Jump to content
  • entries
    940
  • comments
    5,894
  • views
    863,967

Hardware Upgrades and Minimization


Josh

3,301 views

 Share

I've had an urge lately to minimize my PC setup. Maybe it's the experience of an interstate move with five computers, but I find myself valuing small size and practicality more lately over quality.

 

I purchased a Dell Ultra Sharp UZ2715H monitor with built-in speakers. This allows me to eliminate three cords and an extra power adapter from my external speakers. Interestingly, the two-speaker setup was a downgrade from my old speakers+subwoofer system, because I got tired of kicking that big plastic box under the desk. The monitor only accepts HDMI audio input, which is disappointing because it will cause problems when I want to use my Oculus Rift, since my GPUs only have one HDMI output each. The sound quality is not as good as an iMac, but better than a laptop. The volume button on the monitor is not visible at all, so you just have to remember roughly what spot on the front of the monitor is the volume button, and poke around until you find the right one. However, the sound is good enough, and it clears up a lot of space on my desk.

 

blogentry-1-0-28317000-1424373559.jpg

 

I previously tried out another Dell model with a 25x1440 resolution, but I found Windows handling of high DPI displays to be unsatisfactory.

 

I'm down to one PC now, and I just frequently swap the GPU and switch boot drives in BIOS when I want to switch between operating systems. I don't recommend ever creating a dual-boot system, and when you do install an OS on a hard drive, just remove the other drives temporarily to avoid any problems.

 

I also replaced my great big Microsoft ergonomic keyboard and wireless mouse with a much more minimal boring only corded keyboard and mouse. I just wanted to never deal with recharging mouse batteries again, but I found the corded mouse to be MUCH more accurate and quick to respond. I've been using the wireless mouse for so long I forgot what corded mice were like.

 

blogentry-1-0-52273900-1424373454.jpg

 

At this time, my PC now has the following cables:

  • PC power
  • Monitor power
  • HDMI
  • Mouse
  • Keyboard
  • Ethernet
  • That's it!

 

I'd also like to transfer the contents of my PC into a smaller case, but won't attempt that for a few weeks. I'm also considering replacing my huge printer / scanner / copier with something like this, or just getting rid of it entirely. (When was the last time you printed anything on physical paper?)

 

blogentry-1-0-65837700-1424373502.jpg

  • Upvote 1
 Share

9 Comments


Recommended Comments

I remember having a basic wireless keyboard about 5 some years ago and thought it was sweet, until I started playing FPS games with it. The lag was noticeable and just pissed me off. It's scarred me for life on wireless keyboards.

Link to comment

Always been 2snob2wireless. Input devices and networking on my main rig.

Dual boots have always worked well for me but I know exactly what you mean. Windows just doesn't give a flying fart about anything except Windows, so when you install Linux first and then Windows, it will delete GRUB (the bootloader Linux uses). The other way around works just fine. A good VM solution can also help with cutting down on reboot times.

Link to comment

I also considered a hardware switch that would toggle power for each drive, but decided against it because I was afraid of electrical shorts or whatever. I've done it so many times in BIOS that I just slam out the key combination now to switch boot drives.

Link to comment

I use a laptop and a wired mouse with a mousepad since a digital mouse doesn't work right on glass. and I don't like most wireless stuff except my headphones there great I only have to recharge it every once a while and most of the time I only recharge it while I am sleeping over night.

 

I have a turtlebeach Earforce PX3, it is usable on PC/MacOS, ps3, xbox 360, ps4, and xbox 1, plus has different settings you can choose while playing a game, to hear like footstep's better , or turn turn down explosion's, or hear other people better. etc. you can make your own preset's and download custom one's too.

Link to comment

i use the ms ergo keyboard with the ms mouse. i use it a couple of hours per day and have to change batteries once per year.

Next i have a usb extension from the computer to the receiver for the keyboard an mouse so that they are dircetly glued under the bottomside of the desktop roughly 5 cm away from the keyboard and mouse. Always connected with no lag and problems with cellphones nearby.

And i am a regularly gamer too smile.png

Link to comment

Ms ergonomic keyboard (4000/something or other) + razor something with way to many buttons.. But I got tired or replacing the Logitech MX ever 3 months.

 

I just cannot use a n ergonomic/ split keyboard any more - hell I usually bring my own keyboard when doing consulting work

Link to comment
Guest
Add a comment...

×   Pasted as rich text.   Paste as plain text instead

  Only 75 emoji are allowed.

×   Your link has been automatically embedded.   Display as a link instead

×   Your previous content has been restored.   Clear editor

×   You cannot paste images directly. Upload or insert images from URL.

×
×
  • Create New...