Anyone ever use tech soup?

[Woodsy]

I was talking with a friend about the bad state of my squadrons computers, that they are all so old and we've lost several in the past couple months.  He said to check out a website called tech soup, which is supposed to link corporations are upgrading their computers with NPO's that could put the old one to good use.  I believe I may have seen something here about it before because it sounds familiar, but didn't find anything in a quick search... 

So, has anyone ever used this, and actually got anything out of it?  Just curious if it's worth the effort. 

[JC004]

I wouldn't say for computers.  Their machines are pretty old and the cost is too close to a basic newer machine.  For software and some other hardware, it is a good option.

[a2capt]

..and you would be surprised what you can find in your own community.
Ask on CL, and point out the 501(c)(3) .. or go to service organization meetings and ask. You may hit  a winner when you find someone who knows of a closet full of P4s that need a home.. and look for Dell stuff, if possible. You just use a Dell XP CD from any one of them to reload any other one. No worries about the license key.

*If It's got SATA onboard, you may need a slightly updated XP CD, but..  not impossible to find/get.. even from Dell.

[Eclipse]

Don't forget DRMO, too.   My wing's VC is constantly driving out of Scott with a pallet of computers, monitors, and other goodies.

I've never been all that impressed with Tech Soup's selection or prices.

has your squadron received allocated notebooks from NHQ?  Most of mine had 2-3 units less than 2-3 years old, and probably 1/2 got new ones recently.

[Woodsy]

We have 2 issued laptops, both probably 3-4 years old, but suitable for their use. 

What we really need are a few desktops to replace our flight sim machines (which I'm guessing are 5-7 years old) that keep going down.  Our admin computer has to have a part replaced every month it seems, and our comm room machine completely fried a month or so ago.   That one is important as that what we use during missions to rum IMU, communications log, etc.  We've survived without it using members personal laptops, but it would be great to have it back.  The admin machine we have almost stopped using for any sort of important records as we're concerned we'll turn it on one day and everything will be gone, so we've just been doing it on our own machine and syncing up with the squadron external hard drive every meeting. 

Bottom line, is this is hurting us with the cadets, making it hard to keep proper records, and is an operational problem in ES.  We need new machines!

DRMO came up a couple days ago, but no one is quite sure how to go about that, we're looking into how it works now. 

I'm also going to look into local companies, but not sure where to start, or what department to contact...  A great learning experience for sure! 

[Eclipse]

DRMO came up a couple days ago, but no one is quite sure how to go about that, we're looking into how it works now. 

This is where having a strong, informed Logistics officer at both the unit and the wing level will help.

At 50K feet, there will bee a select few in the wing trained and approved as "screeners", your LG should be able to request a copy of the current catalog,
and once you see what is available, he should be able to request those items.  Each DRMO is different, local relationships matter (Hey Jim, guess what I just got...), and the initiative of your wing's screeners will be a factor as well.

Not to mention the physical logistics of where your DRMO is.  The two we use are 3.5 and 6+ hours away from my AOR, so if we need to return something or request something, there's some hand-off-ing that needs to be done.

Like using AAFES, it sounds harder than it is, and once in motion, not that big a deal.

One of these days I'm going to get one of those air-conditioned medical tents with a generator support trailer!

[Extremepredjudice]

The computers tech soup has are junk. If you want to run anything that is Intensive.

I am a gold expert/admin on a half dozen tech forums. I am obligated to say I haven't kept up for the past 2ish months. :p so I may be behind on Ivy Bridge/LLano/bulldozer rumors..


Just pm me your budget, what it needs to do and if you know a student.([for woodsy only]that goes to st.johns or fscj)

Edit: and if it needs to be a laptop/desktop.

[HGjunkie]

Here's a good place to start to get an idea of what you need...

http://www.dell.com/us/business/p/optiplex-desktops


And of course from time to time a shiny new cheap computer will show up on fleabay.

so I may be behind on Ivy Bridge/LLano/bulldozer rumors..

That's a little much for CAP usage.

[Extremepredjudice]

Here's a good place to start to get an idea of what you need...

http://www.dell.com/us/business/p/optiplex-desktops

so I may be behind on Ivy Bridge/LLano/bulldozer rumors..

That's a little much for CAP usage.

Hehheeee, you know you want one....

Optiplex is pretty good.... If you like dell.
Hp pavillions are decent.

It just depends on your budget...

If you want a fun project: build it yourself, and save tons in the process.

[Woodsy]

As far as budget, I guess I forgot to mention, we're looking for donations.  There is no budget (not even for shipping, though we could probably take care of that by passing the hat.)

[EMT-83]

As others have said, Tech Soup is great for software, not so much for hardware. You can't beat $16 per license for Office Professional or $39 for Dreamweaver. At those prices, you can't even justify running Open Office.

We have two corporations and a school that donate their old machines. Just swapped out those tiny 17" monitors for 19" ones. 

[Spaceman3750]

Optiplex is pretty good.... If you like dell.

I can see you have never dealt with them in quantity. A very large number of them have capacitors prone to early failure on the motherboard requiring on-site service or motherboard replacement.

[Extremepredjudice]

I have only owned ~5 of them.
When I got them they were all 3ish years old...

I do read reviews, I haven't heard about that issue.
Hmm, everyone has their own experience. I personally don't like any of the major brands(most of them use cheap mobos, cases, psus, etc) and either build it yourself/buy from custom build companies, I.e. Ibuypower, digital storn, or cyberpowerpc

Try a fund raiser. Carwashes with cadets work pretty well... Presales are a big help, also.
You could probably net enough for a brand new netbook..(250-300)


I don't have any extra computers, or I'd offer them...

[Woodsy]

If we get some old machines that need a little work, I may have to pull you to group staff to come fix em

[Extremepredjudice]

Heh, if I can get comms specialty, it is an even trade.

I want to see getting a Sra on group staff...

[Woodsy]

hah, ADY

Seriously though, you need to come over and check out our cyber patriot team.  Our cadets were first, second and third in the state for the cyber challenge this year and the patriot competition is about to kick off.  Don't think your squadron has a team?  Anyways, it's only about 30 minutes away...  Just saying!

[Extremepredjudice]

I'd join your squadron in a heartbeat, if I could drive...

Congratz on cyber patriots!! I looked into that, and thought about making a team... There Is only one other tech savy person in my squadron, and if they haven't taught themselves stuff by now, they aren't interested.

[HGjunkie]

Hehheeee, you know you want one....

Ah, but I do have one!

If ASUS made cheap computers I'd recommend them in a heartbeat, but they sell to regular consumers so Dell/HP are the best bets.

[Extremepredjudice]

Hehheeee, you know you want one....

Ah, but I do have one!

If ASUS made cheap computers I'd recommend them in a heartbeat, but they sell to regular consumers so Dell/HP are the best bets.

I have a i7 980x I got from a friend...
I put my liquid cooler from my 920 on there... 4.5 ghz easy

[JC004]

Hehheeee, you know you want one....

Ah, but I do have one!

If ASUS made cheap computers I'd recommend them in a heartbeat, but they sell to regular consumers so Dell/HP are the best bets.

  ASUS computers are a good deal and they do have business sales...

[HGjunkie]

Hehheeee, you know you want one....

Ah, but I do have one!

If ASUS made cheap computers I'd recommend them in a heartbeat, but they sell to regular consumers so Dell/HP are the best bets.

  ASUS computers are a good deal and they do have business sales...

Of course I didn't look at their business computer lineup. A quick google check shows the B53F lineup being around $500 for the consumer price, a pretty solid deal looking at the specifications. That's the notebook series. If desktops are the option, they look a little pricier.

(I just got a shiny new ASUS gaming laptop and I'm in love with it, and I think ASUS laptops are rock solid rigs.)

[Extremepredjudice]

Hehheeee, you know you want one....

Ah, but I do have one!

If ASUS made cheap computers I'd recommend them in a heartbeat, but they sell to regular consumers so Dell/HP are the best bets.

  ASUS computers are a good deal and they do have business sales...

Of course I didn't look at their business computer lineup. A quick google check shows the B53F lineup being around $500 for the consumer price, a pretty solid deal looking at the specifications. That's the notebook series. If desktops are the option, they look a little pricier.

(I just got a shiny new ASUS gaming laptop and I'm in love with it, and I think ASUS laptops are rock solid rigs.)

Toshiba is also pretty solid.

Acer is more low end, but functional.

[Spaceman3750]

Acer is more low end, but functional.

Not really. Again, anyone having dealt with them in quantity will tell you about how much they love them...

[HGjunkie]

Toshiba is also pretty solid.

Acer is more low end, but functional.

[Nerd opinion] Toshiba in general has Meh to decent build quality (Unless it's a protege series then it's better) and  I wouldn't trust an Acer to do anything more than be a pretty-looking paperweight, since the reviews around the web seem to be very mixed to unfavorable at best. Case in point you get what you pay for and an inexpensive toshiba style computer may last 2-3 years at best depending on how you use it. [/nerd opinion]

Agreed on the functional part, but I personally rather get a different brand such as ASUS or even HP/Dell because most of their business notebooks are inexpensive and at least semi-ruggedized.

[Extremepredjudice]

Meh, mainstream computers are all bad... Custom build companies is where I'd put my money... Definitly out of the price range we are talking. Most start around 500$

Unless we are going to debate actual models, we are going into fanboi territory...

Acer is hit or miss, depends on the model. I've seen good and bad on everything. The ones I've seen focus on looks more than function.

Considering we are looking at 400ish, a netbook is the best bet.

Nerd opinion? You are talking about something you can buy in walmart! (possibly)
Nerds only deal with online stuff! Newegg, tigerdirect, and the likes...
/troll

[HGjunkie]

Not all mainstream computers are made equally. There are companies that make really good computers for low prices (but we're getting into semantics territory). Lenovo, ASUS, and even Samsung/Panasonic (for example) make high quality computers for around the same Dollar amount as other companies. And for regular CAP usage building a PC from scratch would be a waste of time because of the continuously changing hardware market and the fact it's (for CAP) a better idea to get a new brand PC and not worry about compatibility, drivers, software, etc... It all comes pre-loaded on a regular computer.

Netbooks? Dude. That's... no.

[Extremepredjudice]

What are the alternatives? A bad desktop? At least a netbook is portable.


http://www.shopping.hp.com/webapp/shopping/series_can.do?storeName=computer_store&landing=desktops&a1=Starting+price&v1=Under+%24400&jumpid=in_R329_prodexp/hhoslp/psg/desktops/leftnav_starting_price_under_400

I'd give you a dell link, but their site kept crashing my phone's browser.


Edit: use logic
POS that doesn't move(desktop)
POS that moves(netbook)
POS that uses tech that is old(desktop)(they do, most are celeron/pentiums)
POS that uses atom tech(netbook)
POS that has a battery(netbook)
POS That needs to be plugged in(desktop)

Normally, I am antinetbook/tablet. They do have a place at the bottom of the food chain.
I'd take a netbook over a similar priced desktop...

It just comes down to functionality..

Oh and woodsy, when I go to the sarex, (what time is it? I didn't ask, lol) I will take a look at the computers, and see if I can do anything...

[EMT-83]

Let's get real. For squadron use, you need Word, Excel and access to eServices.

As long as it's not a real dog, just about any machine will work.

[Eclipse]

Let's get real. For squadron use, you need Word, Excel and access to eServices.

As long as it's not a real dog, just about any machine will work.

+1 (Open Office saves you the $$$ on office, too.)

Desktops are 100% dead - in 5 years you won't be able to find them at all.

As mentioned, any off-the-shelf consumer notebook is going to be a better fit than a desktop machine for a unit's needs.  The only people who need desktops these days are gamers and even then only the guys who feel that what the machine looks like somehow enhances its performance.  A notebook will use less power, be easily moveable to encampments, missions, and other, lendable to members, as well as being more easily secured.
I haven't owned a desktop machine for over ten years, even going back to when I actually cared about shooting aliens.

And frankly, if you're spending squadron funds, a netbook or 2-3 old notebook with a nice monitor is probably all you need and readily available
on the secondary market (eBay, Craig's List, donation, etc.).

If it needs a liquid cooling system it is ridiculous for a unit's needs.

[davidsinn]

If I had say, two grand to spend on computers for my unit I would get a stack of netbooks. They store real nice and do everything I'd want them to do for unit use. I don't have the space for a computer lab so they would have to be pulled out each and every time we want to use them.

[Extremepredjudice]

Let's get real. For squadron use, you need Word, Excel and access to eServices.

As long as it's not a real dog, just about any machine will work.

+1 (Open Office saves you the $$$ on office, too.)

Desktops are 100% dead - in 5 years you won't be able to find them at all.

As mentioned, any off-the-shelf consumer notebook is going to be a better fit than a desktop machine for a unit's needs.  The only people who need desktops these days are gamers and even then only the guys who feel that what the machine looks like somehow enhances its performance.  A notebook will use less power, be easily moveable to encampments, missions, and other, lendable to members, as well as being more easily secured.
I haven't owned a desktop machine for over ten years, even going back to when I actually cared about shooting aliens.

And frankly, if you're spending squadron funds, a netbook or 2-3 old notebook with a nice monitor is probably all you need and readily available
on the secondary market (eBay, Craig's List, donation, etc.).

If it needs a liquid cooling system it is ridiculous for a unit's needs.

I never said they needed anything like that, I was trying to stay within reason, by suggeeting a netbook. And I was bragging about my machine.

That said; desktops are here to stay. You are putting to much on "convience" rather than power. Roughly 20% of the US population are computer enthusists.. That is a lot. We do fork over a lot of cash for systems, because they are better. We do use all of tye capailities of a 2000$ pc.

A lot of companies pay thousands of dollars for systems because they need them! Laptops can't give the necessary power to replace a desktop.

Eventually we will hit the end of moore's law. Then what? Desktops afford more space.

Desktops are irreplacable. Period. They always are more powerful vs notebooks.


For CAP I would say that laptops are better for our missions, and netbooks are what fit into this unit's price range.

Like I said before, I will bring my discs and equipment and see if I can possibly fix a computer...

[Eclipse]

^Extreme...

The universe is headed towards mobile computing, embedded devices, and tablets.

Desktops are dead beyond the enthusiast and the uninformed.  The price point of the notebooks the majority of people need is now at or the same as desktop machines, and they take up less room and use less power.

Corporations?  They are all moving towards cloud computing and virtual machines.  The thinner the client the better.

20% will not shore up that market.  All you need to do is visit your local retailer of choice and count the machines and their type.

The "power" needed is not local processor, but bandwidth and a good GPU, neither of which requires a traditional desktop footprint.

[Spaceman3750]

While I love my Asus U35Jc laptop... I would be hard pressed to fit my GTS250 graphics card (in my desktop) in there .

That said, I love laptops while I truly enjoy the feel of a real keyboard, mouse, and monitor (I'm a little bit of a purist like that) the ability to take my computing anywhere in the world in less than a few pounds cannot be denied.