In previous columns I wrote about computer hardware and software I rely on nearly every day. This week I'll tackle the state of stuff I don't need and, in some instances, stuff I wish I hadn't bought.
Computers _ laptops or desktops _ with less than eight gigabytes of memory: Eight gigs are the minimum for either Windows PCs or Macs. Performance with four gigs is like sailing across North Dakota in a schooner. That is to say you'll wait a long time _ as in the next Ice Age _ to start moving.
Computers with less than 256-gig hard drives: Don't even consider a 128-gig drive, unless all of your computing is done in the cloud. MacBooks are the culprits here. My MacBook Pro can't be upgraded, so I'm stuck with a hard drive the size of Rhode Island, when my software collection is the size of Texas.
Non-solid-state hard drives: True, traditional drives are cheap _ a two terabyte drive sells for less than $100 but compared with solid state drives, backroads in Georgia are faster than these slowpokes. (See above paragraph.)
Chromebooks: Often cheap and cheaply made, they are good only for cloud word processing and Internet use. Their screens and hard drives are the size of New Jersey. You may as well spring for a cheap laptop for a hundred bucks more. At least you'll get a bigger screen and more hard disk space.
Roller ball mice: I originally liked these ergonomic mice _ until I didn't. After long sessions at the computer my right shoulder started hurting like a cowpoke who spent the day lassoing wild horses in Wyoming. I'm using my ancient Microsoft Ergo mouse and loving it.
Flimsy keyboards that move around on the desk: Anyone who has had one of these cheapies should head straight for the Das Keyboard, which handles like an 18-wheeler barreling down a California freeway at 2 a.m.
TurboTax: I've relied on this tax-preparation program for years _ until I asked a CPA to review my last three years of returns. He found that I had overpaid the friendly folks at the IRS a Montana-size bundle of cash.
Subscription software: Taking advantage of folks who don't upgrade their software every year, more and more companies are charging for monthly or yearly subscriptions. It's the old Tennessee waltz _ get you hooked on a program, then drain your pocketbook for upgrades that often aren't necessary.
Amazon ratings. It's puzzling how a product can get both five-star and one-star reviews for the flimsiest reasons. Often the one-stars are from grumps who wouldn't know a good product if they were bitten by a Florida alligator in broad daylight. Conversely, the five-stars seem to be written by the same people who thought the CP/M operating system of four decades ago was as 'Bama as computing got.
Amazon Echo and Google Home: These are toys, and expensive ones at that. They purport to do everything a smart home requires, but I'd give them back, if I could, in a New York minute. Everything they do can be done just as quickly manually. Ask Alexa a question, and she may or may not give you an accurate answer, or any answer at all.
I could Pennsylvania more losers in my man cave, but you get the gist. The state of affairs is think twice when you're about to buy a gadget. You'd be wise to do as I say, not as I do. Yes, Virginia, a gadget freak and his money are soon parted.
