Time to buy a laptop

[ecofarm]

This old Asus ain't gonna make it much longer. Before I build the final model for my dissertation and finish assembling the 500 pages or so (with maps, etc), I'm gonna get windows 8 and the new office (for excel especially, the system model is in that with additions and expansions). I no longer play an RTS, or any game, so I'm thinking maybe Asus might not be the most bang for my buck. I'd prefer something without a DVD drive, the things always seem to break and piss me off; however, I must run a full windows OS and be over 2 Ghz processing so no tablet or mini-comp stuff.

I'm satisfied with my current Asus and wouldn't mind staying with one. I want a 15" screen (17" not needed, 13-14" is ok as a trade-off), i5, 6 ram and windows 8. I don't watch movies or use the comp for anything except school: word, excel and one more powerpoint presentation (my dissertation defense).

Someone mentioned a Toshiba Satellite with i7 for 500; that sounds pretty good. I can order it online and/or pick it up. What's generally the difference between Asus and Toshiba?

As I don't know crap about computers, I'm lookin' for recommendations and comments. I'll probably buy it this week or next, I'm tired of working in outdated Office, etc. Goodbye Vista!



~$500

Thanks

 

[AlabamaPaul]

This old Asus ain't gonna make it much longer. Before I build the final model for my dissertation and finish assembling the 500 pages or so (with maps, etc), I'm gonna get windows 8 and the new office (for excel especially, the system model is in that with additions and expansions). I no longer play an RTS, or any game, so I'm thinking maybe Asus might not be the most bang for my buck. I'd prefer something without a DVD drive, the things always seem to break and piss me off; however, I must run a full windows OS and be over 2 Ghz processing so no tablet or mini-comp stuff.

I'm satisfied with my current Asus and wouldn't mind staying with one. I want a 15" screen (17" not needed, 13-14" is ok as a trade-off), i5, 6 ram and windows 8. I don't watch movies or use the comp for anything except school: word, excel and one more powerpoint presentation (my dissertation defense).

Someone mentioned a Toshiba Satellite with i7 for 500; that sounds pretty good. I can order it online and/or pick it up. What's generally the difference between Asus and Toshiba?

As I don't know crap about computers, I'm lookin' for recommendations and comments. I'll probably buy it this week or next, I'm tired of working in outdated Office, etc. Goodbye Vista!



~$500

Thanks

One word of warning about Windows 8, in case you're not aware, the desktop does not have the "Start" button at the bottom left, and this can be frustrating. You'll want to install an add-on to get this back. I use Classic Shell (free), and it allows you to boot to your familiar desktop...

 

[ttwtt78640]

Dell laptops at Walmart. The advantage of Dell laptop products is that they can be serviced (and upgraded), while most laptops are throwaways. You often can find "refurbished" Dell models that fit your needs.

dell laptops - Walmart.com

http://www.squidoo.com/best-laptop-under-500

http://www.procompare.com/best-laptops/

 

[ecofarm]

One word of warning about Windows 8, in case you're not aware, the desktop does not have the "Start" button at the bottom left, and this can be frustrating. You'll want to install an add-on to get this back. I use Classic Shell (free), and it allows you to boot to your familiar desktop...

As I'm currently using a "Classic look" on my Vista, I might just take the plunge and leave my Windows XP memories behind. We'll see.

 

[AlabamaPaul]

As I'm currently using a "Classic look" on my Vista, I might just take the plunge and leave my Windows XP memories behind. We'll see.

Don't get me wrong. I like Windows 8 for its speed and you get all the functionality out-of-the-box, but it does take some getting used to. I just prefer to use my desktop the old fashioned way...

 

[ecofarm]

I just prefer to use my desktop the old fashioned way...

Me too, but continuing to pursue an XP look is starting to feel desperate.

 

[AlabamaPaul]

Me too, but continuing to pursue an XP look is starting to feel desperate.

Have you worked any with Windows 8? If you have a touch screen it would work well as is, but for mouse navigation, not so much...

 

[ecofarm]

Have you worked any with Windows 8? If you have a touch screen it would work well as is, but for mouse navigation, not so much...

I don't think I want touchscreen. I'll look into that.

 

[AlabamaPaul]

I don't think I want touchscreen. I'll look into that.

Again, I'm not trying to talk you out of it. I have it on this laptop...

 

[ttwtt78640]

Me too, but continuing to pursue an XP look is starting to feel desperate.

I love my Dell latitude D520, running XP. My GF has a Dell E6410 running windows 7, but she used it for her job quite a bit doing work on commercial construction plans.

 

[SmokeAndMirrors]

This old Asus ain't gonna make it much longer. Before I build the final model for my dissertation and finish assembling the 500 pages or so (with maps, etc), I'm gonna get windows 8 and the new office (for excel especially, the system model is in that with additions and expansions). I no longer play an RTS, or any game, so I'm thinking maybe Asus might not be the most bang for my buck. I'd prefer something without a DVD drive, the things always seem to break and piss me off; however, I must run a full windows OS and be over 2 Ghz processing so no tablet or mini-comp stuff.

I'm satisfied with my current Asus and wouldn't mind staying with one. I want a 15" screen (17" not needed, 13-14" is ok as a trade-off), i5, 6 ram and windows 8. I don't watch movies or use the comp for anything except school: word, excel and one more powerpoint presentation (my dissertation defense).

Someone mentioned a Toshiba Satellite with i7 for 500; that sounds pretty good. I can order it online and/or pick it up. What's generally the difference between Asus and Toshiba?

As I don't know crap about computers, I'm lookin' for recommendations and comments. I'll probably buy it this week or next, I'm tired of working in outdated Office, etc. Goodbye Vista!



~$500

Thanks

I am a fan of Asus. It's the best quality BY FAR for the kind of price point they sell at. Fujitsus are also high-quality, but considerably more expensive.

I hate Toshiba. The kings of bloatware and bugs. I'd avoid them. Overpriced for the problems they tend to have.

 

[ecofarm]

Again, I'm not trying to talk you out of it. I have it on this laptop...

I'm definately getting Windows 8 because I don't want any software conversion crap going on. I'm gonna build the working draft and final model in current software. That might be more important than processor and the rest. My excel, especially, must be up to date and ready for current additions and add-ons. For example, if a new excel (or an add-on expansion) comes out before I'm finished, I want to be able to get the new and not have any difficulty.

 

[Fisher]

Get whatever is the cheapest for your needs. I expect MS to come out with a different version of Windows before too much longer. I know Office Max has trade-in offers periodically where you can get up to like $200 off your next one when you trade in your old one.

 

[Aunt Spiker]

This old Asus ain't gonna make it much longer. Before I build the final model for my dissertation and finish assembling the 500 pages or so (with maps, etc), I'm gonna get windows 8 and the new office (for excel especially, the system model is in that with additions and expansions). I no longer play an RTS, or any game, so I'm thinking maybe Asus might not be the most bang for my buck. I'd prefer something without a DVD drive, the things always seem to break and piss me off; however, I must run a full windows OS and be over 2 Ghz processing so no tablet or mini-comp stuff.

I'm satisfied with my current Asus and wouldn't mind staying with one. I want a 15" screen (17" not needed, 13-14" is ok as a trade-off), i5, 6 ram and windows 8. I don't watch movies or use the comp for anything except school: word, excel and one more powerpoint presentation (my dissertation defense).

Someone mentioned a Toshiba Satellite with i7 for 500; that sounds pretty good. I can order it online and/or pick it up. What's generally the difference between Asus and Toshiba?

As I don't know crap about computers, I'm lookin' for recommendations and comments. I'll probably buy it this week or next, I'm tired of working in outdated Office, etc. Goodbye Vista!



~$500

Thanks

You usually can't modify the hardware on a laptop - so you're generally stuck with what you get . . . hoping firmware and software can nurse it along in the later years.

All in all: I bought one for my husband in 2006 and he took it to Iraq - while I bitched about having to shuttle it to get repaired twice - I did hear that other computers don't handle the sandy air AT ALL . . . so the satellite was actually a trooper.

So - it was rugged then . . . probably would do well now.

If you're really concerned for quality then get temp-access to consumer reports and read up. . .they'll rate all the tidbits (firmware, hardware, software, physical components like keyboards and screens - etc etc etc). And present a track record for the models/brands with a significant amount of customer feedback.

 

[ecofarm]

I'm seeing Asus ultrabooks (some with touchscreen, which I dunno if I want) for ~500...

14-15" screen, i3, 4 ram and a bit under 2Ghz processing, but perhaps.

 

[SmokeAndMirrors]

I'm seeing Asus ultrabooks (some with touchscreen, which I dunno if I want) for ~500...

14-15" screen, i3, 4 ram and a bit under 2Ghz processing, but perhaps.

Ya know, if you're gonna wind up with Windows 8, and it's within your price range anyway, it's frankly a waste not to get a touch screen. Half the OS is basically designed for it. Might as well put it to use. Perhaps you'll grow to like touch, whatever you wind up thinking of Win 8.

 

[ecofarm]

Ya know, if you're gonna wind up with Windows 8, and it's within your price range anyway, it's frankly a waste not to get a touch screen. Half the OS is basically designed for it. Might as well put it to use. Perhaps you'll grow to like touch, whatever you wind up thinking of Win 8.

I'm considering this:

Asus Ultrabook 14" TouchScreen Laptop 4GB Memory 500GB Hard Drive S400CA-BSI3T12 - Best Buy

It seems Asus computers come with windows 8 64bit, while some others are 32bit? That's can't be, right? So why specify 64bit for some of them?

 

[SmokeAndMirrors]

I'm considering this:

Asus Ultrabook 14" TouchScreen Laptop 4GB Memory 500GB Hard Drive S400CA-BSI3T12 - Best Buy

It seems Asus computers come with windows 8 64bit, while some others are 32bit?

As long as you don't have any really old software you wanna run, go with 64. More efficient, better memory allocation.

Be sure to look at reviews. Also, look up battery life specs if you want to go unplugged a lot -- battery's a big deal to me anyway, but may or may not be for you, but it doesn't say what it is on your link.

 

[Mathematician]

Purchasing strategies should be influenced by the value over time of each respective product. A car drops in value when you drive off the lot, then the depreciation is relatively flat. Electronics are significantly different, being flat initially and dropping every year or two as technology improves. Thus, for electronics, I recommend selling them and buying new ones almost annually. I do this with my televisions, cell phones, computers, etc. Buying the new ones on Black Friday, I get back about what I paid when I sell in the following year. An added benefit is that they're always under warranty.

Is a desktop an option? Asus sells the main components. They're easy to build and you can easily upgrade if you don't want to get a new pc each year. Since the parts cost less than an assembled machine, you'll get more of your money back when you sell. Even Windows OS is cheaper in a pc build version. I've built several for myself and several for immediate family. I use mine with my 55" tv and a bluetooth keyboard.

 

[ecofarm]

Purchasing strategies should be influenced by the value over time of each respective product. A car drops in value when you drive off the lot, then the depreciation is relatively flat. Electronics are significantly different, being flat initially and dropping every year or two as technology improves. Thus, for electronics, I recommend selling them and buying new ones almost annually. I do this with my televisions, cell phones, computers, etc. Buying the new ones on Black Friday, I get back about what I paid when I sell in the following year. An added benefit is that they're always under warranty.

Is a desktop an option? Asus sells the main components. They're easy to build and you can easily upgrade if you don't want to get a new pc each year. Since the parts cost less than an assembled machine, you'll get more of your money back when you sell. Even Windows OS is cheaper in a pc build version. I've built several for myself and several for immediate family. I use mine with my 55" tv and a bluetooth keyboard.

While I do not plan to buy a new laptop but once every ~3-4 years, the prospect of "what's another 50 bucks over 3 years" becomes a dangerous slippery slope. It must be a laptop.

I can't see downgrading to windows 7 and no touchscreen to save 100 bucks, when an i3 processor and 4 ram is good enough for my needs and I can be up to date. I think I'm gonna take the plunge into modern gear.

 

[RabidAlpaca]

While I do not plan to buy a new laptop but once every ~3-4 years, the prospect of "what's another 50 bucks over 3 years" becomes a dangerous slippery slope. It must be a laptop.

I can't see downgrading to windows 7 and no touchscreen to save 100 bucks, when an i3 processor and 4 ram is good enough for my needs and I can be up to date. I think I'm gonna take the plunge into modern gear.

Just to add my 2 cents, the processor in that Asus is REALLY weak, and to be honest, I've had nothing but horrible, horrible experiences with Asus laptops. My wife's literally fell apart. The case started breaking. Mine broke really quick as well. My brother in laws broke. They're cheap quality to be honest, and dealing with Asus was like pulling teeth.

For your price range, I would recommend Acer. I'm more of a high end computer guy because I do EVERYTHING on my computers, but my wife and extended family all have low end acers and have had really great experiences with them.

Here's a decent one:
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16834215663

- The processor is 25% more powerful that the Asus. Source
- The screen is 15.6" instead of the Asus's 14"
- The Acer has a graphics card, the Asus DOES NOT.
- The Acer has a DVDBurner, the Asus doesn't even have a cd drive.

The Asus has UMA, or "Unified Memory Architecture" which is basically fancy speak for "no graphics card". It uses your processor and ram as a graphics card. I would highly, highly recommend against that.

All in all, you're getting MUCH more laptop and it's $100 less. The only advantage the Asus has is the touchscreen, which to be honest, on a laptop, not a tablet, isn't really that great.

 

[Harry Guerrilla]

This old Asus ain't gonna make it much longer. Before I build the final model for my dissertation and finish assembling the 500 pages or so (with maps, etc), I'm gonna get windows 8 and the new office (for excel especially, the system model is in that with additions and expansions). I no longer play an RTS, or any game, so I'm thinking maybe Asus might not be the most bang for my buck. I'd prefer something without a DVD drive, the things always seem to break and piss me off; however, I must run a full windows OS and be over 2 Ghz processing so no tablet or mini-comp stuff.

I'm satisfied with my current Asus and wouldn't mind staying with one. I want a 15" screen (17" not needed, 13-14" is ok as a trade-off), i5, 6 ram and windows 8. I don't watch movies or use the comp for anything except school: word, excel and one more powerpoint presentation (my dissertation defense).

Someone mentioned a Toshiba Satellite with i7 for 500; that sounds pretty good. I can order it online and/or pick it up. What's generally the difference between Asus and Toshiba?

As I don't know crap about computers, I'm lookin' for recommendations and comments. I'll probably buy it this week or next, I'm tired of working in outdated Office, etc. Goodbye Vista!



~$500

Thanks

Check out the Chromebooks.
For internet browsing and paper preperation, the price point can't be beat.
Although, you'll likely be stuck using Google methods of word processing, etc.

Chromebooks: Overview

 

[notquiteright]

I like the more traditional laptops, I have no need for super game playing graphics, and though I travel a lot weight isn't an issue. Windows 8 just doesn't do it for me and seems slow not fast. I have a retired mil friend who makes a nice side living working on PCs. My computer now looks like my old one. Start page, icons, tool bar at the bottom. There is that rather annoying habit of crap popping up if your cursor gets too close to the edge still but the computer has what I want and doesn't have two dozen odd icons floating across the screen hindering me going to the one or two I ever use.

Speaking of old computers, we have an old Gateway MX3225 in Windows XP. Best I can recall this computer is 5 years old and still running, it is the back-up for when the more 'modern' computers need service. it got a $79 dollar overhaul and the bad card is still taped to the cover. Small and heavy it still has a function in life as a back-up.

 

[ecofarm]

Check out the Chromebooks.
For internet browsing and paper preperation, the price point can't be beat.
Although, you'll likely be stuck using Google methods of word processing, etc.

Chromebooks: Overview

I must run word and excel with an expensive add-on/extension.

 

[ecofarm]

Just to add my 2 cents, the processor in that Asus is REALLY weak, and to be honest, I've had nothing but horrible, horrible experiences with Asus laptops. My wife's literally fell apart. The case started breaking. Mine broke really quick as well. My brother in laws broke. They're cheap quality to be honest, and dealing with Asus was like pulling teeth.

For your price range, I would recommend Acer. I'm more of a high end computer guy because I do EVERYTHING on my computers, but my wife and extended family all have low end acers and have had really great experiences with them.

Here's a decent one:
Acer Aspire V3-551G-8454 15.6" Notebook - Newegg.com

- The processor is 25% more powerful that the Asus. Source
- The screen is 15.6" instead of the Asus's 14"
- The Acer has a graphics card, the Asus DOES NOT.
- The Acer has a DVDBurner, the Asus doesn't even have a cd drive.

The Asus has UMA, or "Unified Memory Architecture" which is basically fancy speak for "no graphics card". It uses your processor and ram as a graphics card. I would highly, highly recommend against that.

All in all, you're getting MUCH more laptop and it's $100 less. The only advantage the Asus has is the touchscreen, which to be honest, on a laptop, not a tablet, isn't really that great.

Is the Acer also 64bit windows 8? I notice some specify such and some do not, though I can't imagine windows 8 would be available in 32bit.

Being minus the touchscreen (which I'm really not interested in, I like my Death Adder mouse) is not so difficult? Someone else mentioned that a shell running can ease the interface without touchscreen.

I'm surprised the Asus is without a graphics card, as that was a big reason for my purchasing this one (I played RTS, CoH).

I could do without the dvd drive. They tend to break? My Asus's hasn't worked in a couple years and thus I have an external dvd that I can plug into any comp. Perhap I could find an Acer ultrabook for a cheap price. At any rate, I will give that brand more consideration.