The DU Lounge
Related: Culture Forums, Support ForumsWell, should I get a new computer or what?
Just ruminating. A new computer would put a real strain on my finances. But the box I'm currently running is about as obsolete as it can get: Dual core AMD, "only" 2 GB RAM, a rather old Invidia GeForce 9400GT, running under XP. Which, of course, is no longer going to be supported.
Naturally, the current box does everything I want, but the potential vulnerability of XP after April does cause concern, especially since I know basically diddly about IT security. To say nothing of how badly windoze 8.0 has been panned, although I understand 8.1 is better.
So I'm wondering if getting a laptop primarily for Internet purposes would not be a viable option, and continuing to use the XP box to play my old games (which is the primary thing I use a computer for in the first place, aside from bullshitting on the 'Net). It's not an option I'm in love with, as I am not the tech-junkie type who needs the newest thing. Hell, I still use a rotary phone.
-- Mal
Xyzse
(8,217 posts)Keep XP.
Keep your anti-virus subscription going.
In truth, I have kept a Win 98 machine running in good order for kicks and giggles.
If anything, find a computer place like Microcenter.
http://www.microcenter.com/
They sell re-furbished PCs, but are established and big enough so that even if you buy one from them, you're kinda covered. I saw a cheap lap top for 229 with them for in-store pick up.
I mean, Windows is coming out with another operating system soon any way, at least from what I have heard, so I don't see the point in plunking down with a Windows 8 machine.
jakeXT
(10,575 posts)Microsoft today announced it will continue to provide updates to its security products (antimalware engine and signatures) for Windows XP users through July 14, 2015. Previously, the company said it would halt all updates on the same day as the end of support date for Windows XP: April 8, 2014.
http://thenextweb.com/microsoft/2014/01/15/microsoft-extends-updates-windows-xp-security-products-july-14-2015/
malthaussen
(17,187 posts)Thanks for the link.
-- Mal
arcane1
(38,613 posts)MicaelS
(8,747 posts)(1) Do you have a router? They're not that expensive, and as long as you change the password to something fairly complex, you'll keep the hackers at bay.
(2) Do you have good A/V software? There are good free A/V and anti-malware programs out there. Do some research as to what is best for you. Malwarebytes and Spybot are both very good anti-malware, and both are free. Some A/V will cause massive slowdowns in Ping time, so if you're online gaming they can ruin gameplay.
(3) If you're not going to questionable websites, downloading all sorts of crap, (porn, movies, music) you're probably not going to get malware or viruses.
(4) What browser are you using? If you're using IE, then you WILL have to upgrade at some point because your IE will not work properly on many websites. If you're using Firefox or Opera then you may be ok as long as both support XP.
(5) You can get a laptop for as little as $300. I highly recommend Fry's Electronics, they regularly have laptops on sale.
(6) Or you can go to Newegg. They have LOTS refurbished desktops. For as little as $100. With Windows 7. Shipped
(7) Microsoft is getting ready to push the Windows 8.1. Update 1 out in April. Supposedly it is an improvement.
(8) If you want Windows 7, laptops with it are still being sold. HP sells them.
(9) Some local computer shops still sell Win 7 laptops too. Check around. You might give them a call, and see what they could do for you. They might have some budget or refurbished desktops with Win7, so that can run XP emulator mode, so you still play your old games. But yes your old machine is ancient. Especially with 2 gigs of ram.
malthaussen
(17,187 posts)1) No router.
2) Norton Antivirus subscription. Friend signed me up for my birthday many years ago, and 60 bucks a year is sustainable even though there are plenty of free programs.
3) I wonder if the hacks are going to target DU users. I download very little, and no porn at all. But I do have a Steam link, and wonder if they can get at me that way.
4) Mozilla Firefox. Already had plenty of IE problems, so I dumped it a long time ago.
I thought 8.1 was already out, lol. Haven't been paying much attention. The problem with getting 7 is, of course, that MS is going to want to trash that pretty soon, too. The Red Queen problem of computer systems will always be with us.
-- Mal
MicaelS
(8,747 posts)I would recommend you buy a router. Right now. If you don't want to do that, then I recommend ESET Smart Security 2014 Edition. It has A/V, anti-spyware and a firewall, all in one.
Norton is a POS. One of the the worst A/V out there. It is loaded with bloatware.
Response to malthaussen (Original post)
Prisoner_Number_Six This message was self-deleted by its author.
hunter
(38,311 posts)and 1GB RAM.
It does everything I ask it to.
My favorite laptop is a Pentium III.
I don't upgrade my computers until I find a much better one in the trash.