Issue 26.14
A few weeks ago I had a call from a new customer who wanted to know if I could help them set up their new computer. Of course I agreed, but had a real surprise when I arrived at their home. The computer was new and had the Linux Operating System on it. It came with software that was accessed by on-screen menus and also came with a printer. The hardware was fairly basic (not super powerful) but you don’t need lots of power to run Linux and the associated programs. In many ways it was similar to computers that I prepare for people that can’t afford a new $500-$700 computer. I either configure an older XP computer with Linux and software and give it away or sell it at a very low price – usually $100 or less. These computers can work on the internet, do facebook, email, youtube and most other internet oriented tasks very well and come with word processors, spreadsheets and many other things that you have to pay extra for if you get a PC or Mac. Imagine my surprise when I found out she had paid $1200 for her new system.
Before you buy anything computer related from the TV or phone sales people, make sure you know it’s real value. As I mentioned, I could have supplied her with a new computer similar to the one she bought for around $400 – $500 with printer and I could have gotten her a used Linux computer for around $100 that would have been fine for what she was doing.
I also recently purchased a Chromebook laptop. These are super lightweight laptops with a full keyboard, wireless internet and the Chrome Operating System. Chrome is similar to Linux in some ways. You have to use their software to do word processing, spreadsheets, etc. However most of the same internet and email services are right there at your fingertips. My son has been evaluating it for me and he is ready to switch from his regular Windows 7 laptop because of a number of things he really likes.
First it is very inexpensive. Most models are between $200 and $300. It is super lightweight. The battery lasts around 6 hours as opposed to 1 or 2 hours with a regular laptop. It doesn’t run hot like many other laptops. When you open it, it is on and ready to work. A PC laptop will usually take 2 or 3 minutes to fully boot up unless you put it in sleep mode which works well, but eats your battery time and sometimes won’t recover until you shut the computer down completely and start over. The only drawbacks that he noted is that you have to use an external DVD player if you want to load a program or movie from disk and a few of the programs he likes to use for music and video editing are not available on the Chromebook. Since he can stream movies from the internet and use the family computer for the editing programs, he is leaning towards getting one soon.
Of course, many people are getting away from computers altogether and buying tablets as their main source of internet enjoyment and that is also a valid choice. Whatever you choose, be sure to always back up anything on your computer that is important to you.
Shaun McCausland has worked in the computer industry for over 32 years, 23 years of it locally with Bits ‘N’ Bytes and Musicomp and currently does in-home and on-site computer consultation, service, training and repair. If you have questions you can reach him at 435-668-7118 or shaun@musicomp.net.