laptop updates

[easyrider]

Here is where I am at in regards with my old laptop. It has a vista 32 bit operating system. I use chrome as a browser.

The laptop will no longer accept updates from Microsoft and Chrome is about to pull the plug on xp and vista users.

What would be a good operating system alternative ? Linux maybe ?

Thanks
Bill

 

[John Cummings]

Here is where I am at in regards with my old laptop. It has a vista 32 bit operating system. I use chrome as a browser.

The laptop will no longer accept updates from Microsoft and Chrome is about to pull the plug on xp and vista users.

What would be a good operating system alternative ? Linux maybe ?

Thanks
Bill

Linux is a great OS. I have it on one of my computers. However you will be limited in the applications that will run on it. I basically use it for software development.

If I were you, I would do what I did last year. I purchased a refurbished Dell Latitude with Windows 7 Professional installed on it. I bought it on eBay for $300. It has 8GB RAM, 500GB hard disk, etc. The Dell Latitude is a Cadillac laptop sold in the business division. The model I have sold new for $1200. The refurbished ones are really just like new.

My son and daughter both have the same laptops.

 

[dioxide45]

Here is where I am at in regards with my old laptop. It has a vista 32 bit operating system. I use chrome as a browser.

The laptop will no longer accept updates from Microsoft and Chrome is about to pull the plug on xp and vista users.

What would be a good operating system alternative ? Linux maybe ?

Thanks
Bill

A little over a year left before Microsoft ends support for Vista. I do have an older laptop with Vista on it that I fired up the other day and saw that Chrome had a message that it wouldn't update any longer. Guess it will soon be time to toss it out. Vista will be 10 years old soon, the time has to come. MS pulled the plug on XP a while ago.

 

[Passepartout]

Bill, you can get a brand new Chromebook for just a couple hundred bucks. It will probably cost that to put a new OS in your oldie and enough memory for it to run. And the new one will have all the new bells and whistles, and a warrantee.

Jim

 

[John Cummings]

Bill, you can get a brand new Chromebook for just a couple hundred bucks. It will probably cost that to put a new OS in your oldie and enough memory for it to run. And the new one will have all the new bells and whistles, and a warrantee.

Jim

A Chromebook is not a laptop. If all he want to do is surf the web then a Chromebook is fine.

 

[easyrider]

Thanks everyone. I do have a newer laptop with a 15 inch screen but I kind of like this old one because of the 17.5 inch screen. Its still running pretty good after 7 + years and is noticeably better when gaming because of the screen. I might try a different os like linux or upgrade to windows 7. I don't think I want windows 10 as I heard it is problematic with the limits of vista.

Bill

 

[John Cummings]

Thanks everyone. I do have a newer laptop with a 15 inch screen but I kind of like this old one because of the 17.5 inch screen. Its still running pretty good after 7 + years and is noticeably better when gaming because of the screen. I might try a different os like linux or upgrade to windows 7. I don't think I want windows 10 as I heard it is problematic with the limits of vista.

Bill

I would use Linux all the time if I could run all my software on it. Linux is free, never crashes, and is very secure.

 

[zinger1457]

You should be able to get security updates for Windows Vista until April 2017.

 

[Phydeaux]

Here is where I am at in regards with my old laptop. It has a vista 32 bit operating system. I use chrome as a browser.

The laptop will no longer accept updates from Microsoft and Chrome is about to pull the plug on xp and vista users.

What would be a good operating system alternative ? Linux maybe ?

Thanks
Bill

Buy a Mac.

We bought our son a Macbook for freshman year of high school. He's been graduated from college for 4 years. He has been using the laptop extensively since he got it, and has no desire to get rid of it. Yes, it looks old, but runs as good today as it did 12 years ago.

I have never had a PC laptop or PC desktop that could come remotely close to that kind of performance, at home, or the office. In my mind, Mac has PC whipped to a bloody pulp.

"oh, but they're more expensive" - Yes, they are. And the point is???

 

[Brett]

Thanks everyone. I do have a newer laptop with a 15 inch screen but I kind of like this old one because of the 17.5 inch screen. Its still running pretty good after 7 + years and is noticeably better when gaming because of the screen. I might try a different os like linux or upgrade to windows 7. I don't think I want windows 10 as I heard it is problematic with the limits of vista.

Bill

you can easily connect a laptop to a larger screen
I just got a Lenovo laptop - $250, small, light and good for traveling, I connect it to a larger monitor screen at home with an HDMI cable. yes, it has Win 10 but I'm starting to like it!

 

[geekette]

Buy a Mac.

We bought our son a Macbook for freshman year of high school. He's been graduated from college for 4 years. He has been using the laptop extensively since he got it, and has no desire to get rid of it. Yes, it looks old, but runs as good today as it did 12 years ago.

I have never had a PC laptop or PC desktop that could come remotely close to that kind of performance, at home, or the office. In my mind, Mac has PC whipped to a bloody pulp.

"oh, but they're more expensive" - Yes, they are. And the point is???

Depending on what software he uses, Mac isn't an option. I know it isn't for me. And certainly for my leisure time, I don't want to buy new games, I want to use what I have.

 

[geekette]

you can easily connect a laptop to a larger screen
I just got a Lenovo laptop - $250, small, light and good for traveling, I connect it to a larger monitor screen at home with an HDMI cable. yes, it has Win 10 but I'm starting to like it!

If not HDMI equipped, VGA will also do the trick. If you don't already have wireless keyboard and mouse set, often $50 or under at Costco for Logitech.

 

[ace2000]

Thanks everyone. I do have a newer laptop with a 15 inch screen but I kind of like this old one because of the 17.5 inch screen. Its still running pretty good after 7 + years and is noticeably better when gaming because of the screen. I might try a different os like linux or upgrade to windows 7. I don't think I want windows 10 as I heard it is problematic with the limits of vista.

Bill

Skip the Linux idea, it's not going to be worth the hassle for you. Plus your games may not work on Linux.

Woot.com has a Lenevo laptop for $199 today.

 

[pedro47]

You should be able to get security updates for Windows Vista until April 2017.

Thanks for sharing this piece of information, my wife has Windows Vista and she loved it.

 

[WinniWoman]

I recently replaced my HP Pavillion laptop with Vista and a 15 inch screen with an HP Pavillion with a 17 inch screen and windows 10. It cost about $500 at Best Buy. So far so good. I did have to get used to it in the beginning and had to figure out some issues with updates and so forth, but now all going smoothly.The model was recommended by consumer reports in the 17 inch category. It is a G103dx.

I liked Vista also, but everyone thought I was nuts.

 

[Sandy]

Bill, you can get a brand new Chromebook for just a couple hundred bucks. It will probably cost that to put a new OS in your oldie and enough memory for it to run. And the new one will have all the new bells and whistles, and a warrantee.

Jim

I agree. I got a chromebook when my Vista laptop died. I am frustrated with the Windows system. So far so good. It does depend on what's needed in terms of software, but the system does have compatible software like powerpoint, word, and an excel program. All names in the google format, but they seem to work just fine.

The system continually updates itself every few weeks, it is very fast because it is not loading all types of software, and it is cloud based. I am using very little of the programming since I stopped working, but for all web based applications it is terrific.

 

[Talent312]

At BB last Black Friday, I bought a Dell 15" Win10 laptop w-8GB RAM & 1TB HD for $300.
I added an external 24" monitor for $100 more. Next Black Friday, it's be a tablet.

IMHO, Win7 was the best, much more user-friendly, but Win10 has enuff going-on under
the hood to make it acceptable as a replacement.
.