Computers, what to buy?

C-man · July 2013

Laptop vs destop?

PC vs Mac?

I am lost! I don't need it to do many things just basic stuff.

Lizzi · July 2013

Wouldn't be without my laptop, still Windows, although kids are going over to Apple, so we may too in the future. For me clarity of display is important, and also how hot it gets underneath, as I am using it as lap-dog 85% of the time. Will say though that i am being seduced by the ease of use of iPad etc, but the programs I use are not transferable to a pad yet.

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Koffee_Kosmo · July 2013

Daughter has a Sony Vio laptop that converts to a tablet These are becoming more popular because they are more versatile KK

C-man · July 2013

If I go desk top then I can have a big wide flat screen These guys are where my tech recommended for the best prices. http://www.umart.com.au/newindex2.phtml?bid=6

Lizzi · July 2013

big screen can be plugged into laptop as peripheral... best of both worlds

C-man · July 2013

on 1374291786:

big screen can be plugged into laptop as peripheral... best of both worlds

true, but what about the sound? a big screen with speakers on the ends maybe?

UNM · July 2013

If you don't need to do much, perhaps one of these? http://www.leapfrog.com/gaming/clickstart/ Seriously though, it is hard to make recommendations without more info. Laptops are easy to use with large screen and full keyboard/mouse at home. The main limitation is they are not generally easy to upgrade with whiz bang graphics or option cards. Tablets are great for some uses, crap at others. Chrome books are another option you might consider

C-man · July 2013

basically All we do is surf the net, read a lot send and receive emails and watch movies. Does the computer need to be something different in order to power a nice sized big screen that we can swing around and watch from the lounge? We do not do any gaming, but we want a nice clear sharp picture.

C-man · July 2013

I was thinking this box maybe http://www.umart.com.au/newindex2.phtml?bid=6 This monitor maybe http://www.umart.com.au/newindex2.phtml?bid=6 it has good sound too both all up about $700 and new

UNM · July 2013

Check staticice.com.au for comparative pricing The operating system is relatively unimportant, Linux, windoze or ios. All will do what you need.

Lizzi · July 2013

Daughter has Apple laptop, uses it to download movies, then stream to large flatscreen TV to watch them. So that is an option too, although I don't know enough about that...

C-man · July 2013

I like laptops but my tech says he has heaps of broken ones that can not be repaired I think I would have to pay much more for a good laptop than a good desktop yes everyone swears my mac's But they are pricey and I would have to re-learn how to operate them, but that would not be hard. I think Apple has the best picture quality too but not really sure yet.

Lizzi · July 2013

we have always bought ours on super specials from HN, with extended warranty for 3 years @ around extra $150 or so. Overall our laptops have been hassle free, but we have to claim on the warranty a few times,....if it is irreparable, they will replace it. 3 years, good run for laptop... time to upgrade

Apple is not hard, intuitive actually.... it has just been the fact ours ( OM and mine) have always been Windows and we share a bit of stuff. Also, my book keeping program was not Apple friendly, think that is changing now though....

C-man · July 2013

I may be offline soon as my pewter is dying, barely able to boot this morning, did some backing up today.

C-man · July 2013

I may be offline soon as my pewter is dying, barely able to boot this morning, did some backing up today.

C-man · July 2013

warranty is important.

eggbert · July 2013

For general internetting etc all i use is a cheapy netbook (MSI Wind). I've upgraded it to a SSD hard disk drive for speed and it does almost everything I need of it. I can plug it in to either a monitor or the flat screen tv for watching movies etc, and just add a little speaker set if only using the monitor. If I played games, or tried to do some graphics intensive work then I would be looking at a desktop, but for an easy to use pc a small laptop is what I would use most of the time.

Brett H · July 2013

I've bought every computer part from Umart for the last 10+ years and my mate who is now too busy to build his own has bought a few of their machines in the last couple of years. Both of us can't recommend them highly enough. Getting our gear is a bit like the soup nazi experience but worth the effort. Go desktop with a nice big screen and then own the track you can get one of these to make it like a faux media centre to sit back and watch ya movies: http://umart.com.au/newindex2.phtml?bid=6

C-man · July 2013

thanks Brett, I guess my tech was on the right path as you just confirmed it. you link is not specific what were you thinking? What screen would you recommend? inexpensive but still good Also does the computer need anything special for a good looking picture?

galumay · July 2013

Seriously, just get yourself an iMac if you want a desktop, no need for anti-virus software, no cables other than the power cable, no ugly box, just the panel with everything inside. If you do want a laptop then the build quality in a Mac means they dont have the same problems that the other brands have, sure you will pay a little more but its good value in the end. Learning OSX is not an issue at all, ask anyone that has a Mac.

derrilex · July 2013

Spoken like a true Apple salesman G :D :D

conikal · July 2013

on 1374364559:

If you do want a laptop then the build quality in a Mac means they dont have the same problems that the other brands have, sure you will pay a little more but its good value in the end.

That may well be your experience, and they may not have the SAME problems,... but both the MacBooks that have been bought in our household had to be returned within a year due to major faults. At least the Apple service /warranty is hassle free now that Apple stores are local. From a user point of view there is not much in it, but there is a much wider choice of PC/windows based kit, and the prices of Apple gear is always a shock !

hiphipharar · July 2013

on 1374364559:

Seriously, just get yourself an iMac if you want a desktop, no need for anti-virus software, no cables other than the power cable, no ugly box, just the panel with everything inside. If you do want a laptop then the build quality in a Mac means they dont have the same problems that the other brands have, sure you will pay a little more but its good value in the end. Learning OSX is not an issue at all, ask anyone that has a Mac.

I'm not anti-Mac. I've been using Apples and Macs long before I used MS and Android based computers. I can relate to much of what you write. But in terms of value-for-money, I think a Windows-based computer is better. The days of the beige box have long gone and you can buy some good looking hardware. There are even brands that make an all-in-one machine like the iMac but could be $500 or more cheaper. I've bought two Toshiba and Lenovo since 2005 and they are all still running strong (the oldest now confined to roasting monitor duties) so reliability isn't that much a factor. It is true that you are very unlikely to be affected by malware using a Mac but they are not immune. If the software you intend to run is Windows-based then again Windows is the smart move. Yes, you can buy/obtain software to allow you to run Windows on a Mac (Boot Camp, Parallels, VMWare) but unless there is a compelling reason to want to run OSX, why bother? Suggestion: have a budget in mind and buy the best, most up-to-date computer you can. I believe in buying a little more than what you need now as it will future-proof it. Unless you know something about computers, buy a known brand with a good warranty from a company that will still be around for a couple of years. I'm going to have a crack at building my own computer next time. I changed ny mother board last year and that wasn't hard.

UNM · July 2013

I'd say if it is for general net usage, the operating system is pretty unimportant. Apple does generally have good quality, but so do most other hardware manufacturers these days. Sure you can buy extended warranty for $150 or so, but since a decent net browsing PC costs no more than $300, why would you? One thing though - windows does tend to have virus problems, plenty free antivirus software, but linux and OSX are MUCH less prone to attacks. I suggest buying something other than newest/fastest/expensive unless you really need it. Even then, you probably don't REALLY need it. Whatever you buy will be outdated in a year or two, but will be way ahead of what you have now. Value for money - a used desktop from a reputable company that sells ex-government PCs completely reloaded with base software. e.g. http://www.reboot-it.com.au/used-dell-optiplex-780-quad-core-q9400-2.66ghz-4gb-160gb-dvdrw-windows-7-computer-cheap.html Although occasionally cash back offers from manufacturers can make new pcs more attractive.

C-man · July 2013

with a budget of 1K It is either a new desktop with a large screen or a 1yo used I MAC http://www.gumtree.com.au/s-ad/mooloolaba/desktops/imac-a1419-27-desktop-december-2012-latest-model-customiz/1024079719 this one is close by

Ol Grumpy · July 2013

So how's that C-Man?... Clear as Mud eh? If we weren't on a Coffee Forum I'd say that is about the most contentious question you could possibly ask? It used to be Holden or Ford?, but Ford has packed up it's toy box and gone home... And just for my 2c worth... I love my iPad, love it, love it, love it... It does all of the things you said you wanted your computer to do. I see they come in 128 Gig now.... That's an awful lot of goodness right there.... There is an app for everything and another app for everything else.... I hear you say it won't run MYOB???.... Bulls$&t... Sorry I sneezed... I use an offsite serving company (cloud based) for MYOB and for $50- a month I can access my MYOB from any computer anywhere in the World... IPad included... Safari is your friend and Chrome will be a good mate if you prefer the Alien variety.... With Pandora I have free streamed music.... With google office you have full word pressing, spreadsheet access. My printer is wireless. I press print on my iPad and it prints out up to full colour A3 duplex.... If I get sick of the screen keyboard I have a fullsized Bluetooth keyboard and mouse.... Although the mouse is good for nothing, I still like to have it near.... as my 'security' mouse..... I like to hold it, it feels nice.... Ok, there is a compromise in the screen size, but with the new iPads there is no compromise in the screen quality... It is superb! And the way the so called 'Smart' tv's are going well your iPad can display right on your TV screen.... Big 'G' the man to point you in the right direction there.... Seriously, unless you have a specific reason to have to have a desktop, you really don't 'need' one anymore... Regardless, I would say get an iPad.... No joke, just like a mobile phone, you will wonder how you ever got along without it...

Ol Grumpy · July 2013

on 1374292770:

basically All we do is surf the net, read a lot send and receive emails and watch movies.

Seriously, get an iPad! Run the movie through the TV and home Hi-Fi. Nothing you tack on a computer for $100- will compete wit that. I have a little Logitech rechargeable stereo speaker that I literally clip onto the top of the iPad.... The sound is very, very pleasant... Adele bleeds her heart out to me all the time... Get an iPad, I promise you won't regret it.....

Brett H · July 2013

on 1374364559:

Seriously, just get yourself an iMac if you want a desktop, no need for anti-virus software, no cables other than the power cable, no ugly box, just the panel with everything inside. If you do want a laptop then the build quality in a Mac means they dont have the same problems that the other brands have, sure you will pay a little more but its good value in the end. Learning OSX is not an issue at all, ask anyone that has a Mac.

Actually.... I have to agree. It hurts me as a wintel user since 1995 but El's Mac purchased from G is the best computer we've ever owned. It's also NOT the most recent :/

C-man · July 2013

I mac definitely has the look we are after 27" would be sleek would it crazy to get a slightly used one, too risky? Most PCs only live about 4 years at best. also there is the rust issue on the beach here.

UNM · July 2013

on 1374388600:

I mac definitely has the look we are after 27" would be sleek would it crazy to get a slightly used one, too risky? Most PCs only live about 4 years at best. also there is the rust issue on the beach here.

seriously risky buying private (so should be seriously cheap, but often isn't). Buy used from a reputable company, no problem. Lots of apple units get traded because a lot of apple addicts need the latest on the day it is released or as soon after as funds allow. If lifetime is 4 years, then definitely look at something other than latest and greatest. I see no need at all to pay more than $300 for the PC unless you want apple, in which case double it and add a couple hundy. screen will be another $200-400 for a 27". Hope all these differing opinions are helping. clear as mud yet?

galumay · July 2013

Whats your budget C-Man, I can do cost for cremas. (margin isnt great so it wont be a huge discount) Another option is an Apple refurb, http://store.apple.com/au/product/FC814/refurbished-imac-27-inch-31ghz-quad-core-intel-core-i5

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