Thanks, Mike. Still on the hunt for a laptop. I do not plan to use the touchpad as I find it uncomfortable. I use a wireless keyboard.

How about the difference between AMD and Intel. AMD computers are much less expensive but I worry about 'you get what you pay for.'

Any advice would be appreciated.

Jane

jane, you've asked the same question in two different threads. Better to choose just one place rather than having disjointed conversations run.

A user will perceive no difference between brands of processors. As far as I've ever heard, expected useful life and reliability are the same.

AMD stopped making higher performance processors (it's a much smaller company than Intel and couldn't compete with Intel's greater development resources) and decided to concentrate on the lower cost, lower performance end of the market. Its products are fully capable, compatible and competitive with Intel processors of similar specs. And usually cheaper, which is why some PC manufacturers use them.

Thank you. Sorry about all the threads, I'm confusing myself!

If AMD is as reliable than I guess I shouldn't ignore them as a possibility.

thanks again,

Jane

A little Silicon Valley background - Intel's core business came from its original work to develop and commercialize the microprocessor device. It was chosen to be used for the IBM PC and the rest is history

It was typical in the early days of the semiconductor business that customers (companies making their own products using purchased semiconductor devices) wouldn't design-in a particular component unless there was more than one source for it. Meaning, Customer A didn't want to bet the ranch on the fact that a component it needed from Semiconductor Company X would always be available (production problems with semiconductor devices are common). The customers would design in (choose) Company X's part only if Company X set up another company to produce that part as well.

These are called "second source agreements". Companies would cross-license technology and provide product information to competitors so that they could be backup producers. In this way, Intel signed up AMD to be a second source for its microprocessors back in the 1980s. Along the way, there have been several lawsuits, when Intel argued on different occasions that the agreement had run its course and no further disclosure to AMD were required. Each time, AMD has won. Without access to confidential Intel product software and know-how, it wouldn't be possible for AMD to produce chips that are what's called "pin compatible" with Intel's.

That's why still today AMD chips can stand in for those that Intel makes (from a software and interface basis) even though the hardware of their device families are different.

Interesting information. So would AMD computers have problems working with various devices which work with Intel chips? I'm thinking Apple products or smart TV's? Or, is that just Operating System determined?

I'm looking to buy this as a gift and don't want to create problems.

Jane

As I suggested in an earlier post, Jane, unless the intended usage requires specific optional accessories (like optical drive yes or no, how many USB ports, HDML socket, Ethernet socket, etc), or performance capability (which can be assessed at a very high level like low-medium-high performance), it's my view that the average user should COMPLETELY ignore all other specs and feature descriptions when buying a PC. You don't seem to want to do that.

Choose Apple or PC, choose the price level, choose a store to get it from. Pick one from what's offered. Done.

I just ordered one, i5, 8GB, 1TB. No touch screen. 17" - $800.00.

Done, I'm sick of looking.

Jane

Good Choice Jane. I'm sure your son will be happy. An Intel i5 is plenty for any software out there today. 8gb of RAM and 1TB Hard Drive will be sufficient too! If your son ends up needing more RAM or Hard Drive Space he can Upgrade both for a small price these days!

Thank you Bugspop. I really appreciate all the help you have offered.

Jane

When will your son be getting his New Laptop, Christmas Day? You never mentioned what Operating System the New Laptop has or Who the Manufacturer is? I'll assume it's Windows 10 unless you tell us otherwise. Did he have any preferences on an Operating System? Guess he could always Install Windows 7 or 8.1 himself if he doesn't want Windows 10!

We are giving our Daughter-in-Law's Sister, my wife's Old Lenovo Laptop for Christmas. It wasn't a High Dollar Computer, but has been pretty Problem Free for the past 5 years and 2 months. It's a Lenovo G560 with a Dual Core Intel Pentium Processor @ 2.0GHz. It also has 4gb RAM and a 320GB Hard Drive. It came preinstalled with Windows 7 Home Premium but I've Upgraded it to Windows 10 at our sons request. I've also loaded 1 of our copies of MS Office 2010 Professional. We have MS Office 2007 Business and Professional on our Computers now, just never used the 2010 versions.

BTW, you're very welcome for the help!

I wound up ordering a Dell 17" laptop, with Win 10. I ordered MS Office home and student. I didn't want the subscription. It will be a Christmas gift. He's such a good guy and has a old Vista computer. This is an extravagance for us, but he's so good to us.

thank you again for being so patient and kind.

Jane

I'm sure your son is going to be extremely happy with that Laptop. Here I sit on an old 15.6" Monitor, LOL. I don't care a lot about 17" Laptops, too Heavy and Bulky!

Just got done working on my friends 17" Dell Laptop. He wasn't able to connect to the Internet. I figured out it was a Program he downloaded accidently. Once I removed the Program the internet took off! Forgot how heavy those 17"ers are! Last time I had his Laptop I Installed Windows 7 Ultimate for him, he had Windows Vista Ultimate previously. This time he asked me to upgrade it to Windows 10. His laptop is now running great on Windows 10. He will need to set up a Microsoft Account to get certain features to work, but IMO it's worth it!

Worked on another Dell this week too (only a 15.6" Screen). This Dell had a Fried Hard Drive. It wouldn't show up in the BIOS, Windows or when I hooked it up to My Laptop Externally. I Replaced the Hard Drive with a New Hard Drive (Same Size) and Installed Windows 7 for her (all Updates too). Her laptop came with Windows 8 but she hated it and had someone revert it back to Windows 7 for her. Her laptop is Windows 10 compatible but she doesn't want it!