Computer Advice - Page 3

cromag · 03-17-2015, 12:56 AM

It's called a trackpoint button. I've got one on my ThinkPad T410, and I like it. Some people don't, and it can be disabled. Once you get the hang of it, it's much faster than using the pad to move the pointer -- not just from a human factors aspect, it is actually accelerated. Push it down harder and the pointer moves faster.

It also has a "magnifying glass" function -- helpful when I can't quite tell if I have a period on the screen or a comma.

http://support.lenovo.com/en/documents/ht000611

There are also Youtube videos on its use.

Indio777 · 03-17-2015, 08:32 AM

Yes, Lenovo removed the "red button" on some models awhile back, but brought it back after many complaints.

I have a ThinkPad T410 I got in 2011 and it's still going strong. Will probably eventually replace it with another unless Lenovo radically changes its ThinkPads. I like the trackpoint too. I also like the more "squared-off" look of the laptops and the simple finish. Think Lenovo's warranties might be a bit better than most.

Since ThinkPads are considered to be more "serious" laptops for use in businesses, etc., none of them had Superfish installed. There is also no bloatware. After I got my laptop, I think there was a rather discrete offer to purchase a security suite at a discount, but I that was it.

Edit: Don't know how quickly you want to replace your current laptop, but you can sign up at Lenovo to get emails about special offers or supposed deals, etc. Although you can probably see those if you just go to the Lenovo site.

wodin · 03-17-2015, 01:08 PM

Excuse me if I'm being redundant, but why do you want to replace your Acer? For your stated use case of word processing, roll playing games, and a bit of music it seems to me that a Core i3 X 500GB X 4GB is more than adequate.

I know why I'd want to replace it ('cause a new one is new... and shiny, and besides it's NEW), but why do YOU want to replace it?

The downside of replacing it is that you'll most likely end up with Widows 8.1, and unless the new one has a touchscreen I think you'd be disappointed; and even then you might be. My wife's Win7 laptop died and we replaced it with a Win8.1 touchscreen and she HATES it, Can't wait for Win10 to hit the street.

KyBunnies · 03-17-2015, 01:39 PM

wodin I am replacing because it is slow, it really is not meeting my needs and almost half of the keys are missing from the keyboard from being broke. I have looked into upgrading the process and everything but found it would be easier to buy a new laptop. I use my laptop 7 days a week sometimes 16-18 hours a day. It has had a hard life. I used it when I traveled for my job and it was great them but now it is not what it once was. A RL friend told me to get the MS Surface Pro 3. However I do not want a detachable screen that will turn into a tablet. I need a dedicated laptop. Sometimes my laptop is used to reprogram the GPS on the Kinze planter or to readjust the GPS on CASEIH tractors or walk and scan a new field for planting. It does not just get used for word processing it is used in farming also. I keep a back up of everything my father does in farming. I make adjustments, change stuff find better pictures of a field via the internet and adjust to what I have. So we can change the planting or adjust for harvesting, spraying, irrigating, etc.

I need a computer that can keep up with the latest stuff not for myself in how I use word processing and the few personal games I play but also for my father.

eschwartz · 03-17-2015, 03:15 PM

Wodin -- that ThinkPad I suggested has Windows-7-installed-through-downgrade-rights, one of the reasons I recommended it.

wodin · 03-17-2015, 03:24 PM

All rightey then, question answered.

For what it's worth, I think the brand is mostly irrelevant as long as it's a major, well respected brand name. Off the top of my head those would be Dell, Leveno, HP, Toshiba, Samsung, Sony, etc. etc. What's important are the features like screen size, processor (I'd go with a Core i5), RAM (8GB), HDD size (1 TB), and number of ports you need; and of course the price.

COSTCO is usually the first place I look because of their excellent after purchase service and automatic extended warranty, but there are many deals on line too.

I have a Surface 3, Core i5, 256 GB HDD, 8 GB Ram, and I Love it, but my use case is obviously different than yours. One of the things I like about the Surface is the docking station. You can take the computer with you in either tablet or laptop mode, but when you get home you just drop it into the dock and you have up to two more monitors, a full sized keyboard & mouse, and extra USB ports for external HDD, DVD drives etc. In other words a full on desktop.

The problem with the Surface is again Windows 8.1, I REALLY can't wait for Win10 to arrive!

KyBunnies · 03-17-2015, 04:33 PM

wodin the closest Costco is around 100 miles away and some place I do not travel to very often. With the price of diesel it would not be worth driving there just for a computer.

I never seem to have enough USB ports and I doubt the make a computer with more than 4. My current computer has 3 and I have a usb hub but some of the ports has died. I just have not took the time to get another one.

cromag · 03-17-2015, 07:15 PM

The Dell I ordered at Costco (online, delivered by Fedex) has 6 USB 3 ports and 4 USB 2 ports. Took about a week for delivery. Arrived last week.

http://www.costco.com/Dell-XPS-8700-...100150672.html

KyBunnies · 03-17-2015, 07:21 PM

cromag that is a desktop. I need a laptop.

Thanks

wodin · 03-17-2015, 08:20 PM

COSTCO online has many laptops here.

eschwartz · 03-17-2015, 08:22 PM

I don't hear any...

JSWolf · 03-17-2015, 11:02 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by KyBunnies

Really. That is a plus to the Think Pad. Thanks for sharing Fizzy

I've used that dot before and I still like my Logitech M325 mouse so much better. For one thing, when the laptop or surface is across the room connected to the TV, I don't have to go over to it select what I want to watch on TV. The mouse battery lasts a really long time. To be honest, the dot and the trackpad are for when you don't have a mouse handy. Neither are as easy to use.

KyBunnies · 03-17-2015, 11:22 PM

JSWolf I would probably end up hating it. I hate the touch pad on laptops. I always have. I use a wireless mouse and disconnect the touchpad.

JSWolf · 03-18-2015, 12:48 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by KyBunnies

JSWolf I would probably end up hating it. I hate the touch pad on laptops. I always have. I use a wireless mouse and disconnect the touchpad.

I still think you'd be best off with the Acer. For a similar system (though not quite as good), a Thinkpad would cost more. The Acer has more bang for the buck and you already know how good they are.

KyBunnies · 03-18-2015, 01:08 AM

JSWolf now you have switched brands on me. You were promoting the Acer. Really do not confuse me or I will send Brownieboy Bunny to eat all the computer cables in your house.

If I could figure out what programs on installed on the Acer you recommended earlier it would help my decision. I have searched Newegg and Acer's website but I can't find it anywhere. I even looked at it on Amazon and what is installed is not listed. If I was in Texas I would go to Fry's and test out some laptops. Sadly I live in such a rural area there is nothing but Wal-mart and I do not shop at that store.

03-17-2015, 08:32 AM	#32
Indio777 Addict Posts: 210 Karma: 1503568 Join Date: Sep 2011 Location: Washington, DC Device: Mobile Phone, Kindle (rarely), but mostly still read paper	Yes, Lenovo removed the "red button" on some models awhile back, but brought it back after many complaints. I have a ThinkPad T410 I got in 2011 and it's still going strong. Will probably eventually replace it with another unless Lenovo radically changes its ThinkPads. I like the trackpoint too. I also like the more "squared-off" look of the laptops and the simple finish. Think Lenovo's warranties might be a bit better than most. Since ThinkPads are considered to be more "serious" laptops for use in businesses, etc., none of them had Superfish installed. There is also no bloatware. After I got my laptop, I think there was a rather discrete offer to purchase a security suite at a discount, but I that was it. Edit: Don't know how quickly you want to replace your current laptop, but you can sign up at Lenovo to get emails about special offers or supposed deals, etc. Although you can probably see those if you just go to the Lenovo site. Last edited by Indio777; 03-17-2015 at 08:40 AM.

03-17-2015, 08:20 PM	#40
wodin Illiterate Posts: 10,279 Karma: 37848716 Join Date: Mar 2009 Location: The Sandwich Isles Device: Samsung Galaxy S10+, Microsoft Surface Pro	COSTCO online has many laptops here. Last edited by wodin; 03-18-2015 at 07:47 PM.

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03-17-2015, 12:56 AM	#31
cromag Surfin the alpha waves ~~ Posts: 26,318 Karma: 459765791 Join Date: Dec 2010 Location: New Jersey Device: Jetbook Lite & Mini, Nook STR, Kobo, Hanvon N516, Kindle 2, Androids	It's called a trackpoint button. I've got one on my ThinkPad T410, and I like it. Some people don't, and it can be disabled. Once you get the hang of it, it's much faster than using the pad to move the pointer -- not just from a human factors aspect, it is actually accelerated. Push it down harder and the pointer moves faster. It also has a "magnifying glass" function -- helpful when I can't quite tell if I have a period on the screen or a comma. http://support.lenovo.com/en/documents/ht000611 There are also Youtube videos on its use.

03-17-2015, 01:08 PM	#33
wodin Illiterate Posts: 10,279 Karma: 37848716 Join Date: Mar 2009 Location: The Sandwich Isles Device: Samsung Galaxy S10+, Microsoft Surface Pro	Excuse me if I'm being redundant, but why do you want to replace your Acer? For your stated use case of word processing, roll playing games, and a bit of music it seems to me that a Core i3 X 500GB X 4GB is more than adequate. I know why I'd want to replace it ('cause a new one is new... and shiny, and besides it's NEW), but why do YOU want to replace it? The downside of replacing it is that you'll most likely end up with Widows 8.1, and unless the new one has a touchscreen I think you'd be disappointed; and even then you might be. My wife's Win7 laptop died and we replaced it with a Win8.1 touchscreen and she HATES it, Can't wait for Win10 to hit the street.

03-17-2015, 01:39 PM	#34
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	wodin I am replacing because it is slow, it really is not meeting my needs and almost half of the keys are missing from the keyboard from being broke. I have looked into upgrading the process and everything but found it would be easier to buy a new laptop. I use my laptop 7 days a week sometimes 16-18 hours a day. It has had a hard life. I used it when I traveled for my job and it was great them but now it is not what it once was. A RL friend told me to get the MS Surface Pro 3. However I do not want a detachable screen that will turn into a tablet. I need a dedicated laptop. Sometimes my laptop is used to reprogram the GPS on the Kinze planter or to readjust the GPS on CASEIH tractors or walk and scan a new field for planting. It does not just get used for word processing it is used in farming also. I keep a back up of everything my father does in farming. I make adjustments, change stuff find better pictures of a field via the internet and adjust to what I have. So we can change the planting or adjust for harvesting, spraying, irrigating, etc. I need a computer that can keep up with the latest stuff not for myself in how I use word processing and the few personal games I play but also for my father.

03-17-2015, 03:15 PM	#35
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)	Wodin -- that ThinkPad I suggested has Windows-7-installed-through-downgrade-rights, one of the reasons I recommended it.

03-17-2015, 03:24 PM	#36
wodin Illiterate Posts: 10,279 Karma: 37848716 Join Date: Mar 2009 Location: The Sandwich Isles Device: Samsung Galaxy S10+, Microsoft Surface Pro	All rightey then, question answered. For what it's worth, I think the brand is mostly irrelevant as long as it's a major, well respected brand name. Off the top of my head those would be Dell, Leveno, HP, Toshiba, Samsung, Sony, etc. etc. What's important are the features like screen size, processor (I'd go with a Core i5), RAM (8GB), HDD size (1 TB), and number of ports you need; and of course the price. COSTCO is usually the first place I look because of their excellent after purchase service and automatic extended warranty, but there are many deals on line too. I have a Surface 3, Core i5, 256 GB HDD, 8 GB Ram, and I Love it, but my use case is obviously different than yours. One of the things I like about the Surface is the docking station. You can take the computer with you in either tablet or laptop mode, but when you get home you just drop it into the dock and you have up to two more monitors, a full sized keyboard & mouse, and extra USB ports for external HDD, DVD drives etc. In other words a full on desktop. The problem with the Surface is again Windows 8.1, I REALLY can't wait for Win10 to arrive!

03-17-2015, 04:33 PM	#37
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	wodin the closest Costco is around 100 miles away and some place I do not travel to very often. With the price of diesel it would not be worth driving there just for a computer. I never seem to have enough USB ports and I doubt the make a computer with more than 4. My current computer has 3 and I have a usb hub but some of the ports has died. I just have not took the time to get another one.

03-17-2015, 07:15 PM	#38
cromag Surfin the alpha waves ~~ Posts: 26,318 Karma: 459765791 Join Date: Dec 2010 Location: New Jersey Device: Jetbook Lite & Mini, Nook STR, Kobo, Hanvon N516, Kindle 2, Androids	The Dell I ordered at Costco (online, delivered by Fedex) has 6 USB 3 ports and 4 USB 2 ports. Took about a week for delivery. Arrived last week. http://www.costco.com/Dell-XPS-8700-...100150672.html

03-17-2015, 07:21 PM	#39
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	cromag that is a desktop. I need a laptop. Thanks

03-17-2015, 08:22 PM	#41
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)	I don't hear any...

03-17-2015, 11:22 PM	#43
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 I would probably end up hating it. I hate the touch pad on laptops. I always have. I use a wireless mouse and disconnect the touchpad.

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03-18-2015, 01:08 AM	#45
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 now you have switched brands on me. You were promoting the Acer. Really do not confuse me or I will send Brownieboy Bunny to eat all the computer cables in your house. If I could figure out what programs on installed on the Acer you recommended earlier it would help my decision. I have searched Newegg and Acer's website but I can't find it anywhere. I even looked at it on Amazon and what is installed is not listed. If I was in Texas I would go to Fry's and test out some laptops. Sadly I live in such a rural area there is nothing but Wal-mart and I do not shop at that store.