The bullet has been bitten...

[Truckman]

The mighty Asus computer that I took great joy in welcoming into my office nine years ago, has fallen victim to many of the ailments it's owner suffers...It wanders around in a daze much of the time, and its hearing problems are well documented...It's memory seems to be at its limit at times, and like its operator, it teeters under a heavy load...Therefore, after consultation with several specialists, I've decided to put it out to pasture graciously, and welcome a new player at the table...

Best Buy, where the Asus originated, told me if I wanted the latest and greatest with maximum power, speed and storage, I would need a "gaming computer"...The last game I played on a computer was Solitaire, and Win10 took that ability away...Their offering also did not include a CD or DVD device of any kind (they said that was old technology hardly used anymore)...The monitor I now have has speakers built in (which may or may not be functional) so I picked out a Samsung 27" curved screen which has no speakers at all...For an extra $50 they would sell me some plug in speakers...

I checked around online for prices elsewhere with no great luck...The IBuyPower (a brand I never heard of) at Best Buy was comparable to online prices since they had it marked down $150 in a sale...

I then went to a small, local computer shop owned by a former gun store customer, who has had the same technician working for him for a number of years...He has fixed many small hardware problems on my other PC's over the years, and I've never had a problem with any of his work...I showed him what Best Buy offered, and told him exactly what I do with my computers, explaining that as an old hot-rodder I'm happiest with more speed, power and storage room than I can ever actually use...

Later in the day he emailed me with his recommendation...He specced the same CPU: Core i7 9700, an ASRock Z390 motherboard, 32 GB RAM, 500GB PCI-Express Solid State Drive (said to be faster than standard SSD), 1TB HDD, Gold Standard power supply, plus a new DVD writer and Win10 Pro all installed...All this at $200 less than Best Buy, plus he'll transfer all my files over included in the price...His supplier did not have the Samsung monitor I wanted, but he found the same one on Amazon at $70 less than Best Buy (I already ordered it today)...

To sum it up, I get more storage, a little more speed, twice the memory, and a DVD writer for less money...Needless to say, he got the business, especially since it's someone I already know and trust...He ordered the parts saying it would be ready next week, probably when my monitor gets here...To fix my sound problem, I'll first try my Onkyo amp and pre-amp with my Cerwin-Vega speakers (a fix which did not work with the Asus)...If that doesn't work, there are computer-compatible speakers that will...

So maybe soon all you goobers who have been talking about me behind my back because you knew I didn't have sound, and couldn't hear you, better watch out!......Ben

[Dave Grubb]

I get two of my new ones next Thursday. I got them from my main IT guy.

Both Dell, as are the monitors. One is a desk top and the other a laptop.

[Truckman]

Those are monster SSD's Dave...You should be able to do anything with that......Ben

[Mike]

After several years of purchasing many different brands of desktop computers at my workplace, I finally settled on Dell as being the most reliable and at a good price point, too. That's all I bought for many years, including our servers. We bought a lot of computers. Mobile computers (laptops) were mil-spec Panasonics. My last four home computers have been Dell, as well. Three of them are sitting in the garage waiting for me to pause my hoarding affliction and dispose of them. That will happen when I move. I am not taking them with me.

[Dave Grubb]

Those are monster SSD's Dave...You should be able to do anything with that......Ben

That's what she said

[Truckman]

That's what she said

And 50 years ago, she may have been right......Ben

[Honda]

I have had the same old HP all in one unit for around 6 years. Has touch screen and most of the bells and whistles. Paid 550.00 at Sam's. Has done a great job. Prior to this one I only bought Dell. Ben, sounds like your new rig is going to be a significant upgrade. Congrats. Below is what I really want but I can't justify the expense until the HP is put to pasture.

https://www.apple.com/imac/

[Dave Grubb]

And 50 years ago, she may have been right......Ben

Oh

[wacojoe]

If you are interested in broadcast & cable tv channels, Ben, the website below inputs your desired channels and lists streaming choices w/ prices for cable cutters —

https://www.suppose.tv/tv

[Mike]

I use Hulu since I dropped DirecTv. Depending on internet speed at the new place I might be switching back.

[Mike]

That's a pretty cool comparison site, Joe. Thanks!

[Truckman]

Depending on internet speed at the new place I might be switching back.

When I lived there we had KLTV, channel 7...Period...When cable came along we could also watch four Dallas/Ft. Worth stations...Things may have improved somewhat since then......Ben

[Truckman]

If you are interested in broadcast & cable tv channels, Ben, the website below inputs your desired channels and lists streaming choices w/ prices for cable cutters —

https://www.suppose.tv/tv

Thanks, Joe...I'll look into that one......Ben

[Truckman]

Oh

Relax...If we're lucky enough to live that long, we'll all be there......Ben

[Truckman]

Below is what I really want but I can't justify the expense until the HP is put to pasture.

https://www.apple.com/imac/

Tom, I've never even looked at a Mac, but I don't think I want to learn a new system at this stage......Ben