Need to buy a new cheap computer

[RShea]

not to totally change the equation but if were possible to spend $500, how would that change your thinking? i'm trying to decide whether an initially greater investment is worth it over a $300 chromebook. sorry for changing the target. i hate buying computers.

There are 2 classes of laptops out there- the cheap consumer models (Cheap plastic case that break easily, shiny really glossy screens that are bad in bright light, even if they have nicer CPU, etc. inside them) and the better business class systems out there- brands vary but $500 is usually the minimum for a better class longer lasting laptop. Lenovo Thinkpad (compared to their Ideal and Essential G series unit brands), Dell with their Latitude and similar business systems, HP with their Elite - BIG step up from the Palivions you see everywhere at big box stores like Walmart, etc.

Search for screen size, Processor and case/screen first that you like, they are the hardest things to change out. Memory, size and type of storage (traditional HD vs higher end SSD drive) are easiest thing to turn around and switch or expand at any time.

If you are still looking at Chromebook then this article is pretty timely:http://www.androidauthority.com/chro...g-macs-693688/

At the bottom of it has some of the Best Chromebooks available now.

[riser4]

you can get USB external DVD drives that would work for the occasional use like burning the photos. Or you could upload them to the cloud or internet sites out there for viewing and/or put them on a flash or thumb drive to burn on another computer.

Which is why I went to insisting that we not buy laptops and that instead we go the Chromebook plus a desktop route. It has worked out very well.

[stfu&gbtw]

not to totally change the equation but if were possible to spend $500, how would that change your thinking? i'm trying to decide whether an initially greater investment is worth it over a $300 chromebook. sorry for changing the target. i hate buying computers.

Don't do that. A "good" laptop costs $1,500+. Everything else is a some variant on the Speak and Spell - which will totally suffice for 99% of home users.

Just to reiterate...

Refurbished Lenovo Thinkpad

This is a great machine for the money:

http://www.amazon.com/Lenovo-Thinkpa...ished+thinkpad

^ $299, free shipping. Easily the best way you could spend $300 on a workhorse laptop. Just buy the damn thing already.

[stuckathuntermtn]

3rded, buy that.

[Todds]

Dell runs sales on off lease refurbished computers. A 45% off sale is ending today. You can find some great deals here. When you find one you want you should act fast since popular machines sell fast.
http://campaign.r20.constantcontact....0-99a1bd44738d

[stfu&gbtw]

^ I'm going to go looking for a refurbished Dell consumer grade laptop....





Just as soon as I decide I'd rather do that than slam my dick in the car door. Until then, I'm busy....

[riser4]

Dell runs sales on off lease refurbished computers. A 45% off sale is ending today. You can find some great deals here. When you find one you want you should act fast since popular machines sell fast.
http://campaign.r20.constantcontact....0-99a1bd44738d

Thinkpad >> Dell

[GeezerSteve]

Yup, refurbished Thinkpad T420 for $299 is the best advice on this thread

[char_]

I have a Thinkpad with similar specs (E431). Different model, similar processor, RAM, etc. Good computer for the money, picked mine up new for ~$600 from the Lenovo website clearance/sale section.

Sounds like the seller in that link is a little shady based on the reviews.




Plan on buying a wireless mouse if you get one, I can't stand their trackpad.

If you buy a new laptop/desktop plan on doing a clean install of the operating system to kill the bloat.

[Todds]

^ I'm going to go looking for a refurbished Dell consumer grade laptop....





Just as soon as I decide I'd rather do that than slam my dick in the car door. Until then, I'm busy....

These are off lease commercial grade machines.

Thinkpad >> Dell

Are modern thinkpads still a great as they used to be?
Is that Thinkpad worth $100+ more than a Latitude?

[GeezerSteve]

Is that Thinkpad worth $100+ more than a Latitude?

Yes, based on my experience as an owner of two Latitudes and one Thinkpad. I'm done with Dell.

[RShea]

I have a Thinkpad with similar specs (E431). Different model, similar processor, RAM, etc. Good computer for the money, picked mine up new for ~$600 from the Lenovo website clearance/sale section.

Sounds like the seller in that link is a little shady based on the reviews.




Plan on buying a wireless mouse if you get one, I can't stand their trackpad.

If you buy a new laptop/desktop plan on doing a clean install of the operating system to kill the bloat.

Re trackpad, do you have one with the separate buttons on it (like the refurbed on Amazon) or no buttons and have to use the pad to click and double click? They changed their touch pad in recent months (depends on the model how long ago) and it is better than their old no separate button styled.

Thinkpad has very little bloatware software, at least that you can just do add/remove programs and uninstall. Lenovo utilities like password manager, System Solution Center, etc.

[RShea]

These are off lease commercial grade machines.



Are modern thinkpads still a great as they used to be?
Is that Thinkpad worth $100+ more than a Latitude?

Where are you finding the $199 refurbished Latitudes with similar specifciations (iCore 5, 8 gb of memory, 320 gb HD, 14 screen, etc. (not on that link you provided even with the special offer of 45% off good only through today. Closest one I am finding is $306 with the 45% discount: Dell Latitude E6430 8GB RAM 320GB HDD

[stfu&gbtw]

Dell makes a great desktop... Lenovo makes a great laptop... HP makes a great server. Would buy only those from each of them. Feel free to disagree - everybody's got to be wrong about something. I'm certainly wrong about many things, but this isn't one of them.

[BrokeSomeRibs]

I have a gently used Macbook Pro (13" Unibody, Intel i5 dual core 2.4 GHz, 4GB RAM) that I'll sell inexpensively. I'm thinking $425, buyer pays shipping or local pickup in Boulder. In excellent shape, no problems of any sort to speak of. Only selling because Mrs. BSR is starting to travel more and wants to switch to an ultralight Macbook Air. Speaking of which, if anyone has one they'll sell, I'm interested.

[Todds]

Where are you finding the $199 refurbished Latitudes with similar specifciations (iCore 5, 8 gb of memory, 320 gb HD, 14 screen, etc. (not on that link you provided even with the special offer of 45% off good only through today. Closest one I am finding is $306 with the 45% discount: Dell Latitude E6430 8GB RAM 320GB HDD

I'm not sure what the resolution of that T420 is. It says 1366 x 768 and 1600 x 900. Not sure what Dell to compare it to. I think the dell laptops with 256GB HD have SSD drives. I'd rather have a 256GB SSD than a used 320GB HD.

How about a E6420 for $158 ($289 with 45% off) 4GB and 256GB drive. Upgrade the memory yourself. Both machines have i5-2520M CPUs. After you upgrade the memory it is about $100 less.
http://dellrefurbished.com/product/s...-hdd/si6848541

Or the E6430 for $224 ($409 with 45% off). It has I5-3340, 320GB HD, USB 3.0, only 4GB of memory (upgrade it to 8GB for $17). It has a much faster CPU, USB 3.0 and upgradable to 16GB.
http://dellrefurbished.com/product/s...-hdd/si6829094

Dell makes a great desktop... Lenovo makes a great laptop... HP makes a great server. Would buy only those from each of them. Feel free to disagree - everybody's got to be wrong about something. I'm certainly wrong about many things, but this isn't one of them.

It sounds like you have a lot of experience. I have no reason not to trust your opinion. I've had good luck with the my lightly used latitude. My dad treats his Thinkpad like shit and it keeps working.

[XXX-er]

My ski bud sells acer, Asus, lenovo depending on what's available and he sez the are pretty good to best in that order so I bought a refurbished lenovo

Sometimes the end loser returns a PC , when the factory finds nothing wrong they can't be sold as new so they sell at reduced price

Also you are contributing to my defined benifits pension which I am spending here in Bali


Tremelacase

[char_]

Re trackpad, do you have one with the separate buttons on it (like the refurbed on Amazon) or no buttons and have to use the pad to click and double click? They changed their touch pad in recent months (depends on the model how long ago) and it is better than their old no separate button styled.

Thinkpad has very little bloatware software, at least that you can just do add/remove programs and uninstall. Lenovo utilities like password manager, System Solution Center, etc.

It is the prior version apparently. It is usable, but if you are trying to do something that requires accuracy like cropping photos or CAD work it can be pain in the ass. Once you figure out there is no need to push on the trackpad it gets easier.

Mine is three-ish years old and is still running acceptably. I will probably do a RAM upgrade and SSD conversion soon, but I don't really need to.

[Skidog]

Agreed with poster that said Dell and lenovo for laptops and desktops. HP for server. The blade stuff rocks.

[riser4]

The only good Lenovo are the models with a clear IBM heritage like T series. We had an R once and it sucked.

[RShea]

It is the prior version apparently. It is usable, but if you are trying to do something that requires accuracy like cropping photos or CAD work it can be pain in the ass. Once you figure out there is no need to push on the trackpad it gets easier.

Mine is three-ish years old and is still running acceptably. I will probably do a RAM upgrade and SSD conversion soon, but I don't really need to.

Yes, prior version - no separate buttons SUCKED for anything other than casual moving of the cursor around and single clicking. So yes, best investment for that is to disable the touch pad built in (so when you are typing you do not activate the pad and have the cursor jump around, and get a wireless mouse for use.

[RShea]

I'm not sure what the resolution of that T420 is. It says 1366 x 768 and 1600 x 900. Not sure what Dell to compare it to. I think the dell laptops with 256GB HD have SSD drives. I'd rather have a 256GB SSD than a used 320GB HD.

How about a E6420 for $158 ($289 with 45% off) 4GB and 256GB drive. Upgrade the memory yourself. Both machines have i5-2520M CPUs. After you upgrade the memory it is about $100 less.
http://dellrefurbished.com/product/s...-hdd/si6848541

Or the E6430 for $224 ($409 with 45% off). It has I5-3340, 320GB HD, USB 3.0, only 4GB of memory (upgrade it to 8GB for $17). It has a much faster CPU, USB 3.0 and upgradable to 16GB.
http://dellrefurbished.com/product/s...-hdd/si6829094



It sounds like you have a lot of experience. I have no reason not to trust your opinion. I've had good luck with the my lightly used latitude. My dad treats his Thinkpad like shit and it keeps working.

I would bet the Dell 256 GB are just smaller hard drives- read the specs description- NO WHERE does it state SSD in the links you provided.

The Lenovo T420 probably has the Intel 3000 series video on board, your Dells state Intel video -but do not mention the chipset to say it is higher or lower than Lenovo (the Lenovo T420 also had NVidia higher end chipset in the the same series for higher end graphics needs which has the higher graphics resolution specs you mention.) The Dell is showing weighting 6 lbs compared to the Lenovo at 4 lbs.
The other obvious differences that I see are Dell has a 100 day warranty, Lenovo on Amazon stated 90 days, Lenovo has the built in finger print reader for an alternative to entering passwords, Dell rarely has a finger print reader in them (some of their highest end units maybe would).

Here is a PCMag review comparison: http://www.pcmag.com/products/compar...,265417,253771

[stfu&gbtw]

The only good Lenovo are the models with a clear IBM heritage like T series. We had an R once and it sucked.

Generally yes, although I've been playing with a Yoga 12 and X1 recently and both have been awesome. But consumer grade laptops suck, regardless of whose name is on the label.

Edit: got a P70 recently too - also a great machine. E series processor and 64gb of memory... A bargain at $5k including dock and service contract. Individually more powerful that every computer I owned from 1980 to 2008, combined.

[highangle]

Generally yes, although I've been playing with a Yoga 12 and X1 recently and both have been awesome. But consumer grade laptops suck, regardless of whose name is on the label.

Edit: got a P70 recently too - also a great machine. E series processor and 64gb of memory... A bargain at $5k including dock and service contract. Individually more powerful that every computer I owned from 1980 to 2008, combined.

What are you trying to compensate for with a $5k laptop with 64gb of ram? TGR is always going to feel heavy and bloated unless you turn off scripts...

[stfu&gbtw]

What are you trying to compensate for with a $5k laptop with 64gb of ram? TGR is always going to feel heavy and bloated unless you turn off scripts...

There's a company I do some consulting for and it mirrors their engineering rig. They do a lot of GIS, CAD, 3d, etc.