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compiledkernel
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21 Dec 2012, 11:35 am

Claradoon wrote:
I got a bursary of $1000 for computer purposes. My problem is, what should I buy?

I have a broken refurbished PC - wouldn't that be throwing good money after bad?

I have a broken Notebook, which I think should stay that way.

Of course I have the other refurbished PC, Windows7, IBM XP and it's serviceable. (until ...)

And that's all, unless you count the Kindle Touch (a mistake in money-saving).

I know *nothing* about computers. And not much about being a student either - I graduated high school in 1967. So I don't even know what I need, nevermind what I want.

Any thoughts, please?


Brand New MacBook Air 11 inch. LIghtweight, Fast, and very good workhorse.

Or get yourself an Ipad and a decent bluetooth keyboard, and pocket the rest of the money. :)


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BlueMax
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21 Dec 2012, 1:57 pm

Trencher93 wrote:
Claradoon wrote:
I'm reluctant to go to Asus as I've never heard of them.


I got an Asus laptop recently and like it. Best laptop keyboard I've ever used. Asus gets consistently good reviews for reliable hardware and are recommended. They're one of the top-tier brands. (My rule is never buy a brand you see for sale in Wal-Mart.) Asus doesn't advertise and apparently isn't in retail stores. You have to get their computers at places like newegg.


Consumer reports rate it HIGHER than Apple! ASUS gets the number one spot, Apple is at #3. HP's consumer line is way down at the bottom around #8 or 9.



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22 Dec 2012, 11:01 am

Claradoon wrote:
It's university 200 level. Probably lots of English. It's an on-line university. I've checked it out - it's fully accredited etc.

http://www.athabascau.ca/

They are flexible about courses. My choice would be one-to-one on-line with a grad student (prof. available on request). I think I'll take just one course at a time. Maybe that's aspie of me, like eating all my carrots first. I will sign up for, say, a Shakespeare course on-line. Athabasca U will send me a box containing required reading, study guides, DVDs, syllabus etc. The course begins on the 1st day of the month after I receive the box. There's an expected time limit but they can extend that.

I'm vague because I don't know! The last time I took an Eng course, they wanted the class to write poetry in groups! But they're flexible and I just sent in my own writing and it was ok.

Skype. This is *so* Jeffersons. I bought a PC camera and some day I will open the box. I got a hub and cleaned out the nest of wires in back.

You want me to tell you what's going to happen so you can tell me what to do? I don't know. I guess the Mother Ship will be this PC. I've got the Skype camera. I guess I need a mic? Speakers (tiny, humble) I have.

For Shakespeare there are DVDs. I have eye-trouble and I'd rather lie in bed with a 6" screen to watch. How about with a place where I can Google as I go, and a place where I can take notes, and a place to scroll Study Guide, all while I watch the DVD.

Oh, I need one of those thumb thingies?

I really do appreciate your help. I doubt that I'll get this off the ground before January.



:D :D :D :D :D :D :D :D :D

Athabasca University is +++++++excellent!! !! !! !!
Extremely progressive and an Industry leader in the provision of distance or on-line learning.
It is completely legit with a long reputation for excellence.

:D :D :D :D :D :D :D :D :D :D :D

Disclaimer: I have no personal involvement with this institution.



Claradoon
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22 Jan 2013, 1:10 am

Hi, I'm back with the goods.

The situation is I got a bursary of $1000 for computer for my English university Shakespeare class. And any future classes, I suppose.

Here's what the University says:

=======
Minimum: Pentium III or higher, 256 MB RAM, 300 MB free disk space, CD-ROM, mouse, Internet connection, anti-virus software (current), most current version of a Web browser.

Optimum: Pentium IV or higher, 1 GB RAM, 1 GB free disk space, CD-ROM, Mouse, Internet connection , anti-virus software (current), laser or inkjet printer, most current version of a Web browser, backup device, access to fax, Windows XP (or higher)
=======

My "mini-PC" covers Optimum, I think. Except that I can't get the fax to work, which is another question for another day (unless you want to say something).

Here's why I was thinking of an iPad in addition to the PC -
The course is Shakespeare - all my courses will be that sort of thing. My homework consists of DVDs and CDs as well as books (in this case, the books are also on-line). Can an iPad take a DVD and let me watch the movie? If I type a paper on my PC, can I put it on the iPad to fiddle with it?

I've looked at Apple's site and I don't see what an iPad does. But I suspect it does stuff I really want. Thoughts, advice, anybody?



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22 Jan 2013, 1:25 am

I should add that I have a router and a Kindle Touch (kinda primitive imho) and I never go out. I'm 62yo. retired, and have agoraphobia. So it wouldn't have to travel, really. I also have a cellphone that I use only for 911 and calling taxis. It's mostly turned off.



BlackSabre7
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27 Jan 2013, 2:07 am

G'day. I personally would get a laptop because I would find it easier to type, but those tablets can be fun.
A lot of computer geeks don't buy computers off the rack, they have them built to their preferences, and get more of what they want for less money. I don't know enough to do that. I usually get a bargain by buying the best discontinued model that I can afford.
Fixing an old one is almost certainly not worth it, unless it's your hobby. Nowadays they get better and cheaper each year.
I like Macs. I'm not big on gaming and from what I gather, that is the single biggest reason PC's are more popular. But that does not mean that what some of these other people are suggesting is not a better choice. I don't know that model - maybe it is better. I might check it out myself next time I am computer shopping. But maybe if it's rated better than a Mac, you should find out why, and decide if that reason applies to you.
If you go for something that is too cheap, you might find that after a couple of years it can't run some new programs.
Good luck.



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15 Feb 2013, 9:39 pm

I thought I should tell you what I finally bought:

HP® 15.6" Laptop, 2.4GHz Intel Core i7-3630QM, 8GB RAM, 750GB HDD (dv6-7250ca)

http://www.staples.ca/en/HP-156-Laptop- ... CA_1_20001

3rd generation Intel Core i7-3630QM Processor 2.4GHz with Turbo Boost Technology up to 3.40GHz
8GB system memory
750GB hard disk drive

I'm thrilled and confused. :lol: It's a bit heavy but I'm not going anywhere with it. My next step is to hook it up to my network, which the Help guys on the phone will do.

Thank you all very much for your advice and guidance!