PC Discussion Thread II - All PC related discussion goes here.

[bangtail 0]

Macs are better if you need a shiny Apple logo on the casing and that's it.

If Apple is someone's preference, I respect that, but I am so sick to death of hearing how Apple is 'better', it's simply not true.

/rant off

Edited October 11, 2011 by BangTail

[Frostburg 10]

I honestly don't know. That's why I am asking.

I don't know anything about apples.

But I read the reviews and asked friends at college

and they all say "get a mac book pro."

Personally, I don't give a hoot about money. I have

plenty of it.

If paying a bit more gives me a remotely better

laptop that doesn't constantly freeze and shit out

on me than, maybe that is worth it.

I'm just soo pissed at my current laptop and

need to find a quality replacement for me needs

at university.

Please people, MORE input.

I don't know what to do.

[bangtail 0]

If you want a high quality, lightweight, troublefree laptop and money is no object, my advice would be to go with Sony.

Start here and customize:

http://store.sony.com/webapp/wcs/stores/servlet/SYCTOProcess?catalogId=10551&storeId=10151&langId=-1&LBomId=8198552921666344650&categoryId=8198552921644784028

The above stated model weighs around 3 lbs but is extremely powerful, if you want a bigger screen, try this and customize:

http://store.sony.com/webapp/wcs/stores/servlet/SYCTOProcess?catalogId=10551&storeId=10151&langId=-1&LBomId=8198552921666384161&categoryId=8198552921644784016

The Dell XPS 15z is another option (and significantly cheaper) but I have had more than a few Sony laptops and they have been A1.

http://configure.us.dell.com/dellstore/config.aspx?oc=fndow7s&c=us&l=en&s=dhs&cs=19&model_id=xps-15z

Edited October 11, 2011 by BangTail

[PuFu 4591]

Macs are better if you need a shiny Apple logo on the casing and that's it.

If Apple is someone's preference, I respect that, but I am so sick to death of hearing how Apple is 'better', it's simply not true.

/rant off

no apple is not better, it is say...easier to grasp. The OS has a lot of advantages over windows, just like windows has its own advantage. It doesn't bother you with manually updating stuff, there are no viruses and so forth.

While i agree with you that from a hardware POV it is more expensive than other identical laptops, i have yet to see another laptop that looks that good (clean, no fancy stickers, red lights and so on...plus, full aluminium/magnesium body).

[bangtail 0]

no apple is not better, it is say...easier to grasp. The OS has a lot of advantages over windows, just like windows has its own advantage. It doesn't bother you with manually updating stuff, there are no viruses and so forth.

While i agree with you that from a hardware POV it is more expensive than other identical laptops, i have yet to see another laptop that looks that good (clean, no fancy stickers, red lights and so on...plus, full aluminium/magnesium body).

That wasn't an attack on you bud, just a general statement.

The ones I have suggested are the top of the line (since our friend keeps harping on about how much money he has), and the XPS 15z actually resembles the Apple model.

[Frostburg 10]

BangTail,

The only reason I was talking about my finances is because

others were discouraging me from buying a mac because they

are overpriced. I am just saying that I would rather pay more

for a better laptop.

As for them being easier to grasp. That's a good thing for me.

I have NEVER used any computer that did not make me want to

smash it to little pieces with a baseball bat.

I came close last night, but since I am in college, I can't be doing that.

Anyways, like you have NO idea how bad I am at computers.

Hell, even turning it on and off can be a major frustration for me.

I just need something that works, and doesn't feed me any bs

constantly.

I keep having "health checks" and crap like that pop up on

my computer. It keeps asking me to update shit. I do I know

that stuff isn't a hidden virus?

Seriously, computers piss me the fuck off. I hope whoever it was

that invented them smashes his kneecaps in a skiing accident.

They just make things 100 times more complicated than they need to be.

Do you have any idea how many times I have gone to several different

students in my dorm for help EACH??? Since August 28th, probably

about 20 -25 times each on average. There are four different computer

type students in my dorm that I regularly ask for help.

If they are not around do you know what I do?? If I am desperate

and seriously need to get a paper done, I walk around campus hoping

to bump into someone I know for help. Otherwise I walk up to and ask random students on campus.

Like for example, about a week ago I could not figure out how to

make "bullets" for my MsWord document. You know, BULLETS?

The little dots used to list different things. It took me four hours

to find someone who could help me do it so I could continue my paper.

Seriously man, FUCK computers.

Sorry for my language, but I can't wait til the day that I don't have to use them anymore.

[PuFu 4591]

dude...please don't breed....

oh, i really wish you good luck going through the college. If you have issues with such simple things, you'll need that luck for finishing it...

Edited October 11, 2011 by PuFu

[NeMeSiS 11]

I dont think even a mac will be able to help you. Though there is always google, which is usually easier and quicker than asking people for help. Patience also helps.

Edited October 11, 2011 by NeMeSiS

[Bee8190 10]

I dont think even a mac will be able to help you.

He, reminds me of friend of mine who was constantly battleing and mocking his recently new lap.When he had enough and asked me to look at it i couldn't believe my eyes.

After those two months or so he had lliterally hundreds of trojans and all kind of bad stuff, total chaos on his HDD and plenty of dust in his wents already...

I just handed him his lap back knowing that buddy would be back in two weeks blaming me for some failure which I'd hardly cause anyways :rolleyes: FPDR FPDR

Edited October 11, 2011 by Bee8190

[froggyluv 2130]

LOL Frostburg! You can't go on a game forum asking for computer buying advice then go on a verbal rampage about the evils of computers.

Get the less virus prone and user friendly Mac, chicks will dig you alittle more for your chic look and spending prowess, and all will be well.

[ck-claw 1]

He, reminds me of friend of mine who was constantly battleing and mocking his recently new lap.When he had enough and asked me to look at it i couldn't believe my eyes.

After those two months or so he had lliterally hundreds of trojans and all kind of bad stuff, total chaos on his HDD and plenty of dust in his wents already...

Aint that the truth! The amount of friends i get asking me about their pc getting slow etc etc..

When i ask when was the last time you did a defrag?

They like wtf you on about!! :D

[Frostburg 10]

Yea yea, I know what I said was a little extreme.

I just get soo frustrated with computers.

I really wish no harm against the person who invented computers.

I still manage to maintain a 3.8 GPA despite my computer difficulties.

Have made the Dean's list every semester I have been in college, and I hold

the position of officer in various clubs and organizations.

Offering people free beer is a good way to get computer help.

I am no dum dum when it comes to academics, but computers

and math are my achiles heel. Don't like them, and they don't

like me.

When I get done with grad school and whatnot, I am sticking to

a computer free lifestyle if at all possible.

[Tonci87 163]

BangTail,

The only reason I was talking about my finances is because

others were discouraging me from buying a mac because they

are overpriced. I am just saying that I would rather pay more

for a better laptop.

As for them being easier to grasp. That's a good thing for me.

I have NEVER used any computer that did not make me want to

smash it to little pieces with a baseball bat.

I came close last night, but since I am in college, I can't be doing that.

Anyways, like you have NO idea how bad I am at computers.

Hell, even turning it on and off can be a major frustration for me.

I just need something that works, and doesn't feed me any bs

constantly.

I keep having "health checks" and crap like that pop up on

my computer. It keeps asking me to update shit. I do I know

that stuff isn't a hidden virus?

Seriously, computers piss me the fuck off. I hope whoever it was

that invented them smashes his kneecaps in a skiing accident.

They just make things 100 times more complicated than they need to be.

Do you have any idea how many times I have gone to several different

students in my dorm for help EACH??? Since August 28th, probably

about 20 -25 times each on average. There are four different computer

type students in my dorm that I regularly ask for help.

If they are not around do you know what I do?? If I am desperate

and seriously need to get a paper done, I walk around campus hoping

to bump into someone I know for help. Otherwise I walk up to and ask random students on campus.

Like for example, about a week ago I could not figure out how to

make "bullets" for my MsWord document. You know, BULLETS?

The little dots used to list different things. It took me four hours

to find someone who could help me do it so I could continue my paper.

Seriously man, FUCK computers.

Sorry for my language, but I can't wait til the day that I don't have to use them anymore.

Dude, you could have used google...

[Frostburg 10]

I was just wondering if anyone else has had this happen to them.

Just to go back to my example of trying to implement bullets

in MsWord.

I have come to learn that there are two types of computer "experts"

to be found in typical college dorms.

Ones who truly ARE computer experts, and those who only have a

moderate level of understanding of how to efficiently do things, or

they just prefer to do things the complicated way.

When trying to get the bullets in my paper, I finally found a guy who

had time to help.

He gladly came into my room and investigated the problem, assuring me

that it would be an easy fix.

Well he sits at my computer and starts to play with the settings.

Anyways, after a several minutes of looking around he apparently found

some backwards way of getting the bullets on the page by manipulating

some settings that were totally out of the way. By this I mean he seems to have taken the "long-cut", not the "short-cut".

He happily announces that the bullets are now enabled and I should be

able to continue on with my paper. I thank him profusely and he leaves

content that he helped out a fellow college student in need(I really

like the comraderie of college students trying to earn their degrees)

I sit down ready to continue, and my happiness of this achievement disappears when I notice that my margins, indents,

font size, etc are all changed, and not the way I intended them to be.

I reluctantly go back to this nice fellow's room to where he has returned

to his usual afternoon activity of playing StarCraft and explain the

new predicament.

He shows genuine surprise as to how this happened. Having previously seen

my complete level of technological incompetence, he gladly accompanies

me back to my room after pausing his game.

Several more minutes pass and eventually the problem is finally

rectified.

After expressing my sincere apology and deep thanks for taking the time

to help me with my simple problem, he takes his leave to continue with

his business.

I felt really bad about doing this to so many different people, but some are friends, and others are just people I see or chat with now and then, and sometimes you have to take whatever help you can get.

This is the life of the tech illiterate college student man.

[NeMeSiS 11]

I mean...

Come on.

[CameronMcDonald 146]

Apples. For people who can't use computers.

[PuFu 4591]

Apples. For people who can't use computers.

well, i can tell you that the office in apple is just as "complicated" as the one in windows. If simple things like MsWord gives the man problems, it's not the computer/brand/OS to blame...

There is still pen and paper out there...

[Tonci87 163]

A computer is only as smart as the user in front of it....

Something that one of my programing profs likes to say.

[Derbysieger 11]

Hi,

I have a problem with my graphicscard. To be more precise it doesn't go into 2D-mode anymore. So instead of 80W in 2D-mode my PC has a powerconsumption of 220W all the time. If someone has any idea what it might be please let me know.

I didn't notice it until someone wondered why the energy bill was suddenly so high and we checked all the devices in the house.

Thanks

[Tonci87 163]

Maybe it has something to do with Windows Aero, try turning it off

[Derbysieger 11]

Already tried :/

[Tonci87 163]

Did you somehow change the clock speeds? (AMD Overdrive or something like that?)

[Derbysieger 11]

Nope. Even disabled the OC I did ...

[Tonci87 163]

OK, I think we need a hardware/software expert here... PuFu!

[PuFu 4591]

I would try the following, in this very order (if already did, just skip the step):

1. Unplug the PC for at least 15-30 mins (hard reset for PSU)

2. Check/replug the power connectors for both MB and GFX card while you do 1 (if you have more 6pin connectors, use the new/unused ones)

3. Check your BIOS for advanced power settings that would force such behaviour

4. Uninstall the GFX drivers (uninstall from control panel, reboot in safe mode (make sure you don't allow windows to install it's own drivers on top), use driver sweeper to clean it for good, then ccleaner for registries). Reboot in safe mode again and check power consumption (legacy drivers should be 2d only).

Please post again if the above doesn't work.