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Treacodactyl Downsizer Moderator
Joined: 28 Oct 2004 Posts: 25795 Location: Jumping on the bandwagon of opportunism
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Nick
Joined: 02 Nov 2004 Posts: 34535 Location: Hereford
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Nick
Joined: 02 Nov 2004 Posts: 34535 Location: Hereford
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Shane
Joined: 31 Oct 2005 Posts: 3467 Location: Doha. Is hot.
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Nick
Joined: 02 Nov 2004 Posts: 34535 Location: Hereford
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vegplot
Joined: 19 Apr 2007 Posts: 21301 Location: Bethesda, Gwynedd
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vegplot
Joined: 19 Apr 2007 Posts: 21301 Location: Bethesda, Gwynedd
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alison Downsizer Moderator
Joined: 29 Oct 2004 Posts: 12918 Location: North Devon
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vegplot
Joined: 19 Apr 2007 Posts: 21301 Location: Bethesda, Gwynedd
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oldish chris
Joined: 14 Jun 2006 Posts: 4148 Location: Comfortably Wet Southport
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Posted: Thu May 08, 14 6:46 am Post subject: |
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well Nick, I think that the link in Treacodactyl's post gives all the information necessary. The next question is about the computer. Is it's manufacture a one-off event, or will it go on for years like Trigger's broom? I wouldn't be surprised if, over time, bits get added or replaced. In which case, he needs the full price version.
To help him with his decision making, can I suggest an analogy of Windows versus Linux debate. A petrol-head spends hours explaining how a BMW is superior to a Kia in every possible way, and anyhow, he wouldn't be seen dead in a Kia. This is followed up by the question "Where can I get a brand-new Beemer for £7K?"
He wants Windows 8.1, £90 it seems. |
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Nick
Joined: 02 Nov 2004 Posts: 34535 Location: Hereford
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nats
Joined: 12 Jun 2007 Posts: 2374 Location: Swindon but not a Swindonian
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oldish chris
Joined: 14 Jun 2006 Posts: 4148 Location: Comfortably Wet Southport
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Nick
Joined: 02 Nov 2004 Posts: 34535 Location: Hereford
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Posted: Thu May 08, 14 3:03 pm Post subject: |
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Son is 15. Finances revolve around birthday money, and having not much else to spend it on. He saved, knew what he wanted, and got it. It might not be the best deal, in some senses, but it taught him stuff, and he's otherwise very low maintenance, so I'm cool with it. Buying the same system, ready built, would have been more expensive. The only difference between the Oem and retail version that matters is it's single pc use, and not easily, honestly, transferable, and around half the price. It means he can rebuy the updated version when he changes his pc in a couple of years, and there's no extra cost.
I'm pretty sure student versions were discontinued. I had one a couple of years ago, which is why the current installed OS doesn't believe it's real.
Windows has to be there, really, because school based software, and purchased stuff needs it. I'm sure there are Linux emulators for windows software, but that would involve me looking into them, and it doesn't interest me.
In your analogy terms, he has a BMW only toolkit, trailer, stereo, and his mechanic is a BMW only specialist. |
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oldish chris
Joined: 14 Jun 2006 Posts: 4148 Location: Comfortably Wet Southport
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Posted: Fri May 09, 14 7:59 am Post subject: |
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Thank-you for the reply. Very interesting.
Nick wrote: |
I'm sure there are Linux emulators for windows software, but that would involve me looking into them, and it doesn't interest me. |
I rather suspect you'd loose the last of your sanity
When I first started sourcing PCs, initially for the family, then each of my sons, I used a small manufacturer based in Liverpool, (a cellar in a big old house in Bootle). The boys were able to assemble their own systems. I was advised that one should go to the big manufacturers for a top-of-the-range system - they get their hands on the latest stuff first, and for a bottom-of-the-range system - they can bulk buy the end of a production line. Everything else, build your own - seems this is still true. (***Downsizers - Money Saving Tip***)
I also think that you did exactly the right thing in encouraging self build. In my case, having seen my lads put together their systems, when the last of them left for Uni, I was able to put together a system from the left-over bits. (***Downsizers - Money Saving Tip***) |
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