Electronics

[151949]

On 2/10/2014 mima said:

On 2/9/2014 happy housewife said: We have an HPdesktop that is at least 10 years old - no kidding - and my DH uses it everyday still. He has been thinking about getting an all in one but we took our old computer to a repair man due to it being very slow and he cleaned up a lot of stuff from it and now it is running like a pup again - so for only $300 we have our old computer running like new. Before I would run out to buy a new computer I would definitely have the old one gone over to see if you can make it run better for only a few hundred dollars. We also have a Dell laptop that has windows 7 - and I have an android tablet, but DH still prefers his old HP desktop.

I would never spend $300 on a computer that is 10 years old.

and that is your opinion - mine was it was money well spent if we get another year or so out of this computer. To each their own. not everyone has to have every new and pricey gadget they come out with.

[Cats3000]

On 2/10/2014 Cha1k said:

On 2/10/2014 Cats3000 said:

On 2/9/2014 Cha1k said:

On 2/9/2014 Cats3000 said:

We have an iMac with a 27" screen. We love it. We also have an iPad that my SO uses. I'm considering (haven't made a final decision) replacing the iMac with a Mac Mini and a separate display. The iMac is heavy. When I had to have the hard drive replaced under the free replacement program, I had to lug the entire unit. If I'd have had a Mac Mini, that's the only thing I would have had to transport. And it is much, much lighter.

Before the iMac, I had an old PowerBook G4. It worked great for 6 years before it had power problems. It never left my desk. I had to remember about "exercising" the battery to keep it fresh. I really didn't do it as much as I should have, because I didn't take it off the cord, and that probably led to the eventual power problems. I like the large screen on the iMac. It gives me flexibility that I didn't have with the smaller screen laptop.

Cats3000,

I replaced my old iMac a year ago with the Mac Mini and a separate 27" display and am very pleased with my decision. I have owned several Mac all-in-ones through the years. The iMac is a sweet machine, but I decided to go with the Mac Mini so that I could upgrade the CPU without the added expense of replacing the monitor.

What brand of display are you using? Does it have sound or are you using separate speakers?

I chose the Apple Thunderbolt display -- 3 USB + Firewire ports, built in high quality speakers, MagSafe connector for my MacBook Air, and integrated FaceTime camera. Pricey, but covered by AppleCare when purchased at the same time I bought the Mac Mini for no additional charge.

Thank you!!!!!!

[Sooner]

On 2/10/2014 mima said:

On 2/9/2014 happy housewife said: We have an HPdesktop that is at least 10 years old - no kidding - and my DH uses it everyday still. He has been thinking about getting an all in one but we took our old computer to a repair man due to it being very slow and he cleaned up a lot of stuff from it and now it is running like a pup again - so for only $300 we have our old computer running like new. Before I would run out to buy a new computer I would definitely have the old one gone over to see if you can make it run better for only a few hundred dollars. We also have a Dell laptop that has windows 7 - and I have an android tablet, but DH still prefers his old HP desktop.

I would never spend $300 on a computer that is 10 years old.

I agree Mima. To me that is a bad investment.

[RainyDayGal]

On 2/10/2014 Sooner said:

On 2/10/2014 mima said:

On 2/9/2014 happy housewife said: We have an HPdesktop that is at least 10 years old - no kidding - and my DH uses it everyday still. He has been thinking about getting an all in one but we took our old computer to a repair man due to it being very slow and he cleaned up a lot of stuff from it and now it is running like a pup again - so for only $300 we have our old computer running like new. Before I would run out to buy a new computer I would definitely have the old one gone over to see if you can make it run better for only a few hundred dollars. We also have a Dell laptop that has windows 7 - and I have an android tablet, but DH still prefers his old HP desktop.

I would never spend $300 on a computer that is 10 years old.

I agree Mima. To me that is a bad investment.

It depends. $300 is a lot cheaper than (minimum) $700 or $800 for a new one.

[chickenbutt]

It's not my money, so I cannot make the call for somebody else. But if it were my money I'd put that $300 toward much newer technology.

[RainyDayGal]

I'm in the same boat. My dog knocked my laptop on the floor and it's at the shop, I'm awaiting to hear if they can fix it and how much. It's an HP and I love it. It does what I need it to, I don't want or need anything new and fancy with the latest and greatest. If it's just a couple of hundred I'll fix it. If they can't fix it my husband and I will share one because I'm not willing to go out and spend several hundred on another one.

[Sooner]

On 2/10/2014 RedConvertibleGirl said:

On 2/10/2014 Sooner said:

On 2/10/2014 mima said:

On 2/9/2014 happy housewife said: We have an HPdesktop that is at least 10 years old - no kidding - and my DH uses it everyday still. He has been thinking about getting an all in one but we took our old computer to a repair man due to it being very slow and he cleaned up a lot of stuff from it and now it is running like a pup again - so for only $300 we have our old computer running like new. Before I would run out to buy a new computer I would definitely have the old one gone over to see if you can make it run better for only a few hundred dollars. We also have a Dell laptop that has windows 7 - and I have an android tablet, but DH still prefers his old HP desktop.

I would never spend $300 on a computer that is 10 years old.

I agree Mima. To me that is a bad investment.

It depends. $300 is a lot cheaper than (minimum) $700 or $800 for a new one.

My worry would be however what else will fail and software issues as releases arent supported and new versions eat up more resources, which have become much cheaper in ten years

[glb613]

On 2/10/2014 chickenbutt said:

It's not my money, so I cannot make the call for somebody else. But if it were my money I'd put that $300 toward much newer technology.

I would too. It's a really bad idea and bad investment to put money into an old computer.

[RainyDayGal]

Well, I'm happy to report my laptop only had a broken tube in the screen and they happen to have one there. The hard drive survived! So for $200 it will be just fine. Yea!

[free-spirit]

A few things to consider ...

Go to filehippo dot com and downloand the latest version of ccleaner. As an ex security pro all of my friends use that site.

While you are there you may also want to download malwarebytes and superantispyware ... 2 free anti virus/anti spyware programs that run on demand and will not interfere with your real time security sw.

Take a RESTORE POINT ... In Xp go to Start -> All Programs -> Accessories -> System Tools -> Restore Point and create a Restore Point

If you screw anything up you can always go back to the Restore Point

CCleaner is a VERY reliable tool that has many options to clean your PC and potentially make it faster. It also has a very simple online manual. And most importantly an online forum where you can ask questions.

Although XP will no longer be supported after April 2014 ... most virus programs will continue to support XP for quite some time. I checked with my vendor and they will support XP through 2017.

You can continue to run XP you just need to be a little more vigilant. Don't go to strange websites or open e-mails where you do not know who they are from. Run virus scans regularly and also consider occassionally running malwarebytes and superantispyware.

If you are wondering XP is STILL very popular