topic Re: Help with buying a computer in Electronics

Help with buying a computer

heyslick57 — Mon, 20 Nov 2017 19:48:20 GMT

This is what i am thinking about 2

HP 15" Touch Laptop Core i5 8GB RAM 2TB HD w/ Backlit Keys & Tech Support. What kind of luck do people have with HP through QVC.

Re: Help with buying a computer

2blonde — Mon, 20 Nov 2017 20:05:03 GMT

All I know is people here often complain about waiting a long time for it to arrive. I ordered my new HP from HSN and it literally was delivered in 2 days.

Re: Help with buying a computer

chickenbutt — Mon, 20 Nov 2017 20:18:52 GMT

I wouldn't order a computer from a tv shopping network, but that's just me. You get more for your money in a number of other places. The shopping networks will bulk it up with unnecessary garbage and 'give' you stuff that's just no gift. Most of it is either stuff you won't use, stuff that's free anyway, or stuff that they say is free but it's not true - you get a 'free trial' for which you are paying but can get anywhere.

If the issue is ezpay (I hear that a lot here), that's no reason either. Every manufacturer from which I've ordered computers directly offered 6 months or more, interest-free, payments.

Also, for a processor, the i5 is ok but I'd go for an i7 if possible. There is quite a bit of difference in speed. But, in a clinch (like if it's about the cost and you cannot wait to afford more) an i5 is good.

Re: Help with buying a computer

kcladyz — Mon, 20 Nov 2017 23:08:28 GMT

every pc was a dud here. go to a professional electronics store like best buy

Re: Help with buying a computer

LoveMyBaby — Tue, 21 Nov 2017 01:05:24 GMT

Good advice here, and I agree if at all possible, go talk to the tech's at a BestBuy, or similar type store. And 'try it on for size' so to speak. Could you even get away with just investing in an Apple iPad for instance? Or do you need to perform word or excel documents, etc? If it's just to cruise the internet, answer emails, shop, Facebook, check out an Apple iPads. They sell them here too on easy pay too! Good luck.🍀👍🏼 do your foot research, as it's a larger money purchase and you want to be completely informed and satisfied.

Re: Help with buying a computer

glb613 — Tue, 21 Nov 2017 11:28:43 GMT

@heyslick57 wrote:
This is what i am thinking about 2
HP 15" Touch Laptop Core i5 8GB RAM 2TB HD w/ Backlit Keys & Tech Support. What kind of luck do people have with HP through QVC.

The ONLY way to compare and find the best deal is to look at the exact same computer at different retailers. The computer you listed is good depending on the price. Go to HP, Best Buy, Sam's Club, Cosco and Walmart's websites and compare the prices. It has to have the same hardware or you really aren't comparing. And also look at the shipping charges. If it turns out the price at QVC is the best, go for it.

I have an i7 processor in my Macbook and it runs hot when I do anything other than basic computing. Another tip, always look for the vents. If they are located on the bottom, walk away. Heat build up is a real problem especially notebook computers. It can cause premature failure. Good luck.

Re: Help with buying a computer

gardenman — Tue, 21 Nov 2017 11:40:33 GMT

@LoveMyBaby wrote:
Good advice here, and I agree if at all possible, go talk to the tech's at a BestBuy, or similar type store. And 'try it on for size' so to speak. Could you even get away with just investing in an Apple iPad for instance? Or do you need to perform word or excel documents, etc? If it's just to cruise the internet, answer emails, shop, Facebook, check out an Apple iPads. They sell them here too on easy pay too! Good luck.🍀👍🏼 do your foot research, as it's a larger money purchase and you want to be completely informed and satisfied.

If those are the only tasks you're looking to do, you can get by with a Chromebook for a portable, Chromebox, or Chromebit for a desktop replacement, or a lower priced tablet like the Kindle Fires.

As to going to a Best Buy or similar store, you have to understand that their sales people don't necessarily guide you to the right computer for you, but rather the one that makes the most profit for the store/chain. They also tend to push whatever they have the most of in stock. Stores like that are great for getting a feel for the keyboard and mousepad, to see if they're comfortable for you, but other than that, they're limited in their usefulness. Even the displays can be tweaked, so what you see isn't always what you get.

Step one in buying a computer is to figure out what you need it for. How do you use the computer? Once you know that, you can narrow things down from there. Will a tablet or Chrome computer be adequate, or do you need a "real" computer? Then hit the big retail sites and read the consumer reviews. Try to find sites with lots of reviews. Something's that been reviewed 200 times and has 190 five star ratings is likely a very good option. A computer with one, two or three reviews is a lot iffier, regardless of whether the reviews are good or bad.

You can pretty easily spend $3,000+ on higher end gaming laptop/desktop that has very impressive performance, but if all you use the computer for is simple web-browsing/social media an $85 Chromebit might be all you really need.

And don't get too hung up on performance stats unless you're doing high-end gaming or video editing. My $75 AMD FX 6300 CPU looks sad in benchmark tests against the best Intel CPU's, but in the real world (which oddly enough is where I live) it 's blindingly fast and has never made me wait for even a second on any task I've put before it. It's got six cores all running at 3.5 ghz and will be more than adequate for the next five to ten years. I could spend $2,000 to get a CPU that blows it away in the benchmark tests, but it wouldn't be noticeably faster in the real world.

If you want a bragging rights computer, then by all means buy the fastest, most powerful, best of everything. If you just want a good, functional computer, you can spend a whole lot less and get perfectly adequate performance. You just have to pick what's best for you and only you know how you use a computer.

Re: Help with buying a computer

heyslick57 — Tue, 21 Nov 2017 19:57:21 GMT

Well i did check all the stores, and this price can't be beat. The touch screen, and the backlit key board is what i had to have. I just do general surfing, but wanted a full laptop, as i have over 8 other devices i could use, but the laptop is better for using a sd card. I figure if anything is going to go wrong with it, i have untill Jan 31,2018 .

I know i would stay away from a Lenveno. I bought one at Best Buy, and 4 years later it broke, and not the hard drive, the whole computer, the lid just poped , and crack the screen was gone as well. So you can get bad computers anywhere.

Re: Help with buying a computer

heyslick57 — Tue, 21 Nov 2017 20:16:36 GMT

Well i got nervous, as i was buying 2 laptops, so i cancled my order.

Re: Help with buying a computer

glb613 — Tue, 21 Nov 2017 22:54:46 GMT

@heyslick57 wrote:
Well i did check all the stores, and this price can't be beat. The touch screen, and the backlit key board is what i had to have. I just do general surfing, but wanted a full laptop, as i have over 8 other devices i could use, but the laptop is better for using a sd card. I figure if anything is going to go wrong with it, i have untill Jan 31,2018 .

I know i would stay away from a Lenveno. I bought one at Best Buy, and 4 years later it broke, and not the hard drive, the whole computer, the lid just poped , and crack the screen was gone as well. So you can get bad computers anywhere.

Four years is a long time to have a computer. I wouldn't call that a lemon or bad computer.

Re: Help with buying a computer

Cats3000 — Thu, 23 Nov 2017 14:41:03 GMT

I would NEVER purchase a computer from ANY TV shopping channel. They throw in a lot of stuff in "bundles" that you'll rarely, if ever, need or use including a variety of nonsense software titles. Sometimes what they're selling are old models.

For whatever brand of computer you want, go to the manufacturers' websites or to Best Buy or, if you want Mac computers, an Apple Retail Store or Authorized Reseller, and see what's available that meets your needs. The Apple Retail Stores have very helpful sales people; we've used them and have had great experiences. You'll be sure that you're getting the latest model. If you want extended service of some kind, they manufacturers used to offer factory-backed plans. As for software, buy only what you anticipate you'll really need and use.

Re: Help with buying a computer

MKR14 — Thu, 23 Nov 2017 16:32:58 GMT

I preordered the HP 17"Laptop in Rose Gold and no Office. I have no problems ordering from QVC or HSN or Walmart. If there is a problem it is processed back to my account quickly with no restocking fee-that can take 15-20 % off the refund price. That is better in my pocket than theirs. It is worth that alone and it is a good deal.

My Toshiba laptop from Walmart is still working after 5 years but I need to do a factory reset. I want to upgrade to a new Windows 10 computer. I bought the Factory Reset CDS from Toshiba when I purchased it. When I reset it I will give to a friend of mine in need of a computer as it is a great computer.

I will be satisfied with Sunday's HP computer I love the backlit keyboard and 2TB hard drive. I have an A8 AMD processor now and the i5 Intel will be much faster. This has a seventh gen processor and mine does not. I was satisfied with the i3 previous HP TSV in August but I didn't like the gold color. I couldn't exchange it for what the color I wanted to replace it with as it was sold out. I decided to see what the Black Friday would be. I have been on the HP site and this is a good deal as what I built on their was much more money for all the few. Just my opinion. Just get the computer you will love and be happy with.

Re: Help with buying a computer

stevieb — Thu, 23 Nov 2017 16:40:45 GMT

@heyslick57 wrote:
Well i did check all the stores, and this price can't be beat. The touch screen, and the backlit key board is what i had to have. I just do general surfing, but wanted a full laptop, as i have over 8 other devices i could use, but the laptop is better for using a sd card. I figure if anything is going to go wrong with it, i have untill Jan 31,2018 .

I know i would stay away from a Lenveno. I bought one at Best Buy, and 4 years later it broke, and not the hard drive, the whole computer, the lid just poped , and crack the screen was gone as well. So you can get bad computers anywhere.

Different strokes... and experiences... I'd prefer Lenovo to anything HP offers by a large margin...

Re: Help with buying a computer

stevieb — Fri, 24 Nov 2017 01:20:36 GMT

I had a reasonably good experience at Best Buy. The guy did not try to steer my choice, though he did advise me of store specials and so on. He answered all my questions and took the time I needed to make a selection. I got the sense that he thought a machine other than the one I ended up buying would have been a better choice for me, but in no way did he try to 'convince' me once I'd made up my mind. In fact, if he felt strongly about it, I might have appreciated it had he pushed just a little more. I'm satisfied with my choice, but might have been even more satisfied with his...

Re: Help with buying a computer

TX-starlight — Fri, 24 Nov 2017 01:05:04 GMT

Glad I found this thread. I'm going to be in the market for something soon. I am not too tech savy, have had my emachine (desktop) for almost 9yrs. I think it's on it's last leg. I stay on my computer a LOT, & don't think I want a laptop. So convince me what I should get & why. I don't use for anything important, just general "playing" Face booking, Pinterest, & general online shopping.

Re: Help with buying a computer

janz — Fri, 24 Nov 2017 01:19:25 GMT

@heyslick57

@heyslick57 wrote:
This is what i am thinking about 2
HP 15" Touch Laptop Core i5 8GB RAM 2TB HD w/ Backlit Keys & Tech Support. What kind of luck do people have with HP through QVC.

Friend got one last time through QVC and loves it...works great. Sister got 3 not too long ago for gifts to her 2 kids and herself and they have not had any problems. You can get a bad one anywhere and I think QVC gives lifetime support which I don't think is available anywhere else. You have until the end of January 2018 so nothing to lose.

I personally would not go to Best Buy as you only have limited time to return and they tend to guide you into older stock to get rid of it. I purchased a laptop about 2 years ago and found out (too late) they had sold me previous years' model for higher price than the newer model. Will never buy from them again!

Re: Help with buying a computer

janz — Fri, 24 Nov 2017 15:07:07 GMT

@heyslick57

@TX-starlight

@heyslick57 wrote:
This is what i am thinking about 2
HP 15" Touch Laptop Core i5 8GB RAM 2TB HD w/ Backlit Keys & Tech Support. What kind of luck do people have with HP through QVC.

Friend bought the HP last time it was offered and she is very happy with it. Only thing she is wondering is should she haven't gotten the 15" instead of the 17" as she was used to the 15" screen. My sister bought 3 HP laptops last Christmas as gifts, 2 for her kids and 1 for herself and is very happy with them. I have a cousin who only buys HP. You have until the end of January 2018 to try them so nothing to lose.

I would NOT go to Best Buy as they tend to guide you into older models to get rid of them or try to get you to buy the most expensive ones. I told the rep I wanted a laptop, did not play video games or download movies and songs. Without being too tech savy I later found out he sold me the previous years' model which was a higher price than the newer model. Was too late to return it. Also, I had no idea the one he recommended was actually a game machine because it has a video card in it, making it more expensive. Unfortunately I had believed him when he recommeded the laptop according to what I told him I wanted. Will NEVER buy from Best Buy again.

Re: Help with buying a computer

glb613 — Fri, 24 Nov 2017 09:54:03 GMT

@TX-starlight wrote:
Glad I found this thread. I'm going to be in the market for something soon. I am not too tech savy, have had my emachine (desktop) for almost 9yrs. I think it's on it's last leg. I stay on my computer a LOT, & don't think I want a laptop. So convince me what I should get & why. I don't use for anything important, just general "playing" Face booking, Pinterest, & general online shopping.

I use my desktop 90% of the time. I like having a bigger screen. If you do buy a desktop computer, look for an all-in-one. It takes up less space and are reasonably priced. There is an awsome machine on sale at HP's website for $300 off. It's for today only so take a look.

Re: Help with buying a computer

gardenman — Fri, 24 Nov 2017 12:09:58 GMT

@TX-starlight wrote:
Glad I found this thread. I'm going to be in the market for something soon. I am not too tech savy, have had my emachine (desktop) for almost 9yrs. I think it's on it's last leg. I stay on my computer a LOT, & don't think I want a laptop. So convince me what I should get & why. I don't use for anything important, just general "playing" Face booking, Pinterest, & general online shopping.

The good news is for those tasks, any computer will do fine. On the lowest of the low-end you'd be looking at a Chromebit Stick computer for $85. (You'd also want a Bluetooth keyboard/trackpad for another $20 or so.) This is literally a computer on a stick and simply plugs into the HDMI port on a computer monitor or HDTV. You plug it into the HDMI port, plug in the power, and you've got a computer that's insanely portable and very good for those uses. It's also blindingly fast, safe, and seemingly reliable (though it's a tad new, so you can't say a lot about the long term reliability.) It'll blow away the speed and power of your nine year old eMachine.

For those limited uses, I wouldn't look at anything over $500. Sites like Newegg sell roughly a gazillion refurbished desktop computers, most of which come with Windows 7 or Windows 10 installed if you need Microsoft software and have a limited budget they're a great option. Many of those come with a full one year warranty. Many businesses rent computers these days rather than buy them and when the lease is done, those computers hit the used PC market. For under $100 you can get a decent quality used desktop.

Re: Help with buying a computer

151949 — Fri, 24 Nov 2017 14:09:51 GMT

@TX-starlight wrote:
Glad I found this thread. I'm going to be in the market for something soon. I am not too tech savy, have had my emachine (desktop) for almost 9yrs. I think it's on it's last leg. I stay on my computer a LOT, & don't think I want a laptop. So convince me what I should get & why. I don't use for anything important, just general "playing" Face booking, Pinterest, & general online shopping.

My use is pretty much the same as yours and I am very content with my Dell Chromebook.Much less expensive than a windows computer, but not a small tablet. It is 13" , lightweight,mine has added features of being water resistant (in case you spill on it) and has rubber border around the case to make it a bit more able to take being bumped or dropped.It is clearly made to be used by a kid but I like these features about it. I bought direct from Dell , saved money doing that and was able to customize what I wanted on it. Not the perfect computer for everyone but definately the perfect choice for me.