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New computer/laptop advice thread

Started by Barry Admin, January 18, 2020, 10:39:27 PM

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Wilbur

This probably doesn't help much but I've taken a quick look at that article and cringed massively. That is a glorified advertisement (it admits the fact at the top) whilst the content is not necessarily rubbish I would look for a more independent source.

Dex Sawash


Thanks for unlocking the Lenovo Secrets for me. Absolutely paralyzed with indecision now.

Hand Solo

#152
For lockdown I thought I'd buy a game controller, I'd only be using it for my Android Google TV so I bought a Switch Pro Controller knock-off off Amazon, this model. It said it was Android and PC compatible and it is, over bluetooth it seems to work fine on Android, but when I try it on PC fuck all happens.

I can connect it and it's recognised as a Switch Pro Controller by Steam but the buttons won't work and it will disconnect after a few seconds before reconnecting and do this on a loop. It will work when I plug it in via USB cable where it will show up as an Xbox 360 controller by steam, but I can't really use it in this manner as my mini-PC is plugged into the same large TV and I'd have to sit very close for the wire to stretch.

I'm just wondering how it can work over bluetooth for Android but not for the PC? I'm thinking it must have to be in Xbox 360 mode to work with the PC which only kicks in over USB, wondering if there is a way to force it to do that, I've tried applying the Microsoft Xbox controller driver over the HID-gaming-controller driver it installs in device manager and it just stops being recognised at all.

Fucking stupid.

EDIT. This is the model on Amazon, it's on there under a load of different names. I thought the instructions on this page might be a breakthrough:

How to connect to PC?
1. Plug into PC with the Typc C Charge Cable when the controller is turned off, the indicator lights on the controller 2 and 4 will always be on, and the controller on the pc side will display XBOX 360 controller.
2. At this time, press and hold HOME button for about 3 seconds. The indicator light 2 is always on and automatically enters the PC normal mode.


1. Does as it says in broken Engrish. But 2. doesn't, I thought once indicator 2 lit up I could disconnect the cable and it would be recognised as an Xbox controller over bluetooth, but indicator 2 doesn't light up on its own and it remains with 2 and 4 lit, if I unplug the cable it just turns off. Grrr.


canadagoose

Going by the Amazon listing, you can only use it in wired mode with the PC. You could either return it or get a really long USB-C to USB-A cable.

Hand Solo

Quote from: canadagoose on February 14, 2021, 04:39:18 AM
Going by the Amazon listing, you can only use it in wired mode with the PC. You could either return it or get a really long USB-C to USB-A cable.

It's insane that it works over bluetooth for Android but Windows won't support it? Fuck's sake.

Can anyone recommend a game controller that's bluetooth and works for Android AND Windows? A lot of the ones on Amazon look dodgy and use very ambiguous language to discern what they're compatible with. Also the 8bitdo ones are good but I personally don't like them because the thumbstick is in the PS position and not the xbox and it really annoys me so I usually end up playing with the d-pad instead.

Hand Solo

I ended up ordering this 8bitdo USB adapter instead, so I can use pretty much any controller on any PC or console which should be useful in future if I go round friends' for a game and they're on xbox or playstation or whatever. It's just strange most of the gamepads on Amazon seem to work with bluetooth for Android but then need to be wired or have a wireless USB adapter to work on Windows. The details on what they're compatible with is so confusing I just thought fuck it and got the above adapter instead of ordering another controller and it not being compatible. I'm perfectly happy with the Switch Pro controller knock off, just can't be fucked with it being wired.



NoSleep

Let us know how you do with it once it arrives. I bought a PS4 controller for my computer (because I love the PS layout), which works fine (via bluetooth) with OpenEmu but varies with other apps (not that I'm too bothered about wiring it via usb when necessary, but it would give me a bit more freedom to sit back on the sofa or something).

Hand Solo

Quote from: NoSleep on February 16, 2021, 06:56:43 AM
Let us know how you do with it once it arrives. I bought a PS4 controller for my computer (because I love the PS layout), which works fine (via bluetooth) with OpenEmu but varies with other apps (not that I'm too bothered about wiring it via usb when necessary, but it would give me a bit more freedom to sit back on the sofa or something).

This is what I mean about Amazon being confusing, there's another white coloured one identified as being specifically for the PS, but as far as I can see is exactly the same bit of kit they've just listed it several different times as for the Switch, PC, PS, Xbox etc.

I think it arrives later today so I'll let you know how easy it is to set up.

NoSleep

Quote from: Hand Solo on February 16, 2021, 08:21:57 AM
This is what I mean about Amazon being confusing, there's another white coloured one identified as being specifically for the PS, but as far as I can see is exactly the same bit of kit they've just listed it several different times as for the Switch, PC, PS, Xbox etc.

That just allows you to plug it into a PS Classic (that recent reissue that works via a third party PS emulator [not a real PS]). I think they're just saying it will work via USB on the PS Classic just as it does on other platforms. The main thing is that it will fool apps that only look for a usb connection rather than a bluetooth one. I'd only be interested in one if it worked on my PS2 (which I very much doubt).

popcorn

I finally ordered a PC from Scan and the site and confirmation email would be delivered in 2 days but they've now emailed to say it will take 2 weeks because they have to find all the bits.

I'm ragin.

Wilbur

Lots of this happening at the moment I'm afraid. Loads of sites not telling you they are out of stock. It's really frustrating for customers and  I think some big companies have massively misjudged this as I am seeing customers who I've not been able to persuade to ditch PC Wank for years finally going elsewhere.

popcorn

Any suggestions of where to order from instead? Scan may take weeks apparently.

Wilbur

Ebuyer.com and laptopsdirect.co.uk appear to only be showing what they actually have. Obviously that doesn't help if they don't have what you want.....

popcorn

Cheers I'll have a look. My main problem is I don't really know what I want, I just asked scan for something to run Alyx within my budget and ordered that. I do not understand computer.

Blue Jam

You really, really need 16gb of RAM to run Alyx don't you? That's what I've read at least. I'm planning on getting an Oculus Quest 2 soon so I'll probably have to upgrade my laptop's RAM while I'm at it. Bugger, perhaps I should have gone for 16gb in the first place. Or is RAM so cheap now I'd still be better off doing an upgrade myself?

What did you go for in the end?

Quote from: Wilbur on February 21, 2021, 01:11:00 PM
Ebuyer.com and laptopsdirect.co.uk appear to only be showing what they actually have. Obviously that doesn't help if they don't have what you want.....

I got my laptop from laptopsdirect after a frustrating search elsewhere and finding loads of laptops not actually in stock (and then having box.co.uk fuck up my order). I'm guessing a lot of people working from home just pushed up the demand for more powerful machines. That's partly why I bought one, I work with a lot of massive microscopy data files and didn't want to bring my total beast of a work computer home. 8gb of RAM is good for all that, should have gone for more RAM though and got myself a gaming PC but my budget was a bit tight.

Is there a handy tool online for finding what RAM upgrades would be compatible with your make and model of laptop?


Blue Jam

That's brilliant, thanks Wilbur. Loads of options out of stock though, as you suggested they might be. Think there's one in stock I could go for though, cheers.

popcorn

#167
Quote from: Blue Jam on February 21, 2021, 01:28:55 PM
What did you go for in the end?

This guy, though apparently they're replacing (upgrading?) a few components at no extra cost: https://www.scan.co.uk/products/scan-gamer-intel-core-i5-9400f-coffee-lake-8gb-ddr4-6gb-evga-gtx-1660-super-240gb-ssd-1tb-win-10

Note that they are still advertising this as available for next-day delivery:



RAGIN

Blue Jam

Including the RAM? Nice one.

I'm thinking of buying some more RAM and going to a computer shop to get it installed. Is that daft? I've watched a few videos and don't trust myself to not fry the components or myself, and I don't want to scuff the keyboard to fuck trying to get the back off. Also I'd have to buy a few tools... the HP case design might make it a bit tricky, it may be sleek but it's not as simple as the Lenovo ThinkPad cases.

Wilbur

Not if its worth it for your peace of mind. It is a simple job but, yes you could potentially screw it up. Shouldn't cost you more than about £20 unless its one where they've buried the Ram under the motherboard, there are a few, not usually HPs though. You can usually download the service manual from the HP site which is what the technicians use.

Blue Jam

Cheers. There are some decent computer repair shops round here I'd trust to sort it. My main worry is that I'd have to buy at least two specialist screwdrivers, one of those anti-static wristbands and a plastic thing to lever off the back, so any savings I'd make with a DIY job would be minimal. The back of my HP's case is a very tight fit with the edges of the keyboard, and while I've seen one video which shows someone using a plectrum to prise it off I'd probably still scuff the case up. Thanks, I think I'll be a n00b and put my laptop in the hands of someone who could do this in their sleep.

canadagoose

Dropping in with some unsolicited advice again for anyone who's bothered. Remember that PC I was talking about a few weeks ago that I got off eBay? Well, it was faulty, so it had to go back. I was FUMMIN about it so I decided to say "fuck it" and went and bought a new Apple Silicon Mac mini (£699). It kind of emptied my savings, but it's a very snappy and power-efficient thing. Anyway, I was struggling to find a controller that worked on it (mainly for Steam streaming to the PC that lives in the living room). Seems like the Xbox 360 controller driver you can get online doesn't play nice with either macOS 11.2 or the Apple Silicon architecture. However, the 8bitdo SN30 Pro seems to work well over Bluetooth. Use the "Mac OS" setting on the controller and it will appear to be a DualShock 4 controller. I can't for the life of me get it to work over USB, but at least it charges OK.

The Mollusk

I've got a query about buying a laptop. My budget is around the £500 mark, so I've been eyeing up the Acer Aspire 3 which looks good for what I need. The model with the 1TB HDD is priced at £519 on Laptops Direct, but when I looked elsewhere it's £419 on Deal Buyer and even as low as £350 on Argos (via eBay).

I'm totally inexperienced with buying tech like this so I don't know if there's something I'm missing re: differences in the spec, or if it's a simple case of some sites charging more than others because they're more well known and come up higher on the list of Google results. Any advice massively appreciated here, since I'd quite like to save a couple hundred quid if possible!

Wilbur

Different machines. The laptops direct one has an i5 processor..Looks to be the sameas the dealbuyer one. No idea what they are like to deal with.

The Mollusk

Ah yeah, I'm seeing now the Deal Buyer one is refurbished grade B, whereas the Laptops Direct is grade A. £100 cheaper for a bit of cosmetic marking is a no brainer to be honest.

Cheeky ask: Is there a better laptop I could be getting in this price range? I'm not using it for anything processor-heavy (some music production software but nothing high-end), ideally need something with a screen size and HDD size as decent as the Aspire 3 with the same sort of processing power. Battery life isn't a deal breaker for me as I'm always near a plug. Just sick of having a shite old laptop and would like to get the most value for money without inadvertently buying something loaded with bloatware or with crap functionality.

The Mollusk

I also have a further question about this Acer Aspire 3. On the image it says that the screen is 1920 x 1080, but in the description it says 1366 x 768. I don't understand why I'm getting two different resolutions there?

The latter resolution is shite by any standard, especially on a 15.6 inch screen, isn't it? Even my 13 inch MacBook Air resolution is 1440 x 900, and this thing is nearly 10 years old.

I'm confused and the fatigue of trawling through this shite is doing my nut in now. Help pleeeease xxx

Zetetic

There are multiple models of Aspire 3 with different screen resolutions.

The model number given - A315-56-51ZA - suggests it's 1366 x 768.

QuoteI don't understand why I'm getting two different resolutions there?
Because they've taken a random image of an Aspire 3 from elsewhere.

The Mollusk


Neomod


seepage

I reckon so. Not sure how fast the integrated Intel HD 2500 graphics would be for video encoding though. The PC is small form factor so a bit of a squeeze inside, bit like a laptop. Looks like you could add a video card up to half the length of the case at later date. You'll need to find DDR3 memory if you want to upgrade the 8 GB to 16 GB.