Another what to buy question

bouicca21

My friends think I am tech savvy but I’m not, my knowledge is just superficial - just how to use packages.

 I currently have a very old desktop, originally running windows 7 but upgraded to 10.  It was fine for a few years after the upgrade but now seems very slow.  I am increasingly just using a laptop, but that’s quite old too, it’s also running very slow, and regularly throws hissy fits about recognising its usb ports (I’ve done everything suggested by Google to rectify but nothing seems to work).

I need to think about replacing them.  Now that I’m retired I no longer actually need to carry a laptop around with me on a regular basis but I still keep my hand in, so need to be able to take it out with me maybe once a month.

I’m wondering whether to replace desktop and laptop with just a new laptop, but I am out of date with what sort of spec to look for.  I use Office 365, mainly Word and Excel, have lots of high resolution photos, regularly consult online databases. I watch the occasional video, but don’t game.  A cd/dvd drive  would be nice to have but not essential.

I need to run two decent size screens.  I don’t need any better than I have - I think one connects by vga, the other does  vga or dvi.  My files are all backed up to onedrive.

I assume I should stick with at least 8 gb ram. I have 150 gb of files which is likely to increase, so best to go for 512 gb storage rather than 256?  I prefer to use a mouse rather than the built in pad so need a port for  that, plus both  my research camera and my bike camera use SD cards, so need to be able to connect those.  My old webcam is also usb.

How on earth do I choose a processor?  Not sure about the budget, was hoping to get away with sub £500, but not sure if that is realistic.

Neil_Jones

Does it have a solid state drive in it?

If not, that's the first thing you should do for either unit.

Bonhomie

bouicca21 said:

My friends think I am tech savvy but I’m not, my knowledge is just superficial - just how to use packages.

 I currently have a very old desktop, originally running windows 7 but upgraded to 10.  It was fine for a few years after the upgrade but now seems very slow.  I am increasingly just using a laptop, but that’s quite old too, it’s also running very slow, and regularly throws hissy fits about recognising its usb ports (I’ve done everything suggested by Google to rectify but nothing seems to work).

I need to think about replacing them.  Now that I’m retired I no longer actually need to carry a laptop around with me on a regular basis but I still keep my hand in, so need to be able to take it out with me maybe once a month.

I’m wondering whether to replace desktop and laptop with just a new laptop, but I am out of date with what sort of spec to look for.  I use Office 365, mainly Word and Excel, have lots of high resolution photos, regularly consult online databases. I watch the occasional video, but don’t game.  A cd/dvd drive  would be nice to have but not essential.

I need to run two decent size screens.  I don’t need any better than I have - I think one connects by vga, the other does  vga or dvi.  My files are all backed up to onedrive.

I assume I should stick with at least 8 gb ram. I have 150 gb of files which is likely to increase, so best to go for 512 gb storage rather than 256?  I prefer to use a mouse rather than the built in pad so need a port for  that, plus both  my research camera and my bike camera use SD cards, so need to be able to connect those.  My old webcam is also usb.

How on earth do I choose a processor?  Not sure about the budget, was hoping to get away with sub £500, but not sure if that is realistic.

Start with the actual model names and numbers of the devices in question.
Clean install to SSD for the Desktop to keep it as a useful device. 

bouicca21

Well I can translate SSD into words, but that doesn’t mean I understand it.  Where do I get one and how do I install it?  If that’s a cheap and effective option then I’m all for it.  Does it involve anything beyond plugging bits in - i have no idea how to solder.  You cannot underestimate my ignorance.

As for model number, the desktop was a one off from, I think, PC Specialist.  It was so long ago (I think 10 years)  that I’m not sure I can still get into the account to check the specs.  For the time it was a reasonably high spec, having e.g. 8 mb ram.  

The laptop with the dodgy usb ports is an HP.  Of the various numbers on the back it says model 15-g007na
the yellow exclamation mark in device manager is against Unknown USB device (Device descriptor request failed), going into properties produces Windows has stopped this device because it has reported problems (code 43)

I’ve tried updating the driver - it says the driver is ok; I’ve tried disabling it and then enabling it; I’ve tried updating windows (I’ve usually got updates turned off because there’s no way this pc can cope with windows 11)

facade

bouicca21 said:

As for model number, the desktop was a one off from, I think, PC Specialist.  It was so long ago (I think 10 years)  that I’m not sure I can still get into the account to check the specs.  For the time it was a reasonably high spec, having e.g. 8 mb ram.  

In windows 10, type "about" into the search box and select "about your pc"  it will show you the processor and ram fitted. A 10 year old high spec. is likely an i5-4something, which is plenty fast enough for windoes 10 when it has an SSD, I'm still using a 10 year old i5-4690.

mgfvvc

bouicca21 said:

How on earth do I choose a processor?  Not sure about the budget, was hoping to get away with sub £500, but not sure if that is realistic.

For under £500 this Intel laptop should be more than enough. You may need an adapter for your external screen and if you want DVD you will need an external drive, which will tip the total over £500.

bouicca21

Thanks all.

The processor is: AMD Phenom II X4 955. 3.20 GHz;  8GB RAM.

Bonhomie

bouicca21 said:

Well I can translate SSD into words, but that doesn’t mean I understand it.  Where do I get one and how do I install it?  If that’s a cheap and effective option then I’m all for it.  Does it involve anything beyond plugging bits in - i have no idea how to solder.  You cannot underestimate my ignorance.

As for model number, the desktop was a one off from, I think, PC Specialist.  It was so long ago (I think 10 years)  that I’m not sure I can still get into the account to check the specs.  For the time it was a reasonably high spec, having e.g. 8 mb ram.  

The laptop with the dodgy usb ports is an HP.  Of the various numbers on the back it says model 15-g007na
the yellow exclamation mark in device manager is against Unknown USB device (Device descriptor request failed), going into properties produces Windows has stopped this device because it has reported problems (code 43)

I’ve tried updating the driver - it says the driver is ok; I’ve tried disabling it and then enabling it; I’ve tried updating windows (I’ve usually got updates turned off because there’s no way this pc can cope with windows 11)

Physically, it's a straight swap that can take as little as five minutes for a novice, dependent on the design of the computer case.
The bit that takes longer is installing software/transferring data. But you can do that as and when.

If the Desktop is running on the kind of drive on the right, it will be noticeably speedier once fitted with the kind of drive on the left.

bouicca21

I’ve hunted around the internet for info about fitting an SSD drive to my desktop.  On this YouTube seems to be my friend.  So I will have a go.  All the SSD drives for sale say they are Sata iii.  Device manager tells me that my hard disk is 

WD6402AAEX-00Y9A0

Googling just says it is Sata.  Does this mean it is compatible with Sata iii?  Also the SSDs are mostly enormous.  Do I need an SSD that is any bigger than the existing hard drive; is it desirable to get a bigger one?

Bonhomie

bouicca21 said:

I’ve hunted around the internet for info about fitting an SSD drive to my desktop.  On this YouTube seems to be my friend.  So I will have a go.  All the SSD drives for sale say they are Sata iii.  Device manager tells me that my hard disk is 

WD6402AAEX-00Y9A0

Googling just says it is Sata.  Does this mean it is compatible with Sata iii?  Also the SSDs are mostly enormous.  Do I need an SSD that is any bigger than the existing hard drive; is it desirable to get a bigger one?

Yes, that is SATA III. A decent drive for an HDD, but still very slow in comparison to an SSD.

The capacity of the SSD is 'up to you'. Personally, I would not clone the old drive, but run a clean install for the best performance. But if it's imperative to keep everything as it is, then cloning is an option. 
You don't even need to remove the old drive in order to install an SSD. Simply pull the two connecting plugs from the HDD and plug them into the corresponding places on the SSD. Takes seconds once you are inside the case.
Then you can install Windows 10(or 11) to the SSD. One done, you can obtain another SATA cable for £2 or so to reconnect the old HDD for use as extra storage and to enable you to retrieve/gain access any files on the old HDD.

SSD aren't too expensive these days. Here is a good quality Samsung SSD of 1TB capacity for under £50: https://www.amazon.co.uk/Samsung-Intelligent-Magician-Software-Internal/dp/B08PC5DKZQ
Your current drive has a capacity of 640GB.
But if you still have a lot of space on the current drive or that you don't intend to clone the drive anyway, you can buy one with a lesser capacity: https://www.amazon.co.uk/Samsung-Intelligent-Magician-Software-Internal/dp/B08PC3PGZM for £25.

In your case 500GB seems a good fit: https://www.amazon.co.uk/Samsung-Intelligent-Magician-Software-Internal/dp/B08PC43D78 @ £34 

Bonhomie

Don't neglect to create installation media.

https://www.microsoft.com/en-gb/software-download/windows10 You'll need an empty USB thumb drive of at least 8GB in capacity,

You can install the same edition to the SSD that you are currently running on the HDD, If Home then install Home; if Pro then install Pro. Should auto-activate. Just skip the part where it asks for a key and choose the option of 'I am reinstalling Windows 10 to this PC' if presented.