laptop recommendations?

WVUFAN · 06-19-2013, 06:50 PM

I'm going to buy a new laptop this weekend, either at a store or via the internet, and I'm looking for recommendations as to what to get.

1. I want at least an i5 or equivalent, would prefer an i7 or equivalent). I want at least a 1 TB Hard Drive.

2. I'm not planning on playing alot of games on this. I know I'll be playing Civ 5 on it, but it'll be used mostly for school.

3. It'll have Win 8 on it. Not really thrilled about that, but I recognize that most new laptops comes with 8 installed. I'm unsure if I'll need a touchscreen.

4. I'd prefer to pay $1000 or less. I don't really know if the new Haswell chipset is worth it, or if Ivy Bridge is good enough (don't know the big differences).

Anyone have any suggestions or deals they've come across? Is there specific brands I should avoid based on your experience?

Comey · 06-19-2013, 07:13 PM

Haswell is worth it for the battery life. That said, there are excellent deals on Ivy Bridge now.

I'd look at slickdeals.net. Tons of laptop deals at the moment.

INDalltheway · 06-19-2013, 08:01 PM

Unless you need all that HD space for movies, music, pictures, etc - I really suggest a SSD. The benefits far outweigh the limitations of space. Just my opinion.

jeff061 · 06-19-2013, 08:22 PM

GF bought herself a Lenovo Ideapad. It's a pretty slick reasonably priced(well in your range) Ultrabook.

dave731 · 06-19-2013, 08:46 PM

Toshiba S5378 if you can find one...OfficeMax had them on clearance recently.

Toshiba Satellite® S855-S5378 15.6" widescreen Laptop (Blue) | Laptops | Computers | us.toshiba.com

DaddyTorgo · 07-15-2013, 03:50 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Comey

Haswell is worth it for the battery life. That said, there are excellent deals on Ivy Bridge now.

I'd look at slickdeals.net. Tons of laptop deals at the moment.

Haswell is i7?

sovereignstar v2 · 07-15-2013, 03:54 PM

Haswell is an architecture with multiple processors...

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Haswell...oarchitecture)

DaddyTorgo · 07-15-2013, 03:58 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by sovereignstar v2

Haswell is an architecture with multiple processors...

Haswell (microarchitecture - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia)

Aaah. I'm still thinking about replacing my "desktop replacement" laptop with a desktop for home and an ultrabook-esque laptop for the road.

Passacaglia · 07-31-2013, 03:22 PM

My turn! Rather than start a new thread, I'll bump the old one. I'm just looking for something pretty basic -- email, web surfing. Maybe the new FOF would be cool, but I'm guessing that won't need a lot of power. I would like to use it sometimes to remotely login to my work desktop -- I think that uses Citrix Access Gateway? I don't know much about it. A tablet would be cool to have, but not if it's a lot more than what I could get in a similar laptop (with no real idea of what "a lot" is). I'm looking to spend around $500, but have no idea if that's appropriate. Any thoughts?

rowech · 07-31-2013, 03:26 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Passacaglia

My turn! Rather than start a new thread, I'll bump the old one. I'm just looking for something pretty basic -- email, web surfing. Maybe the new FOF would be cool, but I'm guessing that won't need a lot of power. I would like to use it sometimes to remotely login to my work desktop -- I think that uses Citrix Access Gateway? I don't know much about it. A tablet would be cool to have, but not if it's a lot more than what I could get in a similar laptop (with no real idea of what "a lot" is). I'm looking to spend around $500, but have no idea if that's appropriate. Any thoughts?

I still like my Toshiba Satellite.

rowech · 05-24-2016, 05:55 PM

Coming back to this. Is this a good buy? I'm a little worried about buying from somebody that isn't Amazon directly.

Amazon.com: Lenovo ThinkPad Edge E560 15.6" FHD Screen (1920x1080), Intel Dual Core i7-6500U 2.5 GHz, 16GB RAM, 500GB Solid State Drive, Win 7 Pro 64 Laptop Computer: Computers & Accessories

miami_fan · 11-19-2016, 07:45 PM

Thread bump!

I am sure I am not the only one who is looking for a laptop during this Black Friday week (month?).

This computer will pretty much be for surfing the web, emailing and playing sports text games. Not much more than that. I don't want to spend any more than $500. My current laptop is a Toshiba Satellite L775D.

Any recommendations?

Julio Riddols · 11-19-2016, 08:15 PM

The Acer E 15 is a good one. Get it, a solid state SSD and an 8 GB ram upgrade for ~500.

SSD: M.2, 275 GB for 72.99

RAM: 8 GB for 47.87

I'd also recommend picking up one of these, which makes reinstalling or repairing windows 10 a breeze.

You'll end up with a Full HD laptop with a backlit keyboard, 12 GB ram, 1 TB HDD, 275 GB SSD for less than 500.

Johnny93g · 11-19-2016, 08:55 PM

Im also in the market for a new laptop, but a friend in cpu programming industry told me Acer was the "AIDS" of laptops. Anyone else feel the same way. Basically he stressed to stay away from Acer!

Julio Riddols · 11-20-2016, 12:42 AM

These E 15s are reviewing best in their class. (This particular model at least. The E5-575-33BM.) You get this for $329 and add that SSD and extra memory and you get a hell of a laptop for less than 500 dollars. Better than most, if not all 500 dollar laptops. It also gets incredible battery life of 10-12 hours on a single charge. It is pretty expandable too, up to 16 GB of RAM and an added M.2 SSD port, which allows you to have dual hard drives without needing to remove the optical drive.

I have one, and the only mild complaint I have about it is the integrated touch pad.. I am beginning to get used to it though, and if I eventually find myself preferring the old ways, settings can be managed to make it like a normal laptop touchpad. But other than that, its whisper quiet, has all the bells and whistles for a laptop in its price range, and is sold for 329 bucks, which is really wallet friendly.

Neuqua · 11-21-2016, 05:02 PM

Probably a stupid question but would those E15's run all the modern day sports sims easily?

RainMaker · 11-21-2016, 05:29 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Johnny93g

Im also in the market for a new laptop, but a friend in cpu programming industry told me Acer was the "AIDS" of laptops. Anyone else feel the same way. Basically he stressed to stay away from Acer!

They use the same internal components other laptops use.

The issues I've seen with Acer is they are filled with bloatware. That's an easy fix, just install a clean copy of Windows 10 on the device. The other is they use more plastic which might be a knock aesthetically and makes it feel a little cheaper. This might be more of an issue from a durability standpoint. If you're rough with the laptop it might not hold up as well.

jeff061 · 11-21-2016, 06:39 PM

I just bought my Mom an E15. No complaints, $20 to double the RAM. Had a good high quality physical feel to it despite the price, with a 1080p screen, i3 CPU and solid sound. Paid around $380 when all was said and done, which included the RAM bump to 8gb.

As for Bloatware, it had little to none of it compared to recent HP/Lenovo laptops I've experienced.

I think the laptops are quality and are certainly not the "AIDs" of laptops(that feels like a 90's era perception), however if their customer support is at all reliable remains to be seen. That is my greatest concern. My Lenovo Yoga has hands down been the best laptop I've ever owned, but I will never buy another based on my experience with their support. With the Acer, for less than $400 I was willing to risk it.

bhlloy · 11-21-2016, 06:47 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Neuqua

Probably a stupid question but would those E15's run all the modern day sports sims easily?

Bump as I'm interested in this as well - could the i5 with 8GB of DDR4 and an SSD run FM at a decent speed?

CrescentMoonie · 11-21-2016, 06:49 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by RainMaker

They use the same internal components other laptops use.

The issues I've seen with Acer is they are filled with bloatware. That's an easy fix, just install a clean copy of Windows 10 on the device. The other is they use more plastic which might be a knock aesthetically and makes it feel a little cheaper. This might be more of an issue from a durability standpoint. If you're rough with the laptop it might not hold up as well.

My last Acer had serious durability issues. The biggest one was a common problem at that time, around 2013, with the internal part of the power connector coming loose causing the laptop to not charge. I had to send it in three times while it was under warranty for parts to be replaced. I wasn't doing anything more than taking it back and forth to classes once or twice a week and the occasional study session.

06-19-2013, 07:13 PM	#2
Comey College Starter Join Date: Nov 2003 Location: CT via PA via CA via PA	Haswell is worth it for the battery life. That said, there are excellent deals on Ivy Bridge now. I'd look at slickdeals.net. Tons of laptop deals at the moment. __________________

06-19-2013, 08:22 PM	#4
jeff061 Grizzled Veteran Join Date: Nov 2003 Location: MA	GF bought herself a Lenovo Ideapad. It's a pretty slick reasonably priced(well in your range) Ultrabook. __________________

07-15-2013, 03:54 PM	#7
sovereignstar v2 hates iowa Join Date: Oct 2010	Haswell is an architecture with multiple processors... http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Haswell...oarchitecture) Last edited by sovereignstar v2 : 07-15-2013 at 04:13 PM. Reason: fixed link

11-19-2016, 07:45 PM	#12
miami_fan Coordinator Join Date: Oct 2003 Location: Land O Lakes FL	Thread bump! I am sure I am not the only one who is looking for a laptop during this Black Friday week (month?). This computer will pretty much be for surfing the web, emailing and playing sports text games. Not much more than that. I don't want to spend any more than $500. My current laptop is a Toshiba Satellite L775D. Any recommendations? __________________ "The blind soldier fought for me in this war. The least I can do now is fight for him. I have eyes. He hasn’t. I have a voice on the radio, he hasn’t. I was born a white man. And until a colored man is a full citizen, like me, I haven’t the leisure to enjoy the freedom that colored man risked his life to maintain for me. I don’t own what I have until he owns an equal share of it. Until somebody beats me and blinds me, I am in his debt."- Orson Welles August 11, 1946

11-19-2016, 08:15 PM	#13
Julio Riddols College Prospect Join Date: Feb 2001 Location: Bryson Shitty, NC	The Acer E 15 is a good one. Get it, a solid state SSD and an 8 GB ram upgrade for ~500. SSD: M.2, 275 GB for 72.99 RAM: 8 GB for 47.87 I'd also recommend picking up one of these, which makes reinstalling or repairing windows 10 a breeze. You'll end up with a Full HD laptop with a backlit keyboard, 12 GB ram, 1 TB HDD, 275 GB SSD for less than 500. __________________ Recklessly enthused, stubbornly amused. FUCK EA Last edited by Julio Riddols : 11-19-2016 at 08:45 PM.

06-19-2013, 08:01 PM	#3
INDalltheway College Benchwarmer Join Date: Jan 2001 Location: Chicago	Unless you need all that HD space for movies, music, pictures, etc - I really suggest a SSD. The benefits far outweigh the limitations of space. Just my opinion.

06-19-2013, 08:46 PM	#5
dave731 High School JV Join Date: May 2011 Location: Ninety Six	Toshiba S5378 if you can find one...OfficeMax had them on clearance recently. Toshiba Satellite® S855-S5378 15.6" widescreen Laptop (Blue) \| Laptops \| Computers \| us.toshiba.com

07-31-2013, 03:22 PM	#9
Passacaglia Coordinator Join Date: Oct 2000 Location: Big Ten Country	My turn! Rather than start a new thread, I'll bump the old one. I'm just looking for something pretty basic -- email, web surfing. Maybe the new FOF would be cool, but I'm guessing that won't need a lot of power. I would like to use it sometimes to remotely login to my work desktop -- I think that uses Citrix Access Gateway? I don't know much about it. A tablet would be cool to have, but not if it's a lot more than what I could get in a similar laptop (with no real idea of what "a lot" is). I'm looking to spend around $500, but have no idea if that's appropriate. Any thoughts?

05-24-2016, 05:55 PM	#11
rowech Pro Starter Join Date: Feb 2006	Coming back to this. Is this a good buy? I'm a little worried about buying from somebody that isn't Amazon directly. Amazon.com: Lenovo ThinkPad Edge E560 15.6" FHD Screen (1920x1080), Intel Dual Core i7-6500U 2.5 GHz, 16GB RAM, 500GB Solid State Drive, Win 7 Pro 64 Laptop Computer: Computers & Accessories

11-19-2016, 08:55 PM	#14
Johnny93g College Starter Join Date: Mar 2004 Location: Toronto	Im also in the market for a new laptop, but a friend in cpu programming industry told me Acer was the "AIDS" of laptops. Anyone else feel the same way. Basically he stressed to stay away from Acer! __________________ FOOL- Toronto Marlboros FOOL Classic Champions 2073, 2078, 2079, 2114, 2116, 2117, 2129, 2152, 2155, 2169, 2192 46 35 FOOL H- New York Giants World Champions 1914, 1928 BBCF: Notre Dame TML

11-20-2016, 12:42 AM	#15
Julio Riddols College Prospect Join Date: Feb 2001 Location: Bryson Shitty, NC	These E 15s are reviewing best in their class. (This particular model at least. The E5-575-33BM.) You get this for $329 and add that SSD and extra memory and you get a hell of a laptop for less than 500 dollars. Better than most, if not all 500 dollar laptops. It also gets incredible battery life of 10-12 hours on a single charge. It is pretty expandable too, up to 16 GB of RAM and an added M.2 SSD port, which allows you to have dual hard drives without needing to remove the optical drive. I have one, and the only mild complaint I have about it is the integrated touch pad.. I am beginning to get used to it though, and if I eventually find myself preferring the old ways, settings can be managed to make it like a normal laptop touchpad. But other than that, its whisper quiet, has all the bells and whistles for a laptop in its price range, and is sold for 329 bucks, which is really wallet friendly. __________________ Recklessly enthused, stubbornly amused. FUCK EA Last edited by Julio Riddols : 11-20-2016 at 01:00 AM.

11-21-2016, 05:02 PM	#16
Neuqua Pro Rookie Join Date: Oct 2000 Location: Chicago, Ill	Probably a stupid question but would those E15's run all the modern day sports sims easily? __________________ Our Deepest fear is not that we are inadequate. Our deepest fear is that we are powerful beyond measure. It is our light, not our darkness that most frightens us. We ask ourselves, 'Who am I to be brilliant, gorgeous, talented, fabulous?' Actually, who are you not to be?

11-21-2016, 06:39 PM	#18
jeff061 Grizzled Veteran Join Date: Nov 2003 Location: MA	I just bought my Mom an E15. No complaints, $20 to double the RAM. Had a good high quality physical feel to it despite the price, with a 1080p screen, i3 CPU and solid sound. Paid around $380 when all was said and done, which included the RAM bump to 8gb. As for Bloatware, it had little to none of it compared to recent HP/Lenovo laptops I've experienced. I think the laptops are quality and are certainly not the "AIDs" of laptops(that feels like a 90's era perception), however if their customer support is at all reliable remains to be seen. That is my greatest concern. My Lenovo Yoga has hands down been the best laptop I've ever owned, but I will never buy another based on my experience with their support. With the Acer, for less than $400 I was willing to risk it. __________________ Last edited by jeff061 : 11-21-2016 at 06:42 PM.

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