Hey Quaker, computer question for ya

[Badgersmilk]

I'm guessing you've finished deleting all the junk apps that were preloaded on the new computer, and got windows all updated the way it likes...  If you rerun the "Windows Experience Index" what scores are you seeing?

I'd suggest rerunning it because having deleted the junk programs, done updates, run disk clean up, and defrag, my new computer actually went up a few tenths from where it was outta the box.

Have you played with the little "Performance monitor" gadget?

[fightingquaker13]

I'm guessing you've finished deleting all the junk apps that were preloaded on the new computer, and got windows all updated the way it likes...  If you rerun the "Windows Experience Index" what scores are you seeing?

I'd suggest rerunning it because having deleted the junk programs, done updates, run disk clean up, and defrag, my new computer actually went up a few tenths from where it was outta the box.

Have you played with the little "Performance monitor" gadget?

I am a babe in the woods here. My computer came pretty well stripped, almost no "bloatware". But I have no idea what the "windows experience" app is. If you can explain it in idiot proof terms I'll run it.
Thanks
FQ13

[Badgersmilk]

Windows (since Vista) has come with a thing that basicly tells you what IT thinks of your computer.  

Open the Start menu (pops up when you click on the  icon at the bottom left of the screen), you'll see "Computer" on the right side.  Right click on that and then left click on "Properties".  Should be a number right in the middle of your screen.  

Just next to that number (which is your computers overall score) it says Windows Experience Index.  Click on that and it'll tell you all about what your computers really got "under the hood".  

This little trick makes shopping for a new computer in the stores REALLY EASY!!!  Look for the one with the highest number!

Your new laptop has almost TWICE the memory, processor, and everything else, as my netbook...  Wondering what that kinda power nets you in Windows eyes.  ?

ZOOOM!  NOT!  Netbooks aren't exactly known to be fast.  


2.4's a lot closer to 1 than the 7.9  



You can make tweeks to improve your number.  Really sad thing is mine scored 2.0 outta the box!  So 2.4 IS tweeked!

[fightingquaker13]

I get a whopping 4.5 because the graphics are low. Everything else is 5.2, 5.9. 5.9 and 6.9 (those being data transfer rates, which is what I care about). I guess I might need to buy a new graphics card, but honestly, unless I choose get into gaming or watch DVDs on the thing, I'm happy for $500.
FQ13
PS the graphics are less crisp than I got on my old machine (though I don't have to wait for them). If I can pop in a $25-$50 graphics card I'll do it, if not, I'll live with what I've got because it is damn fast.

[philw]

ok   i looked and i should get around 6.9

going to install win 7 one day to test 

[Sponsor]

[Badgersmilk]

VISTA has this same feature.

4.5's actually REALLY GOOD!  My notebook running VISTA only gets a 3.6, and our I.T. guy's notebook only gets a 3.8!  Seems like the graphics hold up most notebooks.  I'm not sure you can do anything about it...  I think it's a built in card unless it's on a desktop.       With your notebook being all new, with the latest goodies I was just wondering what she'd do.  QUICK if you ask me!

[david86440]

thanks Badgersmilk,

I hadn't thought to check it  on my Sony netbook.

My wife just got an ASUS yesterday and I want to check it with the 1 MB ram and the N550 processor it came with and compare to yours with 2MB and the N455.

I have to get her off it before I can check it.

My Sony has 4 MB ram, 500 GB hard drive and has a subscore of 5.6 for memory, 4.1 graphics, 5.6 gaming, 5.8 hard disk but only 3.7 overall with the processor.

[Big Frank]

My desktop has a score of 4.9. I'm happy with that and would want a laptop to be up there as well if possible. But I figure it would probably cost a lot more than average.

[Pathfinder]

Still running XP Pro on the desktop, but it has a seriously major league processor and video, so the score should be reasonably good.

El-Cheapo Dell laptop that I recently got with a Pentium dual core processor and other specs like FQ's new machine has lots of 5-point somethings, but is dragged down like the other laptops with graphics to 3.4.

Thanks for bringing this up,, BM, had no idea it was even there.

[Badgersmilk]

Changing from 1gb to 2gb didn't change my scores at all.    Did it make the computer faster?  Yep.  Not a LOT, but definately noticable.

If you open the "Performance meter" gadget in VISTA, or 7 it'll show how much of your memory your actually using at any given time.  THAT'S where I saw a change of 37% being used with three or four apps open, to 24% being used with 2GB, and the same apps open.

Next time you guys walk through the stores it only takes a few clicks to check the stats on ANY new computer.  And it makes interesting comparisons.  You'll be surprised!  Some of the highest dollar rigs out there are PIGS!