$300 ? Where are you shopping? Besides, normal users do not need the ultimate version-there is nothing more to gain from the home version whihc is under $99.
This is why I laugh at those who hate windows and got linux-oh its so much better than windows. Then they always go into a complex installation process. Most users dont give a rats behind and don't want to know about ISO's and partitions and installing from a USB stick.
I work with them all, from MAC to Server 2008 Geo-Clusters and by far, manhours wise Linux and Unix are the biggest waste of man hours. I have one Systems Admin easily supporting 300 Windows servers running 1,000 applications and for some reason I need 1 Linux\Unix systems admin for every 75servers and he\she are taxed out.
Same goes for our PC LAN devision that supports 75,000 Windows desktops.
"I can't afford Mac computers" is a lame excuse. A new Mac mini is only $699 starting and you can get a decent used Mac Mini for less than $500 and run Lion on it. Save up your money and don't spend on unnecessary stuff.
Worse, I sicked of people said Apple is OVERPRICE than PC. ugh.
Sheesh - I'm sorry but I gotta interject.
Windows does NOT suck.
If the user has been smart enough and paid more attention as to what needs updates and such, and at the same time, steer clear of malware ... then he/she would have been a happy camper. I have learned a lot over the years.
If the user has been doing research PRIOR to buying a computer like what brand is the best, etc, then that wouldn't be a problem now, would it?
If the user has been doing updates (even service packs) on a particular Windows OS like XP, Vista, and 7, then the risk would be greatly decreased. That wouldn't be a problem now, would it?
If the user did research on what specific hardware that the computer has, like video card, sound card, RAM, chipset, etc and then did software driver updates for each one of those, then that wouldn't be a problem now, would it?
If the user steers clear of malware, has a firewall turned on, has an antivirus software and then update the definition files, and be very aware of phishing sites and such, then that wouldn't be a problem now, would it?
Lesson learned here, folks: it all boils down to the user. No wonder why the support helpdesk is laughing at irresponsible idiots and whiners like you.
It's not the 1980s and 1990s anymore. Use your brain.
P.S. Good luck on finding drivers and apps for Linux, because oh trust me, you are gonna be tearing your hair out. Oh yeah, and suppose that Linux is the standard OS and not Windows... believe me, virus writers would still do their jobs for Linux. And, Linux is absolutely NO exception when it comes to updates. I know this because I used to have Linux Mint installed on VirtualBox when circumventing my alma mater's wireless network login - updates, updates, updates ad infinitum and ad nauseam.
Keep the mind, Linux have over 500 distributions.
Sheesh - I'm sorry but I gotta interject.
Windows does NOT suck.
If the user has been smart enough and paid more attention as to what needs updates and such, and at the same time, steer clear of malware ... then he/she would have been a happy camper. I have learned a lot over the years.
If the user has been doing research PRIOR to buying a computer like what brand is the best, etc, then that wouldn't be a problem now, would it?
If the user has been doing updates (even service packs) on a particular Windows OS like XP, Vista, and 7, then the risk would be greatly decreased. That wouldn't be a problem now, would it?
If the user did research on what specific hardware that the computer has, like video card, sound card, RAM, chipset, etc and then did software driver updates for each one of those, then that wouldn't be a problem now, would it?
If the user steers clear of malware, has a firewall turned on, has an antivirus software and then update the definition files, and be very aware of phishing sites and such, then that wouldn't be a problem now, would it?
Lesson learned here, folks: it all boils down to the user. No wonder why the support helpdesk is laughing at irresponsible idiots and whiners like you.
It's not the 1980s and 1990s anymore. Use your brain.
P.S. Good luck on finding drivers and apps for Linux, because oh trust me, you are gonna be tearing your hair out. Oh yeah, and suppose that Linux is the standard OS and not Windows... believe me, virus writers would still do their jobs for Linux. And, Linux is absolutely NO exception when it comes to updates. I know this because I used to have Linux Mint installed on VirtualBox when circumventing my alma mater's wireless network login - updates, updates, updates ad infinitum and ad nauseam.
Another SPAM thread-linux is NOT better than any other OS. It's just free. You've only been using it for a week compared to windows how long? Wait 5 years before you can say its so much better than Windows or any other OS.
How are you getting all these virusis's and malware? Did you not install spyware detectors-free and AV program-free?
What propiertary stuff are you talking about?
I think Linux sucks-it's an OS only good for one group of people-hackers and troublemakers-but thats just my opinion
Ok, try go into terminal mode, at the command prompt... type Shutdown, if this did reboot...then try Shutdown -h and let me know what happen.
For my me and my hubby's money Dells were the best buy...they have always proven to be reliable machines...and they are easy to work on for upgrading or whatever.
I disagree only with this statement: I have bought numerous dell machines for personal use and I can tell you they are not the best in terms of hardware upgrade. Yes they do work, but they are proprietary machines so you can not put regular parts or switch out mother boards and chips easily. They setup the machine components with cheaper parts that cannot often be upgraded(this is how they make money and keep you buying dell). Honestly, if you want a machine you can upgrade don't get a Dell, build one by buying separate parts like motherboard, cooling system, ram, case, etc. Only then, will you truly be able to add on/upgrade more things.
Take a look at how the PC magazines build them, it's not that hard.
I disagree only with this statement: I have bought numerous dell machines for personal use and I can tell you they are not the best in terms of hardware upgrade. Yes they do work, but they are proprietary machines so you can not put regular parts or switch out mother boards and chips easily. They setup the machine components with cheaper parts that cannot often be upgraded(this is how they make money and keep you buying dell). Honestly, if you want a machine you can upgrade don't get a Dell, build one by buying separate parts like motherboard, cooling system, ram, case, etc. Only then, will you truly be able to add on/upgrade more things.
Take a look at how the PC magazines build them, it's not that hard.
Hmmm.... I volunteer at Free IT Athens, we refurb computers and then give them to schools, the disabled, etc. Or, people can buy them really cheap, ($50), to help fund our organization. We get a lot of desk tops donated,mostly Gateways, Dells and ASUS. If a person is basically all thumbs and not at all a techy or mechanically inclined to build one, what brand would you suggest as the best one to have for being the best to buy with the ability to upgrade?
Eighty, try updating the processor on your old system. You'll find you need another motherboard then you'll find you need a new case and power supply and that is if you actually found an upgrade for the motherboard from Dell. You can't stick a standard board in the Dell case. Yes, you computer is still running and if you are fine with that great, no need to change. However, at some point you are going to need the change and it would be better not to have to buy a whole system.