Laptop computer question

[Jeff423]

I need to buy an newer laptop. My 2011 model is almost dead; broken keyboard, dead battery, too old to update to 10.
I want to buy a newer used laptop. I plan to run Windows 10. Is there much difference between a newer laptop that has been upgraded to 10 or one that was "native" to 10 when built?
My uses are streaming, email and surfing - no gaming.
I can add memory and SSHD's but motherboards and bios? are beyond me.
Also - Is the OS licensed to the original owner? If I buy a laptop from an individual will the OS become mine? (to the extent that no one actually owns the software) I'm thinking in terms of upgrades and messages from Microsoft asking if This Copy of Windows is Legitimate?

 

[jdh]

Laptops that meet your requirements are still relatively inexpensive. My recommendation would be to do yourself a favor and buy a new one that comes with a warranty and some manufacturer support. You also avoid the problems of bootlegged copies of the OS you get with some used dealers.

 

[Onomea]

Not a PC guy, but how about a new Chromebook? $250 on Amazon.

 

[zonker5]

I get the refurbished ones at Dell. They are reasonably priced, current and come with a warranty.

 

[Huskerguy]

What do you plan to use the laptop for? Internet searching? Preparing documents? Storage of said documents? Gaming?

 

[lihpster]

Doing this on a new Lenovo. $425 on Amazon. Windows 10, solid state drive etc. Only got a 14" screen, but I have an HDMI cable and a television, so i can have a 46" monitor!

 

[Rpg]

I've been happy with IBM and LENOVO laptops for as long as I've owned a laptop: over 20 years.

I'd look for a new or refurbished LENOVO.

 

[Jeff423]

Not a PC guy, but how about a new Chromebook? $250 on Amazon.

Thanks, I try not to use google any more than I have to.

 

[glowe]

I have been very happy with Dell. Don't mess with used machines, since new laptops start at about the same price. As noted above, you need to decide what you are going to do with the computer since that makes a difference in what size screen to buy, hard drive size, what software you need, etc. With a new computer, you will have several options for warranties, but price is affected you will need to decide how much you want to pay. It is not so much the whether the computer will break, but how good the software support service works.

Today, I would recommend the lowest base model and add what options you need. The Inspiron 15" or 17" 3000 Laptop is faster than a top of the line laptop from 5 years ago and unless you are a power user, no need for more speed. I would shy away from Walmart and chain store HPs and obscure Asian computers like Asus, Acer, Evoo, etc.

 

[Jeff423]

Wow! I just discovered Windows 10S. It's scary! It looks like I'm going to have to get Windows 10 Pro if I want to run any software not purchased from the "Company Store".

 

[pawngal]

I've been happy with IBM and LENOVO laptops for as long as I've owned a laptop: over 20 years.

I'd look for a new or refurbished LENOVO.

I'm using a refurb Lenovo Think Pad T450 that I bought on Amazon for under $300. Purchased a new bigger one from Lenovo for the business.
They are built to last.

 

[Jeff423]

I have been very happy with Dell. Don't mess with used machines, since new laptops start at about the same price. As noted above, you need to decide what you are going to do with the computer since that makes a difference in what size screen to buy, hard drive size, what software you need, etc. With a new computer, you will have several options for warranties, but price is affected you will need to decide how much you want to pay. It is not so much the whether the computer will break, but how good the software support service works.

Today, I would recommend the lowest base model and add what options you need. The Inspiron 15" or 17" 3000 Laptop is faster than a top of the line laptop from 5 years ago and unless you are a power user, no need for more speed. I would shy away from Walmart and chain store HPs and obscure Asian computers like Asus, Acer, Evoo, etc.

Thanks for your advice. Please note that I addressed my usage in the initial post: My uses are streaming, email and surfing - no gaming.
I'll check out the Inspirion's you suggest, and avoid the obscure ones.

 

[Ranger17]

I picked up an HP laptop at Costco before the holidays, with very good memory and speed for my main needs (net, music and photo files). And buying from Costco using their card doubles the warranty on many of the electronics there.
I did get full windows 10 but saw quite a few out there with the "S" version. I believe there is a work around to bypass its limitations, something to check into for anyone who gets an "S" system and then realizes their apps are thru Microsoft only.

To add, seems disc drives are a thing of the past in many laptops and I actually still buy music cd's as I just like having the disc over a download. That said, there are plenty of affordable external disc drives that work fine for wanting the burn a cd into a laptop or if a writer back up files onto a disc. So dont let seeing no disc drives included be a reason to pass in an otherwise solid unit.

 

[billwill]

ASUS is good gear. Check out their line. Used them for years

 

[Robspeire]

X3 on Dell. My last crapped out & Dell with help from Best Buy warrantied it even thou it was out of warranty.

 

[Marine Corps Air]

I'll add some additional comments to what has already been posted. I am a former Dell employee (10 years - product design and manufacturing) and a Dell system user (30 years) for my CPA practice.

In my opinion, if my desktop or laptop was more than five years old, and at the market prices today, I would always buy a new system. Among the benefits are capturing the latest technology, design, features, etc. for today plus the capability to utilize your system for five or more additional years. Technology is advancing rapidly, in many cases, we can not visualize it but it's there. For example, website designs are being upgraded and changed overnight. I was using Internet Explorer 11, but I discovered a year or so ago that the graphics for the websites that I frequent were not compatible and could not be loaded on to my existing system. I now have to use EDGE. "Streaming" also places large technology requirements on a computer. Think "buffering".

The Microsoft Corporation operating system strategy appears to have their O/S software evolve over time as opposed to new releases - i.e. Windows Vista, Windows 7, Windows 8.1 Windows 10 was first released on July 29, 2015. There will be a major update to Windows 10 this fall.

The main component in a computer is the "mother board" or system board. For the most part, all of the hardware and software interface with this important component. Here is a definition of the BIOS:

"Functions of BIOS

POST. The first and foremost function of BIOS is to make sure that the computer hardware is functioning properly and there is no issue with the hardware.

Booting. After successful completion of POST, the BIOS locates and identifies the operating system. ...

BIOS drivers. ...

BIOS Setup. ..."

After you first first touch the "Power" button your system starts loading the hardware and software that you already have installed. The O/S goes to the BIOS settings to determine how your computer needs to be configured to operate properly. The BIOS does have configuration settings that can be changed. That's not my interest anymore than removing the side plate on any of my revolvers[!!/U].

If you buy a new system, consider buying as much RAM (Random Access Memory) as possible. Computer access of your hard drive is very slow (Read and Write) RAM is much faster and you should see improvements in your system performance with additional RAM.

Buy Dell!!

Bill

 

[JcMack]

I've got 3 laptops less than 2yrs old bought new. All are Acers. One is a Chromebook, and 2 run WIN10S. WIN10S has a built in option to leave S and you get more flexibility. One of the WIN models is 11.5" and lets you bend it to "tent" mode or fold it all the way around like a tablet as it has touchscreen.
If I was in the market for a "full service" laptop I'd get a Dell. Great support and their website tells you how to disassemble your laptop.

 

[Farmer17]

I have two HP laptops I bought from Walmart for about $300-$350. They are set up identical in every way and I use Synback pro to transfer all files, passwords, data, pics, and information from one to the other through blue tooth which takes about 30 seconds. If one laptop ever gets stolen/broken/lost/virus/etc, I just use the other laptop with no loss of time at all. Works great for me and my construction business.

 

[GypsmJim]

Been there done that. Owning a business for the last 20 years (and trying to be cheap) has never worked out.

Forget used. Forget refurbished. Forget the junk at WalMart. Buy a new Dell with all the features you need. It won't be the cheapest, but it won't break the bank either. And it will last you many years to come.

Upgrading to Win10 on an old computer will be a nightmare.

 

[Golphin]

Acers have been around for a while and I have never heard of any problems with them. I can promise you the components probably come from the same place for all the brands for the most part. Just need to decide how big of hard drive and screen you need. I also would not go used I would go new myself.