PC Tech Thread

Anyone looking to shift something decent and used?

Ah maybe. I've got a Dell 7391 which I'm considering swapping out.

It's one of these
https://www.dell.com/en-uk/shop/2-in-1-laptops/inspiron-13-7000-2-in-1/spd/inspiron-13-7390-se-2-in-1-laptop/cn73115

But with the normal screen (1920x1080) rather than the 4k (3480x2160)

I've been really impressed with it - only considering swapping it out for a Macbook as I think I should learn to use MacOS and I'm not likely to need to be taking it into work for the foreseeable so I can use my Windows desktop.

Core i7, 16GB RAM, 512GB SSD, all day battery, CTRL bottom left. Really very quick indeed.
Anyway, lemme know if interested.

How much? I have an aversion to Dell from my Melb job but that was 20 years ago.

Here’s a really boring problem that needs solving. Work vpn is issued to pcs with a .vpn file. Only issue is, I’m using a Mac. Anyone got a way round this?

They're just plaintext aren't they? So you can open in text editor and copy host, username, etc from them into whatever client you're using.

Not a great time to be shopping for a new webcam it seems.

Do you need a webcam?

No, I just want one. I don't have one for my PC but can easily use phone or tablet for video calls so it's really not essential.

I've been meaning to buy one for a while, it's not a sudden requirement related to the lockdown.

This? It says directly from supplier, doesn’t say out of stock like their hand sanitiser for example... you might get lucky...

https://www.viking-direct.co.uk/en/logitech-webcam-c925e-black-p-9311002

Ordered. Let's see what happens.

Cheers!

Well I and colleagues have used them OK over the last 5 years or so. There are various similar companies though.

In the same vein I've used http://www.ebaystores.co.uk/thebestlaptopdealsaround multiple times and had no issues. Occasionally get a generic charger rather than official but still works.

Yep, I can open the file and see all the gubbins but the server address seems to be not visible.

Hmm, I can't find any to play with so I can't tell you much more off the top of my head. You don't have IT dept that can give you some help?

Yeah, got IT on the case but they’ve got a couple of tickets on their plate.

Will make do jumping between the thinkpad and the Mac in the meantime. Mild inconvenience in the grand scheme of things.

Any suggestions for cheap HDMI switchers?

I'm already bored of plugging and unplugging cables to switch my monitors between home PC and work laptop

The answer to this was https://www.amazon.co.uk/gp/product/B07QG2DST1 £7 each, seem well made, no picture degradation even though I didn't bother with the power supply.

Switching between home PC and work laptop is just a button press now rather than switching wires.

For anyone looking at HDMI switchers, be aware they won't do 4k at above 30hz unless it's powered

Anyone here use an ultra widescreen monitor, my company gave everyone £250 to buy home office supplies. Including me which I thought was a nice touch as I permanently work from home , so I was looking into ultra widescreen.

Been looking at the
Samsung Gaming LCD Monitor S34J550WQU 86.4 cm (34")
LG 34WL750 34" WQHD IPS Ultrawide Monitor
Iiyama 34" IPS Ultra-Wide Monitor

Had a 34" LG for a year. Love it.

Is it a flat screen or slightly curved?

I'm currently using my dads 34" curved LG - it's brilliant. Normally using a 2 monitor setup (regular 24" stuff) but have loaned one out to a friend before my uni shut down. Thinking about buying one myself now.

Another option for bargain ex-corporate machines are
https://itzoo.co.uk/

Had a few machines off them and all been good, you can normally get 10% off as a new customer as well

Thanks and thanks for the suggestions other peeps, last night @duncs and @YesOfficerWeAreDefinitelyWorkingForUberEats kindly delivered me a shiny new(ish) Hell 7391 to sweat over, when I get my HDMI adapter at least.

Curved, but it's so subtle you don't notice. I actually reckon it looks flatter because of the curve, if that makes any sense. If it was actually flat you'd be aware that the edges were farther away from you than the centre.

Thanks, have just pulled the trigger.

Friend’s kid’s PC broke, any recommendations? Budget max £300. He just needs to buy him something so he could carry on with whatever his learning is from home. Ideally with HDMI to plug into my screen.

Key is it needs to be available now, obviously.