Thinking of buying a desktop computer
 

I currently have an HP Envy 17" laptop and would keep it for travelling but I love my husband's Dell desktop. The screen is so nice and large and bright and easy to see and I love the feel of his keyboard.

I have a question. If I get a new desktop computer is there any effort required to connect to the wi fi that is already in the house? My husband's desktop has the router attached to it. With my laptop I just connect so I didn't know if it is any different with a desktop.

Also I am an experienced computer user so I need to be able to run some graphics programs like Photoshop. How many Gig of RAM should I get? I am on the computer several hours a day and have quite a few windows open at a time. The ones I've been looking at have 8 Gig upgradeable to 16 Gig. Do you think the 8 Gig is enough?

Has anyone bought a desktop lately or know about where the best place to buy one? I'd like the 21 inch or larger monitor. I don't see that many bundles.

I can suggest you try Village Mobile PC repair in the shopping center across from Wal-marts on 441.....352-245-1500 as for Thomas Hodgson he's the owner.....I got a desk top from him a few months ago.....and the Tech support is great...

Does he build the computer for you?

I have a question. If I get a new desktop computer is there any effort required to connect to the wi fi that is already in the house? My husband's desktop has the router attached to it. With my laptop I just connect so I didn't know if it is any different with a desktop.


Does anyone know the answer to this question?

When you get it set up and turned on, you should be able to just go to the WiFi icon (typically a small screen icon in lower right of your monitor), left click and find the name of your home router, double left click on connect, enter your access code (probably on the bottom of your router)...and Voila. :shrug:

Thank you so much!

Make sure whether you buy one complete or have one assembled for you that it has a wireless network card. Not all desktop systems come with one, since a lot of them are connected via ethernet cable. The wireless network cards are relatively inexpensive.

Photoshop is a memory hog. I suggest 12G of memory at the min. Also intel i7

Good point.

I just assumed they all came with wireless cards these days (have personally never seen one that doesn't), but it would be smart to double check.

If your PC might be in a location where sound (noise) is an issue, check out Puget Systems. They will custom build whatever you want. My last two PC'S have been from them because they were located in a fairly central area. They are quiet as can be, yet very powerful. Fully customizable and competitively priced.

Also, for the work you describe, consider a multiple monitor setup...you just can't beat the flexibility. It will spoil you.

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Thanks Mike. I will definitely make sure I get one.

Have you considered just getting an external monitor and wireless keyboard and mouse which are easily attached to your laptop to meet your needs. On our last upgrade several years ago, DW and I did this and find in much better/easier than a home and road machine.

Took the words out of my mouth!

I agree. If the OP is happy with the current laptop, a nice large monitor would be an inexpensive upgrade.

desktop
 

Buy an inspiron all in one computer
from dell. I have dells for years never had any problems

Just take a moment and call the Apple store before you buy anything. Explain your needs and I'm sure they will take care of you properly. Mac is a little pricey but once you see the 27 inch screen you'll be sold. Take Care.

Also add a separate keyboard for easier typing and you basically have a desktop. :shrug:

That is an excellent idea! The laptop I have has 16 GB and my only real complaint is the size of the screen. So I need a wireless keyboard. I will check out Amazon today for the monitor and keyboard. Thank you so much for your suggestion. What type of cable do I need to plug the monitor into my laptop? I see there are two places on the side as well as 3 free USB ports.

Nucky I am a windows girl through and through. Never in my dreams would I ever change that. I worked 30 years on my windows software programs and know them in and out. I realize you love your Apple as much as I love my windows. Thank you for the suggestion. :-)

Depends on the ports your laptop has. HDMI would be good. VGA is a possibility. Others, guys?

You can try the wireless keyboard, but I found with my tablet that it sometimes has limitations. I do like the wireless mouse though.

As to 'wired' keyboards, most come with a USB connection so all you have to do is to plug it into one of the ports on your laptop. Most laptops will recognize the driver for your keyboard and will basically install itself.

Good luck. :thumbup:

A couple of random thoughts on this subject. I have been using a laptop with external mouse, keyboard, and monitor for 20 years.

1) Check into getting a docking station - generally makes things easier as all the cables are connected to the docking station and not your laptop. When you need to travel, just pop the laptop out of the docking station.
2) Get an external mouse.
3) A USB-based mouse and keyboard is fine - it doesn't have to be wireless.
4) The cable from the laptop to a monitor will depend on what your laptop supports. My setup uses DVI from my docking station to my monitor but my docking station is 5 years old.
5) Before selecting a monitor, it may be worthwhile to check to see what resolutions are supported by the video card in your laptop. It is possible that some of the larger monitors have a native resolution that is not supported by your video card.

Here's a photo of my ports. I also have two additional USB ports on the other side.

The left most port is HDMI. This is good. Look for an external monitor that supports HDMI. Check the native video resolutions that your video card supports if you are getting a large monitor.

Looks like the one on the left is HDMI. That would be very good. Just make sure the monitor also has an HDMI port.

HP ENVY 17t Quad
Product number: E4S78AV

• Windows 8 64
• System Recovery DVD with Windows 8 64
• 4th generation Intel(R) Core(TM) i7-4700MQ Processor
• Included 2 Year Warranty
• Intel HD Graphics 4000
• 17.3-inch diagonal HD+ BrightView LED-backlit Display (1600 x 900)
• 16GB DDR3 System Memory (2 Dimm)
• 1TB 5400 rpm Hard Drive
• NO mSSD Hard Drive Acceleration Cache
• No Additional Office Software
• Security Software Trial
• 6-Cell Lithium-Ion Battery
• SuperMulti 8X DVD+/-R/RW with Double Layer Support
• Standard Keyboard
• HP TrueVision HD Webcam w/ integrated digital mic
• 802.11b/g/n WLAN and Bluetooth(R)

I would buy it from Best Buy, and get an Intel I7, or at least an I5 processor with 12 or 16 G of ram. Also, make sure that it has a built in wireless adapter, which will be very easy to connect to your WiFi lan. Also, you may want to make sure it has an HDMI output because that is the new standard for connecting to a monitor or TV. No need to get a bundle, just purchase the monitor and keyboard separately, which are very inexpensive.

Plus, one does not have to go mac to get a 27 inch screen.

Amazon.com: HP Pavilion 22xw 21.5-in IPS LED Backlit Monitor: Computers & Accessories Thinking about buying this monitor.

Here are the specs for my current laptop. I am planning to just plug the monitor into my laptop and get a wireless long range keyboard and mouse.

HP ENVY 17t Quad
Product number: E4S78AV

• Windows 8 64
• System Recovery DVD with Windows 8 64
• 4th generation Intel(R) Core(TM) i7-4700MQ Processor
• Included 2 Year Warranty
• Intel HD Graphics 4000
• 17.3-inch diagonal HD+ BrightView LED-backlit Display (1600 x 900)
• 16GB DDR3 System Memory (2 Dimm)
• 1TB 5400 rpm Hard Drive
• NO mSSD Hard Drive Acceleration Cache
• No Additional Office Software
• Security Software Trial
• 6-Cell Lithium-Ion Battery
• SuperMulti 8X DVD+/-R/RW with Double Layer Support
• Standard Keyboard
• HP TrueVision HD Webcam w/ integrated digital mic
• 802.11b/g/n WLAN and Bluetooth(R)

My only question is the screen resolution. The new monitor's is higher. Does that mean my laptop will not support the higher number? Thanks.

Great, local custom-built machines with top-grade components...sized to meet your needs.
Got mine with Windows 7 Professional...my choice over the much-ballyhooed Windows 10...didn't need Cortina or Edge or whatever.
Make a visit...he knows his stuff, been at it for years (no "Mr. Warmth" but who cares).

Does anyone know the answer to my question about screen resolution? Currently it has a 1600 x 900 resolution screen and a Intel HD Graphics 4000 card. How does one determine if a monitor of 1920 x 1080 will work?

Google it but I believe you are fine. That is actually a pretty standard resolution that Intel HD 4000 hardware supports (and your drivers probably also support). I run a 1920x1080 display with HD 4000.

That's pretty much what I read on Google. Thanks for the info.

I appreciate everyone's help with this.

Look at Best Buy or Amazon for the monitor size you want with an hdmi input, you could also use any tv with an hdmi input in place of a monitor. For a keyboard/mouse, look at Logitech. They sell them separately or as a package and will come with a unifying device that will plug into one of the USB ports. And you are up and running.

Yes my wife was provided one from her employer when see worked from home. Had to turn it in when she retired. We planned to buy only lap top in the future and a docking station. No more desk tops

2560X1600 should be your max resolution on the HD4000. At least that's what is with my HD4000 running a 27" monitor.

Thank you so much for checking that out. I bought one that should be delivered today and it is well within that range.