27 January 2019

Finding the Right Computer When You Need a New One

Now that we're about to start the second month of a new year, maybe you're thinking about buying a new computer. This can be a frustrating task, so let's consider how you might be able to make the process a bit easier and faster.

First, you'll need to decide whether you want a computer that runs the MacOS, Windows, or some variant of Linux. That topic alone could take up more time than we have, so let's just cheat: If you've used Windows and you're happy with it, look for a Windows computer; if you've used the MacOS and you're happy with it, look for a Mac; and if you've used one or more of the Linux distros and you're happy with it, just carry on because you probably already know more than I do. Switching from one operating system to another isn't difficult, but it can be frustrating, so stick with what you know unless you have a good reason for wanting to switch.

So that covers the entire operating system question in a single paragraph. Now let's continue with computers. I'm going to start with Windows because there are more choices with Windows systems. It might seem that having more choices is a good thing, and it probably is, but it can lead to extreme frustration.

Tablet, Convertible, Notebook, or Desktop

If portability is your primary concern, a tablet or convertible is the right choice. You'll have to live with a lot of compromises, though, because these devices usually have less powerful CPUs, less memory, much smaller hard drives, and display limitations. Some have powerful processors, but the trade-offs are higher prices and hotter operating temperatures.

Currently notebook computers seem to be the "do everything" machines. With a dock and the right peripherals, notebooks can replace desktop computers. My primary computer has been a notebook for the past couple of years and, while I miss some aspects of a desktop system that has all disk drives inside the case and offers the ability to update individual components, the notebook has proved to be more than adequate for my needs.

Desktop systems are larger, noisier, and easier to work on. If you like to update components occasionally, possibly adding memory or an extra disk drive, it's easy with desktop systems because the case can be opened with just a few tools or, in some cases, no tools at all. Some notebook systems provide relatively easy access to some components, but convertibles and tablets require specialized tools and specialized knowledge to get inside the case.

Virtually all computers have Wi-Fi built in (or, in the case of desktop systems, easily added on), but mobile users may also want to have cellular connectivity for times when no Wi-Fi signal is present. You'll need a data plan, of course, and adding this capability to the computer will increase the price substantially. Another option involves turning your smart phone into a Wi-Fi hotspot and then connecting to the phone via Wi-Fi for internet access from a Wi-Fi only computer.

Power or Cost?

The amount of computing power, memory, and disk space you need will have a big effect on the cost. You'll find computers priced from well under $500 to well over $2000. Those who need nothing more than website browsing and email can stick to the low end of the price range while those who want to edit large photographs, videos, or publications will need to purchase a computer that's more toward the top end of the scale.

The CPU in low-cost computers will have lower performance and will have fewer cores. Cores are like a CPU inside a CPU. More cores mean the computer will be faster. Maybe. In addition to cores, there's also the speed of the CPU. A slower CPU with more cores might be a better choice than a faster CPU with fewer cores. The most popular CPUs from Intel are Core i3, Core i5, Core i7, and Xeon. For many users, the i5 (slower), even slower i3, or the i7 would be the best choice. Xeon processors are best suited to servers.

If you're looking for high performance and low cost, it would be a good idea to stop looking right now because you won't find it. Decide whether performance or cost is more important to you. It is possible to save money, often quite a bit of money, by choosing a computer with the second-best CPU offered for the machine. The fastest CPU offered for a given computer often adds less than 10% to overall performance, but may add considerably more than 10% to the cost. The second-fastest CPU coupled with more RAM and a fast solid-state boot drive is often the best value.

Buying a MacOS Computer

Everything that applies to Windows computers applies to MacOS computers, but compared to Windows users, MacOS users have a severely limited selection of computers. Only Apple makes computers that run the MacOS. (Yes, it's possible to build your own computer and possibly get the MacOS to run on it; if you can do that, you don't need me.)

Apple doesn't make tablets and I know that statement will be greeted by howls. Yes, there's the Ipad. I have one and I like it, but it's not a computer. It runs on IOS instead of the MacOS. Windows tablets that run Windows 10 look and act like notebook and desktop computers that run Windows 10. Tablets that run IOS do not look or act like computers that run the MacOS.

When it comes to computers, you have a choice of the MacBook, MacBook Air, MacBook Pro, IMac, IMac Pro, the Mac Mini, and (if cost is no object) the Mac Pro. In many ways, finding the right MacOS computer is easier than finding the right Windows or Linux computer because there's only one manufacturer and that one manufacturer has a limited series of choices.

Buying a Linux Computer

If your operating system choice is Linux, you have more and fewer options than Windows or MacOS users.

You have more choices because just about any computer can be set up to run Linux. You have fewer choices because getting some computers to run Linux is challenging.

Here's an example: I retired a Toshiba notebook a couple of years ago and installed Linux Mint on it. When the computer was connected to the router by cable, I had internet access, but the operating system didn't recognize the computer's built-in Wi-Fi components. I purchased a USB Wi-Fi device that was certified for Linux, but initially it didn't work, either. Instead of returning the device, I worked with the seller for more than 2 weeks and eventually Linux Mint was able to recognize and use the Wi-Fi device. The seller certainly spent so much time and effort assisting me that they lost money on the sale and the situation was frustrating for me.

There are sellers who offer computers that are certified for Linux. In part, this means is that the computer doesn't rely on any components that have built-in proprietary Windows-specific drivers. There's usually a way to get Windows-specific drivers to work under Linux, but (as with the situation I described) the process may be long and frustrating.

Linux, for all its advantages, can still be difficult for users to set up. Once it's set up and running, though, a Linux computer essentially maintains itself by updating the operating system and all applications as needed.

Linux is worth looking at if you don't depend on Microsoft, Adobe, or other applications that run only on the MacOs or Windows. In fact, Linux could be the perfect match for someone who wants an easily maintained system that has office applications, email, and website browsing.

Short Circuits

What to do with Your Old Computer

If you've just purchased a new computer, you may still have an old computer that works. Instead of adding it to a landfill, maybe you'd like to re-purpose it, give it away, or recycle it. Any of those options is better than dumping it into a landfill.

Some of the materials used to make computers are in short supply and are obtained by mining vulnerable areas of the planet, so even a dead computer absolutely should not be tossed into the trash.

Organizations can sell obsolete computers to companies that recycle them, but these options are usually not available to those who have just one or two computers to recycle. However, some office supply companies such as Staples do accept computers and other components for recycling. Staples, for example, works with ERI Direct. Staples says "Any computers, phones or other data-containing devices with hard drives entering the reuse market are wiped to Department of Defense specifications or the hard drives/memory cards are destroyed. Older electronic items are pre-processed and then run through a large shredder to separate various metals, plastics and glass for sending to different, downstream recycling facilities."

Even so, it's a good idea to wipe memory cards and disk drives before you submit them for recycling. That means more than just deleting files or formatting the media. Securely erasing a disk drive involves writing over everything on the drive. Windows users can download the free DiskWipe and Mac users can download Disk Wiper 15. These are applications that wipe the entire disk, so use them with extreme caution. CCleaner also offers an option to wipe a disk drive's blank space, so you need to delete any files that contain important personal information, then empty the Recycle Bin, and finally use CCleaner to wipe the free space.

CCleaner can be used to wipe the entire disk, too, but it misidentified the disk drives on my computer. Only drive C is a solid state drive, but CCleaner identified all of the drives as SSDs. You can use an application such as this to wipe a solid-state drive, but a better method involves the use of an application like Parted Magic. Parted is short for partition editor. Parted Magic isn't free, but its reasonably priced at just $11.

Before you securely erase the disk drive, be sure that you have installation media for the operating system. And before you do that, maybe it would be a good idea to think about what's on the disk. If it's just email and a few documents, deleting these documents after copying them to your new computer and then wiping the free space on the disk drive might be sufficient.

Instead of recycling the computer, you may choose to donate it. Keep in mind that an old, slow computer is better than no computer at all and several organizations work to re-purpose these kinds of computers for use in developing countries as well as in low-income areas of the United States. The Cristina organization will help you identify nearby organizations that accept computers for this use.

If you plan to re-purpose a computer or donate it to an organization that will give it to a needy user, it's helpful to prepare the computer for use. This may take a few hours of your time, but you can consider it to be your good deed for the day. Let's work through this for a Windows computer.

It's a good idea to make sure that the system is clean before proceeding, so boot into Safe Mode and use an application such as the free version of F-Secure Online Scanner to scan for malware. Another good choice is the Sophos Rootkit Removal application. Both of these will, of course, attempt to sell you their paid protective applications. Expect the rootkit scan to take a long time.

When you're sure that the system contains no malware, open Settings and type "reset" in the search box. Choose Reset this PC. Select Get Started and then choose Remove Everything in the next dialog box. This will delete all of your files and restore the computer to its original state.

Next, return to Settings, choose Update & Security, and then click Check for Updates. Install all of the updates that are offered. When all of the updates have been installed, repeat the process -- check for updates and install any that appear. Keep repeating the process until no new updates are shown.

At some point, you'll be asked to create a user for the computer. If you plan to give the computer to someone you know, you can create an account for that person. Otherwise, I generally create an account called "user" with "password" as the password. This assumes that the new user will be willing and able to create a better account with a more secure password.

Whatever you do with your old, outmoded computer, the planet will be grateful if you don't toss it into the trash.

Improving Smart Phone Sound

Smart phones are remarkable devices. They are cameras. They are web browsers. They connect to email accounts and allow users to send text messages and participate in video chats. Sometimes they're even used to make phone calls. But in general there's one deficiency: Sound.

Four primary smart phone types exist: Android, IOS, Blackberry, and Microsoft. Android market penetration has hovered around 50% since 2012 and IOS devices have increased from about 30% in 2012 to around 45% now. That doesn't leave much room for the other two: Blackberry has declined from about 15% to around 2% and Microsoft has never been above 5%. So it's nearly a sure thing that your smart phone is either Android or IOS.

Both systems have methods for adjusting playback sound. Regardless of which operating system your phone uses, you'll want to use headphones instead of the built-in speakers. I am astonished by the sound quality provided by speakers in small devices because the quality is far better than it has a right to be for such tiny speakers; even so, the sound will be better if you choose to use headphones or earbuds.

Headphones and earbuds range in price from a few tens of dollars to many hundreds of dollars. In general, higher priced devices provide better sound. Flat response has an unexciting name, but flat is also accurate and without emphasis on any specific range of sounds. Accurate sound reproduction might not be what you want, though. Voice tracks are better with emphasis on mid-range frequencies. Rock music may benefit from emphasis on bass frequencies. And really it depends on the listener to decide how to appreciate what they're listening to.

If you have an IOS device, you'll find equalizer settings in Settings > Music. Here you can select from more than 20 choices, but there's no graph to show which frequencies are being accentuated and which are being de-emphasized. IOS users also can also choose from third-party applications such as the Audio Xciter - DSP Enhanced Music Player from Rode Microphones and the HF Player - Hi-Res Music from Onkyo. As with most things Apple, the company would prefer that users not delve too deeply into the underlying functions and some of the software equalizers require that the user jailbreak the phone or tablet.

Android users have no built-in equalizer functions, but Neutralizer by Javeo can improve sound on your smart phone or tablet. Neutralizer has a chart that makes it look like a standard equalizer, but that's misleading.

After you've installed the application, you need to tune it for the device. This is best done with the headphones or earbuds that you plan to use. Because the built-in speakers are so limited, the performance boost you'll get is also limited.

When you activate Neutralizer, it will have a default flat setting called Speaker. Click the pencil item to make changes and start by renaming it. A good name will identify the headphones you're using. Then, tap each frequency band and adjust the sound up or down until you can just barely hear the sound. Once you've finished with all the bands, click the check mark to save the settings.

Instead of creating a series of playback settings for different types of music, Neutralizer creates a flat playback response that's precisely tuned to your hearing.

Neutralizer seems to be free and can be downloaded from the Google Play Store. The store indicates Neutralizer has in-app purchases and that usually means there's a paid version, but so far I haven't been prompted to sign up for it.