Community Lap tops

[Shredder]

Im looking for recommendations for an inexpensive but quality lap top. Probably 15-17 inch. I mostly use my phone or an og iPad that's no longer supported and getting harder and harder to use. It works but barely. Our Internet is off our phones too. Life in the sticks, lol. I can get a Verizon (can't remember the name, jet pack?) and that's a little better than our phones used as hot spots.

I assume some of y'all have some knowledge about these things, at least more than I do, lol.

We actually have a desktop with windows ( a really sucky version) that we don't use mostly because of our spotty Internet. But I'd rather have something I can balance on my lap while ignoring my wife and watching TV, lol.

 

[CarolKing]

I have a Verizon’s WiFi hot spot plus Verizon service. Not sure how many minutes you would eat up? I know Verizon’s have some plans you can roll over minutes to the next month. If you watch movies I know that eats up a lot of time. I’ve used it when the lights are out and I have no internet service. i wanted it originally for when we were using our RV. If it doesn’t find internet in the area it won’t work.

I personally use an iPad, I always really liked it. I have a desk type computer as well which was my husband’s to use. That’s the reason I bought an iPad, he was on the computer when I wanted to use it. I’ve had two over the last 8 yrs.

 

[LesPlenty]

inexpensive but quality lap top. Probably 15-17 inch

I got a HP 17" laptop as my eyes are shot, the bit bigger screen helps (15" laptop now resides next to the TV), it was only US$480 and lives in my workshop, covered in dust, no problems in the couple years I have had it.

 

[felvapes]

HP are good
They cost a lot though

Toshiba satellite make reasonably good lappys for a good price

It all really depends on what you need it to do and - like cars, what's actually inside it

The brand is not necessarily the main thing to check

The specs on the computer is what counts

An i7 processor is the minimum CPU you want - unless you choose AMD which will have a different name for the latest chipset but also make decent stuff

The motherboard will depend on the processor you choose and other peripherals you need

If you want to watch movies or connect to your tv you will want a good graphics card - NVIDIA 1070 or above will do you fine
A lesser NVIDIA card will also suffice if graphics are not your first concern

The sound card in a laptop is usually pretty generic, depending what you wish to do you can order for your needs with your supplier

If you wanted perfect audio you are looking at an external soundcard which can plug into any stereo or mixing device etc
Many options here - again depending on your needs

Memory is the next thing
Lots of ram is good for speed and smooth processing, this will go on your budget and needs.... Discuss with your computer shop your needs and they can assist
Higher the better though

These days people like to have a solid state hard drive as well as a bigger one for memory, helps with over all performance and speed

Then if you need DVD burner etc (which are pretty standard these days)

USB 3 at least

There are a number of other specs you can look into but if you have the above in your computer then you have a pretty powerful and decent machine

The brand name doesn't make a lot of difference as the internals are what makes it tick and every good computer has very similar insides

My best advice would be to go to a computer shop and discuss what you really want out of your computer and then they can give you a few options/packs and prices

They will either build you one from scratch or be able to show you a few pre made

Big name brands are good, but not necessarily the best, Esp when looking for value for money :)

Without knowing the use the computer will get it's hard to give a quote or point in a direction


My mate builds gaming towers and I am a music producer/editor and we both need powerful computers but refuse to pay the price for an out of box unit
The insides are the same, just depends what is inside them

A one stop shop (that is not a computer specialist shop) will also most likely sell you a unit that is on the way out or last year's tech

Getting something from a computer shop or built specifically for you will often be cheaper and you can get all the latest bits n pieces inside
Gaming or audio editing or visual editing setups will be some of the best you can get and will help you in whatever task you throw at them

But may not be needed for everyone and their budget :)

Sorry if this seems more confusing

 

[LesPlenty]

Toshiba satellite make reasonably good lappys for a good price

The 15" I had before my HP was a Toshiba Sat, it survived a few years in my workshop being covered with dust, dirt, ash and smoke. I gave it a good clean and it still serves in my lounge room connected to my big screen TV for catching up missed shows.

They cost a lot though

This HP was the cheapest 17" laptop I could find at the time. A salesman tried and nearly succeeded to sell me a MSI or Alienware? that was nearly $3000 but I just reminded myself that I did not need all the extra fast stuff, just a screen that was a bit bigger was all I wanted/needed.
I just looked at my HP it has an A8 processor and AMD Radeon something or another...seems a bit better than my old Commodore 64 and cost about the same...haha

 

[felvapes]

The 15" I had before my HP was a Toshiba Sat, it survived a few years in my workshop being covered with dust, dirt, ash and smoke. I gave it a good clean and it still serves in my lounge room connected to my big screen TV for catching up missed shows.

This HP was the cheapest 17" laptop I could find at the time. A salesman tried and nearly succeeded to sell me a MSI or Alienware? that was nearly $3000 but I just reminded myself that I did not need all the extra fast stuff, just a screen that was a bit bigger was all I wanted/needed.
I just looked at my HP it has an A8 processor and AMD Radeon something or another...seems a bit better than my old Commodore 64 and cost about the same...haha

AMD Radeon is the ones I mentioned are good like i7
Just need the latest one
Font ever get a celron

Alienware are good setups, usually for gaming
But again, there is old tech and new tech

And you can get the same stuff in a different shell without the brand price

HP make good gear, just cost more than Toshiba
Asus are okay etc etc

Insides matter most though over names
Names of insides are worth paying attention to
Just not the shells

The price will really depend upon the use and needs

Anywhere from $1000 - $5000 is the range

 

[Marlon Rando]

Shredder not sure what is in your budget, may want to look at Lenovo's 2-1's Ultrabook line, very snappy SSD's, runs the current and more secure windows 10, they are directly competing with Microsoft's Surface line which IMO are priced at Premium consumers. look at Lenvovo outlet store for deals!
14 inch are excellent for both desk and lap on the bed when u wanna ignore wifey. their 730 line has a dedicated graphics card for light casual gaming, maybe check out Acer as well they have some cheap decent rigs with removable RAM options unlike the Ultrabooks where everything is soldered in.

 

[psychonaut]

Check out the deals posted on www.slickdeals.net they usually have laptops listed that are deeply discounted. Just be sure to get an SSD and at least have the ability to upgrade the RAM and SSD down the road. Some of the cheaper laptops are very difficult to replace the RAM and SSD without bringing it in to a technician.

Link to current laptop deals - https://slickdeals.net/laptop-deals/