Business Laptop Upgrade

[alan1302]

Are you perfectly satisfied because it is the best option or because that is just what you know how to use?

I've used Windows since 3.11 and DOS before that and now use Windows 10 which I find very good.

Have used MacOS is the past which is very nice but makes an expensive computer as you have to buy an Apple produced machine and there is much more limitation on software available for it.

Have used various Linux distributions in the past and enjoyed dabling with them but always find them very unpolished from a users point of view and often come across issues getting them running perfectly which I don't think a 'general' computer user would know or want to get involved in sorting out. So can't see why Linux would be suitable for most computer users.

 

[Inva]

In what way is it easier? In what way more organised?

In Linux there is a very specific structure to the file system, and all files are in specific places. Packages in the repositories always conform to this. In Windows, you never know where a file will pop up. Also, i can install a program just with its name. I type: "apt-get install firefox" and it installs Firefox. I don't have to go find it, download, double click, install, nextnextnext and all that. Similarly i type "apt-get upgrade" and it updates all packages in my system including all my programs to the latest version. This does not exist in Windows. It updates your system but not your programs, which you have to update manually or leave it up to the program to install whatever it wants.

Have used various Linux distributions in the past and enjoyed dabling with them but always find them very unpolished from a users point of view and often come across issues getting them running perfectly which I don't think a 'general' computer user would know or want to get involved in sorting out. So can't see why Linux would be suitable for most computer users.

In Linux you have more than one desktop environment. In Windows you have only 1 and you can't change it in any way. I don't know which one you used but i can think of at least 2 desktops in Linux which are light years ahead of the Windows desktop (Gnome and KDE). "Unpolished" is a word that should be reserved for Windows:

 

[ffox]

In Linux there is a very specific structure to the file system,

It's true that Windows uses the registry to index application package locations and that is probably more complex than the Unix file structure used by Linux. However, application package location need not be the concern of a user. Only technicians who need to fix broken or badly installed applications should need to locate the elements of a package.

For a user the questions should be - does it work, or not and do I need it or not.

If the answers are negative - delete or remove the app, if the answer are positive - leave it live.

Windows 10 and Android Op systems do this remarkably well.

If a system becomes corrupt - simple set the device back to factory settings, or pick up another device and carry on working. The need to spend hours fixing stuff is very 1990s.

 

[alan1302]

In Linux there is a very specific structure to the file system, and all files are in specific places. Packages in the repositories always conform to this. In Windows, you never know where a file will pop up. Also, i can install a program just with its name. I type: "apt-get install firefox" and it installs Firefox. I don't have to go find it, download, double click, install, nextnextnext and all that. Similarly i type "apt-get upgrade" and it updates all packages in my system including all my programs to the latest version. This does not exist in Windows. It updates your system but not your programs, which you have to update manually or leave it up to the program to install whatever it wants.


In Linux you have more than one desktop environment. In Windows you have only 1 and you can't change it in any way. I don't know which one you used but i can think of at least 2 desktops in Linux which are light years ahead of the Windows desktop (Gnome and KDE). "Unpolished" is a word that should be reserved for Windows:

So typing 'apt-get install firefox' is easy for someone that has never used Linux before? That's' all part of the learning curve which most people simply won't want to d. People want to go to google, type in name of software, download and install as that's what they know how to do and now Windows had an app store it's made the process even easier.

When I say 'unpolished' I'm referring to the whole look of the software and how it all works consistently together. Windows 10 is all ver slick looking, Apples MacOS even more so - Linux to me always has a slightly 'homemade' look to it.

Linux is more geared to people that are interested in computers and software and need specific things and are happy to mess around - most people don't care about that

 

[Inva]

It's true that Windows uses the registry to index application package locations and that is probably more complex than the Unix file structure used by Linux. However, application package location need not be the concern of a user.

And it's not. I simply answered the question with only one way regarding how Linux is more organised. In Windows uninstalling a program does guarantee in any way that all its files are removed. Most of the time you have leftover files in the system which can be impossible/too complicated to detect. Eventually the system becomes bloated. You don't need to know file structure and locations of programs to use Linux.

So typing 'apt-get install firefox' is easy for someone that has never used Linux before? That's' all part of the learning curve which most people simply won't want to d. People want to go to google, type in name of software, download and install as that's what they know how to do and now Windows had an app store it's made the process even easier.

When I say 'unpolished' I'm referring to the whole look of the software and how it all works consistently together. Windows 10 is all ver slick looking, Apples MacOS even more so - Linux to me always has a slightly 'homemade' look to it.

Linux is more geared to people that are interested in computers and software and need specific things and are happy to mess around - most people don't care about that

You are not forced to use the command line. There are graphical programs that allow you to install/uninstall packages, just like in Windows. You have a choice of which one to use depending on your preferences, there is not only one. Installing a program in Linux is much easier and faster than in Windows. You don't have to search for anything and don't have to download anything manually. Just click the program you want in the package manager, click install, and you can use it immediately. Also with the click of a button you can update your entire system.

I don't know what means "slick", but in Linux you have multiple desktop environments as i said, which is what i guess you mean. A DE is basically the entire userspace and how you interact with it (not only a theme). You can choose which one you like best. I think they look pretty good with their defaults and these are highly customisable too, so you can make them look and behave how you want them to if you want. Look up "Linux desktop environment" as maybe there is confusion here because this concept does not exist in Windows or Mac OS, which only offer 1 DE.

My initial point was that for a business, Linux is better and costs less than the alternatives, while being easy to learn for everyday office use. "I don't want to even try" is not a valid argument to the contrary. If you cannot be bothered that is your choice and in that case you can happily continue to use something else. But for others who wish to gain an advantage in this area, they should give it a try.

 

[ffox]

My initial point was that for a business, Linux is better and costs less than the alternatives, while being easy to learn for everyday office use.

Sorry, but that is an overgeneralisation. What will determine the cost of IT in a business will depend entirely on the hardware and software requirements of each user.
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[Inva]

There is no special hardware or software requirement to use Linux, but it does have an advantage in being able to run on much weaker/older hardware than Windows for example, and taking up much less space too. Also the vast majority of software in Linux is free of charge. In other desktops you have to buy pretty much everything, or obtain it illegally.

 

[ffox]

There is no special hardware or software requirement to use Linux

But software availability is severely limited for Linux OS. This means that Linux users must launch virtual Windows sessions to run software that may be required.

Also the vast majority of software in Linux is free of charge. In other desktops you have to buy pretty much everything, or obtain it illegally.

Are you referring to general office SW, such as word processing and spreadsheet? If so these are also free for Windows and Android. Both Microsoft and Google provide such software totally FoC.

 

[Inva]

Microsoft does not provide Office free of charge and Google provides no office software at all. Google docs is not a full fledget office suite. But i did not mean this. I meant pretty much all software in Linux is free of charge.

Also software availability in Linux is not limited, i don't know where you got that from. If anything, there's more meaningful software in Linux than in Windows. Even those programs which do not have a Linux version can be made to work through special software.

I believe you are 2 decades behind on the state of Linux. The things you say remind me of late 90's or early 2000. That is not how it is anymore.

 

[ffox]

Microsoft does not provide Office free of charge and Google provides no office software at all. Google docs is not a full fledget office suite. But i did not mean this. I meant pretty much all software in Linux is free of charge.

Hmmm. If a person signs up for a free of charge Microsoft account (Hotmail, Outlook, etc) they have totally free access to MS Word, Excel, PowerPoint, Outlook online versions at no cost. Google provide similar for those with free Google accounts.

If you are not referring to Office application software, please let us know what meaningful software (for business) you are referring to.

Even those programs which do not have a Linux version can be made to work through special software.

What special software?

 

[alan1302]

My initial point was that for a business, Linux is better and costs less than the alternatives, while being easy to learn for everyday office use. "I don't want to even try" is not a valid argument to the contrary. If you cannot be bothered that is your choice and in that case you can happily continue to use something else. But for others who wish to gain an advantage in this area, they should give it a try.

I've not seen any proof it's better or cheaper though...when you buy a PC it generally comes with Windows installed and as new PCs Linux ones are not any cheaper.

Microsoft does not provide Office free of charge and Google provides no office software at all. Google docs is not a full fledget office suite. But i did not mean this. I meant pretty much all software in Linux is free of charge.

Also software availability in Linux is not limited, i don't know where you got that from. If anything, there's more meaningful software in Linux than in Windows. Even those programs which do not have a Linux version can be made to work through special software.

I believe you are 2 decades behind on the state of Linux. The things you say remind me of late 90's or early 2000. That is not how it is anymore.

If you want free software then a Windows based PC has loads - Libre Office, Chrome, Firefox, Thunderbird, GIMP, Photoscape, Calibre and many may more. All those are also very high quality.

So why use Linux?

 

[Richard Patey]

I can't wait for the next Surface Pro (5) - have been on Macs since the black and white days and am fed up with Macbooks and my iPad Pro

 

[rusty369]

Update

The Lenovo tablet is incredible.
Battery life is great (not fantastic) easily gets me through a full day.
At the office it runs 3 monitors, the keyboard is one of the best I've ever used on a laptop
It look amazing, always get compliments.
I thought the lack of ports would be an issue, but everything is cloud based so not too much of an issue, i bought a dongle USB C to USB A but don't even think I've used it once.

Cons
The Pen holder is just not secure and the pen falls about everywhere.
Not as popular as the surface therefore accessories are limited (took me a while to find a screen protector, still can't find a case)
Delivery time was 2 weeks longer than estimated.

The new black surface pro looks really good and I probably would choose that if i had the chance again but there was no black colour when I bought the Lenovo.

I'd give the dell XPS 13 7.5/10
The Lenovo would be a solid 9/10

 

[Neromare Works]

I would get the Dell XPS. These are IRON.

 

[alan1302]

I would get the Dell XPS. These are IRON.

Wish they would ... my Dell never has :-(

 

[Neromare Works]

Wish they would ... my Dell never has :-(

I have 3x Dell's.

 

[cmorales]

I have 3x Dell's.

Supposedly I bought that model but my concern is they don't new stock and only a have demo laptop. The problem for demo laptop, the value itself has depreciated. The longer expose the value has continuously depreciated. That's why I choose Lenovo Ideapad. I just use for graphics designs and composing EDM.

 

[SomeGuy64]

Why not take it a step further and go for the Dell XPS 15?

 

[Calvin Crane]

Why not just clean up your existing laptop and install a new battery. Defrag the drive...there are apps that help you if you are not technical. 2 years is not enough to throw it away.

 

[DontAsk]

Why not just clean up your existing laptop and install a new battery. Defrag the drive...there are apps that help you if you are not technical. 2 years is not enough to throw it away.

Yeah, but it's nearer 4 years old now.

But thanks for resurrecting this thread and giving me a good laugh at the Linux v Windows posts.