Anyone who has never made a mistake has never tried anything new. – Albert Einstein
Perhaps the best thing we can say about mistakes is, They’re learning experiences.
This past Spring, I realized the laptop I was using was — yikes! — three years old.
A dinosaur, in tech-speak.
And, while it wasn’t giving me any trouble, I knew Windows 10 was coming out soon. And with it, all kinds of interesting new apps and such.
So I started looking around, hoping to find a bargain.
And found a Dell I thought would fit my needs perfectly.
It was lightweight, compared to my previous machine. Had way more storage space and memory. Even had a fancy touch screen.
So I forked over my hard-earned money and took it home.
Where it sat, untouched, while I continued to use the old computer.
Because — I’m being totally honest here — I liked it way better.
Sigh.
Eventually, I started copying programs from the old to the new machine. Started setting up things the way I wanted them. Typed a few documents to see how the keyboard felt.
And, again being brutally honest, discovered its purchase had been a mistake.
By this time a mysterious noise was showing up. Sounded like a hair dryer from deep within my new laptop.
I Googled it and learned mine wasn’t the only one with a faulty fan. Hmmmm.
So I went online to chat with a representative from Dell, who told me they’d gladly take the machine back and install a new fan in it. The problem was, they’d need it for a minimum of 10 days!
How am I supposed to run a business without a computer for two weeks??
Then I called the store where I’d purchased it, but their policy bans technology returns after 14 days.
After grousing a bit and kicking myself in the rear, I decided to shop around for another laptop.
Something more dependable.
I prayed and researched, then decided on a new Toshiba.
Its keyboard fits my fingers. It’s got lots of power, memory, and speed.
No touch screen, but I wasn’t crazy about that feature anyway.
When I told my son Domer what I’d done, he was appalled. Predicted I was going to hate it and rue the day I bought it. Proclaimed it a ridiculous waste of money.
I disagree.
It works for me. It felt right, right out of the box. And I absolutely love it.
The only real mistake is the one from which we learn nothing. – John Powell
Musings by an ND Domer's Mom 
When my Dell (motherboard) went out they sent a tech to my house to replace it…all finished in a few hours…and it was all covered under warranty. Then again this was a few years back. Glad you like your new computer. Funny how we each gave different preferences; I find it often between the hubby and I with our tech devices.
Really?? Wow, that’s impressive service — wish they’d offered me that because I’d have taken them up on it. Domer has an aversion to Toshiba, thanks to the last one he had ending up with a sorry battery and forcing him to plug in for his college exams rather than just clicking away like his friends with Macs!
How are you finding Win 10? I haven’t had the courage to install it yet, despite my abiding hatred of 8.1…
FF, I abhorred Win 8.1, too. Those blasted chimes and swiping and stuff…yuck. However, I’ve found Win 10 to be pretty good, all things considered. It looks and feels much like Win 7, which I really liked, and the download and installation were a snap. I’d be the last person to tell you what to do, but perhaps you could try it out for a while and if it didn’t respond the way you want, you could uninstall it. Just a thought!
I shall try to pluck up my courage, but I’m always wary with IT – the old ‘if it ain’t broke’ thing… but I did like Win 7 so much more than 8.1.
Me, too, as to Win 7. Win 10 builds on Win 7, with some of Win 8’s apps thrown in (who knows why??). After you get used to where things are (again, why did they feel the need to move them around??), it seems pleasant enough. And there’s something to be said for the “if it ain’t broke” philosophy!!
I have love/hate with my Dell. I had a Toshiba years ago and finally threw it out. Hope they have improved. I scared to death to install Windows 10. I’ve heard of too many problems
The reason I bought a Dell in the first place was because I had a Dell PC that I dearly loved. Perhaps it’s just this laptop that I found objectionable? At any rate, when you type as much as I do, you’ve GOT to find a keyboard that fits your fingers (and the Dell didn’t). I was repeatedly striking the wrong keys, then having to go back and fix things. A terrible waste of time, you know. I haven’t been displeased (thus far) with Win 10; however, Domer assures me a Mac is the better investment. Yes, and I really want to shell out several thousand dollars for that!!
My wife wants me to get a MAC as well. So far I’m reluctant.
I am, too. The money, of course, but also the aggravation of trying to fit the Windows programs I’m used to onto one. Oh, and the inability to take the thing apart, should I feel the need, ha!!
I have two friends who’ve sworn off Dell forever in the past year, after terrible experiences with their laptops. One friend got a second, replacement lapper sent to her, and it wouldn’t work, either. And customer service? I think 2-4 weeks is standard, and that just isn’t acceptable.
Believe it or not, I’m still running Vista, and having no problems at all. I’ve replaced a hard drive, and finally bought a big, high-resolution monitor, but I don’t see any reason to change. Of course, I had fewer problems when I switched to the Vista machine because I changed all my peripherals, like printer/scanner, at the same time, so everyone got along just fine.
I’m hoping everything will continue to work well until they have all the bugs out of Win10. That way, when I finally have to make the move, I can get a nice, fresh machine with a troublefree OS. I can’t stand the thought of a Mac. Everyone I know who has one paid a bundle, and seems to be upgrading to a new OS constantly. I don’t love tech that much.
I feel your friends’ pain, Linda. Being in a tech field, it’s kind of a given that I’m upgrading right and left to all the new bells and whistles. I keep telling myself that I’m staying young this way, but there are times I wish this merry-go-round would quit spinning so fast!
Vista?? Seriously?? Well, it was a good system. Problem is, my peripherals didn’t want to cooperate; nor did my web and graphic design software. You find yourself upgrading one and having to replace everything else (kind of like the old, buy a new sofa and suddenly, ALL your furniture looks dated!) Whatever works, I guess. Sounds like your system does, and that’s really what matters. Thanks for sharing your experiences!
Computers are such a personal choice. Love my Mac and I’ve found the updates with keep me current so I hang on to them longer. Before my Mac, I loved a Dell and the tech came out to fix it while it was under warranty. When I had a keyboard issue much later they said 10 days and had my computer back in 5 with travel time. I have a friend who loves her Toshiba and has been happy with it for years. Kids. Don’t you just hate them sometimes? Sheesh! Mine is so opinionated about all gadgets. Now he wants to argue about who gets to use MY I-phone upgrade!? . Hang in, you’ll have the last word.
I don’t guess Dell is still coming out to your house because my machine was under warranty and they never even offered. I remember you saying you have a Mac and are happy with it. I imagine even the best of brands can spawn a lemon now and then, so perhaps it’s not Dell so much as this particular laptop. Yes, we’ve gotta love our boys, opinions and all! It’s their world, after all, right?!?
My laptop (my beloved MacBook) is eight years old, would you believe! Still going strong, although editing videos has slowed right down – luckily I have the iMac to work on for bigger projects. Ah, technology – where would we be without you!
Eight and still going strong? Wow, I’m impressed, Lucy! Either you have taken VERY good care of it, or you hit the jackpot. Good for you, you know. We’d have a hard time communicating across the Pond without this Interwebs, ha! And I, for one, would be that much poorer, had we never met!
It is well-looked after and regularly tinkered with by someone who knows much more about these things than I do. I must say, I really do need a new one but feel bad about replacing it! My life is much richer for having met you too, Debbie (and Dallas too, of course!)
Aw, gee, thanks a bunch!!
Macs all the way, Debbie! They’re faster. Cooler. And they have that rotten apple logo on them! But, seriously. Mine does make a weird noise every so often.
Professor, you and Domer are such hipsters!! Yes, I know they’re terribly cool, but the programs I’m fond of are Windows-based, and I’m not sure I want to jump through the hoops to make a Mac Windows-friendly. Weird noise, huh?? Hmm, you might ought to check into that. Don’t want the thing taking flight (that’s kind of what my Dell sounded like, a Cessna!)
A hipster! That’s what my brother always calls me. But it can’t be true! I think Domer and I would get on wonderfully. Humph noodles. I was hoping that I’d convinced you, you know. Rats.
You and Domer would get along famously! You could jam on guitars, you know!
We would jam into the night!
I’m glad you found a laptop that worked for you. My Dell is going on 5 years now and I’ve bit shopeed for a new one. I keep getting notices that I can download a free copy of windows 10 for a limited time, but frankly I’m scared (if it ain’t broke, don’t fix it). Maybe I’m just cynical, but I have a feeling of I upgrade I’ll run into all kinds of issues.
Janna, it’s a bit like buying anything, you know. You pays your money and you takes your chances! Sometimes the outcome is good and you love your purchase; other times, you end up with a lemon. Doesn’t seem to be any rhyme or reason for either outcome. Five years?? Wow, I’m impressed!!
Trouble with new technology is that you can never keep up with it. We have new computers are school and I hate them. Glad you found the perfect fit.
Keeping up with technology is a serious problem, Pat. I realize tech companies feel a need to stay ahead of the curve, but ultimately, the buyers dictate a venture’s success. And I know plenty of buyers who have refused to update past Vista! So there are all those products just sitting on shelves, despite reasonable price tags. Sadly, most items don’t show their “warts” until the warranty period has ended either.