Why do PCs hate me?

Visirale · #1 08-03-2008, 01:33 PM

So I have two laptops. I got one for college last year, and then the college gave me one. My personal one is an HP dv6000 series, and the school's is a dell xps 1210. I've been running Ubuntu on the HP most of the summer. I've had issues with it before, and it has gone out for warranty issues before. When I dropped it (oops) earlier in the year I sent it to get fixed (thank you accidental drop coverage) and got some of the other crap fixed.

I prefer the HP over the school's dell because of how it feels and that it runs ubuntu flawlessly. Skip to today. The HP's battery is fried. On a full charge it lasts 5-8 minutes (not even exaggerating...) and today the part where I plug in the power cord decided to stop working. It only works if it's in at a certain angle with a certain pressure. This same thing happened to my dad's HP earlier in the year.

So basically the HP is KIA and I'm on the dell. It's ok, but it doesn't run Ubuntu well so I'm on XP (

).

I am stuck with the dell (hey it's free) so I think I'm going to use it strictly for when I'm on campus, as it works better with the networks there.

I love the HP but I'm sick of having to get it repaired and having the hard drive wiped every time. Luckily I have my external HD so my files are all in one place.

I'm thinking about getting a desktop. They just work better since they're not being moved all the time.

Should I get a good PC desktop and run Ubuntu on it, or just go the extra mile and get an iMac with not as great performance but the good OS and reliability?

Joe Gress · #2 08-03-2008, 01:39 PM

Good PC with ubuntu.

Scarlet Fire · #3 08-03-2008, 01:42 PM

If you're that opposed to Windows (Vista on a properly configured computer is nothing like the reputation it's been given), then I'd say a good PC with Ubuntu would be the best way to go. You'll get much better performance for less money, especially since you don't need to buy an operating system.

Visirale · #4 08-03-2008, 01:49 PM

Wow... circuit city has an HP quad core with 750 gigs hard drive and 5 gigs of RAM for $700... that certainly is tempting.

Thunderscreech · #5 08-03-2008, 03:43 PM

Get a MacBook, the black one. then load it more RAM and a larger hard drive. You'll thank yourself later.

Bob the bassist · #6 08-03-2008, 03:49 PM

Don't take it personally. . . PCs hate everyone

fdeck · #7 08-03-2008, 03:50 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Visirale

I'm thinking about getting a desktop. They just work better since they're not being moved all the time.

There's no law that a notebook has to be moved around. The computer that is "mine" at home is a Dell notebook of no particular distinction. It usually sits in one place, on a work table in the laundry room. I have occasionally taken it to a gig for recording, or on a trip, but those instances are rare. I like the notebook because it doesn't take up much space.

Likewise with my work computer -- the next one is going to be a notebook. It will sit on my desk most of the time, but I will be able to carry it with my development tools into the lab, rather than moving all of my lab equipment into my office.

L-A · #8 08-03-2008, 06:56 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Visirale

Should I get a good PC desktop and run Ubuntu on it, or just go the extra mile and get an iMac with not as great performance but the good OS and reliability?

iMacs run Windows as good as top of the line PCs, now. I remember when I first bought mine, my dad bought a gaming HP, and my iMac benchmarked about 1 1/3 the performances of the PC, with similar hardware / same version of XP SP2 installed.

It's very surprising, to say the least.

Bob the bassist · #9 08-03-2008, 08:02 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Visirale

I'm thinking about getting a desktop. They just work better since they're not being moved all the time.

Should I get a good PC desktop and run Ubuntu on it, or just go the extra mile and get an iMac with not as great performance but the good OS and reliability?

No, desktops work better because they don't have the power and space limitations of a laptop, and they're way easier to expand. What on earth makes you think iMacs are poorer performers? Beats the hell out of windows, hands down, with comparable components.

Seriously, get a mac. As an example, my Mackie 1640FW manual has about 15-20 pages for a windows install. . . and a half a page for the mac, which basically says "plug it in and go." The mac will suck up all 18 channels from the Mackie, while windoze bogs down after a dozen or so.