Looking for a new laptop for my Dad [US; $600-1000; desktop replacement]

P

Papasmurf89

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* Country of purchase: USA

* Budget range: $600-1000

* Purpose (netbook, ultraportable, mainstream, gaming, desktop replacement, etc.): Home, desktop replacement

* Screen size preference: 15"

* OS preference (Windows/ Mac/ Linux): Windows (unsure if 7 or 8; any advice welcome)

* Gaming requirements (example games and desired fps/settings): No

* Performance requirements (video, CAD, etc.): i7, 16 gb RAM, 1 TB HD or more

* Method of computer support (office supplier, college bookstore, self support): Self

* Brand preferences and reasons (already owned accessories, familiarity, business
compatibility): Lenovo, Dell, HP and possibly ASUS (already owned/familiarity/heard good things)

* Any particular style that you like (examples are great): No

* Which of the following qualities would you prefer? (Choose one, the other, or balanced)

* Long battery life -vs- Low weight: Long battery life

* Build quality -vs- Low price: Both

* Low noise/heat -vs- High performance: Low noise/heat

*Would you pay a premium for something that has:

* High resolution screen: Yes

* A great keyboard: Yes

* A great touchpad/mouse buttons: Yes

* Great audio: Yes

*List any features that are critical: (e.g. Optical drive, USB 3.0, SD card slot, ethernet port, HDMI port, bluetooth, VGA port, removable battery, glossy screen, matte screen, etc.): USB 3.0, SD card slot, ethernet port, HDMI port, bluetooth, removable battery, glossy screen, DVD player, interested in hooking up to monitor when sitting at desk so anything that would make that easier would be nice

So, any recommendations? He has heard about reliability issues with ASUS but is still interested in them. I briefly mentioned it in the special features section but he is interested in hooking up the laptop to a monitor when he's working at his desk. I'm not sure what features might make this easier other than an HDMI port but thought I'd add it anyways.

I believe right now he's interested in this one from Costco. Thoughts?

http://www.costco.com/HP-ENVY-15t-Touchscreen-Laptop-|-Intel-Core-i7-.product.100131837.html

I appreciate the help!
 
I don't think you want HP. Go with Asus or a Dell workstation business class laptop.

I just looked at Dell and the laptops fitting your requirments are well over $2,000. This one fits the bill, but it has less than stellar feedback. http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16834232122

16GB of RAM is waaay over board IMO. 8 GB should be plenty.

An Inspiron 15 7000 Series Touch seems like a good deal. You won't notice much of a difference between an i5 and an i7. http://www.dell.com/us/p/inspiron-15-7547-laptop/pd?oc=fncwq5202h&model_id=inspiron-15-7547-laptop

Here's an Alienware 13 that has good reviews. But I have heard bad things with Alienware. http://www.dell.com/us/p/alienware-13/pd?oc=dkcwe02h&model_id=alienware-13

What will this laptop be used for?
 
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Why do you not recommend HP's? I've personally never had one but my Dad has and he was pretty happy with it.

I'm personally a gamer and as such have a pretty strong aversion to them. I've had a few friends that have had them and to be honest think they are very overrated for the money.

The laptop will just be used for very basic stuff. Surfing the internet, email, etc. No photo editing, no movies, no video games...very basic stuff.
 
If it's only for basic stuff, then why does he need it for (video, CAD, etc.) with an i7 and 16 gb RAM? That's a complete waste.

MY aversion to HP's is the consumer crap, because it is just that; crap! The only HP's I'd buy are EliteBooks. I'd also look at Dell Latitudes.
 
Papasmurf89 said:
The laptop will just be used for very basic stuff. Surfing the internet, email, etc. No photo editing, no movies, no video games...very basic stuff.
Click to expand...

Then all he needs is a cheap (in price), light, long lasting laptop. I bought my Inspiron for $600 and it does photo/video editing. You won't use it's full power as you said it needs to be ready to run CAD programs, but it's going to be only surfing the web. Save your money like Voyager and Agent have stated and go with something just above the "consumer crap" level.. :)

Microsoft had a $200 off deal on this 2 in 1 laptop/tablet from ASUS. http://www.microsoftstore.com/store...?ClickID=as0oypwt5trs5ws0o9tpsnwavz9vzpykwllr

Seems pretty nice for the price even if it isn't $299. This is cool for relaxing and just surfing the web.


For $700, this is one good laptop. i5 (dual core), 8GB of RAM a 1TB HDD, and a max 12 hour battery life.

http://www.microsoftstore.com/store...-Signature-Edition-Laptop/productID.308794900
 
You've got 1000 bucks, look at this Lenovo: http://shop.lenovo.com/us/en/laptops/lenovo/y-series/y50/ (I like Lenovo ;) )

i7 4710HQ
Windows 8.1 x64
1080p 15" display
GeForce GTX 860M 2GB
16GB 1600MHz RAM
1TB SSHD
4 cell 54Whr

That's for $939 and you can spec it up

For a bit less you can look at this Y40 which starts at $670 (but is 14") http://shop.lenovo.com/us/en/laptops/lenovo/y-series/y40/

What do you think?

==Edit== saw you said he needed an i7 and 16GB RAM etc etc in your post but then you said it's only for basic use? Maybe look at this Z50 or an IdeaPad or a ThinkPad Edge instead http://shop.lenovo.com/us/en/laptops/lenovo/z-series/z50/
 
For basic crap and not even gaming you certainly don't need 16 GB of RAM. I would shelve the 1 TB hard drive and get a SSD. An i5 CPU would be more than enough. Look at Newegg.com and find one within those specs, either Dell or Asus. Look at the ratings.

I bought my laptop on ebay without a hard drive and power supply. I bought an SSD for it, power adpater and upgraded the RAM to 3GB and it's been pretty good. Granted it's only a Dell Precision M6300 dual core 2.5 GHz, but it works pretty good. An SSD drive is the single biggest improvement to a computer you can make. One day I'd like an i3 or i5 and a better GPU.
 
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