Currently using a HP that is on its last gasping breath! It'll shut down any given number of times per day; re-starts involve Xing out warning messages and still works. No monitor (ripped right off years ago) and cup holder has long since been discarded too.
Mid-January or February isn't a problem for me. Heck, it'll take that long just to research the stuff Kimberly posted! I'm good at some things, but computers 'aint one of them. That's why I want to do this, to learn the stuff I don't yet know. Probably going to pick up a few "Computers for Dummies" books also. Eventually I'll figure out how to post pictures....... yeah.. I'm that clueless.
Along with the FD books, Pic up a few computer magazines. Not for the articles, but to examine the wording of the ads. That is what I did back in the early '90's and it helped tremendously as I wasn't looking to buy from those places, just getting used to the lingo. Now days I would have to do research again, as I do every time it is finally time to replace a computer. I use them as long as they still do the job and have had some for 10 years or more. So the specs and even some of the lingo changes (system memory used to just be RAM and how many pins, now there is DRAM, SRAM and who knows what else out there with different speeds and stuff).
If you think that you might get into video editing, then the type of graphics hardware in the laptop will matter as well. Unlike desktops, you will be stuck with the graphics hardware that comes with the machine.
Bump- Ok, looking at a desk-top now. Went to BestBuy over the weekend to see what they had to offer. Sales lady was great, but she was..uhm..a sales Lady. We spent more time looking at the IMAC 27" than anything. No. Went back to the HP Pavilion's. Saw one unit that was of interest- m-24-R014 I think. 12GB, 2TB, 23.8" touch screen. Was about $850 or so. It's in our price range. The CAD programs I'm after require 4GB-(8GB optimal), the rest seems to be lower as far as capacity is concerned. Any thoughts on that HP unit? And the Windows 10, any way to disable the spyware features? FHC woodporn and all that.... no Bueno- I'm married.
Love my HP Pavilion (bought as a "refurb" online in 2014: but was new). Never have any issues with it besides having to clean cat hair out of the innards every once in a while
I visit a gardening site once every couple years, and always have to ask for a "lost password". OMG, they've given me a couple pretty rude temp codes WWW likes the 17" toshiba satellites, always buys that one. Also tiger direct has some good deals sometimes too. I've scored some great deals during back to school sales.
My last two system are ASUS. One tablet/laptop, one full laptop. I suggest you stick w/Intel at least i5 processor, 8g RAM, 256g SSD, SD card slot to expand memory. I have had the tablet for 3yrs. Rock solid. The laptop for almost a year, rock solid. Got them both through Amazon. ASUS F556UA was $550. Graphics are amazing and the sound, for laptop speakers is really incredible. Good luck!
If you want to PM me we can talk. I use to build systems for a living. If shipping was not so outrageous, I would build you a system based on your budget giving you the best system possible (no charge for building it of course). You will get more with a desktop for the same money than a laptop and you can add in memory as you can afford it. I upgraded my friend's destop to 32 gigs of Ram from 16; I actually built the system for him; it is using a six core AMD processor and believe me, it is a powerful system able to run AutoCAD; do video processing, etc. Just wish shipping had not got so ridiculous. If I built a system for you it would probably cost around $30 to $40 to ship it; I would let you buy a good monitor locally as that is something you can obtain easily. Anyway, I will be happy to help you get the best pre-built system possible. Here one is thing to watch out for in pre-built systems; they often cheat on the Power Supply Unit; putting in the cheapest unit possible. I just recently retired my main system I built back in 2005; ASUS mainboard and AMD 64 bit, single core; that system still works. AMD gives great performance for a much better price point. The reason Intel dominated was they simply brought the market, paying manufacturers to use their CPUs over AMD.
Thank you Kimberly, that very generous of you. I spoke with my detailer about his CAD programs, he told me to start looking at older (2000 yr) stand alone programs and have a dedicated computer built just for that program. I only want 2D at this point but subscribing and linking to the cloud are not what I want. I'm looking for simple. So... I may end up with 2 new ones, one a dedicated CAD and the other for well.... everything else. Your input is much appreciated, thanks.
I don't understand this reasoning. A good fast computer with plenty of hard drive space and memory can handle more than one task. When the CAD programme is not in use, it is not in use taking up memory. His statement has no valid argument that I can see. I use the same computer for CAD and other duties; including processing video. Good luck.
His reasoning was to keep that one CAD program uncorrupted. No internet link, no potential for malware or viruses. His is a stand-alone unit and he owns the program. Basically, it's used for that program only, sorta what I'd like to do. Turn it on- draw something out- print it- turn it off. He probably downloads to a flashdrive thing, then up-loads to his main system to forward it. Point was he had the program, didn't need to re-new a subscription, and didn't need to log into it to use it. I'm good with that. His other systems are above my pay grade, I have a lot to learn. That was what he suggested for me to start.
I'm an AMD fan as well. Intel? Lol. More like inflated price. Yes, the power supplies are usually cheaped out on premade systems. I had to replace the PS in my Dell PC a couple years ago. Easy fix, did it myself. Then again I used to build PC's as well.
Yeah, older versions don't "verify" that they are on the same computer as when first installed. Later versions, even if you just change the HD can give awful problems because the CAD program will "detect" that it isn't the same computer so you must be trying to use it illegally. Plus that whole subscription thing is a crock. I have kept an old desktop just for that reason. I bought a copy of AC Lite and it is installed on that one. I can't swap it over and I don't use it often enough to pay for a newer version. In fact, I haven't used it in years, but every time I think about deep sixing that tower, that (and having MS Access on it - I created a bunch of databases back when Access was actually usefull) keeps me from doing so.