Technology Vent. :(

[_19disnA]

It is always a good idea to power on any PC/laptop/desktop at LEAST once a month so that whatever updates/patches/fixes are out there can be downloaded. I don't know how long updates sit waiting to be downloaded (probably not years) and at times Microsoft has announced that certain operating systems will no longer be updated. Computers have a way to adjust the audio so you can mute sounds. Computers don't typically make loud/unusual sounds when booting up. Not clear if the Op was referring to some sort of audio issue or if there is a mechanical problem causing something like the fan to be rubbing against the housing. Any sort of strange mechanical noise probably requires a repair technician to see what is wrong and how to best fix it.

 

[Nayan]

Given I only have a budget of $66.00 not too many great choices.

No choices with that budget. You're gonna have to save up to get something decent, as the adage 'you get what you pay for' is very true tech-wise.

 

[Chili327]

When it comes to technology, I'm sooo unlucky.
I bought a laptop in 2010, i hardly use it because it came with an annoying ringing noise to it. Now for some reason it makes a horrible noise when booting up. I don't know what happened to it. It's a Dell. I'm usually a HP but i took a chance. The only thing i learned is that DELL sucks.

My smart watch i got in 2022 stopped working. So i have been on the hunt ever since for a new one. Given I only have a budget of $66.00 not too many great choices. I've gone through 8 watches on Amazon. Returns after Returns. My newest pick is defective cause the charger said it was 100% charged but the battery only shows 50%. . NOT MY FAULT.

I'm just aggravated about technology. I'm soo unlucky in life in general, so its not too much of a shock i'm unlucky with technology too. .

Technology can suck, but when you compare it to some tasks we used to do without, you can see the benefit. But also true, you get what you pay for, & quality is worth paying for, it's not luck that something cheap doesn't work well.

 

[tony67]

We've become increasingly disenchanted with Fitbit. Since Google bought it, support has been reduced, and there are no longer forums.

Yeah we finally gave up on fitbit.
Luckily my last one died and had the extended warranty so I got 100 or so credit from Amazon.

Picked up an older Samsung Smart Watch 5 with LTE on amazon for about $100 - was a great value.
It was basically new in the box - not always the case - but I was lucky.
Was even able to buy the extended 3 year warranty with it.

They have them refurbished for the same price now

When it comes to technology, I'm sooo unlucky.
I bought a laptop in 2010, i hardly use it because it came with an annoying ringing noise to it. Now for some reason it makes a horrible noise when booting up. I don't know what happened to it. It's a Dell. I'm usually a HP but i took a chance. The only thing i learned is that DELL sucks.

My smart watch i got in 2022 stopped working. So i have been on the hunt ever since for a new one. Given I only have a budget of $66.00 not too many great choices. I've gone through 8 watches on Amazon. Returns after Returns. My newest pick is defective cause the charger said it was 100% charged but the battery only shows 50%. . NOT MY FAULT.

I'm just aggravated about technology. I'm soo unlucky in life in general, so its not too much of a shock i'm unlucky with technology too. .

A laptop from 2010 - hard to complain if its failing now - not sure you can even do much with it if it did work.

The battery is usually the problem - especially if you charge it and don't use it.
I leave them unplugged and only charge it when I actually need it.
May want to get a can of compressed air and try to clean it out - maybe its just a cooling fan issue?
HP and Dell are both pretty bad IMO.
Not a lot of great options on the low end - Lenovo is fine for the price

I would recommend looking at the Samsung Smart Watch 5 on Amazon - it an older model but works great IMO.
They have refurbished ones that are a good value IMO.

 

[neverlandsky]

We built our own desktop computer tower at $1500. It’s 11 years old. Replaced the graphics card last year $225. Still going strong.

Bought an Alienware laptop last year $2500, it’s a paperweight and collecting dust. It’s annoying, too loud, and has to have a cooling fan underneath it as well. Ugh. I didn’t want a laptop. This was DH’s ask. This earned the it is the last laptop we’ll ever buy.

Refuse to get technology watches. Had wireless headphones. I’m back to wired-in because the sound quality is better and I never have to worry about recharging them.