Computer Advice

KyBunnies · 03-15-2015, 01:05 PM

I really hope I am posting this in the right area. Sorry admin if this is wrong.

I am looking to replace my laptop. Below is some basic information about my computer. Any advice / suggestions on what I should replace it with.

I currently have an Acer Aspire that is 5 years old.
It has Intel Core i 3CPU
4 GB Ram
500 GB Hard Drive
Win 7 64-bit professional

I am not a big fan of Apple since I would need to buy different software.

I do not have a budget just something under 1200-1500.

eschwartz · 03-15-2015, 01:18 PM

Why does it need replacing?

And if you have no budget, why not splurge and get something like the Dell XPS 13? Well, you did say under $1200-$1500!

KyBunnies · 03-15-2015, 01:33 PM

No budget but I do not want something dirt cheap that I will be replacing after about a year of hard use. But then I do not want a computer that has more stuff than I will ever use.

I use my computer for work mainly but also personal use. So a dirt cheap computer will not work for me. I prefer a 15 or larger screen.

eschwartz · 03-15-2015, 03:09 PM

What kind of work, is the question? Word processing, photo/video processing, professional gaming?

Lenovo Thinkpad is a pretty good line of laptops, I don't think I've ever heard anything bad about them, in fact they are well-regarded as devices that will just keep on working practically forever.

How about this one? http://shop.lenovo.com/us/en/laptops...-series/t540p/ $679 (you can spend more money while configuring it, of course).

SteveEisenberg · 03-15-2015, 06:11 PM

To avoid having to live with or (better) remove stuff you will never use AKA bloatware, common advice to check the "Microsoft Signature" store items:

http://www.microsoftstore.com/store/...oryID.69410200

eschwartz · 03-15-2015, 06:15 PM

Greater choice/deals can often be found elsewhere

if necessary I just reinstall from official stock media. Though that might not be for everyone...

cromag · 03-15-2015, 06:52 PM

If you're a member of Costco they carry computers suitable for personal and small business use from names like Lenovo and Dell. Many (perhaps most?) are sold without bloatware. They also provide their own technical support to their customers so you don't get caught in finger-pointing if there's a problem. You have 90 days to return a computer -- other warranty coverage is extended to 2 years.

It might even be worth getting a basic one-year membership if they have a model you're interested in.

I have no financial stake in Costco, but I have been a happy -- perhaps even ecstatic -- Costco member for years.

crich70 · 03-15-2015, 09:41 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by cromag

If you're a member of Costco they carry computers suitable for personal and small business use from names like Lenovo and Dell. Many (perhaps most?) are sold without bloatware. They also provide their own technical support to their customers so you don't get caught in finger-pointing if there's a problem. You have 90 days to return a computer -- other warranty coverage is extended to 2 years.

It might even be worth getting a basic one-year membership if they have a model you're interested in.

I have no financial stake in Costco, but I have been a happy -- perhaps even ecstatic -- Costco member for years.

But Lenovo has been having its share of trouble of late hasn't it?

Lenovo

eschwartz · 03-15-2015, 09:43 PM

The Thinkpad still reigns supreme -- no ThinkPads ever received the Superfish malware, reportedly. Only other product lines were affected.

KyBunnies · 03-15-2015, 09:56 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by eschwartz

What kind of work, is the question? Word processing, photo/video processing, professional gaming?

Lenovo Thinkpad is a pretty good line of laptops, I don't think I've ever heard anything bad about them, in fact they are well-regarded as devices that will just keep on working practically forever.

How about this one? http://shop.lenovo.com/us/en/laptops...-series/t540p/ $679 (you can spend more money while configuring it, of course).

I use it for word processing, play a few role-playing games and mainly on the internet working with my clients. I will look into the Lenovo. Sadly there are so many processord I do not know which one would be better. I always liked AMD but I think mst companies have steered to Intel?!? I know I do not want a laptop where the screen & keyboard detach. I need usb ports, cd-rom drive, and a port to hook up an external monitor (currently have 2 monitors). I know I want a 15 or 17 inch screen display. But other than that I cannot tell you what is best. I prefer something with lots of ram and a large hard drive. However I keep important data on an external drive along with backing it up daily to a cloud. The largest file stored on my c drive is my music because I have not figured out how to run iTunes with my music being on a different drive and iTunes would not install on my external drive. A touch pad is not important because I use a wireless mouse. It would help to have bluetooth and networking port because I do not use my laptop wireless so I can have faster internet.

I know long but I have looked at TigerDirect & NewEgg and I really cannot pick out what I want. So I thought others here would be able to help me.

eschwartz · 03-15-2015, 10:07 PM

As regards RAM, no matter what computer you buy the cheapest RAM will be the upgrade you buy yourself on NewEgg or similar. RAM is literally the easiest thing to upgrade, the PC supplier always overcharges for it, and there is no reason not to just buy it separately.

I'd go for an intel i5 processor if I were you. The unconfigured ThinkPad I linked looks nice, although with any computer the first thing I would think about is how worthwhile a RAM upgrade (do-it-yourself edition) is. You want 8GB, trust me.

Intel and AMD are both decent, though most would say Intel is better (arguably AMD exists because Intel put up with the competition purely to stave off the antitrust hounds).

KyBunnies · 03-15-2015, 10:20 PM

I have a friend that can install more ram for me. I looked at one laptop and saw it had 16 GB of ram. I am assuming that is all it will accept but I do not know.

Does the one you linked to have all the extra ad ware crap? Sorry I hate that stuff.

JSWolf · 03-15-2015, 10:37 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by KyBunnies

I really hope I am posting this in the right area. Sorry admin if this is wrong.

I am looking to replace my laptop. Below is some basic information about my computer. Any advice / suggestions on what I should replace it with.

I currently have an Acer Aspire that is 5 years old.
It has Intel Core i 3CPU
4 GB Ram
500 GB Hard Drive
Win 7 64-bit professional

I am not a big fan of Apple since I would need to buy different software.

I do not have a budget just something under 1200-1500.

Here's a good one. It's another ACER.

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16834314820

Acer Aspire V17 Nitro Black Edition VN7-791G-74SH Gaming Laptop Intel Core i7 4720HQ (2.60GHz) 8GB Memory 1TB HDD NVIDIA GeForce GTX 860M 4 GB GDDR5 17.3" Windows 8.1

Price is $989.

It should last you longer than 5 years.

KyBunnies · 03-15-2015, 11:00 PM

JSWolf will I be able to hook up another monitor? I use two at the moment for the flexibility

eschwartz · 03-15-2015, 11:48 PM

The Thinkpad has a VGA port, the Acer has an HDMI port. Either one should allow you to connect an external monitor, depending on which connector your external monitor has -- and there are cheap VGA/HDMI adapters if you need one.

03-15-2015, 01:05 PM	#1
KyBunnies Book & Bunny Crazy Posts: 1,291 Karma: 6468095 Join Date: Aug 2013 Location: USA Device: K3 (x2), Fire HD 7-inch (x2), Fire HDX 8.9, Acer Android Tablet	Computer Advice I really hope I am posting this in the right area. Sorry admin if this is wrong. I am looking to replace my laptop. Below is some basic information about my computer. Any advice / suggestions on what I should replace it with. I currently have an Acer Aspire that is 5 years old. It has Intel Core i 3CPU 4 GB Ram 500 GB Hard Drive Win 7 64-bit professional I am not a big fan of Apple since I would need to buy different software. I do not have a budget just something under 1200-1500.

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03-15-2015, 01:18 PM	#2
eschwartz Ex-Helpdesk Junkie Posts: 19,421 Karma: 85400180 Join Date: Nov 2012 Location: The Beaten Path, USA, Roundworld, This Side of Infinity Device: Kindle Touch fw5.3.7 (Wifi only)	Why does it need replacing? And if you have no budget, why not splurge and get something like the Dell XPS 13? Well, you did say under $1200-$1500!

03-15-2015, 01:33 PM	#3
KyBunnies Book & Bunny Crazy Posts: 1,291 Karma: 6468095 Join Date: Aug 2013 Location: USA Device: K3 (x2), Fire HD 7-inch (x2), Fire HDX 8.9, Acer Android Tablet	No budget but I do not want something dirt cheap that I will be replacing after about a year of hard use. But then I do not want a computer that has more stuff than I will ever use. I use my computer for work mainly but also personal use. So a dirt cheap computer will not work for me. I prefer a 15 or larger screen.

03-15-2015, 03:09 PM	#4
eschwartz Ex-Helpdesk Junkie Posts: 19,421 Karma: 85400180 Join Date: Nov 2012 Location: The Beaten Path, USA, Roundworld, This Side of Infinity Device: Kindle Touch fw5.3.7 (Wifi only)	What kind of work, is the question? Word processing, photo/video processing, professional gaming? Lenovo Thinkpad is a pretty good line of laptops, I don't think I've ever heard anything bad about them, in fact they are well-regarded as devices that will just keep on working practically forever. How about this one? http://shop.lenovo.com/us/en/laptops...-series/t540p/ $679 (you can spend more money while configuring it, of course).

03-15-2015, 06:11 PM	#5
SteveEisenberg Grand Sorcerer Posts: 7,352 Karma: 42994616 Join Date: Jun 2008 Location: near Philadelphia USA Device: Kindle Kids Edition, Fire HD 10 (11th generation)	To avoid having to live with or (better) remove stuff you will never use AKA bloatware, common advice to check the "Microsoft Signature" store items: http://www.microsoftstore.com/store/...oryID.69410200

03-15-2015, 06:15 PM	#6
eschwartz Ex-Helpdesk Junkie Posts: 19,421 Karma: 85400180 Join Date: Nov 2012 Location: The Beaten Path, USA, Roundworld, This Side of Infinity Device: Kindle Touch fw5.3.7 (Wifi only)	Greater choice/deals can often be found elsewhere if necessary I just reinstall from official stock media. Though that might not be for everyone...

03-15-2015, 06:52 PM	#7
cromag Surfin the alpha waves ~~ Posts: 25,991 Karma: 459735575 Join Date: Dec 2010 Location: New Jersey Device: Jetbook Lite & Mini, Nook STR, Kobo, Hanvon N516, Kindle 2, Androids	If you're a member of Costco they carry computers suitable for personal and small business use from names like Lenovo and Dell. Many (perhaps most?) are sold without bloatware. They also provide their own technical support to their customers so you don't get caught in finger-pointing if there's a problem. You have 90 days to return a computer -- other warranty coverage is extended to 2 years. It might even be worth getting a basic one-year membership if they have a model you're interested in. I have no financial stake in Costco, but I have been a happy -- perhaps even ecstatic -- Costco member for years.

03-15-2015, 09:43 PM	#9
eschwartz Ex-Helpdesk Junkie Posts: 19,421 Karma: 85400180 Join Date: Nov 2012 Location: The Beaten Path, USA, Roundworld, This Side of Infinity Device: Kindle Touch fw5.3.7 (Wifi only)	The Thinkpad still reigns supreme -- no ThinkPads ever received the Superfish malware, reportedly. Only other product lines were affected.

03-15-2015, 10:07 PM	#11
eschwartz Ex-Helpdesk Junkie Posts: 19,421 Karma: 85400180 Join Date: Nov 2012 Location: The Beaten Path, USA, Roundworld, This Side of Infinity Device: Kindle Touch fw5.3.7 (Wifi only)	As regards RAM, no matter what computer you buy the cheapest RAM will be the upgrade you buy yourself on NewEgg or similar. RAM is literally the easiest thing to upgrade, the PC supplier always overcharges for it, and there is no reason not to just buy it separately. I'd go for an intel i5 processor if I were you. The unconfigured ThinkPad I linked looks nice, although with any computer the first thing I would think about is how worthwhile a RAM upgrade (do-it-yourself edition) is. You want 8GB, trust me. Intel and AMD are both decent, though most would say Intel is better (arguably AMD exists because Intel put up with the competition purely to stave off the antitrust hounds).

03-15-2015, 10:20 PM	#12
KyBunnies Book & Bunny Crazy Posts: 1,291 Karma: 6468095 Join Date: Aug 2013 Location: USA Device: K3 (x2), Fire HD 7-inch (x2), Fire HDX 8.9, Acer Android Tablet	I have a friend that can install more ram for me. I looked at one laptop and saw it had 16 GB of ram. I am assuming that is all it will accept but I do not know. Does the one you linked to have all the extra ad ware crap? Sorry I hate that stuff.

03-15-2015, 11:00 PM	#14
KyBunnies Book & Bunny Crazy Posts: 1,291 Karma: 6468095 Join Date: Aug 2013 Location: USA Device: K3 (x2), Fire HD 7-inch (x2), Fire HDX 8.9, Acer Android Tablet	JSWolf will I be able to hook up another monitor? I use two at the moment for the flexibility

03-15-2015, 11:48 PM	#15
eschwartz Ex-Helpdesk Junkie Posts: 19,421 Karma: 85400180 Join Date: Nov 2012 Location: The Beaten Path, USA, Roundworld, This Side of Infinity Device: Kindle Touch fw5.3.7 (Wifi only)	The Thinkpad has a VGA port, the Acer has an HDMI port. Either one should allow you to connect an external monitor, depending on which connector your external monitor has -- and there are cheap VGA/HDMI adapters if you need one.