Forum Discussion

J_herb's avatar
J_herb
Explorer II
Jan 04, 2016

Enough computer ?

I have a HP notebook laptop with windows 8.1 intel Celeron N2830 2.16 GHz, 4GB of memory 64 bit and 443 HD
when I'm on any of the news networks and with the adds and videos my computer runs slows. when I'm on the RVnet or some other RV sites or checking weather cams my computer runs real good and fairly fast, I'm on DSL. With todays internet do I need more CPU and memory? Buy a more expensive laptop? It does this using IE or Fire Fox.
Thanks Jay

35 Replies

  • You have a good enough computer. You are experiencing poor web site design and the over reliance on video by the advertiser and news outlets. This site has it right in that they offer a simple interface, minimal ads and graphics, and a format that can be used on all my devices.

    There are utilities you can run on your computer to help assure you are not the problem, clean up wasted space, improve performance of Windows and are useful. Ad blocking software will help but not eliminate slow display of some websites.
  • RoyB's avatar
    RoyB
    Explorer II
    I ran my older XP-PLUS DELL M90s workstation laptops for years supporting all of my remote radio controls and love of drawing software etc...

    These got very slow in operations over the years...

    Finally got new top level laptops from QVC and HSN with their easy purchase plans... It is a totally different computer experience now using the latest DELL laptops running Core I7 1.8Ghz CPUs with 8GB Ram and 1TB hard drives. Computers now boot up in less than one minute when first turned on and we get to downstream alot of HDTV now with no problems.

    Never knew what I was missing haha... I do miss my DELL M90 Workstation docking station concept with just setting the laptop into one large connection plug and having all of my external setups up and running with the LAPTOP lid closed. This is a great concept with RV Trailers in mind as the laptop goes where you go and everything you have on the laptop is with you at all times. I see very little difference in running my laptop system setup at home or in my off-road POPUP trailer up on the Blue Ridge high country somewhere...

    Your setup doesn't look to be much different than what I am now running - more RAM would be great I would think...

    I am now running WIN 10 in WIN 7 mode on my DELL INSPIRON 17R5737 laptop for the most part but using FIREFOX and GOOGLE CHROME for Internet browser. Never really tried the WIN 10 Edge browser yet.. I am also still running my older 2009 MS OFFICE software including MS OUTLOOK for EMAIL etc...

    I was able to connect up to my two 24-inch DELL external monitors and my ham radio interfaces using just a couple of cables coming from the laptop interface. The only time I open the lid to the LAPTOP is to turn it on... Everything else runs like my older DELL M90 Workstation Docking station days...

    Roy Ken
  • If you run Speedtest.net when your computer is running slow, what download speeds are you getting? (Don't run it while watching a video)
  • J herb wrote:
    It does this using IE or Fire Fox.

    For what it's worth, I've noticed that later versions of the Firefox browser have trouble with some Websites, especially streaming video. I have recently installed a lightweight browser, Midori, for those situations. Content unwatchable in FireFox is just fine in Midori.

    There are several fine and free lightweight browsers available. I run FireFox and Google Chrome most of the time but it's nice to have Midori at hand.

    I don't think it's necessary to get a new computer but if that machine has the capability of handling more RAM, I suggest installing another 4 gigabytes. Used RAM is inexpensive on eBay. Sometimes I pay more for the shipping than the memory modules. For $10 or $15, you can double your memory. That will be the most effective upgrade.

    Download and run the free CPUID to get a picture of what is now installed.

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