topic Re: Looking for laptop experts blessing in Electronics

Looking for laptop experts blessing

Laura14 — Sat, 21 Apr 2018 20:46:18 GMT

My Acer laptop is so old it needs to be replaced. Not much wrong with it except it takes about 2 minutes for it to boot up and you have to keep it plugged in for the battery. It's kind of served it's time and it's too big to lug around but I have zero complaints. It's been phenomenal.

Now, I primarily use an Acer Chromebook which is smaller (11.6") that I love but it doesn't handle Windows and of course storage is non existent on the machine itself.

I was looking for a smaller windows laptop with machine storage since I love to write and want to start getting serious about it without putting it up in the cloud. Came across the Dell Inspiron 11 3168 2 in 1 that I could grab for about $300 at Walmart that has decent reviews and a good processor (pentium quad core) plus 500GB of storage.

I think I know the answer since I would guess just about any laptop would work fine for word processing these days but would this Dell serve my purposes here and then some? I know HP has the Streams out but they also have minimal storage so I'm kind of going old fashion and the Dell seems to have higher end features at a really good price.

Re: Looking for laptop experts blessing

Abrowneyegirl — Sat, 21 Apr 2018 21:31:23 GMT

Thoughts for you - NEVER buy a laptop at Walmart.

I have learned that it is best for tech support and $$ to buy direct from the manufactor.

I recently needed another laptop..........(((groan))))

I signed up for email sales alerts from Dell, HP, etc (of course they always sent me coupon codes) I got a great laptop at a great price.

Re: Looking for laptop experts blessing

mars01 — Sat, 21 Apr 2018 21:35:57 GMT

Just back up your work on a portable hard drive.

Re: Looking for laptop experts blessing

qbetzforreal — Sat, 21 Apr 2018 22:32:20 GMT

@Laura14- Before I purchased my laptop, I researched brands through Consumer Reports. I have a Toshiba which I purchased from Office Depot. Other than maintanence here and there, I've never had a major problem. We have tech support company we use. You have to decided what you're going to use the PC for, gaming? work? etc.

Re: Looking for laptop experts blessing

stevieb — Sat, 21 Apr 2018 22:44:30 GMT

@Laura14... To some extent, it's the luck of the draw but I had a Dell Inspiron and I'll never have another... Personally, I avoid Dell and HP... If you had a good Acer experience, look around, you can probably find another in your price range. When I need a new laptop and the time is coming soon, if I don't go Apple, then it'll probably be Asus or Lenovo...

Re: Looking for laptop experts blessing

Laura14 — Sat, 21 Apr 2018 22:46:48 GMT

@qbetzforreal Primarily word processing.

Re: Looking for laptop experts blessing

Laura14 — Sat, 21 Apr 2018 23:07:52 GMT

@Abrowneyegirl I have toyed with HP's site before but never bought. I'll check it out again.

Re: Looking for laptop experts blessing

Nuttmeg — Sun, 22 Apr 2018 00:06:44 GMT

You should consider cloud storage.

Re: Looking for laptop experts blessing

qbetzforreal — Sun, 22 Apr 2018 02:09:51 GMT

@Laura14 wrote:
@qbetzforrealPrimarily word processing.

Go to Cnet. They rate budget laptops. You don't have to buy directly from the manufacture.

Re: Looking for laptop experts blessing

Laura14 — Sun, 22 Apr 2018 02:55:58 GMT

@Nuttmeg wrote:
You should consider cloud storage.

@Nuttmeg I know I am fighting the wave but I really hate it. I have to do that with the Chromebook and I am finding out I am more of a C drive kind of girl.

Re: Looking for laptop experts blessing

glb613 — Sun, 22 Apr 2018 11:22:58 GMT

@Laura14 wrote:
My Acer laptop is so old it needs to be replaced. Not much wrong with it except it takes about 2 minutes for it to boot up and you have to keep it plugged in for the battery. It's kind of served it's time and it's too big to lug around but I have zero complaints. It's been phenomenal.

Now, I primarily use an Acer Chromebook which is smaller (11.6") that I love but it doesn't handle Windows and of course storage is non existent on the machine itself.

I was looking for a smaller windows laptop with machine storage since I love to write and want to start getting serious about it without putting it up in the cloud. Came across the Dell Inspiron 11 3168 2 in 1 that I could grab for about $300 at Walmart that has decent reviews and a good processor (pentium quad core) plus 500GB of storage.

I think I know the answer since I would guess just about any laptop would work fine for word processing these days but would this Dell serve my purposes here and then some? I know HP has the Streams out but they also have minimal storage so I'm kind of going old fashion and the Dell seems to have higher end features at a really good price.

There is only one good way to compare models when buying a new computer. You need to compare the hardware installed and the price. Warranties and return policies are also important consideration. You have to compare apples to apples when trying to decide what is the best deal.

When shopping for a computer, look at the specs. Most people can use a basic computer or budget computer and it is more than enough. My big requirement when buying a notebook computer is the venting. If it's on the bottom, I won't buy it. Heat build up is one of the major reasons for notebook computers to fail.

I rarely listen to people recommendations unless they use a computer like I do. Having helped a lot of people over the years, I know they often blame the computer or computer company for problems they created. Computers with no maintenance, no security, infections and poor ventilation will cause the computer to perform poorly. Good luck.

Re: Looking for laptop experts blessing

Laura14 — Sun, 22 Apr 2018 13:19:57 GMT

Thank you@glb613! I'll check the vent. It's a great deal based on exactly what you said in terms of hardware comparison so I'm glad I was on the right thinking track.

Re: Looking for laptop experts blessing

gardenman — Sun, 22 Apr 2018 17:03:23 GMT

The big key with a laptop is the feel of the keyboard and trackpad and the quality of the display. On a desktop you can mix and match components to get exactly what you want. With a laptop what you get is what you've got. If the keyboard/trackpad doesn't feel right, you won't like the computer.

Re: Looking for laptop experts blessing

Highlands72 — Mon, 23 Apr 2018 03:52:29 GMT

@gardenman wrote:
The big key with a laptop is the feel of the keyboard and trackpad and the quality of the display. On a desktop you can mix and match components to get exactly what you want. With a laptop what you get is what you've got. If the keyboard/trackpad doesn't feel right, you won't like the computer.

I agree with this. If you are buying a cheap (inexpensive) laptop, as long as it has the specs you need and is comfortable for you to operate, you will be fine with an inexpensive Dell from Walmart.

Not long ago, I needed another laptop ASAP-- that day. I ran over and bought a cheap one at the nearest Walmart. I like it fine for the price and I don't worry as much about it being stolen, since I don't have much invested in it (just under $300).

Now if I wasn't carrying it around with me and I wanted something that I thought I would have for a long time of heavy use, I would have researched more and bought something more substantial, but I already have a better one at home.

Still, it is always best to back up anything you care about to a portable drive.

Re: Looking for laptop experts blessing

stevieb — Mon, 23 Apr 2018 04:21:43 GMT

It goes without saying you'll only get what you want and need, (based on how you use a machine, how often you use it, and how you maintain it), by comparing and contrasting specs and, as already stated, to some extent reliability is the luck of the draw. That said, some brands clearly offer better track records than others for quality components, reliability and longevity.