Laptop choice
mtvhike
6 years ago
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mtvhike
6 years agoRelated Discussions
Shopping for a Laptop
Comments (8)Not all are dual core.. dual core is nice. If given a choice avoid the Celeron processor,, but they are ok. Buss speed can make things peppier,, 1066 v/s 667, if given the choice go faster. I've a 6 pound toshiba 15.4 screen right now and find it rather large compaired to the 14.1 it replaced. Both have the same size keyboard. Actually both are the same weight but due to leverage the 15.4 feels heavier & obviously has more plastic and flexes slightly to save weight. The 14.1" laptop keyboard fills the width, no edge room to spare.. I assume thats probably the smallest screen with normal sized keyboards. Slower processers are cooler. Some people have laptops that are too hot for laps during the summer. And too hot sitting on their desks too and stick fan cooler pads under them. Lighter the better in my opinion. Moving it from room to room that weight isnt as important as the picking it up and setting down while on the sofa or recliner. While I enjoy the 15.4 screen,, the 14.1 was fine and much easier to handle. Faster hard drives are nice. But not a must. Vista likes memory 2gb,, more is noticably better. Windows 7 comes out end of October I believe so maybe try to get a rain check on a free upgrade when buying....See MoreNeed to buy new laptop
Comments (12)Snidley gave good advice. I agree with just about all of it. You're not going to tax the performance of any modern machine you buy with the uses you specified. My one recommendation, and what I do every time I buy one or set one up for someone is to max out the RAM as much as possible. Fill open slots at least with highest possible. RAM will do you more good than CPU power in about 90% of all cases I've seen. If you buy from a computer shop they'll usually let you buy enough RAM to max it out and credit you for what's in it. Often there will be, for instance a 2gb when the slot will handle 4 so you have to remove it. Cheaper machines often only have 2 slots. For me, I quit using the tablet, partly because it died but partly because it's just not convenient. I bought a $20 smart phone to use as a mini tablet when I'm out and about. Works fine for me. I much prefer the keyboard and 17" monitor features on a notebook/laptop. It's my primary computer. I'm probably going to get another in the next month or two. I was looking at a refurb Toshiba for about $350. Everything I needed and more. Like I said I'd then add some RAM which I haven't priced but should be less than $100. Occasionally you'll see places that include office in their packages, however it's not "free". Technically, no extra charge, but they charge you a few hundred more for the package so, you still wind up paying for it. Most everything sold now should be compatible for Win10 unless you buy something old. Doubt you will. My needs aren't the same as yours although we do use them similarly! Brand, well other than HP/Compaq I wouldn't object to most any. Dell at the bottom of the barrel. Much depends on luck and how you treat them. Look for the features you want. Number of USB ports, etc. For me, a modem is required and few if any notebooks have them anymore so I have to dedicate a port to the modem. I always use a mouse so there goes a second one. I use an amplified speaker powered by USB so there goes another. Historically I too like Lenovo and I've had great luck with Toshiba but haven't dealt with them now for a long time, except my first one (13-14 y.o.) is still going strong. I had one that died. Still the overall quality of them were far above others. But YMWV. (Second to )Last comment: I do not hesitate to buy refurbs. They're often only slightly used if used and almost always a great value. OH, and DO NOT get misled by some of these places that include "$2000 worth of FREE software!!!" Most of it is available free anyway, such as firewall, anti-virus, anti-malware, etc. NOW, for last comment, check your software that you find absolutely essential and see if it's compatible with the OS you're getting. Probably should check to make sure it will work with Win10 since it will be force loaded on you unless you take action to stop it. I lost use of some essential programs going from Vista to 7 so I keep the XP unit around for when I do desktop publishing which isn't too often but still needed. Good luck in your search....See MoreConnecting laptop using only my cable connection
Comments (32)Katy, Sure hope you enjoy that new Wireless Keyboard/Mouse. What Brand did you buy? I've always liked the Logitech Line the best. I started with the original Logitech 3 Button Wireless Mouse (still have it). My first Wireless Keyboard (not sure of the brand name) was Infrared and it was horrible, had to have it pointing towards the receiver at all times. I have the MX5500 Combo hooked up to my Desktop Computer right now, best Logitech has ever made (it's Bluetooth and has a great range)(very pricey, think it cost me around $170)! Once you've tried Wireless Keyboard/Mouse Combos you'll never go back! BTW, Windows 10 Updates are nothing to worry about. They've been coming for many, many years and will continue to come. I've had a couple minor problems, but really nothing to get excited about. I have Windows 10 on 5 Laptops, 1 Desktop and 1 Tablet, all running great! It's good that Microsoft is staying on top of any problems! When there are just so many different varieties of computers out there with so many different components, you really just have to wonder how they don't have more problems then they do? You've really got to give them credit! Since you're going to Buy a New All-In-One Desktop, I'd just go ahead and get it with Windows 10 Preinstalled! I'm sure there won't be any problems with a New Computer w/Windows 10. Most of the problems are with Older Computers that are being Upgraded to Windows 10 and the older software that's already installed....See MoreMy friend has to buy a new laptop
Comments (39)We sent our kids away to college with the PC type of their own choice, the PC being a HS graduation gift. My oldest daughter chose to get a Macbook and has been an iPhone/Macbook user ever since. She's the only devoted Mac user in the family, another kid alternates and the others don't use Apple products. The oldest is now a 30-something professional. She has never gone more than 3 years with a Mac without having a catastrophic problem and a number of times it's been almost annually. Fried motherboards (several times), crashed and non-functional hard drives (several times), a delaminated display (once), complete battery failures (several times), and other things I don't remember. She always gets the maximum available extended warranty (and laughs about needing it) but buys a new unit before the warranty expires or soon after any major problem. She's moved several times in her adult life and one of the essential bits of info when moving to a new area is to find where the Apple Stores are. She considers herself to have been serially unlucky with Macs but prefers them all the same. She can well afford to replace these things as frequently as she has to. She gets longer useful lives from her iPhones but I think replaces them at about 3 years. Do I consider this to be indicative of something? Not necessarily. Technology products from any manufacturer have exceptional individuals and lemons and everything in-between. It's funny she's had consistently bad luck with hardware quality. Apple's products aren't anything special when it comes to manufacturing or component quality....See MoreMichael
6 years agoElmer J Fudd
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6 years agoWalnutCreek Zone 7b/8a
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6 years agoElmer J Fudd
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6 years agoElmer J Fudd
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6 years agolast modified: 6 years agoSteve J
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