Advice on a new computer

[Fordman1981]

That's an excellent point right there!

Here is one thing that most PC people won't tell you though. Yes you can buy cheap laptops and desktops but if you built a PC equivalent to a Mac the price is as high or higher. I've yet to see a PC laptop with a trackpad as advanced as a MacBook trackpad. If you want a cheaper Mac laptop go with an air but I would wait until they release the next one. That may be in March with the apple watch. Watch last Septembers keynote if you want to see some of the new features that the Mac lineup has that work hand in hand with you iPhone and iPad. Handoff, continuity, being able to hotspot from your phone without having to turn in the hotspot is a neat feature as well. I know I've left some stuff out but like I said watch the keynote. Having your documents in the cloud so you can see them and edit them in your phone is really handy too. Like I said in an earlier post I like the apple version of office better for the most part and they come with any new Apple device. I update spread sheets often in the field on my phone as long as it's not a lot of changes.

 

[/pine]

Your post illustrates perfectly why someone with little to no experience with computers, and especially Linux, will have no idea what you just said.

OK, I get your point...but I figured anyone that participates in an online forum is not exactly a user with "no experience with computers..." so I will digress...

Some definitions/descriptions etc...:

"Distribution"...Unlike commercial operating systems like 'Windows'...Linux is (generally) not protected by proprietary copyrights etc...Anyone can take the core (kernel) of the system and distribute it openly on the Internet etc... (see The GNU Operating System and the Free Software Movement for more on this)...
...think of a distribution as a flavor...like ice cream there are lots flavors but it's still ice cream...

"Live CD/DVD"...a live cd/dvd is a media form that contains a complete operating system (like Windows) that does not require any hard drive installation...just put the disk in the tray and turn the machine on...(as long as the cd/dvd drive is set as a boot device)...the Linux operating system will load...it will automatically find all or most of the onboard hardware like network adapters etc. etc...(generally) as soon as it loads your Internet connection will be up and running without any issue with drivers etc...for more information just Google: "live CD"

"ISO"...An ISO file is particular type of file that has a an incorporated "bootstrap" that when burned to a disk will start on it's own when a computer is started with the disk in the cd/dvd drive...generally they (ISO) files are large and are too big to say e-mail to another party so they need to be downloaded via other methods...like with a "*torrent client"...Not all cd/dvd burning/backup software (like that come free with Windows etc) will burn an .ISO file...

* "torrent client"...a torrent client is just like an e-mail client (like Outlook, Outlook Express etc. etc.) it's just a software application...rather than allowing the user to send/receive e-mail with a mail client...a torrent client allows a user to download/upload files of unlimited size...for more information Google: "torrent client"...

Hope this helps...remember search engines are your friend...(even if some of them are also your "big brother..."

And as I previously stated...Linux users are generally a very friendly lot and are willing to help anyone that is interested....and nothing beats 100% free software IMO...

 

[CurlyDave]

...Is there software that a Mac can run so that it will run PC software?

There are to ways to do this.

First every Mac comes with software called "Boot Camp" which allows you to load windows and re-boot the computer into Windows. Since Mac and Windows both use Intel chips these days, it boots into Windows perfectly and runs it just like a Windows box. In fact, because to the quality of the hardware in Macs, many people feel that the best available Windows computer is a Mac. The disadvantage is that you you have to buy a copy of Windows, which can cost quite a bit (~$200 a few years ago).

The second is to get a program called Parallels, which runs as an application in the Mac OS, and allows you to run Windows inside this application. I have Parallels and it is not perfect, but it is OK. You will still need a copy of Windows.

As someone has mentioned, you can get a home use subscription to MS Office for about $100 per year for five computers. The downside is that they hit you for $100 every year, the upside is that you always have the latest version.

 

[MoKelly]

My ONLY REGRET with Apple. I sold 1000 shares of their stock at $24.00 a share, and it went to $650.00 a share. I've been spending that 650K in my mind ever since.

Well, after Apple's record breaking earnings released today, the stock is $826 per share pre-split.

But, on the bright side, look at all the taxes you don't have to pay.

MoKelly

 

[ultrarunner]

Off topic... about making an older computer up to date.

What is the least expensive way to get the code key for Word for a win 7 student computer?

My niece has it on her computer and after 25 times using it asks for a code to be entered... all I see are subscriptions when I click on the MS tab that pops up... $6.95 per month or $69.95 for a year.

Or $89 for Win 7 pro upgrade...

 

[troutsqueezer]

What version of Office? The least expensive way is to search Google for Office license keys, at least for Office 10 and below. If it has Office 360, get rid of it and buy an older version.

 

[MossRoad]

Are you advocating illegal office keys or purchasing them legally? :confused3:

 

[MikePA]

Hello,

Good Morning, PapaPerk

I'm considering purchasing a new computer to edit gopro videos, working on spreadsheets, etc.

Defining what you want to do with a computer before deciding on which to buy is the right first step. For editing videos, I'd first think about the monitor (bigger is better), memory (more is better) and processor. Video editing can consume all of these resources. Depending upon how elaborate you want to get with video editing, this could dictate a desktop computer, not a laptop.

I get so irritated with Windows updates, etc. seems like something always needs done to keep windows machines running!!!

I've been using PCs since DOS and DESQview were considered state of the art. Moved to Windows, Windows95, Windows98, etc. Microsoft's model has always been to send out updates frequently. It's even known as Patch Tuesday in the corporate world. I don't see this changing any time soon.

So I was considering a Mac. But unsure about using it for Excel, etc.

As others have said, there's Office for Mac. Microsoft also sells iPhone and iPad apps that amounts to Office for them.

Thank you for any advice. I love my iPhone and iPad... They just work! And I want something that just works for a laptop!

No offense meant, but I would not compare phones and tablets to laptops. Non-Apple phones and tablets just work, too.

There was a time when the best software for video editing was only available for Macs, but that's no longer true. They're available for Windows, too.

If you really don't like the frequent updates required for Windows, then an Apple device is your only realistic option.

Apple laptops come in two model categories; MacBook Airs (11" and 13") and MacBook Pros. Airs favor lower weight and increased battery life which tends to result in lower power devices. The Macbook Pros are the more traditional 'portable desktop' laptops. For just Office type work, e.g., spreadsheets, either would work. Including video editing, I'd opt for a Macbook Pro, with a big screen, big processor, lots of memory and probably an SSD versus a standard hard drive.

You can buy direct from Apple, at a store or online. Best Buy also sells Apple devices. The Apple website also has a refurb store that offers their products at a 10% (approx) discount. They come with the same warranty as new.

Good luck with your search and have fun. Don't get caught up with the religious wars.

 

[check]

There are to ways to do this. First every Mac comes with software called "Boot Camp" which allows you to load windows and re-boot the computer into Windows. Since Mac and Windows both use Intel chips these days, it boots into Windows perfectly and runs it just like a Windows box. In fact, because to the quality of the hardware in Macs, many people feel that the best available Windows computer is a Mac. The disadvantage is that you you have to buy a copy of Windows, which can cost quite a bit (~$200 a few years ago). The second is to get a program called Parallels, which runs as an application in the Mac OS, and allows you to run Windows inside this application. I have Parallels and it is not perfect, but it is OK. You will still need a copy of Windows. As someone has mentioned, you can get a home use subscription to MS Office for about $100 per year for five computers. The downside is that they hit you for $100 every year, the upside is that you always have the latest version.

I have been thinking that this may be the best solution for my wife, who uses windows on a laptop that is so old it should be put out of its misery. But would I be able to simply load Bootcamp and then copy all the data and old uprograms over from the old (Toshiba) laptop, or would the old programs flip out in the new environment (Macbook Pro)?

 

[aczlan]

I have been thinking that this may be the best solution for my wife, who uses windows on a laptop that is so old it should be put out of its misery. But would I be able to simply load Bootcamp and then copy all the data and old uprograms over from the old (Toshiba) laptop, or would the old programs flip out in the new environment (Macbook Pro)?

You would want to install all the programs on the new computer, then use Windows Easy Transfer - Microsoft Windows to move her files and settings over.

Aaron Z