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Post by jasoninsd on Sept 23, 2022 20:59:10 GMT -5
I don't know how I missed seeing your post last night!! Sheesh...I gotta pay more attention! So, the whole reason I need a new laptop is mine is running Windows 8 (or some version of it) and it will be obsolete at the end of the year. I wanted a newer one anyway as this thing is SO slow. It has trouble trying to load the "Music" thread...so I rarely go into that thread. Truthfully, the only things I do on my laptop are peruse/post on the forum, search eBay, and watch videos on YouTube...and this thing has issues playing Hi-Res videos...so I'm guessing it's lacking RAM. There are also certain members who post massive pictures, and if there's a ton of them in the thread, this laptop doesn't load them very well at all. I will on occasion do Word or Excel documents, but nothing that's full of Quantum Mechanic equations... I was looking at this one on eBay: www.ebay.com/itm/403348471981Jason........That link checks most of the boxes I laid out......a little lite on the RAM and does not state re-conditioned by certified authorized dealer.....it's a Windows 10 Home edition OS, so it will be limited to light duty Word & Excel. It's a nice size and being a couple of years old, should be in good condition cosmetically........New, it probably cost around $750.00 retail............So, for $450 used, it will most likely serve your purpose.....I hope the installed Win 10 user Code can be verified and serviceable, one of the reasons I only purchase from Authorized Dealers. Looks good for your needs and it will be 100% faster than what you're on now.........you'll appreciate that aspect.......be kind to it, those model price ranges are physically fragile.....keep the key board, fan inlet/outlets and plugs clean.....it should give a few good years of service. Hope this helps Ya....! Here's two others I'm looking at: www.ebay.com/itm/325009393149www.ebay.com/itm/314151285970I'm also going to check out the local PC shops to see what they have that would be comparable to these.
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pizzano
Cave Dweller
Member since February 2018
Posts: 1,390
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Post by pizzano on Sept 23, 2022 21:54:26 GMT -5
Jason........That link checks most of the boxes I laid out......a little lite on the RAM and does not state re-conditioned by certified authorized dealer.....it's a Windows 10 Home edition OS, so it will be limited to light duty Word & Excel. It's a nice size and being a couple of years old, should be in good condition cosmetically........New, it probably cost around $750.00 retail............So, for $450 used, it will most likely serve your purpose.....I hope the installed Win 10 user Code can be verified and serviceable, one of the reasons I only purchase from Authorized Dealers. Looks good for your needs and it will be 100% faster than what you're on now.........you'll appreciate that aspect.......be kind to it, those model price ranges are physically fragile.....keep the key board, fan inlet/outlets and plugs clean.....it should give a few good years of service. Hope this helps Ya....! Here's two others I'm looking at: www.ebay.com/itm/325009393149www.ebay.com/itm/314151285970I'm also going to check out the local PC shops to see what they have that would be comparable to these. OK.....the prices are in-line with you're shopping budget... The Dell has plenty of memory storage, RAM, Windows 11 home, plenty of ports/plugs.....but, weak graphics card (it's integrated with CPU and mother board), it's a touch screen (problematic over time), It's a HDD not SSD hard drive, the processor is dated (but they still sell them new), and the web cam is average at best. No mention of Battery life or Windows certifications.......this one looks like the typical off the shelf Dell plug and play models that sold for $500-600 new. The HP is suspect......even as stated new in a damaged box......sounds to me like some kind of Euro/Asian/India model. The odd 12g Ram is the tip-off. No mention of plugs/slots, weak graphics card (probably integrated), outdated processor, poor webcam, and very weak battery life.....I'm partial to HP, but this one sounds fishy......once again, no Windows certification........I don't trust it's warranty either. You're on the right track..........two of those you've provided, would serve your needs, I think a little more sniffing around would be good.........and your learning a little about this too.....keep it all in perspective, otherwise you'll lose your motivation......trust me......lol
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Post by jasoninsd on Sept 23, 2022 22:09:37 GMT -5
OK.....the prices are in-line with you're shopping budget... The Dell has plenty of memory storage, RAM, Windows 11 home, plenty of ports/plugs.....but, weak graphics card (it's integrated with CPU and mother board), it's a touch screen (problematic over time), It's a HDD not SSD hard drive, the processor is dated (but they still sell them new), and the web cam is average at best. No mention of Battery life or Windows certifications.......this one looks like the typical off the shelf Dell plug and play models that sold for $500-600 new. The HP is suspect......even as stated new in a damaged box......sounds to me like some kind of Euro/Asian/India model. The odd 12g Ram is the tip-off. No mention of plugs/slots, weak graphics card (probably integrated), outdated processor, poor webcam, and very weak battery life.....I'm partial to HP, but this one sounds fishy......once again, no Windows certification........I don't trust it's warranty either. You're on the right track..........two of those you've provided, would serve your needs, I think a little more sniffing around would be good.........and your learning a little about this too.....keep it all in perspective, otherwise you'll lose your motivation......trust me......lol Holy crap this is like trying to find a needle in a field of haystacks! LOL I can't say thanks enough for taking the time to help me with this!!
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Post by jasoninsd on Sept 24, 2022 0:19:38 GMT -5
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Post by Son Of Beach on Sept 24, 2022 7:21:36 GMT -5
I've built a few different PC's over the years for like 600 bucks. Found this site after a quick search pcbuilder.net/laptop/cheap-laptop/I don't really know anything on laptops, they were always too small for my liking.
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pizzano
Cave Dweller
Member since February 2018
Posts: 1,390
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Post by pizzano on Sept 24, 2022 8:24:55 GMT -5
Honestly, the only real weak points for either of them are the the older i3 intel processors and integrated graphics cards.....the Vivo has more SSD memory storage capacity. Both have 16g of RAM and plenty of plugs/ports.........Vivo being back lit keyboard is nice.......Both will be fast enough for your use and video quality should be nice. Don't expect much from their webcams or sound systems......the HP should be a little more physically durable........for that kind of money new, neither should disappoint your expectations.......! And being new, all of the Windows certs should be good to go once you register it with Microsoft........ Win11 Home OS is new to me (it requires a shit load of memory, thus the need for 16g RAM and high storage capacity)....I've only dabbled with it on my Wife's Dell work tote she travels with. It's a little different than Win10 (way different than Win8), a few new terms to learn and it does way to much thinking (decision making) for you........but you'll manage just fine.......lol Happy to have assisted you.....!........Just a thought (recommendation)......highly suggest you have a pro tech (Best Buy Geek or local PC nerd) transfer over the old PC data stuff. Since your old PC is running Win8, it can (will) get complicated due to software up-grades and compatibility issues.....there's always something that will hassle you with older operating systems, regardless of apples to apples Windows brand name........Apple (Mac) is even worse. It'll probably cost you $100.00 or so, but it will be worth the cost and effort......trust me on that.......! Happy for you Jason......money well spent...!
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Post by jasoninsd on Sept 24, 2022 9:30:35 GMT -5
I've built a few different PC's over the years for like 600 bucks. Found this site after a quick search pcbuilder.net/laptop/cheap-laptop/I don't really know anything on laptops, they were always too small for my liking. Thanks for that link Chad! I checked out the website. It looks like their only "builds" are desktop models. The laptops they have listed are the same as listed elsewhere. Honestly, the only real weak points for either of them are the the older i3 intel processors and integrated graphics cards.....the Vivo has more SSD memory storage capacity. Both have 16g of RAM and plenty of plugs/ports.........Vivo being back lit keyboard is nice.......Both will be fast enough for your use and video quality should be nice. Don't expect much from their webcams or sound systems......the HP should be a little more physically durable........for that kind of money new, neither should disappoint your expectations.......! And being new, all of the Windows certs should be good to go once you register it with Microsoft........ Win11 Home OS is new to me (it requires a shit load of memory, thus the need for 16g RAM and high storage capacity)....I've only dabbled with it on my Wife's Dell work tote she travels with. It's a little different than Win10 (way different than Win8), a few new terms to learn and it does way to much thinking (decision making) for you........but you'll manage just fine.......lol Happy to have assisted you.....!........Just a thought (recommendation)......highly suggest you have a pro tech (Best Buy Geek or local PC nerd) transfer over the old PC data stuff. Since your old PC is running Win8, it can (will) get complicated due to software up-grades and compatibility issues.....there's always something that will hassle you with older operating systems, regardless of apples to apples Windows brand name........Apple (Mac) is even worse. It'll probably cost you $100.00 or so, but it will be worth the cost and effort......trust me on that.......! Happy for you Jason......money well spent...! I just looked up my processor on this thing. It's an AMD E-300 with Radeon HD Graphics 1.3 Ghz. RAM is 4Gb. So I'm guessing even a "minor" upgrade would show a major difference! LOL - I did like the idea of a backlit keyboard...it might save the "backspace" from excessive use! LOL - I definitely don't care about the webcams on the thing...they'll both have a piece of tape placed over them (yep...I'm a conspiracy buff! LOL). Great idea on the data transfer. - I'll let you know once the final decision has been made...I might need a shoulder to cry on when I can't figure out the new OS! LOL
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pizzano
Cave Dweller
Member since February 2018
Posts: 1,390
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Post by pizzano on Sept 24, 2022 17:03:07 GMT -5
My shoulders are wide and narrow.....better climb on while you can.........I've got a waiting list......lol
Everything about Windows has always been android intuitive (or maybe it's the other way around).......what you would have expected from a couple of very highly intelligent, anal & gifted college drop-out garage band types.......lol......The only issues I've ever had with that OS has been it's progressive movement away from the NT format when it needed to become a 64bit speed rated memory monster. That aspect required better (faster) video record/play response and Wi-Fi bridging/buffer speed response, in order to keep up with the population demand and higher end user flexibility...........!
I was sent to a Windows IT camp for a week by my employer.......all Windows 98/NT based (ya, that's how far back my skills go).......probably one of the single most important academic, paid to play (learn) ventures I have ever taken in my entire life.....there have been many.....lol.......That foundation with Microsoft has paid dividends over and over through the years......not on my dime, but those who supported me got more than their monies worth from me in return.....lol.....because I bought into this technology with the advent of Atari Pong.......yep, I was (still am) a recreational mainstream gamer.....old habits die hard (or not at all).....lol
So, (by the way), I'll be 70yrs old (young) come this December.........If I can still process the Microsoft/Windows nomenclature of today's language and protocol, there's absolutely no reason a (somewhat) fresh, uncomplicated by DOS/TRAN/Kernel pollution, mind like yours, will have no problems.....I'm here as needed for you.
And if I can't answer or solve the question.....I have a nerd in my pocket who can......lol
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Post by jasoninsd on Sept 24, 2022 17:09:58 GMT -5
My shoulders are wide and narrow.....better climb on while you can.........I've got a waiting list......lol Everything about Windows has always been android intuitive (or maybe it's the other way around).......what you would have expected from a couple of very highly intelligent, anal & gifted college drop-out garage band types.......lol......The only issues I've ever had with that OS has been it's progressive movement away from the NT format when it needed to become a 64bit speed rated memory monster. That aspect required better (faster) video record/play response and Wi-Fi bridging/buffer speed response, in order to keep up with the population demand and higher end user flexibility...........! I was sent to a Windows IT camp for a week by my employer.......all Windows 98/NT based (ya, that's how far back my skills go).......probably one of the single most important academic, paid to play (learn) ventures I have ever taken in my entire life.....there have been many.....lol.......That foundation with Microsoft has paid dividends over and over through the years......not on my dime, but those who supported me got more than their monies worth from me in return.....lol.....because I bought into this technology with the advent of Atari Pong.......yep, I was (still am) a recreational mainstream gamer.....old habits die hard (or not at all).....lol So, (by the way), I'll be 70yrs old (young) come this December.........If I can still process the Microsoft/Windows nomenclature of today's language and protocol, there's absolutely no reason a (somewhat) fresh, uncomplicated by DOS/TRAN/Kernel pollution, mind like yours, will have no problems.....I'm here as needed for you. And if I can't answer or solve the question.....I have a nerd in my pocket who can......lol You are awesome my friend!! I pulled the trigger on the ASUS Vivobook. It should be here Wednesday or Thursday. Then y'all better watch out!! I'll be able to post twice as many comments 10 times faster! LOL
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pizzano
Cave Dweller
Member since February 2018
Posts: 1,390
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Post by pizzano on Sept 24, 2022 17:26:08 GMT -5
Awesome Jason.........I'll be on the travel very early tomorrow morning....I'm taking my lap-top......so I'll keep a look out for that "excitement" coming from the South Dakota air waves next week........via RTH...lol .............you'll be impressed...!....or should be if the IT Geek gets it right....!
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Post by jasoninsd on Sept 24, 2022 20:04:34 GMT -5
Awesome Jason.........I'll be on the travel very early tomorrow morning....I'm taking my lap-top......so I'll keep a look out for that "excitement" coming from the South Dakota air waves next week........via RTH...lol .............you'll be impressed...!....or should be if the IT Geek gets it right....! Super safe travels starting tomorrow!! I'll update the thread when it arrives!
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pizzano
Cave Dweller
Member since February 2018
Posts: 1,390
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Post by pizzano on Oct 1, 2022 5:58:43 GMT -5
Thought I'd chk in on ya & that new laptop..........Are you happy with it.........Did you get all your data transfers installed......How's Windows 11 treating you.......?......Is it faster than a speeding bullet and able to leap tall buildings in a single bound.........lol.....I'm sure a lot lighter weight than that old win 8 machine. Did you dial-in the scroll-pad to your fingers liking......? One of the reasons I like HP machines, scroll pads and mouse functions are reliable and predictable for a very long time......but you got a Vivo.....oh well..!
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Post by fernwood on Oct 1, 2022 6:37:31 GMT -5
My shoulders are wide and narrow.....better climb on while you can.........I've got a waiting list......lol Everything about Windows has always been android intuitive (or maybe it's the other way around).......what you would have expected from a couple of very highly intelligent, anal & gifted college drop-out garage band types.......lol......The only issues I've ever had with that OS has been it's progressive movement away from the NT format when it needed to become a 64bit speed rated memory monster. That aspect required better (faster) video record/play response and Wi-Fi bridging/buffer speed response, in order to keep up with the population demand and higher end user flexibility...........! I was sent to a Windows IT camp for a week by my employer.......all Windows 98/NT based (ya, that's how far back my skills go).......probably one of the single most important academic, paid to play (learn) ventures I have ever taken in my entire life.....there have been many.....lol.......That foundation with Microsoft has paid dividends over and over through the years......not on my dime, but those who supported me got more than their monies worth from me in return.....lol.....because I bought into this technology with the advent of Atari Pong.......yep, I was (still am) a recreational mainstream gamer.....old habits die hard (or not at all).....lol So, (by the way), I'll be 70yrs old (young) come this December.........If I can still process the Microsoft/Windows nomenclature of today's language and protocol, there's absolutely no reason a (somewhat) fresh, uncomplicated by DOS/TRAN/Kernel pollution, mind like yours, will have no problems.....I'm here as needed for you. And if I can't answer or solve the question.....I have a nerd in my pocket who can......lol You are awesome my friend!! I pulled the trigger on the ASUS Vivobook. It should be here Wednesday or Thursday. Then y'all better watch out!! I'll be able to post twice as many comments 10 times faster! LOL I am late on this topic. I will never buy an ASUS again. Mine started falling apart after less than 6 months. Was not covered under warranty. It had the two separate hinges instead of a bar style hinge. The hinges broke from me adjusting the screen tilt. I only moved it about 4' total, from coffee table to my lap. I hope you have better luck than I did. So far, I am really liking my Lenovo. It is really light. Has lots of RAM and Hard Drive Space. Nice graphics card. It did not come pre-loaded with lots of junk and desktop icons. Has a touch screen, too. There is a multi size SD slot, which is hard to find now days. It was an open box item at Best Buy. Condition was marked fair, due to a missing power cord. Price was $499.00. The power cord was $50.00. They had some of this model available on sale for $725.00. That was out of my budget. Looking forward to seeing how the ASUS works for you.
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Post by jasoninsd on Oct 1, 2022 7:57:07 GMT -5
Thought I'd chk in on ya & that new laptop..........Are you happy with it.........Did you get all your data transfers installed......How's Windows 11 treating you.......?......Is it faster than a speeding bullet and able to leap tall buildings in a single bound.........lol.....I'm sure a lot lighter weight than that old win 8 machine. Did you dial-in the scroll-pad to your fingers liking......? One of the reasons I like HP machines, scroll pads and mouse functions are reliable and predictable for a very long time......but you got a Vivo.....oh well..! I knew you were on vacation...and was going to wait to tag you...but since you asked! LOL Holy smokes...lightning fast!! The very first thing I did after I got through all the updating and setup hoohah was to check the Music Thread on here. My last one struggled to load that page...but this one loaded it in a split second! As far as the data transfer...the only thing I had on that old laptop was some Word and Excel documents that were all easily accessible. I should be able to put them on a thumb drive for transfer. The problem I'm going to have...I have an older version of Office that is on CDs. From what I've read, I should be able to install it on my new one...but I'm going to need to get an external drive to do so. I have some other programs I'd like to install as well. I don't "think" I'm going to use the drive for much more than installing what I can...so I wasn't going to go with the most expensive drive on the market. Windows 11 doesn't seem to much of an issue as far as the learning curve...I know I'll never use it to its fullest potential...so as long as I know the basics I should be fine! LOL So far so good on the touch pad. My old one had "buttons" below the pad...so getting used to the buttons being a part of the touch pad is taking a bit. I love the backlit keyboard. It makes typing late at night a lot easier! LOL - It does have a number pad on the right...which is nice. I missed having that! Any thoughts or concerns you have regarding the external drive?? Also...I leave my laptop on my coffee table next to my recliner. It literally never moves from there. Which means I don't really use it in battery mode. Is there an issue with leaving it constantly plugged in and never using the battery? You are awesome my friend!! I pulled the trigger on the ASUS Vivobook. It should be here Wednesday or Thursday. Then y'all better watch out!! I'll be able to post twice as many comments 10 times faster! LOL I am late on this topic. I will never buy an ASUS again. Mine started falling apart after less than 6 months. Was not covered under warranty. It had the two separate hinges instead of a bar style hinge. The hinges broke from me adjusting the screen tilt. I only moved it about 4' total, from coffee table to my lap. I hope you have better luck than I did. So far, I am really liking my Lenovo. It is really light. Has lots of RAM and Hard Drive Space. Nice graphics card. It did not come pre-loaded with lots of junk and desktop icons. Has a touch screen, too. There is a multi size SD slot, which is hard to find now days. It was an open box item at Best Buy. Condition was marked fair, due to a missing power cord. Price was $499.00. The power cord was $50.00. They had some of this model available on sale for $725.00. That was out of my budget. Looking forward to seeing how the ASUS works for you. Thanks for chiming in Beth. I saw in your other thread where you said you weren't happy with the ASUS. I'm hoping yours was built on a Monday or a Friday...and mine was built on a different day! I think any product that's built on a Monday or a Friday is in for trouble...it means it was built on a day when people hated being back to work...or are just done for the week! LOL Congrats on getting a good price on yours!!
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pizzano
Cave Dweller
Member since February 2018
Posts: 1,390
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Post by pizzano on Oct 2, 2022 12:09:19 GMT -5
Jason........I've been happy with Western Digital products for years. Their Scan Disks and My Passports externals come in many variations, sizes and specific use platforms, start at around $50.00......just make sure it's software can be formatted to mirror your OS to a T, includes a software suite and hardware encryption. Unless you purchase a bridged or multi-formatted unit, loading various other versions other than the OS you're saving now, it will only (user friendly) store and duplicate the latest greatest (like) data you intend to keep ......they will compartmentalize, but that can get tricky. I still use an older 4TB My Passport Ultra.......had to reformat the software to back-up my new HP. Bought another new one just-in case......lol
As for battery use.......depends on the type of battery. Most off the shelf models include such that have a life span of around 2-3yrs if used or not.......remember, your machine may be powered down when not in use, but the battery is running in the background unless removed. So, when you have it plugged into the AC adapter, it's seeking a charge (reducing lifespan). That's one of the reasons you can't run the damn thing without the battery in it and just the AC adapter...........they are made (off the shelf) to be battery operated. Work station models have longer life batteries and handle being plugged in and charging all of the time, much better. Charging your battery reduces it's life just as much as using it unplugged, in some cases even more (like electric cars)........lol....Heat transfer has a lot to do with it.....done getting technical......SO, go ahead and leave it plugged in, it won't be any worse for wear given the type of use intended.
Glad you're satisfied with it........!
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Post by jasoninsd on Oct 2, 2022 16:11:12 GMT -5
Jason........I've been happy with Western Digital products for years. Their Scan Disks and My Passports externals come in many variations, sizes and specific use platforms, start at around $50.00......just make sure it's software can be formatted to mirror your OS to a T, includes a software suite and hardware encryption. Unless you purchase a bridged or multi-formatted unit, loading various other versions other than the OS you're saving now, it will only (user friendly) store and duplicate the latest greatest (like) data you intend to keep ......they will compartmentalize, but that can get tricky. I still use an older 4TB My Passport Ultra.......had to reformat the software to back-up my new HP. Bought another new one just-in case......lol As for battery use.......depends on the type of battery. Most off the shelf models include such that have a life span of around 2-3yrs if used or not.......remember, your machine may be powered down when not in use, but the battery is running in the background unless removed. So, when you have it plugged into the AC adapter, it's seeking a charge (reducing lifespan). That's one of the reasons you can't run the damn thing without the battery in it and just the AC adapter...........they are made (off the shelf) to be battery operated. Work station models have longer life batteries and handle being plugged in and charging all of the time, much better. Charging your battery reduces it's life just as much as using it unplugged, in some cases even more (like electric cars)........lol....Heat transfer has a lot to do with it.....done getting technical......SO, go ahead and leave it plugged in, it won't be any worse for wear given the type of use intended. Glad you're satisfied with it........! I knew there'd be nothing to it! LOL Well...I'm glad to hear the battery won't be an issue because it's plugged in all the time...it's just an issue anyway! LOL
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pizzano
Cave Dweller
Member since February 2018
Posts: 1,390
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Post by pizzano on Oct 2, 2022 17:56:47 GMT -5
That's Good....!...Help's done here...........enjoy....I'm on to more interesting challenges..... jasoninsd has speed now.....lol.......quite a few here at RTH have spent nearly +$600 (more for less)....hoping their machines would be having something to do with it's INTERNET/SIGNAL receiving/delivery speed....Just like your tap water, only as good and pressured as delivered........!....It don't matter what brand you buy today (unless you're a mainframe router/storage distributor).......Gamer's have this dialed-in.......their success & failures rely on SPEED/STORAGE....and micro processing SKILL....lol
Ho Finito.....!
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daniel58
off to a rocking start
Member since June 2022
Posts: 12
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Post by daniel58 on Oct 5, 2022 20:03:25 GMT -5
I'm in need of a new laptop...and I don't have a freakin' clue about what I should be looking for...there's a billion and a half options out there! Do any of you "tech savvy" members have any suggestions on any particular well-performing "budget" laptops?? I cannot say they are budget but I have used Mac since 2009 and have not been disappointed.
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079a7
starting to shine!
I live in Southern California.
Member since September 2022
Posts: 46
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Post by 079a7 on Oct 6, 2022 2:05:37 GMT -5
Also late here, but for the sake of others reading:
For the tasks you listed doing with the laptop, a Chromebook would be a good option to go with. Especially from a security standpoint. However, it's really meant to be hooked up to the internet at all times (hardwired or wifi).
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Post by jasoninsd on Oct 6, 2022 15:40:46 GMT -5
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