New computer reccomendations for both laptop and desktop needed. I will pay for the best that is out there and my local guy I am sure will do the install for the desktop.

What are you planning to use the computers for?

JP

quote:

Originally posted by ZSMICHAEL:
New computer reccomendations for both laptop and desktop needed. I will pay for the best that is out there and my local guy I am sure will do the install for the desktop.

Did you use the Find function? This question has come up several times.

I've had excellent luck with Dell refurbished. They have both desktop and OCs.

• What operating system(s) do you intend to run?
  
• Do you have a use profile that might require more storage (e.g. a media server, NAS, or local backup of other devices), RAM+cores (e.g. running multiple VMs), or display (e.g. for gaming)?
  
• Do you have a requirement for 24x7x365 uptime?
  
• How long do you intend to run these systems before the next upgrade?

These days, a "desktop" can easily become a "server" with just a few changes to the OS, but only if provisioned sufficiently. If you intend to use this system for resource-hungry gaming, you will want to upgrade at least the RAM, CPU, and display to painful price points (especially the GPU, with the top cards going for five figures these days, and certain games demanding no less).

If I were starting a desktop build today, I'd start with a SuperMicro server mainboard with 2 x CPU sockets, 2 x TOP-end XEON CPUS, 192GB of DDR5 RAM, 4x4TB M.2 NVMe modules, 2 x Nvidia GeForce 4090, 4 x ASUS 38" monitors, and suitable case/chassis, power supply, cooling, etc. or maybe just spring for a similarly-provisioned Mac Pro. I am starting to think that ARM may have blown by Intel and AMD for the processor component but I'd have to do more research to be sure. I would expect to pay $12K-15K for such a system.

For a laptop, probably a 15" MacBook Air (with RAM and disk maxed out). If forced into a traditional "PC" laptop, then HP Business Fury all the way with the exact model chosen by battery runtime.

I would not ruin any of these magnificent systems with any OS from Microsoft. Maybe, just maybe, if I stumbled over required software that only ran on Windows, I might run a copy or four in VMs on the desktop machine.

I'll admit I set my expectations pretty high these days, and I am not planning on spending this kind of money any time soon, but a guy can dream....

I know another thread is there. I am in healthcare which you should know and am of the boomer generation. My oldest daughter is 40 and I am trying to get her setup for her practice. She is a social worker. They really make money. haha. I have a small computer place in town and they are working to try and fix my headphone Jabra elite H. They were 250 apiece but worked flawlessly until last week. i have an iphone 8 that wont pair with them. My choice is between repair or replace. I have some hearing issues like V tail does and they do the trick. So I need suggestions on over the head sets. A forum member from Illinois hooked me up last time with the Jabra. any thoughts welcome. Phone upgrade from Jabra or the head. Not like the truckers use. The member from Illinois is an accountant and he talks to India all day with these no problem.

I’ve been a diehard ThinkPad laptop user all the way back to when IBM was making them. Lenovo is still producing ThinkPads and the X1 Carbon is at the top of their lineup. I’m considering one at the end of the year or sometime next year. I’m still getting reliable performance from the ThinkPad T470s that is close to 7 years old now.

I’d go with 24 to 32 GB or RAM and a 1 or 2 TB SSD. Spend as much on the processor as you’d like to afford. I generally spend about $2K on laptops that I use predominantly for work but for 6+ years of performance I think it’s worth it.

If you're going for the best, I'd recommend the MacBook Pro for a laptop—especially if you're into design, video editing, or anything that requires high performance. For a desktop, you can’t go wrong with a custom-built PC powered by the latest Intel i9 or AMD Ryzen 9 processor, paired with an NVIDIA RTX 4090 GPU. It’s a beast for gaming, 3D rendering, or any high-demand task.

I recently upgraded my setup and found some fantastic deals on the go-to site for Black Friday tech deals when you're based in Europe. It’s a great place to check out, especially right now with the sales going on. Whether you need cutting-edge specs or just reliable performance, this could save you a lot of money.

This message has been edited. Last edited by: mac_220,

I just got the newest iMac M3 and am thrilled with it after having my i5 mac for 11 years.

I bought a refurb Dell 7060 a company in MN.

Great price, decent warranty, good service, and stuffed to the max with the exception of the internal SSD. That was replaced.

RMD

The new M4 Mac minis are getting rave reviews everywhere.

Setting up for a social work practice may not be as simple as it sounds.

She should get a Windows machine that can run as a server. I would get the same brand of laptop.

I would only buy HP or Dell. Dell seems to have an edge at this point.

Patient records require standards for storage, billing software has minimum requirements. If you use the integrated approach, total case management software will have different requirements.

She will also want to attach a backup system so that if the server crashes, she will not lose her files.

She could backup to the cloud but that has its own security problems.

You or your daughter need to get familiar with HIPAA rules including security.

There are companies that supply case management software for Social Workers.
I would pick my software first and then decide on Hardware.

quote:

Originally posted by V-Tail:
[IMG]https://images.computerhistory.org/revonline/images/xb93.80p-03-01

I had one of those, but recently upgraded. The new one does stall fairly often, but you simply turn it upside down to reboot it.

quote:

Originally posted by sig2392:
I would pick my software first and then decide on Hardware.

Yep.

Software drives OS choice, OS choice affects hardware recommendation.

Assuming both are for the social-worker daughter, the desktop/office computer choice then strongly affects the laptop decision.

100% Mac. New Mac Book Air is perfect for me. Last one ran like a top for >10 years, replaced at year 12 only because it could not support latest software updates.

https://www.apple.com/shop/refurbished

Not wildly advertised, Apple refurb (Direct from Apple) really takes the edge of Apple buy-in... ~15% off (+ another 10% if you are/were military (ID-me).

Example, This year I got a top of the line current gen i-pad mini. It comes with new glass, new case, new battery and new cable/PS. Same warranty as new, free next day Fed-Ex. Right ~$350 (~$100 off!) (Laptops come with new keyboards also). No reason to buy new, unless you NEED the Apple Store experience or they might not have the exact model you want in stock when you want it and cannot wait for it to come in. 100% will use again.

Just got a totally all new DELL desktop back in July. While having it all setup, had the tech install Windows 11....boy was that a mistake ! I hate it, and avoid it all long as you can, its a major PITA !

Get her a new M4 iMac and whichever size MacBook/ipad she'd like.

quote:

Originally posted by ZSMICHAEL:
I know another thread is there. I am in healthcare which you should know and am of the boomer generation. My oldest daughter is 40 and I am trying to get her setup for her practice. She is a social worker. They really make money. haha. I have a small computer place in town and they are working to try and fix my headphone Jabra elite H. They were 250 apiece but worked flawlessly until last week. i have an iphone 8 that wont pair with them. My choice is between repair or replace. I have some hearing issues like V tail does and they do the trick. So I need suggestions on over the head sets. A forum member from Illinois hooked me up last time with the Jabra. any thoughts welcome. Phone upgrade from Jabra or the head. Not like the truckers use. The member from Illinois is an accountant and he talks to India all day with these no problem.

I haven't a clue as to what this has to do with a new laptop or desktop. If you are serious about the computer and laptop and your budget can swing it a top of the line Apple laptop and desktop will out perform any Windows platform off the shelf computer out there. Just be prepared because you'll also need a new monitor because your current use of an Apple 8 indicates that you tend to hang on to stuff as long as possible. The connection for monitors have changed over the last 5 years and what you have most likely will not connect to a new computer. BTW, I'm also a boomer and still have the first new car I ever purchased, a 1985 Monte Carlo SS and still have my first Nikon, an F2 purchased in 1974 and it's still in working order.

As for why Apple, it's because they do their own chip design and don't cut any corners. In addition if you need help figuring out how to use a specific function a live human being is a phone call away and they will guide you thru that procedure step by step. If your stuck in a Windows platform then they will guide you to a "user forum" where you will see postings that are 5 or 6 years old and way out of date. To be Blunt, Windows Sucks. The worst "customer service" on the planet.

BTW, just saw an ad on TV today and Apple has released Ear Pods designed specifically for the hearing impaired. Think about that while you are pondering at upgrade to a refurbished Iphone 14 or 15. BTW the 16 may be top of the line but that "46mp" camera has an AI generated 46mp resolution so it's really just a digital up size. Don't waste your money on a 16, the 15 offers better lens selections for general photography and the 14 is more than good enough for snapshots.

PS; I recently purchase a real 46mp Nikon and have started scanning an archive of 4x5 and 6cm x 6cm slides and negatives and the files sizes really test the limits of my current desktop. Since the editor I prefer is windows only plus it's a window's scanner so I'm stuck in the Windows world. Right now the custom build I am specing out is pushing 3000 dollars and I still haven't decided on the graphics system. BTW, when I build a new computer I generally go for maximum power because they just last longer in terms of functionality. It's why the last one I put together in 2018 is still usable as long as I keep the scans under 350mb. Slower than I would like but still capable.