nineveh_uk: Illustration that looks like Harriet Vane (Harriet)
[personal profile] nineveh_uk
I think that it might be time to admit I need a new computer after all. I didn’t install a new hard drive in the existing one, because I was able to get the volume down to reasonable levels, but it just doesn’t seem to have the processing power to cope any more, and is prone to extremely annoying freezing.* I am not going to get into installing new RAM and all the rest of it – the machine is 8 years old, after all, and while it’s had gentle use in terms of moving about and seems fine mechanically, there isn’t a lot of point in sinking substantial amounts of money into it.

So it’s new computer time, and therefore time to crowdsource opinions. Bought a new computer recently? What do you like? What do you hate? What are the recommended options these days? What did your friend buy and regret massively having/not having? It is going to be a PC laptop** (I’ve currently got a Dell, which has given sterling service for nearly 8 years). It doesn’t need to be a particularly thin or portable laptop, it’s just that I don’t have a permanent computer desk set-up at home – in fact, I want something with a biggish screen.

*It doesn’t have any viruses, malware, etc. It just can’t cope with complex websites any more, and Windows 7 is also proving more demanding than XP.

**Mac advocates, I understand why you like them, but I’m not interested in the substantial extra cost given that I won’t use the extra functions.

(no subject)

Date: 2015-04-02 12:04 pm (UTC)
antisoppist: (Default)
From: [personal profile] antisoppist
I have always been happy with Dell laptops and now have a new Dell laptop. But my new one is the XPS 12, swivel screen, turns into a tablet, small ultrabook, ideal for carrying around a lot and working on trains, and you don't need those particular features, or to pay extra for them (but the swivel screen is a cheerful and amazing thing). Speed of booting up was one ultrabook feature I wish I'd had for years, though. The old one had got to the point where I was reluctant to turn it on because it would take forever. I like the touchscreen too. Though I didn't think it would be much of a feature, I actually find it easier than using the trackpad. Without it, I'd have plugged in a mouse.

(no subject)

Date: 2015-04-02 02:16 pm (UTC)
From: [identity profile] auntyros.livejournal.com
I bought an HP laptop six months ago and I'm pretty happy with it. It has Windows 8.1 (you do NOT want Windows 8, but 8.1 is fine). It's not exactly this one, but this is (http://www.currys.co.uk/gbuk/computing/laptops/laptops/hp-pavilion-15-p158sa-15-6-touchscreen-laptop-silver-10075691-pdt.html#cat-0) the nearest that's still available:

(no subject)

Date: 2015-04-02 05:26 pm (UTC)
From: [identity profile] nineveh-uk.livejournal.com
Thanks for the rec. I hadn't really realised that computers were now doing touchscreen, too!

I also hadn't realised until looking today that it is almost impossible to buy a laptop without an OS. Fortunately, I did not pay much for my Windows 7 upgrade last year through work... But it is annoying that they force you to do it, and then don't provide the actual discs!

(no subject)

Date: 2015-04-02 09:08 pm (UTC)
From: [identity profile] auntyros.livejournal.com
Oh, mine isn't touchscreen.

And yes, OS come pre-installed.

(no subject)

Date: 2015-04-02 02:33 pm (UTC)
From: [identity profile] alitheapipkin.livejournal.com
I need a new laptop too but I'm thinking I might just get a reconditioned second hand one again. I have a shiny Mac for work but there's no way I'm paying all that money for a potter-about-on-the-internet machine for home!

(no subject)

Date: 2015-04-02 05:27 pm (UTC)
From: [identity profile] nineveh-uk.livejournal.com
Reconditioned hadn't occurred to me, but I think I am inclined to go for new - if I wanted reconditioned, I could do it to this one!

I like Macs, but when they start at umpteen hundred pounds more than the same PC spec, I don't want one enough. I don't do stats and I don't do computer design. The internet and word processing is fine for me.

(no subject)

Date: 2015-04-03 04:38 am (UTC)
From: (Anonymous)
Tudorpot here, can't log in. Sure macs are a bit more expensive, but they don't need tech support paid for and antivirus treatment, so you might want to factor that cost. Also, they come ready to go. No other hardware to add and the basic OS is ready to go. Software is all compatible with Windows so your docs can be transferred, you can even do WIndows on the Mac. You can go to web sites without being paranoid. I don't do design or stats. Just love that I can turn the thing on and have it work every time. My current Mac is from 2011. Only had to change from my 2004 one as it was zapped by a huge thunderstorm/lightening bolt.

(no subject)

Date: 2015-04-06 12:59 pm (UTC)
From: [identity profile] nineveh-uk.livejournal.com
I get my tech support and anti-virus free through work, so that isn't really a cost consideration for me. I do like Macs, but the cost difference is at least £300, which is more than I want to pay for the benefits.

(no subject)

Date: 2015-04-02 05:17 pm (UTC)
white_hart: (Mediaeval)
From: [personal profile] white_hart
I bought this one a few weeks back and like it very much indeed. Anything would be fast compared to my old netbook, but this certainly performs comparably to my work computer, and the screen size is good. We've mostly had HP laptops, and they tend to last quite well, too.

(no subject)

Date: 2015-04-06 01:01 pm (UTC)
From: [identity profile] nineveh-uk.livejournal.com
That does look good (though personally I'd go for a different colour ;-) ). I like that it has a DVD drive - too many of the thin ones don't.

(no subject)

Date: 2015-04-06 01:03 pm (UTC)
white_hart: (Mediaeval)
From: [personal profile] white_hart
Obviously, the purpleness was one of the key selling points for me ;-) Though I also very much wanted a DVD drive - there are a lot of things I have on DVD that T wouldn't necessarily be interested in, but the times I have when I could watch a DVD by myself tend to be while he's watching sport on the TV so I can't use the DVD player!

HP Ultrabook

Date: 2015-04-02 08:34 pm (UTC)
From: (Anonymous)
My new one (courtesy work) is an HP Ultrabook, 17" - am very happy with it - even with all the additional security software for work installed on it, it's speedy, and very light. The battery life is very good at 6 hours. The details: HP Elitebook Folio 9470m, 8G RAM, Windows 7 (Enterprise) - but am told you get it with normal Windows 7 if you buy it as an individual.
-M

RE: HP Ultrabook

Date: 2015-04-06 01:02 pm (UTC)
From: [identity profile] nineveh-uk.livejournal.com
HP seems to be coming out well in terms of recs, I shall definitely have to take a look at the options.

(no subject)

Date: 2015-04-03 03:05 pm (UTC)
From: [identity profile] littlered2.livejournal.com
My laptop (bought last summer) is a Novatech NPRO N1599. I've had Dells before. My main requirements were for it not to be too heavy, to have a DVD drive (it's nice to be able to watch DVDs in bed or to watch them when away from home), to run Windows 7 (I hate and fear change) and to not cost too much. I ended up going for a refurbished one, as they were more affordable (and in many cases it's just that they've been bought and then returned when the customer changed their mind, so they are essentially new). I bought the operating system separately - as Windows 7 is a few years old, few new laptops come with it, so the best option was to buy one without an operating system pre-installed and choose my own. I also bought Microsoft Office separately (with a student discount). I've been very happy with it: it boots up much faster than my old one, and the main things I use it for, word processing and the internet, work fine.

(no subject)

Date: 2015-04-06 01:07 pm (UTC)
From: [identity profile] nineveh-uk.livejournal.com
Ditto on the DVD drive. How did you handle the installing the OS bit? I've got Windows 7 running on the current laptop, and I'd rather transfer it than get one with 8. I've done reinstalls on this machine with no problem, but is that different from buying a new one?

(no subject)

Date: 2015-04-07 06:23 pm (UTC)
From: [identity profile] littlered2.livejournal.com
It was fine, as far as I can remember (however, to my horror, I can barely remember the process at all and might even have asked Rob to do it. But I think I would remember if it hadn't been straightforward).

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