Requesting quick reaction/advice to two machines

[liquidsense]

I am very computer illiterate and need some very basic help comparing two machines.

My parents currently are using a slimline Dell as their HTPC with the following specs:
Intel R Core 2 duo CPU E7500 @ 2.93 Ghz; 4 GB RAM

It's been nothing but a headache, and I want to get them a new computer. The new computer (a Mac) has the following specs:
2.5GHz Dual-Core Intel Core i5; 4GB RAM

Setting aside for the moment that the new computer is a Mac, can someone please give me a quick snapshot as to the difference between the two machines? If the Dell is a 4, is the Mac a 9 in terms of speed? I just don't know how to interpret the GHz and core information. I think its safe to say that since the Dell can play 1080p videos and stream just fine, that the Mac can easily do the same, right?

 

[Charlie98]

It takes very little power to stream video in an HTPC unit... I use a simple Pentium dual-core CPU in my HTPC, and your parent's C2D should be as capable, too.

What is giving them a headache?

 

[frozentundra123456]

Yes, what were the problems with the old computer? What specifically are they trying to do that is not working. Do they have a gpu or are they using motherboard graphics? Seems like an E7500 should be decent for this type of use.

What is the cpu in the Mac? I thought i5s were all quad core except for laptop chips. Macs are nice, but you should be able to get them an adequate replacement for much less than a mac would cost.

 

[liquidsense]

What is giving them a headache?

They currently use the Dell as an HTPC.

I think the biggest problem with the Dell is that it didn't come with a network card, and every damn solution for networking that I've set up for them has failed, i.e., powerline adapters, usb wireless, wireless bridge to ethernet. Each one has proven unreliable, and the last solution (the bridge) just plain stopped working today. It's also quite large and unsightly, as it sits on top of the hutch, but behind the TV, which is the only space they have in/on their hutch (not really a hutch). Other random, but admittedly small, issues keep cropping up for which they need my help, e.g., loss of bluetooth connectivity, videos not playing, IE crashing, slow video playback, etc.

I just wanted to buy them the Mac Mini and cross my fingers that it will "just work."

What is the cpu in the Mac? I thought i5s were all quad core except for laptop chips. Macs are nice, but you should be able to get them an adequate replacement for much less than a mac would cost.

Hmm, cpu in the Mac. I'm not sure. I'm really not great with computers myself. I'm looking at the baseline Mac Mini, which states that it is:

2.5GHz dual-core Intel Core i5 (Turbo Boost up to 3.1GHz) with 3MB L3 cache
4GB (two 2GB) of 1600MHz DDR3 memory
500GB (5400-rpm) hard drive
Intel HD Graphics 4000

 

[liquidsense]

delete

 

[VirtualLarry]

They currently use the Dell as an HTPC.

I think the biggest problem with the Dell is that it didn't come with a network card, and every damn solution for networking that I've set up for them has failed, i.e., powerline adapters, usb wireless, wireless bridge to ethernet. Each one has proven unreliable, and the last solution (the bridge) just plain stopped working today.

I don't see how that's the fault of the Dell, per se. If you knew you needed wireless, why didn't you order a computer with wireless?

I find it strange that both a USB wireless dongle and a wireless ethernet bridge didn't work. It may be your wireless environment, or your router (is it dual-band?), or the wireless channel chosen (for 2.4Ghz).

It's also quite large and unsightly, as it sits on top of the hutch, but behind the TV, which is the only space they have in/on their hutch (not really a hutch). Other random, but admittedly small, issues keep cropping up for which they need my help, e.g., loss of bluetooth connectivity, videos not playing, IE crashing, slow video playback, etc.

I just wanted to buy them the Mac Mini and cross my fingers that it will "just work."

If the problem is your networking environment, then buying a new computer may not fix the underlying problem.

Edit: The computer that they are using now, what OS are they running, and do they have a discrete graphics card? I'm thinking a GPU with better video playback (in case they are stuck with GMA X4500), and an upgrade to Windows 7 (fresh install) would do them a world of good.

 

[Charlie98]

They currently use the Dell as an HTPC.

I think the biggest problem with the Dell is that it didn't come with a network card, and every damn solution for networking that I've set up for them has failed, i.e., powerline adapters, usb wireless, wireless bridge to ethernet. Each one has proven unreliable, and the last solution (the bridge) just plain stopped working today. It's also quite large and unsightly, as it sits on top of the hutch, but behind the TV, which is the only space they have in/on their hutch (not really a hutch). Other random, but admittedly small, issues keep cropping up for which they need my help, e.g., loss of bluetooth connectivity, videos not playing, IE crashing, slow video playback, etc.

I just wanted to buy them the Mac Mini and cross my fingers that it will "just work."



Hmm, cpu in the Mac. I'm not sure. I'm really not great with computers myself. I'm looking at the baseline Mac Mini, which states that it is:

2.5GHz dual-core Intel Core i5 (Turbo Boost up to 3.1GHz) with 3MB L3 cache
4GB (two 2GB) of 1600MHz DDR3 memory
500GB (5400-rpm) hard drive
Intel HD Graphics 4000

Help me out here... Is the PC able to be connected to the router via cable? You mentioned no network card, so you are trying to use wireless?

Can you not install a network card and connect the PC via cable?

If you knew you needed wireless, why didn't you order a computer with wireless?

This is probably an old PC that has been retasked.

then buying a new computer may not fix the underlying problem.

I would agree. Network card or not, if you are still stuck using a poor wireless network, you are going to have problems no matter what computer you use.

I find it strange that both a USB wireless dongle and a wireless ethernet bridge didn't work. It may be your wireless environment, or your router (is it dual-band?), or the wireless channel chosen (for 2.4Ghz).

I agree.

I had issues with my 2.4GHz router and my wireless desktop, so I got a 5GHz wireless router, used that as a wireless bridge and now I'm golden. (the 2.4GHz channels are overloaded in my area... the 5GHz channels are almost empty.) This is using a USB antenna.

OP, download inSSIDer and see what's going on with your wireless channels... you just may be broadcasting over a crowded channel.

EDIT: and keep in mind, the root cause may just be the router itself. How old is it? My 6yr old ATT (2Wire) router started having connectivity issues (verrrrrrry slow speeds,) a reboot would help for a while but, eventually, it had to be replaced. Remember... a router is just a box full of electronic components that age and die just like computer components. The cable company should provide you with a genuine wireless router at your request. Even if it's not a 5GHz unit, it might help with connectivity.

 

[liquidsense]

Help me out here... Is the PC able to be connected to the router via cable?

No, the PC is not in an area where it can be connected to the router via cable.

You mentioned no network card, so you are trying to use wireless?

Correct. I can only utilize wireless options at the moment.

Can you not install a network card and connect the PC via cable?

They are in another state, and I can't walk them through that process.

This is probably an old PC that has been retasked.

Exactly right.

I would agree. Network card or not, if you are still stuck using a poor wireless network, you are going to have problems no matter what computer you use.

Good point. I didn't think about the possibility of getting them a new router. I purchased an ASUS RT-N66U for myself several months ago, and it's been fantastic. Maybe I need to get them one of those first.

I find it strange that both a USB wireless dongle and a wireless ethernet bridge didn't work. It may be your wireless environment, or your router (is it dual-band?), or the wireless channel chosen (for 2.4Ghz).

Yea, me too. Initially, I had them on the ethernet bridge, which was pretty tough for me to setup (I think I had to hardline it to the router first and do a couple things and then bring it to the desired location, then contend with weird network difficulties where it kept connecting to [SSID]2 rather than [SSID]). But then, one day, the bridge stopped working. So, I purchased a Medialink dongle for them online, and they couldn't get it to work. I visited their home, set up the dongle, but found that it was inexplicably running at something like 1.5mb/s rather than the 15mb/s they were getting off the bridge.

So, I re-setup the bridge going through that same long process of connecting to the router, and finally after several hours it started working again. Unfortunately, they called me yesterday and said that it stopped working after about 5 months of smooth sailing.

If the problem is your networking environment, then buying a new computer may not fix the underlying problem.

Understood. I may get them the ASUS router first, then see about the mac mini.

OP, download inSSIDer and see what's going on with your wireless channels... you just may be broadcasting over a crowded channel.

Will do.

 

[Charlie98]

Unfortunately, they called me yesterday and said that it stopped working after about 5 months of smooth sailing.

I wonder if there isn't an issue with power outages/surges resetting the router(s)? Something had to have happened...

I feel your pain... I built and setup a computer for my inlaws... who live in Nevada (I live in Texas.) I overbuilt it because I wanted it to work 110%, but I'm not facing funky wireless connection problems.

I think trying a new router would be the way to go, the router I have (that broadcasts in the 5GHz range) is a Cisco Linksys E3200 with a Cisco remote USB antenna... it works very well.

Just FYI, the Mac holds no magic... you can easily do the same thing with an off-the-shelf PC that has a capable processor (for Intel I recommend a Pentium.) In fact, all things being equal, the C2D rig they have is perfectly adequate.

 

[Virgorising]

I don't see how that's the fault of the Dell, per se. If you knew you needed wireless, why didn't you order a computer with wireless? I find it strange that both a USB wireless dongle and a wireless ethernet bridge didn't work.

I agree. None of my Optiplexes came with wireless. So wut? The rare times I need and so use wireless, I get out my Netgear router and plug in my mini UBS thingy. Got it on ebay for no money....teeny, works like a charm.

 

[liquidsense]

Well, I went with the Mac Mini and opened up a world of hurt. The migration assistant was very helpful in transferring all of their media, settings, and email related content. But, the re-learning of everything on OS X has become so incredibly difficult. At least they are being optimistic and open to learning.

One particular pain point is an issue I remember having when I switch my laptop to mac several years ago: viewing pictures. Since this is a primary use of their media computer, they found it very difficult to grasp the notion that you can't simply click a picture, and press left-arrow or right-arrow to browse all of the pictures in that directory.

Instead, you have to either select the pictures you want to view and open them all, or you can press the space bar to open them in the finder. It's limited (i.e., no rotating the picture in finder, no videos, etc), but it still works.

Hopefully it gets easier from here on out. One good thing is that the Mac Mini immediately connected to the network and has great speeds. That was the original issue, which has been resolved. I wonder if it was really worth $600 to resolve that issue.

 

[Charlie98]

Well, I went with the Mac Mini... ...I wonder if it was really worth $600 to resolve that issue.

No. 😉

But I'm glad it hooked up and is at least working well in that manner. As far as the photo viewer, I would think someone would have addressed the picture thing with some sort of software or utility...

 

[accguy9009]

Well, I went with the Mac Mini and opened up a world of hurt. The migration assistant was very helpful in transferring all of their media, settings, and email related content. But, the re-learning of everything on OS X has become so incredibly difficult. At least they are being optimistic and open to learning.

One particular pain point is an issue I remember having when I switch my laptop to mac several years ago: viewing pictures. Since this is a primary use of their media computer, they found it very difficult to grasp the notion that you can't simply click a picture, and press left-arrow or right-arrow to browse all of the pictures in that directory.

Instead, you have to either select the pictures you want to view and open them all, or you can press the space bar to open them in the finder. It's limited (i.e., no rotating the picture in finder, no videos, etc), but it still works.

Hopefully it gets easier from here on out. One good thing is that the Mac Mini immediately connected to the network and has great speeds. That was the original issue, which has been resolved. I wonder if it was really worth $600 to resolve that issue.

Glad it is working. Must of been a wireless issue on the windows machine if you did not upgrade your router. It's hard to get folks taken care of long distance. Maybe using something like TeamViewer to fix them up remotely going forward would help out?

http://www.teamviewer.com/en/index.aspx