<p>My PC is close to giving up the ghost and it’s time to upgrade–and the last thread I could find was in 2012.</p>
<p>I’m looking for a new home computer (PC not MAC). I’m a mid level user–streaming video, spreadsheets, etc but not a hard core gamer or video editor. I need an excellent monitor for work purposes. I get paralyzed with all the choices out there. </p>
<p>My home printer is also acting buggy but might be the computer…who knows?</p>
<p>Thanks for advice!</p>
<p>We have a laptop that we can hook to a larger monitor. </p>
<p>We no longer own a desktop…haven’t had one in about 8 years.</p>
<p>I don’t care for laptop keyboards or touchpads, can get more computing power with less money with a desktop, am looking for advice on a new desktop. Thanks.</p>
<p>When you say streaming video, do you mean like youtube? </p>
<p>Considering your needs, it sounds like any decently built desktop sold nowadays could fulfill your needs. I have no issues watching youtube or even netflix streams with computers released from 2005-6*.</p>
<p>What’s your budget and are you looking more for price or quality/reliability? If the latter, have you considered buying or having someone build you a desktop machine from good parts?</p>
<p>Also, how old is your current machine you describe as about to give up the ghost?</p>
<ul>
<li>Late 2006 era Imac and a 2005 era Dell Latitude Pentium M desktop running Windows 7.<br></li>
</ul>
<p>Much more into quality/reliability and longevity–I hate the time it takes to upgrade and shift files (although I am hoping having Carbonite this time will make it much easier) and to reinstall software, so prefer to do it as little as possible. So I would go for something with more capacity than I need right now. I do have a local place that will build that I have used in the past.</p>
<p>
</p>
<p>How has their previous machines lasted you? How old is your current problematic machine?</p>
<p>I bought this machine from them in 2008 (windows XP). I think I got my money’s worth! </p>
<p>
</p>
<p>If the machine sold to you was from 2008, odds are it can run Windows 7 well unless the amount of RAM included is below 1 GB*. Have it running successfully on several older machines…including machines built in 2003-4. </p>
<p>Incidentally, Microsoft is planning to cut off any further support…including security updates for Windows XP as of April 8, 2014…which is a little more than a month from now. </p>
<p>Also, if you buy a new machine, you’re likely to be stuck with Windows 8/8.1 with its Metro Tablet user interface…an interface which most people don’t seem to care for as it’s a serious departure from the Win 7/XP start button paradigm. </p>
<p>Have you checked your machine for viruses/malware? What are the issues you’re having with it?</p>
<ul>
<li>I’d doubt that’s the case in 2008 unless the machine was bought used or at a seriously cut-rate low-end retailer.<br></li>
</ul>
<p>If you can find a machine that still runs Windows 7, I would recommend buying it rather than buying the Windows 8.1. Windows 8.1 is designed for touch screens rather than desktops and laptops. It has some of the most annoying features ever designed. </p>
<p>
</p>
<p>Microsoft is doing their darnedest to force OEMs to move to Windows 8.1 despite OEM resistance. </p>
<p>OP may need to research and hurry a bit as all further security updates ends for XP in a month and there has been news that Win 7 machines may be pulled by the end of this year. </p>
<p>Another option if the current machine has no hardware issues is to back up all data, perform a clean install of Win 7 on the old machine, and then reinstall the applications and data from backups. </p>
<p>Unless it was bought used and really obsolete, any machine bought in 2008 should have no issues running Win 7*. Have it running fine on several PCs from 2003-4. Win 7 shouldn’t be a problem on a 2008 era PC so long as the hardware’s is working fine. </p>
<ul>
<li>Win 7 is actually more efficient and streamlined than its immediate predecessor, Windows Vista.<br></li>
</ul>
<p>What about running 8.0? I’m nervous about 8.1. I spoke to folks who built my last machine who are concerned hardware will not support necessary updates, so I think I’m talking a new machine. They cam install Windows 7, so I need to sort out which to ask them to install. </p>
<p>My very basic dell computer from 2006 runs Windows 7 like a dream. My other computer has windows 8 and I am really not a fan and never will be. I thought I would get over it once I learned how to use the interface, but no, it is too asinine to even contemplate. Some of the things they’ve changed are just beyond stupid and the interface is clunky and completely non-intuitive to anybody that doesn’t use a tablet. I am pretty darn computer literate and it took me over a month to get used to it, three months later I still hate it. My fiance makes me use it.</p>
<p>I think cobrat is steering you in the right direction. I’m not a computer expert but we have something like eight computers in our house. I don’t think any of them are newer than 2008 at the moment, they are all running windows 7 or 8 just fine and are showing no signs of age. It makes me wonder why you are having problems with yours and if you might be better off figuring that out and fixing it rather than buying a new computer and possibly being stuck with windows 8. Windows 7 is great, but it if you could run it on your current computer there would be no reason to spend the money on a new one. My 2006 was a piece of garbage that ran like crap the entire time I had it until my fiance installed windows 7 instead and now it runs better than it did right out of the box.</p>
<p>I do not know how Windows users keep track of all the Systems.
7/8/ Vista/XP?
I agree that backing up and a clean install may take care of the problems.</p>
<p>I’d closely check out Costco for computers. They have some of the best warranties available. You can return within 90 days for full refund, no Qs asked. They give you tech support for 2 years, and the Mfgr warranty is 1-2 years. Also, if you use AmEx Costco card, you have an extra year of warranty service on the computer (no matter where you buy your computer). I like windows 7, but have heard mixed reviews of windows 8</p>
<p>
</p>
<p>Windows 8/8.1 are basically the same thing with minor tweaks. It’s a radical departure from the previous windows user interface paradigms with the start button and menus. </p>
<p>Can you give some specifics on what is wrong with your current PC? </p>
<p>If it’s software/virus related, it’s likely you’d see an improvement by doing a clean install of Windows 7 unless your PC somehow has less than 1 GB of RAM installed. </p>
<p>
</p>
<p>I have a friend who recently bought a computer from Costco and returned it Within 90 days because it had a hardware issue and he hated the Windows 8/8.1 interface. While they still had some Win 7 models, those models weren’t compatible with some of his computing/weight requirements. </p>
<p>
</p>
<p>One aunt is happily running Win 7 off of a Pentium 4 PC released sometime in 2002-3. Only thing I needed to do was to max out her system’s RAM to 1 GB and add in a spare video card. Even watches youtube videos without any issues. </p>
<p>I’ll have to check memory when I’m home. Very slow to boot, very slow to load, periodically freezes, last night the monitor went black (hooked to another monitor now). All kinds of printer errors including saying that the printer isn’t connected when it is. </p>
<p>I haven’t defragmented the hard drive and can certainly do that.</p>
<p>I can requery about specs of the current one, but part of my thinking is if I get a new one it’ll last for much longer before I have to reload everything rather than rehab this one. </p>
<p>It just reminds me of how it was with my cars. When you get an oil leak and the air conditioning dies and a headlight goes all in a space of 2 weeks, the car is sending a clear message. I feel like this computer is sending me messages loud and clear and would rather replace it while it still functions rather than after it crashes completely. I also don’t have lots of spare time to fiddle with it. </p>
<p>Just did a quick look at the Dell outlet and there was one with Win 7. <a href=“Refurbished Laptops and 2-in-1 PCs: Dell Outlet | Dell United States”>Dell Factory Outlet: Error;
They also have monitors. I have bought from the outlet and not had any issues with it. </p>
<p>
</p>
<p>Somethings to check for:</p>
<p>Viruses/malware. Make sure your antivirus definitions are up to date and run a full anti-virus scan. If you haven’t already, download malwarebytes from cnet or their homepage, update to latest definitions, and RUN FULL SCAN. </p>
<p>Recommend doing this overnight or if you anticipate not using your machine for a few hours as each will take at least an hour or few depending on the size of hard drive and the amount of files/viruses/malware present. </p>
<p>Make sure you’re not running more than one anti-virus scanner software on the same computer as that WILL slow your machine to a crawl and cause lots of issues. Since Malwarebytes is not an anti-virus scanner, loading that on is ok.</p>
<p>Check your fans/vents for accumulations of dust/dust bunnies. It’s likely they’re blocking vents to vent out hot air from the machine. Also, make sure the desktop machine has at least 1" of free space from the wall at it’s rear. </p>
<p>I have built my own for the last 15 years or so. The last one I built for my office machine is small and super efficient. You can use one of the newest Intel chips that use very little energy in a mini-ATX motherboard with onboard graphics. They cost very little to run, can run two monitors via HDMI connections, are quiet, and a pleasure to use. Newegg still sells Windows 7. It is very simple to build a PC–lots of tutorials out there. Try it yourself!</p>
<p>OK, @Cobrat,</p>
<p>…Intel Core 2 Duo CPU
E8500 @ 3.16GHz
3.15 GHz, 2.00 GB of RAM</p>
<p>Will run virus scans tonight.</p>
<p>@Parent1337 thanks, but I have zero interest in building my own computer!</p>