For you folks knowledgeable on Laptop computers. Help please.

[smokindog]

Just like your reloading and guns, step up a bit and increase your enjoyment and longevity, IF the budget allows. Stepping up to an i5 based system will also step you up to the $500-600 price range BUT will be worth it IMO (more features, better performance, better battery life, longer product usability before needing to be replaced, ...).

Consider what you want for graphics resolution, storage, .... If you can afford an SSD based system, do it. THEN, pick a price point and shop.

Forget your old games, I doubt they'll run and if they do, BONUS. Also, forget about "I had an XYZ 3+ years ago, ...". This world turns over every 2 years and they ALL have dogs in the pound That said, I do avoid some brands (ACER/ASUS not on the list). Look for current reviews.

I can't assert my qualifications for saying all this as my employer frowns on such displays!!!!!!!

Check out this list.

Newegg.com - PCs & Laptops, Laptops / Notebooks, All Laptops / Notebooks, Intel Core i5

 

[Ogandydancer]

Never had a Dell and have no desire for one. I have had a couple of Acers and a couple of HP's and a Toshiba. Toshiba was an older model with best I recall Win XP. My 17" HP is win7 and my Acer is also win7. The one thing about Acer that I really like is they do not load them down with a lot of extra software you will never use. As far as antivirus I have used Windows Defender for the last few years with no problems. Acer also uses NTI for your CD burning/copying software which I do not particularly like. I much prefer Roxio, it seems to be much more user/dummy friendly. As far as Win8, it is definitely a whole new learning curve and I much prefer 7 over it. You might also want to check Amazon as well as Newegg and compare what is available and price. Good luck on whatever you get.

 

[gdnagle]

'd stay away from any computer bought at walmart...i have only had dell's for quite a few years now..ones purchased from dell. although they are more cookie cutter now than they used to be, the walmart dell that my dad bought was a low level, p.o.s. as you can get in a laptop. it was so much slower than my older laptop with similar components and i could never find the processes that were slowing it down. the junk antivirus, et all, protections that came installed on it were horrid, hard to set up, and not easily removed or disabled. i can use my dell laptop for hours, if i need to do something for mom on that one, i'm frustrated after 5 minutes.

I've bought Dell's from both WalMart and Dell store. Never had a problem with either. You do need to check the specks as you get what you pay for. WalMart does their close out every now and then and you can get a good deal there sometimes. Last Dell we got there was a windows 7 machine, we wanted to stay away from windows 8, 64 bit i5core processor, with 1T HDD 8gig memory 17"screen didn't want to lug around a suitcase size laptop, can be hooked to larger if I need it. Paid about $375 last year or maybe year before that, when windows 8 was being installed on all computers. You just need to check when they have their clearance for them.

 

[-db-]

The last 4 laptops we've had have been refurbished Acer Aspires from the company's official retailer on eBay and all have been trouble-free except one that was sent with a DOA battery, which the seller promptly replaced. For the price, they're hard to beat and almost all reviews of Acer products you'll find are positive.

If I were younger and still into gaming, I'd look for something different but these are fine for web browsing and almost everything else you'll do.

 

[Llando88]

Just wanted to add, from a Corporate IT perspective working for a company that has 1,000s of deployed assets, we dropped a Dell a couple years ago. As users we are now getting HP EliteBooks.

Not saying Dell is a bad idea, but they've had some QC issues themselves.

For me, a win doze laptop is like a pencil these days. Pretty much any one will do, for the most part. So for home use I go with the cheapest solution.

 

[the ringo kid]

I'd be concerned about backward compatibility with the games you want to use.

Win 8 is VERY different from any operating system put out by Microsoft, but it can be made to present itself like Win7 and before. I think win8 is great for tablets and stuff, not so much laptops/desktops. There will be a learning curve

The processor is probably faster than any one you've had

8 meg ram is very good

The screen is big enough and price is right.

500 mb hard drive is standard

You will need an anti virus program. Some can be had for free and others usually cost about $40/year

Dell and HP are good brands, probably a little pricier.

As far as graphics are concerned, I'd bet that the capabilities of a newer computer are fine for what you want.

My MIL bought a win8 computer, she doesn't like it. i'm going to mail order her a Win 7 computer.

They also have a Dell--which is what ill get if they cant find tht Acer I want? The lap top I have that died back in March--is also a Dell. I liked it well enough but--stupidly listened to one of my brothers--who is the tech guy in the family--and I bought a used one back in Nov 2010--for one penny less than I could have had a brand new Acer for.

Im hoping (because its a money issue) that they have that Acer. If not? it'll not before august before ill have enough to get something else.

Thank you for the rest though, makes me feel better. That also is a sale price. Im hoping they can find itin their warehouse though--they looked yesterday-showed two availabl but???

 

[the ringo kid]

Kid - Good advice above. ^^^

Have you checked out Costco? That price ($400+) is more than I would think a base model Windows Laptop would go for these days?

We bought an Acer Aspire at Costco for $299 a year or two ago. Works great, has Windows 7.1.

I needed "Office" but didn't want to pay a lot. So I downloaded the Apache project OpenOffice solution for free. I bought an external USB DVD drive for $20 if I need to read or write disks.

We use it for TurboTax, etc., but I'd say we use the iPad or Samsung Tablet for most anything else.

Costco? Do they do mail order? because--I dont know where the closest one to my area would be? I like the idea of saving some money for putting towards another gun. I did look at two of their computers hooked up that uses 8.1. I do find some things about it annoying, but think I can adjust no prob. I dont like that touch screen thing though. Im used to doing everything with a wireless mouse and hope that aint an isue with the new version? If the new computer cant play the discs I have?I guess il just get someone to fix the old Dell for that purpose. I hate toput money into a money pit.

 

[the ringo kid]

$269?

http://www.costco.com/Acer-Aspire-E1-Laptop-|-Intel-Celeron-N2920.product.100101007.html

Still Windoze 8.1 tho.

Thanks for this link. Imgoing to doa bit more reading and asking about this model. WM didnt have this one but has another like it--but priced about $499.00 and another at just under $600.00.

 

[the ringo kid]

The Acers have weak graphic cards, along with low capacity batteries that mean minimal run times.
Also, depending on how old the games, they probably won't work.
I wouldn't recommend one especially of you want to game on it.

Normally I dont spend much time playing, but mainly want to be able to use the few I have for computers. Sometimes for me-the internet gets as boring as cabeTv--nothing new to see or watch.) One thing im not worried about--is I almost never save anything to the computer. The only thing on my recently deceased dell that I do watnt, is a photo of my dad I found online for sale--showing him with his hands on bomber nose girly art. All his stuff was stolen about 20 years ago--so we have no photos of himin uniform from WWII--and only one of him during the Korean war.

 

[the ringo kid]

You would be better off with a good used Windows 7 machine, or even a Windows XP machine. Check with all your friends, coworkers, and relatives. Chances are that you know someone who has to have "the latest and greatest" and has a used, working older laptop that they would sell to you very cheap, or even for free.

Take it for a test drive with the software you actually plan to use.

Im not sure but, one of my Nephews might have one. Ill have to start calling. One Nephew does have an Acre--butits at least 4 years old so I dont know if one like his is still around?

 

[the ringo kid]

Find a laptop with Windows 7. You don't want to go anywhere near Windows 8. My Acer works fine for my use! My old XP, which I loved died. Time to move on!

medxam

How are these on getting update programs and such for viruss and other things? I need somehting that will continue on and that I can set to automatically update.

 

[ChuckS1]

Windows can be set up to automatically get updates. I use Avast for virus protection and that auto updates, as well.

 

[ChattanoogaPhil]

Thanks for this link. Imgoing to doa bit more reading and asking about this model. WM didnt have this one but has another like it--but priced about $499.00 and another at just under $600.00.

If your budget is $600 there are a ton more choices. Just depends on what you want. But for what you said you are going to do with it requires very little computer.

Take a look at TigerDirect. Subscribe to their email. Very good prices. They also sell refurbished. Had some decent Dell units for $299 yesterday.

It's easy to overthink these things too. You picked out a decent one with the Acer. Just go get it. It'll work fine... so will most anything.

 

[the ringo kid]

Look through these. I buyt all my computer stuff, for me and for clients, from here. I have already sorted their Laptop/Notebooks by operating system and price for you. This URL is to everything they have that is Windows 7 Professional 64 bit in the $200-499 price raqnge.

You DON'T want Windows 8.

Laptops & Notebooks between $200.00 and $499.99 Windows 7 Professional 64-Bit Operating Systems at TigerDirect.com

Thank you for this as well. Ill look at the link soon as I can get back to a library computer--im having loads of troubles staying on the net using wifi today. I thinkI have my homework cut out for me on this?

 

[the ringo kid]

Personally, I prefer windows 7 but I had to buy a new laptop recently and was stuck with windows 8. I've gotten it setup to function just like windows 7 for 99% of what I do. If you get a windows 8 computer install a program called "classic shell" it will bring back the start menu that windows 8 took away. I kind of agree with staying away from Acer. They are a low end computer, and personally I wouldn't settle for less than a 4th generation Intel i3 or i5 processor. They are the latest and I'm very impressed with my i5. I've seen a good looking Toshiba for 399 at best buy recently that would take care of almost all basic computer needs for the average user. Take a look there and see what you can find. I'd post it bit I'm on my phone and it's hard to navigate that in a quick manner.

As for the specs of the computer the hdd stands for "hard drive disc" it is how much memory your computer has to install programs and files. 500GB is plenty for the average user. The RAM stands for "Random access memory" it is a space where programs are loaded to either allow them to be run by the processor or keep them running so they launch quicker when you run them. Generally, the more the better. 8GB. Again is more than enough for the average user. Hole that helps some.


Sent from a Droid Maxx on Tapatalk

I need to print out this thread. You all are giving me a wealth of great advice I dont want to lose.

 

[4barrel]

Don't be put off by Windows 8

I must disagree with some of the other responses. My wife works on computers and she set my Windows 8 machine up to have the look and operation of Windows 7. Out of the box Windows 8 is daunting but the way she sets one up is great. I have the appearance of Windows 7 but still have the speed and security of Windows 8 under the hood. She can do this for customers online-doesn't have to have her hands on the machine. I never have to go to the tiled interface unless I just want to---and I don't.

Here is what she said about the Acer. There is nothing wrong with an Acer. Just from her experience looking at it from long term their products tend to not be made of as high grade parts as HP, Dell, or Toshiba.

Regarding one response, a Windows 8 system does not have to have a separate anti-virus. Windows Defender built in is actually what we have known as Microsoft Security Essentials. However, you can install one of the very good free anti-virus programs. She prefers the free Avast or Avira.

 

[bgrone]

No expert

I am no expert, but have two Toshibas both in $400 range from BestBuy no problems with either despite little care and hard use,




Jim in iowa

 

[MK]

' it was so much slower than my older laptop with similar components and i could never find the processes that were slowing it down. the junk antivirus, et all, protections that came installed on it were horrid, hard to set up, and not easily removed or disabled. i can use my dell laptop for hours, if i need to do something for mom on that one, i'm frustrated after 5 minutes.

Make sure the Microsoft updates are not turned on. That can really
bog one down. And this is different than the windows updates..
To turn off Microsoft updates, you have to do it at the Microsoft
webpage. I've got a Dell laptop that would run OK at times, then
bog down sporadically.. It was the Microsoft update functions
hogging memory like crazy. I turned it off, and all has been good since.
Those updates are for other programs like Office, etc, etc.. It's different
than the Windows updates.

 

[CAJUNLAWYER]

Last upgrade I did was my two towers. I went from Windows 98 to Windows Vista.
Apparently I bought good as when I looked I had 4Gb RAM and a 500Gb hd and a pentium chip which back 4 years ago must have been pushing it.
Been looking for a laptop for a while and Tiger Direct shows the best promise. Subscribe and be patient as their daily specials can be great. I just bought a HP X451dn color officejet printer that will print 55/36 ppm for $250

They recently had an HP with the latest pentium chip at 2.2 GHz 8 Gb RAM and 1 Tb hdd for $649. Had disc driver 2 USB2 and 2 USB3 with your choice of Windows 7 or 8. I almost pulled the trigger on that one.

 

[RonJ]

Hey Kid. All I have to say is my last two Laptops have been Toshiba's. I gave the first to my BIL who is still using it. The second is still working great for me. Good Luck!