Seeking advice on new laptop

[Lone Clone]

Thinking about replacing my Dell, and am overwhelmed -- or at least whelmed -- by the options out there. I would appreciate any advice on what to look for and what to avoid. The criteria:

1. Has to be a Windows machine. Sorry, but I'm too old to learn new tricks.
2. The most complicated games we play on it are Minesweeper and Freecell.
3. It will be used for e-mail, word processing, and very simple Excel files.
4. I want to take it on vacation and stream Netflix, sporting events, that kind of thing.
5. Cost is no object, as long as it's cheaper than dirt.

 

[Funky Bunch]

Do you want an 11 inch screen or 15 inch screen? Sounds like those are the only specs you need to worry about. Should be able to get a good deal in the next few weeks.

 

[Wahawk56]

Thinking about replacing my Dell, and am overwhelmed -- or at least whelmed -- by the options out there. I would appreciate any advice on what to look for and what to avoid. The criteria:

1. Has to be a Windows machine. Sorry, but I'm too old to learn new tricks.

5. Cost is no object, as long as it's cheaper than dirt.

Buy a Mac, Call it a day.

 

[andrewrayhons]

Email me your price range, and I can send you like five options with the differences listed out for you to pick. I only use newegg for my tech buying since they are the best.

Andrewrayhons@Hotmail.com

 

[moral_victory]

Go on newegg sort laptops to show only Windows 7, i3, i5, or i7.

 

[Lone Clone]

Buy a Mac, Call it a day.

That's why I listed #1 as #1.

I realize it's wrong. This is standard with LC. My first computer was a Kaypro II, although my friend the computer guru told me that the IBM machine made more sense, even though it cost three times as much. He said MS-DOS had a future and CPM didn't.

 

[ClearwaterHawkI]

Based on your criteria, you should checkout Walmart. They sell $300 hybrid tablet/laptop. Meanwhile my 13"
Mac Pro is going on 5 yrs old and still performing like a champ. Simple to use, virus free and has virtual windows.
Get with the times.

 

[IMCC965]

Based on your criteria, you should checkout Walmart. They sell $300 hybrid tablet/laptop. Meanwhile my 13"
Mac Pro is going on 5 yrs old and still performing like a champ. Simple to use, virus free and has virtual windows.
Get with the times.

Two things: NEVER EVER step foot in Wal Mart and how do you clean up your MAC? Clear cookies and other house-keeping things?

 

[moral_victory]

Based on your criteria, you should checkout Walmart. They sell $300 hybrid tablet/laptop. Meanwhile my 13"
Mac Pro is going on 5 yrs old and still performing like a champ. Simple to use, virus free and has virtual windows.
Get with the times.

Your fanboy is showing.

 

[naturalmwa]

Microsoft told me they have the ultimate laptop.
https://www.microsoft.com/surface/en-us/devices/surface-book

 

[HawkFantastic]

Based on your criteria, you should checkout Walmart. They sell $300 hybrid tablet/laptop. Meanwhile my 13"
Mac Pro is going on 5 yrs old and still performing like a champ. Simple to use, virus free and has virtual windows.
Get with the times.

Likewise. I just put in an SSD and bumped RAM to 16 GB. It boots up in less than 10 seconds.

 

[Joes Place]

Thinking about replacing my Dell, and am overwhelmed -- or at least whelmed -- by the options out there. I would appreciate any advice on what to look for and what to avoid. The criteria:

1. Has to be a Windows machine. Sorry, but I'm too old to learn new tricks.
2. The most complicated games we play on it are Minesweeper and Freecell.
3. It will be used for e-mail, word processing, and very simple Excel files.
4. I want to take it on vacation and stream Netflix, sporting events, that kind of thing.
5. Cost is no object, as long as it's cheaper than dirt.

Here's criteria I would consider:

1. No lower than a Corei5 chip/processor. For simply stuff, an i7 may be overkill.

2. Avoid 'Intel integrated graphics', especially Intel 4000 and lower. The Intel 5500 may be ok. Generally, a discrete graphics card (Radeon or NVidia), even a lower end one (1GB memory), will outperform the Intel integrated stuff. This means no 'skips' on video streams.

3. Recommend 15.6" screen, if you actually want to do work on it, unless you can plug in a separate screen. If you do want to use a separate video monitor, you DEFINITELY want to consider the graphics card, because you will have a lot more support for varying screen sizes/resolutions. Consider smaller if you value travel portability over screen size, but no smaller than 14"

4. Pay attention to the screen resolution; MOST smaller laptops (15" or smaller) have 1366x768 pixel resolution, which is crappy and looks blurry in lots of applications. Go with 1600x900 minimum, and I'd strongly recommend 1920x1080 for a 15" or larger laptop. That is why MOST Windows machines look 'cheap' next to a Mac - the Macs have the higher screen res. If you get a 1920x1080 (full HD resolution) screen, it will make all applications look much clearer when you have to shrink the windows down while working on the laptop (vs separate monitor). It will also work better when you swap to a 1920x1080 external monitor, because the OS won't be switching screen resolutions between them.

5. SSDs are nice, but for most applications are not necessary; plus, when they fail, they go 'byebye' completely and it's tough to recover anything. If you go w/ regular drives, go for the 7200 rpm spindle speed vs. 5400 rpm - lots faster for disk access. Anything 500 GB or larger is plenty of space if you are not storing lots of videos, music or TV shows on it.

6. Go with 6 GB RAM or more. 8 GB will do for most home computing. 4 GB would work, but might slow things down. No need for >8GB though.

7. Extra battery life is always a plus on trips, so see if higher capacity batteries are available, or get a spare. Many laptops (used to) have a 'swap out' spare for the CD/DVD bay (if they even put a DVD in it - many will just plug DVD drives into the USB3.0 ports nowadays).

8. Most have built-in bluetooth and WiFi nowadays; the internal bluetooth is nice to be able to use non-corded mice and keyboards. Otherwise, you need a bluetooth dongle which takes up a USB port. Plus, it sticks out and can get bent/broken off if you're on a plane or something (or just lost).

9. Touchscreen, if you want to use it like a tablet; otherwise, touchscreens for laptops are not essential IMO.

 

[hawkifann]

Thinking about replacing my Dell, and am overwhelmed -- or at least whelmed -- by the options out there. I would appreciate any advice on what to look for and what to avoid. The criteria:

1. Has to be a Windows machine. Sorry, but I'm too old to learn new tricks.
2. The most complicated games we play on it are Minesweeper and Freecell.
3. It will be used for e-mail, word processing, and very simple Excel files.
4. I want to take it on vacation and stream Netflix, sporting events, that kind of thing.
5. Cost is no object, as long as it's cheaper than dirt.

I picked up a Yoga 2 last year when an older laptop died. I only have good things to say about it and the price was good. Runs Windows 8/10, has a touch screen and can flip over for tablet-style use and display (though it's way too big to actually BE a tablet).

 

[artradley]

Thinking about replacing my Dell, and am overwhelmed -- or at least whelmed -- by the options out there. I would appreciate any advice on what to look for and what to avoid. The criteria:

1. Has to be a Windows machine. Sorry, but I'm too old to learn new tricks.
2. The most complicated games we play on it are Minesweeper and Freecell.
3. It will be used for e-mail, word processing, and very simple Excel files.
4. I want to take it on vacation and stream Netflix, sporting events, that kind of thing.
5. Cost is no object, as long as it's cheaper than dirt.

It doesn't have to be Windoes. Get a Chromebook and Onedrive.

 

[LuteHawk]

Hewlett Packard has been a trusty laptop for the last 2
years. It is a HP Pavilion with Intel Core 13 and a
Windows 8. I enjoy that it has 15 inch screen.

 

[Lone Clone]

It doesn't have to be Windoes. Get a Chromebook and Onedrive.

I've seen references to Chromebook and the Chrome OS.....have no idea what they are. Wouldn't there be compatibility issues? Wouldn't I have to get a new Office-type suite?

 

[Lone Clone]

Here's criteria I would consider:

1. No lower than a Corei5 chip/processor. For simply stuff, an i7 may be overkill.

2. Avoid 'Intel integrated graphics', especially Intel 4000 and lower. The Intel 5500 may be ok. Generally, a discrete graphics card (Radeon or NVidia), even a lower end one (1GB memory), will outperform the Intel integrated stuff. This means no 'skips' on video streams.

3. Recommend 15.6" screen, if you actually want to do work on it, unless you can plug in a separate screen. If you do want to use a separate video monitor, you DEFINITELY want to consider the graphics card, because you will have a lot more support for varying screen sizes/resolutions. Consider smaller if you value travel portability over screen size, but no smaller than 14"

4. Pay attention to the screen resolution; MOST smaller laptops (15" or smaller) have 1366x768 pixel resolution, which is crappy and looks blurry in lots of applications. Go with 1600x900 minimum, and I'd strongly recommend 1920x1080 for a 15" or larger laptop. That is why MOST Windows machines look 'cheap' next to a Mac - the Macs have the higher screen res. If you get a 1920x1080 (full HD resolution) screen, it will make all applications look much clearer when you have to shrink the windows down while working on the laptop (vs separate monitor). It will also work better when you swap to a 1920x1080 external monitor, because the OS won't be switching screen resolutions between them.

5. SSDs are nice, but for most applications are not necessary; plus, when they fail, they go 'byebye' completely and it's tough to recover anything. If you go w/ regular drives, go for the 7200 rpm spindle speed vs. 5400 rpm - lots faster for disk access. Anything 500 GB or larger is plenty of space if you are not storing lots of videos, music or TV shows on it.

6. Go with 6 GB RAM or more. 8 GB will do for most home computing. 4 GB would work, but might slow things down. No need for >8GB though.

7. Extra battery life is always a plus on trips, so see if higher capacity batteries are available, or get a spare. Many laptops (used to) have a 'swap out' spare for the CD/DVD bay (if they even put a DVD in it - many will just plug DVD drives into the USB3.0 ports nowadays).

8. Most have built-in bluetooth and WiFi nowadays; the internal bluetooth is nice to be able to use non-corded mice and keyboards. Otherwise, you need a bluetooth dongle which takes up a USB port. Plus, it sticks out and can get bent/broken off if you're on a plane or something (or just lost).

9. Touchscreen, if you want to use it like a tablet; otherwise, touchscreens for laptops are not essential IMO.

Thanks. You make a lot of sense when you aren't talking politics

Here's criteria I would consider:

1. No lower than a Corei5 chip/processor. For simply stuff, an i7 may be overkill.

2. Avoid 'Intel integrated graphics', especially Intel 4000 and lower. The Intel 5500 may be ok. Generally, a discrete graphics card (Radeon or NVidia), even a lower end one (1GB memory), will outperform the Intel integrated stuff. This means no 'skips' on video streams.

3. Recommend 15.6" screen, if you actually want to do work on it, unless you can plug in a separate screen. If you do want to use a separate video monitor, you DEFINITELY want to consider the graphics card, because you will have a lot more support for varying screen sizes/resolutions. Consider smaller if you value travel portability over screen size, but no smaller than 14"

4. Pay attention to the screen resolution; MOST smaller laptops (15" or smaller) have 1366x768 pixel resolution, which is crappy and looks blurry in lots of applications. Go with 1600x900 minimum, and I'd strongly recommend 1920x1080 for a 15" or larger laptop. That is why MOST Windows machines look 'cheap' next to a Mac - the Macs have the higher screen res. If you get a 1920x1080 (full HD resolution) screen, it will make all applications look much clearer when you have to shrink the windows down while working on the laptop (vs separate monitor). It will also work better when you swap to a 1920x1080 external monitor, because the OS won't be switching screen resolutions between them.

5. SSDs are nice, but for most applications are not necessary; plus, when they fail, they go 'byebye' completely and it's tough to recover anything. If you go w/ regular drives, go for the 7200 rpm spindle speed vs. 5400 rpm - lots faster for disk access. Anything 500 GB or larger is plenty of space if you are not storing lots of videos, music or TV shows on it.

6. Go with 6 GB RAM or more. 8 GB will do for most home computing. 4 GB would work, but might slow things down. No need for >8GB though.

7. Extra battery life is always a plus on trips, so see if higher capacity batteries are available, or get a spare. Many laptops (used to) have a 'swap out' spare for the CD/DVD bay (if they even put a DVD in it - many will just plug DVD drives into the USB3.0 ports nowadays).

8. Most have built-in bluetooth and WiFi nowadays; the internal bluetooth is nice to be able to use non-corded mice and keyboards. Otherwise, you need a bluetooth dongle which takes up a USB port. Plus, it sticks out and can get bent/broken off if you're on a plane or something (or just lost).

9. Touchscreen, if you want to use it like a tablet; otherwise, touchscreens for laptops are not essential IMO.

Thanks. You make a lot of sense when you aren't talking politics

I didn't know they made cards for laptops like the ones for desktop units. Not that I've been out of the loop for a couple of decades or anything like that.

 

[Joes Place]

Thanks. You make a lot of sense when you aren't talking politics

Thanks. You make a lot of sense when you aren't talking politics

I didn't know they made cards for laptops like the ones for desktop units. Not that I've been out of the loop for a couple of decades or anything like that.

Yes...the graphics info will say: Radeon or NVidia or Intel Integrated graphics...which I believe is on-chip graphics.

Intel 4000 or 4400 is dramatically lower in performance than most laptop graphics cards, but probably is more power friendly.
The Intel 5000 on up I don't think is too bad though; if I was going to use a separate monitor when at home, I would pay attention to the card or graphics capability. If you get a native screen resolution of 1920x1080, you are more likely to have a decent card or decent integrated graphics. I think most cheaper laptops may only allow the same resolution as the native screen (1366x768) which is really bad & blurry on a standalone monitor that is HD capable. Most desktop monitors are at least HD or better for capability.

 

[ClearwaterHawkI]

Two things: NEVER EVER step foot in Wal Mart and how do you clean up your MAC? Clear cookies and other house-keeping things?

I have never cleaned it or cleared cookies. I use it mostly for business. Should I clean it and what do you recommend?

 

[IMCC965]

I have never cleaned it or cleared cookies. I use it mostly for business. Should I clean it and what do you recommend?

That's what I want to know. It's doing a couple of funny things lately. May need to have a professional look at it.

 

[artradley]

I've seen references to Chromebook and the Chrome OS.....have no idea what they are. Wouldn't there be compatibility issues? Wouldn't I have to get a new Office-type suite?

With Onedrive you have Office online for $100 year, which includes one terabyte on cloud storage. A Chromebook basically involves zero interaction with the operating system, and doing basically everything in the cloud. It is a really simple and inexpensive way to have everything an average consumer needs.

If you know how to use a browser there's basically no learning curve.

 

[anon_snp6dc585nnj4]

Why do people insist on throwing money on crappy Windows machines that become obsolete every 1.5 years and come riddled with bloatware, malware and viruses?

Instead of $300-$400 every 2 years buy a Mac and let it ride til it dies. You'll be much happier.

 

[Floyd R.]

Why do people insist on throwing money on crappy Windows machines that become obsolete every 1.5 years and come riddled with bloatware, malware and viruses?

Instead of $300-$400 every 2 years buy a Mac and let it ride til it dies. You'll be much happier.

Or you could buy a PC throw any flavor of Linux on it and save the $1000

 

[moral_victory]

Why do people insist on throwing money on crappy Windows machines that become obsolete every 1.5 years and come riddled with bloatware, malware and viruses?

Instead of $300-$400 every 2 years buy a Mac and let it ride til it dies. You'll be much happier.

Or you could buy a decent machine, remove the bloatware, configure startup processes, and not get malware and viruses. 300-400 will certainly get you a crappy machine though unless you scoop up a generation old refurbished Thinkpad or maybe Dell Latitude.

 

[anon_snp6dc585nnj4]

Or you could buy a PC throw any flavor of Linux on it and save the $1000

Yes, this is also a much much better choice. Average window user has no clue though.

 

[Lone Clone]

Yes, this is also a much much better choice. Average window user has no clue though.

I am an average window user. I have no clue about Linux. None. Zippo. Nada.

Is it compatible with any of my programs, etc.? Is there support? What's the procedure.

--Clueless in suburban Shueyville

P.S. Excuse me if that went too fast for everybody. The South Slope guys just left after installing fiber optics, and my Internet speed just quadrupled.

 

[Funky Bunch]

Or you could buy a decent machine, remove the bloatware, configure startup processes, and not get malware and viruses. 300-400 will certainly get you a crappy machine though unless you scoop up a generation old refurbished Thinkpad or maybe Dell Latitude.

Not so fast

http://slickdeals.net/f/8229932-bes...-1tb-15-6-touch-screen-for-299-99?v=1&src=pdw

 

[eightno2002]

Bump - I looked at the BB Back Friday deals and they have $200 off all Apple laptops and desktop machines. They also have a some decent deals on Windows laptops. I am at a point where we need a new family computer. I still have a project to move VHS to digital which I'd like to do myself. Other than that we'd be using it for entertainment (music), some minor photo editing, and all the things the kids need for school (office type tools). We have no experience running Mac laptop/desktop but use Iphones, Ipads/Ipods etc. I am not beholden to any one OS and would even be open to Linux if it was worth it. At the end of the day, I want it to be simple, not a huge time commitment to get peripherals/software to work. Budget is as cheap as possible but upwards of $1,200. Any free advice out there?