[Aroy]

Originally Posted by amitpunjani

I am planning to procure a PC only normal stuff, no hifi gamming. Truly confused between two things, which company should I prefer HP or Dell, and my second confusions is which is better ALL in One Monitor Type or Conventional Tower Type.

Gut feeling says, Tower type are better as All In One Monitor will expensive to maintain in case there is some problem in the long run. Guru's pls help

If your dad does not need a large screen (> 15") and you do not plan to upgrade it in future, then a Laptop is the most optimum solution. It may be more expensive than a desktop but here are some advantages
. UPS - none required
. Table space - smaller foot print
. Portable - can be used any where in the house

Apart from this service is similar and so is the failure rate.

[arunphilip]

Originally Posted by Aroy

If your dad does not need a large screen (> 15") and you do not plan to upgrade it in future, then a Laptop is the most optimum solution. It may be more expensive than a desktop but here are some advantages
. UPS - none required
. Table space - smaller foot print
. Portable - can be used any where in the house

Apart from this service is similar and so is the failure rate.

Very good points, and yes, a laptop is a compelling alternative, particularly due to its battery and portability. I'd only point out the need to consider:
. Posture - a laptop in itself does not lend itself to good posture, we'd need to either use a stand or a separate keyboard
. Size of items on screen - The screen size point you've mentioned becomes even more a consideration for elders. My dad has a 20" display which allows him to run it at 125% scaling (at least, I think its 125% if not 150%) which makes it easier on the eye. Laptops with 15" or smaller screens are usually 1366x768 in the cheaper models, and maybe 1600x900 or 1920x1080. If its the former (1366x768), any scaling factor will result in very little content being displayed.

[Aroy]

Originally Posted by arunphilip

Very good points, and yes, a laptop is a compelling alternative, particularly due to its battery and portability. I'd only point out the need to consider:
. Posture - a laptop in itself does not lend itself to good posture, we'd need to either use a stand or a separate keyboard
. Size of items on screen - The screen size point you've mentioned becomes even more a consideration for elders. My dad has a 20" display which allows him to run it at 125% scaling (at least, I think its 125% if not 150%) which makes it easier on the eye. Laptops with 15" or smaller screens are usually 1366x768 in the cheaper models, and maybe 1600x900 or 1920x1080. If its the former (1366x768), any scaling factor will result in very little content being displayed.

1. You can always use an external display and keyboard with a laptop. That way you can choose both items that suit you without having a laptop with similar specs.

2. For posture one can place a laptop on the table, but yes the option of just using it any where can result in bad posture

[NOS Power]

Regarding the 1600x900 and 1920x1080 laptop screens. God help you if the screen becomes damaged. Even the company service center's don't have replacement screens. They only have the 1366x768 screens.

Recently faced this issue with my wife's HP laptop's 1080p screen.

[TorqueyTechie]

Folks,

Need your suggestions in what would be the best thing to do for my dilemma.

What I have currently is an old computer (think P3 bought way back in 2004) which is not being used at all. I was planning to replace that with an All-In-One so that I can always have a reliable system at home. Also having an AIO will help in space saving as well. But I also started thinking of using my existing laptop (either macbook air or Dell laptop) and connect it to a external keyboard and monitor using a dock. But I may have to change the dock incase if I change my laptop(s). So what do you guys suggest? Should I go ahead with an AIO or should i simply buy a dock and a bigger monitor and work with it?

I would also need help in deciding
(i) IF AIO then which one is good say in a budget of 30K
(ii) If dock then would I get an universal dock? () or should i buy a different ones?

[Thad E Ginathom]

All-in-one... Labour-saving device because you have only one thing to throw away when part of it goes wrong. Consider the advantages of the traditional, easy to tinker, easy to repair, easy to upgrade, desk side/top system!

[sukhoi]

Originally Posted by TorqueyTechie

I was planning to replace that with an All-In-One so that I can always have a reliable system at home. Also having an AIO will help in space saving as well. But I also started thinking of using my existing laptop (either macbook air or Dell laptop) and connect it to a external keyboard and monitor using a dock.

Would recommend to go with the laptop setup since you have two laptops already. Supplement with a good bigger monitor (or a dual setup) & keyboard / mouse.

Never worked with a dock so do not know much about it. Maybe a third option, rather than buying a dock, what if you connect the keyboard, mouse and monitor(s) to your laptop directly through HDMI/Display port & USB ports? That is what I do for my office laptop, connect to monitor via HDMI to VGA converter and keyboard, mouse using USB ports.

Cheers,
S

[Aroy]

A laptop is way better that AIO, as it is light, has power backup (battery) and is portable. AIO has all the negatives of a laptop without any of its plusses.

My sons connect external keyboards and monitors to their Macs when ever they work at a desk. That way you have portability of a laptop and display & keyboard of a desktop.

[NetfreakBombay]

Originally Posted by TorqueyTechie

But I may have to change the dock incase if I change my laptop(s).

Dock should not be required anymore. since :

1. Laptops usually have USB port to connect Keyboard + Mouse
2. Laptops have hdmi/dvi/displayport to directly connect to external monitor or TV

[Thad E Ginathom]

My monitor has failed. It displays for 2 seconds and then goes off.
I am sending it to see if it can be repaired, but otherwise will buy new.

I have always wanted to buy Dell Ultrasharp. Even though a lot more expensive.

Currently have Samsung 22 inch. Am planning to buy Dell U2415, 24 inch.

The only doubt I have is that yesterday I read an article saying that Dell do not repair/support at all after end of 3 year warranty.

Any comment or suggestion?

By the way: I insist on 16:10. I do not want a 16:9 screen

[NetfreakBombay]

Originally Posted by Thad E Ginathom

The only doubt I have is that yesterday I read an article saying that Dell do not repair/support at all after end of 3 year warranty.

This is correct. Dell would not entertain repairs unless normal/extended warranty is in-force. Other brand also quote exorbitant prices and resort to "Panel replacement is required".

Best recourse for such cases is to take monitor to nearby TV mechanic. If it is something simple (like blown capacitor in power supply or corroded contact in a switch), it would cost few hundred rupees to fix.

[Thad E Ginathom]

Originally Posted by NetfreakBombay

This is correct. Dell would not entertain repairs unless normal/extended warranty is in-force. Other brand also quote exorbitant prices and resort to "Panel replacement is required". ...

OK, so I'm really not much worse off, in that respect, with the Dell than with the others. Thanks Netfreak.

We have a good local PC maintenance company. They do not do monitor (or, I think, other component-level repairs themselves, but have just taken my monitor to the guys they use.

It is a peculiar fault. When power, or mode, cycled, it will display for just over one second and then go blank. Also if signal cable is unplugged/plugged. Same for VGA or DVI. And the same right from BIOS display, so it is not a software issue.

And the borrowed monitor I have now is working fine, so it is not a display-adapter problem.

[NetfreakBombay]

Originally Posted by Thad E Ginathom

It is a peculiar fault. When power, or mode, cycled, it will display for just over one second and then go blank.

Most PC shops would not be able to fix it, but TV repair shops should be able to handle it.

My guess is, this points to a blown capacitor in LCD Inverter (circuit that powers CFL/ LED in monitor).

http://www.instructables.com/id/How-...verter-Using-/

[Thad E Ginathom]

Thanks. Interesting test with the torch. I didn't know about that.

Anyway, it is on its way to see a specialist. We'll see what happens.

[Thad E Ginathom]

Originally Posted by NetfreakBombay

Best recourse for such cases is to take monitor to nearby TV mechanic. If it is something simple (like blown capacitor in power supply or corroded contact in a switch), it would cost few hundred rupees to fix.

Originally Posted by Thad E Ginathom

It is a peculiar fault. When power, or mode, cycled, it will display for just over one second and then go blank.

Originally Posted by NetfreakBombay

My guess is, this points to a blown capacitor in LCD Inverter (circuit that powers CFL/ LED in monitor).

Diagnosis: back light is dead. Replacement cost Rs2,600. Option to replace entire screen for about 5K. Maintenance man suggested just replace light: better to put 5K towards new monitor, and I agree. This monitor cost about 13K, five or six years ago.

So, I should get it back with a new backlight tomorrow, and I don't get to spend ten times the cost on a new Dell Ultrasharp! Time to review the budget for the new solar inverter