Help Mr SK choose a new Laptop?

(self-titled) semi-posting lurker
Minor Deity

posted

We'll look at Lenovo too, thanks Mik and Lisa.

Ax, I'm starting this the specs to look for are i7 processor, 32g ram, and 1T SSD ... wonder how expensive that is, years ago SS was super expensive, hope it's less now as it's become more common....

Thanks for those links, WTG, I'll keep Costco in mind as well.

I've never heard of MSI before. Hmm

--------------------------------
My piano recordings at Box.Net: https://app.box.com/s/j4rgyhn72uvluemg1m6u

Posts: 18524 | Location: not in Japan any more | Registered: 20 April 2005

Ignored post by ShiroKuro posted

Steve Miller

Has Achieved Nirvana

posted

Looking at the Costco list I see that going from 16GB to 32GB adds about $100 to the price.

This seems like a bargain to me. I have never had a laptop break, but I have retired several that couldn’t keep up with the demands placed on them by newer programs. 32GB ram will add a bit of future-proofing.

--------------------------------
Life is short. Play with your dog.

Posts: 34971 | Location: Hooterville, OH | Registered: 23 April 2005

Ignored post by Steve Miller posted

piqué

czarina
Has Achieved Nirvana
Picture of piqué

posted

I stick with ThinkPads because I need the best keyboard available. The ThinkPad line has everything from convertibles to business machines to creatives options.

I would caution you that the newer intel graphics chips cause terrible eye strain and headaches for *some* people. I tried out 3 of them and had to send them back for this reason. Even hooking up to an external monitor doesn't fix the problem, as it isn't a screen issue, but a chip issue.

So he should definitely get a machine that allows a full refund and pre-paid shipping both ways.

Lenovo, which makes ThinkPad, was having a big spring sale recently. They do free shipping and free returns when you buy from them directly.

--------------------------------
fear is the thief of dreams

Posts: 21351 | Registered: 18 May 2005

Ignored post by piqué posted

(self-titled) semi-posting lurker
Minor Deity

posted

quote:
Looking at the Costco list I see that going from 16GB to 32GB adds about $100 to the price.

This seems like a bargain to me.

Me too! Now I need to look at what the 1T HDs cost, a lot of models I've seen are 512GB.

piqué, that's good advice, thanks!

Re the keyboards, I am pretty sure he uses his external keyboard most of the time, but a reasonable keyboard and trackpad is important for when we travel (assuming we ever do again... :/

--------------------------------
My piano recordings at Box.Net: https://app.box.com/s/j4rgyhn72uvluemg1m6u

Posts: 18524 | Location: not in Japan any more | Registered: 20 April 2005

Ignored post by ShiroKuro posted

(self-titled) semi-posting lurker
Minor Deity

posted

Mr. SK found this Toshiba w/ 1T SSD, i7, 32GB of RAM. Has anyone ever bought a laptop from Amazon?

If you buy from Amazon and upgrade (e.g., change from 16 to 32 GB), they give you this message:

quote:
This laptop is upgraded from a brand new base model. The manufacturer box is opened and resealed to install the parts to achieve the specifications as advertised. Three-year warranty for upgraded RAM / SSD from Issaquah Highlands Tech. One-year original warranty for the remaining components from Toshiba Dynabook. 32GB DDR4 RAM, 1TB M.2 PCIe SSD

--------------------------------
My piano recordings at Box.Net: https://app.box.com/s/j4rgyhn72uvluemg1m6u

Posts: 18524 | Location: not in Japan any more | Registered: 20 April 2005

Ignored post by ShiroKuro posted

(self-titled) semi-posting lurker
Minor Deity

posted

Also, I thought W11 was out, but this laptop has W10, should we be concerned about that at all?

--------------------------------
My piano recordings at Box.Net: https://app.box.com/s/j4rgyhn72uvluemg1m6u

Posts: 18524 | Location: not in Japan any more | Registered: 20 April 2005

Ignored post by ShiroKuro posted

markj

Shut up and play your guitar!
Minor Deity

posted

W11 is a free upgrade from W10.

I bought the ASUS from Amazon. I had it in 2 days.

Posts: 13634 | Location: Wisconsin | Registered: 20 April 2005

Ignored post by markj posted

(self-titled) semi-posting lurker
Minor Deity

posted

Mark, thanks!

I think Mr. SK really wants to go with what he knows. We'll see, there's not a huge rush, although I want him to purchase sooner rather than later, before his current laptop ceases to function.

--------------------------------
My piano recordings at Box.Net: https://app.box.com/s/j4rgyhn72uvluemg1m6u

Posts: 18524 | Location: not in Japan any more | Registered: 20 April 2005

Ignored post by ShiroKuro posted

Lisa

Gadfly

posted

Honestly, I have heard that Windows 11 isn't super stable yet and I know it isn't supported by some of the software I use. Maybe that has changed -- I haen't looked in a few months -- but I haven't upgraded yet and don't plan to any time soon. It is a free upgrade as Mark said, so when I decide to, it won't cost extra.

The new laptop that we just got for LL#2 has Windows 11 and I'm hoping it will be ok -- he doesn't use the same software that I do so I'm hoping he'll be fine (and I can see if he has issues in general - he can be the guinea pig!)

Posts: 4404 | Location: Suburban Philly, PA | Registered: 30 April 2005

Ignored post by Lisa posted

piqué

czarina
Has Achieved Nirvana
Picture of piqué

posted

Mr. Pique upgraded to Windows 11 (involuntarily--you have to watch out or microsoft will just do it to you without you asking) and says he likes it just fine. he's in IT and doesn't find it to be at all buggy so far.

--------------------------------
fear is the thief of dreams

Posts: 21351 | Registered: 18 May 2005

Ignored post by piqué posted

markj

Shut up and play your guitar!
Minor Deity

posted

My new laptop has Windows 11.

I am going to upgrade one of my VR simulation / gaming computers to Windows 11 this week.

Posts: 13634 | Location: Wisconsin | Registered: 20 April 2005

Ignored post by markj posted

(self-titled) semi-posting lurker
Minor Deity

posted

My mother has W11 as well, which is the only reason I had it on my radar in the first place. My main laptop is a work-issue one, so it's enterprise (do they still call it that??) and will be W10 until they're ready.

--------------------------------
My piano recordings at Box.Net: https://app.box.com/s/j4rgyhn72uvluemg1m6u

Posts: 18524 | Location: not in Japan any more | Registered: 20 April 2005

Ignored post by ShiroKuro posted