November 08, 2022
#457
Gentle readers,
In my last article, I showed you the two 27 inch HD monitors I bought and how they were physically configured "stacked" on a two-arm monitor stand. It can be read here:
NOTE: I am a retired subway car technician and have NO connection with ANY company! I am writing this revue for your information.
I finally decided to go ahead and get a new desktop personal computer because the HP model I had been using since it came out with Windows 7 (I upgraded it to Windows 10) was just not up to the demands the Internet can put on an old-timer like it.
In the past, all but one desktop (and laptop) Windows computer have been purchased as "Refurbished". Which means they belonged originally to a company or even the government and were returned to the manufacturer when new models came out. Said companies then sold them to other companies which refurbish computers. The one new desktop PC was an E-Series (I think) brand and it was not much to write home about. LONG ago, I built a tower computer with a Cyrix 586 processor. I loaded it with Windows 95. Our first PC was a used 286(!).
All that being said, I went on "The Jungle Site" and looked for a HP brand PC with Windows 11 and an AMD processor. I prefer AMD over the best known brand because I like to be different. For example, I drive seventeen-year-old Volvo wagon which has a turbocharged FIVE cylinder engine and a six-speed MANUAL transmission.
There were a few other things I bought to ease my transition from old PC to new one: An HP 960GB internal drive, a Plugable USB transfer cable and the aforementioned external DVD-Rom drive. How sad that some small Chinese technology company was able to make an optical drive which WORKS with Windows 10 and 11 while Microsoft just ignores the problem that those two operating systems cannot work with them.
Although the PC's front panel is able to accept an optical drive, none was included, because, well, you know. There are FOUR slots in the back panel for adding separate PC boards, but only one PCI slot on the motherboard inside.
I "did my own research", which meant looking for reviews of Windows 11 compatible DVD-ROM/CD-ROM drives. I chose the top rated one which is shown below.
NOTE: I will provide links to Amazon for all the items mentioned in the article so that you can learn more.
REVIEW! Yes, all that I wrote was just the preface!
First, this Windows 11 HP PC. It has worked flawlessly, it loads at startup incredibly quickly. Other than finding where things are in Windows 11, I have been able to get used to it easily. It is equipped with Wi-Fi and it works perfectly with no problems.
I use AVAST ONE Internet protection/PC monitoring/improving software. I also use their own "Secure Browser" which is based upon Chrome. Plus, I use Duck-Duck-Go for a search engine. They do not track your searches. As mentioned, I use Word Perfect and it's associated programs rather than Microsoft's 365. I refuse to have pay an annual fee to use their products. Plus, I have been using Word Perfect and Quattro Pro since the 1990's without problems.
Unlike my old PC, it plays YouTube and other videos without hiccups and has good audio (remember that was why I had to buy an HP monitor?) as well. Websites load instantly. New tabs as well. Absolutely ZERO evidence of the processor slowing down.
I cannot comment on the various Microsoft programs installed on the computer, since I deleted them, but they are all there just waiting for a new user to enjoy, should you purchase one.
The company which makes Windows 7 Microsoft games work on Windows 10 PCs has also broken the code and made it work for Windows 11. All I play is solitaire and mahjong.
Once I had gotten the D Drive to work in this computer, I was able to hook up the PLUGABLE two-way USB-2 cable to both PCs. It's software transfers needed files automatically and lets one choose what they want to transfer from old to new and choose each source file and new location/drive in the new computer. It worked perfectly and I was able to transfer everything from old PC to new PC in a matter of an hour or two.
As promised, here are the items I purchased to make my life easier, all were purchased from Amazon. Again, I AM NOT ASSOCIATED with Amazon or ANY of the companies which made these products.
So, there you go, a look at my new desktop PC. I am very happy with it.
NOTE: I have decades of experience working on electronics and computers. DO NOT TRY opening up a computer or anything else which uses electricity! Doing so could end very badly for you. Electricity is NOT to be messed with! You have been warned!
With that final warning, thank you for taking the time to read my review of these items. All have worked well for me, and should you decide to buy and try them, they should work well for you too.
Scott Robb
November 08, 2022
#457
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