Technology Vent. :(

[DisneyGal08]

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. .

 

[GAN]

Apple…. It just works.

 

[fly girl]

Apple…. It just works.

This!

Switched years ago and don't regret it one iota.

 

[Kathryn Merteuil]

I agree that Macs are the way to go, but they do carry a price tag. However, surprisingly usable old MacBooks can be found on like eBay and stuff. I would avoid anything with less than 8mb ram like the plague.

 

[EACarlson]

Stick with brand names and the watch will be fine. Average useful life of a laptop is about 5 years. I'll never own an Apple product and have been quite content with Android and ChromeOS. I was looking at a getting a new Windows Laptop, but when I can get a perfectly functional Chromebook for 1/4 the price that a marginally decent Windows machine would cost. I'll stick with ChromeOS.

 

[jimmymc]

I've had one Dell laptop and it ran very well. I've had a few HPs and they didn't last as long. One also had a buggy wifi card. Any brand is prone to potential defects, and a loud noise was probably a factory defect with the fan.

For $66, I don't think you're going to find any smart watch worth the money. The $40 ones I'm seeing on Amazon are knock-offs with little quality control. If you really want a fitness tracker, the Fitbit Inspire 3 is $100.

 

[SteveH]

Wait, Laptop from 2010 and your complaining about it in 2024? For a Windows machine that's a great run.

I've got a Mac Pro (cheesegrater) from 2006 that still rocks, but it's seldom used now as I have a Mac Studio.

 

[cvjw]

Save up some money and get an Apple Watch. Maybe buy a refurbished one. They are worth the splurge.

 

[jo-jo]

Stick with brand names and the watch will be fine. Average useful life of a laptop is about 5 years. I'll never own an Apple product and have been quite content with Android and ChromeOS. I was looking at a getting a new Windows Laptop, but when I can get a perfectly functional Chromebook for 1/4 the price that a marginally decent Windows machine would cost. I'll stick with ChromeOS.

I know nothing about laptops, but that seems to be about what I get. For me, if I can write, find web sites and watch movies, I'm happy. But screens start going wonky like going dark, overheating, etc. Hey son, laptop having issues, start looking . I've had several brands (mostly cause I tell son not spending that much), they all seem to last about 5 years.

 

[NYCgrrl]

Never had any major problems with Dell. It’s what I bought for my office workers and self. Stayed with Dell until I retired, it died and I realized I had no need for a laptop anymore and switched to an Apple tablet.

A lot of people buy more tech than they need.

 

[Allison]

I wouldn't expect much from a 14 year old laptop and with a smartwatch you need to save up until you can afford something of decent quality.

 

[_19disnA]

Over the years have had both Dell & HP laptops and never had any issues. They last about 5-7 yrs as others have mentioned. About the time they stop supporting whatever operating system you have, it is better to get a new device versus trying to update that on your own. If you just need to surf the internet, do online shopping or other basic functions, most of the name-brand devices will be fine. I like a real keyboard since I find them much easier to use for any sort of typing you might be doing. If you do any specialized or high-end computing, then you need to look for a device suited to how you intend to use it.

 

[hertamaniac]

I'm with an HP laptop with no issues for about 4 years now. I think once the industry went to SS hard drives, a lot of the downtime issues went away.

 

[lovesmurfs]

If you really want a fitness tracker, the Fitbit Inspire 3 is $100.

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

OP, I think 14 years is a pretty good run for a laptop. My office provides a Microsoft Surface for employees, and I've found them pretty reliable.

 

[DisneyHardin]

I have a Dell laptop at home and a Dell Chromebook at work and haven't had any problems with them. If was doing the strange noise from the beginning, why didn't you return it?

 

[RangerPooh]

We use Dell products at work and my home laptop is a Dell. My home one that I use frequently is from Dec 2019 and still works great. The lifespan of a laptop is probably 4-7 years. Sounds can be turned off. Noises, well maybe it's a fan issue and needs additional ventilation? Chrome books are fairly inexpensive. I'm not a fan, but it's what my parents have to surf the internet and what the school issues our kids.

Smart watches, you get what you pay for.

 

[Mle8308]

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. .

This is a joke, right?

 

[LuvOrlando]

Does the device have all updates? There comes a point when many devices stop being supported.

This happened with my Arlo cameras, they still worked but I got an email they just weren't going to get any more updates or support so they went into the trash and I got a different brand mostly because I assume the stunt was to get people to buy their updated cameras & I'm spiteful like that. Whole thing irked me & I get annoyed that pretty much all devices age to old faster than a banana.

There was a while when I was using an Ipad instead of a laptop & realized a laptop wasn't really necessary for my own needs. I do have a laptop now as a gift but a tablet worked for me just fine and if you look for refurbished they are mush less costly than a laptop which also means less loss when they fail.

As a FYI, most public libraries do have computers available to people with a Library Card, if you don't use a computer often maybe this works.

 

[Kooks and Bay Bay]

If the laptop is from 2010 and you've hardly used it then you've unlikely kept up with things like updates and its probably just too old now.

I had a dud fitbit once that only lasted me 3 months and that does suck.
If your budget is $66 NOW then I'd consider saving up a bit.

Personally I stopped wearing my current smart watch earlier this year and have felt amazing without it.

 

[LilyWDW]

This is a joke, right?

This has to be. No one expects a laptop to last that long, especially if it was not very top of the line when it was purchased. Laptops have a shorter lifespan then a desktop and I wouldn't even expect a desktop to go beyond 8-10.