Laptop buying help

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G

gut

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15,058 posts
May 2, 2013 10:59 AM
Automatik;1437310 wrote:Congrats on being broke! I have a Lenovo as well.
LOL, I overpay for plenty of things out of convenience, but big-ticket electronics is not one of them.
May 2, 2013 10:59am
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Automatik

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14,632 posts
May 2, 2013 11:03 AM
And that's where we differ. My first MB was $1100 and was a beast for 6 years, still going strong. Money well spent for me.


I know it's not really what the OP is looking for but I'll mention the Surface Pro again. If had a job where I needed to work or access servers remotely, I think I'd for that over a traditional laptop. Win 8 on a desktop is very mehhh, but on the Surface it's badass.
May 2, 2013 11:03am
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wes_mantooth

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May 2, 2013 11:04 AM
Commander of Awesome;1437309 wrote:My macbook is also dying a slow death. I can't decide if I want to replace my phone or comp first though. I have a 4 yr old MB, debating if I want to spend the money to buy another mac (mac lover) or go with a cheaper route. The main argument for the MB at the time was reliance, apple care support, and lack of viruses. Seems the market is starting to catch up in those areas.
I pretty much despise macs because of them being underpowered for the price. With that said, I have never met anyone that was a mac person that could switch to pc. They get very comfortable with the iOS and windows is a pain for them
May 2, 2013 11:04am
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Commander of Awesome

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May 2, 2013 11:09 AM
wes_mantooth;1437318 wrote:I pretty much despise macs because of them being underpowered for the price. With that said, I have never met anyone that was a mac person that could switch to pc. They get very comfortable with the iOS and windows is a pain for them
Windows all day err day at work. No sweat for me outside of hot corners. Really the only thing I find to be different that one can do that the other can't.

Only reason I bought a mac in the first place is with my last laptop, I got 6 virues for literally just surfing the web in a span of about 4 months. Took me several hours each time and using my roommates laptop to search for how to get rid of the fucker before I just said fuck it. Win Anti Virus Pro 2008 can GFI.
May 2, 2013 11:09am
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Automatik

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May 2, 2013 11:24 AM
I'm the same. I dominate on OSX or Windows. I much prefer Windows over Mac in a work environment, unless I'm in design..which I'm not.

Aside from Word, I don't like MS Office on a Mac, especially excel.

I'm big on build quality, which is one reason I went Mac a few years ago. Windows laptop manufacturers have caught up in that regard. Even *gasp* Dell has some decent machines out there, although I'd still never touch one.

Thinkpads are great in terms of build quality.
May 2, 2013 11:24am
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Commander of Awesome

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May 2, 2013 11:28 AM
Automatik;1437342 wrote:I'm the same. I dominate on OSX or Windows. I much prefer Windows over Mac in a work environment, unless I'm in design..which I'm not.

Aside from Word, I don't like MS Office on a Mac, especially excel.

I'm big on build quality, which is one reason I went Mac a few years ago. Windows laptop manufacturers have caught up in that regard. Even *gasp* Dell has some decent machines out there, although I'd still never touch one.

Thinkpads are great in terms of build quality.
Excel on a mac is brutal. I use google docs for home use when I need a excel thing. Lot of offices are beginning to use google docs over excel actually. My current job is pretty much entirely in excel and even I can't find a major complaint with google spreadsheets.
May 2, 2013 11:28am
G

gut

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15,058 posts
May 2, 2013 11:36 AM
Automatik;1437316 wrote:And that's where we differ. My first MB was $1100 and was a beast for 6 years, still going strong. Money well spent for me.
I don't get 6 years mainly because I'm very tough on my laptops - replaced several hard drives because I have a habit of dropping them. But I got 6 years out of my first Dell laptop until I busted it (intentionally), and it was long past due to replace by then. I had 3 Dells and they were all good. Dell fell off a cliff about 3-4 years ago, especially on customer service. Prior to that, I had no issues with build quality.

MB are overpriced, I don't really see how that is a debate. They have the same components made by the same Chinese/Taiwanese companies that everyone else does. Absolutely nothing special about them aside from the marketing and branding.
May 2, 2013 11:36am
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Commander of Awesome

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May 2, 2013 11:38 AM
gut;1437356 wrote:
MB are overpriced, I don't really see how that is a debate. They have the same components made by the same Chinese/Taiwanese companies that everyone else does. Absolutely nothing special about them aside from the marketing and branding.
Dude, did an apple store guy steal your lunch money or something?
May 2, 2013 11:38am
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Automatik

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May 2, 2013 11:39 AM
gut;1437356 wrote:I don't get 6 years mainly because I'm very tough on my laptops - replaced several hard drives because I have a habit of dropping them. But I got 6 years out of my first Dell laptop until I busted it (intentionally), and it was long past due to replace by then.

MB are overpriced, I don't really see how that is a debate. They have the same components made by the same Chinese/Taiwanese companies that everyone else does. Absolutely nothing special about them aside from the marketing and branding.
I built a MBP and Lenovo laptop last year via their websites. Same specs, almost identical price...I even posted it on here. But fuck this argument...it's tired.
May 2, 2013 11:39am
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Commander of Awesome

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May 2, 2013 11:41 AM
Automatik;1437361 wrote:I built a MBP and Lenovo laptop last year via their websites. Same specs, almost identical price...I even posted it on here. But fuck this argument...it's tired.
Agreed, although I am intrigued by your post. Do you remember which thread it was?
May 2, 2013 11:41am
G

gut

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May 2, 2013 11:43 AM
Automatik;1437361 wrote:I built a MBP and Lenovo laptop last year via their websites. Same specs, almost identical price...I even posted it on here. But **** this argument...it's tired.
The argument isn't BS. There are several good PC manufacturers and you need to shop around. Yeah, it's not hard to find an overpriced PC, either (just like that Asus you linked). That doesn't mean MB isn't overpriced, too.

But you already did point out how the argument is BS - Excel sucks on MB, so it's not even a legit contender in an office environment.
May 2, 2013 11:43am
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Automatik

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May 2, 2013 11:44 AM
I have no clue. I think it was another "what should I buy" thread that turned into your typical Win/Mac shitfest.

People are so fucking clueless when it comes to this stuff it's laughable. They just repeat the general assumptions that have been said over and over. They think Macs are the only $1000+ priced laptops.
May 2, 2013 11:44am
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Heretic

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May 2, 2013 11:44 AM
wes_mantooth;1437318 wrote:I pretty much despise macs because of them being underpowered for the price. With that said, I have never met anyone that was a mac person that could switch to pc. They get very comfortable with the iOS and windows is a pain for them
That's kind of how I am, but getting better. Have a friend with a Windows lap-top and I'm expected to be his computer guru, so I've had to learn their system in order to be of any sort of help.

And a solid (depending on your need) Mac can be bought for cheap. Got a refurbished MacBook for about $400 over Amazon. Good enough for me. Pretty modern OS with the only flaw being that it's lower on memory than better models (160 GB hard drive), but with that, I can fit virtually every single old-time video game I'd ever possibly want to play, as well as enough music to listen to for 100 eternities. And that, along with 'net surfing are the main things I need from a computer.
May 2, 2013 11:44am
G

gut

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15,058 posts
May 2, 2013 11:45 AM
Commander of Awesome;1437359 wrote:Dude, did an apple store guy steal your lunch money or something?
No, it's common knowledge Apple spends a boatload on marketing and branding. You don't think they pay for that at the expense of their margins, do you?
May 2, 2013 11:45am
M

MontyBrunswick

May 2, 2013 12:46 PM
Heretic;1437371 wrote:I can fit virtually every single old-time video game I'd ever possibly want to play
Gaming on a Mac...

May 2, 2013 12:46pm
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Heretic

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May 2, 2013 2:51 PM
dlazz;1437426 wrote:Gaming on a Mac...

Not talking GAMING gaming (like WoW or anything that requires a high-end PC), talking emulation gaming (ie: Super Nintendo, Sega Genesis), of which Mac has quality emulators for. If I wanted to go into systems like Nintendo 64, PlayStation, etc, I'd be fucked with a Mac, but for retro systems, I'm good for anything except Turbo CD.
May 2, 2013 2:51pm
M

MontyBrunswick

May 2, 2013 4:36 PM
Heretic;1437494 wrote:Not talking GAMING gaming (like WoW or anything that requires a high-end PC), talking emulation gaming (ie: Super Nintendo, Sega Genesis), of which Mac has quality emulators for.
Any computer made in the past ~15 years should be able to emulate SNES/NES/Genesis games with no issues.
May 2, 2013 4:36pm
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Commander of Awesome

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May 2, 2013 4:41 PM
Dlazz/Wes, I want to buy an affordable laptop that can stream netflix/sports game while surfing teh interwebz (dlazz.net). Do you have a laptop recommendation for this?
May 2, 2013 4:41pm
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Heretic

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May 2, 2013 4:51 PM
dlazz;1437557 wrote:Any computer made in the past ~15 years should be able to emulate SNES/NES/Genesis games with no issues.
True. But it's best to be modern, as most emulators seem to get updated for new software and the old versions then become glitchy and unsupported. With my old-ass computer, that was becoming an issue.
May 2, 2013 4:51pm
M

MontyBrunswick

May 2, 2013 5:33 PM
Heretic;1437560 wrote:most emulators seem to get updated for new software and the old versions then become glitchy and unsupported.
Emulators for the SNES/NES have been virtually unchanged since 2002. They're only updated to keep up with the latest operating systems
May 2, 2013 5:33pm
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wes_mantooth

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May 2, 2013 10:28 PM
Commander of Awesome;1437558 wrote:Dlazz/Wes, I want to buy an affordable laptop that can stream netflix/sports game while surfing teh interwebz (dlazz.net). Do you have a laptop recommendation for this?
I am partial to Asus and the i5 processors if I have the choice. But.....right now, if you go in store to a Staples, there is a code that gets you $100 off any windows 8 computer. There are a ton of people having pretty good luck scoring i5 machines for under $400. I am assuming you don't need a dedicated graphics card for gaming. The code is listed in this link...

http://slickdeals.net/f/6004138-Asus-K55A-RHI5N13-15-6-Laptop-i5-6gb-DVD-Staples-after-100-coupon-no-rebate-required-329-99-tax
May 2, 2013 10:28pm
R

rydawg5

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May 2, 2013 10:46 PM
I went with a Asus UX31A-R5102F 13.3 Laptop i5 1.7GHz 4GB 128GB WiFi for $555

I wanted the macbook air 13'' but it was twice as much.

I hope I like it, if not always can return.
May 2, 2013 10:46pm
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wes_mantooth

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May 3, 2013 6:53 AM
rydawg5;1437660 wrote:I went with a Asus UX31A-R5102F 13.3 Laptop i5 1.7GHz 4GB 128GB WiFi for $555

I wanted the macbook air 13'' but it was twice as much.

I hope I like it, if not always can return.
Should be pretty solid. Asus is a very good brand in my opinion. My only issue is the size of the hard drive...I know this is typical on these ultrabooks, but I would have trouble because I like to store movies and other big files on my pcs
May 3, 2013 6:53am
M

MontyBrunswick

May 3, 2013 7:14 AM
wes_mantooth;1437729 wrote:Should be pretty solid. Asus is a very good brand in my opinion. My only issue is the size of the hard drive...I know this is typical on these ultrabooks, but I would have trouble because I like to store movies and other big files on my pcs

I think Ultrabooks are required to have SSD's in order to be labeled as Ultrabooks. Not 100% sure though
May 3, 2013 7:14am
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wes_mantooth

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May 3, 2013 7:59 AM
dlazz;1437736 wrote:I think Ultrabooks are required to have SSD's in order to be labeled as Ultrabooks. Not 100% sure though
I just don't know that 128gbs would be enough for me. I would love to pop in a 512 on an ultrabook, but price wise...they are way too far out there still.
May 3, 2013 7:59am