Where can a Boomer catch up on current computer/software technology?
I have an eight-year-old laptop that needs replacing and I’m paralyzed. What are the most reliable ones now? Do I need a desktop for CAD? Pros and cons of operating systems (and where do I find them?) Browsers ditto? Where do I find answers that aren’t just product marketing?
What you need for CAD is a mouse; trackpads are just too fiddly and imprecise. I use a Logitech MX Master, which works great over Bluetooth to a laptop.
I’ve had my MX Master for about 4 years now, best mouse I’ve owned. Tracks on almost every surface, easy enough to open and replace the internal battery, and feels great in the hand. The dual friction scroll wheel is amazing for scrolling through large webpages, folders, and lines of code.
Really wish it was at least a bit open source though. It’s capable of so much with the extra built in buttons and additional scroll wheel, but outside of Windows and Mac they are not very programmable
There is github.com/libratbag/piper for Linux which seems to support the my master. It is definitely more limited than Logitech gaming software, but allows me to configure my g600 just fine.
Laptops haven’t gotten that much better in the past 8 years. The one I’m using right now was made in 2011. Install Debian on your 8yo laptop and you are good to go. Question is though, what do you want to do with it? CAD? You mean like for 3D printing, or something more serious? You don’t need a desktop per se, but a big monitor plugged into the laptop can help.
While I agree with most of what you said, I don’t think it’s a great idea to recommend Linux to someone who appears to be out of his depth in terms of computers.
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