ProZ.com Translation Forums

Choosing a computer (UK) | Typoz

Tom in London — Tue, 17 Oct 2017 07:30:00 +0000

Forum: Hardware
Topic: Choosing a computer (UK)
Poster: Tom in London
Post title: Typoz

[quote]Josephine Cassar wrote:
.....help me prevent typos? Thank you. [/quote]

The best way to prevent typos is....don't type, use dictation. If you buy a Mac, you get Dictation free, in almost all the language pairs you can think of.

I used to be very slow at typing, and made mistakes all the time. I tried various auto-typing add-ons to try and cut down on the typos, but to little avail. Then as dictation technology improved, I started trying it. Now I use it all the time, and type as little as possible. It's wonderful to speak a word like "archaeology" and watch the computer writing it, correctly, every time!

[Edited at 2017-10-17 07:31 GMT]

Choosing a computer (UK) | Mechanical vs external keyboard

Samuel Murray — Tue, 17 Oct 2017 07:11:00 +0000

Forum: Hardware
Topic: Choosing a computer (UK)
Poster: Samuel Murray
Post title: Mechanical vs external keyboard

[quote]Josephine Cassar wrote:
[quote]Merab Dekano wrote:
As for external keyboard, it has to be mechanical. Blue switches... Brown switches ... Red switches... [/quote]
I really don't understand the 'red, blue or brown' switches...[/quote]

An "external keyboard" is a keyboard that is separate from the computer or laptop. Of the various types of external keyboards that have separate keys, some are "membrane" keyboards and some are "mechanical" keyboards.

The words "membrane" and "mechanical" refer to what is underneath the keys and does not refer to what the keys look like from the outside (many "membrane" keyboards look very similar to "mechanical" keyboards). Some people believe that membrane keyboards are bad and that mechanical keyboards are good.

Mechanical keyboards are classified by the colour that is tradisionally used for the component under the key (you often can't see this colour if you look at the keyboard from the outside, and not all manufacturers use the colours or use the same colours).

Here's a good overview of the types of keys:
[url removed]

It takes quite a bit of practice to successfully switch from membrane to mechanical, because you have to learn not to press so hard (but you do have to press hard enough). The main thing about mechanical keyboards is that you don't have to press the key in all the way before it registers, and on some keyboards you may have to allow the key to raise a fair bit before you can press it again, otherwise the key won't register the second press.

[Edited at 2017-10-17 07:29 GMT]

Choosing a computer (UK) | Switches

Dan Lucas — Mon, 16 Oct 2017 09:11:00 +0000

Forum: Hardware
Topic: Choosing a computer (UK)
Poster: Dan Lucas
Post title: Switches

[quote]Josephine Cassar wrote:
I really don't understand the 'red, blue or brown' switches, excuse but I am very 'un-tech savvy'. Care to explain? And how they help me prevent typos? Thank you. [/quote]
Different key switches (with Cherry being the classic example) have a different typing "feel". Read [url= [url removed] ]this[/url] for details.

Choosing a computer (UK) | I really do not understand

Josephine Cassar — Mon, 16 Oct 2017 06:52:00 +0000

Forum: Hardware
Topic: Choosing a computer (UK)
Poster: Josephine Cassar
Post title: I really do not understand

[quote]Merab Dekano wrote:

As for external keyboard, it has to be mechanical. Blue switches are too noisy. If your partner doesn't care, this is the best option for typing. Brown switches are a compromise; still noisy but not too much and they still let you feel the key "travel" (so you know you punched that key and thereby avoid typos). In other words, very much recommended. Red switches are more "silent", but not so good for typing. Shorter keyboards (called 10 keyless) are better that huge chunk of metal or plastic pieces, because shorter keyboards let you keep your arms in a natural posture when manipulating the mouse.

Good luck!

[Edited at 2017-10-15 21:27 GMT] [/quote]
I really don't understand the 'red, blue or brown' switches, excuse but I am very 'un-tech savvy'. Care to explain? And how they help me prevent typos? Thank you.

Choosing a computer (UK) | i7-7700HQ/16GB/1TB+256SSD/GTX1050/15"

Merab Dekano — Sun, 15 Oct 2017 21:25:00 +0000

Forum: Hardware
Topic: Choosing a computer (UK)
Poster: Merab Dekano
Post title: i7-7700HQ/16GB/1TB+256SSD/GTX1050/15"

I use Asus with i7-7700HQ processor (i5 would work fine too), 16GB RAM (8GB would do the job just fine), 1TB HD (nor relevant; it's just there), 256GB SSD (very important; makes all programs run much faster and 256GB is more than enough), GTX1050 graphic card (it's a bonus; we, translators, don't really need it) and 15.6" monitor.

On top of that, I use 24" high resolution external screen, a high precision mouse and an external 10 keyless keyboard with brown switches.

Laptop costs around 1,000 euros (with reduced tax rate in Canary Islands, Spain; in the rest of Europe it would cost about 1,150 euros). If you go with i5, 8GB, drop the HD and graph. card, you can probably trim it down to 700 - 750 euros. As many people said in this forum, this is your main source of income, so don't compromise. You don't want your Trados or whatever program you are using make you keep waiting and waiting while it opens a project. Therefore, never drop SSD from the equation.

External monitor is a must. Choice is wide.

As for external keyboard, it has to be mechanical. Blue switches are too noisy. If your partner doesn't care, this is the best option for typing. Brown switches are a compromise; still noisy but not too much and they still let you feel the key "travel" (so you know you punched that key and thereby avoid typos). In other words, very much recommended. Red switches are more "silent", but not so good for typing. Shorter keyboards (called 10 keyless) are better that huge chunk of metal or plastic pieces, because shorter keyboards let you keep your arms in a natural posture when manipulating the mouse.

Last advice; go with gaming machines with the above mentioned specifications, because those laptops are built with abuse in mind (by the way, I don't even know how to "game"; never did, probably will never do). If you take care of them, they will last for 5 - 7 years (longer than that and SSD, wich isn't a physical drive, wears out "electronically").

Good luck!

[Edited at 2017-10-15 21:27 GMT]

Choosing a computer (UK) | Entry level for whom?

Mario Chavez (X) — Sun, 15 Oct 2017 20:53:00 +0000

Forum: Hardware
Topic: Choosing a computer (UK)
Poster: Mario Chavez (X)
Post title: Entry level for whom?

[quote]Lincoln Hui wrote:

[quote]That may be so, but the computer you describe is not what I would call an "entry-level" computer.
[/quote]
[quote]Samuel Murray wrote:
It's difficult to define "entry-level" computer, but I would consider it a computer that has more or less the "recommended" specifications to run its operating system. This means, for computers running Windows 7, 8 and 10, a 1 GHz processor with 1-2 GB of RAM, and an 800x600 monitor.
[/quote]
I literally won't be able to find such a system on the market, not when you can get a better netbook for $200. Maybe you can call that the entry level. [/quote]

There's no entry-level level that is universal in scope. I'm sure law office admins have different needs than, say, project managers at a translation agency. I wouldn't be too quick to generalize.

On the other hand, I sense a confusion between entry-level computer and no-frills or cheap computer. The Chromebook sold at electronics stores around America and elsewhere surely qualifies as too entry level for my taste (i.e. useless).

Choosing a computer (UK) | Entry level

Lincoln Hui — Fri, 13 Oct 2017 04:30:00 +0000

Forum: Hardware
Topic: Choosing a computer (UK)
Poster: Lincoln Hui
Post title: Entry level

[quote]That may be so, but the computer you describe is not what I would call an "entry-level" computer.
[/quote]
[quote]Samuel Murray wrote:
It's difficult to define "entry-level" computer, but I would consider it a computer that has more or less the "recommended" specifications to run its operating system. This means, for computers running Windows 7, 8 and 10, a 1 GHz processor with 1-2 GB of RAM, and an 800x600 monitor.
[/quote]
I literally won't be able to find such a system on the market, not when you can get a better netbook for $200. Maybe you can call that the entry level.

Choosing a computer (UK) | PC Specialist

Angela Malik — Fri, 13 Oct 2017 02:06:00 +0000

Forum: Hardware
Topic: Choosing a computer (UK)
Poster: Angela Malik
Post title: PC Specialist

[quote]Olly Pekelharing wrote:

I am on my second custom-built laptop (the first is still working fine but I skimped too much on the specs) and am really impressed by the quality, including the keyboard, which I use full time (although increasingly less due to speech recognition). You could have a look at [url removed] or similar (I have no experience with this company, I bought mine from a Dutch business).

Regards,

Olly

[/quote]

I haven't read this entire thread, so apologies if anything I say is redundant. I am using a custom-built desktop PC that I purchased through PC Specialist back in 2012. It was a great experience and their customer service was really perfect. I sent them my chosen specs and a list of all the software and hardware I would need to run at the same time on the machine, plus general specs for that. They made relevant suggestions and my computer was delivered quickly. They also send follow-up messages every year to check that everything is still OK with your machine.

My PC is still running just about as fast as it was when I first got it, although I am thinking about upgrading my equipment this or next year just to stay on top of things, technologically speaking. When I do, I will definitely use PC Specialist again.

Choosing a computer (UK) | @Lincoln

Samuel Murray — Thu, 12 Oct 2017 16:21:00 +0000

Forum: Hardware
Topic: Choosing a computer (UK)
Poster: Samuel Murray
Post title: @Lincoln

[quote]Lincoln Hui wrote:
15 years ago, an entry-level computer was a desktop with a bottom-pile Celeron or Duron and 128MB RAM, maybe 256MB if you're lucky, in the middle of the golden era of trash Taiwanese capacitors and no-brand power supplies. That computer could barely get into Windows XP or do basic word processing... [/quote]

15 years ago I was working for a company that thought that translators don't need fast computers, and so my workhorse was a Pentium 133 with 32 MB RAM. It ran Windows 95 and Word 2000 at speeds that were not significantly slower than my home computer at the time (at double the specs).

It's difficult to define "entry-level" computer, but I would consider it a computer that has more or less the "recommended" specifications to run its operating system. This means, for computers running Windows 7, 8 and 10, a 1 GHz processor with 1-2 GB of RAM, and an 800x600 monitor.

But perhaps that is too restrictive... perhaps there is another, better way to define "entry-level" computer. Your take?

[quote]Today, ~$500 USD buys you a full-fledged laptop with a quad-core CPU, 8GB RAM, 128GB SSD and all the accessories such as optical drive, card reader, webcam, and full HD display. [/quote]

That may be so, but the computer you describe is not what I would call an "entry-level" computer.

Choosing a computer (UK) | Separate keyboard...

Denise Baldry — Thu, 12 Oct 2017 11:22:00 +0000

Forum: Hardware
Topic: Choosing a computer (UK)
Poster: Denise Baldry
Post title: Separate keyboard...

Thanks, all for some very useful replies. For some reason, buying a separate keyboard has never occurred to me, but it seems obvious now! I'm very happy otherwise with my latest Asus, so I'll give the rather weak keyboard a rest during desk work and follow this advice! Brillianr

Choosing a computer (UK) | Building your own computer

Mario Chavez (X) — Wed, 11 Oct 2017 15:48:00 +0000

Forum: Hardware
Topic: Choosing a computer (UK)
Poster: Mario Chavez (X)
Post title: Building your own computer

[quote]Olly Pekelharing wrote:

I am on my second custom-built laptop (the first is still working fine but I skimped too much on the specs) and am really impressed by the quality, including the keyboard, which I use full time (although increasingly less due to speech recognition). You could have a look at [url removed] or similar (I have no experience with this company, I bought mine from a Dutch business).

Regards,

Olly

[/quote]

Some of us translators are adept, from experience or just because we love to tinker with things, at building our own equipment with different degrees of difficulty.

Since 1992, I've done all my upgrades myself (most times I learned to replace hard drives or other components by trial and error, or with guidance from a friend). Depending on a computer guy is risky because a) it can be very expensive and b) the guy may not be immediately available to solve your problem. So it pays to learn to do proper maintenance, repair and upgrades on your own.

Choosing a computer (UK) | When buying new PC, ditch the OEM keyboard and mouse

Mario Chavez (X) — Wed, 11 Oct 2017 15:42:00 +0000

Forum: Hardware
Topic: Choosing a computer (UK)
Poster: Mario Chavez (X)
Post title: When buying new PC, ditch the OEM keyboard and mouse

[quote]Oliver Walter wrote:

Similar to the comments from Tony and one or two others: I use external keyboards with my laptop computers because
(1) I prefer the relatively long movement of the keys,
(2) I can rest my wrists on a supporting pad between me and the keyboard without having to take care to avoid touching the touch pad or the buttons next to it,
(3) the separate keyboard (probably most of those available) has a separate numeric keypad, which makes it easier and quicker to type accented characters (needed in French & German etc.) while the keyboard is in English mode; e.g. for "e-acute" (é) I press the Alt key and type 0233 on the numeric keypad, or capital u-umlaut (Ü) is Alt and 0220.
Mouse: I much prefer a separate mouse, connected via a USB cable, so no problems with batteries. Mine is the "Microsoft optical mouse" which, for me, is just the right size and shape (unlike a touchpad).
One of my external keyboards is rather old (it's the one i'm using now) and has a PS/2 connector - round and about 9 mm diameter; it's connected to a computer USB port via an adapter.
BTW: If your computer has too few USB ports, there are adapters available which typically enable you to plug up to 4 USB devices into 1 USB port, e.g. external keyboard, external mouse, printer, flash memory stick, external loudspeakers. I bought mine (brand name Hama) from Rymans a few months ago for about 8 GBP.
[/quote]

I've bought several brand-new PC (Windows) computers over the last couple decades. I've long learned to get rid of the OEM keyboard and mouse that come with them because of their flimsy construction (they're cheap and branded).

Out of ergonomic concerns and to alleviate tennis elbow on both arms (a sequential event since 2016, now almost resolved), I decided to invest in a $120 mechanical switch keyboard with separate numeric keypad. Like Oliver, I use it a lot to type accented characters in Spanish, French and/or Portuguese (or in other languages when I do multilingual typesetting). The mouse thing was a radical change. After years of using travel mice and medium-sized traditional mice, I opted for a vertical mouse this year. In mid 2017, I bought a Delux ($15 new), which was my tryout model; then I purchased a gently used Evoluent 4 (medium sized, for right hand), which is now my go-to mouse. No wrist or arm pain.

Choosing a computer (UK) | Lenovo user

Mario Chavez (X) — Wed, 11 Oct 2017 15:37:00 +0000

Forum: Hardware
Topic: Choosing a computer (UK)
Poster: Mario Chavez (X)
Post title: Lenovo user

[quote]Jean Dimitriadis wrote:

Hello Denise,

I suggest a ThinkPad or a higher-end IdeaPad by Lenovo. This is what I use.

They all boast excellent keyboards and features. Be sure to test the keyboard yourself in a physical store to make sure it fits you, even if you end up ordering online.

Of course, you can always use an external keyboard if you prefer doing so. And a warranty extension is not an unwelcome investment for professionals.

Jean

[Edited at 2017-10-11 07:18 GMT] [/quote]

Years ago, when IBM sold its Thinkpad unit to Lenovo (China), I was highly skeptical and thought that was the end of the line for IBM as far as computers go. Fortunately, I was wrong in my anxiety.

I bought a new Lenovo IdeaCentre K330 desktop computer (Intel i7 quad processor) in late 2010 or earlier 2011 (I can't recall and the PDF file with the invoice is too far away from my keyboard). As a rule, I replace my desktop every 2-4 years. I haven't had to replace my Lenovo. I have, however, upgraded it as follows:

1) Topped RAM to 16 GB
2) Replaced HDD from 1 TB to 2 TB
3) Added new top-of-the-line sound card
4) Added new top-of-the-line second video card (I use 4 monitors)
5) Replaced PSU (power supply unit) from puny 280 W (OEM) to wonderful 450 W

I did all these upgrades myself.

:)

Choosing a computer (UK) | External keyboard and mouse

Oliver Walter — Wed, 11 Oct 2017 15:00:00 +0000

Forum: Hardware
Topic: Choosing a computer (UK)
Poster: Oliver Walter
Post title: External keyboard and mouse

Similar to the comments from Tony and one or two others: I use external keyboards with my laptop computers because
(1) I prefer the relatively long movement of the keys,
(2) I can rest my wrists on a supporting pad between me and the keyboard without having to take care to avoid touching the touch pad or the buttons next to it,
(3) the separate keyboard (probably most of those available) has a separate numeric keypad, which makes it easier and quicker to type accented characters (needed in French & German etc.) while the keyboard is in English mode; e.g. for "e-acute" (é) I press the Alt key and type 0233 on the numeric keypad, or capital u-umlaut (Ü) is Alt and 0220.
Mouse: I much prefer a separate mouse, connected via a USB cable, so no problems with batteries. Mine is the "Microsoft optical mouse" which, for me, is just the right size and shape (unlike a touchpad).
One of my external keyboards is rather old (it's the one i'm using now) and has a PS/2 connector - round and about 9 mm diameter; it's connected to a computer USB port via an adapter.
BTW: If your computer has too few USB ports, there are adapters available which typically enable you to plug up to 4 USB devices into 1 USB port, e.g. external keyboard, external mouse, printer, flash memory stick, external loudspeakers. I bought mine (brand name Hama) from Rymans a few months ago for about 8 GBP.

Choosing a computer (UK) | @Denise and all respondents: thanks!

Victoria Britten — Wed, 11 Oct 2017 14:32:00 +0000

Forum: Hardware
Topic: Choosing a computer (UK)
Poster: Victoria Britten
Post title: @Denise and all respondents: thanks!

Just that this is a very timely question - and set of replies - for me. I am laptop-trained by now, and being able to move it around from place to place is undoubtedly convenient, but I am beginning to be (uncomfortably) aware of its inadequacies ergonomically speaking and am glad to hear people speaking so positively of external keyboards. I hadn't however thought of adding an external monitor, too - two screens at once, wow!
(FWIW my 15" Acer laptop, which set me back about 600 euros a year ago, is in other respects very satisfactory. I back it up to cloud storage, not having any major confidentiality issues to worry about.)

Choosing a computer (UK) | External keyboard and screen, SSD

Anna Giulia Musso — Wed, 11 Oct 2017 14:24:00 +0000

Forum: Hardware
Topic: Choosing a computer (UK)
Poster: Anna Giulia Musso
Post title: External keyboard and screen, SSD

I have an external keyboard and a big external screen, so i basically only use my laptop keyboard when I'm away.

Last year I bought a new pc, it's a Dell and a friend suggested me to go for a PC with SSD. Well, it was a great advice.
It's much faster than conventional computers with HDD (to try the difference, go to a computer store and try to open MS Word with a HDD and a SSD, you'll notice the difference). I've had it for one year and it hasn't slown down a bit.
For the same price you get less memory space with an SSD in comparison to a HDD, but you can compensate with external hard discs.
Hope it helps!

Choosing a computer (UK) | Entry level?

Lincoln Hui — Wed, 11 Oct 2017 13:20:00 +0000

Forum: Hardware
Topic: Choosing a computer (UK)
Poster: Lincoln Hui
Post title: Entry level?

[quote] There was a time when I recommended an "entry level" computer to new translators, but these days the entry-level computers are crap.[/quote]
I beg to differ quite strongly.

15 years ago, an entry-level computer was a desktop with a bottom-pile Celeron or Duron and 128MB RAM, maybe 256MB if you're lucky, in the middle of the golden era of trash Taiwanese capacitors and no-brand power supplies. That computer could barely get into Windows XP or do basic word processing, and god help you if you try to play a DVD using a graphics chip that had no hardware acceleration to speak of. Good luck finding ANY laptop under $1K USD.

10 years ago you were looking at Semprons and Celerons and 512MB-1GB RAM that could get you moving a little on Windows Vista in everyday use, but any sort of multi-tasking or multimedia still brought it to its knees. Laptops were beginning to catch up, but any decent laptop was expensive.

Today, ~$500 USD - which wouldn't even buy you that bottom-end desktop 15 years ago - buys you a full-fledged laptop with a quad-core CPU, 8GB RAM, 128GB SSD and all the accessories such as optical drive, card reader, webcam, and full HD display. It's fast enough to handle the pre-installed Windows 10 and everything a normal user can think of, even the occasional 3D game, some image processing or video encoding while surfing the web and working at the same time. The normal user just can't tell the difference between the $500 laptop and the $1000 machine, and $1000 can buy you either a plenty powerful laptop, or a mid-high end desktop.

10 to 15 years ago, I wouldn't be willing to spend less than $1000 on a desktop or $1500 on a laptop, because the cheaper machines just couldn't move. Today, if my $900 mid-range gaming laptop broke down, I could go out and buy a $500 laptop and be confident that I could do everything in my professional life pretty much the same.

Computing power has far outstripped demand in the last decade, and more and more users find entry-level computers perfectly adequate (or far more than adequate) for their needs. And it's not like build quality was any better back in the day; if anything, you can be more confident that what you have today is less likely to fizzle out or stop responding than the equivalent a decade ago.

Choosing a computer (UK) | Buy spares

Samuel Murray — Wed, 11 Oct 2017 12:24:00 +0000

Forum: Hardware
Topic: Choosing a computer (UK)
Poster: Samuel Murray
Post title: Buy spares

[quote]Denise Baldry wrote:
The keyboard started to give up at about 9 months in. The keyboard has just been replaced under warranty, so not so bad. [/quote]

I would buy two or three extra keyboards for that laptop. You never know if the keyboards will still be available 5 or 10 years from now.

I recall having a similar problem with and old Dell laptop, but fortunately I was able to obtain a replacement keyboard from China that worked perfectly even though some keys had different text painted onto them. The replacement keyboard didn't have a track stick, but I don't use the track stick anyway, and the keyboard worked fine. It was a fine laptop until someone spilled orange juice on it two years later.

[quote]But it has to be said that most outlets (PCWorld, John Lewis) sell machines for family/general use. [/quote]

There was a time when I recommended an "entry level" computer to new translators, but these days the entry-level computers are crap.

Choosing a computer (UK) | Lenovo keyboard

Christophe Delaunay (X) — Wed, 11 Oct 2017 12:09:00 +0000

Forum: Hardware
Topic: Choosing a computer (UK)
Poster: Christophe Delaunay (X)
Post title: Lenovo keyboard

I have a Thinkpad Carbon X1. Just wonderful. Fantastic keyboard, as light as a feather, fast as a shark. The SSD is just another world from the "conventional "spinning" hard disk", as Dan said.
But Tony and Andrzej's solution is the best: this way you'll have your screens (provided you have two!) not too close to your eyes. Arms length is the correct distance I read somewhere.

Choosing a computer (UK) | Keyboard

Lincoln Hui — Wed, 11 Oct 2017 12:01:00 +0000

Forum: Hardware
Topic: Choosing a computer (UK)
Poster: Lincoln Hui
Post title: Keyboard

I have the opposite experience - I have to use the keyboard on the laptop, because adding an external keyboard puts me too far away from the screen. I could use an external monitor, but that means I would have to use an external monitor. And laptop keyboards, well, let's just say your mileage will differ and it's always a risk buying online without being able to try it out.

The keyboard on my old Dell 10 years ago, which has long since passed into the great beyond, was horrible. The Toshiba I used after that was better, but the laptop itself was awful. I wasn't working at that time though.

My last laptop and my current laptop are both Acers, and they've been acceptable in terms of their keyboards. But the 0-key on the numpad - which is Ins when used with Shift - is far too close to the arrow keys and in a position where I will inevitably press it by error. I've kind of gotten used to it, and I've been sufficiently brainwashed by notebook keyboards now that as a very quick typist I'm actually rather used to the short travel distance. But then I've never had very high requirements for this sort of stuff...

On the other hand, I can't stand touchpads and I always have my external mouse.

Choosing a computer (UK) | HP

Thomas T. Frost — Wed, 11 Oct 2017 11:33:00 +0000

Forum: Hardware
Topic: Choosing a computer (UK)
Poster: Thomas T. Frost
Post title: HP

[quote]Mervyn Henderson wrote:

He used to go for HP, but there was something silly about them that prompted him to change, can't remember what it was now.
[/quote]

HP refuses to sell you spare parts, instead forcing you to pay for shipping the computer to them, wait for them to change the part, and pay them for doing what a techie guy could have done himself. You get longer downtime for more money.

If you are able to follow a service manual, you can change a part on a Lenovo yourself, as they willingly sell the parts (some of which are overpriced, but I once managed to find a compatible screen on a Canadian site for something like one-half to one-third of what Lenovo wanted, and it was a Samsung screen, just like the old one from the factory).

Choosing a computer (UK) | Go for external keybord and mouse

Andrzej Mierzejewski — Wed, 11 Oct 2017 10:35:00 +0000

Forum: Hardware
Topic: Choosing a computer (UK)
Poster: Andrzej Mierzejewski
Post title: Go for external keybord and mouse

I can only repeat Tony's advice: use an external keyboard and mouse, both wired. I've worked on a laptop computer for 8 years and still can't get used to its in-built keybord - firstly, it's too small, secondly, the black plastic consumes light, and thirdly, the display is too close to my eyes. So, I work on a standard office-size keyboard from the lowest shelf in a supermarket, and at a low-end price (in my country: equivalent of approx. GBP 5 at today's exchange rate). My previous keyboard from such source gave up after 5 years, which was longer than expected. Knowing that I always hit the keys too strong, I touch the laptop keyboard as seldom as possible.

Besides, an external keyboard allows for using an external monitor (22" in my case) as the main display for e.g. working with CAT software, while the laptop's 15" monitor serves for auxiliary tasks: viewing the original document, googling etc. I sit approx. 1 metre from both displays - that's the comfort setting for my eyes.

HTH

[Zmieniono 2017-10-11 15:04 GMT]

Choosing a computer (UK) | The Dell XPS 13 does the job for me...

Nathan Russell — Wed, 11 Oct 2017 09:51:00 +0000

Forum: Hardware
Topic: Choosing a computer (UK)
Poster: Nathan Russell
Post title: The Dell XPS 13 does the job for me...

I bought a Dell XPS 13 a year ago and it's been the best machine I've ever used. It has 8GB of RAM and an i7 processor, which means it's super fast. I've also never had any problems with the keyboard and can type very quickly on it. It's also easy to travel with should you ever need to do so. My only criticism of it is the placement of the webcam (it's awkwardly placed at the side to facilitate the computer's small frame), but I use an external webcam in any case. I'd suggest looking into Dell machines for their build quality and durability.

Choosing a computer (UK) | Custom built

Oliver Pekelharing — Wed, 11 Oct 2017 09:04:00 +0000

Forum: Hardware
Topic: Choosing a computer (UK)
Poster: Oliver Pekelharing
Post title: Custom built

I am on my second custom-built laptop (the first is still working fine but I skimped too much on the specs) and am really impressed by the quality, including the keyboard, which I use full time (although increasingly less due to speech recognition). You could have a look at [url removed] or similar (I have no experience with this company, I bought mine from a Dutch business).

Regards,

Olly

Choosing a computer (UK) | And anyway

Tom in London — Wed, 11 Oct 2017 07:58:00 +0000

Forum: Hardware
Topic: Choosing a computer (UK)
Poster: Tom in London
Post title: And anyway

[quote]Dan Lucas wrote:

....bear in mind that this is your primary tool for generating revenue, so it's best not to skimp. [/quote]

That's a very important observation. And if you use the computer, software, and peripherals *exclusively* for work you can deduct 100% of the cost from your taxable income. If not, you can deduct a significant percentage.

Your computer should be the best that money can buy, i.e. a computer that is never going to give you any problems, will run smoothly all the time, and will NEVER require the intervention of a "computer guy".

[Edited at 2017-10-11 08:11 GMT]

Choosing a computer (UK) | External keyboard, SSD, i7

Dan Lucas — Wed, 11 Oct 2017 07:46:00 +0000

Forum: Hardware
Topic: Choosing a computer (UK)
Poster: Dan Lucas
Post title: External keyboard, SSD, i7

[quote]Tony M wrote:
So I always use an external keyboard and mouse[/quote]
Unless you are always moving around and never in one place, I think Tony's suggestion is an excellent one. You might want to try an external keyboard that puts less strain on hands, wrists, arms and shoulders than a standard rectilinear layout. A Microsoft Sculpt or Natural Ergonomic 4000 is a good place to start. I would add that an external monitor will lessen the strain on your eyes.

However, if you want an excellent internal keyboard, for me (and many others) Lenovo ThinkPad machines have the [i]ne plus ultra[/i] of laptop keyboards. I like the look of the T470 in the current lineup.

The other positive about ThinkPads is that they have a modular construction which means that individual parts can be swapped out for upgrade or replacement. I use a Microsoft Surface Pro and I like it a lot, but if a major part fails I will be in trouble, whereas with a ThinkPad I would in many cases be able to replace just the faulty part.

In general, keyboard switches are typically rated for millions of presses for each individual key, so if your keyboard has problems after 9 months it is probably a result of failure (i.e. poor quality) rather than simply "wearing out".

In terms of general performance, I would go for a machine with at least an i5 processor, and an i7 if you can afford it. It should have a solid state drive (SSD) rather than a conventional "spinning" hard disk. SSDs are significantly faster, but for the same money it will have less capacity.

Finally, my advice would be to spend wisely but to bear in mind that this is your primary tool for generating revenue, so it's best not to skimp. £1,500 or £2,000 may sound like a lot of money, but compared to the earnings you intend to generate with it over the next 3 years, it is not so much.

Dan

Choosing a computer (UK) | Thinkpads/IdeaPads

Jean Dimitriadis — Wed, 11 Oct 2017 07:18:00 +0000

Forum: Hardware
Topic: Choosing a computer (UK)
Poster: Jean Dimitriadis
Post title: Thinkpads/IdeaPads

Hello Denise,

I suggest a ThinkPad or a higher-end IdeaPad by Lenovo. This is what I use.

They all boast excellent keyboards and features. Be sure to test the keyboard yourself in a physical store to make sure it fits you, even if you end up ordering online.

Of course, you can always use an external keyboard if you prefer doing so. And a warranty extension is not an unwelcome investment for professionals.

Jean

[Edited at 2017-10-11 07:18 GMT]

Choosing a computer (UK) | Ask the man who knows

Mervyn Henderson (X) — Wed, 11 Oct 2017 06:52:00 +0000

Forum: Hardware
Topic: Choosing a computer (UK)
Poster: Mervyn Henderson (X)
Post title: Ask the man who knows

A chap occasionally does some techyness stuff for me, and when it's time to buy a computer, I ask him to have a look at the website of the local store (it's FNAC) and tell me the best bet. He knows what I need it for, and more importantly, what I don't need it for (games and films and good pixelity or whatever it's called), so he usually picks out the second or third least expensive, and these days he goes for the Asus brand. I put in a lot of time on this keyboard, and it seems to hold up well under bashing. He used to go for HP, but there was something silly about them that prompted him to change, can't remember what it was now.

But, like Tony, I've never bought one in the UK either ...

[Edited at 2017-10-11 07:07 GMT]

Choosing a computer (UK) | External keyboard

Tony M — Wed, 11 Oct 2017 05:31:00 +0000

Forum: Hardware
Topic: Choosing a computer (UK)
Poster: Tony M
Post title: External keyboard

I have never bought a PC in the UK, so can't comment on that point.

For historical reasons, I have for some years now run both an office and a laptop computer; the laptop was actually a very basic, cheap one that I bought over here in France in the hypermarket, but has served me well; its lack of speed is frankly not an issue for me, though the lack of memory sadly is, with the programmes today being increasingly memory-hungry — to the extent that I can no longer run the latest, bulkiest version of Skyp when running several other programmes at the same time.

For the keyboard issue, I have always found the laptop's built-in keyboard unsatisfactory; for one thing, it places the screen at the wrong distance for my eyesight; and for another, it makes it very difficult to use the Alt Num codes, which I often use for a range of foreign accents etc.

So I always use an external keyboard and mouse; originally, on the advice of a friend, I bought a wireless set, but after getting through 2 of thse with various problems, not to mention battery life, I reverted to a USB wired version, and have been much happier with that. Cheap as chips, and I treat it as disposable if it breaks down; though that said, since I stopped using big-name brands and went for a cheap unknown brand, I've not had any problems of unreliability!

I also run an external USB hard drive with all my important data on it, backed up to two other hard drives for security purposes. So there is no sensitive, confidential, or vulnerable data on the actual laptop itself.

Choosing a computer (UK)

Denise Baldry — Wed, 11 Oct 2017 03:04:00 +0000

Forum: Hardware
Topic: Choosing a computer (UK)
Poster: Denise Baldry

I've been a freelance translator for decades - but I still seem to be unable to buy a machine which fits the bill. This latest laptop is fast for handling big files and for researching (but it cost me nearly £1000), however the keyboard started to give up at about 9 months in. The keyboard has just been replaced under warranty, so not so bad.
But it has to be said that most outlets (PCWorld, John Lewis) sell machines for family/general use.
How do most freelancers buy their machines - and does anyone have a guide to buying one for heavy-duty keyboard bashing plus fast processing?
I'd love to know for next time...