I use a desktop that I put together myself. It's about 5th one that I've built. I use a tablet for reading in bed tho.
Welcome to the forum, John. I have significantly upgraded computers on my own, but the only one that I have ever built from scratch was obsolete by the time I finished it. It worked well, though.
I used to do quite a bit of that. It would start out as a money-saver, but then I would always upsell myself on premium components because I was providing my own labor. The hardest part for me was always loading the operating system. I have yet to try to assemble a laptop.
Yes that is frustrating. Seems no matter built or bought, it's obsolete the moment you plug it in! It's fun though. Thanks for the welcome. I'm still getting used to the place.
I have trouble with the software, drivers, etc., too. Laptops are a whole different thing. About as much as you can do with them is to (re)-build one. They aren't as component friendly as desktops.
Computer/Laptop/I Pad--------------Which do you prefer---What brand name? I am using a HP Pavillion Laptop---I l like portability and watch movies.
I have an i-Mac and a Lenovo tablet. I use the computer most but use the tablet when i'm not in room with computer.*sitting in my recliner).
I prefer a desktop but I have both, and use both from time to time. Both Macs, although I also have a Dell but rarely use it.