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ORIGINAL: Marc2b
My second question concerns the speed of the internet connection. Time Warner offers a variety of speeds for different prices. I need to know how many Mbps I need so that I can watch streaming videos without any of the buffering bullshit. Their website suggests 20Mbps... does that sound right?

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Does it say "20 Mbps" or does it say "up to 20 Mbps"?

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ORIGINAL: Marc2b
Good point. It says up to 20 Mbps which, I suppose, means I won't always be getting that. Basically I just want to be able to watch YouTube videos (and maybe the occasional porn video) without buffering.

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It means you may not get that most of the time and could get a lot less.

But in that case you should be fine. From the sounds of it, you won't mostly be streaming HD videos. And for normal videos, a download speed of 5-8 Mbps is generally ok.

When you talk to them, make sure they also have an upload speed of at least 1 Mbps.

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Switching computers on a cable modem is easy. The cable going into the back is a standard Ethernet cable and all modern computers come with an Ethernet jack.

I am with you on getting a computer with win 8.1 preloaded. I've done service pack installs where it all went smoothly and others where I had to reinstall everything from scratch.

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CNET has a listing of all computers that are set up with windows 8.1

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ORIGINAL: Marc2b

Well, two questions actually...

Okay, so I keep delaying the purchase of a new computer because I want it to have windows 8.1 on it right from the start. I figure I'd get the computer all set up and then start learning (I've already got the Winodws 8.1 for dummies book).

I've been waiting for 8.1 to come already loaded on the new computers. Supposedly this was supposed to start happening back in October but nothing yet. I suspect the stores are trying to sell off their stock with Windows 8 on them before they start bringing out the 8.1 stuff. I've called several computer stores to ask about it and they keep telling me that I can download 8.1 once I get the computer set up. This is exactly what I am trying to avoid. I tried downloading 8.1 for one of the office computers and it was a disaster (three easy steps my ass!).

I do not have the internet at home. I cancelled it some time ago when fiance had been tight. The financial situation has since improved and I'v planned on getting the internet at home again... once I had my new computer set up.

That was the plan. Set up new computer (actually, hire a computer geek to do it), then get the internet connection again. Now I am thinking that maybe I should get the internet connection first, then bring in the new computer and have the computer geek set it up, switch the internet from the old computer to the new and then download 8.1.

That is my first question... is that doable? Can the internet connection be easily switched? I am almost certainly going to get Time Warner and I know that means setting up an appointment to hook me up. I don't want to make another appointment just to switch from one computer to another. I am hoping it is something the hired computer geek can do easily.

My second question concerns the speed of the internet connection. Time Warner offers a variety of speeds for different prices. I need to know how many Mbps I need so that I can watch streaming videos without any of the buffering bullshit. Their website suggests 20Mbps... does that sound right?

Thanks for any advice I am given.

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ORIGINAL: Marc2b

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CNET has a listing of all computers that are set up with windows 8.1

Thanks.