+giddyupNwhoa Posted September 18, 2013 Share Posted September 18, 2013 Hello fellow cachers. I am going shopping for a new laptop for those leisurely, frustrating days, months and years of puzzle solving. I have used several different computers some of which work better for solving puzzles. My iPad does not have the functionality I need to touch the screen and see background images. My old Dell does allow seeing background image etc. any recommendations for computer (software or operating system) must have for puzzle solving? Many thanks! Quote Link to comment
+Redfist Posted September 18, 2013 Share Posted September 18, 2013 Hello fellow cachers. I am going shopping for a new laptop for those leisurely, frustrating days, months and years of puzzle solving. I have used several different computers some of which work better for solving puzzles. My iPad does not have the functionality I need to touch the screen and see background images. My old Dell does allow seeing background image etc. any recommendations for computer (software or operating system) must have for puzzle solving? Many thanks! I don't think I'd focus on puzzle solving when buying a computer but I love the enthusiasm! I'd recommend Windows for a large variety of tools and capabilities. From a HW perspective, solving puzzles doesn't take much. I have solved a few where I wrote a program to churn on #s for a while, but it still solved in under 5 minutes. So RAM, CPU, HD probably aren't all that pertinent for just the task of solving puzzles. You mention "months, years" of usage. I'd probably look towards buying something with touch since that paradigm is only going to become more entrenched. My recommendation would be to buy a Windows PC during "the holiday season" when the new wave of lower priced offerings come out. What is newish then and "knee of the curve" on the price/performance chart will be a GREAT value. Either get a nice laptop or a nice tablet that has good Bluetooth mouse/keyboard capabilities. I'd probably actually lean towards a laptop just for larger screen size for examining photos/etc. when solving puzzles. Quote Link to comment
+BAMBOOZLE Posted September 18, 2013 Share Posted September 18, 2013 (edited) 1. Buy any computer you want. 2. Use the computer to access GC.COM and eliminate all puzzles from being added to your PQ's. 3. Add PQ's to your GPS. 4. Have a great time outdoors finding real geocaches. Edited September 19, 2013 by BAMBOOZLE Quote Link to comment
+Singletree Expedition Posted September 18, 2013 Share Posted September 18, 2013 ...My iPad does not have the functionality I need to touch the screen and see background images. My old Dell does allow seeing background image etc. ... I do not own an iPad, but I suspect this is possible. (This may be a puzzle in itself, but it sounds like you enjoy that sort of thing). A quick search revealed that you can enable a "Develop" menu for Safari that allows "View Source". From there, you could likely view the background image. Also, there are other browsers available for the iPad so don't limit yourself to Safari if it is not serving your needs. Quote Link to comment
+bflentje Posted September 18, 2013 Share Posted September 18, 2013 Any computer you learn how to properly and safely run. Quote Link to comment
+giddeanx Posted September 18, 2013 Share Posted September 18, 2013 (edited) If you buy a second monitor or hook up the old one from your old dell(assuming its a desktop) you will have more room to spread out your references. I find screen room more useful that processing speed as far as puzzle solving goes. Edited September 18, 2013 by giddeanx Quote Link to comment
+TheMacMan Posted September 19, 2013 Share Posted September 19, 2013 1. Buy any computer you want. 2. Use the computer to access GC.COM and eliminate all puzzles from being added to your PQ's. 3. Add PQ's to your GPS. 4. Have a great time outdoors finding real geocaches. My favorite post ever on this board. Quote Link to comment
+redsox_mark Posted September 20, 2013 Share Posted September 20, 2013 I think you (OP) are right that a laptop computer will give you more flexibility solving puzzles than a tablet like an iPad. While there is a lot of apps out there for iPads/etc, I think there is more specialist software out there for PCs (and this includes various cipher programs). Windows vs. Mac or even Linux is another debate and many will have their preference. Windows PCs are generally cheaper and lots of software available. Quote Link to comment
+BigChiefS4 Posted September 20, 2013 Share Posted September 20, 2013 I prefer to use the 'computer' between my ears for solving puzzles. Quote Link to comment
+redsox_mark Posted September 20, 2013 Share Posted September 20, 2013 I prefer to use the 'computer' between my ears for solving puzzles. Yes that is an essential part. But some computer use is generally needed as well. If there are hidden links in the page, coordinates hidden in an image, etc, some computer/device is needed to look at the page source, look at the image, etc. You also need to use your brain to figure out what to do. Then there are aspects where a computer isn't necessary but helps. You use your brain to determine the type of cipher used. But it is 500 characters of ciphertext and time consuming to decrypt manually. Lastly there is Google. Any device can help there. Quote Link to comment
+giddyupNwhoa Posted September 20, 2013 Author Share Posted September 20, 2013 I think you (OP) are right that a laptop computer will give you more flexibility solving puzzles than a tablet like an iPad. While there is a lot of apps out there for iPads/etc, I think there is more specialist software out there for PCs (and this includes various cipher programs). Yes, in fact, I was unable to "see" the solution on a Netbook and only on a laptop. I want to be sure I have the full potential. Thank you everyone for your input! These forums are great Quote Link to comment
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