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  1. cizx

    cizx Friend

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    Really, spend the energy adapting to the new reality. This kind of privacy tradeoff isn't going anywhere. Millennials grew up expecting it. Old people need to just accept it and move on, or grab a rake and shout on their porches. It's not going away.
     
  2. Deep Funk

    Deep Funk Deep thoughts - Friend

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    Point taken. Still f**k Microsoft for offering a "free upgrade" without mentioning they want your data and meta-data.

    With W8 they took away the start/menu button because "progress."

    I understand that enterprises need some information about their users and potential customers but to act like a smiling pick-pocket offering free candy, uh no. f**k no!
     
  3. cizx

    cizx Friend

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    Luckily there's no law mandating Windows usage.
     
  4. Smitty

    Smitty Too good for bad vodka - Friend

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    As someone in the ad space, Microsoft has being really blatant about muscling into the space. By the end of the year, I expect there to be a beta version of an ad platform, complete with segmentation and targeting. There's no other reason for collecting most of that information.

    I'm getting a mac for my next laptop, both for easier development and because my gaming tower has w10, and I really only need windows for gaming.
     
  5. bixby

    bixby Friend

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    for all you guys bitching about win 10 junk that can be turned off, wonder if you use chrome, gmail, or the like.
    Wanna guess what info they capture? ;)
     
  6. Deep Funk

    Deep Funk Deep thoughts - Friend

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    Firefox and DuckDuckGo. Did you try the Brave browser ;)
     
  7. cizx

    cizx Friend

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    Alphabet is welcome to mine my emails for info. They can see what a &$@!? my ex GF is, and how many weapons I buy on amazon... they won't be able to stop me.
     
  8. NekoAudio

    NekoAudio Acquaintance

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    Ads are in your start menu. I see them on my Windows 10 instance.
    http://www.zdnet.com/article/how-to-disable-windows-10-start-menu-ads/
     
  9. Smitty

    Smitty Too good for bad vodka - Friend

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    No, I have that disabled. There are large spaces with nothing in my menu where the ads would be, which is fueling the rumors about making ads mandatory at a later time. IF you actually have something like Wireshark running, you can see windows download assets to display, but it doesn't actually display them. That's probably a big deal for people with usage caps.
     
  10. Thad E Ginathom

    Thad E Ginathom Friend

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    The choice is... turn off a heap of useful stuff, or sell your soul. I've chosen to sell my soul. Mostly to Google, which is bad enough: Microsoft, if I can help it, is not getting any of it.
     
  11. Mdkaler

    Mdkaler Friend

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    Anyone has experience with deactivating Computrace?

    Recently I purchased a used Dell business laptop on ebay. 3rd gen dual core i5 plus a fast SSD on Windows 10 and this thing feels faster than my desktop AMD FX 8350 before the bios update with Spectre and Meltdown mitigation. And of course Computrace is activated (facepalm).

    I had a another recycled Dell laptop that is in the same situation. I called Absolute and tried to have it removed. A couple months have passed and it is still running. This is a core 2 and I only got it to take it apart and make it run again. But the new purchase I do plan to actually use it and replace a X1 carbon that died last month. I will probably wait till hardware Spectre/Meltdown mitigation is out or just buy AMD.

    Now an interesting post on Reddit did suggest Computrace can be deactivated by contacting Absolute, to the point that in the bios setting the grayed out option was once again active. i.e. user can permanently disable Computrace again in bios. This was done on a Thinkpad so that might make a difference, or not.
     
  12. maverickronin

    maverickronin Friend

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    You can probably also deactivate it by replacing the files it injects with empty placeholders and removing all rights from all users\groups.

    I've done that on older versions at least. New ones might be different.
     
  13. Stuff Jones

    Stuff Jones Friend

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    I'm looking for my next laptop. I have a Thinkpad T460s and have had all kinds of problems with it including hinge issues, screen connector issues, microphone issues and more. The build quality just doesn't match the Thinkpad reputation. I had an X220 previously and also had issues.

    On the other hand, the keyboard is great and since that's how I input to the laptop, that's hugely important to me. I also like the next day warranty (with international coverage) for when it inevitably breaks.

    Are there any more reliable thin and light laptops with good keyboards?

    I'm thinking of the Huawei Matebook X Pro but there's not enough data to know about reliability and who knows about Huawei support. It gets amazing reviews and the 3:2 screen is nice for productivity compared to 16:9.
     
  14. bixby

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    @Stuff Jones I've been pleased with the last 3 older HP Elitebooks, I have used. Nice when you can buy a $1k plus model for under $300 years later. Although I would not use any laptop for more than casual music listening. They just do not cut it compared to the alternatives.
     
  15. Stuff Jones

    Stuff Jones Friend

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    Personally I can't imagine always having to work from the same place whether it be within the house or always having to work from the house. Nor do I have a choice as I travel a ton for work.

    I don't do CPU/GPU intensive work or anything requiring a great screen, so those two advantages of a desktop are out. That leaves the keyboard and trackpad/mouse as the advantages of a desktop. The thinkpad keyboard is good enough where I don't miss good desktop keyboard. I've been using laptops long enough that I can work with most any trackpad.

    How's the HP's keyboard? I don't imagine you've had experience with their warranty service.
     
  16. Poleepkwa

    Poleepkwa Friend

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    I have been using the Dell Latitude series laptops for a while now. The typing experience is good for the size (12"). I prefer their keyboards to the Elitebooks.
     
  17. zerodeefex

    zerodeefex SBAF's Imelda Marcos

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    If you’re having reliability issues with business, you’re fucked. GL finding better durability.

    I do like the XPS 13 and 15, though. Solid experience on both.
     
  18. Tachikoma

    Tachikoma Almost "Made"

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    Using an XPS 15 (9570) right now, the keyboard is meh at best (coming from an old Dell Latitude) and the DPC latency is off the charts terrible. The default sound drivers need to be manually replaced with realtek's "high definition" driver unless you like crackling. I've also heard that the newer bioses come with serious thermal throttling.

    I'm not sure if the other thin-and-light laptops are better, but I can't recommend the 9570.
     
  19. bixby

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    @Stuff Jones

    I am probably not the one to judge a keyboard. I am a rather slow typist at best. No issues with service on any of them, they are built pretty well with really decent parts.

    I used one for a few years as a HP setup, not bad if you turn the screen off for more serious listening. No USB noises, it is just that screens and other stuff in a super close proximity package in general can inject some rfi into the signal chain. You don't hear it as hash or noise but rather a slightly more compressed sound with a bit of limiting on highs. Still it is lots better sound than some devices especially if your dac has done usb right.
     
  20. GoodEnoughGear

    GoodEnoughGear Evil Dr. Shultz‎

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    I added international warranty to my Elitebook a few years ago - service was prompt and they replaced the unit when they figured out they couldn't get the required part quickly. Maybe a week all told. This is in South Africa. YMMV of course.
     

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