Windows 10: Sr. Citizen Question: Which HP PC Desktop Question ?

Hello,

Sr. Citizen now, and would appreciate some help..
Have had an HP Desktop for a number of years.
Not perfect, but have had good luck with it. Time for a new one, though.

Am considering another, new Desktop with W10.

Their site doesn't allow a comparison, item by item, so a bit confusing.
A lot of the nuances escape me now.

Was wondering if anyone has a spare minute or two, can discuss the differences between their
three Envy Dektops with W10:

And, if worth the price differential for the two that are more expensive ?

750 z for $ 650
750 st for 700
750 qe for 850

I do a lot of internet surfing, playing wit Photos (of the Grandkid, naturally), but no gaming, social media, etc.
A fair amount of YouTube viewing.

BTW: Think a Lenovo or Dell Desktop offers better quality ? Why ?

HP Desktops still thought of as a "reasonably" quality built product ?

Much thanks,
appreciate the help,
Bob

:)

 

Windows 10 retail license key

I've been looking into possibly getting Windows 10. I found retail license keys being sold on eBay for extremely cheap (under $15). It
seems like there would have to be some issue with these. However, I'm not sure what the problem could be. I've been doing some research. If I understand correctly, if it's retail then it cannot be OEM. Also, if it's retail, I understand it cannot be
a volume license key. From what I understand, it cannot be MSDN, either. If it were simply pirated, then I don't see how it could be activated as they claim it can be. What am I missing? FWIW, it comes from Europe, but claims to be valid worldwide.

(Not linking to the eBay sale as I don't want to "promote" it if there is an issue with it. But what can you suggest to me based on the little info available?)

Edit: A possibility... could it potentially be resold to other parties and activated by them, but then if I reinstall (when enough activations have been done), I will be unable to reactivate again?

 

Desktop icons not moving to bottom row

And I think its happening to a lot of users

Win 10 - Desktop Icons Issue - HP Support Forum - 5169838

My laptop is HP too. and the HP support recommended going back to microsoft

 

Difficult to tell which is best.
the stuff you mention you do on the PC is not very heavy for both the Processor and the amount of memory used.

Whether you prefer Dell or HP or Lenovo is more or less the same as why some people drive a BMW/ Mercedes or Volkswagen.
None of them are bad.... but you might like one better than the other *Smile

Some general specifications:

Processor: I3 is minimal, I5 would be better
Memory: 4GB minimal, 6GB better
Hard drive: preferably an SSD 256 GB (Solid state) for Windows etc en a 2 - 3GB normal drive for your data.
Screen: HD 1920 x 1080 22inch diagonal

Hope this helps

 

Envy Desktop | HP® Official Store Here is a link with all that Models specs and the 750 QE is overkill for what you doing if it was me I would look at the XT version might fit your needs check it out, but if you could afford the Qe go for it its a nice Desktop. Lenovo is good also and so is Dell. I build my own and desktops are of good quality usually today.

 

I think that the HP systems are overpriced, the prices are for the base models, but the key difference are:

Z - AMD CPU, AMD Chipset, AMD integrated graphics, Windows 7

XT- Intel i3 CPU, Intel Chipset, Intel integrated graphics, 12GB RAM, Windows 8

QE - Intel i7 CPU, Intel Chipset, Intel integrated graphics, 2TB Hard Drive, Windows 8


The QE is way higher spec than you need, I would avoid the Z with the AMD chips, which leaves the XT.

However, I would save yourself some money and get one of the Dell Desktops, the i5 model for $499.99 is the best value, it's still higher spec than you need and comes with Windows 10.

Just remember to remove any of the extras they try to get you to buy when you make the purchase!

Inspiron Desktop | Dell

 

I would recommend not getting another desktop system. And until it's known if HP is going to keep making their computers,the new lady CEO is trying to drop them. I would get a nice laptop an ASUS is what i have. Had a HP desktop for years great system and i have an HP laptop also today with Win7Pro, also a great system. I would sure move to a laptop and a Company that will be around to support you for the next say five years.

 

If you like desktops, then stay with them. Regardless of what the "laptop crowd" says, desktops are far from dead!

Laptops have one thing in their favour -- mobility. If you travel and want to take your PC with you, then you need a laptop. If you want to use a PC in different rooms of your house, then you need a laptop. But, if you are comfortable with a PC at home, in one room, and feel no need to carry it around with you -- then a desktop is the best choice.

Also, I know from experience that eyesight gets worse over time, so larger screens offer the ability to enlarge the on-screen text and graphics to make them easier to see. Unless you buy a very large screen laptop, your desktop screen is going to be bigger.

One more thing, if you buy a Win10 laptop, it's likely to be touch screen -- and unless that's something you really like, you'll find it cumbersome to use. Touchscreens on smart phones and smaller tablets are a necessity, but on a laptop, not so much so, and on a desktop -- a pain! So, if you're thinking about a new laptop, try out the touchscreen in a store for a while and see if you like that approach.

 

Hi all,

Just a quick thanks to everyone for helping me out, and taking the time to do so.
Appreciate it.

Will probably have some more (dumb) questions later.
Hard knowing what the wisest choice probably is.
I realize that all of these outfits can be considered as nothing but "re-packagers," but I guess the component quality they pick is most important. and very variable.

Really want it to last a few years without having to replace the HD or video board, like I have had to in my 3-1/2 yr old HP Desktop.

Regards,
Bob

 

I say stick with desktop too, we have never had a 4 year old desktop die on us ,and there is 2 in limited use here that are over 6 years old 'a Dell and Compaq
but we had 2- 4 year old laptops that bit the dust ,a Sony and Toshiba

 

I'm also a sr. citizen. When it comes to laptops I can say this. About 7 years ago, 5 family members all owned HP laptops, all different models. Every one of those laptops had a different hardware issue and quit working within a couple of years, of course out of warranty.

After that, we all bought Dell laptops and not one has failed. Some of us still have the 5 year old Dell laptops, working just fine. I wouldn't buy any HP hardware ever again.

 

I agree with what's being said concerning a laptop vrs a desktop. I have both and in almost every way I prefer my desktop. For light browsing or checking email a laptop or a tablet is fine but for any serious work I go to my desktop. My screen size just works better for my older eyes. If you've looked thru these forums I think you'll find that far more issues have occurred with laptops than with desktops. The reason is that any two are not necessarily the same. They may have the same specs but the brands for the internal components may be completely different and they have to configure their drivers a bit differently for them. Additionally, it's a lot easier to replace or upgrade parts of a desktop than it is a laptop.

Having said all that, you might want to consider going to a local computer store. Not a big box store that just carries the "brands". I can't tell where you're from, but most towns of any size with usually have several near by. I think you'll find that they will be able to custom assemble one for you that has exactly what you need for at least as good a price as the name brands. That also gives you a resource for help or repair if you need it without having to box it up and send it off to god know where.

Harpet's recommendations sounds good.:
Processor: I3 is minimal, I5 would be better
Memory: 4GB minimal, 6GB better
Hard drive: preferably an SSD 256 GB (Solid state) for Windows etc en a 2 - 3GB normal drive for your data.
Screen: HD 1920 x 1080 22inch diagonal
Get them to install Windows 10 on it and you'll be good to go.

Just a little more for you to think about. Good luck.

 

I personally wont sell or recommend any consumer PC ever again.
I think this will do and they are built better the warranty shows.
HP Desktop PC EliteDesk 700 G1 Intel Core i5 4590 4GB DDR3 500GB HDD Windows 7 Professional 64-Bit with Windows 8.1 Pro License - Newegg.com

Upgrade it to 10 yourself and you get PRO and not home.

Install that free SSD and it will scream. $519.99

• Warranty
• Limited Warranty period (parts): 3 years
• Limited Warranty period (labor): 3 years

 

just entering my 2 cents worth... I'm a fan of HP haven't done me wrong other than the "indian" support that doesn't understand English...

I currently have an HP Envy 17 laptop.. was top of line last year but not now...
my specs are
Intel Processor i7 4700 MQ CPU @ 2.40 GHz 2.40 GHz
64bit processor
Intel integrated video with Nvidia integrated video for gaming
16 GB memory on 2 dims
full keyboard with backlit keys
1TB hard drive with a bay for a second drive bay of which I added another 1 TB hard drive
came with windows 8.1 home 64bit upgraded to 8.1 pro then 10 pro
without issues thankfully
IDT/Beats Audio speakers with a plug in jack for headset with mic
DVD/CD burner
fingerprint reader for login instead of pin or password

bought laptop at a discount cause the store was dropping the model had a year warranty 3 months left
have been pleased with it...
follow link for original specs that it was shipped with
HP ENVY 17-j181nr Notebook PC Product Specifications | HP® Customer Support

 

I have a Dell i7 (check my specs)... pretty good screamer.... but what you speced out this might be a good choice... You can just turn right around and bump up to 10.

Dell Inspiron 3847 - Core i5 4460 3.2 GHz - 8 GB RAM - 1 TB HDD - Intel HD Graphics 4600 - Windows 8.1