The PC industry just doesn't get it

The PC industry still doesn't get it - Neowin

"The OEMs need to learn that whether it’s with Windows, Android, Linux, or some other future platform, the only way to win people’s hearts and minds is through good design and execution of products and marketing. Simply packing the most numbers possible into a generic plastic case, and pricing it as low as you can is not a solid marketing strategy. Apple changed the game, and average consumers no longer care, and don’t want to learn what terms like quad-core, GPU, multi-touch, IPS, OLED, etc. mean."
 
:thumbup: Agree. One thing true about Apple products is that they are quality built. Useless OSs, though IMO. That's why MS got into the Surface business. Quality sells. OEMs better think twice for sure.
 

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    8.1 Pro X64
    Computer type
    PC/Desktop
    System Manufacturer/Model
    Acer T690
    CPU
    Intel Pentium D Dual Core
    Motherboard
    Acer/Intel E946GZ
    Memory
    2GB (max upgrade)
    Graphics Card(s)
    Intel Graphics Media Accelerator 3000 - PCI Express x16
    Sound Card
    Integrated RealTek ALC888 high-definition audio with 7.1 channel audio support
    Monitor(s) Displays
    Acer AL1917W A LCD
    Screen Resolution
    1440 X 900
    Hard Drives
    350 GB Seagate Barracuda 7200.10
    Thumb drives
    PSU
    Standard 250 watt
    Case
    Desktop 7.2" (183mm) W x 17.5" (445mm) L x 14.5"
    Cooling
    Dual case fans + CPU fan
    Keyboard
    Acer Windows PS/2
    Mouse
    Wireless Microsoft Arc
    Internet Speed
    54mbp/s
    Browser
    IE11
    Antivirus
    Defender
    Other Info
    Office Pro 2013 / Nokia Lumia 1520 Windows Phone 8.1DP GDR1
I don't mind if they make a Microtosh for the average user. When it comes to a Real PC, the only proper way to do it is to build your own. Most OEM machines are no better than the mobile devices. A Real PC will run rings around mobile devices, primarily due to the video card(which in turn tends to dictate the form factor of the case and power supply).

And it makes no sense to put out an AIO, they would be far better served in putting out a high-quality high-resolution touchscreen monitor with good angles which a Microtosh(or any other computer) can attach to. There is far more need for that.
 

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    Windows 7 on the desktop, Windows 8 Surface Pro mobile
An article extolling pushing up the prices to suit 8.

There is more to it than that.

Apple can charge premium for very good reasons.


it may be the right moment for Microsoft to give up on its OEM-centric mindset and make that move.

Go for it Stevie B. :thumb:
 

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    7/8/ubuntu/Linux Deepin
    Computer type
    PC/Desktop
I don't mind if they make a Microtosh for the average user. When it comes to a Real PC, the only proper way to do it is to build your own. Most OEM machines are no better than the mobile devices. A Real PC will run rings around mobile devices, primarily due to the video card(which in turn tends to dictate the form factor of the case and power supply).

And it makes no sense to put out an AIO, they would be far better served in putting out a high-quality high-resolution touchscreen monitor with good angles which a Microtosh(or any other computer) can attach to. There is far more need for that.

You can get a good prebuilt pc, however most people are looking for the lowest price possible and thus exclude these better built options. I've owned Dell's in the past with good video cards, but I paid extra for them. I usually do build my own, so I can get EXACTLY what I want.
 

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    Windows 7
    System Manufacturer/Model
    Self-Built in July 2009
    CPU
    Intel Q9550 2.83Ghz OC'd to 3.40Ghz
    Motherboard
    Gigabyte GA-EP45-UD3R rev. 1.1, F12 BIOS
    Memory
    8GB G.Skill PI DDR2-800, 4-4-4-12 timings
    Graphics Card(s)
    EVGA 1280MB Nvidia GeForce GTX570
    Sound Card
    Realtek ALC899A 8 channel onboard audio
    Monitor(s) Displays
    23" Acer x233H
    Screen Resolution
    1920x1080
    Hard Drives
    Intel X25-M 80GB Gen 2 SSD
    Western Digital 1TB Caviar Black, 32MB cache. WD1001FALS
    PSU
    Corsair 620HX modular
    Case
    Antec P182
    Cooling
    stock
    Keyboard
    ABS M1 Mechanical
    Mouse
    Logitech G9 Laser Mouse
    Internet Speed
    15/2 cable modem
    Other Info
    Windows and Linux enthusiast. Logitech G35 Headset.
:thumbup: Agree. One thing true about Apple products is that they are quality built. Useless OSs, though IMO. That's why MS got into the Surface business. Quality sells. OEMs better think twice for sure.


Useless, really? I have 3 PC Desktops, a G4 tower, a G3 and a couple of G5's. As old as they are, I have plenty of uses for em. And you are wrong, Apple's OS design did not make Apple or even PC users not care about what's under the hood, on the contrary. And the difference between my iPhone and my Windows 8 is that I have 150 apps on my iPhone, and I have daily uses for all of them, balancing my checkbook, even Photoshop apps with the same features as regular photoshop. Do I not care that my iPhone 4S is a Dual A5? Nope, not at all, it's fast.

The really big difference between Apple iOS and Metro is that I have yet to find one Metro app that affords me the same usefulness as either a Desktop app or any of my iPhone apps - And I have about 75 little useless tiles now. I tyhought I was buying productivity, but got worthlessness instead.
 

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    Windows 8 Pro with Media Center/Windows 7
    Computer type
    PC/Desktop
    System Manufacturer/Model
    Asus M2N-MX SE Plus § DualCore AMD Athlon 64 X2, 2300 MHz (11.5 x 200) 4400+ § Corsair Value Select
    CPU
    AMD 4400+/4200+
    Motherboard
    Asus M2N-MX SE Plus/Asus A8M2N-LA (NodusM)
    Memory
    2 GB/3GB
    Graphics Card(s)
    GeForce 8400 GS/GeForce 210
    Sound Card
    nVIDIA GT218 - High Definition Audio Controller
    Monitor(s) Displays
    Hitachi 40" LCD HDTV
    Screen Resolution
    "1842 x 1036"
    Hard Drives
    WDC WD50 00AAKS-007AA SCSI Disk Device
    ST1000DL 002-9TT153 SCSI Disk Device
    WDC WD3200AAJB-00J3A0 ATA Device
    WDC WD32 WD-WCAPZ2942630 USB Device
    WD My Book 1140 USB Device
    PSU
    Works 550w
    Case
    MSI "M-Box"
    Cooling
    Water Cooled
    Keyboard
    Dell Keyboard
    Mouse
    Microsoft Intellimouse
    Internet Speed
    Cable Medium Speed
    Browser
    Chrome/IE 10
    Antivirus
    Eset NOD32 6.x/Win Defend
    Other Info
    Recently lost my Windows 8 on my main PC, had to go back to Windows 7.
I don't mind if they make a Microtosh for the average user. When it comes to a Real PC, the only proper way to do it is to build your own. Most OEM machines are no better than the mobile devices. A Real PC will run rings around mobile devices, primarily due to the video card(which in turn tends to dictate the form factor of the case and power supply).

And it makes no sense to put out an AIO, they would be far better served in putting out a high-quality high-resolution touchscreen monitor with good angles which a Microtosh(or any other computer) can attach to. There is far more need for that.

I agree that I should be able to take any MACOS for Intel Install Disk and install it into any PC I have that has a core duo or better. I have gotten old copies of OSx86 installed on old Dells, which seem to have similar chipsets to Apple. Applke's big mistake, actually Steve Job's big mistake is taking down the Darwin Project.

The reasoning Apple uses is that when you buy an Apple PC or Device, the OS is part of it, this is a foreign concept to us, who use PC's and install all kinds of OS's from Linux to Hackintosh.

I've always built my own PC's and even when I had to buy a new one, I've wiped the drive and installed my own OS, always. The Big Desktop Makers, they will sell you a PC, and you have this little "Press F11" button to reinstall the OS, what they never tell you is that you really need a Windows 7 or 8 Disk to do that, and they never provide one for you. Or, they hide it, mislabel it as a "reinstall features" disk.

But I don't get what you mean by AIO's are not a good idea, one thing I thought that was great with Windows 7 was that the install disk I bought had all versions of Windows 7 on it, and I've used them all finally settling for Ultimate. Do you mean OS's that are all in one? I think this is what Microsoft tried to do with Windows 8, but it is too much "all in one" - It needs to be differentiated, there shoudl be RT only OS's and Desktop-Only OS's.

When people are backed up against a wall with a "no choice" scenario - That's when they MAKE their own choices. The desktop is the core of any Windows OS, taking it out will make people run for Apple, Linux and Windows 7.
 

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    Windows 8 Pro with Media Center/Windows 7
    Computer type
    PC/Desktop
    System Manufacturer/Model
    Asus M2N-MX SE Plus § DualCore AMD Athlon 64 X2, 2300 MHz (11.5 x 200) 4400+ § Corsair Value Select
    CPU
    AMD 4400+/4200+
    Motherboard
    Asus M2N-MX SE Plus/Asus A8M2N-LA (NodusM)
    Memory
    2 GB/3GB
    Graphics Card(s)
    GeForce 8400 GS/GeForce 210
    Sound Card
    nVIDIA GT218 - High Definition Audio Controller
    Monitor(s) Displays
    Hitachi 40" LCD HDTV
    Screen Resolution
    "1842 x 1036"
    Hard Drives
    WDC WD50 00AAKS-007AA SCSI Disk Device
    ST1000DL 002-9TT153 SCSI Disk Device
    WDC WD3200AAJB-00J3A0 ATA Device
    WDC WD32 WD-WCAPZ2942630 USB Device
    WD My Book 1140 USB Device
    PSU
    Works 550w
    Case
    MSI "M-Box"
    Cooling
    Water Cooled
    Keyboard
    Dell Keyboard
    Mouse
    Microsoft Intellimouse
    Internet Speed
    Cable Medium Speed
    Browser
    Chrome/IE 10
    Antivirus
    Eset NOD32 6.x/Win Defend
    Other Info
    Recently lost my Windows 8 on my main PC, had to go back to Windows 7.
:thumbup: Agree. One thing true about Apple products is that they are quality built. Useless OSs, though IMO. That's why MS got into the Surface business. Quality sells. OEMs better think twice for sure.


Useless, really? I have 3 PC Desktops, a G4 tower, a G3 and a couple of G5's. As old as they are, I have plenty of uses for em. And you are wrong, Apple's OS design did not make Apple or even PC users not care about what's under the hood, on the contrary. And the difference between my iPhone and my Windows 8 is that I have 150 apps on my iPhone, and I have daily uses for all of them, balancing my checkbook, even Photoshop apps with the same features as regular photoshop. Do I not care that my iPhone 4S is a Dual A5? Nope, not at all, it's fast.

The really big difference between Apple iOS and Metro is that I have yet to find one Metro app that affords me the same usefulness as either a Desktop app or any of my iPhone apps - And I have about 75 little useless tiles now. I tyhought I was buying productivity, but got worthlessness instead.
Why would you have 150 apps on an iphone?
 

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    Windows 8.1 Pro
    Computer type
    PC/Desktop
    System Manufacturer/Model
    ASUS
    CPU
    AMD FX 8320
    Motherboard
    Crosshair V Formula-Z
    Memory
    16 gig DDR3
    Graphics Card(s)
    ASUS R9 270
    Screen Resolution
    1440x900
    Hard Drives
    1 TB Seagate Barracuda (starting to hate Seagate)
    x2 3 TB Toshibas
    Windows 8.1 is installed on a SanDisk Ultra Plus 256 GB
    PSU
    OCZ 500 watt
    Case
    A current work in progres as I'll be building the physical case myself. It shall be fantastic.
    Cooling
    Arctic Cooler with 3 heatpipes
    Keyboard
    Logitech K750 wireless solar powered keyboard
    Mouse
    Microsoft Touch Mouse
    Browser
    Internet Explorer 11
    Antivirus
    Windows Defender, but I might go back on KIS 2014
Well, you spend 3 minutes in every app = 450 minutes ÷ 60 = 7.5 hours. That's a good days work. :p
 

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    8.1 Pro X64
    Computer type
    PC/Desktop
    System Manufacturer/Model
    Acer T690
    CPU
    Intel Pentium D Dual Core
    Motherboard
    Acer/Intel E946GZ
    Memory
    2GB (max upgrade)
    Graphics Card(s)
    Intel Graphics Media Accelerator 3000 - PCI Express x16
    Sound Card
    Integrated RealTek ALC888 high-definition audio with 7.1 channel audio support
    Monitor(s) Displays
    Acer AL1917W A LCD
    Screen Resolution
    1440 X 900
    Hard Drives
    350 GB Seagate Barracuda 7200.10
    Thumb drives
    PSU
    Standard 250 watt
    Case
    Desktop 7.2" (183mm) W x 17.5" (445mm) L x 14.5"
    Cooling
    Dual case fans + CPU fan
    Keyboard
    Acer Windows PS/2
    Mouse
    Wireless Microsoft Arc
    Internet Speed
    54mbp/s
    Browser
    IE11
    Antivirus
    Defender
    Other Info
    Office Pro 2013 / Nokia Lumia 1520 Windows Phone 8.1DP GDR1
See, the irony right now for me is that I read this today and yesterday, a friend passed off their newish "Windows 8 Certified PC" to me, the quotes I'll rant about later. Wow, basically, this laptop is the Kia of laptop PCs. It's basically the reason why the author wrote this article: it's a half assed effort to say the least.

To start off with, there are LITERALLY four key differences between that laptop model with Windows 7 and 8: UEFI BIOS, a Windows 8 sticker on the bottom, the new Start key, and an updated driver with the touchpad to support the edge gestures and such. The touchpad....ugh. By FAR too small, I kind of understand why some here on the forums have complained about a new laptop switching apps or opening the Charms when moving the mouse. I'm guessing their touchpad is too small too. Basically, the size of the touchpad plus the mouse buttons is actually smaller than the size than most proper nontouch Windows 8 laptops. It's just WAY TOO small, it even annoys me. It's difficult to get a pinch to zoom gesture, awkward to do edge gestures.

Next, there is the build quality of it: again, cheap half assed effort. The battery cover material isn't the same as the rest of the laptop, you can tell. It's just another cheap black plastic laptop. It has this awful tiled, raised texturing on it as well as on the touchpad. Ick. When I got it, the access panel on the bottom was almost about to pop off, as there was LITERALLY one screw holding the whole panel in place, as well as ONE screw holding the hard drive caddy in place. Speaking of that, this laptop uses a Seagate drive, a very slim ultrabook geared hard drive as it's a good several millimeters thinner than a 250 gig hard drive from a few years ago. That one is a 320 gig one, I had to take a second look at it as it was thinner than usual. But anyways, the hard drive caddy is a reused on for a drive that is thicker one, from about a couple years ago, so you can see some flexing on the caddy on the bottom.

Then there is the lid, this one is a nit pick as well but noticeable. There is a small tab/lip on the lid of the laptop center front as normal to open the thing up. Well, generally, you should see and feel a smooth indent on the bottom half under that lip so you can easily open the lid up without prying it open. That indent is usually on the touchpad, just past the mouse buttons or on the palm rest bezel, but centered with the lid tab. On this laptop, nope. That concave indent is off centered by a long shot. It's just weird. Overall, the whole thing feels like it's just spare parts lying around slapped together. Even with the bottom access panel off, you can tell that chassis can hold a few different motherboards as the CMOS battery seems like it can be in two different places. Actually yeah, there is an HDMI port that isn't there, it's covered as there isn't one in this particular model.

There is a certain threshold of cheap and cost effective. It seems OEMs are crossing over to cheap as honestly, I've seen cheap laptops before better built than this. I've seen netbooks built with more balls than this Toshiba. I've seen Acer laptops in recent years built better than this. Terrible.

You can really tell why Microsoft is building their own tablet PCs, and maybe in the future an ultrabook PC. OEMs still haven't gotten their poop in a group yet and probably won't ever. This happened with vista, and is happening now. And speaking of such, vista. The quotes I used around "Windows 8 Certified PC" also goes back to vista where OEMs built PCs that were "vista capable" but meant, "This here is designed to run Windows xp, but we added like a gig or so of RAM, so it should run vista just fine." NOT!
 

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    Windows 8.1 Pro
    Computer type
    PC/Desktop
    System Manufacturer/Model
    ASUS
    CPU
    AMD FX 8320
    Motherboard
    Crosshair V Formula-Z
    Memory
    16 gig DDR3
    Graphics Card(s)
    ASUS R9 270
    Screen Resolution
    1440x900
    Hard Drives
    1 TB Seagate Barracuda (starting to hate Seagate)
    x2 3 TB Toshibas
    Windows 8.1 is installed on a SanDisk Ultra Plus 256 GB
    PSU
    OCZ 500 watt
    Case
    A current work in progres as I'll be building the physical case myself. It shall be fantastic.
    Cooling
    Arctic Cooler with 3 heatpipes
    Keyboard
    Logitech K750 wireless solar powered keyboard
    Mouse
    Microsoft Touch Mouse
    Browser
    Internet Explorer 11
    Antivirus
    Windows Defender, but I might go back on KIS 2014
:thumbup: Agree. One thing true about Apple products is that they are quality built. Useless OSs, though IMO. That's why MS got into the Surface business. Quality sells. OEMs better think twice for sure.

The thing about apple is that they do build really top notch quality hardware, that's pretty hard to argue if you compare the class level of the macs they build versus the PC. A macbook air is built usually rather well than a netbook, but arguably the netbook is a better buy over the mac obviously. Their hardware is always built minimally, no over the top lighting or textures or something weird, just clean and modern. Honestly, Windows 8 looks better on a mac than mac os. apple's software is what is sucky for sure. They're even getting behind with ios 7, and it's reported that it will have a UI overhaul, and I bet you anything it will be a Windows Phone/metro design knockoff as we've seen already with itunes 11.... I will be the VERY first to slander them for doing such.
 

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    Windows 8.1 Pro
    Computer type
    PC/Desktop
    System Manufacturer/Model
    ASUS
    CPU
    AMD FX 8320
    Motherboard
    Crosshair V Formula-Z
    Memory
    16 gig DDR3
    Graphics Card(s)
    ASUS R9 270
    Screen Resolution
    1440x900
    Hard Drives
    1 TB Seagate Barracuda (starting to hate Seagate)
    x2 3 TB Toshibas
    Windows 8.1 is installed on a SanDisk Ultra Plus 256 GB
    PSU
    OCZ 500 watt
    Case
    A current work in progres as I'll be building the physical case myself. It shall be fantastic.
    Cooling
    Arctic Cooler with 3 heatpipes
    Keyboard
    Logitech K750 wireless solar powered keyboard
    Mouse
    Microsoft Touch Mouse
    Browser
    Internet Explorer 11
    Antivirus
    Windows Defender, but I might go back on KIS 2014
You can really tell why Microsoft is building their own tablet PCs, and maybe in the future an ultrabook PC. OEMs still haven't gotten their poop in a group yet and probably won't ever.
Well, Microsoft built hardware is far from perfect. Take for instance the Surface Pro. Comes with a great stylus. Problem is, there is no place to firmly attach that stylus. It clips via the magnetic charge port and can very easily be knocked off and lost. Not to mention, every time you have to charge the device, you have to remove the stylus and put it elsewhere. It's the first thing people lose on their surface pro.. And it's $30 to replace. I cannot believe MS didn't come up with something a whole hell of a lot better.
 

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    Windows 7
    System Manufacturer/Model
    Self-Built in July 2009
    CPU
    Intel Q9550 2.83Ghz OC'd to 3.40Ghz
    Motherboard
    Gigabyte GA-EP45-UD3R rev. 1.1, F12 BIOS
    Memory
    8GB G.Skill PI DDR2-800, 4-4-4-12 timings
    Graphics Card(s)
    EVGA 1280MB Nvidia GeForce GTX570
    Sound Card
    Realtek ALC899A 8 channel onboard audio
    Monitor(s) Displays
    23" Acer x233H
    Screen Resolution
    1920x1080
    Hard Drives
    Intel X25-M 80GB Gen 2 SSD
    Western Digital 1TB Caviar Black, 32MB cache. WD1001FALS
    PSU
    Corsair 620HX modular
    Case
    Antec P182
    Cooling
    stock
    Keyboard
    ABS M1 Mechanical
    Mouse
    Logitech G9 Laser Mouse
    Internet Speed
    15/2 cable modem
    Other Info
    Windows and Linux enthusiast. Logitech G35 Headset.
You can really tell why Microsoft is building their own tablet PCs, and maybe in the future an ultrabook PC. OEMs still haven't gotten their poop in a group yet and probably won't ever.
Well, Microsoft built hardware is far from perfect. Take for instance the Surface Pro. Comes with a great stylus. Problem is, there is no place to firmly attach that stylus. It clips via the magnetic charge port and can very easily be knocked off and lost. Not to mention, every time you have to charge the device, you have to remove the stylus and put it elsewhere. It's the first thing people lose on their surface pro.. And it's $30 to replace. I cannot believe MS didn't come up with something a whole hell of a lot better.
I say it's a lot more perfect than most OEM PCs for sure.

The ipad isn't perfect and far from it as well.

Everything is far from perfect, even Windows 8.
 

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    Windows 8.1 Pro
    Computer type
    PC/Desktop
    System Manufacturer/Model
    ASUS
    CPU
    AMD FX 8320
    Motherboard
    Crosshair V Formula-Z
    Memory
    16 gig DDR3
    Graphics Card(s)
    ASUS R9 270
    Screen Resolution
    1440x900
    Hard Drives
    1 TB Seagate Barracuda (starting to hate Seagate)
    x2 3 TB Toshibas
    Windows 8.1 is installed on a SanDisk Ultra Plus 256 GB
    PSU
    OCZ 500 watt
    Case
    A current work in progres as I'll be building the physical case myself. It shall be fantastic.
    Cooling
    Arctic Cooler with 3 heatpipes
    Keyboard
    Logitech K750 wireless solar powered keyboard
    Mouse
    Microsoft Touch Mouse
    Browser
    Internet Explorer 11
    Antivirus
    Windows Defender, but I might go back on KIS 2014
And also far more expensive too.
 

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    Windows 7
    System Manufacturer/Model
    Self-Built in July 2009
    CPU
    Intel Q9550 2.83Ghz OC'd to 3.40Ghz
    Motherboard
    Gigabyte GA-EP45-UD3R rev. 1.1, F12 BIOS
    Memory
    8GB G.Skill PI DDR2-800, 4-4-4-12 timings
    Graphics Card(s)
    EVGA 1280MB Nvidia GeForce GTX570
    Sound Card
    Realtek ALC899A 8 channel onboard audio
    Monitor(s) Displays
    23" Acer x233H
    Screen Resolution
    1920x1080
    Hard Drives
    Intel X25-M 80GB Gen 2 SSD
    Western Digital 1TB Caviar Black, 32MB cache. WD1001FALS
    PSU
    Corsair 620HX modular
    Case
    Antec P182
    Cooling
    stock
    Keyboard
    ABS M1 Mechanical
    Mouse
    Logitech G9 Laser Mouse
    Internet Speed
    15/2 cable modem
    Other Info
    Windows and Linux enthusiast. Logitech G35 Headset.
There are plenty of notebooks etc that are well designed and built, but you pay for them. I have a couple of old Fujitsu notebooks and they are very good, a bit old in the design stakes nowadays, but still working and holding together very well.

That said, there is nothing wrong with what some call 'cheap and nasty', they serve a valid need where many people can't afford higher quality devices. It's also less of a loss if the cheaper devices get damaged or lost.

I have a what would be called a 'cheap and nasty' mobile phone, one of these in fact: http://zte.com.au/telstra/T95.htm. At $49 it bests my $500 HTC Touch Diamond II in many respects, the most important being able to make phone calls. It's actually a smart phone, which you wouldn't know by looking at the specs.

So many current smart phone reviews 'ooh and aah' about the camera, speaker/s, speed, look and feel etc and hardly ever talk about reception quality, the very reason for a mobile phone. I don't need a Windows 'anything' phone anymore, I need one that works first and foremost as an exceptional phone, all the other things I can do by tethering to my tablet, which this phone also does exceptionally well.

That's why that article doesn't hit the mark. There is, and needs to be, room for devices at all price ranges, which is why the likes of the Kia etc are so popular.
 

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    Windows Phone 6, Windows CE 5, Windows Vista x32, Windows 7 x32/x64, Windows 8 x64
Yep, my wife has a 500 laptop simply because we have kids and we accepted that if it gets damaged we will just replace it. And it's still going strong.
 

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    Windows 7
    System Manufacturer/Model
    Self-Built in July 2009
    CPU
    Intel Q9550 2.83Ghz OC'd to 3.40Ghz
    Motherboard
    Gigabyte GA-EP45-UD3R rev. 1.1, F12 BIOS
    Memory
    8GB G.Skill PI DDR2-800, 4-4-4-12 timings
    Graphics Card(s)
    EVGA 1280MB Nvidia GeForce GTX570
    Sound Card
    Realtek ALC899A 8 channel onboard audio
    Monitor(s) Displays
    23" Acer x233H
    Screen Resolution
    1920x1080
    Hard Drives
    Intel X25-M 80GB Gen 2 SSD
    Western Digital 1TB Caviar Black, 32MB cache. WD1001FALS
    PSU
    Corsair 620HX modular
    Case
    Antec P182
    Cooling
    stock
    Keyboard
    ABS M1 Mechanical
    Mouse
    Logitech G9 Laser Mouse
    Internet Speed
    15/2 cable modem
    Other Info
    Windows and Linux enthusiast. Logitech G35 Headset.
There are plenty of notebooks etc that are well designed and built, but you pay for them. I have a couple of old Fujitsu notebooks and they are very good, a bit old in the design stakes nowadays, but still working and holding together very well.

That said, there is nothing wrong with what some call 'cheap and nasty', they serve a valid need where many people can't afford higher quality devices. It's also less of a loss if the cheaper devices get damaged or lost.

I have a what would be called a 'cheap and nasty' mobile phone, one of these in fact: http://zte.com.au/telstra/T95.htm. At $49 it bests my $500 HTC Touch Diamond II in many respects, the most important being able to make phone calls. It's actually a smart phone, which you wouldn't know by looking at the specs.

So many current smart phone reviews 'ooh and aah' about the camera, speaker/s, speed, look and feel etc and hardly ever talk about reception quality, the very reason for a mobile phone. I don't need a Windows 'anything' phone anymore, I need one that works first and foremost as an exceptional phone, all the other things I can do by tethering to my tablet, which this phone also does exceptionally well.

That's why that article doesn't hit the mark. There is, and needs to be, room for devices at all price ranges, which is why the likes of the Kia etc are so popular.
Nokia Lumia 520 - Affordable Windows Phone with Dual Core Processor - Nokia

Nokia Lumia 520 Smartphone 4,0 Zoll schwarz: Amazon.de: Elektronik

Like I said before, there is a line between cheap and cost effective. Take a look at the Nokia Lumia 520, it is BY FAR the least expensive Windows Phone 8 handset, BY FAR well built than other handsets in that price range, and doesn't compromise user experience. You have features you would want for a low end smartphone, at a real good price, but not shoddy quality at all. That's what isn't seen much in the PC industry. Most what you see on the low end is just that, low end, cheap, and doesn't provide a stellar experience.

Oh, and speaking of hyndais and kias...

Hyundai, Kia Recall 1.7 Million Vehicles on Electronics - Businessweek

:)
 

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    Windows 8.1 Pro
    Computer type
    PC/Desktop
    System Manufacturer/Model
    ASUS
    CPU
    AMD FX 8320
    Motherboard
    Crosshair V Formula-Z
    Memory
    16 gig DDR3
    Graphics Card(s)
    ASUS R9 270
    Screen Resolution
    1440x900
    Hard Drives
    1 TB Seagate Barracuda (starting to hate Seagate)
    x2 3 TB Toshibas
    Windows 8.1 is installed on a SanDisk Ultra Plus 256 GB
    PSU
    OCZ 500 watt
    Case
    A current work in progres as I'll be building the physical case myself. It shall be fantastic.
    Cooling
    Arctic Cooler with 3 heatpipes
    Keyboard
    Logitech K750 wireless solar powered keyboard
    Mouse
    Microsoft Touch Mouse
    Browser
    Internet Explorer 11
    Antivirus
    Windows Defender, but I might go back on KIS 2014
Yep, my wife has a 500 laptop simply because we have kids and we accepted that if it gets damaged we will just replace it. And it's still going strong.
The average price of a decent laptop is 500 dollars. Under that is just usually corner cutting. I worked on this ASUS laptop recently that was about that price range and was VERY nice to use for Windows 8. If it were red....

It wasn't a cruddy system either, take off a dozen screws, pop the assembly open, and everything you'd need to access is there. Put it back to together and you don't know that it's a cost effective PC. ASUS makes an ultrabook version of that made out of metal I think.... That's a good example of cost effective over cheap.
 

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    Windows 8.1 Pro
    Computer type
    PC/Desktop
    System Manufacturer/Model
    ASUS
    CPU
    AMD FX 8320
    Motherboard
    Crosshair V Formula-Z
    Memory
    16 gig DDR3
    Graphics Card(s)
    ASUS R9 270
    Screen Resolution
    1440x900
    Hard Drives
    1 TB Seagate Barracuda (starting to hate Seagate)
    x2 3 TB Toshibas
    Windows 8.1 is installed on a SanDisk Ultra Plus 256 GB
    PSU
    OCZ 500 watt
    Case
    A current work in progres as I'll be building the physical case myself. It shall be fantastic.
    Cooling
    Arctic Cooler with 3 heatpipes
    Keyboard
    Logitech K750 wireless solar powered keyboard
    Mouse
    Microsoft Touch Mouse
    Browser
    Internet Explorer 11
    Antivirus
    Windows Defender, but I might go back on KIS 2014
[Nokia Lumia 520 - Affordable Windows Phone with Dual Core Processor - Nokia

Nokia Lumia 520 Smartphone 4,0 Zoll schwarz: Amazon.de: Elektronik

Like I said before, there is a line between cheap and cost effective. Take a look at the Nokia Lumia 520, it is BY FAR the least expensive Windows Phone 8 handset, BY FAR well built than other handsets in that price range, and doesn't compromise user experience. You have features you would want for a low end smartphone, at a real good price, but not shoddy quality at all. That's what isn't seen much in the PC industry. Most what you see on the low end is just that, low end, cheap, and doesn't provide a stellar experience.

Oh, and speaking of hyndais and kias...

Hyundai, Kia Recall 1.7 Million Vehicles on Electronics - Businessweek

:)

Look here: Telstra - Nokia Mobile Phones & Plans. If it doesn't have the Blue Tick, it's useless in country/rural areas. I don't see the 520 listed.

And speaking of recalls:

Cars

Toyota recalls 2.8m cars over steering and water pump faults | Business | guardian.co.uk

Toyota Lead Number of Recalled Vehicles in 2012 | AutoGuide.com News

knife/gun fight.
 

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    Windows Phone 6, Windows CE 5, Windows Vista x32, Windows 7 x32/x64, Windows 8 x64
[Nokia Lumia 520 - Affordable Windows Phone with Dual Core Processor - Nokia

Nokia Lumia 520 Smartphone 4,0 Zoll schwarz: Amazon.de: Elektronik

Like I said before, there is a line between cheap and cost effective. Take a look at the Nokia Lumia 520, it is BY FAR the least expensive Windows Phone 8 handset, BY FAR well built than other handsets in that price range, and doesn't compromise user experience. You have features you would want for a low end smartphone, at a real good price, but not shoddy quality at all. That's what isn't seen much in the PC industry. Most what you see on the low end is just that, low end, cheap, and doesn't provide a stellar experience.

Oh, and speaking of hyndais and kias...

Hyundai, Kia Recall 1.7 Million Vehicles on Electronics - Businessweek

:)

Look here: Telstra - Nokia Mobile Phones & Plans. If it doesn't have the Blue Tick, it's useless in country/rural areas. I don't see the 520 listed.

And speaking of recalls:

Cars

Toyota recalls 2.8m cars over steering and water pump faults | Business | guardian.co.uk

Toyota Lead Number of Recalled Vehicles in 2012 | AutoGuide.com News

knife/gun fight.

I bloody don't care if you can't use the 520, I'm using that to make a point which you obviously dodged.
 

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    Windows 8.1 Pro
    Computer type
    PC/Desktop
    System Manufacturer/Model
    ASUS
    CPU
    AMD FX 8320
    Motherboard
    Crosshair V Formula-Z
    Memory
    16 gig DDR3
    Graphics Card(s)
    ASUS R9 270
    Screen Resolution
    1440x900
    Hard Drives
    1 TB Seagate Barracuda (starting to hate Seagate)
    x2 3 TB Toshibas
    Windows 8.1 is installed on a SanDisk Ultra Plus 256 GB
    PSU
    OCZ 500 watt
    Case
    A current work in progres as I'll be building the physical case myself. It shall be fantastic.
    Cooling
    Arctic Cooler with 3 heatpipes
    Keyboard
    Logitech K750 wireless solar powered keyboard
    Mouse
    Microsoft Touch Mouse
    Browser
    Internet Explorer 11
    Antivirus
    Windows Defender, but I might go back on KIS 2014
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