PC/Laptop suggestions?

[Rafe]

I use a fair bit of screen real estate, so I bumped up my monitor size a few years back. That's a 27 inch monitor, on the left.

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^^^ This. I can't function without dual displays. Took a look at the newer mongo curved monitors from Samsung (they make 'em up to 57" now), but opted not to go that route. I'm sure I could make one of them work fine, but I'm not a gamer and I don't stream movies on the workstation. What I do, however, is edit audio and video in addition to more conventional office stuff. For me, two flat displays works better and, like @Brains, one of them can be rotated to be in either landscape or portrait mode.

And I'm not the fastest typist around, but another consideration for me is a high-quality mechanical keyboard. Just can't stand the typical membrane keyboards. If your hours are spent doing a lot of typing, I'd suggest budgeting up to about $200 for the keyboard. Kinda like folks saying not to scrimp on getting a quality mattress. If you're going to spend hours a day on it, don't get a low-end model.

 

[sucker76]

HA! I took a Fortran class in college. Used punch cards. Those were LOADS of fun.

College huh? I was actively programing in a form of Fortran until 2023.
It is old but is a very easy language to learn and does a job well. Not to say something something like C# or even VBA can't do it better.

 

[Brains]

I like a good keyboard, and I've so far settled on the Keychron K10 Pro. I've been testing a handful of keyswitches to see what I like, which the K10 Pro makes easy (hot swappable). I'm liking the Baby Kangaroo the best so far (heavy springs, tactile, but quiet).

I run basically identical workstation configurations at the office and home. A 4k 27 inch on the left with a 43 inch 4k TV as the main monitor. I carry a laptop (high spec Macbook Pro), docked if I'm at a desk.

Fortran was half of a one semester programming class in high school, my only exposure to it. The second half we moved to Pascal, which I also never touched again. Never did anything beyond gaining a functional understanding of the basic structures and doing stuff like simple math problems.

 

[sucker76]

Wow, a 43" main monitor. That's nice. I only have 3 27" on my desk. We have upgraded programing in fortran to programing in ABB with structured text at work.

 

[Brains]

Truth be told, I originally bought a TV as a monitor because I was frustrated trying to work with the single 27 inch 1440p I had at the time. I was looking at local retailers, balking at the price of twin 4k 27's. TV's have become so inexpensive by comparison, so I told the wife I was borrowing her SUV and came home with a TV. I figured it would just get me through the weekend sprint, but I ended up really liking it. Lots of real estate to work with. I run the scaling at 100% so it's the kinda the same visually as four 21 inch 1080p monitors.

 

[mroper]

Anyone try one of those curved Monitors ? I have limited space so it might suit me best

 

[tangoparson]

Anyone try one of those curved Monitors ? I have limited space so it might suit me best

I have a 32” curved dell. I like it. Replaced twin 19s. Plenty of real estate to fake twin monitors by resizing windows.


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[Unapoistla]

For Android, go with the **Samsung Galaxy Tab S9 + keyboard**. It’s versatile, has a great screen, and is perfect for writing and research. For offline writing, **Microsoft Word** is still solid, but **LibreOffice** is a great free alternative. Dm for more info lol i'm into computers n laptop

 

[leVieux]

It's been 20 years since I've needed one, and now I do.

Primarily for writing, research; not a gamer, movie streamer, etc. Need a decent screen and a full sized keyboard, prefer android.

I've watched some youtube reviews and... well... I'd rather hear what you folks think.

Also need to find a decent (offline) software/program... Does Word even still exist? LOL What do y'all use?

Thanks in advance, any suggestions are most appreciated. $2k max budget, all in.

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Having run Medical offices for years, we use LENOVO, which is the old IBM, now made in China. If one deals directly withy LENOVO instead of “BestBuy”, etc, one gets a lot more for their dollar. And their warranty & extended service policies have been flawless.

Sad that they re giving-up on the little red “joystick” control in favor of scratchpad or mouse. Their laptops have had all 3 until recently.

(The joystick is easier to use in a bouncing airplane or boat. It was not intuitive to use, as it is operated by the long finger, not the index finger. Once one is properly trained, they love it. I presently have all 3 types right here & much prefer the joystick.)

I don’t have their contact info here. Remember that the equipment bought directly is much more capable.

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[SARGE67]

I buy Dell laptops directly from them, no third party. I like it that way.