A community of 30,000 US Transcriptionist serving Medical Transcription Industry

Opinions on new computer please! - Victoria

Posted: Jan 15, 2010

I am looking to buy a new computer but kind of "stumped" at where to start. I know that I will have to buy Dell since they are about the only company that offers XP any longer. Currently I am running a Pentium 4 CPU, 1.60 GHz with 1.00 GB RAM.

Does anyone have any suggestions on what to buy? I am working 3 jobs currently, have several programs that I run and this computer has become bogged down, I have to sometimes sit and wait for it to open a web page or a program.

Thanks so much for any suggestions!

Get a minimum of 4 GB RAM. - SM

[ In Reply To ..]
The new computers have plenty of processing speed and hard drive memory. Running a lot of programs in the background requires a lot of RAM memory.

I was told a dual-core processor was best, but I'd confirm that - with a techie. sm

[ In Reply To ..]
It's a pity most MTs are still stuck with paying extra for XP computers; Windows 7 is a beautiful OS with some great features, without the hassle of some of the Vista problems. The clarity of the text on the display is incredible, and I love peeking at thumbnails of the windows I have open at the bottom of the screen (helpful for production). I use mine for work without any problems, but I can understand most MTSOs haven't had enough time to play with it.

Don't be sold on sticking with XP . . . - SoCal MT

[ In Reply To ..]
My company told me Vista wouldn't work with their platform. It did. They then told me Windows 7 wouldn't work. It does.

Oh, and you can still get an HP and pay $100 or so to have it "downgraded" to Windows XP. I was tempted when I bought my new computer in September, but I didn't do it. That's how I know Vista and then Windows 7 works with platforms where they say it will not.

Also, you may be told 64-bit won't work. It will.

You're really leading MTs here astray, and you took...sm - Not such good advice!

[ In Reply To ..]
a risk when you went to the newer OS in each case. I have to say that you were lucky - not all platforms will be this easy to transition over, which of course means that some MTs are going to follow your advice then wake up one morning to go to work, only to find out that they cannot. Best talk to your IT dept first and follow their advice - some people still like to pay bills and eat!

Not really. If you know anything at all about . . . - SoCal MT

[ In Reply To ..]
how platforms and operating systems work, you realize there is always, yes, ALWAYS, a way to make them compatible. On occasion it may take a bit of figuring out, and even a work-around, but it can be done . . . and it isn't difficult. Even with a work-around, once everything is in place it works fine, and no extra steps need be taken each time the platform is implemented.

I am not leading anyone astray. I have bills to pay and eat, too, by the way. Why would I want to hurt an MT by giving them bum advice? We're all (well, most of us) in this together and can us all the help, advice and support we can get.

To tell someone to stick with Windows XP is bad advice. In the near future MS is discontinuing all support of the product.

Regarding XP and discontinued MS support . . . - SoCal MT

[ In Reply To ..]
I just found this:
Microsoft has decided to offer technical support for Windows XP with updates and security patches for an extended period until April 2014. However, it will not go back on its decision to discontinue Windows XP sales after June 30.

This is indeed good news. I still have XP on two computers, and I know many of you still do as well.

When that time comes, I'm sure MTSOs and companies...sm - And???

[ In Reply To ..]
adjust and adapt. Until then, to tell an MT to take it upon herself to override a company's IT Department's recommendations is foolish, at the very least, and chancy on the higher end of the spectrum. Stick to being an MT and leave the IT to the companies.

Oh, please! Don't be ridiculous! This isn't anything . . - SoCal MT

[ In Reply To ..]
complicated, for heaven's sake. Plus, it isn't overriding "a company's IT department's recommendations." Many say it won't work because they don't KNOW if it will or not, and they don't want to bother finding out.

How dare you tell me to "stick to being an MT!" You have no idea what my background is.

I would venture to say that "most" MTs would not feel...sm - As I said....

[ In Reply To ..]
secure in using your logic; therefore, I stand by my advice to stick to MT. I would imagine, from the way you talk, that your background is more heavily involved with computers than most, but - that said - it's NOT the background of "most" MTs. If you read some of the questions on here, you'll know what I'm talking about - and advising them to change from XP to Windows 7 or anything else without the help of their IT department is dangerous and could cause more problems than the advice - in your opinion - is worth. PERIOD!

Very foolish of you to think the operating system is - SoCal MT

[ In Reply To ..]
so complicated in regard to interaction with platforms. Compatibility issues are just not that big a deal. Really.

Have you ever read any of the questions on this board? sm - "Really" back at you!

[ In Reply To ..]
Obviously NOT or you would realize that not everyone has the experience or "intelligence" that you think they have. It's the K.I.S.S. strategy for most MTs. REALLY!

What??? Speak for yourself, not for all of us. - Maybe it is just you

[ In Reply To ..]
that needs things to be simple. You insult the intelligence of MTs with your statement.

Operating systems ARE simple when it comes to compatibility with platforms.

No, not really. I just like knowing that, after speaking with...sm - Well, you are just too sweet!

[ In Reply To ..]
the IT dept about upgrading or NOT, when I turn on my computer this morning, I can actually work because I heeded their advice. As I stated previously in this thread, some platforms are not suited to an upgrade of the OS. It's THAT simple! *-D)

And others at your company have probably already - switched with no problem . . .

[ In Reply To ..]
at all. The only reason an IT department will tell anyone not to change operating systems is that they have not thoroughly investigated any potential issues. Usually there are no issues, and if there are the IT people just don't know the work-around yet.

It's just a matter of time before you will be forced to switch - whether it is because you buy a new computer (XP won't be available forever) or for any number of other reasons.

Perhaps you need to be a bit more open to change and learning how to deal with it. Not everyone is dependent on others to lead them by the hand.

As I said before that you fail to read, I will make the...sm - Independent to the max

[ In Reply To ..]
changes when I'm requested to - and not until. I've bought a new computer and still use XP so I CAN WORK TO MAKE A LIVING. I'm in no way, shape or form an idiot, as you keep trying to make me look, and I do like to eat and pay my bills on time. Your forceful nature makes me think YOU are actually the one who's not open to change. Let it rest, for crying out loud.

You are the one saying MTs are not so bright . . . - remember? >>>

[ In Reply To ..]
I find MTs to be very intelligent and skilled.

As for letting it rest, should I just let you continue your uneducated banter? I don't think so.

You are scaring MTs into thinking they must never change operating systems unless some all-knowing IT person gives them an arbitrary thumbs up.

Any platform can be made compatible with Vista or Windows 7. As mentioned earlier, it isn't difficult at all.

K.I.S.S. - Rona

[ In Reply To ..]
What a high-and-mighty attitude the above poster so proudly flaunts! I.T. people are now a dime-a-dozen, yet posts like the above ''K.I.S.S.'', regarding MTs! Unbelievable. In addition to a working knowledge of anatomy, physiology, pharmacology, surgical, laboratory terminology, plus the ability to accurately decipher accents from all over the planet, MTs get subjected to condescension from rocket scientists (in their own minds) who took some computer courses! On the other hand, are these oh-so-superior computer types, management types, office people (or whoever posted the brilliant K.I.S.S. remark) expected to be able to translate even the simplest EGD or TAH/BSO dictation into an accurate document?--or be condescended to when unable? Now for that, we would really have to K.I.S.S.! K.I.S.S. indeed. Would like to suggest what he/she can go K.I.S.S.!

Wow, I really want to thank you for your reply. I now see... - Gee, thanks!

[ In Reply To ..]
that any MT can transfer into the IT field without any problem. That really alleviates the stress in my life, as I was kind of worrying about what I would do if I lost my MT job. I feel so much better now. Little did I know that the knowledge for computers was right at my hands and with the help of this wonderful board. Onward and upward!

Thank you all so much for your responses!! I did check with my "main" IT person (SM) - Victoria

[ In Reply To ..]
And he recommended pretty much the same things. He did say that he had tested Windows 7 with our programs and while it seemed to be fine currently, to give him a little longer to make absolutely sure but definitely stay away from Vista.

Again, thank you all so much for your input, it has really helped a lot!!

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