Computer help

[namsag]

I have been reading some of the Techstream threads, particularly the Techstream in 5 Minutes, where the guy set up a virtual machine to download and provided a link to download Techstream. I think I understand the concepts but the problem is I do not currently have a laptop to do this on so I will have to buy one. I have asked for help on the Techstream threads but nobody answering. Can I just buy the cheapest open box laptop they have at Best Buy to run Techstream, or is there a minimum standard in terms of memory/processor speed, etc. that is needed? I know Jack and Squat about this stuff. Obviously I understand that a faster, bigger memory. more powerful machine is better than not but is there a minimum machine power to give me decent speed and minimize frustration?

Any help/advice apprecated.

Thanks,
namsag.

 

[namsag]

Bueller?...

 

[HoneyBear]

Depending on what this VM is there very well could be a minimum processor requirement to run the virtualization software. Tech stream itself just needs basically any computer at all. I’d recommend looking at whatever software you need to run the VM and look at the requirements for that software.

To run techstream (lite at least) just needs any 1.5 ghz processor (so anything currently for sale will do) 4gb of RAM (again, basically anything for sale today at Best Buy would have this), looks like they want you to run Windows 7 instead of Windows 10.... Windows 10 should work fine though. I’ve never ran into compatibility issues at least. I don’t think you can buy new computers with Windows 7 any more anyway. There was a downgrade rights program, but I think they stopped doing that. It may run slow and crappy, spending more money should make it run less crappy. But especially if you only use the laptop for Techstream and nothing else, it should be fine.

But you want to run techstream in a VM so you have additional overhead to consider. You may be able to get by with anything... but...

If you’re going to use Virtualbox (virtualization software that’s free), anything modern should work. But, I’d look for at least an Intel i3 processor or i5 if you could swing it. Dual Core with Hyperthreading or Quad Core (so you can give 2 cores to the VM, hyperthreading makes 2 cores act like 4). 8gb of RAM would be preferable to 4gb (so you could give 4gb of RAM to the VM). I would avoid SSDs, cheap SSDs will get killed quickly when you’re running virtualization. Regular hard drive will last longer.

Probably TMI, but there ya go.

 

[namsag]

Hey, thanks, I finally went to Best Buy the other night and asked one of the geek squad guys, he whipped out his cellphone and looked up Techstream, then grabbed me a $200 open box deal that he said would be fine. It’s a nice little HP.

I was able to download Techstream, now having the requisite troubles getting it set up and running. I have some remote assistance going, I will get it figured out one of these days.