Windows XP

bwanshoom wrote:

camperforlife wrote:
Apple is not an option when you have a expensive SAP custom software program that does not like Apple even in a dual boot environment.

I'm not sure where your comment is coming from in regards to my comment.

I'm not advocating Apple, merely replying to the previous post that they abandon their users when new hardware comes out.

I'm the OP and my question was about XP so therefore I commented that Apple was not an option. I was not/am not bashing or defending Apple or anyone talking about Apple. Since this is a thread I started, I had hoped to get it back on topic, no more no less and certainly wasn't trying to offend. If I did, I apologize.

Stefonius wrote:

bwanshoom wrote:

Stefonius wrote:

Tom/Barb wrote:
Apple iMac never needs any new versions, the updates are free.

...until Apple decides that your hardware is obsolete, or until they come out with something shinier and more expensive. Then they abandon you like you never existed.

Seems to me like they have reasonable support for older hardware. The latest version of OSX supports hardware going back at least 6 years and iOS7 support iPhone 4 onwards which is over 3 years old (nearly ancient in smartphone terms).

My PowerMac G4 isn't supported by any version of OSX made after 10.5. Drivers and programs for it are becoming increasingly nonexistent.
My iPod Touch (1st generation) doesn't support any iOS higher than version 3.
My iPad (1st generation) doesn't support any iOS higher than version 5.
Apple's response? Tough crap... spend more money on newer hardware.
By contrast, I can still run darn near anything on my elderly PC platforms. Whether it's fast or not is a different story.

I don't think you can expect your devices (iPad & iPod) to be supported more than about 5 years, regardless of the manufacturer. The mobile market is moving too fast that to happen. It's no different in the Android world - many devices are abandoned even before they're end of life (which is generally 2 years). And Windows Phone 7 had no backward compatibility when it was introduced.

Your computer is almost 10 years old. Outside of Linux is there any support for any computer 10 years old on any OS? Maybe you can run Windows 7 on it (assuming you have at least 1GB RAM), but I suspect that would be a bit painful. And if you run XP you're not able to use new hardware because there will be no drivers for it.

I think your expectations for usable life of devices and computers are a bit longer than the norm.

bwanshoom wrote:

Stefonius wrote:

Tom/Barb wrote:
Apple iMac never needs any new versions, the updates are free.

...until Apple decides that your hardware is obsolete, or until they come out with something shinier and more expensive. Then they abandon you like you never existed.

Seems to me like they have reasonable support for older hardware. The latest version of OSX supports hardware going back at least 6 years and iOS7 support iPhone 4 onwards which is over 3 years old (nearly ancient in smartphone terms).

My PowerMac G4 isn't supported by any version of OSX made after 10.5. Drivers and programs for it are becoming increasingly nonexistent.
My iPod Touch (1st generation) doesn't support any iOS higher than version 3.
My iPad (1st generation) doesn't support any iOS higher than version 5.
Apple's response? Tough crap... spend more money on newer hardware.
By contrast, I can still run darn near anything on my elderly PC platforms. Whether it's fast or not is a different story.

Chris Bryant wrote:
Forget touch screens for a desktop- https://www.leapmotion.com/

Leap motion is a great idea with very limited application. It relies on apps specifically written to work with it and they are limited and few.

camperforlife wrote:
Apple is not an option when you have a expensive SAP custom software program that does not like Apple even in a dual boot environment.

I'm not sure where your comment is coming from in regards to my comment.

I'm not advocating Apple, merely replying to the previous post that they abandon their users when new hardware comes out.

bwanshoom wrote:

Stefonius wrote:

Tom/Barb wrote:
Apple iMac never needs any new versions, the updates are free.

...until Apple decides that your hardware is obsolete, or until they come out with something shinier and more expensive. Then they abandon you like you never existed.

Seems to me like they have reasonable support for older hardware. The latest version of OSX supports hardware going back at least 6 years and iOS7 support iPhone 4 onwards which is over 3 years old (nearly ancient in smartphone terms).

Apple is not an option when you have a expensive SAP custom software program that does not like Apple even in a dual boot environment.

Stefonius wrote:

Tom/Barb wrote:
Apple iMac never needs any new versions, the updates are free.

...until Apple decides that your hardware is obsolete, or until they come out with something shinier and more expensive. Then they abandon you like you never existed.

Seems to me like they have reasonable support for older hardware. The latest version of OSX supports hardware going back at least 6 years and iOS7 support iPhone 4 onwards which is over 3 years old (nearly ancient in smartphone terms).

Tom/Barb wrote:
Apple iMac never needs any new versions, the updates are free.

...until Apple decides that your hardware is obsolete, or until they come out with something shinier and more expensive. Then they abandon you like you never existed.

Forget touch screens for a desktop- https://www.leapmotion.com/

Gdetrailer wrote:

camperforlife wrote:

mileshuff wrote:

dks wrote:
you may consider a computer with touch capability to fully utilize Windows 8 or 8.1

For me I have no use for touch on a PC. A laptop would be nice. Not going to reach across my desk! A mouse works better for such purpose. Considerable typing cannot be done easily by touch and the Surface keyboard is not suitable for such. I see pads replacing some home PC's where the user only uses it for web, email or games but any actual work requires a conventional PC or laptop and traditional keyboard. To me touchpads won't replace the office PC.

I had the same thoughts & I have put in a lot of time researching my options. You can get a glass touch pad that works like a mouse and you can also use it for all the touch features without reaching over to the monitor. I had a Surface with 8 on it to use for 2 days last week and while it seemed odd compared to XP it wasn't any more awkward compared to other tablets including the iPad that I have used.

Soooo, let me get this straight... You pay EXTRA for a large touch screen then buy a "new" (and expensive) "small" glass touch pad all so you can have the latest fad in computers (IE "gestures") to be cool..

SMALL Touch pads are nothing new, been on Laptops for years, never worked well there, most SANE folks plug in a MOUSE.

I don't need gestures and my $5 optical mouse is a bargain which works consistently and scales up to even 8ft or larger projection screens. Don't try a touchpad for a large screen....

Interesting thought, but the idea of the touch pad on a desk top is to give touch capability to a non touch monitor. As for crappy touch-pads on laptops, yes I have used a few on other people's bargain laptops but there are some really good touch pads out there on laptops. My personal laptop has a great touch pad and I always chuckle when I see people struggling with a mouse on a plane. I always wonder why they didn't buy a real laptop.

The Surface that I was using had a tactile keyboard that requires slightly firmer contact but it didn't bother me or slow me down. We were also loaned one with the smooth covered keyboard which I did not like. Unless you were prone to spilling your coffee on the keyboard I would avoid it.

At this point I'm sure I won't be making a purchase until I have no time left which will give me plenty of opportunity to see where things go. My laptop has Win 7 pro and has been flawless and 7 pro may very well be where we go, time will tell.