Acer laptop lasted 1.25 years

[Shaun @ Tru6]

Bought an Aspire 3 for Durametric for the Cayenne, used it probably 10 times, needed to check the truck today before getting an inspection sticker and the screen is modern art. Actually quite pretty but the computer is junk since replacing the screen is $350.

Any recommendations on a basic laptop that will last longer than a year?


EDIT: Friend just recommended I go with a MacBook and run Parallels for $100. I have a 2013 MacBook Pro that I use every day and still works great so I'm going to go that route.

[recycled sixtie]

I have an HP Envy 17 inch screen corei5. It is big and quite heavy because of the big screen. I have had it a year and a half. I use it lots and has been reliable. It cost $800 cdn or about $600 US. I bought it from Costco and I believe it has a year warranty.

[rfuerst911sc]

Dell supposedly is still good quality.

[Shaun @ Tru6]

Thanks Guys, a friend just recommended I go with a MacBook and run Parallels for $100. I have a 2013 MacBook Pro that I use every day and still works great so I'm going to go that route.

[TimT]

I've bought used Toughbooks for track and garage use....

They are exactly what the name implies...Tough....rugged case, HDD is cushioned etc..

https://www.bobjohnson.com/toughbooks/

[stomachmonkey]

Originally Posted by Shaun @ Tru6

Thanks Guys, a friend just recommended I go with a MacBook and run Parallels for $100. I have a 2013 MacBook Pro that I use every day and still works great so I'm going to go that route.

Bootcamp the MBP.

[Shaun @ Tru6]

Originally Posted by stomachmonkey

Bootcamp the MBP.

Why BC vs. ||s?

[rusnak]

I did the same thing. Bought a used Dell to use only with the Durametric. It worked out OK, but then PD put their Acer laptops on sale, so I upgraded. It's doing great around 2 years later. The one I had trouble with is the Lenovo that I got from Costco. It $iht the bed in around 1 year.

So my question is about the new MacBooks. They use the much talked about RISC architecture? They say the newest ones are even faster. I have to say I'm really temped to buy a MBP, not for Durametric but for work.

[stevej37]

I'm on year 11 with my Dell laptop....still works great.

[matthewb0051]

I currently have a Dell with Inspiron 15 5000 with 15.6 inch screen. It has been great. My only complaint is the storage isn't enough for all the body cam videos I get for my criminal cases.

Ended up with a external drives, which worked great until I accidentally dropped one and lost all of the data on it. Had to replace that with one that is allegedly shock proof.

[9dreizig]

Originally Posted by Shaun @ Tru6

Why BC vs. ||s?

BC doesn't work with the new M1 processor that Apple now uses..

[stomachmonkey]

Originally Posted by Shaun @ Tru6

Why BC vs. ||s?

More reliable.

Parralels is great but can get weird with certain hardware and has to used shared resources, processor cores, RAM, etc... so you never get the full benefit of the host hardware.

[Shaun @ Tru6]

Originally Posted by stomachmonkey

More reliable.

Parralels is great but can get weird with certain hardware and has to used shared resources, processor cores, RAM, etc... so you never get the full benefit of the host hardware.

Thanks Scott, I'll check out BC too. But Parallels has worked great for 4+ years now. The secret is to never upgrade. That may or may not always work.

Going to the Apple store tonight to swap iPhone, mine is twitchy, and have them put Mojave on the MBPro. I've stuck with Mojave on my 2018 i7 iMac and it's been as rock solid as a Steve Jobs OS for the most part.

[Shaun @ Tru6]

Originally Posted by rusnak

I did the same thing. Bought a used Dell to use only with the Durametric. It worked out OK, but then PD put their Acer laptops on sale, so I upgraded. It's doing great around 2 years later. The one I had trouble with is the Lenovo that I got from Costco. It $iht the bed in around 1 year.

So my question is about the new MacBooks. They use the much talked about RISC architecture? They say the newest ones are even faster. I have to say I'm really temped to buy a MBP, not for Durametric but for work.

There are things to consider when getting a new M1 and M2 chip Mac, the biggest of which is software. I bought an M1 Mac Mini last year to look at pictures of hardware laid out, to lay it out again by customer after plating. It is fast. It won't run any software I have. Dropbox doesn't support it which is the whole architecture of picture taking: take pics, put in customer folder, share with customer, confirm details, plate hardware, lay it out again, all via Dropbox.

Since DB doesn't support the M1 chips, I have to download the folder and then go from there. Small potatoes but also Apple's Numbers is like a 3rd grader looked at Excel and copied it. So there's that.

[stomachmonkey]

[QUOTE=Shaun @ Tru6;11717440
Since DB doesn't support the M1 chips[/QUOTE]

It's not the chipset.

Dropbox like any other non M1 native app will run under Rosetta Stone.

It's Apples security initiatives.

The same thing broke a lot of cloud storage desktop apps. The cloud based storage still works the same using the browser interface, it's just the local sync apps that need upgrading for the new security standards.

People love to throw dirt at Apple but they are the only ones actively working to secure users data and their privacy.

[stomachmonkey]

Originally Posted by Shaun @ Tru6

The secret is to never upgrade.

If you have one of the older perpetual licenses you can't get updates. Only yearly licensed versions get upgrades.

[Shaun @ Tru6]

Originally Posted by stomachmonkey

It's not the chipset.

Dropbox like any other non M1 native app will run under Rosetta Stone.

It's Apples security initiatives.

The same thing broke a lot of cloud storage desktop apps. The cloud based storage still works the same using the browser interface, it's just the local sync apps that need upgrading for the new security standards.

People love to throw dirt at Apple but they are the only ones actively working to secure users data and their privacy.

I talked with Apple for an hour yesterday. Their position is we lead the way and others can't keep up. I'm OK with that except it didn't happen under Jobs. I am not a Cook fan.

[Shaun @ Tru6]

Originally Posted by stomachmonkey

If you have one of the older perpetual licenses you can't get updates. Only yearly licensed versions get upgrades.

It always wants me to update. I never do. Works perfectly as is.

[stomachmonkey]

Originally Posted by Shaun @ Tru6

I talked with Apple for an hour yesterday. Their position is we lead the way and others can't keep up. I'm OK with that except it didn't happen under Jobs. I am not a Cook fan.

We all want Steve back.

But to be fair to Cook, the issues Apple are leading on today were not as much of a concern to consumers a decade ago.

Last 5-6 years people are far more aware of and concerned with privacy.

I don't think it's a bad play to position yourself as the company that wants to help protect you rather then sell you.

[Shaun @ Tru6]

new screen on the phone, Mojave on the MBPro. Noticed the battery is bulging so I have to replace that. Things are looking up.