Poll
Question:
Best computer brands
Option 1: Dell
votes: 4
Option 2: HP
votes: 9
Option 3: ASUS
votes: 7
Option 4: Acer
votes: 2
Option 5: Lenovo
votes: 4
Option 6: Or switch to Apple?
votes: 5
Since we are talking about Windows 11 and my computer (and I'm sure others as well) doesn't support it, I wanted to make this thread because my computer is 8 years old and I think it's about time to upgrade soon.
What's the best computer brand and what's the best price for it?
When I was looking at the prices, it seems like $400 is what I see the most.
For me, I'll vote Dell and HP. ASUS seems a little too expensive and I'm not too crazy into gaming.
You can vote twice.
All my votes would go to Commodore due to a pretty assort of classic games that were on the Commodore 64.
You can get some good Asus models for cheap. My laptop was about $500.
Quote from: Takumi on October 06, 2021, 11:35:48 PM
You can get some good Asus models for cheap. My laptop was about $500.
I may consider it.... My brother has a ASUS tower and he loves it! So I guess you are saying those are the best.
ASUS makes some really good equipment, and I feel it doesn't have as much bloatware pre-installed as some of the other brands. Even new ASUS computers seem to be priced well, too.
Lenovo is a former IBM stuff. In IBM days, their hardware was about engineering winning over the common sense. My limited experience is that Lenovo inherited a lot of that. Personally I wouldn't pay for that - not until discounts go past 75% off list price - but nobody was fired for buying IBM.
Acer is a budgetary brand, and my impression is that they cut corners a bit too efficiently.
Dell, and to a lesser extent HP, are in US business market. Not sure if they are a good idea for home use. Heard a few people comment "It's not Lenovo, but good enough"
Asus, from my perspective, is a balance for home user. I assume large IT departments have some other considerations.
custom build, nuff said
Quote from: SkyPesos on October 07, 2021, 12:07:19 PM
custom build, nuff said
I never heard about custom built laptops.
Desktops... May be a bit of headache for mass IT management, definitely worth it for home.
Quote from: kalvado on October 07, 2021, 12:15:15 PM
Quote from: SkyPesos on October 07, 2021, 12:07:19 PM
custom build, nuff said
I never heard about custom built laptops.
Desktops... May be a bit of headache for mass IT management, definitely worth it for home.
OP didn't mention desktop or laptop, so if he's referring to desktops, building my own is my preferred choice.
Apple isn't listed, but it should be. I'm still trying to find a used 2012 MacBook (the last version that ran Snow Leopard, and therefore the last version I can use Adobe CS2 on) but prices are higher for a nine-year-old laptop than what I'd pay for a new Windows laptop.
Quote from: Max Rockatansky on October 06, 2021, 11:28:25 PM
All my votes would go to Commodore due to a pretty assort of classic games that were on the Commodore 64.
LOAD "FROGGER",8,1
Chris
Quote from: hbelkins on October 07, 2021, 12:38:41 PM
Apple isn't listed, but it should be. I'm still trying to find a used 2012 MacBook (the last version that ran Snow Leopard, and therefore the last version I can use Adobe CS2 on) but prices are higher for a nine-year-old laptop than what I'd pay for a new Windows laptop.
I agree, no love for Apple in the poll? If you want, install BootCamp so that you can run macOS when you want to and Windows when you have to.
By the way H.B. ... have you tried http://www.macofalltrades.com (http://www.macofalltrades.com) ? (Disclaimer - I have no connection to them other than being a satisfied customer) I've been known to buy gently used laptops from them for when I travel (and don't need a high end machine). Back in 2017 bought a 2013-era MacBook Pro that still serves me well for travel duty, running Catalina (it can go up to Big Sur, but not Monterey).
I went with HP for my laptop since they were the least expensive option at the time that had 16GB of RAM and and 15.6" FHD IPS display. I have since upgraded the stock 256GB Kioxia SSD with a 1TB SK Hynix Gold P31.
For desktops, I always prefer to build my own.
My desktop is a home build. Next desktop I put together (which will be soon, as my business will need one) will also be a home build.
My laptop is a System76. Never had a problem with any of their stuff.
Quote from: hbelkins on October 07, 2021, 12:38:41 PM
Apple isn't listed, but it should be. I'm still trying to find a used 2012 MacBook (the last version that ran Snow Leopard, and therefore the last version I can use Adobe CS2 on) but prices are higher for a nine-year-old laptop than what I'd pay for a new Windows laptop.
Added 2 more options
Quote from: tolbs17 on October 07, 2021, 05:17:31 PM
Quote from: hbelkins on October 07, 2021, 12:38:41 PM
Apple isn't listed, but it should be. I'm still trying to find a used 2012 MacBook (the last version that ran Snow Leopard, and therefore the last version I can use Adobe CS2 on) but prices are higher for a nine-year-old laptop than what I'd pay for a new Windows laptop.
Added 2 more options
Those are operating systems, not brands. Linux can be installed on any Intel/AMD Windows PC from the aforementioned brands. Macs are made by Apple.
Quote from: Pink Jazz on October 07, 2021, 05:21:26 PM
Quote from: tolbs17 on October 07, 2021, 05:17:31 PM
Quote from: hbelkins on October 07, 2021, 12:38:41 PM
Apple isn't listed, but it should be. I'm still trying to find a used 2012 MacBook (the last version that ran Snow Leopard, and therefore the last version I can use Adobe CS2 on) but prices are higher for a nine-year-old laptop than what I'd pay for a new Windows laptop.
Added 2 more options
Those are operating systems, not brands. Linux can be installed on any Intel/AMD Windows PC from the aforementioned brands. Macs are made by Apple.
Fixed now...
Quote from: dlsterner on October 07, 2021, 02:47:46 PM
Quote from: hbelkins on October 07, 2021, 12:38:41 PM
Apple isn't listed, but it should be. I'm still trying to find a used 2012 MacBook (the last version that ran Snow Leopard, and therefore the last version I can use Adobe CS2 on) but prices are higher for a nine-year-old laptop than what I'd pay for a new Windows laptop.
I agree, no love for Apple in the poll? If you want, install BootCamp so that you can run macOS when you want to and Windows when you have to.
By the way H.B. ... have you tried http://www.macofalltrades.com (http://www.macofalltrades.com) ? (Disclaimer - I have no connection to them other than being a satisfied customer) I've been known to buy gently used laptops from them for when I travel (and don't need a high end machine). Back in 2017 bought a 2013-era MacBook Pro that still serves me well for travel duty, running Catalina (it can go up to Big Sur, but not Monterey).
I had not heard of them. I got my last one from either Other World Computing or Small Dog (can't remember which, as I've purchased from both before.) I have typically been looking on eBay. I'll give them a look. Thanks for the tip.
Intel Nucs are the best in my view because you can modify parts such as SSD's and RAM to run on Linux distros such as Ubuntu, debian, Red Hat or Manjaro.
Raspberry Pi is another one to be considered.
IBM.
Oh wait, they don't make PCs anymore. How the hell does IBM not make PCs anymore? That would be like if Ford suddenly stopped making sedans.
Oh wait.
Quote from: Max Rockatansky on October 06, 2021, 11:28:25 PM
All my votes would go to Commodore due to a pretty assort of classic games that were on the Commodore 64.
What about Atari computers?
Quote from: Max Rockatansky on October 06, 2021, 11:28:25 PM
All my votes would go to Commodore due to a pretty assort of classic games that were on the Commodore 64.
Don't forget the Amiga. One of my favorite games of all time (
Lemmings, 1991) was an Amiga original that ended up later being ported to every toaster in the universe.
OMG useless... Help me... I ran into this issue this afternoon and now I can't get back in... :banghead:
(https://i.imgur.com/9kne6xR.jpg)
Quote from: Max Rockatansky on October 06, 2021, 11:28:25 PM
All my votes would go to Commodore due to a pretty assort of classic games that were on the Commodore 64.
And not the VIC-80? I couldn't afford one, so I ended up with a Radio Shack TRS-80.
Quote from: tolbs17 on October 08, 2021, 05:32:30 PM
OMG useless... Help me... I ran into this issue this afternoon and now I can't get back in... :banghead:
(https://i.imgur.com/9kne6xR.jpg)
Are you saying clicking on Restart or Advanced Options does nothing?
Quote from: DenverBrian on October 08, 2021, 07:31:30 PM
Quote from: tolbs17 on October 08, 2021, 05:32:30 PM
OMG useless... Help me... I ran into this issue this afternoon and now I can't get back in... :banghead:
(https://i.imgur.com/9kne6xR.jpg)
Are you saying clicking on Restart or Advanced Options does nothing?
If I click on Restart, it shows the same screen and if I go to Advance Options, it shows me the settings that I DON'T know about!
Sounds like you'd probably better start knowing about those settings then.
Quote from: Scott5114 on October 08, 2021, 07:43:54 PM
Sounds like you'd probably better start knowing about those settings then.
I ain't no expert at computers trust me. Maybe I'll ask some technician or just Google it.
Quote from: tolbs17 on October 06, 2021, 10:28:49 PM
Since we are talking about Windows 11 and my computer (and I'm sure others as well) doesn't support it, I wanted to make this thread because my computer is 8 years old and I think it's about time to upgrade soon.
What's the best computer brand and what's the best price for it?
When I was looking at the prices, it seems like $400 is what I see the most.
For me, I'll vote Dell and HP. ASUS seems a little too expensive and I'm not too crazy into gaming.
You can vote twice.
I voted for H.P. ... I usually spend $ 700.00 U.S.D. or $ 800 U.S.D. with A.M.D. Hardware, all the processor cores available, largest hard drive, largest screen, and largest keyboard. Particularly if it is desktop, even an All In One Desktop, I plug in to a Halo.
Quote from: Max Rockatansky on October 06, 2021, 11:28:25 PM
All my votes would go to Commodore due to a pretty assort of classic games that were on the Commodore 64.
My second vote is Acer, the closest thing possible to a Commodore.
The operating system would need to be MorphOS which is available on rogue Hardwares such as Ancient Apple Computers after they stopped native boot support for Ancient Operating System 9.2.2 all the remaining Pre - Intel ones can have native boot support for MorphOS. Some of the decisions they made are silly and difficult for people to Adopt such as the No Sleep Mode, No Hibernate Mode, and restricted functionality as a result of forced Emulation for Legacy Softwares.
AROS is another that resembles Commodore / Amiga. Both of them are much more stable than any operating system Apple ever made, and with wasted potential. They certainly know what to do, as they are the opposite of Junk Operating Systems and Junk Web Browsers. They make Web Browsers that do what they need to do with out stupid little cartoons dancing around the screen. Also the Apple computers are the first ones to stop making spare parts.
Quote
Linux
I do not want to wither away on Linux. Even if most of the A.R.O.S. versions are actually Linux.
Quote
Raspberry Pi is another one to be considered.
Pi Devices, with native boot support for R.I.S.C. O.S. which is also much better and is despite having zero connections to Commodore / Amiga, it resembles them as they are not a Junk Operating System and Junk Web Browsers also.
Quote
Apple.
They ought to go to the past and stay there. It is not easy to have Ancient Apple Computers as they do not make spare parts, unlike Commodores and Amigas which can last for ever.
And I shall never buy any silly new nor recent Apple Computer ... have been this way for very long time. Much too expensive and no longer worth the expense. They seem to have nothing significant about them except for Bloated Softwares that are obsolete the moment you open them.
Perhaps I shall buy more Ancient Apple Computers for Ancient Operating System 9.2.2 and hope that they do not wear out.
Apple has not for the longest time been the superior computer to have. There are other choices such as MorphOS, AROS, and R.I.S.C. O.S. ... at least for personal computing. These three have yet to make any Server Editions.
QuoteCustom Build Laptops
It is necessary for me to make one with a 3D Printer to be able to fit The Necessary Hardware.
Quote from: tolbs17 on October 08, 2021, 07:40:41 PM
Quote from: DenverBrian on October 08, 2021, 07:31:30 PM
Quote from: tolbs17 on October 08, 2021, 05:32:30 PM
OMG useless... Help me... I ran into this issue this afternoon and now I can't get back in... :banghead:
(https://i.imgur.com/9kne6xR.jpg)
Are you saying clicking on Restart or Advanced Options does nothing?
If I click on Restart, it shows the same screen and if I go to Advance Options, it shows me the settings that I DON'T know about!
Your only Option is to click on Advanced. Please take a picture of it.
Quote from: Ned Weasel on October 07, 2021, 09:17:27 PM
IBM.
Oh wait, they don't make PCs anymore. How the hell does IBM not make PCs anymore? That would be like if Ford suddenly stopped making sedans.
No, it wouldn't. The PC was never more than a sideline for IBM's real business - large mainframes for big jobs for big companies.
It would be as if Peterbilt made sedans for a while and then sold that product line off.
Quote from: In_Correct on October 08, 2021, 07:53:16 PM
Quote from: tolbs17 on October 08, 2021, 07:40:41 PM
Quote from: DenverBrian on October 08, 2021, 07:31:30 PM
Quote from: tolbs17 on October 08, 2021, 05:32:30 PM
OMG useless... Help me... I ran into this issue this afternoon and now I can't get back in... :banghead:
(https://i.imgur.com/9kne6xR.jpg)
Are you saying clicking on Restart or Advanced Options does nothing?
If I click on Restart, it shows the same screen and if I go to Advance Options, it shows me the settings that I DON'T know about!
Your only Option is to click on Advanced. Please take a picture of it.
Apparently after leaving it on for a few hours, that screen went away. I'm back onto my logon screen. It must have been a firmware issue. That laptop is nearly 10 years old anyway.
Interestingly, there was a problem (not actually a problem) with my Mac. I was running a Python script on a program with unlimited undo and redo. I didn't realize this was taking up memory. My x key wasn't working for an unrelated reason, so I brought it to the Genius Bar to fix that issue, unaware of the memory issue. I restarted it, and it was stuck halfway at the loading screen. I received it back in a few days with a new keyboard (individual keys can't be replaced for some reason). As far as I knew, they also fixed the halfway loading bug, even though it wasn't listed with what they fixed. Not knowing what caused it, I continued to run the program, and I got a "2.5 GB left" warning (using about 40). I closed the application. Up to 8-10. I restarted the computer, and of course, it went back to halfway again. System diagnostics were available. I called support, and they wanted me to reinstall the OS. It turns out that it requires 28 GB of free space to reinstall, but I only had 15. Not 12, but 15. I mentioned this to the person on the other side of the line and asked if the memory will slowly come back over time. She said it was a good idea. It turned out that that was exactly correct – I periodically turned off the computer, turned it on in diagnostics mode, and clicked some menu options to start reinstalling (but not to confirm), as this was the only way to see how much memory I had. The amount of free space was going up. I planned on leaving it on the loading screen overnight, but this wasn't necessary; the entire process took about 5 hours.
Quote from: tolbs17 on October 08, 2021, 08:00:59 PM
Quote from: In_Correct on October 08, 2021, 07:53:16 PM
Quote from: tolbs17 on October 08, 2021, 07:40:41 PM
Quote from: DenverBrian on October 08, 2021, 07:31:30 PM
Quote from: tolbs17 on October 08, 2021, 05:32:30 PM
OMG useless... Help me... I ran into this issue this afternoon and now I can't get back in... :banghead:
(https://i.imgur.com/9kne6xR.jpg)
Are you saying clicking on Restart or Advanced Options does nothing?
If I click on Restart, it shows the same screen and if I go to Advance Options, it shows me the settings that I DON'T know about!
Your only Option is to click on Advanced. Please take a picture of it.
Apparently after leaving it on for a few hours, that screen went away. I'm back onto my logon screen. It must have been a firmware issue. That laptop is nearly 10 years old anyway.
Cool. Before it happens again, Google "windows automatic repair advanced options" and get some knowledge in your noggin. Also, if it does happen again, it appears you can either wait a few hours to see if it resolves again (it is likely NOT a firmware issue), or press and hold your power key until the laptop shuts down, and then start it up again. Most of the time this will correct a stalled repair situation - at least in my experience.
New laptop: Try Costco, where you can handle and play with the available options. Decent pricing and 90-day return policy.
Best computer brand? Dunno. A couple of questions....
- Desktop computer or laptop computer?
- What is your use case?
- Do you intend on using it for gaming?
- Can you wait until next year?
For my standpoint, I prefer to
build assemble my own desktops, with Gigabyte, ASUS, and MSI being my go-to brands for motherboards. I tend to build my computers to last, which explains why my current desktop computer was assembled in 2014, although the storage was upgraded to a bigger drive and the video card upgraded from a nVidia 980 to a 1080. The problem at the moment is the component shortage... good video cards are hard to come by at the moment. I am personally waiting until next year when DDR5 memory comes out. I really wanted to replace my desktop sooner, but some home repairs got in the way.
As for laptops... I know my workplace uses Lenovos. I'm a little hesitant about gaming laptops. As normal computers, they're OK, but because they are power-hungry when playing some days, you have to hook them up to AC power.... which kinda defeats the purpose of having a laptop. And, since they're not really upgradable beyond memory and storage (maybe), they are obsolete a bit sooner.
Chromebooks for school and work reasons if you intend to stay on Google only venues or Docs.
But if you plan to use it for coding then go modify a non Apple Macbook or a non Chromebook and run a Linux distro or a BSD distro and program away.
Quote from: bing101 on October 10, 2021, 07:46:38 PM
Chromebooks for school and work reasons if you intend to stay on Google only venues or Docs.
But if you plan to use it for coding then go modify a non Apple Macbook or a non Chromebook and run a Linux distro or a BSD distro and program away.
I play lots of games so Chromebooks aren't the best option for me.
Quote from: ZLoth on October 10, 2021, 02:35:31 PMAs for laptops... I know my workplace uses Lenovos. I'm a little hesitant about gaming laptops. As normal computers, they're OK, but because they are power-hungry when playing some days, you have to hook them up to AC power.... which kinda defeats the purpose of having a laptop. And, since they're not really upgradable beyond memory and storage (maybe), they are obsolete a bit sooner.
On the 'kinda defeats the purpose of having a laptop"...I think that somewhat depends on why a user has the laptop. In my case, I'm more concerned about portability than being unplugged.
One other disadvantage of "gaming laptops" is their size. I recently upgraded my laptop to a "gaming laptop". I got this particular model (from Xidax, a boutique shop that builds desktops to order, and similarly customizes laptops) because it was the most economical way to get the specs I wanted (at least 64GB RAM, at least 2TB of SSD/NVMe hard drive, and an RTX video card)....but when it arrived, I was surprised by how physically large it is despite it only having a 15" display.
I went with weight and portability over specs and don't regret it much. My laptop (a last-gen LG Gram) is under 3 lbs but has a 17" display and a full-size keyboard. It's got some heating issues (a given for its profile) but is otherwise decent enough.
Quote from: Bruce on October 11, 2021, 01:57:22 AM
I went with weight and portability over specs and don't regret it much. My laptop (a last-gen LG Gram) is under 3 lbs but has a 17" display and a full-size keyboard. It's got some heating issues (a given for its profile) but is otherwise decent enough.
I think all LG devices are known for overheating...that's why I stay away from them.
Quote from: Max Rockatansky on October 06, 2021, 11:28:25 PM
All my votes would go to Commodore due to a pretty assort of classic games that were on the Commodore 64.
nerd.
says ex- TRS-80 guy.
Quote from: jayhawkco on October 07, 2021, 12:56:15 PM
Quote from: Max Rockatansky on October 06, 2021, 11:28:25 PM
All my votes would go to Commodore due to a pretty assort of classic games that were on the Commodore 64.
LOAD "FROGGER",8,1
Chris
i remember what the 8 is for, but what's the 1 (long time ago)?
iirc, couldn't you run programs in the drive itself, like, it had its own processor and some ram?
Quote from: bing101 on October 07, 2021, 08:07:26 PM
Intel Nucs are the best in my view because you can modify parts such as SSD's and RAM to run on Linux distros such as Ubuntu, debian, Red Hat or Manjaro.
Raspberry Pi is another one to be considered.
my desktop is a NUC, bought it at the pawnshop for $80, and runs beautifully under kubuntu. faster than blazes, too.
only complaint, is mine only has one hdmi-out, and i haven't worked out the details of using the thunderbolt port for video.i saw a doohickey at walmart, but it required windows.
Quote from: zachary_amaryllis on October 11, 2021, 03:59:48 AM
Quote from: jayhawkco on October 07, 2021, 12:56:15 PM
Quote from: Max Rockatansky on October 06, 2021, 11:28:25 PM
All my votes would go to Commodore due to a pretty assort of classic games that were on the Commodore 64.
LOAD "FROGGER",8,1
Chris
i remember what the 8 is for, but what's the 1 (long time ago)?
iirc, couldn't you run programs in the drive itself, like, it had its own processor and some ram?
The default is to load the program at the start of the BASIC memory space. Adding the "1" means "load the program into the memory space starting at the location defined by the first two bytes of the file." Used by machine language programs (most games were like this).
The drive did have its own processor, and (if memory serves) some copy protection schemes used this feature.
I might consider switching to HP since it has the most votes and they are only like $350 bucks.