| Pages in topic: [1 2] > | Poll: When you need to buy new hardware for your office/workstation, how do you usually choose? Thread poster: ProZ.com Staff
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This forum topic is for the discussion of the poll question "When you need to buy new hardware for your office/workstation, how do you usually choose?".
This poll was originally submitted by Francesca Battaglia. View the poll results »
| | | | neilmac
Spain
Local time: 20:28
Spanish to English
+ ...
I ask my (freelance) tech guy for his opinion, or a translator colleague, or a similar knowledgeable person for advice, depending on what the hardware or application may be. I usually get my hardware (PCs) and software from my tech guy, although sometimes I'll buy a laptop which is on offer in stores or shops and get him to rip out all the bundled nonsense-ware and enslaved operating systems they usually come with, before putting in only the software and tools I want. At the end of the day it do... See more I ask my (freelance) tech guy for his opinion, or a translator colleague, or a similar knowledgeable person for advice, depending on what the hardware or application may be. I usually get my hardware (PCs) and software from my tech guy, although sometimes I'll buy a laptop which is on offer in stores or shops and get him to rip out all the bundled nonsense-ware and enslaved operating systems they usually come with, before putting in only the software and tools I want. At the end of the day it doesn't work out much cheaper for me, but at least I get personalised attention and no biased sales pitch.
[Edited at 2016-04-29 08:35 GMT] ▲ Collapse
| | | | Michael Harris 
Germany
Local time: 20:28
Member (2006)
German to English
Do it yourself - I have purchased so many computers / printers, etc. over the years that I have norrowed everything down to what I find to be reliable manufacturers and when the time comes, I either buy directly from Dell or go into a computer shop and buy them there.
I cannot really look at the price as I tend to buy higher quality equipment (up to €1500) as I have to work on them for a while and they must be reliable.
I would love to get a macstation but trados and across ... See more Do it yourself - I have purchased so many computers / printers, etc. over the years that I have norrowed everything down to what I find to be reliable manufacturers and when the time comes, I either buy directly from Dell or go into a computer shop and buy them there.
I cannot really look at the price as I tend to buy higher quality equipment (up to €1500) as I have to work on them for a while and they must be reliable.
I would love to get a macstation but trados and across do not run on them (except for the windows partition - but that is the same as buying a rolls royce with renault engine in it:-))
[Edited at 2016-04-29 12:17 GMT] ▲ Collapse
| | | | | I take the lazy option | Apr 29, 2016 |
I just pick a mid-range model from Dell, knowing that they offer reasonable quality and value.
Computers are so cheap these days that it doesn't seem worth putting more time into it.
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I have been working with the same provider for years. I bought all my hardware (computers, screens, printers, routers...) and software from them. They built, host and run my website and are very helpful whenever I need support…
| | | | Julian Holmes
Japan
Local time: 03:28
Member (2011)
Japanese to English
| Same as Michael | Apr 29, 2016 |
DIY
The OS and programs you run dictate the specifications of the hardware you need. Since both of these are getting bigger and bigger with each upgrade, update and security and other patches, etc., etc., etc., always get as much RAM and disk space as possible with even more extra room to spare.
And, hardware is getting exponentially cheaper, too.
I remember when I had three Mac Pluses. To upgrade RAM from 1 to 2 Mbytes (gasp!), you had to buy two SIMMs (Si... See more DIY
The OS and programs you run dictate the specifications of the hardware you need. Since both of these are getting bigger and bigger with each upgrade, update and security and other patches, etc., etc., etc., always get as much RAM and disk space as possible with even more extra room to spare.
And, hardware is getting exponentially cheaper, too.
I remember when I had three Mac Pluses. To upgrade RAM from 1 to 2 Mbytes (gasp!), you had to buy two SIMMs (Single In-line Memory Modules) which were priced at 98,000 yen each.
Let me 'translate' this for you all. In today's money, that was 1,604.32 Euros just for 2 Megabytes of RAM. AND, I upgraded on all three Macs. Do I hear gasps all round? 
Aaaah, the 'good old days' ▲ Collapse
| | | | | Post removed: This post was hidden by a moderator or staff member for the following reason: Requested by user. | | All of the above! | Apr 29, 2016 |
In other words: ask (clued-up) friends, look online for confirmation, check out the prices, take my remaining options to a specialist retailer, listen to their advice and then, maybe, make the final choice according to brand. A process I'm going to have to start going through sooner rather than later... **SIGH**.
Tiny edit.
[Edited at 2016-04-29 11:20 GMT]
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Michael Harris
Germany
Local time: 20:28
Member (2006)
German to English
Gitte Hovedskov wrote:
Unfortunately, last time I let them choose, they chose an HP laptop for me, and compared to my former, dearly beloved Lenovo ThinkPad, that was a bad decision. The Lenovo was virtually silent, whereas the HP... is not... Deep sigh... Thinking of having the old Lenovo revamped...
And as for Dell... Well... they were my first choice, but I have gone off their printers, because their ink cartridges are so expensive and not compatible (to my knowledge) with any cheaper brands. For that reason alone, I will opt for a printer of a different brand next time. The only problem is that the Dell printer I have now is not likely to burn out any time soon!!
I had to laugh, I bought my first and last HP - It is the worst laptop I had bought until now - €1600!! Two weeks after getting it I wanted to throw it in the bin!
| | | | | It depends on what I need | Apr 29, 2016 |
Michael Harris wrote: Gitte Hovedskov wrote:
Unfortunately, last time I let them choose, they chose an HP laptop for me, and compared to my former, dearly beloved Lenovo ThinkPad, that was a bad decision. The Lenovo was virtually silent, whereas the HP... is not... Deep sigh... Thinking of having the old Lenovo revamped...
And as for Dell... Well... they were my first choice, but I have gone off their printers, because their ink cartridges are so expensive and not compatible (to my knowledge) with any cheaper brands. For that reason alone, I will opt for a printer of a different brand next time. The only problem is that the Dell printer I have now is not likely to burn out any time soon!! I had to laugh, I bought my first and last HP - It is the worst laptop I had bought until now - €1600!! Two weeks after getting it I wanted to throw it in the bin!
Same bad experience here with HP. After 1 year this was the situation:
push the start button at 6:00 am
go and get some logs from the balcony
light a fire
make coffee
ok ready at 6:15 the HP laptop says you can start working
AH obviously the battery was absolutely useless...
So I went to the local Apple store and I bought my MAC...this was 5 years ago, and whatever happens I will buy a new one - I cannot use Trados on this... and you know what? I use wordfast and I am happy with it.
As to other hardware I choose a printer according to functions and price, external hard disks according to quality and price.
| | | | Mario Chavez (X)
Local time: 14:28
English to Spanish
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| A combination of the above | Apr 29, 2016 |
Pollster: think about inserting an A combination of the above option next time.
Like my colleagues, I apply different criteria to arrive at a purchasing decision, knowing that a hardware item I buy today is supposed to last me for 2-5 years (or more).
Not just new hardware in terms of a computer or desktop machine, a netbook or notebook, but also their components. Did you know that today's hard drives fail more often than those purchased in the 90s?
... See more Pollster: think about inserting an A combination of the above option next time.
Like my colleagues, I apply different criteria to arrive at a purchasing decision, knowing that a hardware item I buy today is supposed to last me for 2-5 years (or more).
Not just new hardware in terms of a computer or desktop machine, a netbook or notebook, but also their components. Did you know that today's hard drives fail more often than those purchased in the 90s?
I don't mean to tell others how to do their tech purchases. We all have associates, friends, family members, etc. who may know more than we do about a certain brand or product, or because they use it at work.
But even hardware that should last for decades, like a cellphone, have a built-in degree of obsolescence because that's what the phone makers, software developers and telephone companies want. That's consumer economics to you, mate.
If you had to type up a translation in the middle of the upcoming Digital Dark Ages, you might be lucky if you had a typewriter. Typewriters, well maintained and lubricated, last for decades and decades. Or what about something simpler, like a wrench, a hammer or a screwdriver? They don't need periodic upgrades, and you don't have to replace them every 2 years.
Have you noticed that Windows operating systems still take 35-120 seconds to start up your computer, no matter what year it was made? ▲ Collapse
| | | | Thayenga
Germany
Local time: 20:28
Member (2009)
English to German
+ ...
| A combination | Apr 29, 2016 |
Usually, I stay within a certain branch such as Lenovo and Acer, depending on what I need to get. The other option is to have e. g. a PC built from scratch in a nearby very professional shop. This way I get exactly what I want and need for the type of services I provide.
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Mario Chavez (X)
Local time: 14:28
English to Spanish
+ ...
| Your own IT department | Apr 29, 2016 |
Thayenga wrote:
Usually, I stay within a certain branch such as Lenovo and Acer, depending on what I need to get. The other option is to have e. g. a PC built from scratch in a nearby very professional shop. This way I get exactly what I want and need for the type of services I provide.
I used to have a guy, a former IT staffer, who could build systems from scratch or troubleshoot what I needed to have to replace a part or install new software. That was back in 1997 in Southern California. After that, I had to learn to do things on my own.
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Mario Chavez wrote:
Have you noticed that Windows operating systems still take 35-120 seconds to start up your computer, no matter what year it was made?
stop using windows... I feel so much better now....
| | | | Mario Freitas
Brazil
Local time: 15:28
Member (2014)
English to Portuguese
+ ...
| Internet Search / Quality vs. Price | Apr 30, 2016 |
Of course these walk together hand-in-hand. We always do both when we buy equipment.
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