Computer Help

[LeoMc]

Did a bit of reading over holidays so realise it would be a good habit to get into again.  Was thinking of getting an Amazon Kindle but I see you can get an Amazon Fire for similar money which seems to be similar to an ipad plus will also act as a Kindle.  No big expert on tech stuff so just wondering why is the Kindle on its own (16GB) is similar money even though it only does one thing.

The kindle itself uses a different screen technology to more closely mimic reading a real book, it is not backlit so you can't read in the dark.

The Kindle Fire is or used to be limited in the software and apps you could load.

[bennydorano]

Does anyone have any experience of using Virgin Media for Broadband?
They recently installed fibre lines in our area and I'm looking at alternative providers so thought they might be worth a try.
I've had free broadband for a few years through my employer but I've since moved jobs and the cost of my current package seems pricey in comparison to what else is out there now (and my speed is only 60M ish).

Advice?

I had their cable broadband before my current 2 year contract with Vodafone. It was 100% performance wise, moved because of end of 2 year pricing deal. Still have an ugly cable wiring & box on the front of my house tho, cabled right up through my lawn too.

[JoG2]

Did a bit of reading over holidays so realise it would be a good habit to get into again.  Was thinking of getting an Amazon Kindle but I see you can get an Amazon Fire for similar money which seems to be similar to an ipad plus will also act as a Kindle.  No big expert on tech stuff so just wondering why is the Kindle on its own (16GB) is similar money even though it only does one thing.

The kindle itself uses a different screen technology to more closely mimic reading a real book, it is not backlit so you can't read in the dark.

The Kindle Fire is or used to be limited in the software and apps you could load.

My kindle is back lit. They're a great job

[tbrick18]

Did a bit of reading over holidays so realise it would be a good habit to get into again.  Was thinking of getting an Amazon Kindle but I see you can get an Amazon Fire for similar money which seems to be similar to an ipad plus will also act as a Kindle.  No big expert on tech stuff so just wondering why is the Kindle on its own (16GB) is similar money even though it only does one thing.

The kindle itself uses a different screen technology to more closely mimic reading a real book, it is not backlit so you can't read in the dark.

The Kindle Fire is or used to be limited in the software and apps you could load.

My kindle is back lit. They're a great job

I've got a kindle paperwhite, back lit and deadly job.

[tbrick18]

Does anyone have any experience of using Virgin Media for Broadband?
They recently installed fibre lines in our area and I'm looking at alternative providers so thought they might be worth a try.
I've had free broadband for a few years through my employer but I've since moved jobs and the cost of my current package seems pricey in comparison to what else is out there now (and my speed is only 60M ish).

Advice?

I had their cable broadband before my current 2 year contract with Vodafone. It was 100% performance wise, moved because of end of 2 year pricing deal. Still have an ugly cable wiring & box on the front of my house tho, cabled right up through my lawn too.

Customer service ok?
That's a good point about the cabling, I hadnt even considered that. How much control do you have over where they run the cabling? I've a tarmac driveway they'd probably have to come through followed by a concrete path.

[bennydorano]

I remember being miffed about the lawn but they're looking the easiest/most direct option to connect, the lawn was better than ripping up my driveway.

Never spoke with a company person in the 2 years I was with them, so no idea about the customer service. The broadband was good tho, was a major jump in price coming after the 2 year deal, so I changed providers.

[Square Ball]

Been with Virgin for 20 years and had few issues. Always renegotiate my contract and it's went up £2 a month over the last 4 years. Small front garden and the cable comes up the side of fence and can't see it.

[trueblue1234]

Is there an easy way to reset an old work laptop to use as a private laptop? As in remove the whole log in domain bit?

[Main Street]

Is there an easy way to reset an old work laptop to use as a private laptop? As in remove the whole log in domain bit?

Easiest way for me was simply reinstall Windows OS via USB install. otherwise you have to boot into the troubleshoot menu which might or might not offer the option to reset.

[bennydorano]

I have a Polar Pace Pro Sports watch, there was a firmware update on Wednesday and its fucked everything up, have done the usual,  uninstalled the Polar Flow companion app, now it won't pair with my phone. Don't see anything online about this getting sorted. Any ideas? Can you go back to previous app versions like u cud restore previous versions of things on a PC? Watch is still working fine, the connectivity is the issue imo

[snoopdog]

Hi. Looking for a gaming pc for a 14 yr old.  It will be his 1st. Not looking at spending a fortune but want something good that he won't be looking for an upgrade in 18 mths. Are acer and lonovo the big brands fornthis. Went to Harvey norman but the sales guy was a bit shit. The young lad says the graphics are the big.thing?
He jas looked at vibox and they're available on amazon but what comeback do I have on amazon if it has to be returned.
All ideals welcome. Hoping to not spend more than 1,600 euros.

[Saffrongael]

Hi. Looking for a gaming pc for a 14 yr old.  It will be his 1st. Not looking at spending a fortune but want something good that he won't be looking for an upgrade in 18 mths. Are acer and lonovo the big brands fornthis. Went to Harvey norman but the sales guy was a bit shit. The young lad says the graphics are the big.thing?
He jas looked at vibox and they're available on amazon but what comeback do I have on amazon if it has to be returned.
All ideals welcome. Hoping to not spend more than 1,600 euros.

Go to Curry's if it's handy, got one for my wee fella last year (12) and they should have a wee tech geek that will talk you through what to get and advise you.

[StephenC]

Hi. Looking for a gaming pc for a 14 yr old.  It will be his 1st. Not looking at spending a fortune but want something good that he won't be looking for an upgrade in 18 mths. Are acer and lonovo the big brands fornthis. Went to Harvey norman but the sales guy was a bit shit. The young lad says the graphics are the big.thing?
He jas looked at vibox and they're available on amazon but what comeback do I have on amazon if it has to be returned.
All ideals welcome. Hoping to not spend more than 1,600 euros.

1600 will get you a lot of spec. Would you/he consider building it yourself? If so, you can save a lot. And belive me it's not complicated. If you can put together a lego set, you can build a gaming PC. I've built 2 for the kids and enjoyed the process. It was a fun thing to do with them too.

I'd start here: https://www.boards.ie/categories/pc-building-upgrading

Some very knowledgeable people who will steer you right. And if you want to the amateur perspective, feel free to message me.

[armaghniac]

Hi. Looking for a gaming pc for a 14 yr old.  It will be his 1st. Not looking at spending a fortune but want something good that he won't be looking for an upgrade in 18 mths. Are acer and lonovo the big brands fornthis. Went to Harvey norman but the sales guy was a bit shit. The young lad says the graphics are the big.thing?
He jas looked at vibox and they're available on amazon but what comeback do I have on amazon if it has to be returned.
All ideals welcome. Hoping to not spend more than 1,600 euros.

1600 will get you a lot of spec. Would you/he consider building it yourself? If so, you can save a lot. And belive me it's not complicated. If you can put together a lego set, you can build a gaming PC. I've built 2 for the kids and enjoyed the process. It was a fun thing to do with them too.

I'd start here: https://www.boards.ie/categories/pc-building-upgrading

Some very knowledgeable people who will steer you right. And if you want to the amateur perspective, feel free to message me.

Also, if you are in building frame of mind then upgrading the machine in a couple of years is replacing one element, not buying a new machine.

[snoopdog]

Thanks all for the suggestions. The building I'd prob end up having to do . But yep def want something that can be upgraded and added too so I don't have to spend another fortune in 2 years time.