Breaking Point Reached: Bye Bye to Windows

I still contend that a MS machine can be as easy to use as a MAC if you start with a clean install, not let any garbage get installed and limit your programs to those you actually use. I have both and I use my MS machine most. It may be a bit more work to keep it running, but because its running so lean, if anything does go wrong, I don’t have much to look into. Though I’ve never had any real issues with either machine.

I would get my laptop wiped and start over or get a new laptop (MS) that is loaded clean. You need to know how to do this or do what I do and buy it from a local shop that configures it the way I want with the software that I want. I just think most of these problems are software issues from crap that you’re not even using. Run lean.
 
ERD50 said:
Macs have their own set of issues though, and I think they've gotten worse over time, though I always thought they were much better than Windows.

I get frustrated when I need to do any sort of troubleshooting on the Macs in the family. Apple tries to 'hide' everything from the user. I had to jump through hoops (and yikes! go to the Mac terminal/console!) just to see hidden files (and then force quit/open the finder to make the change take effect!). You have to jump through hoops to include the library or system folders in a file search. And they don't tell you this, I only realized it when I'm looking right at Finder window, with a filename staring me in the face, and 'search' says no such file exists!

For me Xubuntu Linux just has been far less frustrating than Mac. Far less "do it our way" forced on you. Far fewer issues with an update making an app obsolete. I've had the Mac copy over an old app, the new one doesn;t work, and they don;t let you go back to the old version. You could probably load Xubuntu on the HP Envoy (check the Linux forums, in case there are any specific hardware/driver 'gotchas'). If you've backed up your data, and are ready to just wipe windows from the drive, installation is a breeze.

Nothing is perfect of course, but Xubuntu fits me like a glove.

https://xubuntu.org/release/18-04/

-ERD50
Click to expand...
He should definitely try out some Linux distros. Ubuntu Mate 16.04 is working great for me.
 
Okay, good advice. Thanks.

2012 Macbook is out, sadly. It would be so quick and easy to just buy one from Amazon, but your arguments are compelling.

DW has a Chromebook, and I'd go that way, but my novel-writing software (Scrivener) doesn't work on that.

I calculate that the screen of an iMac would be only six inches from the front of my desk (because of the rolltop).

7lZe7Ts.jpg


I don't need to close the rolltop (I never do). I could replace the pencil drawer with a keyboard tray.

I could play musical desks in the house, but I like all the drawers and cubbies of the above desk.

Would a 15" laptop with better resolution be equivalent to my 17"? I'm guessing no. I've got some vision issues that are helped by larger characters. And I like having lots of info on my screen:

WrYsmgM.jpg


Yes, doing a clean install might fix lots of problems. OTOH, the bother of reinstalling apps with "upgrades" is one of the reasons for switching. As far as I can tell, my latest BSOD was caused by an out-of-date Netwbw02.sys driver. That could have happened even after a clean install. The concept of one OS having to deal with thousands of different hardware devices is flawed.

I was shocked to see that I've had my HP Envy for four years!

These two videos played a part in getting me to think about switching.


 
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tomhole said:
I have migrated most of my day to dat work to the cloud. I keep an iMac on my desk for file / photo / video management but only turn it on once a week or so to do something like that. The rest of the time is on my macbook pro surfing and messing about with files on the cloud.

Would a chromebook be a good choice for a guy like me?
Click to expand...

A few comments on why I'm a chromebook fan.
1. Boots up in about 10 seconds
2. Everything is in the cloud (w/o wifi, it's almost useless)
3. No malware, viruses, etc. Just no longer a thing to fret over.
4. Cheap. I've got a 15"for home and an 11" (?) for the backpack.
5. Google has excellent photo / video management programs (I can't compare to Apple - last time I used an apple was in undergad a thousand years back). :LOL:

OTOH
1. Kinda have to accept creepy ol' google
2. On rare occasions, I'll have a file/program that I can't run. For those, I've got an old windows machine I can fire up.
 
Better resolution would probably lead to smaller text. I have that issue with my 1600 x 900 resolution Thinkpad laptop (vs a lower res. Dell). The image and text are sharper, do notice how small the text are.
 
Assuming Apple continues to support and improve the Mac, that would be a good decision. But, Apple's plans for the Mac are foggy to many of us.

I added an SSD drive a while back to my 2011 iMac. I boot from it and the startup for the OS and software like PhotoShop is much faster as in 3x to 4x faster. I hope Apple sends a clear signal that they will continue to develop and support the Mac in the future. For now, it is obvious that the Golden Girl is the iPhone and her iOS friends.
 
Despite all it's weaknesses, I still prefer Windows machines. For one, I've always built my own computers, piecing together the case, motherboard, RAM, drives, fans, etc. to suit my needs. For instance, I installed very quiet cooling fans, a fanless video card, multiple SSD's, a TV tuner card, etc. I can upgrade individual components as needed. That sort of thing would be difficult or impossible to do with a Mac.

I had a Mac many years ago and didn't care for it. For one, there were far fewer software options available. I also didn't care for the way the file system was laid out. Windows still has a much larger software base so I can usually find any application or utility I need for even the most obscure task. Things have improved on the Mac side, but it's still no comparison.

I built my current computer back in 2015 and have never experienced the Blue Screen of Death (I still use Windows 7). My computer runs 24/7/365 recording TV shows and controlling lighting in our house. The only time it crashes is when I've done something stupid while programming. I clean the file system occasionally, run virus and spyware scanners, and use common sense not to open email attachments I'm not familiar with. I have not had a computer virus in over 10 years.

If you only use selected applications (browser, word processor, email, etc.) I don't think it really makes any difference which computer you use. It's when you start doing something unique, or want to dive into the inner workings of the computer that Windows starts to have the edge.
 
Al - I use an iMac and 13" MacBook Pro. I've used a 17" monitor with the MacBook without a problem. I would think a 13" laptop with a larger 2nd monitor would fit on your desk.
 
Go to Mac & don’t look back

We swapped over 10 years ago and best thing by far we have done as far as pooters is concerned

Cry once Buy once

You’l be a happy camper
 
Al, whatever you decide to do, one thing is for sure - - you need to buy a new computer this summer! Let's face it, your computer is 4+ years old and IIRC you are not dealing with crushing poverty. Whether you choose another Windows computer, or a Mac, I think it is time.

Personally I am enthusiastically on the Windows 10 bandwagon, but really you will be happiest with whatever appeals to you personally. Lots of people are happy with Macs, and lots of other people are happy with Windows 10.

You are smart to be reading about computers and thinking about what you do and do not want in a computer. It's such an individual thing.

BTW, I love the photo of your desk, keyboard, and view! What a nice, pleasant place for thinking, creating music, and writing.
 
Coming from my usual position out in left field, I would consider the following option if available (assuming this was a W10 upgrade).

Rollback to W8.1 with a clean install.
Much less onerous updates and most importantly they can be manually monitored - i.e. skip or separate out the problematic driver updates.
 
Some of my impressions about Windows vs Linux world. (I'm not qualified on Mac as been ages -- pre-OS X -- since I really used a Mac on regular basis).

Windows - a negative is The MS Way or the Highway. Especially since Win 10 as a service. A positive (or negative, depending on your perspective), some specific software only work or work better in Windows. Examples, Garmin GPS update software, disk imaging programs. With a program like Macrium Reflect, I have scheduled backups done automatically at night while I'm asleep. Backups of my system and data folder. Though can do this somewhat in Linux, not as robust software around that I've found.

Linux - A negative. Learning curve, a bit too techie for some. Positives ... distros, distros, distros. Can get one suited to your needs. More customization possibilities than Windows. Another positive ... forums. An active, friendly forum is kind of like your own free tech support.

For me, the answer is not an either/or choice but more a what I want as primary and secondary system.

Anyhow, that's my 2 cents :).
 
TromboneAl,

I think you'll enjoy a new Mac. We have ancient Mac Pro towers (2010!!) that can run the current OS, but we are still two years back and will always be this way because of legacy Photoshop 5 software and related stuff. I refuse to go Adobe Cloud.

Still, I agree with the others that an older mac isn't a good idea for most people since, even worse than Windows, Apple is trying for force its installed base onto new hardware. Software vendors like Turbo tax don't help. Actually, I think the current version of your novel software can run on Windows 7 but requires at least OS Sierra (not quite 2 yrs old) on Mac. So Mac isn't ideal if you like/need to hang onto much older operating systems or use old legacy software.

I think you'll easily get 5 years of drama-free updates on a new Mac, more likely 7 or even, gulp, 9 years like I did. Before this, you may find that it's harder to keep legacy (non-current) user applications running with each update, which is why I stopped updating. If you just keep all your software, your novel writer as well as OS, updated, I think a mid-end mac will keep you happy for a good part of a decade.

Have you considered a non-Apple monitor, say at least a 24", for whatever laptop you get? Apple monitor stands (imac as well as old 27" and 30" monitors) stick out the back since they hinge half way up the monitor. Seems like PC monitors are just wide/deep at the very bottom, so you may be able to push the display farther way from you before hitting the upper part your desk. Like you, I like to have tons of info visible when working.

Random thoughts:
- If you are considering an external monitor (probably the best way to improve productivity),and don't need a portable, check out the Imacs.
- No matter what Apple you get, please use an external drive to run Time Machine backup automatically (cheap external usb 3, or wireless Time Capsule)
- Consider cloning just your system drive/partition to an external drive. Time Machine protects your user data while the clone is a bootable backup of your operating system that can boot you mac back to life if there's serious trouble with an OS update.

FB
 
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When raised, the lip of the rolling part of the desk is 8.5 inches from the front of the desk, and 13.75 inches above it. If easy, could someone with an iMac 21.5" or 27" screen figure out how far forward the screen would have to be, and whether it would be reasonable to have it that way (with keyboard out on a tray)? Thanks.

I'll be sad to give up my Logitech M500 corded mouse with lots of buttons and two-mode wheel.
 
mountainsoft said:
I built my current computer back in 2015 and have never experienced the Blue Screen of Death (I still use Windows 7). My computer runs 24/7/365 recording TV shows and controlling lighting in our house. The only time it crashes is when I've done something stupid while programming. I clean the file system occasionally, run virus and spyware scanners, and use common sense not to open email attachments I'm not familiar with. I have not had a computer virus in over 10 years.

If you only use selected applications (browser, word processor, email, etc.) I don't think it really makes any difference which computer you use. It's when you start doing something unique, or want to dive into the inner workings of the computer that Windows starts to have the edge.
Click to expand...
I have dual boot WIN7 and WIN10 on my self built desktop and can't remember the last time either crashed. But I still mostly work on WIN7 (which I still think is MS' best OS ever) but am slowly migrating newer software versions to WIN10 as support for WIN7 will likely end in a couple of years. I've had no real complaints about WIN10 and I have it on several PCs including an ancient ca 2007 no name laptop. I use nothing but SSDs for system drives anymore although I use hard drives for storage. I recently left Firefox browser for Waterfox since the latter supports important extensions that Firefox abandoned earlier this year. I just bought McAfee Total Protection for free after rebate and, between it and Windows Defender, have not had issues with viruses for many years. But then I'm pretty careful about email and browsing which is where most issues arise IMHO.
 
While not really a consideration since Macs are very intuitive, I did enjoy learning to do things on the Mac, which might be a source of enjoyment for some. However, I am not running windows on my mac, so some of the MS applications that I used frequently in my work life, I do miss occasionally.
 
mpeirce said:
You can buy an iMac with a VESA mount rather than the standard desk stand:
Click to expand...

Ah, nice! That could solve my problem. The 21.5" monitor is 15" high.

img_3097-jpg.688774


Thanks.
 
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TromboneAl said:
Ah, nice! That could solve my problem, since the 21.5 monitor isn't any taller than my laptop screen.

img_3097-jpg.688774


Thanks.
Click to expand...

The 27" monitor may be too big. The top of my 27" monitor is 20.5" above my desk. 26" wide. Stand is 8.5" deep, being 6" from back of stand to monitor and 2" of stand sticks out in front of monitor.
 
Yes, I'm thinking the 27 would be too big. I re-estimated the 21.5" monitor height to be 15". It's possible the VESA mount wouldn't be an improvement over the standard mount.

Here's a schematic I sent to a mount manufacturer (WALI):

dbM6ugf.jpg
 
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USGrant1962 said:
I'm kind of partial to a mid-range Win10 desktop with 3 screens.
Click to expand...

Ditto. Except I'm sticking with Win7 for now on a home-built machine. Your photo looks exactly like my three 22-inch monitors. For serious computing, I only use a desktop. And I like lots of monitor space. Otherwise I use my phone. I own a laptop but have no real need for it. Haven't booted it up in months.
 
TromboneAl said:
Yes, I'm thinking the 27 would be too big. I re-estimated the 21.5" monitor height to be 15". It's possible the VESA mount wouldn't be an improvement over the standard mount.

Here's a schematic I sent to a mount manufacturer (WALI):

dbM6ugf.jpg
Click to expand...

The top of my 21.5" monitor is a little less than 18" above the desk top.
 
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