Sounds like you got some nice technology on your end. I plan to keep Windows 7 on my desktop until the security from Microsoft runs out in 2020. From then on, I will upgrade it to Windows 10 Pro, as it has more than enough "horsepower" if you will to run it (i7 processor, 16GB of RAM, and a 1TB hard drive). I like to refer to it as my "mini-server" or "beginner's gamer PC." I wasn't about to buy into the Alienware lineup, as some of it looked appealing, but the prices were beyond what I was willing to shell out.
As for the laptop that I have, it is a Dell Inspiron 15 5000 series (i5 processor, 8GB of RAM, and a 1TB hard drive) that originally had the option to run Windows 8, but I opted out for Windows 7 Pro. It's been running fine ever since I purchased it, but was forced to upgrade to Windows 10 Pro when Microsoft was pushing the OS. Fortunately, it was a free upgrade, but that did not come without a few problems shortly after installation. The good news was that it saved all of my data when it upgraded. The bad news was that I spent months trying to figure out how to get the "Windows 10 cumulative updates" installed without having them "revert" upon doing a standard restart, in which I would normally be greeted with a black screen and a spinning white dotted wheel. It got very repetitive after a while to the point where I almost considered contacting Microsoft about it...but then read online that I was not alone with the issue. Long story short, I recently stumbled across a "hotfix" from the Microsoft community boards that addresses this issue and installed it. Since then, the updates have worked like a charm. On that note, I hope to never have such serious issues with these Windows 10 updates again. It's a decent operating system that is quicker than 7 and 8, but it is also not without privacy issues...in which you have the opportunity to disable when first installing it or through the Control Panel. I chose to get on that right away after reading up on the operating system beforehand.
I apologize for the lengthy reply...guess I got carried away! Oh and I've said "If it ain't broke, don't fix it!" several times before, so I'm glad that we can relate to that as well! :)
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StyxNyx (862)
8 years ago
I love technology, it's awesome! I just wish I had the $$$ to get the good stuff but, I deal with my sad little 512MB RAM 500GB laptop and little 32GB Dell Venue tablet and I'm happy as a clam. Although I'm not a gamer, I've seen the prices on the Alienware, it's expensive as hell! π²
Yep, Microsoft was pushing Windows 10 for months and it was pissing me off! I kept declining every time that stupid pop up would come on...every day...uuuggghhh! I really like my Windows 7 and I saw 10 on someone else's PC and didn't care for it so I stuck with 7. Another one I liked was Windows XP, I thought that one was pretty nice too but they no longer upgrade it. I have a desktop Dell PC...forget what model...but it's XP but, unfortunately, has the death screen on it. I've been going to fix it for ages but never got around to it. Maybe some day...probably won't be able to use XP at all by the time I fix it...lol.
Yeah, sometimes I get carried away on my posts too.
Your's is not really that long, it just looks that way cause it's not across the whole page. π
If I made any errors, just overlook them...I'm a bit tired so going to hit the hay. π«
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jmcd2007 (424)
8 years ago
I have yet to use a tablet, but I heard that they're pretty nice. I also heard that they have pretty good battery life too.
As for Windows XP, I view it as the greatest OS in Microsoft's history. Let me tell you...I had a Dell Dimension Desktop (model 2350) with just a single processor and 1GB of RAM. She wasn't the fastest or quietest machine on the block, but was darn reliable. To top it all off, I had her running for 13 years and only had one blue screen which was due to hardware limitations when trying to run a game that was too much for it to handle. Aside from that, however, I did have one hard drive fail on me with the Dimension Desktop...and all without a backup too (learned my lesson there). From then on, I learned to do weekly backups just to be on the safe side.
My Windows 7 desktop isn't bad, but I have had a few blue screens with it. Turns out it was due to some additional side programs that Dell installed before they shipped it to my house. After I resolved those issues, it has been fine since. As for Windows 10, your not missing too much. I actually prefer the layout of XP and Windows 7 over 10. As for Windows 8, I have used it before, but thought that the Start menu was tedious at first. Over time, though, I got used to it being that I got to play around with it a bit through use of one of my Aunt's Dad's laptops.
Sorry to hear about the state of your XP computer. Hope you can repair it back to health soon! I always loved the "startup" and "shutdown" theme too!
With all of that being said, it appears that I shall be going to bed soon too. Come to think of it, it looks like we might actually be sharing the same time zone here!
Goodnight!
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StyxNyx (862)
8 years ago
Yeah, a good tablet is worth investing in. They're convenient to have and come in quite handy if you go on a trip or something and don't want the bulk of carrying a laptop around with you. I love my 9" Dell Venue, I use it every day, as I would a laptop, for all my online needs. My battery life lasts about 5 or 6 hours with continuous use but am not sure how long on standby as I've never been off of it long enough to find out...lol. Oh...I might add...I've had far better results with my Dell PC tablet than I have with my android tablets. It seems the android tablets start lagging real bad after about a few months. I like android, but doubt I'll buy another android tablet.
Wow, 13 years is a long time for a PC, that's pretty awesome! Goes to show that older things are usually better quality and last longer. A lot of the crap these days falls apart right after the warranty expires...just like clock work.
Windows XP was definitely sweet, it was my favourite OS. Windows 7 was quick to get used to and the layout is pretty nice as is Windows 8.1...IMO. I'm like you though, don't really care much for the start menu...even though I'm used to it, I still don't like it.
Thanks, hopefully I can get her running again, it would be nice. My problem, too, is...I never backed anything up either. But, I don't think I really lost much, at least nothing really important.
As for time zones, I'm PST in California. π
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jmcd2007 (424)
8 years ago
Thanks for the info on your tablets...as I just might consider one of them in the immediate future now. Sounds like a really convenient thing to have.
There is indeed a bit of a lag with my 5 year old Android phone as well. I did upgrade the OS once (I'm on Ice Cream Sandwich, which is severely outdated at this point). In any case, I have noticed this (a lag) after a few years, but have heard that it is bound to happen to any OS over time. They always claim to say that with many computers it seems. The same thing actually started to happen with my XP computer too....but the only reason why I upgraded it is because Microsoft stopped supplying updates to it (and my hard drive was starting to fail again at the time). :( The computer I'm on now, though, is indeed a nice upgrade and it's also nice to have a true HD screen too.
13 years is indeed a long time for a PC...although I was heartbroken when I recycled her away...but kept the monitor (it is a 17" Dell UltraSharp LCD monitor) being that it was still in decent shape. Haven't really used it since though as I bought a nice new 4K compatible 24" Dell monitor with my new desktop!
Nice! I'm EST in Michigan. :)
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StyxNyx (862)
8 years ago
Ice Cream Sandwich? Yes, I'd say that's pretty old alright. I just got a new Galaxy Sky TracFone, 16GB Marshmallow so at least I know it's up with the times. Had it for about 3 weeks and used it once to make a 3 minute call...I talk on the phone a lot eh? LoL! That's why I got a TracFone, not worth $35+ a month for regular phone service. I really like the phone for playing with though.
Sounds like you got yourself a nice setup there! I could only dream of having something like that. Maybe one day, when I'm rich and famous...hardy har har...I better head up to Hollywood. π
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Apis (1624)
8 years ago
Just for the record, you are not alone. I also use Windows 7 and would prefer to use XP if that was possible anymore.
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StyxNyx (862)
8 years ago
I know Apis, I don't know why they always have to mess with perfection.
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Apis (1624)
8 years ago
Exactly... I prefer functionality over cute icons and transparent toolbars and other fancy stuff
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StyxNyx (862)
8 years ago
For sure! Who needs it? Fancy stuff just gets in the way and creates more problems. Less is more.
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DreamersxDisease (817)
8 years ago
Sorry to jump into this convo, but you guys seem to know what you're talking about! What would you recommend for someone in the market looking for a new laptop that won't blow the budget, but still functions pretty well?
I'm with you guys in that I don't need bells and whistles, just for the basics to be of quality. I've been looking around, but there's just so much out there. Figured I'd take the opportunity, while you guys were deep in it, to ask!
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StyxNyx (862)
8 years ago
Hi Dreamers, no worries, you're more than welcome to jump in.
To tell you the truth, I'm no expert on what's the best for a low budget but I got my Dell Latitude D630 laptop...refurbished...on ebay for about $250 back in 2011 and it's been running in tip top condition ever since. You can find a lot of good deals on ebay, you just have to search around until you find exactly what you're looking for.
I've always went with Dell because I've had good experiences with their products. But, like I say, it all depends on what you're looking for in a computer and also what you want to use it for. Like, gaming PC's are more costly but if you just want a every day PC, I suggest checking out ebay...and make sure you always check the seller's ratings before purchasing from them.
Someone else here may have better answers to your question but that's the route I took as I'm on a very low budget.
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DreamersxDisease (817)
8 years ago
Thank you, any advice is good to me, as I'd like to get enough info to feel like I can make a wise enough assessment.
I've never used eBay actually, I'm always weary of those sorts of sites, but I definitely will search around there and scope it out. Thanks again!
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StyxNyx (862)
8 years ago
You're welcome Dreamers, anytime! I've been shopping on ebay for 16 years and haven't really had any bad experiences...just a few minor one's with some bad sellers but if anything happens, ebay will back you up AND will refund you if seller refuses. It's a win, win situation.
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jmcd2007 (424)
8 years ago
Glad to hear it....I absolutely loved XP and sometimes wish that I still had it. But alas, you gotta love Microsoft's "planned obsolescence" rule.
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StyxNyx (862)
8 years ago
All good things must come to an end. π’
I'll never understand that.
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jmcd2007 (424)
8 years ago
Me neither. A few days back, I actually went to YouTube just to hear the "startup" and "shutdown" theme for the nostalgia factor. Nerdy, I know. LOL!
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