collapse

* Recent Posts

Re: "Christ Is King" by Yei
[Today at 06:03:12 pm]


Re: "Christ Is King" by SirPalomides
[Today at 04:12:49 pm]


"Christ Is King" by Altair
[Today at 01:09:34 am]


Re: Cill Shift Schedule by SunflowerP
[Yesterday at 11:04:57 pm]


Re: Stellar Bling: The Good, the Bad, the OMG! by SunflowerP
[March 21, 2024, 11:21:37 pm]

Author Topic: Tech: Wanting to buy a new laptop: What do I look for?  (Read 14943 times)

Nyktipolos

  • Grand Master Member
  • *******
  • Join Date: Jul 2011
  • *
  • Posts: 1498
  • Total likes: 2
    • View Profile
Re: Wanting to buy a new laptop: What do I look for?
« Reply #30 on: July 30, 2011, 06:47:39 pm »
Quote from: EJay;9437
Back to the original post, what are you looking at using the computer for and do you want portability and how often?  I have a wonderful ASUS gaming laptop with the best of everything I could afford, but it's heavy and I wouldn't want to carry it around on my shoulder all day.


Thanks for the reply, Ejay! :)

It will be primarily for school (college) and it would have be very portable, as I assume I will be using it in several classes throughout the week.

I'd love a gaming laptop, but those are very pricey. :) Besides, I already have a desktop that I game on, so it's no big loss to me.

Quote
But are you looking for internet, word-processing, video/picture editing, etc.?


Internet and word-processing, primarily.

Quote
Something you may want to consider is a tablet.  For my birthday, my hubby let me choose which tablet I want and I'm going to get the ASUS Eee Pad Transformer--it's docking station is a keyboard that adds up to 16 extra hours of battery life.  And depending what you want a laptop for, this could be everything you need.


Tablets are a no. Actually about a week after I made this thread, I got my papers from the college giving me more information, and they gave us a list of what the computers need, and what they won't accept (because they need to install the software on our laptops). That included tablets, netbooks (I wonder why? There are a number out there that are quite powerful), and Apple computers.

Quote
As far as brands go, I would NOT buy a Dell!  They make up the vast majority of the computers that come my way.  My favorite is HP and would put Acer second.  (ASUS has become my number one high-end gamer system, tho.)  And definitely go with Windows 7--it's a good stable OS once you tweak it your way.


You're honestly the first person who has recommended HP to me first over-all. XD And to not recommend a Dell!

(And oh yes, I'll be getting Win 7. I "have" to. :P)

Thank you for your advice, Ejay. :)
"Though my soul may set in darkness, it will rise in perfect light;
I have loved the stars too fondly to be fearful of the night." - Sarah Williams
On the Rivers

EJay

  • Master Member
  • ******
  • Join Date: Jul 2011
  • Banned!
  • Posts: 269
  • Total likes: 0
    • View Profile
Re: Wanting to buy a new laptop: What do I look for?
« Reply #31 on: July 30, 2011, 08:22:24 pm »
Quote from: Nyktipolos;9569
Thanks for the reply, Ejay! :)

Tablets are a no. Actually about a week after I made this thread, I got my papers from the college giving me more information, and they gave us a list of what the computers need, and what they won't accept (because they need to install the software on our laptops). That included tablets, netbooks (I wonder why? There are a number out there that are quite powerful), and Apple computers.

You're honestly the first person who has recommended HP to me first over-all. XD And to not recommend a Dell!

(And oh yes, I'll be getting Win 7. I "have" to. :P)

Thank you for your advice, Ejay. :)

 
Your college is probably making general specifications.  Their programs require Windows 7 apparently, and they don't want to give the whole techie list of what will run 7 and be compatible with their software.

As you said, there are some powerful netbooks and a couple tablets (HP included) that are using 7.  Again, I just think your school doesn't want to have to research every device on the market, then get busted because someone yelled, "But you never SAID...."

Get a light laptop, then, and max out your memory and graphics, if nothing else.

And good luck in school!  What are you taking, if I may ask?  I would've LOVED to have had a computer for my classes... but I may still get that chance.  My BS is in biology, but I'd like to go back and get my master's in software engineering.

First, I'll have to study again for that darn GRE! XD

Best~
EJay
If you understand, things are just as they are.  If you do not understand, things are just as they are.

Nyktipolos

  • Grand Master Member
  • *******
  • Join Date: Jul 2011
  • *
  • Posts: 1498
  • Total likes: 2
    • View Profile
Re: Wanting to buy a new laptop: What do I look for?
« Reply #32 on: July 30, 2011, 08:34:30 pm »
Quote from: EJay;9585
Your college is probably making general specifications.  Their programs require Windows 7 apparently, and they don't want to give the whole techie list of what will run 7 and be compatible with their software.


That was my thought as well. However most of their specifications I was going to do anyways, so it's no skin off my back. :)

Quote
Get a light laptop, then, and max out your memory and graphics, if nothing else.


/nods/ Will do. My only worry is figuring out HOW to do so. Would I just go to a computer store (I'm thinking independent chains, rather than Future Shop, et al.) and say "MOAR RAM!"? I'm used to the idea that laptops come completely integrated (you should've seen my face the day they told me I couldn't change out my graphics card on my old Acer, which prevented me from playing Guild Wars on it) that it's sort of hard to do, and depends on how the laptop is built.

Quote
And good luck in school!  What are you taking, if I may ask?

 
Thanks! :) The (two year) course I'm taking is called Library Information and Technology. Technically I won't be a librarian, but rather a 'library technician', something like an assistant. :) I can also use my two years towards a B.A. in Communicative Arts (I think it's called) with another university, should I decide to "upgrade" and try to become an actual librarian (which requires a B.A., then a Master's).

I've actually been out of school for almost three years now, so it'll be a bit weird to adjust again. :) Plus I've never really used laptops in school before, so that'll be weird as well.
"Though my soul may set in darkness, it will rise in perfect light;
I have loved the stars too fondly to be fearful of the night." - Sarah Williams
On the Rivers

EJay

  • Master Member
  • ******
  • Join Date: Jul 2011
  • Banned!
  • Posts: 269
  • Total likes: 0
    • View Profile
Re: Wanting to buy a new laptop: What do I look for?
« Reply #33 on: July 30, 2011, 08:49:22 pm »
Quote from: Nyktipolos;9587

/nods/ Will do. My only worry is figuring out HOW to do so. Would I just go to a computer store (I'm thinking independent chains, rather than Future Shop, et al.) and say "MOAR RAM!"? I'm used to the idea that laptops come completely integrated (you should've seen my face the day they told me I couldn't change out my graphics card on my old Acer, which prevented me from playing Guild Wars on it) that it's sort of hard to do, and depends on how the laptop is built.


That's where you'll have to do some research on your own, but memory is cheap these days, so don't buy one based on that--just make sure you can upgrade it to where you want it.  The graphics cards (and cpu, obviously) are often proprietary to the motherboard and can't be upgraded, so research that for what you'll need.  Librarian studies shouldn't be hugely graphics intensive, I wouldn't think, but I still like the capability myself.
 
Quote from: Nyktipolos;9587
Thanks! :) The (two year) course I'm taking is called Library Information and Technology. Technically I won't be a librarian, but rather a 'library technician', something like an assistant. :) I can also use my two years towards a B.A. in Communicative Arts (I think it's called) with another university, should I decide to "upgrade" and try to become an actual librarian (which requires a B.A., then a Master's).


I have a friend who's a librarian and loves it!  In my next life, I wouldn't turn it down!! :)  To be around books all day and get to learn a lot about a lot while helping others--sounds like my life's job description!

Quote from: Nyktipolos;9587
I've actually been out of school for almost three years now, so it'll be a bit weird to adjust again. :) Plus I've never really used laptops in school before, so that'll be weird as well.


I've been out of school since 1990, so I've got you beat there as far as adjusting.  Maybe I'll just have them all call me "Nana."  But they'll be calling me something else entirely when I wreck the grade curve!! :p

Best~
EJay
If you understand, things are just as they are.  If you do not understand, things are just as they are.

RandallS

  • Site Admin
  • *
  • Join Date: Jun 2011
  • Location: NE Ohio
  • Posts: 10311
  • Country: us
  • Total likes: 296
    • View Profile
  • Religion: Hellenic Pagan
Re: Wanting to buy a new laptop: What do I look for?
« Reply #34 on: July 30, 2011, 10:21:53 pm »
Quote from: Nyktipolos;9569
You're honestly the first person who has recommended HP to me first over-all. XD And to not recommend a Dell!

I've had good luck with HPs (and Compaqs which are made by HP) and definitely do not recommend Dells.
Randall
RetroRoleplaying [Blog]: Microlite74/75/78/81, BX Advanced, and Other Old School Tabletop RPGs
Microlite20: Lots of Rules Lite Tabletop RPGs -- Many Free

EJay

  • Master Member
  • ******
  • Join Date: Jul 2011
  • Banned!
  • Posts: 269
  • Total likes: 0
    • View Profile
Re: Wanting to buy a new laptop: What do I look for?
« Reply #35 on: July 30, 2011, 11:22:21 pm »
Quote from: Inca;9459
They had Win2000 at the time. There was no excuse for ME.


Windows ME was supposed to streamline everything and cut the clutter.  What they cut was the usability.

Quote from: Inca;9459
I am sticking with XP for as long as I can hold out. Somehow the last software advancements on basically anything (OS, mail clients, Office, browsers, ftp programs, instant messaging, mp3- and media players, photo editing) have just not brought me anything I like, only more annoyance*. And it's made my laptop (10 years old) too slow for, well, the exact same things that it could do perfectly fine 10 years ago.


***big smiles!!***  I love this post because it brings out my own inner gramma!  I truly mean no offense on this because I relate, but re-read this last paragraph as if a 92-year-old woman was brandishing a cane at all the young whipper-snappers around her!  I couldn't write better dialogue!

That being said, I can refurbish a 2-year old computer to make it usable.  I'll take a 4-year old computer and make it a doorstop.  The 10-year old computer becomes my newest boat anchor.

Best~
EJay
If you understand, things are just as they are.  If you do not understand, things are just as they are.

Inca

  • Sr. Apprentice
  • ****
  • Join Date: Jul 2011
  • Posts: 73
  • Total likes: 0
    • View Profile
Re: Wanting to buy a new laptop: What do I look for?
« Reply #36 on: July 31, 2011, 06:01:09 am »
Quote from: Nyktipolos;9587
/nods/ Will do. My only worry is figuring out HOW to do so. Would I just go to a computer store (I'm thinking independent chains, rather than Future Shop, et al.) and say "MOAR RAM!"? I'm used to the idea that laptops come completely integrated


Either they just have a few different packages of basically the same laptop but variation in processor speed / ram / hard drive space, or they assemble them in factory from a few different options.
(When I ordered mine I could chose between two or three processor speeds, extra ram and three options for hard drive sizes - the bigger of course for extra money.)
So I think you go to the store, explain what you want, and either they just have a decent combination, or they order it and you can have it a week later or something like that.

Inca

  • Sr. Apprentice
  • ****
  • Join Date: Jul 2011
  • Posts: 73
  • Total likes: 0
    • View Profile
Re: Wanting to buy a new laptop: What do I look for?
« Reply #37 on: July 31, 2011, 07:06:10 am »
Quote from: EJay;9605
but re-read this last paragraph as if a 92-year-old woman was brandishing a cane at all the young whipper-snappers around her!  I couldn't write better dialogue!


I know, I kinda was aware of that myself :D The even funnier thing is that I am an IT professional. (Or maybe that explains part of it. After all, many programmers think Vi is the best program ever, and are really fond of 16-color palette consoles. (Btw, not me. So I'm considered not a Real Programmer. (But, I should at least qualify as geek, with the habit to nest my parenthesis.)))

victoreia

  • Sr. Master Member
  • *******
  • Join Date: Jul 2011
  • Location: Honolulu, HI
  • Posts: 923
  • Country: us
  • Total likes: 9
    • View Profile
  • Religion: disorganized something
  • Preferred Pronouns: she/her
Re: Wanting to buy a new laptop: What do I look for?
« Reply #38 on: August 01, 2011, 04:44:21 am »
Quote from: Inca;9657
I know, I kinda was aware of that myself :D The even funnier thing is that I am an IT professional. (Or maybe that explains part of it. After all, many programmers think Vi is the best program ever, and are really fond of 16-color palette consoles. (Btw, not me. So I'm considered not a Real Programmer. (But, I should at least qualify as geek, with the habit to nest my parenthesis.)))

 
Is that how we're classified? And I thought it was just that I paid attention in my English classes and read a lot, not that I actually nest parentheses! :D:
Do. Or do not. There is no try.  --Yoda, The Empire Strikes Back

We are star stuff. We are the universe, made manifest. --Ambassador Delenn, Babylon 5

Mind how you go. -- Granny Weatherwax

victoreia

  • Sr. Master Member
  • *******
  • Join Date: Jul 2011
  • Location: Honolulu, HI
  • Posts: 923
  • Country: us
  • Total likes: 9
    • View Profile
  • Religion: disorganized something
  • Preferred Pronouns: she/her
Re: Wanting to buy a new laptop: What do I look for?
« Reply #39 on: August 02, 2011, 06:13:33 pm »
Quote from: Nyktipolos;9587

I've actually been out of school for almost three years now, so it'll be a bit weird to adjust again. :) Plus I've never really used laptops in school before, so that'll be weird as well.

 
Just found this article on back-to-school notebooks. Maybe that will help.....
Do. Or do not. There is no try.  --Yoda, The Empire Strikes Back

We are star stuff. We are the universe, made manifest. --Ambassador Delenn, Babylon 5

Mind how you go. -- Granny Weatherwax

Nyktipolos

  • Grand Master Member
  • *******
  • Join Date: Jul 2011
  • *
  • Posts: 1498
  • Total likes: 2
    • View Profile
Re: Wanting to buy a new laptop: What do I look for?
« Reply #40 on: August 02, 2011, 06:30:51 pm »
Quote from: victoreia;10273
Just found this article on back-to-school notebooks. Maybe that will help.....

 
Thanks, Victoreia! :) /goes to look/
"Though my soul may set in darkness, it will rise in perfect light;
I have loved the stars too fondly to be fearful of the night." - Sarah Williams
On the Rivers

Tags:
 

Related Topics

  Subject / Started by Replies Last post
8 Replies
2064 Views
Last post August 15, 2011, 11:41:23 am
by HeartShadow
3 Replies
1308 Views
Last post January 19, 2014, 05:45:57 am
by Freesia
6 Replies
973 Views
Last post November 05, 2013, 04:44:29 pm
by SunflowerP
5 Replies
1966 Views
Last post January 14, 2014, 08:43:08 pm
by veggiewolf
47 Replies
5909 Views
Last post March 26, 2014, 01:04:52 am
by ethelwulf

* Who's Online

  • Dot Guests: 198
  • Dot Hidden: 0
  • Dot Users: 1
  • Dot Users Online:

* Please Donate!

The Cauldron's server is expensive and requires monthly payments. Please become a Bronze, Silver or Gold Donor if you can. Donations are needed every month. Without member support, we can't afford the server.

* Shop & Support TC

The links below are affiliate links. When you click on one of these links you will go to the listed shopping site with The Cauldron's affiliate code. Any purchases you make during your visit will earn TC a tiny percentage of your purchase price at no extra cost to you.

* In Memoriam

Chavi (2006)
Elspeth (2010)
Marilyn (2013)

* Cauldron Staff

Host:
Sunflower

Message Board Staff
Board Coordinator:
Darkhawk

Assistant Board Coordinator:
Aster Breo

Senior Staff:
Aisling, Allaya, Jenett, Sefiru

Staff:
Ashmire, EclecticWheel, HarpingHawke, Kylara, PerditaPickle, rocquelaire

Discord Chat Staff
Chat Coordinator:
Morag

'Up All Night' Coordinator:
Altair

Cauldron Council:
Bob, Catja, Chatelaine, Emma-Eldritch, Fausta, Jubes, Kelly, LyricFox, Phouka, Sperran, Star, Steve, Tana

Site Administrator:
Randall

SimplePortal 2.3.6 © 2008-2014, SimplePortal