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The Real BigGuy · Yesterday, 10:34 AM

I've always thought the first rule is answering the question, "What do I want to do with the new computer?" This will help in deciding what hardware you need. Are you going to want to take it with you when you travel? If so, you probably want a laptop. Todays laptops are every bit as useable as a desktop which was not always the case early on. (I keep saying my next computer will be a laptop with a docking station but I have been using a desktop since the Apple IIe and it is awfuly hard to break old habits.)

As other have pointed out Mac's are considered superior for graphics related work. Windows PC's probably have more software available for them and some people think they are better for database & number crunching. Also, knowing what you are going to use it for will help you decide how much memory & storage you need as well as what processor & graphics card. I.e., if you are going to be using it for drawing, intense graphic, etc you probably want to look for a faster CPU, and maybe more memory. If you are storing a lot of pictures or files you probably want more storage. However, with regard to storage. External storage is pretty cheap. I have external 1 TB (terabyte) solid state drive (SSD) and a 1 TB hard disk drive (HDD) attached to my PC (came with 512 MB internal storage) via USB. The SSD is active file storage and the HHD is strictly for back up and is unplugged from my PC after every monthly back up.

With regards to software: someone suggested that you get Microsoft 365 subscription. However a subscription is $90/yr and you might not use all of the apps that are provided. Right now, if you Google Microsoft Office, you will find that you can purchase Office 2021 for well under $100. In fact, you can get LibraOffice, a MS Office clone, on line for free and is compatible with MS's file formats so if you have stored MS documents you will still be able to read them. What are you missing when you don't get MS 365? All the new templates, and "gattzy" stuff. If all you want is to write, calculate, store data, you really don't need the newest software. However, you do get 1 TB of cloud storage with 365 ,which is probably worth close to $90 itself but, you can't use it like you use a back up drive. Microsoft limits what can be stored on it. By the way, my 1TB external drive cost $108. Someone also suggested paying for cloud storage as a back up. I have a G-mail account that come with FREE cloud (15 GB I believe) and I have over 15,000 pictures stored tru Google pics (also backed up to my external HDD). I should add however that I am old school and have never really trusted cloud storage even though the technical side of my brain says it is perfectly safe.

Final analysis, decide what you are going to do with the new equipment and go to a few places that sell/service computers and ask for their advice. Shop around. If you find that a couple of places are suggesting the same hardware it is probably what you want.

Yesterday, 10:34 AM	#16
The Real BigGuy Senior Member Join Date: Apr 2004 Posts: 1,310 Thanks: 125 Thanked 472 Times in 287 Posts	Replacing Computer, etc. I've always thought the first rule is answering the question, "What do I want to do with the new computer?" This will help in deciding what hardware you need. Are you going to want to take it with you when you travel? If so, you probably want a laptop. Todays laptops are every bit as useable as a desktop which was not always the case early on. (I keep saying my next computer will be a laptop with a docking station but I have been using a desktop since the Apple IIe and it is awfuly hard to break old habits.) As other have pointed out Mac's are considered superior for graphics related work. Windows PC's probably have more software available for them and some people think they are better for database & number crunching. Also, knowing what you are going to use it for will help you decide how much memory & storage you need as well as what processor & graphics card. I.e., if you are going to be using it for drawing, intense graphic, etc you probably want to look for a faster CPU, and maybe more memory. If you are storing a lot of pictures or files you probably want more storage. However, with regard to storage. External storage is pretty cheap. I have external 1 TB (terabyte) solid state drive (SSD) and a 1 TB hard disk drive (HDD) attached to my PC (came with 512 MB internal storage) via USB. The SSD is active file storage and the HHD is strictly for back up and is unplugged from my PC after every monthly back up. With regards to software: someone suggested that you get Microsoft 365 subscription. However a subscription is $90/yr and you might not use all of the apps that are provided. Right now, if you Google Microsoft Office, you will find that you can purchase Office 2021 for well under $100. In fact, you can get LibraOffice, a MS Office clone, on line for free and is compatible with MS's file formats so if you have stored MS documents you will still be able to read them. What are you missing when you don't get MS 365? All the new templates, and "gattzy" stuff. If all you want is to write, calculate, store data, you really don't need the newest software. However, you do get 1 TB of cloud storage with 365 ,which is probably worth close to $90 itself but, you can't use it like you use a back up drive. Microsoft limits what can be stored on it. By the way, my 1TB external drive cost $108. Someone also suggested paying for cloud storage as a back up. I have a G-mail account that come with FREE cloud (15 GB I believe) and I have over 15,000 pictures stored tru Google pics (also backed up to my external HDD). I should add however that I am old school and have never really trusted cloud storage even though the technical side of my brain says it is perfectly safe. Final analysis, decide what you are going to do with the new equipment and go to a few places that sell/service computers and ask for their advice. Shop around. If you find that a couple of places are suggesting the same hardware it is probably what you want.