desk top pC advice

[schutzen-jager]

long time MS Windows user for over 3 decades - currently on windows 10 + need a user friendly operating system to take it's place - the required features in windows 11 are useless to my needs - no use for camera, microphone, AI, co pilot, + etc. - the free tech support they provide has been a total travesty for past at least six years - over 60% percent of their updates either fail or cause functional problems - senior citizen on fixed income so cost will be a problem - thanks in advance for advice -

[centershot]

Apple.

[Ithaca Gunner]

I bought this reman Lenovo desk top on ebay, $177.99 + tax, free shipping. Same make and model reman I had for several years until lightning took it and the surge protector out a month ago. It's a complete set, I didn't like the keyboard, switched out with my old one, and the mouse is junk, lasted about 4 days, again I'm using the old one.

[Kraschenbirn]

Find yourself a reliable independent computer store that builds desk-tops and go talk to them, face-to-face. Explain your needs and see what they recommend. A good shop can build you a decent system for about half or two-thirds thirds the price of a "name brand" and you'll have access to real, live tech support should you need it.

The system I'm currently using was built by a local shop with top-end processor and video card (needed for my flight simulator and wargame aps) and, with a new monitor and sound-bar, set me back about half the cost of an advertised 'gaming computer'. Maybe even better, you might take a look at some of the later model laptops...two years ago, I picked up a previous year's NOS Lenovo Thinkbook with more capacity than my old desktop for 30% off.

Bill

[Sasquatch-1]

Are you just looking for a different operating system or a new computer?

As far as Windows 10 goes, I believe MS is no longer providing support for it. That doesn't mean it won't work. I am using it right now on a computer I had built 8-10 years ago, and it is working fine.

As long as your computer is working, I would just keep using it.

[kungfustyle]

https://blairtech.com/
I've bought from them sever times over the last ten years. You can get a good system for as$120. The do offer a two year warranty. They buy leased computers, referbish and sell them cheap. Good stuff, in fact I'm typing on one now that I bought three years ago. Peace of advice once you decide on a system buy the most ram you can afford.

[KenH]

https://blairtech.com/
I've bought from them sever times over the last ten years. You can get a good system for as$120. The do offer a two year warranty. They buy leased computers, referbish and sell them cheap. Good stuff, in fact I'm typing on one now that I bought three years ago. Peace of advice once you decide on a system buy the most ram you can afford.

I just visited that site - they do seem to have decent prices on used computers. Darn good prices in fact. Thanks for the link.

[Half Dog]

I’ve gone to an iPad. I haven’t had any issues since I got it, approximately 5 years ago.
My wife got an Apple laptop and never could transition from using Windows so it sits collecting dust.

[trebor44]

Buying a computer is a crapshoot just like buying a vehicle. Reviews are worth reading but don't tell the whole story. ALL computers and Operating Systems have their own issues. Some are resolved with third party apps and some are made worse. There is no one size fits all. Win 11 can and should be tuned down to fit one's needs. Hardware can be older if you are tech savvy, if not it should be Win 11 compatible at the least (thanks microsuck). Hardware is being dictated by MS and they are dictating to the software developers. It has become a Catch-22 for the end user AND fantastic revenue stream for the techno weenies and their minons!
Consider ALL digital to by disposable and purchase or acquire it to your needs!

[schutzen-jager]

Are you just looking for a different operating system or a new computer?

As far as Windows 10 goes, I believe MS is no longer providing support for it. That doesn't mean it won't work. I am using it right now on a computer I had built 8-10 years ago, and it is working fine.

As long as your computer is working, I would just keep using it.

looking for new operating system - my local built MSI is still going strong + dependable -

[Paper Puncher]

Might try Linux Mint. Make a bootable USB or DVD and you can play with it without making any changes to your current system.

[jrayborn]

Linux Mint is the beez kneez...

[MrWolf]

Try Costco if you are a member. I got a closeout Acer for not much money. Can't remember the price off my head but I use it in my garage/shop and does everything I need plus I have Costco's return policy backing me up.

[Rapier]

Most are saying Linux is worth the trial offer setup.

[schutzen-jager]

thanks all - will probably go with Linux -

[gc45]

Most computers use windows 11 now unless being apple. Linix or whatever else there is are much smaller use wise in numbers, better? I don't know, but unless one is pretty proficient in clearing up computer issues be sure the support is there before changing over. maybe some Linex users can chime in here, give good reasons for change to us below average users because like the OP I have no love for MS since putting 11 on my laptop.

[Duckiller]

My computer guru (#1 son) Moved from So. Cal to N. Ore and said he wasn't going to commute to work on my computer. Before he left we got me an apple. Wore one out and am on second. 16 year old monitor is acting up so will probably need to replace it soon. My guru didn't like Bill Gates and micro soft. He had me using Linux for several years. The way they are set up now I can't tell the difference between Apple, Microsoft and Linux. Hackers go after Microsoft because their are so many of them. This tends to keep Apple and Linux safe.

[Ford SD]

Computer Operating system

Down load a copy of Mint 20.2 and burn it to a cd

you can boot it to the cd and try it with out installing it ( email will not work but you can surf --- and you can see if you like it before installing it

I am running Mint 20.2 On a old system DDR2 Memory with a 4 tb hard drive will also work with smaller hard drives and SSD (set up as a server)

I have tried newer mint versions and had problems in start up after install on the old system (DDR2 and DDR3)

in the process of switching a DDR3 win 7 system to mint

Best thing is free software

and you can set it up in app 30 min on a new hard drive, then setup emails etc

so far only thing not working on Mint is Garmin express and Kindle and some DVD / bluerays (that i found)

[jrayborn]

Mint makes old systems work better than when they were new. Microsoft is bloated. Try Mint, its free.

[Big Tom]

Windows 10 will be officially supported until October 2025 - after that it will not get updates anymore, but will still function just fine. I don't think that any other operating system comes with a much better support, but for Windows OS, you have the largest community that can chime in and help, outside the software vendor. Even though Windows 11 has more features and a slightly different interface, compared to Windows 10, this will give you the shortest learning curve. Mint is a nice Linux based operating system, but you will have a different user interface and it works completely different. Worth a try, but if you are used to Win 10, it may not be an easy switch (depending what software you use - especially word, excel, outlook will not work on Linux).

What is the problem with your current computer? Maybe a fresh installed Windows 10 will give you a few more years of use out of it.