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Laptop Replacement/Suggestions Thread: Bring out yer dead laptops!

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Posts

  • BigityBigity Lubbock, TXRegistered User regular
    MichaelLC wrote: »
    Bigity wrote: »
    Zython wrote: »
    Mugsley wrote: »
    Thanks to recent advances in power consumption, new laptops actually have very capable graphics chips. The mobile-class chips aren't nearly as powered-down as, say, the 7xx generation chips.

    I haven't looked in a while, but I'd suspect you can get a 960M chip in a sub-$700 laptop now.

    You may also want to check out websites like http://www.notebookcheck.net to get an idea of what's current and/or what's coming.

    Sweet. I would like to buy one in time for PAX, so the "what's coming" isn't very useful to me. I guess it comes down to if I want to get one with a 900 series card or a 1000 series one. It looks like 1050M isn't too much more expensive than 960M. Hmm...

    Dell has some laptops with 1050 Ti available.

    ASUS too. I've been happy with my G752 with a 970M.

    Of course they released the newer ones like a week after I bought mine, but at least they were more expensive so didn't hurt quite as much.

    Are they available yet? I haven't found any of the ASUS ones. Well, not in the sub to 1k range anyway.

  • ZythonZython Registered User regular
    Ended up going to Best Buy and picking up this thing. It mostly seems solid, but I'm a little worried about the processor. Do you think I should return it and pick up something else? Any way I can order one online and get it before PAX South?

    Switch: SW-3245-5421-8042 | 3DS Friend Code: 4854-6465-0299 | PSN: Zaithon
    Steam: pazython
  • MichaelLCMichaelLC In what furnace was thy brain? ChicagoRegistered User regular
    Bigity wrote: »
    MichaelLC wrote: »
    Bigity wrote: »
    Zython wrote: »
    Mugsley wrote: »
    Thanks to recent advances in power consumption, new laptops actually have very capable graphics chips. The mobile-class chips aren't nearly as powered-down as, say, the 7xx generation chips.

    I haven't looked in a while, but I'd suspect you can get a 960M chip in a sub-$700 laptop now.

    You may also want to check out websites like http://www.notebookcheck.net to get an idea of what's current and/or what's coming.

    Sweet. I would like to buy one in time for PAX, so the "what's coming" isn't very useful to me. I guess it comes down to if I want to get one with a 900 series card or a 1000 series one. It looks like 1050M isn't too much more expensive than 960M. Hmm...

    Dell has some laptops with 1050 Ti available.

    ASUS too. I've been happy with my G752 with a 970M.

    Of course they released the newer ones like a week after I bought mine, but at least they were more expensive so didn't hurt quite as much.

    Are they available yet? I haven't found any of the ASUS ones. Well, not in the sub to 1k range anyway.

    Sorry, I was thinking of the monster 1070s for like $2300. They do have a 753VE for $1300 with a 1050Ti.

  • templewulftemplewulf The Team Chump USARegistered User regular
    Zython wrote: »
    Ended up going to Best Buy and picking up this thing. It mostly seems solid, but I'm a little worried about the processor. Do you think I should return it and pick up something else? Any way I can order one online and get it before PAX South?

    What's your specific worry? I haven't heard anything bad about that line, and i7 can handle anything you throw at it. (I usually go i5)

    Twitch.tv/FiercePunchStudios | PSN | Steam | Discord | SFV CFN: templewulf
  • ZythonZython Registered User regular
    templewulf wrote: »
    Zython wrote: »
    Ended up going to Best Buy and picking up this thing. It mostly seems solid, but I'm a little worried about the processor. Do you think I should return it and pick up something else? Any way I can order one online and get it before PAX South?

    What's your specific worry? I haven't heard anything bad about that line, and i7 can handle anything you throw at it. (I usually go i5)

    Well, most of the laptops that have a graphics card worth a damn usually have an i7 (I have an i5 in my desktop, but I built that). My worry is that the processor is a tad older than the 7th generation stuff, and I'm worried it might not last me as long as something else available now at a similar pricepoint.

    Switch: SW-3245-5421-8042 | 3DS Friend Code: 4854-6465-0299 | PSN: Zaithon
    Steam: pazython
  • templewulftemplewulf The Team Chump USARegistered User regular
    Zython wrote: »
    templewulf wrote: »
    Zython wrote: »
    Ended up going to Best Buy and picking up this thing. It mostly seems solid, but I'm a little worried about the processor. Do you think I should return it and pick up something else? Any way I can order one online and get it before PAX South?

    What's your specific worry? I haven't heard anything bad about that line, and i7 can handle anything you throw at it. (I usually go i5)

    Well, most of the laptops that have a graphics card worth a damn usually have an i7 (I have an i5 in my desktop, but I built that). My worry is that the processor is a tad older than the 7th generation stuff, and I'm worried it might not last me as long as something else available now at a similar pricepoint.

    Unless you're doing something incredibly CPU intensive, you'll be fine or a while. I'm using an i5 from a couple of generations ago, and it compiles code just fine. CPU-heavy games also run fine. It could stand to be faster for video encoding, but that taxes even my newer desktop CPU.

    Newer CPUs might be more portable by drawing less power, but that doesn't sound like your primary concern.

    Twitch.tv/FiercePunchStudios | PSN | Steam | Discord | SFV CFN: templewulf
  • LD50LD50 Registered User regular
    The 7 gen was really a pretty big letdown. I would stick with what you've got.

  • ZythonZython Registered User regular
    LD50 wrote: »
    The 7 gen was really a pretty big letdown. I would stick with what you've got.

    Well that makes me feel a lot better. Thanks.

    Switch: SW-3245-5421-8042 | 3DS Friend Code: 4854-6465-0299 | PSN: Zaithon
    Steam: pazython
  • SeñorAmorSeñorAmor !!! Registered User regular
    Is a Surface Pro 4 with 4GB RAM sufficient for watching Netflix/Hulu? I'm concerned it may stutter with only 4GB.

    Best Buy has one on sale for $799. Was thinking of picking one up.

  • templewulftemplewulf The Team Chump USARegistered User regular
    SeñorAmor wrote: »
    Is a Surface Pro 4 with 4GB RAM sufficient for watching Netflix/Hulu? I'm concerned it may stutter with only 4GB.

    Best Buy has one on sale for $799. Was thinking of picking one up.

    I haven't tried that machine specifically, but I imagine it should be fine. I watched plenty of Netflix (at 720p) on a laptop with less than 4GB.

    Twitch.tv/FiercePunchStudios | PSN | Steam | Discord | SFV CFN: templewulf
  • KiplingKipling Registered User regular
    SeñorAmor wrote: »
    Is a Surface Pro 4 with 4GB RAM sufficient for watching Netflix/Hulu? I'm concerned it may stutter with only 4GB.

    Best Buy has one on sale for $799. Was thinking of picking one up.

    Microsoft store throws in a free type cover, but it is an NFL type cover, for the i5 Pro at 799.

    3DS Friends: 1693-1781-7023
  • SniperGuySniperGuy SniperGuyGaming Registered User regular
    I'm looking into getting a Surface Pro 4 as well. The i5 128 gig with 4gb of ram dropped to 799 but then seemed to go out of stock on amazon and I think best buy raised it back up to 1000.

    The 256gb with 8gb of Ram dropped down to 1000 from 1200 though, so when my tax refund arrives I think I'm gonna pounce on that.

    But for warranty, anyone have any recommendations? I could go through Best Buy but theirs seemed expensive compared to the Asurion thing amazon seems to use, but I've never heard of Asurion.

    Also, screen protector something I'm probably going to want? Some sort of cloth zip up case to keep it in maybe? Any other accessory needs?

  • KiplingKipling Registered User regular
    I bought the one from Microsoft for the free cover. The fact that I have an NFL logo on it is fine because when it is closed it will be in my bag. I didn't look at the extended warranty options for it but I think there was one.

    3DS Friends: 1693-1781-7023
  • SynthesisSynthesis Honda Today! Registered User regular
    SniperGuy wrote: »
    I'm looking into getting a Surface Pro 4 as well. The i5 128 gig with 4gb of ram dropped to 799 but then seemed to go out of stock on amazon and I think best buy raised it back up to 1000.

    The 256gb with 8gb of Ram dropped down to 1000 from 1200 though, so when my tax refund arrives I think I'm gonna pounce on that.

    But for warranty, anyone have any recommendations? I could go through Best Buy but theirs seemed expensive compared to the Asurion thing amazon seems to use, but I've never heard of Asurion.

    Also, screen protector something I'm probably going to want? Some sort of cloth zip up case to keep it in maybe? Any other accessory needs?

    I'd say get a good sleeve from Belkin or any similar company--I don't use a screen protector myself, but I guess I could be treating my SP3 rougher.

  • CSStheGr8CSStheGr8 Registered User regular
    A bit unsure if this is the general laptop thread but I'll try posting here first. My mom is in need of a new laptop and I really haven't kept up with which companies make good ones these days. She really just needs it for Microsoft Office stuff so doesn't need to be too beefy in terms of power. Only real requirements being that it uses Windows for an OS and has a full size keyboard. I've never met an HP product that I've liked so would be inherently against them, but any other suggestions would be appreciated.

    3DS FC: 2363-6921-5075
  • MugsleyMugsley DelawareRegistered User regular
    In general: Asus, Dell (say what you want, but their hardware is still pretty good), Lenovo (I recommend them with reservations; I'm still wary after the spyware thing a few years ago). I am not an Acer fan. I feel their build quality for laptops is not great.

    Also, a Microsoft Surface may be good for her usage profile. It's at least worth looking into.

  • HandgimpHandgimp R+L=J Family PhotoRegistered User regular
    I thought Lenovo got caught with spyware AGAIN?

    PwH4Ipj.jpg
  • LD50LD50 Registered User regular
    Yeah, I'd still recommend against Lenovo. Asus or Dell 100%. Surface Pro only if that's the profile you're shooting for (it's a great machine, but you're spending $texas on a machine that would cost you $500 in standard laptop form factor).

    Right now, if you are looking for a gaming-capable laptop, Dell has a very good looking line linked earlier in this thread that has Nvidia 1000 series cards.

    If you are looking for a basics-only machine both Dell and Asus usually have good machines in low price ranges. I'd read reviews of what's new from both companies.

  • jgeisjgeis Registered User regular
    edited March 2017
    A lot of people ask about cheap Windows laptops for family members/for travel and Anandtech just threw up a review of the Chuwi LapBook 14.1" and it seems like a really promising candidate in that class. Pros include it being equipped with a 1080p IPS display, quad-core Apollo Trail CPU, 64GB eMMC + an open M.2 slot and 4GB RAM, AC (1x1) WiFi, and an ~$250 price point. Keyboard seems decent too, but isn't backlit. Apollo Trail means it doesn't need a fan, so there's no moving parts to worry about either.

    Cons are that it has a relatively dim backlight, a kind of sucky trackpad, simply OK battery life, and it's a Chinese manufacturer with virtually no US presence so warranty issues might be a thing. Apparently people can't get Windows to install on M.2 drives they install, but they've had success with installing Linux there.

    I'm really considering one right now, since a recent cat-related incident has left our household laptopless. If I do, I'll definitely provide feedback here.

    jgeis on
  • DrovekDrovek Registered User regular
    Bought an ASUS ROG 502VS (15.6in QuadHD GSync, 16GB of RAM, i7 6700HQ, GTX1070 and NVMe 256GB SSD drive, but it has an empty 2.5in drive bay that I plan to fill soon. Plus that ASUS packin mouse and headset.) Got an awesome deal on this one (around $1350 usd, give or take.) Still feeling kinda guilty because I've never ever spent this amount of money for my gaming needs :P

    I'm still setting up Windows to my liking while some games download in the background, so I'll be giving it a go soon.

    steam_sig.png( < . . .
  • The Escape GoatThe Escape Goat incorrigible ruminant they/themRegistered User regular
    Ugh, decisions. So I'm looking to upgrade from my recently-deceased Thinkpad T430s that I got from my uni over 4 years ago, which has served admirably as a first gaming machine (up to and including running Overwatch well, albeit with it looking like Minecraft. It did chug trying to run Skyrim which got annoying), and I really have no idea what level of performance I should be looking for and how all the crazy numbers listed by them translate. A quick look seems to show modern ASUS rigs run from $1000-1500? Are those like, midrange machines or higher-end ones? I'm not particularly worried about the price, but I'll feel kind of dumb if I pay an extra $500 for power that I can barely notice the effect of.

    9uiytxaqj2j0.jpg
  • DrovekDrovek Registered User regular
    Ugh, decisions. So I'm looking to upgrade from my recently-deceased Thinkpad T430s that I got from my uni over 4 years ago, which has served admirably as a first gaming machine (up to and including running Overwatch well, albeit with it looking like Minecraft. It did chug trying to run Skyrim which got annoying), and I really have no idea what level of performance I should be looking for and how all the crazy numbers listed by them translate. A quick look seems to show modern ASUS rigs run from $1000-1500? Are those like, midrange machines or higher-end ones? I'm not particularly worried about the price, but I'll feel kind of dumb if I pay an extra $500 for power that I can barely notice the effect of.

    Start by setting a goal as far as what you want to achieve: Run shit in ultra settings with unnameable hair anti-aliasing settings in 4K? Play some games at high framerates (maybe even 60fps) in 1080p? Get something that can VR? Is this your main gaming computer or will it be a portable "It's OK if it runs some things" gaming thing?

    And that's just the gaming end of the spectrum, I don't know what other things you might want to do with this machine.

    Before I went for the GL502VS, I was dead set on a machine with a GTX1060 that would run most things in high at 1080p, because my 27in monitor is only 1080p. Going for a GTX1070 was a bit overkill in my mind... until it was kinda cheap to go for one. :P

    steam_sig.png( < . . .
  • The Escape GoatThe Escape Goat incorrigible ruminant they/themRegistered User regular
    edited March 2017
    Drovek wrote: »
    Ugh, decisions. So I'm looking to upgrade from my recently-deceased Thinkpad T430s that I got from my uni over 4 years ago, which has served admirably as a first gaming machine (up to and including running Overwatch well, albeit with it looking like Minecraft. It did chug trying to run Skyrim which got annoying), and I really have no idea what level of performance I should be looking for and how all the crazy numbers listed by them translate. A quick look seems to show modern ASUS rigs run from $1000-1500? Are those like, midrange machines or higher-end ones? I'm not particularly worried about the price, but I'll feel kind of dumb if I pay an extra $500 for power that I can barely notice the effect of.

    Start by setting a goal as far as what you want to achieve: Run shit in ultra settings with unnameable hair anti-aliasing settings in 4K? Play some games at high framerates (maybe even 60fps) in 1080p? Get something that can VR? Is this your main gaming computer or will it be a portable "It's OK if it runs some things" gaming thing?

    And that's just the gaming end of the spectrum, I don't know what other things you might want to do with this machine.

    Before I went for the GL502VS, I was dead set on a machine with a GTX1060 that would run most things in high at 1080p, because my 27in monitor is only 1080p. Going for a GTX1070 was a bit overkill in my mind... until it was kinda cheap to go for one. :P

    It would be a rig that's pretty much just for gaming and would only need to be portable in the sense that it fits in my backpack (which has a laptop pocket). The 60fps/1080p benchmark sounds reasonable; I don't need ultra graphics but would like to play games on high. What sort of hardware would that require?

    The Escape Goat on
    9uiytxaqj2j0.jpg
  • MugsleyMugsley DelawareRegistered User regular
    You could probably make it work with a 1060 and a i5 processor. Post options here and we can give recommendations.

  • AngelHedgieAngelHedgie Registered User regular
    Mugsley wrote: »
    You could probably make it work with a 1060 and a i5 processor. Post options here and we can give recommendations.

    Newegg has this deal running today, as a mobile exclusive.

    XBL: Nox Aeternum / PSN: NoxAeternum / NN:NoxAeternum / Steam: noxaeternum
  • The Escape GoatThe Escape Goat incorrigible ruminant they/themRegistered User regular
    Mugsley wrote: »
    You could probably make it work with a 1060 and a i5 processor. Post options here and we can give recommendations.

    Newegg has this deal running today, as a mobile exclusive.

    Hmm... might actually just grab this one, the other comparable ones I can see listed on newegg all lack a SSD, which seems... silly?

    9uiytxaqj2j0.jpg
  • AngelHedgieAngelHedgie Registered User regular
    Mugsley wrote: »
    You could probably make it work with a 1060 and a i5 processor. Post options here and we can give recommendations.

    Newegg has this deal running today, as a mobile exclusive.

    Hmm... might actually just grab this one, the other comparable ones I can see listed on newegg all lack a SSD, which seems... silly?

    Beyond silly. Any gaming machine today should be sporting an SSD as the primary drive.

    XBL: Nox Aeternum / PSN: NoxAeternum / NN:NoxAeternum / Steam: noxaeternum
  • MugsleyMugsley DelawareRegistered User regular
    Also, I consider laptops the primary beneficiary of SSDs. The fewer moving parts you can jam into a portable platform, the fewer failure points you have.

  • Donovan PuppyfuckerDonovan Puppyfucker A dagger in the dark is worth a thousand swords in the morningRegistered User regular
    Mugsley wrote: »
    Also, I consider laptops the primary beneficiary of SSDs. The fewer moving parts you can jam into a portable platform, the fewer failure points you have.

    Lower vibration levels, lower temperatures, more compact... SSDs are the best possible upgrade for a laptop, buying one that lacks an SSD is a grave mistake.

  • LD50LD50 Registered User regular
    And when manufacturers get with it: size. M2/nvme drives are tinsy and don't protrude at all because their socket is really similar to laptop ram sockets. They also have the benefit of being bolted down so they aren't likely to become detached for any reason, unlike the hard drives in some of the HP laptops I've worked on in the past.

  • The Escape GoatThe Escape Goat incorrigible ruminant they/themRegistered User regular
    Huh. The laptop came with a free code for one of For Honor or Ghost Recon.

    But that giveaway is supposed to be for 1070 or 1080 cards, this has a 1060.

    Weird.

    (also holy shit this thing is amazing overwatch looks beautiful and I can actually use hitscan characters because there's way less input lag!)

    9uiytxaqj2j0.jpg
  • DrovekDrovek Registered User regular
    Huh. The laptop came with a free code for one of For Honor or Ghost Recon.

    But that giveaway is supposed to be for 1070 or 1080 cards, this has a 1060.

    Weird.

    (also holy shit this thing is amazing overwatch looks beautiful and I can actually use hitscan characters because there's way less input lag!)

    I know, right? I also got a bit better in R6: Siege because my framerate wasn't jumping all over the place. That and simracing were much enhanced by the extra performance compared to my aging laptop.

    steam_sig.png( < . . .
  • DarkMechaDarkMecha The Outer SpaceRegistered User regular
    I recently got an MSI GE72VR 7FR laptop and I love the thing. However I am concerned about the screen / hinge design abit. It's the type where there are hinges at both sides of the screen connecting it to the bottom and there is a gap that runs through the center. That part has alot of flex to it, even with the lid closed, and I worry about it being damaged over time. Is this something I should worry about?

    Steam Profile | My Art | NID: DarkMecha (SW-4787-9571-8977) | PSN: DarkMecha
  • MugsleyMugsley DelawareRegistered User regular
    1) There isn't a whole lot you can do to fix it; a la adding another hinge/support in the middle (note: most laptop screens have these types of hinges)
    2) If you're careful about it, you shouldn't have a problem.
    3) Theoretically, the hinges are strong enough and the laptop is designed for a certain level of abuse, that you're fine for regular use

  • DarkMechaDarkMecha The Outer SpaceRegistered User regular
    edited April 2017
    @Mugsley Ah that's reassuring, thanks. I am gentle with my electronics so it should be fine. My previous laptop was an Alienware M14x R2 with a super sturdy center hinge so I was taken off guard when I saw this one flex like that.

    DarkMecha on
    Steam Profile | My Art | NID: DarkMecha (SW-4787-9571-8977) | PSN: DarkMecha
  • MugsleyMugsley DelawareRegistered User regular
    For whatever it's worth, my Lenovo personal laptop (15") and my work HP laptop (13") both use two hinges. I haven't used a 17" laptop for experience with how they are put together.

  • DarkMechaDarkMecha The Outer SpaceRegistered User regular
    edited April 2017
    I didn't even think about it until I picked it up last night to put it in my bag and noticed it flex a bit under my fingers when I grabbed it by the back center. I think I'll handle it from the front or sides just to be safe.

    *Update - After looking at it again in better light, I realized that the screen isn't really flexing but that the bottom of the screen casing isn't fully glued together. I'm a little mad that got through QA on a 1300$ laptop, but given it's location I don't think it will cause any actual problems.

    DarkMecha on
    Steam Profile | My Art | NID: DarkMecha (SW-4787-9571-8977) | PSN: DarkMecha
  • breton-brawlerbreton-brawler Registered User regular
    DarkMecha wrote: »
    I didn't even think about it until I picked it up last night to put it in my bag and noticed it flex a bit under my fingers when I grabbed it by the back center. I think I'll handle it from the front or sides just to be safe.

    *Update - After looking at it again in better light, I realized that the screen isn't really flexing but that the bottom of the screen casing isn't fully glued together. I'm a little mad that got through QA on a 1300$ laptop, but given it's location I don't think it will cause any actual problems.


    For what its worth I got a msi Gt72 with a similar design and I've dragged ti around with me all over the place for over a year, and Haven't had any issues.

  • QuantumTurkQuantumTurk Registered User regular
    So dad's old Vista machine is finnally killing him with everything dropping vista support. All he needs is an email/solitaire/majong/browsing machine, so I figure chrome books are the way to go. (He'd much rather have a laptop than a desktop) A big screen is a big plus as aging vision is a thing. These appear ok to me, but I've never really handled a chrome book so figured I'd ask here if anyone has any experience/ how important is moar ram etc?
    https://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16834264318&nm_mc=AFC-C8Junction-CS&cm_mmc=AFC-C8Junction-CS-_-Chromebooks-_-Hewlett-Packard-_-34264318&cm_sp=&AID=11886886&PID=6361382&SID=trd-839255426

    Also I know an SSD would be better reliability and storage wise, but the truth is he stores so little on it anyway it may not be a big issue.

  • a5ehrena5ehren AtlantaRegistered User regular
    If you can find an Acer Chromebook 15, it would probably be a better option. But they're not super common for whatever reason.

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