New Computer?

[Scarpia]

     JdP, you do realize that your experience and mine and Davids can't be treated as contradictory propositions? There are no doubt unknown causes for the differences involving hardware, software and user error. Maybe I'm erroneously allowing Win 7 to perform well and could experience how shitty it truly is if I had your skill at making things suck.

My unimpressive Windows 7 performances comes from the manufacturer's install on a Lenovo laptop, less than a year old.  It is less efficient (in my impression) than a 5 year old Dell desktop running XP with 1/4 the memory and a processor that was obsolete when I got it.  Manufacturer's install of XP.

[Josquin des Prez]

Anyway, the 64-bit issue was a show-stopper, so reluctantly I forked out for the 32-bit version of Windows 7 (Ultimate), and magically pretty much all the problems went away.  Only a couple of programs wouldn't run (and incidentally, I've never seen a case where "XP mode" was a cure for this) and the performance was much improved also.  I guess the issue is that the 64-bit OS all on its own pretty much maxes out the resources of what is a fairly low-spec machine, which the 32-bit OS gives a much easier ride.

Perhaps that's the issue, since i have Windows 7 64bit. Either way, its just the feel of the OS that bugs me. When it comes to computers, i always aim for an extreme minimalistic approach to my software, and always look for the most lean and functional application to do the job i need. Right now i'm even using a version of XP stripped down to 300mb with all the superfluous crap removed from it. Windows 7 just feels incredibly bloated compared to it. Its suffocating. I also have a third boot option which i use to run Linux Mint, which is an even more stream lined version of Ubuntu. The only time i even boot to Windows 7 is to run a game that requires directx 11, and that only rarely since the advantage over directx 9 isn't that great either way. Mind you that when Windows XP first came out i ever resisted that change because there was too much crap i hated about the OS compared to my trusted Windows 2000 installation (which is still my favored Microsoft OS). Eventually i got used to it, once computer hardware cough up with it. This time however i just don't think i'll ever get used to such a radical approach. I don't want my PC to look and feel like a freaking iphone.

[Scarpia]

The latest is that users report that Windows 7 based cell phones send ~5 Mb of data per hour even when not in use, which depletes the data transfer quote imposed by the cell phone provided even if the phone is not used.  If there is any doubt that Windows 7 is the most bloated, inefficient operating system ever created, I don't see it. 


http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/technology-12238367

[drogulus]

My unimpressive Windows 7 performances comes from the manufacturer's install on a Lenovo laptop, less than a year old.  It is less efficient (in my impression) than a 5 year old Dell desktop running XP with 1/4 the memory and a processor that was obsolete when I got it.  Manufacturer's install of XP.

     What processor does your laptop have? I don't think you can manage with a single core proc and use computers the way people do now. This is one of the things that makes it hard to compare what was good in the past with what exists today. As my PCs get more powerful, I do more things. My 5 year old desktop still hangs in there, just barely, because it's a first generation dual core (Athlon x2 4600+).

     If I bought a laptop I'd install the bare OS from my disc on a separate partition. If it performed better I'd get rid of the original install.

[Kalevala]

Advice please:  a friend of mines computer died and he's eager to replace it tomorrow.  He was advised by the repairer to avoid Acer and HP.  He needs really little storage on it.  And he wants a 17 inch screen.  He had a Lenovo and used it for very basic functions.

Thoughts?

K

[Karl Henning]

Advice please:  a friend of mines computer died and he's eager to replace it tomorrow.  He was advised by the repairer to avoid Acer and HP.  He needs really little storage on it.  And he wants a 17 inch screen.  He had a Lenovo and used it for very basic functions.

Thoughts?

K

I've used HP practically forever. I wonder what the repairperson has against the brand. FWIW, I'd avoid Acer, too.

[Kalevala]

I've used HP practically forever. I wonder what the repairperson has against the brand. FWIW, I'd avoid Acer, too.

Thank you!  When was the last time that you bought an HP?

K

[SonicMan46]

Advice please:  a friend of mines computer died and he's eager to replace it tomorrow.  He was advised by the repairer to avoid Acer and HP.  He needs really little storage on it.  And he wants a 17 inch screen.  He had a Lenovo and used it for very basic functions.

Thoughts?  K

Hi K - boy you responded to a 14 y/o thread -    Looking back I had input in 2010 initially when I was still working and was on PCs at work and home; after retirement the next year I switched completely to Apple devices (iPhones, iPads, and laptops/desktops) - your friend needs to provide MUCH more information on his/her needs, e.g. is a laptop or desktop wanted, what is the budget, and is Apple a consideration - I'll stop there w/o further info - Dave

[Karl Henning]

Thank you!  When was the last time that you bought an HP?

K

My present device, purchased in March of 2023.

[Kalevala]

My present device, purchased in March of 2023.

His is like 4 years old [My Macs survived longer than that!].

K

[Kalevala]

Hi K - boy you responded to a 14 y/o thread -    Looking back I had input in 2010 initially when I was still working and was on PCs at work and home; after retirement the next year I switched completely to Apple devices (iPhones, iPads, and laptops/desktops) - your friend needs to provide MUCH more information on his/her needs, e.g. is a laptop or desktop wanted, what is the budget, and is Apple a consideration - I'll stop there w/o further info - Dave

I appreciate your comments...please see further comment/replies.   

K

[Kalevala]

Sorry, I thought that I had added a laptop, but apparently I didn't!  He uses it basically for emails, youtube and some online banking, etc. stuff.

K

[SonicMan46]

Sorry, I thought that I had added a laptop, but apparently I didn't!  He uses it basically for emails, youtube and some online banking, etc. stuff.

K

OK - so a laptop and fairly simple needs, so a LOT of options - for PC laptops, have him checkout this recent PC Mag Review, but I would strongly urge a consideration for Apple laptops if he is willing to switch from a likely familiar Windows environment to Apple OS (a readjustment and a learning curve) - let us know his thoughts?  Dave

[Kalevala]

OK - so a laptop and fairly simple needs, so a LOT of options - for PC laptops, have him checkout this recent PC Mag Review, but I would strongly urge a consideration for Apple laptops if he is willing to switch from a likely familiar Windows environment to Apple OS (a readjustment and a learning curve) - let us know his thoughts?  Dave

Thanks for the link; I'll share it with him.  And yes, he's used Apple in the past.  He has a lot on his plate at the moment (including new vehicle), but I will share your link and thoughts with him.

And thank you! 

K

p.s. The irony being, that I'll have to share it on my computer....

[Kalevala]

Thanks for the link; I'll share it with him.  And yes, he's used Apple in the past.  He has a lot on his plate at the moment (including new vehicle), but I will share your link and thoughts with him.

And thank you! 

K

p.s. The irony being, that I'll have to share it on my computer....

p.p.s  I will read it myself. 

@SonicMan46 How do I get him to read it before shopping?  I'm trying, but he's also of the mentality:  "I want to get it done".  And he's sound asleep, I suspect, now.

And I do really appreciate your help.

Best wishes,

K

[SonicMan46]

@SonicMan46 How do I get him to read it before shopping?  I'm trying, but he's also of the mentality:  "I want to get it done".  And he's sound asleep, I suspect, now.

And I do really appreciate your help.

Best wishes, K

Well, not sure what other devices he may own, like a phone of some type that you could 'share', text, or email the link I left - you'll have to figure that out, I guess.  Now if there are budget issues and he is willing to consider an Apple laptop, then have him look at the Apple refurb options HERE - like new with a year warranty.  Dave

[AnotherSpin]

I'd second Apple as well. My current MacBook was bought in '23 with the minimal storage config, everything's in the cloud these days anyway, and it still feels brand new. Based on my previous Apple machines, I'm counting on years of smooth, hassle-free use.

[hopefullytrusting]

I'd second Apple as well. My current MacBook was bought in '23 with the minimal storage config, everything's in the cloud these days anyway, and it still feels brand new. Based on my previous Apple machines, I'm counting on years of smooth, hassle-free use.

And I would third this. My MacBook is a breeze with no bloat. Most PCs, at least the ones that I have seen - come with so much nonsense, and both Windows 10 and 11, I think, are disasters.

And if you need ports, Apple has lots of options.

[AnotherSpin]

And I would third this. My MacBook is a breeze with no bloat. Most PCs, at least the ones that I have seen - come with so much nonsense, and both Windows 10 and 11, I think, are disasters.

And if you need ports, Apple has lots of options.

I can't remember how many times I've used a port lately. Twice? Three times? Why bother when you can send any file over the net or grab it from the cloud?

Who still remembers floppy disks? I sure do. When Apple ditched them, everyone laughed: "How will we manage?" Same with button phones, pressing real keys felt so satisfying.

[hopefullytrusting]

I can't remember how many times I've used a port lately. Twice? Three times? Why bother when you can send any file over the net or grab it from the cloud?

Who still remembers floppy disks? I sure do. When Apple ditched them, everyone laughed: "How will we manage?" Same with button phones, pressing real keys felt so satisfying.

For me, I always want to have an ethernet port option - my job depends on having access to the Internet, and I like the option to be hardwired.

It also forces me to be offline, lol.