Time for a new computer
My laptop is 4-ish years old... it is having some video lagging issues and just generally acting like an old computer...
So I'm looking for recommendations for a new laptop, and I know the people here know a lot of different computers
What I do: Word, Excel, Steam (sims and puzzle games, nothing too intensive), Internet (Facebook, Icrontic, Facebook games, Forums). I connect my heart rate monitor via IR, so a built in IR port would be awesome, but I do have a usb ir port now. I have a lot of pictures, but no music or video (I have 250GB hd now and still have 100GB unused)
Price limit $500 (less is better).
So I'm looking for recommendations for a new laptop, and I know the people here know a lot of different computers
What I do: Word, Excel, Steam (sims and puzzle games, nothing too intensive), Internet (Facebook, Icrontic, Facebook games, Forums). I connect my heart rate monitor via IR, so a built in IR port would be awesome, but I do have a usb ir port now. I have a lot of pictures, but no music or video (I have 250GB hd now and still have 100GB unused)
Price limit $500 (less is better).
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Comments
Let me get this week's flyer.... BRB.
The Toshiba uses a dual-core E-300 processor, has a 15.6 inch screen, and 4 GB DDR3 RAM, and 320 GB HDD.
The Toshiba Intel-based laptop has very few specs in the flyer, and I am 20 miles away from the nearest Best Buy. CPU, i3 quad-thread (dual-core, EACH core multi-tasks parallel 2-way) CPU. HDD 320 GB, 4 GB RAM, 15.6" display.
There is also a Samsung laptop, and an HP that is $449.95 that is a Quad-core CPU (AMD Vision logo is shown. It also has a 17" display. It has a 640 GB HDD.
All these laptops have Windows 7 Home Premium on them, and all prices are pre-tax, and if you order from the website they are pre-ship also. None of the spec sets talk about IR or USB, but you can expect USB ports, so your IR thing MIGHT work if the software and drivers work with Windows 7.
We make a CPU called the AMD A-Series: A4, A6 and A8. Each one has a successively more powerful GPU built into the processor. For the pricepoint you are looking at, only AMD makes processors with the graphics horsepower to play your Steam games. For desktop stuff like Word and Excel, any CPU made in the last 5 years will do just fine, so you can see that the AMD A-Series is more than capable with that stuff too. And finally, we can play your HD YouTube videos and Flash games without stuttering, which is something that cannot always be said for the other guys.
With all that said, I highly recommend this Lenovo: http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16834246302 -- it will do all the things you're looking for, at the price you're looking for.
Thrax is right on the money. Intel makes some excellent CPUs ("processors") but their graphics capabilities are very primitive. You did a fine job of explaining your computing needs. That is exactly how every person who wishes to upgrade should start their search. I think you'd be very happy with the laptop Thrax selected. You can't come close to that in performance for that price with any Intel-based offering. Strraight_Man's selection is also dandy.
http://slickdeals.net/permadeal/67912/walmart.com-lenovo-thinkpad-x120e-laptop-amd-fusion-e350-1.6ghz-11.6-1366x768-display-2gb-ddr3-320gb-hdd-radeon-hd-6310-wifi-n-6cell-win-7-prem
*AMD Fusion Processor E-350 1.6GHz
*2GB DDR3 Memory
*320GB Hard Drive
*11.6" 1366x768 HD Display
*AMD Radeon HD 6310 Graphics
*HDMI & VGA
*WiFi N
*Webcam
*6-cell Battery
*Windows 7 Premium
$298.98
Bump up the RAM in that for ~$20.
All in all I'm pretty happy with it. It didn't have much bloatware installed (McAfee and a couple Lenovo branded things), and it was all easy to uninstall. All of my steam games (or the 4 that I've played rather) play much better on this comp then my last one.
Overall I would recommend it to most any non-power user.
Thanks Thrax for the recommendation.
John.