Should I get a new computer at work?
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Thanks for the replies! I decided that a third monitor would make me a bit more productive, and, digitalman is right about being crazy to turn down a new computer. New computer specs (the University goes with Dell): Windows 7 Professional 64-bit Intel Core2 Quad 4GB ram New 24" widescreen monitor 512MB Nvidia 4-DVI port graphics card 160gb 10k rpm sata drive
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I was asked if I wanted a new computer. The one I have is admittedly old (5 years old), but works like a champ. Windows XP, Pentium 4 with hyperthreading, 2.5GB ram, dual monitors. It runs concurrently VS2008, outlook, firefox, antivirus, sql server management studio and whatever else I happen to have open just fine. If it ain't broke, don't fix it? Or is it broke simply because its old? I could get a laptop and docking station and that would give me some mobility and probably equivalent performance. On the other hand it would be a Windows 7 machine and I'd have to deal with switching costs and invest the time it takes to set up a new machine. Also, I get annoyed by transparent windows. I work at a University, so the next time they ask me would be next year around this time. Not sure what to do, any suggestions?
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Sounds like a decent gaming box
Nah, Graphics too feeble for gaming ;p Seriously - I bought a desktop that almost matches these specs by the end of last year, did go with better graphics for gaming and a lot bigger hard disk. You'll only need a top end graphics cards for gaming or heavy CAD workstations, so unless you do either any 512 MB card should be fine. Also you probably need much less hard disk space if there are network drives around to put your heavy data loads (if you actually have such). As for switching to a new machine - when I installed W7 on my new machine (yes I did that myself) it was the smoothest OS installation I've ever seen! W7 is so incredibly stable even on the early releases, you can hardly believe it's really from MS! And the time to reinstall applications is well worth the smoothness and stability of the new OS. I did have 2 blue screens during the past half year, but at least one of them was due to a BIOS problem, not W7, and it's quite possible the second was as well, although I cannot say for sure. Only bad thing I noticed about W7 is it's annoying way to automatically assign sound output (and input) channels to devices depending on application, and the complete lack of documentation or intuitive ways to reassign them (if it is at all possible). One thing you have to watch out for when installing older applications is where they go: since Vista, applications are not allowed to store data at runtime into installation folders, and the whole default program installation path is such an installation folder. So any application that breaks this rule (e. g. by storing some kind of settings file, or other data) has to go to the Users\public\ folder instead. You may have to manually adapt the installation path in these cases. Most apps should work fine when installed in the default folder though, so when in doubt just give it a try.
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Nobody in the their right mind turns down a new machine. If you get to keep the old one then what have yo to lose?
me, me, me "The dinosaurs became extinct because they didn't have a space program. And if we become extinct because we don't have a space program, it'll serve us right!" Larry Niven
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Thanks for the replies! I decided that a third monitor would make me a bit more productive, and, digitalman is right about being crazy to turn down a new computer. New computer specs (the University goes with Dell): Windows 7 Professional 64-bit Intel Core2 Quad 4GB ram New 24" widescreen monitor 512MB Nvidia 4-DVI port graphics card 160gb 10k rpm sata drive
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I was asked if I wanted a new computer. The one I have is admittedly old (5 years old), but works like a champ. Windows XP, Pentium 4 with hyperthreading, 2.5GB ram, dual monitors. It runs concurrently VS2008, outlook, firefox, antivirus, sql server management studio and whatever else I happen to have open just fine. If it ain't broke, don't fix it? Or is it broke simply because its old? I could get a laptop and docking station and that would give me some mobility and probably equivalent performance. On the other hand it would be a Windows 7 machine and I'd have to deal with switching costs and invest the time it takes to set up a new machine. Also, I get annoyed by transparent windows. I work at a University, so the next time they ask me would be next year around this time. Not sure what to do, any suggestions?
Do you lose any time using this computer? If not... keep what you have... Unless you need to be working on a new OS... then maybe a new computer is the right thing for you
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Thanks for the replies! I decided that a third monitor would make me a bit more productive, and, digitalman is right about being crazy to turn down a new computer. New computer specs (the University goes with Dell): Windows 7 Professional 64-bit Intel Core2 Quad 4GB ram New 24" widescreen monitor 512MB Nvidia 4-DVI port graphics card 160gb 10k rpm sata drive
What are the real reasons for the new computer..... Does your department "have to spend it's budget or it will lose it" ? Sign me "disenchanted with your decision"
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I was asked if I wanted a new computer. The one I have is admittedly old (5 years old), but works like a champ. Windows XP, Pentium 4 with hyperthreading, 2.5GB ram, dual monitors. It runs concurrently VS2008, outlook, firefox, antivirus, sql server management studio and whatever else I happen to have open just fine. If it ain't broke, don't fix it? Or is it broke simply because its old? I could get a laptop and docking station and that would give me some mobility and probably equivalent performance. On the other hand it would be a Windows 7 machine and I'd have to deal with switching costs and invest the time it takes to set up a new machine. Also, I get annoyed by transparent windows. I work at a University, so the next time they ask me would be next year around this time. Not sure what to do, any suggestions?
Some times it's best if the developer's computer is indicative of the majority of computers in the infrastructure. That was when you write and test code it will be a on the same platform as you coworkers. If your computer is slower than when testing for responsiveness you'll have an edge. However, if everyone else has Windows 7 and you're on XP then that is a problem. Best bet is to get a new PC along with a dual monitor KVM switch and keep you old machine for testing purposes.
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Get Moar RAM. It's a 64 bit box, after all. It needs moar RAM, and moar RAM does mkae a difference. The only advantage of the 64 bit OS is that you can use moar RAM. Also, 4GB RAM seems a bit low. (Looks like you are trying to stay in budget, though. I'd go for the 300GB Velociraptor, too. 160GB isn't that much anymore. And remember: two separate drives are the poor man's RAID).
Agh! Reality! My Archnemesis![^]
| FoldWithUs! | sighist | µLaunch - program launcher for server core and hyper-v server. -
I was asked if I wanted a new computer. The one I have is admittedly old (5 years old), but works like a champ. Windows XP, Pentium 4 with hyperthreading, 2.5GB ram, dual monitors. It runs concurrently VS2008, outlook, firefox, antivirus, sql server management studio and whatever else I happen to have open just fine. If it ain't broke, don't fix it? Or is it broke simply because its old? I could get a laptop and docking station and that would give me some mobility and probably equivalent performance. On the other hand it would be a Windows 7 machine and I'd have to deal with switching costs and invest the time it takes to set up a new machine. Also, I get annoyed by transparent windows. I work at a University, so the next time they ask me would be next year around this time. Not sure what to do, any suggestions?
A 5 year old computer won't last forever. Get the new one unless your budget will allow replacing mid-year. I'm starting to use Windows 7 at home just to keep "current" in the job market. Work uses XP. And is just getting away from 2000 (ugh). Currently typing on a laptop with 2 external monitors displaying. See if you have options with a docking station for multiple monitors. My cheap station only allows one high def port, and one VGA. The laptop display is good, but tiny for my eyes for any length of time... My desktop is still usable, but I may have finally lost excuses for powering it up. Some day it'll probably be taken for a contractor...
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What is Moar RAM? Is it faster than DDR3? Just kidding...you need a spellchecker (or get Firefox).
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What are the real reasons for the new computer..... Does your department "have to spend it's budget or it will lose it" ? Sign me "disenchanted with your decision"
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I was asked if I wanted a new computer. The one I have is admittedly old (5 years old), but works like a champ. Windows XP, Pentium 4 with hyperthreading, 2.5GB ram, dual monitors. It runs concurrently VS2008, outlook, firefox, antivirus, sql server management studio and whatever else I happen to have open just fine. If it ain't broke, don't fix it? Or is it broke simply because its old? I could get a laptop and docking station and that would give me some mobility and probably equivalent performance. On the other hand it would be a Windows 7 machine and I'd have to deal with switching costs and invest the time it takes to set up a new machine. Also, I get annoyed by transparent windows. I work at a University, so the next time they ask me would be next year around this time. Not sure what to do, any suggestions?
Others have said it, but I feel it needs be said again so the point gets across. Why ever would you have to ask this question? The answer is, and always will be, unequivocally yes. And make it snappy. ;P Five years old isn't bad, and sounds like a decent work machine, but if you can do things faster and easier, why not?
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What is Moar RAM? Is it faster than DDR3? Just kidding...you need a spellchecker (or get Firefox).