Requesting computer advice

[mvd]

Hi everyone,

I have always had a computer. But the one I have is just too old now and barely works. It is too frustrating to use, so I have basically have no computer.

I have a very limited amount to spend. On Amazon it is mostly Chromebooks that have
affordable monthly payment options. But would that be of any use when I have an iPad? I also know storage on Chromebooks is low. Any other potential options you know of would also be appreciated.

[RainCaster]

1. Chromebooks can be a great option

It really depends on what you use it for. If you use Google's storage (cloud) you don't need much on your machine. Give us a list of things you need this computer to do and we can better advise you.

[mvd]

3. Hi

That’s a good idea.

I use the internet a lot and watch videos. I store music from my CD collection. I like to use certain apps. I do not do gaming. I want a computer that can be productive for any work/job I ever get.

[RainCaster]

9. You have a wide use case...

For surfing and watching videos, a Chromebook is great. It completely fails for storing music, and for using "certain apps". Any description that nebulous rules out the Chromebook option.

What do you do for work that you have to provide your own computer? Every employer I ever worked for demanded I use theirs.

[mvd]

12. I guess I could put music on the Google drive

But I know the 100 GB lasts for 2 years, and then you only get 15 GB free.

The apps I get wouldn’t be demanding. Mostly news apps, banking, etc.

What work tasks couldn’t you do on a Chromebook? And is it useful if I have an iPad?

Thanks again

[RainCaster]

23. Sounds like a ChromeBook would be doable for you

Stuff like News & Banking apps will be readily available in the Android store just like they are in the Apple Store. Big powerhouse apps like AutoCAD, PhotoShop or Microsoft Office will not run on a ChromeBook, although the Google Apps do a great approximation of Word & Excel. Pretty much the same limitations you have with your iPad.

Don't worry too much about storage costs, as those will be much lower than the cost of a full fledged laptop. BTW, most modern laptops (ChromeBooks too) will not have a CD-ROM drive built in. These are all external now and connect by a USB cable. An external DVD-ROM drive will set you back $25-ish on Amazon.

[mvd]

24. Thanks!

Yes my current just about dead computer has a CD drive, but it isn’t necessary.

I wanted to ask you what you think about this Chromebook I found on Amazon. It has doable monthly payments, though maybe not this month:

https://www.amazon.com/dp/B07GLV1VC7/?coliid=I3QFAE4GBCTROG&colid=J8IMYJS7IKHY&psc=1&ref_=lv_ov_lig_dp_it

[RainCaster]

25. I have a similar Lenovo ChromeBook...

Very nice machine. We take it on vacations when I don't want to bring the full laptop along. Very solid for surfing & email. Ours is white and folds over for use as a tablet. otherwise very similar.

This machine should do you well. You could eventually add a MicroSD card to expand your music storage locally if you like. I have recommended ChromeBooks to many of my friends in the last 3 years. You will be forever freed from the Microsoft "Patch Tuesday" issues and all of the poor quality software MSFT expects you to pay for and then debug for them.

EDIT: Here's a link to the Android Store- https://play.google.com/store

[mvd]

26. Thank you!

You have been very helpful.

One more question: what tasks are better on a Chromebook than my iPad (which is the 2017 version)? I know typing documents is better on a computer.

[RainCaster]

27. Chromebook vs iPad

If you are used to surfing on your iPad, you will be more comfortable there. Watching videos /movies is something you will want to try on each. There will be differences in colors and contrast-the choice is purely subjective.
Anything that requires lots of typing, like emails or reports is better done with a keyboard.
Hope this helps
RC

[jmbar2]

2. Check out PCs for People

They refurbish PCs and sell them cheap to low income people.

https://www.pcsforpeople.org/get-technology/

I have recommended them before on this board, and got some responses that they have bad reviews online. However, I have purchased two computers through them and have been satisfied.

They also offer a good deal on internet service, which I've used myself for several years.

[mvd]

4. Thanks!

Will check it out.

[ace3csusm]

6. What apps

I like to use certain apps.

[mvd]

8. I am not familiar with the android store

On my iPad I have some games but wouldn’t game much if at all on the computer. I have weather apps like The Weather Channel, my banking app, The Huffington Post app, Uber app, etc.

[ace3csusm]

13. I have Chromebook

They do not have the apps Ipad has its more of a web browser setup. I use it for just searching the web and thats pretty much it ..

[PoliticAverse]

5. Does your income qualify you for the Emergency Broadband Benefit $100 device credit?

https://getemergencybroadband.org/do-i-qualify/

[mvd]

10. Yes

I have Medicaid in fact, and EBT.

[PoliticAverse]

11. Then...

Sign up on PCs for People's EBB portal...
https://ebb.pcsrefurbished.com/ebb

And get one of their $11 or $20 (after $100 EBB credit) PC packages.
https://ebb.pcsrefurbished.com/sales/categorySales.aspx?categoryID=3

[mvd]

14. Worth looking into

Verizon is costing me $200 per month for internet, TV and phone.

[PoliticAverse]

15. You can get PCs for People's Cellular Internet package...

Monthly for free while the EBB program is funded (and then $15/month afterwards) but you have to pay for the cellular modem upfront ($15 or $45):
https://ebb.pcsrefurbished.com/sales/categorySales.aspx?categoryID=12

[MerryHolidays]

7. If you get a new computer, keep your old one

Even old PCs can be converted to high-end Chromebooks for no cost and just with software changes. There's plenty of information on how to do this.

Then you'll have two computers!

[hunter]

16. I have a Linux desktop and a Chromebook.

I also like to play with Raspberry Pi stuff.

My Widows laptop has been collecting dust during the pandemic.

Mostly I use the Chromebook. It has a micro-SD slot with a 128 gigabyte card which is where I store all my crap -- photos, music, occasionally movies, etc.

That SD card came in handy when our idiot dog broke my last Chromebook. I took the SD card out of the broken Chromebook, put it in the new Chromebook and was good to go. Apps I'd installed on the old Chromebook were automatically transferred to the new Chromebook as soon as I connected to the internet.

Sure, it's a bit creepy that Google is watching. But the naughtiest thing I do on my Chromebook is rage on Democratic Underground.

All the stuff on my Chromebook gets backed up regularly to my desktop machine, which in turn gets backed up in multiple ways.

Mostly I use the Chromebook for general writing and browsing the web.

I mostly use the desktop machine for editing sound files, photos, movies, and for writing software.

I don't use Microsoft or Apple stuff unless someone is paying me.

[lillypaddle]

17. I bought an HP with Pentium Gold laptop

with part of my stimulus income for less than $400. It's been good so far.

[jmowreader]

18. Unless you do things that absolutely REQUIRE a computer...

My recommendation is to put a keyboard on your iPad and use that as your computer. I only have a computer because QuarkXPress won't run on an iPad.

[Beausoleil]

19. I use a 10" Galaxy S2 tablet

with a 128GB microSD and store about half my music on it (I have a pretty large collection ~ 35,000 tracks).

I can use it for browsing, Android apps and games, streaming Netflix, Hulu, etc., Chromecast to the large screen. Pretty much does everything I need.

I do have 2 Linux laptops that I use for work and a Dell tower that I can boot either Windows or Linux, but I use the tablet for everyday tasks. Great for browsing from the couch.

[LastDemocratInSC]

20. Fine computers at a reasonable price directly from Dell

https://www.dellrefurbished.com

https://www.dell.com/outlet

I have bought several from Dell on these sites and have always been satisfied in every way.

[TexasBushwhacker]

21. I was just going to recommend refurbished Dell Latitudes

It's their business grade laptop and they last for YEARS. I usually don't replace them until I have no choice because of the software I have to use. Storage is really not a problem anymore because you can always use a portable HD.

[rickford66]

22. Device with low storage ?

Add an external drive. Another benefit is if your device of choice dies, you have your external storage. My three laptops have external drives connected. I used to have a chromebook and used an external drive with that also.