Two computer questions

[FloridaRob]

For all you computers geniuses...

1-Recently I keep getting an error message when I X out of a browser. Not all the time but probably 70% of the time. I get an error message that reads Microsoft has detected an error and needs to shut down. Then when I click ok It reloads the screen I am working on and many times it is a site I need to stay up but usually it reloads to the home page. Any quick fix to this problem

2. I have a Sony Vios desktop about 7 years old with dual monitors. (monitors are new) I know it is time and maybe that is part of the problem. Thing is I spend about $5000 on it back 7 years ago and I was going to get every last dime out of it. Stupid me tho is that computer was obsolete about the time I got it out of the car and hooked it up. So now I am looking to replace this thing. I am an appraiser so I probably have multiple browsers open at once. I shift a lot of pictures around, edit them, combine large files and send PDFs out the ying yang. My Sony was a partitioned 120 MB hard drive and now the C drive that started with only 30 MB of space has less than 7% remaining. I have trimmed every ounce of fat off the c drive and have nothing left to get rid of. My D Drive has well over 70 % left. MY RAM is 500 MB. Slow as Christmas. Anyway, I need a new one. What should I get. I hear all kind of things---dual core, quad core, 1 Terabyte of harddrive space(I will never use) 2-4-6-8-16 gigs of RAM. I don't play a lot of gaming but my grandson is here a lot and likes to play a few games. At nine he is not into major computer games but that could change over night. I figured this time I will get something cheaper and update it every couple of years. Any suggestions that won't cost me an arm and a leg.

I looked at an Asus quad core at Bestbuy for less than $600. It had 1 T of space and six gb of ram. Good buy. something better...I have had people say stay away from HP computers. They are always in the shop. Another says no more than any other computer.

Thanks for your help.

 

[Baileyneverfailey]

You sound like somebody who would benefit from just getting a mac. Honestly at this point, the only reason I see to use a windows based PC is if you're into PC gaming and then you can just build your own machines and know how to handle them.

 

[YosemiteSam]

You sound like somebody who would benefit from just getting a mac. Honestly at this point, the only reason I see to use a windows based PC is if you're into PC gaming and then you can just build your own machines and know how to handle them.

The PC has several advantages over a Mac in different situations. If you mainly just web surf, email, and mess around with media, then a Mac is okay. You shouldn't make blanket statements like that without all the facts. You are going to convince someone to buy a Mac and then find it they can no longer do what they need to do.

 

[basstapp]

You sound like somebody who would benefit from just getting a mac. Honestly at this point, the only reason I see to use a windows based PC is if you're into PC gaming and then you can just build your own machines and know how to handle them.

That is completely false. The only real reason to go mac is you are graphic/video intensive. I do web design for a living and I still use a PC 8+ hours a day and never had an issue. Granted macs have a lesser chance of getting a virus or corrupted files it is how you take care of the computer. Why pay 1,000+ for a mac when you can find a mind blowing laptop for under 1,000 with windows.

 

[KJJ]

If you're not worried about the cost buy a Mac. My MacBook Pro is the most trouble free computer I've ever owned.

The price seems to turn most people off about a Mac.

 

[Arch Stanton]

I've found this website helpful....

http://www.annoyances.org/

 

[Baileyneverfailey]

I don't want to give the impression that I'm some pro mac guy. I've never owned a mac in my life, and never will. I build my own PCs, I'm a big PC gamer, and I know how to handle a PC. That being said, I know too many people who constantly need my help keeping their security software and windows up to date, and they don't know what things are safe and not safe to click on.

For educated PC users who know what they're doing, I would never suggest paying more for a mac, but for the average person who just wants something easy to use and hassle free with the restrictions that come along with it, Macs are a good purchase.

 

[KJJ]

For educated PC users who know what they're doing, I would never suggest paying more for a mac, but for the average person who just wants something easy to use and hassle free with the restrictions that come along with it, Macs are a good purchase.

What exactly are the restrictions with a Mac?

 

[Baileyneverfailey]

Just to name a couple:

1) I build my own PCs. I can put any piece of hardware I want in to my PC based on what I want it to do. I don't have that option with a mac.

2) I want to use any new software that comes out. I'm a big gamer, and I am not willing to wait on a mac version of a triple A title to come out to be able to play it. And if you're going to use emulation to run windows games on your mac, you may as well just own a PC.

 

[KJJ]

Just to name a couple:

1) I build my own PCs. I can put any piece of hardware I want in to my PC based on what I want it to do. I don't have that option with a mac.

2) I want to use any new software that comes out. I'm a big gamer, and I am not willing to wait on a mac version of a triple A title to come out to be able to play it. And if you're going to use emulation to run windows games on your mac, you may as well just own a PC.

If a person buys a ready made PC like most people do aren't they going to have some restrictions? You build your own so like you said you can put any piece of hardware you want into it based on what you want it to do.

Most people wouldn't have a clue how to build their own computer I know I wouldn't. I'm not a gamer and just do the basics on my Mac. It does everything I want it to do.

 

[Baileyneverfailey]

Even a ready made PC from most manufacturers can be upgraded if somebody wants to. My first PC ever was a hewlett packard piece of junk my mom bought when I was like 13 years old, and I upgraded that thing on my own so I could play Diablo 2 and Everquest on it, lol.

The example you gave is exactly what I meant when I said for the average user, they'd probably have less hassle and a more pleasant experience if they just bought a mac.

 

[KJJ]

Even a ready made PC from most manufacturers can be upgraded if somebody wants to. My first PC ever was a hewlett packard piece of junk my mom bought when I was like 13 years old, and I upgraded that thing on my own so I could play Diablo 2 and Everquest on it, lol.

The example you gave is exactly what I meant when I said for the average user, they'd probably have less hassle and a more pleasant experience if they just bought a mac.

That's me an average user who isn't very computer savvy. I used a PC for 5 years and had issues all the time mostly due to viruses. Even with virus protection I'd get bugs.

It drove me nuts! I haven't had one major issue with my Mac since I got it 2 1/2 years ago it's been a pleasure to use.

 

[baj1dallas]

honestly I don't even think you need a quad core. For one thing you could probably get your PC to run better by upping the RAM to 1GB instead of 1/2 that you have now. But you could probably get a cheaper but still fast dual core with 2GB RAM and a video card that runs alright. However if you want to be somewhat future proofed you will want to get something that can run a 64bit operating system with Windows 7.

 

[tupperware]

Computer building isn't really that hard nowadays. The toughest thing as a novice you'll be doing is hooking up front IO panel connectors (All diagrammed, mind you) and seating the heatsink/fan.

You should actually consider building a computer if you're even halfway intelligent. If you can service your own vehicle you can build your own computer.

 

[baj1dallas]

Computer building isn't really that hard nowadays. The toughest thing as a novice you'll be doing is hooking up front IO panel connectors (All diagrammed, mind you) and seating the heatsink/fan.

You should actually consider building a computer if you're even halfway intelligent. If you can service your own vehicle you can build your own computer.

There's not a lot of benefit for a 50 or 60 year old to spend a day putting together a computer that gets used to check the interwebz. woot has a HP pavilion (integrated video) for like $500 today.

 

[Baileyneverfailey]

The only real benefit in building your own PCs is if you're a PC gamer, because the difference in price between buying one whole or building it yourself is huge.

If you're talking about a casual use PC, I would never suggest somebody build their own, because you can buy a desktop that can do everything a casual user needs for like $400 or less.

 

[IowaCowboyFan]

1-Recently I keep getting an error message when I X out of a browser. Not all the time but probably 70% of the time. I get an error message that reads Microsoft has detected an error and needs to shut down. Then when I click ok It reloads the screen I am working on and many times it is a site I need to stay up but usually it reloads to the home page. Any quick fix to this problem

this sounds like an add-in issue,
quick fix is go to tools and then manage add-ins
disable some of the bing, yahoo, google, msn, ect.... toolbars that have recently been added/updated and it should take care of this issue

 

[IowaCowboyFan]

2. I have a Sony Vios desktop about 7 years old with dual monitors. (monitors are new) I know it is time and maybe that is part of the problem. Thing is I spend about $5000 on it back 7 years ago and I was going to get every last dime out of it. Stupid me tho is that computer was obsolete about the time I got it out of the car and hooked it up. So now I am looking to replace this thing. I am an appraiser so I probably have multiple browsers open at once. I shift a lot of pictures around, edit them, combine large files and send PDFs out the ying yang. My Sony was a partitioned 120 MB hard drive and now the C drive that started with only 30 MB of space has less than 7% remaining. I have trimmed every ounce of fat off the c drive and have nothing left to get rid of. My D Drive has well over 70 % left. MY RAM is 500 MB. Slow as Christmas. Anyway, I need a new one. What should I get. I hear all kind of things---dual core, quad core, 1 Terabyte of harddrive space(I will never use) 2-4-6-8-16 gigs of RAM. I don't play a lot of gaming but my grandson is here a lot and likes to play a few games. At nine he is not into major computer games but that could change over night. I figured this time I will get something cheaper and update it every couple of years. Any suggestions that won't cost me an arm and a leg.

I looked at an Asus quad core at Bestbuy for less than $600. It had 1 T of space and six gb of ram. Good buy. something better...I have had people say stay away from HP computers. They are always in the shop. Another says no more than any other computer.

it depends on the programs and operating system you like to use and what you are comfortable with. a mac is going to be very beneficial if you edit the pictures, a computer is going to be better if you are simply uploading and distributing the pictures. i would suggest that if you are on a budget stay away from mac they tend to run a little more pricey. In my opinion, 1Tb of hd and 6 gb of ram is a good fit, we have 520 gb hd with 4gb ram to run solidwork rendering at work and it is not an issue
something to look at is the video card as well, if the pictures are higher resolution, a 512mb video card is minimum i would look at

 

[FloridaRob]

thanks for the input guys. I will be making a decisioin in the next couple of weeks.