Windows 7 -> Window 10: Time for a new computer

HP all around - PC's and laptops.

In my part of the US, the warranty support from HP has surpassed "SUCKS" and has now reached the category of "NON-EXISTING"

I just purchased a new HP 450 Probook with Windows 10 Pro laptop so I could more or less get somewhat familiarized with the operating system. Find it is quite different in a lot of respects from what I'm used to with all the other OS I've used or still use. The best OS was Windows XP as far as I'm concerned, simple to do what you needed to do. The phasing out support with various OS makes it a Royal Pain regarding your software.?ÿ If they hadn't been sending out notices that Windows 7 support was ending in January, I wouldn't have even considered changing OS, but in order to access a lot if sites on the Internet this needed to be done.

?ÿ

1) what brand/model of computer are you using - I would suggest that if you are planning on a desktop, to go to your local computer guru shop and have them put together a unit for you. I will do this later after i can more or less get more into the Windows 10 OS.

2) would you recommend it? - For the reasons I mentioned above.

I have been getting my computers from a Dell refurbishing company in Jacksonville, TX thru EBay

Can also call them up and they will make most any setup for you.

Dell is offering some outstanding buy at this time. I use both Dell and HP. I can't really notice any difference. I would get the newest processor available, as much RAM as you can afford, a solid state hardrive, large conventional drive, and two 21 inch monitors. I know Dell will help you build the computer that fits your needs, HP may also. My local computer shop recommended Dell for my budget mindedness. Most of you old XP software won't run under Windows 10. I liked the XP system best. Windows 10 takes some getting use to.

Alot of websites are becoming browser sensitive so you pretty much have to up grade to Windows 10.

Computers are a racket to get your money.

You could just upgrade from Windows 7 to 10. You can buy a cheap upgrade version off of ebay. Microsoft is still offering the upgrade for free (provided you have a Windows 10 upgrade disk) as long as you do it by the END OF THE YEAR. I did this with my computer, in a similar computer/software situation as yourself, it was fairly painless and other than setting the various Windows 10 settings, everything transferred over and works without reinstalling anything. Cheaper and less of a headache. My $0.02.

Or you could just unplug your current computer from the internet and get a new cheapo computer for email and internet. Just have to use an USB drive for transferring files between the two setups.

@andrew-clark

No guarantee on how long this will still work.  Make backups of all your data before attempting.

https://www.howtogeek.com/266072/you-can-still-get-windows-10-for-free-with-a-windows-7-8-or-8.1-key/

Posted by: @rasmussenls

Good day fellow Surveyors. I am looking to upgrade my computer (and software, of course). Currently running a 10-year-old HP running on Windows 7 (7GB internal memory w/ 2TB external hard drive) which I LOVE. It's not slow, has everything I need and I suppose I am in the "why change if it ain't broke" wagon. HOWEVER, I have to upgrade to Carlson running in AutoCAD 2020. Our small survey business completes on the average 50 projects a year, mostly boundary.?ÿ So here are my 2 main questions:

1) what brand/model of computer are you using

2) would you recommend it?

Exciting, nerve wracking and eager all at the same time.?ÿ

1.)?ÿ I've owned several desktops over the last 25 years.?ÿ The first one was a Leading Edge (1993), which I assume has long gone out of business.

The next one was a HP bundle that I bought at Walmart in the late 90s.?ÿ I had no problems with it but the parts were soldered in so eventually it became an un-upgradable paperweight.

The next 2 machines I owned were Dells (a Dimension in early 2000s, followed by an XPS 710 in late 2000s) and not only were they the most money I have ever spent on a desktop, they were also far and away the biggest pieces of garbage I have ever used.?ÿ I will never, EVER buy another Dell for the rest of my life.

For my fifth desktop I watched a few youtube videos on how to build a desktop, ordered all of the parts off newegg, and did it.?ÿ After this experience I will never buy another pre-built desktop again.?ÿ It's so easy to assemble these things it's embarrassing what companies charge for a pre-built computer.

2.)?ÿ Needless to say, what I would recommend is to build your own.?ÿ You'll get twice the machine for half the price.?ÿ But I also understand many people don't care to take on a task like this so... if you're going to just buy a machine I guess I'd probably go with an HP.

If considering upgrade existing win 7 to win 10, recommend a new ssd as the primary drive and keep the existing drive unmolested as a secondary drive.

The cost of the ssd is minimal.

Dell Optiplex. Four in a row.

Get Windows 10 Enterprise, not Pro and especially not Home.

Only accept Enterprise.

@dave-karoly

okay why?

@bstrand

No one can be as backwards as me, so this should work for most people.

I had to get a new computer three months ago plus I was forced to switch away from my old AutoCAD 2004 to AutoCAD2020.  Meanwhile, I had switched to a new printer shortly before the computer blowup.  I am an official member of the let's bring back the abacus and slide rule congregation.

This has been doing the job so far.  A big learning curve on the AutoCAD of course.

https://www8.hp.com/us/en/elite-family/elitedesk-800.html

@james-vianna

That's what we have at work and it doesn't have all the stupid bugginess, like the home version. It's like a completely different Windows.

I buy "used" computers from here: https://refreshcomputers.net/shop/

Always buy one with an intel i7, buy a 1TB SSD and an NVIDA Gforce GTX 1660 and as much RAM as I can afford (usually 16) and bingo you have a superfast computer for less than $700.

????

Posted by: @rasmussenls

Good day fellow Surveyors. I am looking to upgrade my computer (and software, of course). Currently running a 10-year-old HP running on Windows 7 (7GB internal memory w/ 2TB external hard drive) which I LOVE. It's not slow, has everything I need and I suppose I am in the "why change if it ain't broke" wagon. HOWEVER, I have to upgrade to Carlson running in AutoCAD 2020. Our small survey business completes on the average 50 projects a year, mostly boundary.?ÿ So here are my 2 main questions:

1) what brand/model of computer are you using

2) would you recommend it?

Exciting, nerve wracking and eager all at the same time.?ÿ

I ironically at 1am just finished this very task. I had to jump into Carlsonƒ??s 2020 OEM from 2014 due to project requirements on a large. Very large project. I have battled computer problems for 20 yrs and I can say that Dell, Hp and Sony are all good and awful. It depends on the timing I guess. This time I built my own. Or my local repair shop did. I got the largest RAM, Video Card and Hard drive on the market. No bells or whistles. It turns on and runs cad. I have Word, a virus software and Carlsonƒ??s. My plan was to have a 700 horse power motor in a lawn mower. Iƒ??ll never use the power it has. It will run super fast and should not lag. All is well now. It flat out flies. Carlsonƒ??s is perfect, no lagging and drafting will be sped up considerably. For $1200 in a new built computer(catered to my needs) and $1700 in 2020 Carlsonƒ??s Iƒ??m has happy as a calm. Merging all my settings took 20 mins.?ÿ

@bstrand

I will +1 with respect to building your own. As far as saving $$ versus a prefab PC... nowadays, maybe, maybe not. Individuals don't get the bulk discounts on components. However, you are 100% in control of its configuration and for that reason (with one exception) I've built my own since 1996. I much prefer high-quality components in my machines from manufacturers that I trust. It is a very good learning experience as well.

I just spent over $3K putting my latest desktop PC together; I wanted to do it now before I retire.

If I was a small business man and I was happy with my W7 computer and software I would be inclined to disconnect it from the internet, keep using it and get a W10 laptop for internet, e-mail, etc. There's no law that you have to connect your CAD workstation to the internet, in fact we didn't even have Internet for the first half of my career.

We spend so much time in front of these things. I can't think of a better way to make your survey life easier than to invest in good computer equipment, properly accessorized, and the best software.?ÿ I favor a laptop and have a docking station with 2-27" monitors. I just can't see any reason why I would want to soldier on with 10 year old equipment that has a normal service life of less than half that. It does wear out even if it hasn't quit altogether. Upgrade.?ÿ ?ÿ