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Over the years I have owned a number of computers and it is now time to get yet another new one. Microsoft will no longer be supporting Windows 10 (i.e. they won't be patching it to fix security vulnerabilities, which they probably overlooked when they built the operating system) and my current machine is too out of date (hardware-wise) to upgrade to Windows 11.
Well, it's a bit long in the tooth anyway. Now I could just go with my Windows 11 laptop, which is fine for most things except really high-powered games, which I have quite a few of. Thing is, laptops aren't very good at staying cool. They love to overheat, the one I have now I am very disappointed with. It's good for most things, but that isn't why I bought it.
I have learned now that there really is no good way to keep a laptop cool enough to run the really hard-charging games. They use a LOT of power and laptops just absorb all that power and eventually overheat badly which damages the components, then they die. Had that happen with my last laptop.
The one I have now sits on a "cooling pad" which is just a raised platform with a big fan. This does help, somewhat. But if after 30 minutes of game time it's unpleasant to touch the keyboard? Yeah, that's a problem. If I crank the fan power way up, that helps, a lot, thing is it's like sitting next to a jet engine being run at full power. (Skip ahead to the 1:35 mark in the video.)
Now, I can put my headset on (in fact I have to if I want to actually hear the game) but to anyone sitting close by, it's not pleasant. So the new computer had to have a couple of things.
- A very good cooling system, which ruled out any laptop which a normal person can afford. So I figured lots of fans and liquid cooling to boot,
- Based on (1), it had to be a desktop and couldn't cost an arm and a leg.
Turning to my son (the family computer guru) I asked for recommendations. He gave me two. The less expensive of the two actually had better processor specs and more memory. The other had this cool-looking space ship kind of shape. It was cheaper the day I got The Naviguessor's recommendations, but when I pulled the trigger, it had become the more expensive choice. With a slower processor and half the memory.
There was also a review which said, "when it was on sale it was a good deal, now it's not."
I could have had fancy space-ship looking machine the next day, the better machine (in my opinion) I'd have to wait for. Waiting isn't a problem, I'm retired, time is the one thing I have to spare.
As the cost of this new machine is but a fraction of The Missus Herself's two month long sojourn in the Land of the Morning Calm, I don't think she'll be too bent out of shape. Well, she will, but my guess is that she'll get over it. Knowing her, she will.
She's pretty awesome that way.
Good luck with the new desktop Sarge, one can try to add more memory in the future. Lots of fun when prices jump around more than salmon returning up river.
ReplyDeleteI got one with maxed out memory intentionally.
DeleteSarge, just out of curiosity what make and model did you decide on? Not real happy with my Macbook and am thinking seriously about going back to Windows.
ReplyDeletejuvat
Oh! And I love the video tour of your living room. I guess there are days in the Winter when you need a space heater in Rhode Island!
Delete😉
juvat - This is what I bought. Depending on what you want to use a computer for should determine what you want to get. This is a gamin machine, so it should be able to handle all of my computing needs.
DeleteAny Mouse @ 7:12 AM - What video tour of my living room? I think you may have me confused with someone else?
DeleteHaving a good heating system is a must anywhere in the Northeast in winter, especially when you get further north.
Sarge, Sorry, I overlooked the hyperlink. Quite a nice device you've got there! I'm jealous.
Deletejuvat
Well, I don't have it yet, but I expect it will do the job.
DeleteMicrosoft actually offers a year's extension on Windows 10 updates. Check your "Windows update" page.
ReplyDeleteI don’t have a windows computer anymore, but thinking about going back. I was just wondering what make and model you settled on.
Deletejuvat
Any Mouse - Good to know. Not surprised they don't advertise that. That being said, here's Microsoft's official word on the topic:
Delete"After October 14, 2025, Microsoft will no longer provide free software updates from Windows Update, technical assistance, or security fixes for Windows 10. Your PC will still work, but we recommend moving to Windows 11."
Not the use of the word "free" which tells me you can get Windows 10 updates but you have to pay for them.
juvat - See my earlier comment to you.
DeleteSarge - I am in somewhat of the same boat as I have a Windows 10 machine as well and have little desire to move to Windows 11, nor a use of my computer that would cause me to need to consider getting a new one. That said, at some point fate will intervene I suppose.
ReplyDeleteThanks for sharing the information on Windows 10, Anon. I wonder if Microsoft just got tired of the complaining.
TB - Check Microsoft's official website before you hang your hopes on Windows 10. For years Microsoft Windows updates were backwards compatible, they broke that paradigm some time ago (I think somewhere around Windows 8 which truly sucked.) Knowing software as I do, I'm betting that using older patterns and ways of doing things just wasn't very efficient. I use Windows 11 on my laptop and it was an easy transition. Some of the things it does are better, some are just different. I think they're trying to tempt the iPad crowd to cross over (which will NEVER happen). I'm not an Apple fan by any stretch of the imagination, but way back in the day they had some very good ideas and equipment but their marketing department was, IMHO, both stupid and arrogant. So I've stuck with Windows for the duration. Started with MS-DOS and there are days I miss it, then I sober up and drive on.
DeleteSuper choice but can it fly a Huey?
ReplyDeleteI'm sure we'll find out.
DeleteI'm not a geek, and just barely able to "monkey see, monkey do" stuff on a computer I still use a couple of really old Windows tools including Access. I HATE changing computer stuff which forces me to relearn basic skills, and dread the day when I am forced off the Windows 10 gangplank into the murky depths of Windows 11. I even (briefly) contemplated going Apple, but Juvat has convinced me that is not for me.
ReplyDeleteI don't need all the super-whiz gamer stuff, and memory is just something used to store my growing accumulation of digital reference books which I confess are easier to use than swiveling around and pulling hard copies off the shelf, especially since I can cut and paste selections instead of retyping into a document.
A Luddite, I might be.
John Blackshoe
I confess, I'm a gamer and I often feel the need for speed!
DeleteFor all the bitching about Microserf products, they don't treat people nearly as bad as Apple. You know, Apple, the ones that send updates to their phones and software that bricks older versions, slowing down speed and reducing capabilities. And every time they get caught they go "Oops" and do it again. All the while promising the utmost bestest of everything and they're soooo cute.
DeleteMicroserf tells you up front that you're scum, but they'll still treat you pretty much okay.
Concur.
DeleteI have a Zorin Unix laptop that I use as a print server and media server in the office. When my current laptop dies I will be swapping over to Zorin and say goodbye Windows. I have found it easier to use.
ReplyDeleteI despise Linux and Unix.
Delete