Tech Question

[vansmack]

They are hard to find to do any sound tests with.  I have found the Marshall bluetooth speaker in a store, and it was nice, but BT speakers pale in comparison to WiFi speakers.

They are certainly more classic looking for the old souls on this board (The Brand would probably never go for them) and they are more versatile in that most are WiFi (Chromecast, Spotify Connect and AirPlay compatible), BT and have a 3.5mm jack, and some are even portable, but until I hear them, I won't have a full opinion.   

There are plusses and minuses to Chromecast, Spotify Connect and AirPlay compatibility compared to how SONOS does it though.  The Marshall way offers more flexibility but can be more confusing, as opposed to the simplicity of the SONOS services model, but that model depends on SONOS offering the music services you want.

[Hatch, guerrilla-poserll|̲̅̅●̲̅̅|̲̅̅=̲̅̅|̲̅̅●̲̅̅|llıl]

I know it's not directly relevant to GGWs question, but as someone who cannot run wires where he is, SONOS is the best~$3500 vansmack ever convinced me to spend.

time for an upgrade...offering decent discounts for trade-ins
https://www.theverge.com/2020/11/11/21559967/sonos-upgrade-program-30-15-percent-discount-play1-play3-play5-recycle-mode-controversy

[Julian, White Poet WARLORD]

I know it's not directly relevant to GGWs question, but as someone who cannot run wires where he is, SONOS is the best~$3500 vansmack ever convinced me to spend.

time for an upgrade...offering decent discounts for trade-ins
https://www.theverge.com/2020/11/11/21559967/sonos-upgrade-program-30-15-percent-discount-play1-play3-play5-recycle-mode-controversy

Everything I own is newer than that. I do need to trade my playbar in and get an Arc though.

[WALKonBack]

I have an opportunity to be given something called a "Bowers and Wilkins" CM9 speaker.  The thing is freaking huge!  Is this something I can hook up directly to my new 70 inch television . . . or do I have to have some other kind of equipment for that to work?  Or it that something dumb to hook up to a television.  As you can see, I know nothing about this stuff.

[Hatch, guerrilla-poserll|̲̅̅●̲̅̅|̲̅̅=̲̅̅|̲̅̅●̲̅̅|llıl]

at a quick glance looks like you'll need a decent amplifier to power those.  So your tv would go into the Amp and the speakers would connect to that
those are big speakers and I think over 2K msrp

[Yada]

I have an opportunity to be given something called a "Bowers and Wilkins" CM9 speaker.  The thing is freaking huge!  Is this something I can hook up directly to my new 70 inch television . . . or do I have to have some other kind of equipment for that to work?  Or it that something dumb to hook up to a television.  As you can see, I know nothing about this stuff.

I've had the CM8s for close to a decade, absolutely great speakers... you absolutely need an amp.

[WALKonBack]

Two things:

1.  Thanks.

2.  Holy fuck; the return of Yada

[hutch]

Nice

[WALKonBack]

Help me 930kenobi . . . you're my only hope.

I am a Realtor who needs to buy a new laptop.  I don't need anything exotic or crazy.  I don't need a gamer laptop.  I just want a good laptop to access email / use programs on the internet / use excel and word / porn of course.  What do you recommend under say $500 - $600?  My last one was an HP touchscreen something or other, which I was very happy with. 

Thanks.

[hutch]

These people will be of no help


I had my heart set on an Apple laptop and they crushed my dream


I just bought something cheap I never use.. instead here I am on my iPhone


I am now planning anew to get an Apple   Laptop but know better than to ask around these parts

[Hatch, guerrilla-poserll|̲̅̅●̲̅̅|̲̅̅=̲̅̅|̲̅̅●̲̅̅|llıl]

Crushing Hutch's dreams was written by the Pilgrims in the original Charter of the 9:30 forum, so it's performing as expected
There is no such thing as a low-cost Apple product.   Minimum entry is typical $1100 (although the 2020 Macbook Air 13 inch is on sale in the $840 range...not a bad deal, want me to talk to Santa?)


But sounds like you want windows anyway and need to run Office (so chrome books are 'kinda' out)
When looking for a laptop for my kid, I was impressed by how much of a windows laptop you could get for under $600
These are not the 'netbooks' of ten years ago, this is a full-fledged computer that has the specs to run in a corp environment

Now, I don't love Lenovo, but for budget-conscious, this is a great package
https://www.microcenter.com/product/628648/lenovo-ideapad-flex-5-14-14-2-in-1-laptop-computer---grey

Lenovo Ideapad Flex 5 14 14" 2-in-1 Laptop Computer
AMD Ryzen 3 4300U Processor 2.7GHz (first cost savings and it's in the i7 intel range, so it's decent)
8GB RAM (in a perfect world I'd recommend 16, but this will probably suit you)
256GB Solid State Drive (SSD is the only game in town, never buy a HardDrive with moving parts)
AMD Radeon Graphics (decent graphics card)
Microsoft Windows 10 Home in S Mode (this is where some of your cost savings come in.  I think this wouldn't impact you, but there are limitation you can read about)
Bluetooth 5.0 (the latest and greatest, much better with Audio (although not so good to entice Smakie))
14" Full IPS LED-backlit Touch Display  (touch display for sub $600 is very nice, if you are showing clients photos, it's nice to be able to flick the screen)

[WALKonBack]

Crushing Hutch's dreams was written by the Pilgrims in the original Charter of the 9:30 forum, so it's performing as expected
There is no such thing as a low-cost Apple product.   Minimum entry is typical $1100 (although the 2020 Macbook Air 13 inch is on sale in the $840 range...not a bad deal, want me to talk to Santa?)


But sounds like you want windows anyway and need to run Office (so chrome books are 'kinda' out)
When looking for a laptop for my kid, I was impressed by how much of a windows laptop you could get for under $600
These are not the 'netbooks' of ten years ago, this is a full-fledged computer that has the specs to run in a corp environment

Now, I don't love Lenovo, but for budget-conscious, this is a great package
https://www.microcenter.com/product/628648/lenovo-ideapad-flex-5-14-14-2-in-1-laptop-computer---grey

Lenovo Ideapad Flex 5 14 14" 2-in-1 Laptop Computer
AMD Ryzen 3 4300U Processor 2.7GHz (first cost savings and it's in the i7 intel range, so it's decent)
8GB RAM (in a perfect world I'd recommend 16, but this will probably suit you)
256GB Solid State Drive (SSD is the only game in town, never buy a HardDrive with moving parts)
AMD Radeon Graphics (decent graphics card)
Microsoft Windows 10 Home in S Mode (this is where some of your cost savings come in.  I think this wouldn't impact you, but there are limitation you can read about)
Bluetooth 5.0 (the latest and greatest, much better with Audio (although not so good to entice Smakie))
14" Full IPS LED-backlit Touch Display  (touch display for sub $600 is very nice, if you are showing clients photos, it's nice to be able to flick the screen)

My God, I could have your baby!!  This helped me so much, especially understanding Windows S mode which I knew nothing about and now know to stay away from.  Blessing to you!

[Hatch, guerrilla-poserll|̲̅̅●̲̅̅|̲̅̅=̲̅̅|̲̅̅●̲̅̅|llıl]

My God, I could have your baby!!  This helped me so much, especially understanding Windows S mode which I knew nothing about and now know to stay away from.  Blessing to you!

from what I've read it's free and easy to get to win 10 Pro
https://www.laptopmag.com/articles/upgrade-from-windows-10-s
the biggest risk is that the hardware couldn't handle win 10 pro...with that model, I don't think that's an issue

[WALKonBack]

Dear Lord, you, are, amazing. 

[Justin Tonation]

Nice thing about Micro Center is that they actually have stores (locally in Fairfax and Rockville), and they're awesome. They're like IKEA but for geeks. Shit tons of DIY stuff.