Why so many PCs

Rik · May 07, 2007, 10:16:54

The thread I started to find out what OS people are using has triggered in me a second question. Why do so many of us have multiple PCs?

I tend to have three. My prime machine will be the highest spec I can afford at the time - the golden rules of Photoshop being that you can never have too much RAM*, never have too much (fast) hard drive space and never have too fast a processor. When I buy a new machine, the current desktop gets demoted to the #2 position, and I always have a laptop - mainly for travel/portability - but also because Sue prefers to use one rather than a desktop. I synchronise all machines for email, so that it doesn't matter which machine receives and replies.

What do you do with your machines?

* Back in the days of Photoshop 5, 512MB of RAM was considered high-end. Someone built a machine with 1GB and Photoshop didn't recognise it - when it had been coded, it was felt that no-one would ever have 1GB! Hasty patch issued...

Glenn · May 07, 2007, 10:27:59

I have 4, 2 PC's & 2 laptops

I have one PC just for racing in my league with, it has no office apps installed, just rFactor. An old laptop is used with this to run TeamSpeak, it's easier to hear what is being said if there is no engine noise.

The 2nd PC is a general purpose machine, with the 2nd laptop is for mobile use.

DorsetBoy · May 07, 2007, 11:07:53

1 each for me and my son,then I built a new one and kept it,then built another for my lad as his was getting tired.

I run Folding@Home 24/7/365 on the newest Dell and also back stuff up onto it.
My newbuild is used for everything else,testing Linux distros ,surfing,photography,word/printing etc.

Patricks' old machine is gathering dust at present but when the house is sorted it will be used for more Folding capacity.

DorsetBoy · May 07, 2007, 11:11:33

None of us have too many Rik...........think what fun you could have with this set up

Who needs heating.................

Rik · May 07, 2007, 11:12:34

Is that a Novell console I see before me?

Glenn · May 07, 2007, 11:13:21

My PC at work folds 24/7 for the Overclock3d group, this one does too, I recently went through the 50,000 point mark

D-Dan · May 07, 2007, 11:50:39

Mine evolve - as I upgrade my main machine, the old part gets put in a box. Periodically, I look trough the box, and if there are enough bits, I start a new build.

I've only ever kept one spare, though, the others having gone to needy causes (my skint mate in the pub, th woman who consistently breaks her PCs etc.)

I keep the two that I use side by side running multiplicity over the network so that I only need one keyboard, mouse etc, and can direct the TV output from my main machine to either, over the newtwork. Only got this working yesterday, but now I have I 'm starting to think about a laptop so that I can watch the TV in the bedroom (I refuse to have a TV set in my bedroom), bathroom, kitchen or wherever

)

Inactive · May 07, 2007, 12:10:35

Quote from: D-Dan on May 07, 2007, 11:50:39
I 'm starting to think about a laptop so that I can watch the TV in the bedroom (I refuse to have a TV set in my bedroom), bathroom, kitchen or wherever )

Now that is strange, I am the other way inclined, My Medion PC has both Satellite and DTT connections built in with a Remote Control, yet I have never connected them up.

jupiter · May 07, 2007, 13:24:13

I have one main PC of quite modest spec (Athlon 2200 512Mb RAM), a laptop cos my partner prefers to use that, another laptop that is wherever my daughter is, an elderly Thinkpad which I have just renovated and will go for sale soon and another Thinkpad, equally elderly, which has been cannibalised for parts but still has some saleable bits.

mrapoc · May 07, 2007, 19:11:06

Quote from: Glenn on May 07, 2007, 11:13:21
My PC at work folds 24/7 for the Overclock3d group, this one does too, I recently went through the 50,000 point mark

I do too! Although mainly when im not intensely gaming. What ranks are you? Currently im 26

Also guys im about to get a laptop for £320

Quoteacer travelmate laptop for sale in very very good condition (mint) with box and manual,charger/mains supply etc
1.73ghz centrino
128mb graphics
768mb of ddr2 ram (256+512mb)
40gb hard drive
15" screen
wifi
cd-rw/dvd rom combo
realtek hd audio sound
3x usb 2.0
1x RJ11(for phone line,inbuilt modem)
1x RJ45 lan
1x vga connection
1x 1394
1x pc card slot(type 1/2)
4 Easy-Launch Keys, 4-Way Scroll Button, Embedded numeric keypad and a built in microphone

security features:Kensington Lock Slot, Bi-level Password

has xp home license sticker on bottom and will be formatted with a fresh install with xp home sp2 before sending
a copy of the windows disc will also be included

Off a friend..any good? I dont know what to expect from a laptop, would be nice to play some old favourites in bed such as red alert 2

Glenn · May 07, 2007, 20:16:18

No 9 at the moment

DorsetBoy · May 07, 2007, 20:28:58

Quote from: mrapoc on May 07, 2007, 19:11:06
I do too! Although mainly when im not intensely gaming. What ranks are you? Currently im 26

Also guys im about to get a laptop for £320

Off a friend..any good? I dont know what to expect from a laptop, would be nice to play some old favourites in bed such as red alert 2

The only thing I would say is that you should take a look around at NEW stock,there are some excellent deals at the moment,check out Dabs etc.Lots of new machines @£320/+-

jupiter · May 07, 2007, 21:36:04

Quote from: DorsetBoy on May 07, 2007, 20:28:58
The only thing I would say is that you should take a look around at NEW stock,there are some excellent deals at the moment,check out Dabs etc.Lots of new machines @£320/+-

I'd go along with that. There has to be a significant price advantage - or good personal contacts with the seller - to make the risks of second hand worthwhile.

Rik · May 08, 2007, 08:59:23

I'll just chime in to echo that. Misco have some really good deals around as they're clearing stocks of HP and other brands with XP. For that money, Sam, you aren't getting the greatest of bargains.

AvengerUK · May 09, 2007, 09:11:02

I have around er, *counts using fingers* - well, erm, in total we have around 8-10 :/ - a few belong in a museum, at best (talking IBM Pc's from around 1989) the rest are used by family, others are cannabalised!

Edited for "which others" (no sense!)

Rik · May 09, 2007, 09:12:28

Ah, the happy days of plugging in maths co-processors!

Docproc · May 09, 2007, 13:39:18

Just to balance things up, I have precisely ONE computer, a Mac laptop that was actually paid for by my employer. So I don't actually own any comptuers!

I used to have several (the maximum was 4 I think) but I prefer the more ... streamlined approach!

Glenn.

Rik · May 09, 2007, 13:43:28

Good for you, Glenn, we need someone to keep all us hoarders in our place.

Lance · May 09, 2007, 13:48:07

I also only have one, but I am thinking about getting another shortly. The main reason being that my computer has become the family computer and sometimes it is a bit frustrating when the other half is using it and I can't!

Rik · May 09, 2007, 14:05:20

That has become an increasing issue since Sue retired. Lance. Previously, I had one and a spare, now I need two, and like to have a spare.

I can think of one household we sat last year which had six machines, most had two... No doubt, all of this is fuelled by broadband, and the ease of home networking. When we were all on dial-up, it didn't matter how many machines you had, you still had to wait your turn!

jupiter · May 09, 2007, 15:07:38

Quote from: lance on May 09, 2007, 13:48:07
I also only have one, but I am thinking about getting another shortly. The main reason being that my computer has become the family computer and sometimes it is a bit frustrating when the other half is using it and I can't!

I'll say. At one time I used to get ridicule for what was termed "my obsession" with IDNetters.

Now there have to be two machines running because my former critic is all the time on Chelsea Chat (football not tractors).