New PC Advice

[VFN]

My folks are getting a new computer mainly because XP is no longer being supported. They only use it for email, the Net and printing mainly so any ideas? Is a tower with 7 and only 2GB of RAM okay, etc? While they have money they don't see any reason to pay for anything they don't need.

Thanks.

 

[MilesAhead]

Do they already have the printer? If so make sure it has a W7 driver available. Some, like the old Epson Stylus have a Vista driver in firmware and can't be upgraded. On the other hand you can get photo quality ink jets for less than $100.

A tower with 2 GB and W7 worked for me. t was an HP with AMD dual core 5200+. I don't know if you can still get towers with W7 preloaded. If not W8 will work. Although W7 is an easier transition from XP. You should be able to get an off the shelf system for under $500 with more than enough horses.

 

[Patonb]

Switch to Ubuntu. Secure and relatively simple to learn.

What are the specs of the old computer?

 

[VFN]

I'll check about the printer and thanks for the heads-up. Yes, there are many places that sell new towers with 7 installed. Is a dual core a must?

Unbuntu? I doubt my folks will go for that but I'll get back with the specs. I thought initially that they could just install 7 instead of buying a new tower but for some inexpensive deals from legit companies like HP the price difference doesn't seem very great.

 

[MilesAhead]

Is a dual core a must?

I'm just relating what I had that worked. I don't know how low you can go. But I think dual core off the shelf towers are what these days? $350 or so. If you want minimal expenditure then the Linux suggestion is right. It's always going to run on leaner hardware than Windows.

 

[Patonb]

I'll check about the printer and thanks for the heads-up. Yes, there are many places that sell new towers with 7 installed. Is a dual core a must?

Unbuntu? I doubt my folks will go for that but I'll get back with the specs. I thought initially that they could just install 7 instead of buying a new tower but for some inexpensive deals from legit companies like HP the price difference doesn't seem very great.

They'd never know the difference

Install Windows XP theme in Ubuntu 13.10 | ITworld

 

[VFN]

I'm just relating what I had that worked. I don't know how low you can go. But I think dual core off the shelf towers are what these days? $350 or so. If you want minimal expenditure then the Linux suggestion is right. It's always going to run on leaner hardware than Windows.

I was just wondering if dual core is necessary these days or in those upcoming. And yeah, $350 seems about the entry price and a refurbished lower of course.

 

[VFN]

Just to update as I had access again-Windows 7 Advisor says the PC can handle 7 except Aero may not work. (I think that's due to the low grade graphics card.) It also reports that some programs may not work, but I'm not sure that's accurate. The specs for his PC is a Pentium 4 2.80 GHz, 2.5 GB RAM, and a Nividia GForce MX 440 with AGP8X with 64 MB RAM I think. Also may be an integrated card.


Thanks.

 

[Patonb]

No, a 440 is an agp slot card.

It's fairly old. In all honesty, I would really look into the XP skin fore Ubuntu.

 

[VFN]

Thanks. My folks are going to have to do something cause their PC is extremely slow to boot and slow in general performance. Thanks again.