Channel 9 Forums - Coffeehouse - A question that seems to have no clear answer http://mschnlnine.vo.llnwd.net/d1/Dev/App_Themes/C9/images/feedimage.png Channel 9 Forums - Coffeehouse - A question that seems to have no clear answer http://channel9.msdn.com/Forums Channel 9 keeps you up to date with the latest news and behind the scenes info from Microsoft that developers love to keep up with. From LINQ to SilverLight – Watch videos and hear about all the cool technologies coming and the people behind them. http://channel9.msdn.com/Forums en Wed, 22 May 2013 01:26:22 GMT Wed, 22 May 2013 01:26:22 GMT Rev9 17 -17 -1 Coffeehouse - A question that seems to have no clear answer First some background (hope you don't mind to give you a little perspective):

Maybe I am a dinosaur in today's IT world (I have written my first programming using punch cards), and totally lost interest in the structures of OS's. I am simply a simple user, especially in the small business I am trying to run. All we do is some writing (called "word processing" nowadays) and calculations (spreadsheets) fro making our planning, invoices, receipts and reports. We do basic bookkeeping with an easy to use package. And, of course, we stay in touch with our clients through e-mail, facebook and our website.

Well, our office is up for renewal, probably 2 desktops and 1 or 2 laptops, ideally to be implemented in a small network to be able to share files. So, now the actual question: what is wise: Should I stick to PC's with WIN7, step up to WIN8 or choose for a Mac? We are basically using no more than: Word, Excel. Outlook, PhotoShop and Simply Accounting.

So far, no one has been able to give me straightforward advise without the tech talk. Anyone?

]]> http://channel9.msdn.com/Forums/Coffeehouse/A-question-that-seems-to-have-no-clear-answer/84bae6140e63487a9780a116014f4ca0#84bae6140e63487a9780a116014f4ca0 Tue, 27 Nov 2012 20:20:47 GMT http://channel9.msdn.com/Forums/Coffeehouse/A-question-that-seems-to-have-no-clear-answer/84bae6140e63487a9780a116014f4ca0#84bae6140e63487a9780a116014f4ca0 Skeptical 17 http://channel9.msdn.com/Niners/Skeptical/Discussions/RSS Coffeehouse - A question that seems to have no clear answer Simply Accounting needs a PC from what I can see on the Sage site. So you can't move to a mac unless you want to get into the mess of choosing a new accountancy package and migration, or configuring virtual machines, getting a windows license for those virtual machines and putting your accountancy software in there.

As for the Win7 versus Win8, I'll be honest, I don't think it matters. Do you want your start menu in the bottom left hand corner behind a button, or in your face when you login. Either OS will support networking (via homegroups is simplest). Facebook just needs a browser, your email won't change, etc.

]]> http://channel9.msdn.com/Forums/Coffeehouse/A-question-that-seems-to-have-no-clear-answer/314bd77e91ec4ee89221a1160150b13b#314bd77e91ec4ee89221a1160150b13b Tue, 27 Nov 2012 20:25:51 GMT http://channel9.msdn.com/Forums/Coffeehouse/A-question-that-seems-to-have-no-clear-answer/314bd77e91ec4ee89221a1160150b13b#314bd77e91ec4ee89221a1160150b13b blowdart 17 http://channel9.msdn.com/Niners/blowdart/Discussions/RSS Coffeehouse - A question that seems to have no clear answer Word, Excel, Outlook are better on Windows than on OSX. There is no version of Simply Accounting for the Mac. Photoshop is more or less the same.

Windows 7 or Windows 8 are your only options here, unless you want to create OSX frankenbuild with Parallels and additional Windows licenses (suggestion: no).

I am wondering who you asked and what kind of answers you got, as there are really no options to Windows here...

]]> http://channel9.msdn.com/Forums/Coffeehouse/A-question-that-seems-to-have-no-clear-answer/9b3f0cddce40401c805ca11601521615#9b3f0cddce40401c805ca11601521615 Tue, 27 Nov 2012 20:30:56 GMT http://channel9.msdn.com/Forums/Coffeehouse/A-question-that-seems-to-have-no-clear-answer/9b3f0cddce40401c805ca11601521615#9b3f0cddce40401c805ca11601521615 PaoloM 17 http://channel9.msdn.com/Niners/PaoloM/Discussions/RSS Coffeehouse - A question that seems to have no clear answer

, Skeptical wrote

 So far, no one has been able to give me straightforward advise without the tech talk. Anyone?

"It depends", is the clearest possible advice available

 

]]> http://channel9.msdn.com/Forums/Coffeehouse/A-question-that-seems-to-have-no-clear-answer/ce32d2c50b224522b2fda1160153033e#ce32d2c50b224522b2fda1160153033e Tue, 27 Nov 2012 20:34:18 GMT http://channel9.msdn.com/Forums/Coffeehouse/A-question-that-seems-to-have-no-clear-answer/ce32d2c50b224522b2fda1160153033e#ce32d2c50b224522b2fda1160153033e Vesuvius 17 http://channel9.msdn.com/Niners/vesuvius/Discussions/RSS Coffeehouse - A question that seems to have no clear answer Win7 instead, because there is no need to learn Win8 from office perspective. Also Win7 comes with awesome system image backup. Win8 also has it, but, if you are not familiar with Windows7, the additional extra 4 more choices will confuse you, and none of them actual do true image backup, unless you go deeper to find the seemly hidden Win7 Image backup.

 

 You also get the same problem on other apps on Win8 because there are several duplicated apps on Win8, which is confusing and downright annoying. And it will try to open photo on slower version when it is incapable to see the next photo in the same folder. No need to bother with those things until they fix this replication mess in the future.

]]> http://channel9.msdn.com/Forums/Coffeehouse/A-question-that-seems-to-have-no-clear-answer/417b9f8c4970486587caa1160154a0ab#417b9f8c4970486587caa1160154a0ab Tue, 27 Nov 2012 20:40:11 GMT http://channel9.msdn.com/Forums/Coffeehouse/A-question-that-seems-to-have-no-clear-answer/417b9f8c4970486587caa1160154a0ab#417b9f8c4970486587caa1160154a0ab magicalclick 17 http://channel9.msdn.com/Niners/magicalclick/Discussions/RSS Coffeehouse - A question that seems to have no clear answer @blowdart:Thanks, that makes sense, and as said: I am rusted into old habits. I still use XP for the simple interface, my brain apparently does not work well with icons or buttons if they do not have text in it. I know it sounds dumb, but I am still mixing up the Outlook and Explorer icons on the old fashioned desktop screen, because they are both yellow.
I even set my photo directory to "details", because all these thumbnails confuse me.

@PaoloM: Thanks as well, very clear and to the point as well.

 

]]> http://channel9.msdn.com/Forums/Coffeehouse/A-question-that-seems-to-have-no-clear-answer/f16e8f9424ac4ebb8456a116015a918f#f16e8f9424ac4ebb8456a116015a918f Tue, 27 Nov 2012 21:01:49 GMT http://channel9.msdn.com/Forums/Coffeehouse/A-question-that-seems-to-have-no-clear-answer/f16e8f9424ac4ebb8456a116015a918f#f16e8f9424ac4ebb8456a116015a918f Skeptical 17 http://channel9.msdn.com/Niners/Skeptical/Discussions/RSS Coffeehouse - A question that seems to have no clear answer @vesuvius:what is clear about that?

 

]]> http://channel9.msdn.com/Forums/Coffeehouse/A-question-that-seems-to-have-no-clear-answer/ab339917580c478fa8d1a116015aac58#ab339917580c478fa8d1a116015aac58 Tue, 27 Nov 2012 21:02:11 GMT http://channel9.msdn.com/Forums/Coffeehouse/A-question-that-seems-to-have-no-clear-answer/ab339917580c478fa8d1a116015aac58#ab339917580c478fa8d1a116015aac58 Skeptical 17 http://channel9.msdn.com/Niners/Skeptical/Discussions/RSS Coffeehouse - A question that seems to have no clear answer @PaoloM: Just wanted to add that where I live (far, far north) there are not many savvy consultants. We have just 3 shops up here: Source and Staples and the kids working there have no clue what I am talking about, they use their computers for leisure. The third one is a distributor for Apple.

]]> http://channel9.msdn.com/Forums/Coffeehouse/A-question-that-seems-to-have-no-clear-answer/e38bb489e9fc488a866da116015b91c1#e38bb489e9fc488a866da116015b91c1 Tue, 27 Nov 2012 21:05:27 GMT http://channel9.msdn.com/Forums/Coffeehouse/A-question-that-seems-to-have-no-clear-answer/e38bb489e9fc488a866da116015b91c1#e38bb489e9fc488a866da116015b91c1 Skeptical 17 http://channel9.msdn.com/Niners/Skeptical/Discussions/RSS Coffeehouse - A question that seems to have no clear answer Windows 7 or Windows 8 would be fine for you usage.

I'd try out a Windows 8 machine in a store before you make your final decision. The interface is completely new, but does open up a lot of cool possibilities with future software.

]]> http://channel9.msdn.com/Forums/Coffeehouse/A-question-that-seems-to-have-no-clear-answer/835608aa11394dcc912ca116015c2ba7#835608aa11394dcc912ca116015c2ba7 Tue, 27 Nov 2012 21:07:39 GMT http://channel9.msdn.com/Forums/Coffeehouse/A-question-that-seems-to-have-no-clear-answer/835608aa11394dcc912ca116015c2ba7#835608aa11394dcc912ca116015c2ba7 Scott 17 http://channel9.msdn.com/Niners/spivonious/Discussions/RSS Coffeehouse - A question that seems to have no clear answer @spivonious:Unfortunately, not so much to try in the shops up here. BTW, can't think of any future software that may be helpful to my business, other than a word processor, spreadsheet, e-mailing, bookkeeping, browsing and photo editing for our website. That's all you need to run my kind of business efficiently, all the rest is distraction. Good for leisure time, not for the office.

]]> http://channel9.msdn.com/Forums/Coffeehouse/A-question-that-seems-to-have-no-clear-answer/1fa4b36db57a40728283a11601613329#1fa4b36db57a40728283a11601613329 Tue, 27 Nov 2012 21:25:57 GMT http://channel9.msdn.com/Forums/Coffeehouse/A-question-that-seems-to-have-no-clear-answer/1fa4b36db57a40728283a11601613329#1fa4b36db57a40728283a11601613329 Skeptical 17 http://channel9.msdn.com/Niners/Skeptical/Discussions/RSS Coffeehouse - A question that seems to have no clear answer So, sticking to PC's seems to be the smart choice. Any brands to be recommended?

]]> http://channel9.msdn.com/Forums/Coffeehouse/A-question-that-seems-to-have-no-clear-answer/c29e21e771bf49469e0ba11601622453#c29e21e771bf49469e0ba11601622453 Tue, 27 Nov 2012 21:29:23 GMT http://channel9.msdn.com/Forums/Coffeehouse/A-question-that-seems-to-have-no-clear-answer/c29e21e771bf49469e0ba11601622453#c29e21e771bf49469e0ba11601622453 Skeptical 17 http://channel9.msdn.com/Niners/Skeptical/Discussions/RSS Coffeehouse - A question that seems to have no clear answer Building your own PC's is the MOST affordable route, but not for everyone. I'd use NewEgg to look for components if this is your choice.

I guess you order PCs online to be shipped. Dell is a common choice...

]]> http://channel9.msdn.com/Forums/Coffeehouse/A-question-that-seems-to-have-no-clear-answer/5b06d9755760484098f5a116016878eb#5b06d9755760484098f5a116016878eb Tue, 27 Nov 2012 21:52:26 GMT http://channel9.msdn.com/Forums/Coffeehouse/A-question-that-seems-to-have-no-clear-answer/5b06d9755760484098f5a116016878eb#5b06d9755760484098f5a116016878eb JohnAskew 17 http://channel9.msdn.com/Niners/JohnAskew/Discussions/RSS Coffeehouse - A question that seems to have no clear answer @JohnAskew: Thanks! So far, we just have purchased some peripherals here, brought the rest with us when we moved here. So, I have never used Dell. I am bit concerned about service, especially regarding the time to solve an issue. Anyway, will for sure have a look at it. NewEgg too, as I used to build my own, although that is a long time ago.

 

]]> http://channel9.msdn.com/Forums/Coffeehouse/A-question-that-seems-to-have-no-clear-answer/340358732d9144388c9ea116016ae86f#340358732d9144388c9ea116016ae86f Tue, 27 Nov 2012 22:01:18 GMT http://channel9.msdn.com/Forums/Coffeehouse/A-question-that-seems-to-have-no-clear-answer/340358732d9144388c9ea116016ae86f#340358732d9144388c9ea116016ae86f Skeptical 17 http://channel9.msdn.com/Niners/Skeptical/Discussions/RSS Coffeehouse - A question that seems to have no clear answer

, JohnAskew wrote

Building your own PC's is the MOST affordable route, but not for everyone. I'd use NewEgg to look for components if this is your choice.

I guess you order PCs online to be shipped. Dell is a common choice...

@Skeptical:

I'm starting to feel like a CL-pimp, but you can get some great deals on Craigslist on pre-owned Dell computers, which allow transferring of service warranties if that's a concern.

]]> http://channel9.msdn.com/Forums/Coffeehouse/A-question-that-seems-to-have-no-clear-answer/f50adce15c9144fd9d58a11700401336#f50adce15c9144fd9d58a11700401336 Wed, 28 Nov 2012 03:53:17 GMT http://channel9.msdn.com/Forums/Coffeehouse/A-question-that-seems-to-have-no-clear-answer/f50adce15c9144fd9d58a11700401336#f50adce15c9144fd9d58a11700401336 cbae 17 http://channel9.msdn.com/Niners/cbae/Discussions/RSS Coffeehouse - A question that seems to have no clear answer

, Skeptical wrote

@JohnAskew: Thanks! So far, we just have purchased some peripherals here, brought the rest with us when we moved here. So, I have never used Dell. I am bit concerned about service, especially regarding the time to solve an issue. Anyway, will for sure have a look at it. NewEgg too, as I used to build my own, although that is a long time ago.

 

It depends if you want to save money and build a machine yourself or if you want to purchase a machine with an extended 3 year warranty with next day repair or replace.

It depends on how competent your staff are with IT as they will need to retrain to use Windows 8

It depends on whether your business intends to collaborate with other businesses, sending them spreadsheets and word documents, whether you opt for a mac or a pc

it depends on the budget you have available, a few hundred, or tens of thousands of dollars

Is that getting clearer?

]]> http://channel9.msdn.com/Forums/Coffeehouse/A-question-that-seems-to-have-no-clear-answer/f2c3aa3548644015ad00a117008ee326#f2c3aa3548644015ad00a117008ee326 Wed, 28 Nov 2012 08:40:14 GMT http://channel9.msdn.com/Forums/Coffeehouse/A-question-that-seems-to-have-no-clear-answer/f2c3aa3548644015ad00a117008ee326#f2c3aa3548644015ad00a117008ee326 Vesuvius 17 http://channel9.msdn.com/Niners/vesuvius/Discussions/RSS Coffeehouse - A question that seems to have no clear answer "probably 2 desktops and 1 or 2 laptops"

"Word, Excel. Outlook, PhotoShop and Simply Accounting"

Am I correct in assuming that you have no IT department? While building your own PCs is fun, and gives a better value, you'll probably be too busy running your business to deal with fixing issues and dealing with Newegg for replacement parts. Pay the extra money to get the support from Dell/HP/Asus/Lenovo/whichever OEM you choose. Time to solve the issue will be almost identical. You're paying for someone else to deal with it. Budget $500-$750 for each PC and $1000-$1500 for each laptop.

For those apps, you'll get the best experience on Windows. Personally, I'd get Windows 8 so you're running the latest version. Yes, the new start screen takes some getting used to, but if you opt for machines with touchscreens, many of the complaints about clunky mouse interactions disappear.

Photoshop likes memory and CPU, so I'd look at machines with at least 4GB of RAM and an i5 or i7 CPU. The other apps have minimal hardware requirements. Spend more on the hardware now, and they'll last you a lot longer.

]]> http://channel9.msdn.com/Forums/Coffeehouse/A-question-that-seems-to-have-no-clear-answer/9dafe51011394efda8c6a11701259d3f#9dafe51011394efda8c6a11701259d3f Wed, 28 Nov 2012 17:49:01 GMT http://channel9.msdn.com/Forums/Coffeehouse/A-question-that-seems-to-have-no-clear-answer/9dafe51011394efda8c6a11701259d3f#9dafe51011394efda8c6a11701259d3f Scott 17 http://channel9.msdn.com/Niners/spivonious/Discussions/RSS Coffeehouse - A question that seems to have no clear answer

, spivonious wrote

"probably 2 desktops and 1 or 2 laptops"

"Word, Excel. Outlook, PhotoShop and Simply Accounting"

Am I correct in assuming that you have no IT department? While building your own PCs is fun, and gives a better value, you'll probably be too busy running your business to deal with fixing issues and dealing with Newegg for replacement parts. Pay the extra money to get the support from Dell/HP/Asus/Lenovo/whichever OEM you choose. Time to solve the issue will be almost identical. You're paying for someone else to deal with it. Budget $500-$750 for each PC and $1000-$1500 for each laptop.

For those apps, you'll get the best experience on Windows. Personally, I'd get Windows 8 so you're running the latest version. Yes, the new start screen takes some getting used to, but if you opt for machines with touchscreens, many of the complaints about clunky mouse interactions disappear.

Photoshop likes memory and CPU, so I'd look at machines with at least 4GB of RAM and an i5 or i7 CPU. The other apps have minimal hardware requirements. Spend more on the hardware now, and they'll last you a lot longer.

Let's imagine Nome Alaska. How long for Dell to service the hardware? I'd rather choose my own better components and build a far superior machine to Dell's for a fraction of the cost. Hardware failures are rare, imho, re: mission critical 24/7 or just simple use...

]]> http://channel9.msdn.com/Forums/Coffeehouse/A-question-that-seems-to-have-no-clear-answer/2f6d77c2b75b4ea28a1ea11701295e1f#2f6d77c2b75b4ea28a1ea11701295e1f Wed, 28 Nov 2012 18:02:40 GMT http://channel9.msdn.com/Forums/Coffeehouse/A-question-that-seems-to-have-no-clear-answer/2f6d77c2b75b4ea28a1ea11701295e1f#2f6d77c2b75b4ea28a1ea11701295e1f JohnAskew 17 http://channel9.msdn.com/Niners/JohnAskew/Discussions/RSS