Need new Cheap LapTop

[RichieBoy67]

Originally Posted by Zachery

If you're doing photo or video editing, and want it to happen at any speed, you want a good processor. i3 or i5, if you're going to be doing a lot of it, i7.

You shouldn't get a machine with less than 6gb of ram.

I'd also highly recommend looking at a SSD, however, that will also increase costs.

http://configure.us.dell.com/dellsto...en&s=bsd&cs=04


though, I'd opt for Win8 at this point, but I am a big fan of their Kool-Aid.


I don't think you're going to get away with what you want until you bump your budget a bit.

True.. I may have to wait a little until I can afford something better.

I wouldn't mind getting Win 8 but only if there is a touch screen. Otherwise I would rather stick with Win 7.

I usually go with pretty powerful tech and I fear that I will regret getting something sub par. I will check out the Dell though. Inspirons are decent and reliable for sure.

Thanks

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This one didn't look bad. it actually has a decent cpu and 6 gigs of ram. it has windows 8 though and no touchscreen. I just cannot see using win 8 without touch. This one seems pretty powerful though for the money.

http://www.walmart.com/ip/Dell-15.6-...-Home/28976173

[Zachery]

Windows 8 without touch is fine. This is from someone who has Windows 8 on 3 devices: Surface (2pro), Lumia 925, and my main computer (also a few VM's).

[RichieBoy67]

I would love a Surface if I had the green for it right now.

I have only used Win 8 a little and have not yet tried 8.1. 8 seems optimized for touch screens but I suppose it would not take long to get used to it with a mouse or change it to suit.

These dells got poor reviews on Amazon but most on Walmart like them. seems like a decent package for the price.

[Zachery]

I run 8.1 update 1 on all my x86-64 devices. I'm running the developer preview of 8.1 phone on my 925.

The biggest change in 8, is that your start screen is full screen. Once you realize that nothing else really changed, you can get over the "HORRIBLENESS" of windows 8 quickly.

8 has a lot of under the hood improvements for laptops/arm mobile stuff.

Surface's are very nice, esp if you do digital art, they're costly though, but about on par with a MacBook air.

[RichieBoy67]

I have only used Windows 8 a few times on other peoples pc's and laptops when fixing things for them and I am just not used to it. I can see how it would be awesome on a phone or tablet too. I currently have Android on my 2 tablets and phone. I considered a windows phone but I could not pass up the Nexus 4. Great specs, unlocked and cheap.

Is it true that Windows 8.1 was improved for use with a mouse over windows8?

There are think pads that do not have the detachable keyboard like the surface but the keyboard folds underneath somehow so it can be used as a tablet. I think those are up there in price though at least for the newer models.

I love the surface. Great tablet/other. I hate that they charge extra for that keyboard though which really seems like the whole selling point. I could not believe they charge for that as an accessories.

[Zachery]

There was never really a problem without touch. Touch enhances the way you interact with the machine, but does not offer serious drawback without it.

The biggest things I think people got upset over, was that shutdown was hidden in the charms menu (win+C, or mouse on the side of the monitor).

[Tigga]

Dell outlet has a 30% off sale right now with the coupon G9N7FR$MFHL1B9. I've bought a few things from them and everything has always looked brand new without any problems.

http://outlet.us.dell.com/ARBOnlineS...96&lid=4635114

[RichieBoy67]

Nice affiliate link.

I ended up finding a good deal on an older Dell 6500. It was used commercially so pretty much an enterprise unit. It is from 2011 I believe but it has an i7 cpu, 8 gigs of ram upgradeble to 32 gigs, an ssd hard drive and a hybrid ssd drive. The resolution on this thing is very high.

It is a bit heavy and the battery life is maybe 3 hours at most but suits me well. Windows 7..Back lit keyboard.. Every port you can imagine and I can add more drive space if needed.

Got it for well under my budget of $500. Pretty happy with my purchase and I feel a little more secure now knowing I have another back up pc to use when my other units break.. I need to upgrade my main dev pc next. I have not updated it in years. It also has an i7 cpu and it has been over clocked to almost 4g from 2.9 for the last 3 years. It is still as solid as a rock.

Thanks for the recommendations!

[Tigga]

That's not an affiliate link. I noticed your thread, then happened to see the deal posted on slickdeals.net a bit later.

[RichieBoy67]

Dude, I was just joking. Didn't you see the ?

Anyhow, thanks for posting it. I ended up going with a Dell after all.