dedicated video card thats upgradable. To give some perspective. When I was a sophmore in college I spent my entire summer job savings - almost $3000 - on my first computer (well first I owned, I had used the since my parents 7MHz 8086 machine in the 80s). That $3000 machine had: a 100 MHz (not GHz) cpu 16 megabytes (not gigabytes) of ram ( I think a $300 upgrade from 8) 1 gigabyte of hard disk 10mbps ethernet (that was fast back then, and the adapter alone cost a couple hundred - college was only place you could hook up to a network that supported a connection that fast, at home we where on 14.4kb AOL) a 2D only graphics card with maybe 2mb of ram (later I added a 3D addon card that added a whopping 4MB of video ram - the original 3DFx Voodoo) and a 17 CRT monitor. I even spend hundreds on a a sound board, back then that was not built in either. It was a killer machine in its day. Today the processing power in a 2 year old cellphone makes it look like a joke. Today prices have come down so far that a grand can get you a really good system. 2 or 3 grand will buy you a ridiculous gamer rig that most of us dont need. 8 gigs of ram costs like $50 to add as an upgrade for example. A new cpu might be a couple hundred, not a grand like it was 10 years ago. And hte progress is slowing down also. The system I'm typing this on is like 5 years old.. a 2.8 GHz quad core i7. I could spend $200 to get a new motherboard that would support the latest CPU that might be a 3.2GHz 6 core (another $200) ... but I probably couldn't tell the difference in the speed of most programs I run. All that is to say that yes I think you can easily get a machine for $500-1000 that will be upgradable and last a long time now. Sites like AnandTech and Toms Hardware use to publish buying guides giving recommended components and specs at different price levels like 500, 1000, 1500, 2000... Its been so long since I did a build I dont know if they still do but its worth a look.
So.... My new AIO desktop will not power up. Its been finicky since it arrived. I have been on the old reliable tower for a few days now. Thought I would let you know.
I don't know what to say wildwest. I have always had a tower system, never trusted the batteries in any of the laptops I've used. I tend to stay away from the Swiss army knife types of gizmos due to having no easy way to fix them being a tinkerer that would never do. I have an Asus tower system currently as I've always had a decent product experience with their parts and it gives me a lot of flexibility and costs under a grand.
Alright I thought it was narrowed down to two but its actually three. They are all pretty similar Im not sure if any of the differences are a major thing or not but next week Im buying one of these. Thanks for all of your input and help with this yall folks are alright with me http://www.bestbuy.com/site/acer-as...rive/3288113.p?id=1219090032186&skuId=3288113 http://www.bestbuy.com/site/hp-desk...rive/9247023.p?id=1219406101591&skuId=9247023 http://www.bestbuy.com/site/lenovo-...rive/3275001.p?id=1219091559948&skuId=3275001
My experience from doing the home office things for years. The HP Compaq 'Institutional' type desktops are very hard to beat for affordability, serviceability & durability. I got into the dc7600 a few years ago when I needed something in a hurry when my old Emachine suddenly threw up. Local computer place had 2 identical refurbs on the shelf for like $125 each. Over the years I accumulated 2 more from Ebay. Still using it and am typing from it now. I clone my HD periodically - so should have all my bases covered if I get a throw up episode again (it's saved my bacon from one HD failure & one Mobo failure over the years). I can either swap a cloned HD into my main machine, or swap my main HD into a spare box and be up & going again in no time. Components are very easy to swap in & out. I'm still on XP and will be until I am forced to upgrade the OS. I've been checking out the next step though and would likely move to something like the Elite 8300: http://www.ebay.com/bhp/hp-elite-8300 These types of machines are all over the place - governments are constantly cycling their hardware in & out. If they're good enough for gov't agencies & huge companies, they're pretty adequate for me.
Alright heres the big question warranty or no warranty? Were leaning towards Best Buy and if we get their warranty its a little pricey but includes a lot of stuff.
If you're stuck on those 3 only, I'd say the Lenovo. I will admit I went rounds with Lenovo when I had an issue with my laptop, and had to send it in 3 times before they finally fixed it. That one just has better specs and I think would last longer and you'd be happier with it than the other 2. I personally hate buying from BestBuy as they try to push so much on you and I think they take advantage of people who don't know any better. They have extra crap-ware and then ask if you want them to remove it and charge you $40 to do it!!!! Just my $.02, based on what you posted.
