I am ol need and need a new computer with little maintenace; W@hat do recomend?

just want internet 85% only mostly. what is better, MS or Linex ? many thanks for your resonces.

 

I assume by "MS" you mean Windows. If you are asking about buying a computer running Windows versus buying a computer running Linux, I recommend you buy a Windows-based computer. Windows is MUCH more user-friendly. Also, you will find a much bigger selection of Windows-based computers. Very few new computers are set up with Linux. If you buy a Windows-based computer, you can always add Linux later on, as dual-boot.

If you want suggestions as to computer brand names, I suggest you post a request in Wilders' Hardware forum.

Good luck in buying your new computer!!!

 

If mostly all you want is the internet, maybe a chromebook would suit you.
You can't do as much with it, but a whole lot less can go wrong.

 

+1 Chromebook if you don't feel like learning. Otherwise Linux Ubuntu/Mint.

 

Chromebook is good. Otherwise Linux. Unless you're a gamer Windows isn't worth the hassle. Notwithstanding M$ is, and always has been, a security nightmare.

 

It has become your mission Dave to disparage anything that is Windows. Now XP was a notorious OS with lots of vulnerabilities, but starting with Vista, and subsequently Win 7, Win 8.1 and finally Win 10 things have changed dramatically in terms of security. Win 10 is very secure by design and its inbuilt Windows Defender is as good as any paid commercial antivirus. I am not a gamer, and I still believe that 800 million people are using Win 10 because it's a great operating system requiring 'little maintenance'.

 

You should definetely install Debian stable or Ubuntu 18.04 LTS. Just install and forget. If you have no particular reason, you shouldn't install Windows or buy chromebook. They will spy on you.

 

De gustibus non est disputandum.

 

Experimented with Linux over 10-12 years ago. Was able to make it work, in fact, impressed some of the folk at a Linux forum. YES, I was able to use Linux but I got sick and tired of having to jump thru hoops to do every little thing. I was able to make everything work but it required so much research and time, I have another life beyond computers: Windows just works. Yes Microsoft, in my opinion, has been very slow getting their security together but it is FINALLY coming together.

Now if I may suggest to Microsoft: If you are getting your security together, how about getting together REAL backing up of the c:drive with a REAL mirror image progem?
Acadia

 

That sums it up.

 

I've ran Ubuntu for years, I've never had to jump through hoops or even wear flared trousers to surf the net with it. Admittedly one or two specialist astronomical programs I like were difficult to convince to run, but the main ones run fine.

I rarely need to use the Terminal and even when I do it isn't exactly rocket science. The Ubuntu forums, which I've been a member of for over a decade, are very helpful and usually quickly help me to solve any problems I have.

Firefox runs beautifully on Ubuntu and I don't need any security measures apart from keeping the OS up to date and some browser hardening. Definitely no more dodgy AV's trying to eviscerate my laptop with false positives!

Unless you're a gamer, or desperately need Windows, Ubuntu (or similar) is a no brainer IMO. I can stream Netflix, Amazon Prime inter alia on Linux, there is LibreOffice and Ubuntu can do virtually anything Windows can do for general surfing.

Furthermore I wouldn't even attempt online banking with Windows, I have no qualms about making transactions in Ubuntu. I don't care what anyone claims, Windows is still a security nightmare.

And then there's the M$ telemetry.

I trust Ubuntu, I'm happy with it. I waved goodbye to Windows ages ago, I sleep better because of it.

It's curtains for Windows.

 

If you want a laptop that only for browsing the web and perhaps typing a few documents or spreadsheets, then get a Chromebook. They are very easy to use and require 0 maintenance.

If you want to stick to the basics which everyone else is using, I suggest you a Dell laptop, in my experience they are the most reliable out of all manufacturers and they have configurations that suit all people and needs.

Look for a Dell Vostro. My wife has a Dell Vostro 5470 which has a touch screen so my kid can also play on it sometimes. She's had it for 5 years exactly and it's been running solid since we bought it. It cost us north of $1000 USD so they aren't cheap but aren't super expensive either.

another good and cheaper alternative would be the new MSI Alpha 15 laptops which are based on AMD CPUs so they are great in performance and yet are able to keep their price low thanks to the AMD CPU which is usually cheaper than Intel's offerings.

 

I'm reading this thread on my Mint Cinnamon machine. I'm not quite there yet but I can see a point where I completely dump Windows at some time down the road.

As a newcomer to Linux I can say there is a learning curve but it really isn't that steep. Most of what I want to do can be done with UIs now. As Dave said, I rarely need to use Terminal.

If I can learn to dual-boot and run Linux just about anyone with basic computer skills can too.

 

I couldn't agree more , but Win 10 is not a security nightmare...

 

You're more computer savvy than you give yourself credit for. Learning Linux is a huge PITA!

 

I've stopped living in denial.

Stage 1: Denial

Stage 2: Anger

Stage 3: Bargaining

Stage 4: Depression

Stage 5: Switch to Linux from Windows and live a much happier and safer online life.

Windows OS may not be a security nightmare, but it's a really bad recurring security scary dream where you wake up screaming in a cold sweat. I've had it with Windows, its nervous breakdown inducing borkday updates, huge security vulnerabilities and general dysfunction.

I honestly couldn't recommend it with a clear conscience. Ubuntu is not a steep learning curve, if you can use an Android phone or a Kindle you can use Ubuntu. The days of having to use the Terminal all the time and think and speak in binary code are long gone.

It's no different to using any other graphic interface or icons. Simpler than Windows in many respects. Unix was always a better system.

If Win 10 isn't a security nightmare do all your banking online without an AV with it. Unless you're still at Stage 1.

 

If I were to offer an opinion I'd say get a Windows machine and add a Linux distro like Zorin in a dual boot configuration. You would then experience both for yourself and decide which is more to your liking and comfort.

 

You could always do what I did those many years ago. Before I installed Linux directly onto my machine, which I later removed, you can first experiment with it inside of a Virtual Machine. I used the free VirtualBox and Linux worked just fine (except for the learning curve).

 

Gooooood grief!

 

It's the truth though, isn't it?

Windows gave me bad grief for years.

 

One thing I will say is that if you choose Linux you have to make sure the hardware you're running it on is compatible with it. I believe this is the main reason for problems encountered with Linux. Lenovo laptops are very Linux friendly as a rule.




In 2013, Canonical Ltd. reached an agreement with the Ministry of Industry and Information Technology of the People's Republic of China to co-create and release an Ubuntu-based operating system with features targeted at the Chinese market. ~ Wikipedia

Which is probably why Lenovo laptops are very Linux compatible. My G500 was pre-installed with Ubuntu 14.04 LTS when I bought it.

 

well, I guess experience may differ from one person to the other. I have been with Windows since 1992 and I had a major problem only once.

 

That's great. It still has serious security issues however.

 

In 25 years of running Windows 95 through Windows 10, I was hit by a drive by download once. That is the worst thing that ever happened to me personally.

As for the original question, something cheap with Windows or a Chromebook. Linux isn't terrible to use but every single installation of it I have ever ran hosed itself updating at some point. Sometimes it is months to year but it always happens. YMMV.

 

I have tried to adapt to Linux a few times over the years. (I'm 75). The last time was about six months ago in preparation for the demise of Windows 7. I literally spent almost 3 months just trying to get a CD/DVD burning program to burn a multi-session data disc. I would have to save up enough "stuff" to fill a disc in one burn. I was able to get my favorite catalog program of my DVDs to work using it in Wine so I could search for files on old data discs, otherwise I was left with the daunting task of using a Linux app to re-catalog everything I already had. (Over 100 discs.)

Lots of people on the Mint forums were very patient with this old soul but the bottom line was this: It can't be done (outside of command lines maybe) and probably won't be implemented by any of the open source geniuses because... wait for it... optical discs are too old fashioned nowadays.

Well, that was it for me. I used an old Windows image to get back to where I was. I almost cried when I burned my next multi-session data disc.

So with my remaining few weeks to figure out something before Seven's EOL, I found an article:
http://www.canadiantech.info/for-techies/re-build-windows-7/rebuild-windows-7-july-2018/

As I said, I am 75. I have few computer needs so hopefully this setup will outlast me.