Computer Question - Page 2 - PeachParts Mercedes-Benz Forum

cmbdiesel · #16 06-09-2010, 10:53 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Army

For routers I'd stick with Linksys - they aren't as good as they used to be but they are usually less frustrating than any alternative.

A Panasonic tough book is indeed a truly lovely bit of kit. New ones cost a fortune - may be refurbished second hand items are cheaper where you are but I guess they will still be quite expensive.

I get the impression that buying computers is now a little bit like buying clothing:- People used to buy a really good expensive winter coat (for example) and expect it to last for 10 years. Now it is difficult to find a really good quality coat like you used to. Fashion is now disposable. You buy something for the season and then throw it away. Computers are a bit like that. You can't expect to buy a computer and expect it to last more than a few years. Even if the hardware is still working the software will have moved on - the internet will display wider and wider pages so you'll be scrolling from side to side. And if you are going to use MS products you'll probably need more and more hard disk space to store all of those corrective updates they love to produce. Try loading Windows Vista on a 8GB hard drive - try to do an update and see how much space you have left!

I periodically search Ebay for the lease return Toughbooks, typically a decent way to gamble on a used laptop. Getting a used computer that was owned by a company and assigned to an employee, IMHO gives you a much better chance of getting one that has not been abused. I own 5 of them now, all business class, not the extreme rugged version. Bought 4 as a lot, and then a couple part machines (one which was untested and turned out to be perfectly functional

).

One word of caution, if you replace the HD on one of these, the touchscreen can be a real PITA to get functional again.

420benz · #17 06-09-2010, 03:00 PM

I see a bunch of refurbished laptops on ebay for less then 300.00 Would this be a bad choice?

MTI · #18 06-09-2010, 04:22 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by okyoureabeast

Sure. Why buy an 802.11n router when most of the country's outbound internet connection caps out at 3 or 5 mbps?

Well, for me the advantage is not the broadband connection, but the "intra" connection for streaming data within the "house."

Stretch · #19 06-09-2010, 05:45 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by 420 benz

I see a bunch of refurbished laptops on ebay for less then 300.00 Would this be a bad choice?

I think that depends on your level of expertise - what sort of maintenance are you capable of carrying out on your computer?

From a hardware point of view would you change a HDD? Would you add in more RAM?

From a software point of view would you know how to track errors in your operating system and find the solutions and apply them (usually from internet forums)?

If you're happy to do this sort of maintenance then I guess a second hand option is for you. If you'd like some sort of support then perhaps it is better to buy new. (Unless of course the second hand option also comes with good support - but as 300 USD I doubt if it will be all that good - I mean how many times is it worth their while to have you ringing them up?)

Don't get me wrong I think the tough book idea is great but I'm just not sure if it is right for you.

cmbdiesel · #20 06-09-2010, 06:08 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Army

I think that depends on your level of expertise - what sort of maintenance are you capable of carrying out on your computer?

From a hardware point of view would you change a HDD? Would you add in more RAM?

From a software point of view would you know how to track errors in your operating system and find the solutions and apply them (usually from internet forums)?

If you're happy to do this sort of maintenance then I guess a second hand option is for you. If you'd like some sort of support then perhaps it is better to buy new. (Unless of course the second hand option also comes with good support - but as 300 USD I doubt if it will be all that good - I mean how many times is it worth their while to have you ringing them up?)

Don't get me wrong I think the tough book idea is great but I'm just not sure if it is right for you.

Absolutely right. Any used computer is a candidate for needing some maintenance, like Army suggested, even a Toughbook. I would definitely not buy a used laptop that was not a top of the line model, and preferrably from a business or lease return (not a laptop owned by a person). Check the seller, make sure they have sold laptops in the past, lots of them, and make sure they have very good feedback.

okyoureabeast · #21 06-09-2010, 06:17 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by MTI

Well, for me the advantage is not the broadband connection, but the "intra" connection for streaming data within the "house."

I've been streaming to my xbox over our wifi network for a while now. G has been more than enough to handle some of my 1080p divx files.

I rarely try and send files over the network. It's easier to just sneakernet the file over my external hard drive.

For the OP though I think he'll be fine getting an older 802.11g wireless router

420benz · #22 06-09-2010, 06:50 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Army

I think that depends on your level of expertise - what sort of maintenance are you capable of carrying out on your computer?

From a hardware point of view would you change a HDD? Would you add in more RAM?

From a software point of view would you know how to track errors in your operating system and find the solutions and apply them (usually from internet forums)?

If you're happy to do this sort of maintenance then I guess a second hand option is for you. If you'd like some sort of support then perhaps it is better to buy new. (Unless of course the second hand option also comes with good support - but as 300 USD I doubt if it will be all that good - I mean how many times is it worth their while to have you ringing them up?)

Don't get me wrong I think the tough book idea is great but I'm just not sure if it is right for you.

Army: I can't do any of those things. I only need one for my wife who spends a lot of time on Facebook and surfing the web. I just took her to best buys to look at Notebooks and thinks they are too small. We settled on 12 to 14". I don't want to spend much money just for that.

Stretch · #23 06-10-2010, 06:46 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by 420 benz

Army: I can't do any of those things. I only need one for my wife who spends a lot of time on Facebook and surfing the web. I just took her to best buys to look at Notebooks and thinks they are too small. We settled on 12 to 14". I don't want to spend much money just for that.

Well basically I'd stick with new then. You don't need a super-duper notebook for that kind of use. Buy something that you like to look of. Hell get her a pink one if it makes her happy - but seriously I'd buy something dependable like for example a new HP (Hewlett Packard). Get one with as good a screen resolution as you can afford - that way she'll spend less time scrolling left and right trying to see the whole width of web pages. TRY IT OUT IN THE SHOP FIRST!

420benz · #24 06-10-2010, 11:50 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Army

Well basically I'd stick with new then. You don't need a super-duper notebook for that kind of use. Buy something that you like to look of. Hell get her a pink one if it makes her happy - but seriously I'd buy something dependable like for example a new HP (Hewlett Packard). Get one with as good a screen resolution as you can afford - that way she'll spend less time scrolling left and right trying to see the whole width of web pages. TRY IT OUT IN THE SHOP FIRST!

I think i know what you are go0ing to say about this one from Overstock.com.Apple ibook g4 1gb Open Box for 279.99.

MTI · #25 06-10-2010, 02:38 PM

Buying a G4 or G5 PowerPC based Apple computer . . . not a good idea.

420benz · #26 06-10-2010, 04:28 PM

What is the reason?

Stretch · #27 06-10-2010, 04:34 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by 420 benz

I think i know what you are go0ing to say about this one from Overstock.com.Apple ibook g4 1gb Open Box for 279.99.

Well I'm a LINUX nut so I think it would be quite a good idea. I have nothing at all against Apples (other than their similar world conquering attitude as MS).

What I think is important for your situation is some sort of after sales service package / warranty / help for if things go wrong. The computer itself is almost irrelevant. That's why I say just get a good screen resolution - everything else will follow suit anyway so don't worry too much about the other stuff...

BUT

What happens if something goes wrong? How much grief will you be getting from your wife if your cheap solution lets her down? Unless cash is really tight I would say that doubling your budget and thus making the problem someone else's (I have a warranty so FIX IT!) might seem like a bit of a bargain if the fit hits the shan...

panZZer · #28 06-10-2010, 05:48 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by 420 benz

Army: I can't do any of those things. I only need one for my wife who spends a lot of time on Facebook and surfing the web. I just took her to best buys to look at Notebooks and thinks they are too small. We settled on 12 to 14". I don't want to spend much money just for that.

Yea i hear ya--if you got some 420-You need to quit bogartin it and pass it around!

420benz · #29 06-13-2010, 02:19 PM

Just bought a Toshiba T135D 13.3" screen 4gb 64Bit. So far i love it BUT it doesn't have a DVD player.
Questions: 1. Can i buy an external DVD player that will plug into the Laptop?
2.Every time i open a window,it is small and i have to maximize to fill the scree. Can i set it to do both when i open a window?
3. If i am in a place [home] that does not have WIFI how can i get on line?

Stretch · #30 06-13-2010, 02:41 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by 420 benz

Just bought a Toshiba T135D 13.3" screen 4gb 64Bit. So far i love it BUT it doesn't have a DVD player.
Questions: 1. Can i buy an external DVD player that will plug into the Laptop?
2.Every time i open a window,it is small and i have to maximize to fill the scree. Can i set it to do both when i open a window?
3. If i am in a place [home] that does not have WIFI how can i get on line?

Question 1

Yes - look for anything with a USB cable!

Question 2

Windows operating system? If so you used to be able to set this via shortcuts... If I remember rightly right click on the short cut and may be there is a properties option... but eventually you'll find a "open in minimised or maximised" option.

Question 3

Get a UTP cable (normal network cable) and plug it into the back of your laptop and plug the other end into your router / modem / black box...
It should connect. (Make sure you've shut down MS explorer or Firefox before you do this otherwise it might stay in off line mode)

Have fun!