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I am totally not computer literate, (69 years old - and altho I know people older than myself who are - I am not) and have no grand-kids to ask for help.
So some questions (and if you need more info, just ask. I may not be supplying enough info.)
1. My present, about to be ex-computer, is a desk-top, dell, XP.
I have been very happy with it and would gladly keep it another 10 years, but as you can imagine-- it is able to do very little these days.
I want another desk-top.
I THINK I have no choice except to get Windows -10, is that right?
I am very fearful of learning something so different from XP.
2. What are the chances if I go into a store and just buy a desk-top which meets my $ requirements - that I will do OK?
Do I really have to do a lot of research?
I have a computer guy who has helped me a lot with this computer,
I have thought about asking him to help me buy a new one- but he charges $40.00/hour, and I'm not even sure what I'd be asking him.
Look on line at Wall Mark and similar companies. They do sell refurbished computers.
From what you said any computer should do. The lower priced ones do not have CD drives. Do you need one? You will need a USB port for backup.
Yes you should go to windows 10 and will have some learning. I would also consider a touch screen.
You can also check Dell on line.
You don't need to pay anyone to "help" you buy a new computer.
Just post your budget and what you use it for mainly, and people here can help you get the best value.
If you are used to XP, then Windows 10 is child's play.
This might be off-topic, but do you know why your current computer is not performing well? It's possible your computer guy could fix it. Maybe malware is bogging it down and XP just needs to be reloaded. I am typing this on an 8-year-old PC running XP with no problems, and I hope to keep it another 5 years at least. I've replaced the hard drive, the power supply, and the video card, but that's it.
I am totally not computer literate, (69 years old - and altho I know people older than myself who are - I am not) and have no grand-kids to ask for help.
So some questions (and if you need more info, just ask. I may not be supplying enough info.)
1. My present, about to be ex-computer, is a desk-top, dell, XP.
I have been very happy with it and would gladly keep it another 10 years, but as you can imagine-- it is able to do very little these days.
I want another desk-top.
I THINK I have no choice except to get Windows -10, is that right?
I am very fearful of learning something so different from XP.
2. What are the chances if I go into a store and just buy a desk-top which meets my $ requirements - that I will do OK?
Do I really have to do a lot of research?
I have a computer guy who has helped me a lot with this computer,
I have thought about asking him to help me buy a new one- but he charges $40.00/hour, and I'm not even sure what I'd be asking him.
any and all feed-back appreciated.
ellen
Hello Ellen,
My main computer is more than ten years old and it does everything I need it to do. It is not fast, but how much speed does anyone really need? I am running a 2mb internet connection which I am sure you know is slow as molasses. But once it makes a connection to a site, the speed really doesn't matter. The only time I am put off by speed issues is when I am downloading a huge file that may take hours instead of minutes. But then, I only download huge (10GB) files once in a blue moon.
About a month ago, a lightning strike fried the motherboard integrated modem. I searched around for a new computer, but then decided that a $29 external (to the motherboard) modem would get me back online just fine.
Personally, I currently have no need to ever update this computer.
I play casino games on-line
I run multiple live stock streamers all day/daily...
...While cruising City Data and other forums
I create CAD/CAM files for my projects
I run all my mail servers on this box
The only thing I don't do on this machine is code software, I have another machine dedicated to that task. The only reason I don't use this one is that I not want update/install issues to change the settings of the development machine.
What is it that you are finding you can no longer do on your machine - maybe someone here can help and save you a few bucks.
I am totally not computer literate, (69 years old - and altho I know people older than myself who are - I am not) and have no grand-kids to ask for help.
So some questions (and if you need more info, just ask. I may not be supplying enough info.)
1. My present, about to be ex-computer, is a desk-top, dell, XP.
I have been very happy with it and would gladly keep it another 10 years, but as you can imagine-- it is able to do very little these days.
I want another desk-top.
I THINK I have no choice except to get Windows -10, is that right?
I am very fearful of learning something so different from XP.
2. What are the chances if I go into a store and just buy a desk-top which meets my $ requirements - that I will do OK?
Do I really have to do a lot of research?
I have a computer guy who has helped me a lot with this computer,
I have thought about asking him to help me buy a new one- but he charges $40.00/hour, and I'm not even sure what I'd be asking him.
any and all feed-back appreciated.
ellen
1. Microsoft stopped security updates for XP April 2015. The U.S. military does use XP but they pay for the updates.
Go to Best Buy....Buy an HP laptop....or a Toshiba Laptop. You should be able to find a really nice one for about 500-600.
I like Best Buy cause the sales people are real savvy and can help guide you on your purchase.
HP is a plug and play type computer. We had a Dell xp for years, and an HP desktop too. I hated my Dell, and we spent 3x as much on that as we did the HP. I loved the HP because it just walks you through everything.
.
Don't be afraid of buying a windows 10. It is a lot like an android phone IMO. And I'm in your age group, and have just got my 2nd laptop after using a Toshiba laptop Windows 7 for several years.
I will never go back to a desk top, laptops allow me so much freedom to multi-task, I can be making dinner or doing laundry while watching my Netflix on my laptop. I do not miss having to be confined in an out of the way room to use my computer like I did pre-laptop.
They also travel very well, if I get called to babysit I just take it with me, and can be on it after the kids are down, or while they play their computer games on the TV.
Research online, and ask others....then go shopping with a few notes. You will be glad that you did.
You don't need to pay anyone to "help" you buy a new computer.
Just post your budget and what you use it for mainly, and people here can help you get the best value.
If you are used to XP, then Windows 10 is child's play.
My advice: Forget XP, its not worth hanging on to. Windows 10 has the same major things to work with: taskbar, Start button, desktop with icons and wallpaper, programs open in tabs on the taskbar, wiindow title bar icons for min, max and close.
For basic home use, internet, light gaming, spreadsheets, documents, etc, you dont need a high end PC. Get one with at least 4G of memory, 6 or 8 would be better, and a 500GB hard drive, this should cost 300 bucks or less. You may need a new monitor that should only be $50-80 for a smaller screen, 17-20 inches, you can go as big as you want.
Dont get a laptop unless you have a pressing need for it, you will get much better features, performance and specs paying the same money for a desktop.
Consider an all in one PC, this combines the monitor and PC together in one unit, makes a nice clean uncluttered desk especially with a wireless keyboard and mouse. My father in law found a good one this year for around $350, he's 70 yrs old and also had qualms about Windows 10 but he adjusted quickly.
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