A new Desktop: Dell Inspiron I3847-3538BK and Windows 10

Dell Inspiron I3487-3538BK

Dell Monitor E2414HM

Winter photos.

Last fall, I spent many hours in Chicago O'Hare lugging my everyday Lenovo laptop, which got heavier by the minute. I decided to seriously consider replacing that device with a MacBook Air when the time came -- before my next plane trip for sure. However, in the meantime, my office "workhorse" computer was getting old and slow.

I didn't really give serious consideration to anything but a Windows operating system: I still occasionally use the command line and feel most comfortable with the file structure that I know so well. My hard drive is simply organized (most personal documents, photos, music etc. under the "users" subfolder, others under my own "c:\data" folder.  All well labeled, logical and easy to remember.

When I made my last office computer replacement, I selected an HP laptop marketed as a desktop replacement, to be used as a laptop (e.g., do "office" work in the living room instead of being physically in the office), if necessary. The machine was actually fairly heavy and its use as a laptop was not very practical. I used networking (including old fashioned "sneaker net" more often than I actually moved the laptop from its permanent location on my desk. I considered the overall purchase a somewhat expensive mistake.

Once I decided on my specs (enough memory, 2 TB hard drive big enough for my photographs), the purchase was easy: $549.99 from Best Buy. with free delivery the next day. The initial set-up was as easy as I've ever encountered. Unpacked, plugged in and Internet connected in less than an hour. My one-year subscription to Office 360 ($50 for one desktop and another table installation) was quick to install and is a pleasure to use.

I was pleasantly surprised by Windows 10, after hating both Windows 7 and 10. The familiar XP Start Menu is back, with a different look that's practical and easy for novices to use. I got rid of the out-of-the-box icon clutter and gave prominent real estate to the icons my husband uses the most.

I did encounter a few minor hurdles. The plan to migrate my own data was too daunting without data migration tools so I brought the box back to Best Buy and paid $99 for Geek Squad to copy it for me.  Bonus: the migration of my iTunes music library was painless and perfect. No support call to iTunes required. I also messed around with user settings to make it easy for Bob to use the device: I long ago abandoned the idea of giving him his own login, since it is easier for me to manage only one user. I've wasted some time on small issues like desktop appearance.

I'm especially happy with speed and display. Overall, the transition has been easy and so worth the effort.