Time for a new desktop computer

Are you finding it to be slow?

The single greatest improvement you can make to a computer these days is to use a SSD instead of a normal hard drive.

A dual core should be able to run Win 7. What's not compatible? HD? Video card?

A little more RAM may make a significant difference.

Well, it's the big pile.... To install the windows 7, (Which I got 32 bit and 64 bit) it prefers more ram... but IF I take this one off line, then if things get goofed up, I can always fire this one up, and get a job done. But, it cannot be online. The hard drive has to be re formatted to go to win 7. That is what bugs me.

I guess I could add some ram, and go for it.

but, really, I think a newer one might be simpler.

N

If you are going to buy new, I would plan for the future and not skimp out on ram, processor speed, and hard drive space. New programs that come out will no doubt use more and more resources so buying the bare necessities now might put you in a bind in a couple of short years. Just my 0.04 worth....

Mr BL

I think your advice is good. I think I would have to upgrade my Carlson Surveying software too, to do that. I'm running Carlson 2009!

N

I got a big one, a desktop tower model. Super fast processor, solid state hard drive, 1.5 terabyte secondary regular hard drive, good video card, windows 7 pro, and a wide flat screen monitor. I will be good for a few more years. B-)

Skip the new desktop computer ....

and drop the $$ for a good laptop. Gave up the desktop years ago in favor of the laptop and have never looked back! Just my 0.04.

-JD-

Skip the new desktop computer ....

:good:
I have have 1laptop and plug it in to two monitors and a separate keyboard and mouse. The lap just stays closed at the desk, but I can unplug it and take it other places.

Skip the new desktop computer ....

:good:

Agree's forget the desktop unless you are doing some really intense stuff. I have an HP Envy with 64 bit Win8 (you can set it up to look just like Win7 and it's faster), 750 gig HD, 12 gigs of RAM, and an Intel i7 Haswell processor. It runs C3D and all my other programs just fine and plenty fast. It's hooked up to a 24" monitor and sits next to the monitor as a secondary display. I use a Logitech wireless keyboard and mouse with it.

Tom

If I run over my laptop or lose it in the field, I'm lost. The desktop is always there.

Just went over this with my Geek.

Bottom line:

4 core machine, 16 gigs ram, 2nd hard drive (cheap).

I already have 2 23" monitors, and I love them. Like $130 from TigerDirect, at yer place in 2 days.

It should be about $900 minus the monitors. Cheap.

New computer

Take the old box and convert it to a LINEX Server as Jime suggested in another post, and get a new notebook with a docking station, with dual 24" minimum monitors with a keyboard and mouse. Then with a WiFi network at home or the office, you can work without being tied down by cables. I just got through working remotely for 2 months and it was very nice that my workstation was not tied down with cables. On nice days, I worked from the Man/Dog Cave and when it was too cold to work there, I worked in the house. Max out the RAM on what ever machine you get.

What sort of video card? And the second HD should be an SDD; you can pick up a 240 GB SSD to put your operating system and CAD on for relatively little. Booting in 6 seconds, CAD functions are instantaneous. With a 240 GB drive for OS and programs and a 3TB Data drive, you shouldn't have any problem at all. Then you keep your existing machine for data backup and you're golden.

Another option is building your own machine, or having a techie friend do it. It's really, easy nowadays... no more having to fight with jumper settings or getting MSCDEX to function. If you can build yourself you will save a lot of money, or get a lot more bang for your buck. Your other option is to look at the barebones systems and add whatever you need to them, like the SSD or a dedicated video card. Still requires a certain amount of technical knowhow, but everything now is pretty well "insert tab A into slot A".

> If I run over my laptop or lose it in the field, I'm lost. The desktop is always there.
What if your office gets broken into and your desktop is stolen? What if there is a fire? What if your desktop just quits working?

> What if your office gets broken into and your desktop is stolen? What if there is a fire? What if your desktop just quits working?

The fire and kaput machine I can see, but someone stealing a desktop tower? The monitors, maybe, but nobody wants the humongous boat anchors like the one I have under my desk. It'd be like stealing a paper shredder or a file cabinet. Thieves may be stupid, but they're not *that* stupid.

I dunno. If it were me, i'd get a really nice desktop and pick up a cheap refurbished laptop. I really like my i7 dell xps desktop with 2-23 or 24" monitors. Plenty of usb ports. With a laptop, you are generally limited on usb ports and have to put up with at least one smallish screen. You can't expand much either. Video cards aren't that great unless you reach deep into your pocket. Plus they cost more than a equivalent desktop. You can always pick up a refurbished laptop cheap for a second or field computer from Rakuten.com (buy.com) or overstock.com for $1-200.

I am think about picking up a refurbished duo core desktop with win 7 for $1-200, adding a extra hard drive, a really good video card the size of a loaf of bread, a wireless card and a really good Soundblaster sound card. Stuff that I already have laying around. Then i'm going to load up about 150 gb of music and hook it up to my Marantz 3300 pre amp, 240 amp and JBL 150a speakers. I will also be able to listen to internet radio. I can do that now, but I have to run a really long rca cable in order to listen to it. A laptop sound card is not audiophile quality so that route won't cut it.

> ...someone stealing a desktop tower? ... nobody wants the humongous boat anchors like the one I have under my desk. It'd be like stealing a paper shredder or a file cabinet. Thieves may be stupid, but they're not *that* stupid.
People steal highway signs for the scrap value of the aluminum.

> > ...someone stealing a desktop tower? ... nobody wants the humongous boat anchors like the one I have under my desk. It'd be like stealing a paper shredder or a file cabinet. Thieves may be stupid, but they're not *that* stupid.

> People steal highway signs for the scrap value of the aluminum.

Yup, I know, but not the boat anchor.

That's the last thing they'd take. You have to pay to scrap them out.