Laptop Opinions Please

[Ironhead]

Hi all.
Merry Christmas and Happy New Year !


I am going to buy a laptop, but do not know much about computers/laptops.
I can point and click.
I can spell TERB, NHL, NFL, etc (ha ha)


So now I need some pre information before I go to a store. I have been looking at sales flyers and I do not know what the heck the terms mean so I thought I will ask the TERB community first, read some info from other sites ... then hopefully make a good purchase.

What is ...
HDD
SSD

Is Windows 8 any good. I have heard of people getting frustrated trying to figure it out.

What should I look for in GBs ?


It will be for personal use. No business use or games(other then online)
I like TERB(of course), to visit sports sites, I check out videos and I tend to store information(although I have learned to store things on memory sticks).

 

[piano8950]

I am going to buy a laptop, but do not know much about computers/laptops.
I can point and click.

Good, you know a lot (I'm not being sarcastic). I knew this much when I first started using the computer and self taught everything else

So now I need some pre information before I go to a store. I have been looking at sales flyers and I do not know what the heck the terms mean so I thought I will ask the TERB community first, read some info from other sites ... then hopefully make a good purchase.

What is ...
HDD
SSD

A HDD means Hard Drive. Basically the storage of your computer. The more you have, the more you can store like movies, songs, pictures.

SSD means solid state drive. It's a hard drive with no moving parts. It's more expensive, but it's less power intensive resulting in longer battery life, and it's faster to retrieve and process stored data. Basically, from your description of what you want, you don't need it.

Is Windows 8 any good. I have heard of people getting frustrated trying to figure it out.

This is a bit of a hard one to answer. Windows 8 is quite different in feel from the previous versions of Windows, so a lot of people including me are a bit frustrated. The previous worked fine, it's more of a "if it ain't broken, don't fix it" sort of things. But to be completely honest, if you buy your laptop from Best Buy or a Microsoft store, get them to set it up for you that only the things you want/need are there and nothing else. It can be actually quite good for that. Also, wherever you buy it from, get them to download Google Chrome for you and use that instead of Internet Explorer.

What should I look for in GBs ?

Since you said below that it will only be used personal use, you probably will just have pictures, a couple of videos and songs. Most laptops/desktops sell with at least 500 GB which will be so much more then you need, so don't worry about it. There may be some computers that will come with SSD (explained above) that will range from 32 GB to 256GB, if you're not planning on saving many pictures and videos, you honestly don't need to worry about this. If you do plan on saving stuff, I'd say 64GB should be a good minimum. Note 1000GB is 1 TB, incase you come by that.

It will be for personal use. No business use or games(other then online)


I like TERB(of course), to visit sports sites, I check out videos and I tend to store information(although I have learned to store things on memory sticks).

1234

 

[Smash]

I like this deal... $599. Sony VAIO 15.5" Laptop (Intel Core i5-3337U / 750GB HDD / 8GB RAM / Windows 8)
http://www.bestbuy.ca/en-CA/product...spx?path=649fe91bdd11a4dd5ccb6266a5880bc1en02

 

[TeasePlease]

If you're just surfing and streaming video, you don't need a lot of native/local memory. You could prob be quite happy with a Chromebook. You can buy an external hard drive for storage.

I'm very happy with my MacBook Air. It has a SSD, but I only got the 256Gb. It's not enough. If you purchase and store movies on your local drive, that chews up memory fast.

I run Windows 8 on my home PC. I didn't like it at first (because it is much different from previous gen Windows, with which I am accustomed). But, having worked exclusively on it for nearly a month, I grew to appreciate it. So, I would say that if you're going in cold (not much familiarity and background with Windows), you probably won't have any trouble with Win 8. If you're an old school windows user, you'll probably need an adjustment period.

 

[geekguy2013]

Even though you would not be playing games on your laptop, I'd suggest getting a one with it's own dedicated video card (NVidia, Radeon, etc.), not onboard (re: Intel graphics). Having a dedicated video card will not slow down your laptop like an onboard one would.

My 5 cents.

 

[justawildchild]

I am looking to get a laptop for my daughter who is in highschool. It would need to run the typical microsoft software and some video editing software. She is not a gamer. I would like to get something under $400 but I don't know if there is really anything good in that price range. Are there any good deals out there. Maybe something that I can easily upgrade down the road. Any suggestions?

 

[wetnose]

I am looking to get a laptop for my daughter who is in highschool. It would need to run the typical microsoft software and some video editing software. She is not a gamer. I would like to get something under $400 but I don't know if there is really anything good in that price range. Are there any good deals out there. Maybe something that I can easily upgrade down the road. Any suggestions?

Not a bad deal IMO:

http://www.nmicrovip.ca/core-i5-321...indows-7hp-english-kb-u47vc-ds51-refurbished/

<these guys are located in Ottawa and the guys over in redflagdeals.com have used them before>

Your credit card might offer an extended warranty on it so no issues there.

 

[geekguy2013]

I am looking to get a laptop for my daughter who is in highschool. It would need to run the typical microsoft software and some video editing software. She is not a gamer. I would like to get something under $400 but I don't know if there is really anything good in that price range. Are there any good deals out there. Maybe something that I can easily upgrade down the road. Any suggestions?

Unlike desktops, laptops are difficult to upgrade after the fact. The most you could swap out yourself is a HDD or memory, but a processor, video card and other hardware aren't as easy (and it may void your warranty). Some components may not fit within the chassis of your laptop. You could get a custom laptop built, but that would go way beyond your budget. And most components in laptops in the $400 price range usually aren't upgradeable, and even if they were, you'd be paying a pantload of money for the upgrades.

IMO, I suggest spending a bit more money and getting a decent laptop with a fast processor, dedicated video card (stay away from the integrated video cards, they may be cheaper, but performance will be affected) and lots of memory (RAM & HDD). Try the standard places, Future Shop, Best Buy, Staples (they usually have a listing of computers they are liquidating in store, old inventory, discontinued & demos). And it's only 13 days until Boxing Day, if you want to brave the crowds, you might be able to find a deal on a good laptop. I suggest doing some in-store research before Boxing Day, talk to a computer expert (let them know what your daughter would be using the computer for, features you'd like), compare prices and features, then hopefully on the 26th, you'll find what you want. Good luck.

 

[ultistar]

Another vote for Macbook Air.

 

[fuji]

He's just surfing. A chromebook would do the job. The cheapest laptop would do the job if he needs to install ms office.

OP win7/8 doesn't matter for your purposes. More memory (ram) is the thing that will make it fastest for your use, followed by sdd instead of hdd, which is the permanent storage. SDD is a lot faster and quieter.

But really think about if you really need a full laptop. Chromebooks can be had for under three hundred bucks. They are Google devices that only run chrome. No local files, only can be used to surf.

 

[bazokajoe]

This is some good info.I am the same as Ironhead...don't know squat about computers.My Vaio is getting old but still runs good.
Are these Tablets and convert into laptops with a detachable keyboard any good?They look pretty cheap,construction wise?

 

[spraggamuffin]

The specs on these things become obsolete so quickly I wouldn't bother to spend too big if it's just surfing, email and Microsot Office use.

Nor would I bother to try upgrading so it's really a choice between price,buying high enough specs to prevent premature obsolescence, and need for upgrading.

Lots of sub $500 laptops that are capable. I'd stick to Intel i3 or higher and as much ram as possible.

Ram is probably the cheapest and easiest upgrade you could make yourself.

An SSD drive would be second if you find a good deal.

Asus is supposedly better than Acer and reflected in the price.

There are other reputable brands like Lenovo, Toshiba and HP.

Lenovo has 6 cell batteries while Acers have mainly 3 cells.

Staples usually has a bargain bin at the front of the store where you may pick up a cheapie.

For the high school student, she doesn't need much unless she is into gaming and graphics stuff.

Capable gamers with dedicated video cards, more ram and ssd drives would start around $700 and up.

Don't expect 1080p graphics even on the most capable gamers closer to the $1k plus marks either.

University students usually get discounts from the school computer stores and I know Apple offers it in the US with ID.

 

[Ceiling Cat]

Years ago when the Vista operating system was just put out many people complained of problems they had with the OS. I never had a problem with the Vista OS. I suspect that I had no problems because my desktop computer was the best you could buy at the time. You can see in my Star Trek thread what this old computer can do, I can make a panel in about 2 minutes. I have a top of the line computer at my office with the Windows 8 OP and there is no noticeable difference in speed. You have to have enough speed in your computer to take advantage of the current OS.

I just pulled the weekly Best Buy flyer out and am comparing two computers.

The lowest priced in the flyer is at $301.64 Lenovo with a AMD - E1-2100 chip 4GB/500GB HDD

The special of the week is : $551.64 HP with a AMD-A10 5745M APU 8GB/1T

Using a points rating system the more expensive computer is 4.7 times better. You are better off paying more for a computer that works properly than less for a computer that will give you problems. I have come to believe that it is best to but the most popular brand of computer to avoid problem. HP is my choice. I will say that with a caveat, once the warranty is over you are on your own. I had a laptop from HP that had a peeling finish just after the warranty expired. They did not back me up, but on warranty I suspect it is not better with other computer manufacturers.

If you are looking for a desktop computer that is top of the line for the day, I suggest you go for this one at Costco $1,044.74 This is the computer i use at my office. Costco also gives an extra year of warranty ( 2 years vs. 1 year Best Buy )

http://www.costco.ca/.product.10008...rypageHorizontalTop|PopularProductsInCategory

The full kit equivalent computer at Best Buy will cost you $400 more. That is the only good computer deal I saw at Costco, the other computers and laptops were not at a good price.

 

[K Douglas]

Just don't buy an HP, they are crap. I stick with Toshiba Satellite Pro or Acer Aspire, you're looking around 5 to 6 bills plus HST.

 

[goalie000]

Just got a new laptop last week. A lenovo, apparently the #1 laptop maker in the world (I was Told) next best is Asus.

 

[TeasePlease]

Just don't buy an HP, they are crap. I stick with Toshiba Satellite Pro or Acer Aspire, you're looking around 5 to 6 bills plus HST.

This I have to disagree. The consumer HPs are crap, but I've have very good experiences with the business class models.


Lenovo purchased IBMs PC division. They make solid products (again, business class, not so much for the consumer line). I've got a T60 still running from 2005!

 

[justawildchild]

I may just get her a picture of a laptop and then brave the cold on boxing day. I got a really good deal on a laptop for my wife a few years ago and most people who line up on boxing day are looking for TV deals

 

[Olivia Ray]

We'll I am looking for a good reasonably priced gaming laptop to buy as a gift. Any suggestions?

 

[Smash]

Just don't buy an HP, they are crap. I stick with Toshiba

+1... I purchased a brand new HP laptop several years ago from Staples ($1100.) 13 months later the nic card blew then 2 months after that the screen fried. I contacted HP and they said that they had a major recall on their screens BUT mine was 15 months old and just out of the replacement time frame.. wtf?. So they wanted $400 to replace a faulty product wide recalled screen. I said f-them and purchased a Toshiba laptop for $600 and it has worked flawlessly since then. This was in 2008

By the way I must have logged 8hrs on the phone with HP trying to resolve these issues. What a waste of time. I will never purchase another HP product again. Nothing but headaches. They do not stand behind their products and trying to get the right department through customer service was a joke. Each time I called I had to explain my issue to the csr then they would forward me to another person/ department then I'd have to explain again then they would forward me over to yet another csr/department and so on and so on.:frusty:

 

[danmand]

Just don't buy an HP, they are crap. I stick with Toshiba Satellite Pro or Acer Aspire, you're looking around 5 to 6 bills plus HST.

Don't buy HP. Lenovos are also solid