OT: Mini-computers

[Ken Springer]

Does anyone have any recommendations for a web site(s) offering
competent comparisons of the various mini computers out there?

And no, the Apple Mini is not in the running. LOL

[Johnny]

On Tue, 17 Feb 2015 15:34:03 -0700

Post by Ken Springer
Does anyone have any recommendations for a web site(s) offering
competent comparisons of the various mini computers out there?
And no, the Apple Mini is not in the running. LOL

http://www.tomshardware.com/reviews/mini-pc-round-up,3697-2.html

http://blog.linuxmint.com/?p=2760

[Ken Springer]

Post by Johnny
On Tue, 17 Feb 2015 15:34:03 -0700

Post by Ken Springer
Does anyone have any recommendations for a web site(s) offering
competent comparisons of the various mini computers out there?
And no, the Apple Mini is not in the running. LOL

http://www.tomshardware.com/reviews/mini-pc-round-up,3697-2.html
http://blog.linuxmint.com/?p=2760

Thanks for the links. The Mint box looks interesting, but I suspect the
person who will be owning the mini computer will not be interested in
the box other than the one with W7.

Total cost of her options is a big, big factor.

[Gene E. Bloch]

Post by Ken Springer
Does anyone have any recommendations for a web site(s) offering
competent comparisons of the various mini computers out there?
And no, the Apple Mini is not in the running. LOL

Now *there's* a word (minicomputer) whose meaning has evidently changed
a lot.

When I programmed minicomputers, they were the size of a washing machine
and had maybe 32K words of 16- or 18-bit memory.

They were programmed in assembly language (a unique one for each model
of machine), and used paper tape and magnetic tape, or if you were
lucky(?), a teletype.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Minicomputer

[Ken Springer]

Post by Gene E. Bloch

Post by Ken Springer
Does anyone have any recommendations for a web site(s) offering
competent comparisons of the various mini computers out there?
And no, the Apple Mini is not in the running. LOL

Now *there's* a word (minicomputer) whose meaning has evidently changed
a lot.
When I programmed minicomputers, they were the size of a washing machine
and had maybe 32K words of 16- or 18-bit memory.
They were programmed in assembly language (a unique one for each model
of machine), and used paper tape and magnetic tape, or if you were
lucky(?), a teletype.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Minicomputer

Everything has been going through the same name but downsizing the
product. Compare today's Chevy Impala with one from 25-30 years ago.

[Gene E. Bloch]

Post by Ken Springer

Post by Gene E. Bloch

Post by Ken Springer
Does anyone have any recommendations for a web site(s) offering
competent comparisons of the various mini computers out there?
And no, the Apple Mini is not in the running. LOL

Now *there's* a word (minicomputer) whose meaning has evidently changed
a lot.
When I programmed minicomputers, they were the size of a washing machine
and had maybe 32K words of 16- or 18-bit memory.
They were programmed in assembly language (a unique one for each model
of machine), and used paper tape and magnetic tape, or if you were
lucky(?), a teletype.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Minicomputer

Everything has been going through the same name but downsizing the
product. Compare today's Chevy Impala with one from 25-30 years ago.

Can't - I never programmed the original :-)

But then, there are cereal boxes, candy bars, my...Never mind, I won't
go there.

[Stef]

Post by Ken Springer
Does anyone have any recommendations for a web site(s) offering
competent comparisons of the various mini computers out there?
And no, the Apple Mini is not in the running. LOL

Oh! I see. "Mini-computer" means something entirely different to me.

Why don't you just build it yourself to fit your needs? Probably will
be cheaper than buying it ready made.

Stef

[Gene E. Bloch]

Post by Stef

Post by Ken Springer
Does anyone have any recommendations for a web site(s) offering
competent comparisons of the various mini computers out there?
And no, the Apple Mini is not in the running. LOL

Oh! I see. "Mini-computer" means something entirely different to me.
Why don't you just build it yourself to fit your needs? Probably will
be cheaper than buying it ready made.
Stef

IMO, you are as likely to be able to build a minicomputer (I'm back to
the modern definition) as to be able to build a laptop.

[Stef]

Post by Gene E. Bloch

Post by Stef

Post by Ken Springer
Does anyone have any recommendations for a web site(s) offering
competent comparisons of the various mini computers out there?
And no, the Apple Mini is not in the running. LOL

Oh! I see. "Mini-computer" means something entirely different to me.
Why don't you just build it yourself to fit your needs? Probably will
be cheaper than buying it ready made.
Stef

IMO, you are as likely to be able to build a minicomputer (I'm back to
the modern definition) as to be able to build a laptop.

It would depend on how "mini" it has to be, wouldn't it?. I've seen
some cases around 10" square by 2" thick. Certainly bigger than a Mac
Mini, but still small. Takes a micro-type board. Or is there a smaller
type?

Stef

[Ken Springer]

Post by Stef

Post by Ken Springer
Does anyone have any recommendations for a web site(s) offering
competent comparisons of the various mini computers out there?
And no, the Apple Mini is not in the running. LOL

Oh! I see. "Mini-computer" means something entirely different to me.
Why don't you just build it yourself to fit your needs? Probably will
be cheaper than buying it ready made.

The system is not for me, I'm putting together a list of options for a
friend who has a severely mangled (software wise) XP laptop, and the
situation is compounded by a lack of funds.

This is just one of 4 general categories of options I listed.

[Stef]

Post by Ken Springer

Post by Stef

Post by Ken Springer
Does anyone have any recommendations for a web site(s) offering
competent comparisons of the various mini computers out there?
And no, the Apple Mini is not in the running. LOL

Oh! I see. "Mini-computer" means something entirely different to me.
Why don't you just build it yourself to fit your needs? Probably will
be cheaper than buying it ready made.

The system is not for me, I'm putting together a list of options for a
friend who has a severely mangled (software wise) XP laptop, and the
situation is compounded by a lack of funds.

Depending on the extent of the lack of funds, it would still be cheaper
to "repair" the laptop instead of buying or building a small machine.

One that comes to mind is the ASUS EeeBox PC.

Post by Ken Springer
This is just one of 4 general categories of options I listed.

In any case, I don't recall ever seeing any tests or evaluations of
very "small" computers. However doesn't mean something isn't out there.

Stef

[Ken Springer]

Post by Stef

Post by Ken Springer

Post by Stef

Post by Ken Springer
Does anyone have any recommendations for a web site(s) offering
competent comparisons of the various mini computers out there?
And no, the Apple Mini is not in the running. LOL

Oh! I see. "Mini-computer" means something entirely different to me.
Why don't you just build it yourself to fit your needs? Probably will
be cheaper than buying it ready made.

The system is not for me, I'm putting together a list of options for a
friend who has a severely mangled (software wise) XP laptop, and the
situation is compounded by a lack of funds.

Depending on the extent of the lack of funds, it would still be cheaper
to "repair" the laptop instead of buying or building a small machine.

If you only look at the financial aspect, maybe or maybe not. She has
MS Office installed, but does not own it. So the installation is
illegal. I won't reinstall illegal software.

Plus, it's XP. For the long run, is it worth putting money into an XP
machine after you include the cost of buying software?

Post by Stef
One that comes to mind is the ASUS EeeBox PC.

Post by Ken Springer
This is just one of 4 general categories of options I listed.

In any case, I don't recall ever seeing any tests or evaluations of
very "small" computers. However doesn't mean something isn't out there.
Stef

[Android99]

MS Office 2013 doesn't work on Windows XP.

Post by Stef

Post by Ken Springer

Post by Stef

Post by Ken Springer
Does anyone have any recommendations for a web site(s) offering
competent comparisons of the various mini computers out there?
And no, the Apple Mini is not in the running. LOL

Oh! I see. "Mini-computer" means something entirely different to me.
Why don't you just build it yourself to fit your needs? Probably will
be cheaper than buying it ready made.

The system is not for me, I'm putting together a list of options for a
friend who has a severely mangled (software wise) XP laptop, and the
situation is compounded by a lack of funds.

Depending on the extent of the lack of funds, it would still be cheaper
to "repair" the laptop instead of buying or building a small machine.

If you only look at the financial aspect, maybe or maybe not. She has
MS Office installed, but does not own it. So the installation is
illegal. I won't reinstall illegal software.

Plus, it's XP. For the long run, is it worth putting money into an XP
machine after you include the cost of buying software?

Post by Stef
One that comes to mind is the ASUS EeeBox PC.

Post by Ken Springer
This is just one of 4 general categories of options I listed.

In any case, I don't recall ever seeing any tests or evaluations of
very "small" computers. However doesn't mean something isn't out there.
Stef

[Ken Springer]

Post by Android99
MS Office 2013 doesn't work on Windows XP.

Yep, but my friend has Office 2003 installed, which is also no longer
supported.

<snip>

[Stef]

Post by Ken Springer

Post by Stef

Post by Ken Springer

Post by Stef

Post by Ken Springer
Does anyone have any recommendations for a web site(s) offering
competent comparisons of the various mini computers out there?
And no, the Apple Mini is not in the running. LOL

Oh! I see. "Mini-computer" means something entirely different to me.
Why don't you just build it yourself to fit your needs? Probably will
be cheaper than buying it ready made.

The system is not for me, I'm putting together a list of options for a
friend who has a severely mangled (software wise) XP laptop, and the
situation is compounded by a lack of funds.

Depending on the extent of the lack of funds, it would still be cheaper
to "repair" the laptop instead of buying or building a small machine.

If you only look at the financial aspect, maybe or maybe not. She has
MS Office installed, but does not own it. So the installation is
illegal. I won't reinstall illegal software.

Word isn't the only word processor out there, you know. (Although,
Microsoft wants you to think so.) I suggest TextMaker by SoftMaker.
Light weight, fast, full featured -- write a letter or a thesis,
compatible with Word (and others). Very nicely done. Well
supported. Great documentation. Free and pay versions. I run the free
version on a Linux system. LibreOffice/OpenOffice are too much
behemoths for a 1GB set up.

http://www.softmaker.com/english/product_en.htm

Its interface is very Wordy 2003.

Post by Ken Springer
Plus, it's XP. For the long run, is it worth putting money into an XP
machine after you include the cost of buying software?

Depending on what's installed ... Free (or very low cost) non-MS apps
may suffice.

Or she could bite-the-bullet and abandon XP entirely, and install Linux
on the laptop. Depends on her needs.

Stef

[(PeteCresswell)]

Post by Stef
Word isn't the only word processor out there, you know. (Although,
Microsoft wants you to think so.)

I have Office 2003 on my home PC's and Office 2007/20010 on my
client-site PCs.

At home I have been fooling around with something called LibreOffice.

Of course, it saves documents in MS-Office-compatible formats too...

One thing I like about Libre Office (besides the price...) is the
simplicity of the UI.... sort of a return to Office 2003. Just for
basic Word-type documents and spreadsheets, I'd bet it would do 100% of
the job for 90% of people.

[Ken Springer]

Post by Stef

Post by Ken Springer

Post by Stef

Post by Ken Springer

Post by Stef

Post by Ken Springer
Does anyone have any recommendations for a web site(s) offering
competent comparisons of the various mini computers out there?
And no, the Apple Mini is not in the running. LOL

Oh! I see. "Mini-computer" means something entirely different to me.
Why don't you just build it yourself to fit your needs? Probably will
be cheaper than buying it ready made.

The system is not for me, I'm putting together a list of options for a
friend who has a severely mangled (software wise) XP laptop, and the
situation is compounded by a lack of funds.

Depending on the extent of the lack of funds, it would still be cheaper
to "repair" the laptop instead of buying or building a small machine.

If you only look at the financial aspect, maybe or maybe not. She has
MS Office installed, but does not own it. So the installation is
illegal. I won't reinstall illegal software.

Word isn't the only word processor out there, you know. (Although,
Microsoft wants you to think so.) I suggest TextMaker by SoftMaker.
Light weight, fast, full featured -- write a letter or a thesis,
compatible with Word (and others). Very nicely done. Well
supported. Great documentation. Free and pay versions. I run the free
version on a Linux system. LibreOffice/OpenOffice are too much
behemoths for a 1GB set up.

Indeed, and I like to try them out, I always have enjoyed that. I've
got Softmaker's Free Office installed in Win7, just haven't had the
opportunity to test it.

Post by Stef
http://www.softmaker.com/english/product_en.htm
Its interface is very Wordy 2003.

Post by Ken Springer
Plus, it's XP. For the long run, is it worth putting money into an XP
machine after you include the cost of buying software?

Depending on what's installed ... Free (or very low cost) non-MS apps
may suffice.

As well as what the needs are.

Post by Stef
Or she could bite-the-bullet and abandon XP entirely, and install Linux
on the laptop. Depends on her needs.

I doubt she'll try Linux, probably the longest odds.

[Stef]

[big snip]

Post by Stef
Or she could bite-the-bullet and abandon XP entirely, and install Linux
on the laptop. Depends on her needs.

I doubt she'll try Linux, probably the longest odds.

It's an option, if all else fails. And the price IS right. That is
free.


Stef

[Ken Springer]

Post by Stef

[big snip]

Post by Stef
Or she could bite-the-bullet and abandon XP entirely, and install Linux
on the laptop. Depends on her needs.

I doubt she'll try Linux, probably the longest odds.

It's an option, if all else fails. And the price IS right. That is
free.

I did include Linux in the list of options I gave her, even told her how
to use LiveCD's.

[Stef]

Post by Ken Springer

Post by Stef

[big snip]

Post by Stef
Or she could bite-the-bullet and abandon XP entirely, and install Linux
on the laptop. Depends on her needs.

I doubt she'll try Linux, probably the longest odds.

It's an option, if all else fails. And the price IS right. That is
free.

I did include Linux in the list of options I gave her, even told her how
to use LiveCD's.

Well, at least you've fulfilled your responsibilities offering numerous
viable alternatives. Nothing more you can do until she decides. Good
luck.

Stef

[(PeteCresswell)]

Post by Stef
Depending on the extent of the lack of funds, it would still be cheaper
to "repair" the laptop instead of buying or building a small machine.
One that comes to mind is the ASUS EeeBox PC.

This might be a stretch, but how about a TW700 WinBook for about sixty
bucks (includes an MS Office subscription):
<http://www.microcenter.com/product/439773/TW70CA17_Tablet_-_Black>

I bought one on impulse and was surprised to see that it actually
worked. It's not that fast - and multi-processing isn't all that
practical - but just for doing email, composing Word docs, and so-forth
it works.

Hang a Bluetooth mouse/keyboard and an external monitor on it and it's
actually real-world usable.

And, whatever else it might be, it's certainly portable.....

[Ken Springer]

Post by (PeteCresswell)

Post by Stef
Depending on the extent of the lack of funds, it would still be cheaper
to "repair" the laptop instead of buying or building a small machine.
One that comes to mind is the ASUS EeeBox PC.

This might be a stretch, but how about a TW700 WinBook for about sixty
<http://www.microcenter.com/product/439773/TW70CA17_Tablet_-_Black>
I bought one on impulse and was surprised to see that it actually
worked. It's not that fast - and multi-processing isn't all that
practical - but just for doing email, composing Word docs, and so-forth
it works.
Hang a Bluetooth mouse/keyboard and an external monitor on it and it's
actually real-world usable.
And, whatever else it might be, it's certainly portable.....

Thanks, Pete, but that probably won't fly. She's already got an
external monitor, keyboard, and mouse all wired to the laptop.

[ray carter]

Post by Ken Springer
Does anyone have any recommendations for a web site(s) offering
competent comparisons of the various mini computers out there?
And no, the Apple Mini is not in the running. LOL

Raspberry Pi

[Ken Springer]

Post by ray carter

Post by Ken Springer
Does anyone have any recommendations for a web site(s) offering
competent comparisons of the various mini computers out there?
And no, the Apple Mini is not in the running. LOL

Raspberry Pi

I've always wondered about these. But I know it wouldn't be a viable
solution for the XP system.

[G. Morgan]

Post by Ken Springer
Does anyone have any recommendations for a web site(s) offering
competent comparisons of the various mini computers out there?
And no, the Apple Mini is not in the running. LOL

Are you looking for something like the Raspberry Pi?

[Ken Springer]

Post by G. Morgan

Post by Ken Springer
Does anyone have any recommendations for a web site(s) offering
competent comparisons of the various mini computers out there?
And no, the Apple Mini is not in the running. LOL

Are you looking for something like the Raspberry Pi?

No, but thanks for the suggestion.