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Computers - Buying and Any Other Questions (1 Viewer)

RC94

RC94

Footballguy
There used to be a couple of threads about buying a computer, but they've been archived and closed.  There's a lot of people here with good knowledge about computers, and I'm sure many with questions, so it doesn't have to just be about buying a computer.

I'm looking to buy a new computer and have pretty much narrowed it down to a Lenovo Thinkpad E595.  I'm open to other ideas, but I've had a lot of IBMs and then Lenovos over the years and they've been consistently the best computer's I've had.  Here's a link to the computer I'm most likely getting:  https://www.lenovo.com/us/en/laptops/thinkpad/thinkpad-e-series/E595/p/20NFCTO1WWENUS0/customize?#!

I'm going to get some of the upgrade options.  What upgrades do you guys think are the best to spend the extra money on?  Do you think this is a good price or should I wait? 

I would like to keep it below $800.  I'll play some games like Civilization, but when I play video games it's mainly on PS4 so I don't need a gaming computer, but I still want it to be able to handle some games.  I mostly use it for Microsoft Office or the internet, though.

 
I just bought a new PC focused on photo editing. 

As far as the upgrade that I appreciate the most ... a SSD (solid state drive) for the system files (OS and other apps). Startup is now a matter of seconds. All of my apps run much faster also, by keeping as much space open on it to use as a "scratch disk".

 
Also, I checked out the link to the ThinkPad. I noticed that it includes a display. Do you have any other monitors/TVs that you can use? It may save you some $ and can easily be upgraded later if necessary.

I may have some other ideas later. I spent a good 3 months shopping, but it was all focused on my need for photo editing, so I will need to think some more irt to your needs vs mine.

 
Man of Constant Sorrow said:
Also, I checked out the link to the ThinkPad. I noticed that it includes a display. Do you have any other monitors/TVs that you can use? It may save you some $ and can easily be upgraded later if necessary.

I may have some other ideas later. I spent a good 3 months shopping, but it was all focused on my need for photo editing, so I will need to think some more irt to your needs vs mine.
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DUH. Its a LAPTOP!!! :bag:

 
Man of Constant Sorrow said:
DUH. Its a LAPTOP!!! :bag:
Click to expand...
I'd be interested in your other ideas.  I didn't think of SSD, but that's something I've heard before is an important upgrade when available.  It looks like the Lenovos that have it as an option are expensive.  The one in my link doesn't seem to have it as an option.

 
RC94 said:
I'd be interested in your other ideas.  I didn't think of SSD, but that's something I've heard before is an important upgrade when available.  It looks like the Lenovos that have it as an option are expensive.  The one in my link doesn't seem to have it as an option.
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I am in the middle of doing some searching. Here are a few that look good to me:

https://www.amazon.com/dp/B077XFNXX1/?tag=guru990f-20

https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B079W4RZFS/ref=as_li_qf_asin_il_tl?ie=UTF8&tag=netgeek-20&creative=9325&linkCode=as2&creativeASIN=B079W4RZFS&linkId=f4997507a6035dce28ad80c494d1e138 - also a Lenovo

https://www.amazon.com/Acer-Display-i7-8565U-GeForce-A515-54G-73WC/dp/B07QKWHWC9/ref=dp_ob_title_ce

Not saying they are the best; I may find some others. Plus, I did a tower - so laptops are not my strength at the moment.

 
These 2 have SSD and are in my price range:

https://www.lenovo.com/us/en/laptops/yoga/700-series/Yoga-730-15/p/88YG7000965

https://www.lenovo.com/us/en/laptops/thinkpad/thinkbook-series/Lenovo-ThinkBook-14s-IWL/p/88LG8TB1343

I prefer the larger screen, but don't need the pencil and some of the art/graphic design things about it.  I also prefer the trackpoint mouse (the red thing in the middle of the keyboard), which the Thinkpads have but not either of these.  I think SSD is probably more important than that, though.  I'll use an external mouse when I'm using it at home, which will be 95% of the time.

 
RC94 said:
These 2 have SSD and are in my price range:

https://www.lenovo.com/us/en/laptops/yoga/700-series/Yoga-730-15/p/88YG7000965

https://www.lenovo.com/us/en/laptops/thinkpad/thinkbook-series/Lenovo-ThinkBook-14s-IWL/p/88LG8TB1343

I prefer the larger screen, but don't need the pencil and some of the art/graphic design things about it.  I also prefer the trackpoint mouse (the red thing in the middle of the keyboard), which the Thinkpads have but not either of these.  I think SSD is probably more important than that, though.  I'll use an external mouse when I'm using it at home, which will be 95% of the time.
Click to expand...
I like the larger screen (1st link - Yoga) better as well. It has an i7 chip, more RAM & a bigger SSD. I am guessing that the only reason it is cheaper is because of the coupon deal.

Looks good to me.

 
RC94 said:
I would like to keep it below $800. 
Click to expand...
heh - I was thinking $700. If this does not include tax, etc., then I would also seriously consider the thrid ($739.00). For a little more the extra SSD size (256 GB to 512 GB) could help keeps operation speeds high if you need to use up much disk space.

 
Man of Constant Sorrow said:
heh - I was thinking $700. If this does not include tax, etc., then I would also seriously consider the thrid ($739.00). For a little more the extra SSD size (256 GB to 512 GB) could help keeps operation speeds high if you need to use up much disk space.
Click to expand...
Those are the 2 I was thinking about too.  Given the way I use it, I'm not sure how noticeable the extra GB would be for me, but it's not a big price difference so it sounds like it's worth it either way.  I found a Thinkpad with SSD, but it's $1,000.  Definitely leaning towards the $740 Yoga now.  Thanks for your help with this.  I had forgotten about SSD and I'm really glad we looked into this more.

 
RC94 said:
Those are the 2 I was thinking about too.  Given the way I use it, I'm not sure how noticeable the extra GB would be for me, but it's not a big price difference so it sounds like it's worth it either way.  I found a Thinkpad with SSD, but it's $1,000.  Definitely leaning towards the $740 Yoga now.  Thanks for your help with this.  I had forgotten about SSD and I'm really glad we looked into this more.
Click to expand...
You're very welcome. I love my SSD. I think you will too. 👍

 
RC94 said:
Those are the 2 I was thinking about too.  Given the way I use it, I'm not sure how noticeable the extra GB would be for me, but it's not a big price difference so it sounds like it's worth it either way.  I found a Thinkpad with SSD, but it's $1,000.  Definitely leaning towards the $740 Yoga now.  Thanks for your help with this.  I had forgotten about SSD and I'm really glad we looked into this more.
Click to expand...
SSD is tremendous. Quick startup is so worth it. Belongs in the which upgrades are worth it thread.

 
RC94 said:
Here's an interesting deal:  https://www.bestbuy.com/site/lenovo-thinkpad-e595-15-6-laptop-amd-ryzen-5-8gb-memory-256gb-solid-state-drive-black/6355420.p?skuId=6355420

What I don't get is that you can't get that computer with a SSD drive directly from Lenovo (it's not an option when you go to their website - it only comes with a 1TB HDD SATA 5400rpm).
Click to expand...
Yeah, I noticed something similar when I bought my tower.

I don't know the exact reason why, but my guess is that certain dealers have a model that is exclusive to them.

I also noticed it with a Samsung HP monitor I bought at Best Buy. Samsung HP did not offer it at their website - nor any other monitors with the exact same specs.

If someone has the details, I'd love to learn what is going on.

 
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Man of Constant Sorrow said:
Yeah, I noticed something similar when I bought my tower.

I don't know the exact reason why, but my guess is that certain dealers have a model that is exclusive to them.

I also noticed it with a Samsung HP monitor I bought at Best Buy. Samsung HP did not offer it at their website - nor any other monitors with the exact same specs.

If someone has the details, I'd love to learn what is going on.
Click to expand...
I asked one of their agents in an online chat and he said the manufacturer only gives certain products for sale and not all products, which is the reason best buy only has unique computers you can't get from the manufacturer.  Not sure how knowledgeable he really is, but it's the only explanation I have seen.

 
I was able to install an SSD in an older laptop (4 or 5 years) without too much trouble. It'd of course be easier to buy one with it included, but of you see something you really like without an SSD, upgrading later on wouldn't be too difficult.

 
Looking for a decent desktop that could play games but doesn't need to be an upper tier game machine.

General use mostly with some gaming

 
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I've been balking at pulling the trigger on a new computer.  At what point do you decide to get a new one?  My current computer is about 5 years old and has glitched out a couple of times, but 98% of the time it works well.  I feel like I can get more time out of it.  On the other hand, there are some good deals available, and if I wait until it's unusable then I will have to go a while without a home computer (I can bring my work laptop home) until I get a new one.  I don't want to wait until that point.  Plus, I'm sure it will cost a decent amount more at that point since there probably won't be deals like there are now.

 
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Mine is a little over five years old, also...which is why I was interested to see this thread. May not affect you, but I have WIndows 7, which Microsoft is ending support for, I think next month. So that is a consideration for me. I haven't had any issues with the laptop yet. I got one of the last Windows 7 laptops available because the Windows 8 reviews at the time were so bad. HP actually made a special "batch" due to demand. It came straight to me from Malaysia, IIRC.

 
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Mystery Achiever said:
Mine is a little over five years old, also...which is why I was interested to see this thread. May not affect you, but I have WIndows 7, which Microsoft is ending support for, I think next month. So that is a consideration for me. I haven't had any issues with the laptop yet. I got one of the last Windows 7 laptops available because the Windows 8 reviews at the time were so bad. HP actually made a special "batch" due to demand. It came straight to me from Malaysia, IIRC.
Click to expand...
I have Windows 7 as well, and for the same reason as you.  I paid extra at the time to get Windows 7.  

Even though I can get another year or maybe more out of my current computer, I think there's a deal that I can't really pass up.  Plus, I really don't want to wait until it's too late and this computer no longer works at all.  I have found IBMs and then Lenovos (after they bought IBM's personal computer division) to be very reliable and well made.  I'm pretty set on sticking with them over Dell, even though you can get better specs at a lower price with Dell, although it looks like the great Dell deals that were posted earlier are no longer available.  I think I'm going to buy this tonight:  https://www.bestbuy.com/site/lenovo-thinkpad-e595-15-6-laptop-amd-ryzen-5-8gb-memory-256gb-solid-state-drive-black/6355420.p?skuId=6355420

 
I've been really happy with refurbished laptop from Newegg business. Got a Lenovo ThinkPad for 150. Dropped in 500 gb SSD for 60ish and office license off ebay. Great setup for 250 all in. 

 
Mystery Achiever said:
Mine is a little over five years old, also...which is why I was interested to see this thread. May not affect you, but I have WIndows 7, which Microsoft is ending support for, I think next month. So that is a consideration for me. I haven't had any issues with the laptop yet. I got one of the last Windows 7 laptops available because the Windows 8 reviews at the time were so bad. HP actually made a special "batch" due to demand. It came straight to me from Malaysia, IIRC.
Click to expand...
You can upgrade to 10 still for free even if Microsoft isn’t really advertising it. If you download the installation media to your computer, you can run the upgrade right there on the computer and it will use your Windows 7 key to activate automatically. Just don’t do  a clean install, has to run as an upgrade.

https://www.zdnet.com/article/heres-how-you-can-still-get-a-free-windows-10-upgrade/

 
RC94 said:
Even though I can get another year or maybe more out of my current computer, I think there's a deal that I can't really pass up.  Plus, I really don't want to wait until it's too late and this computer no longer works at all.  I have found IBMs and then Lenovos (after they bought IBM's personal computer division) to be very reliable and well made.  I'm pretty set on sticking with them over Dell, even though you can get better specs at a lower price with Dell, although it looks like the great Dell deals that were posted earlier are no longer available.  I think I'm going to buy this tonight:  https://www.bestbuy.com/site/lenovo-thinkpad-e595-15-6-laptop-amd-ryzen-5-8gb-memory-256gb-solid-state-drive-black/6355420.p?skuId=6355420
Click to expand...
Makes sense if you can get a good deal. I had Thinkpads at an old job and liked them. 

Rustoleum said:
You can upgrade to 10 still for free even if Microsoft isn’t really advertising it. If you download the installation media to your computer, you can run the upgrade right there on the computer and it will use your Windows 7 key to activate automatically. Just don’t do  a clean install, has to run as an upgrade.

https://www.zdnet.com/article/heres-how-you-can-still-get-a-free-windows-10-upgrade/
Click to expand...
 Appreciate it, but waaay out of my comfort zone. I bought a previous laptop right before an OS change, got the free upgrade, messed up the free upgrade and had to take i to Staples.  :bag:  

And since it is over five years old, like RC94, I feel like I may be on borrowed time anyway. 
 

 
Pulled the trigger.  It was about $600 including tax, which is about $150 less than what I paid for my current computer 5 years ago.

 
Enjoy it! Now you have me thinking I should be keeping an eye out, though will probably wait til next year. I need to look up requirements to run my trading software, I know I need an i5, but preferably i7, processor. but not sure on RAM, video card,etc.

 
Starting the search for our next computer...but not sure what all our needs are yet.

Likely going macbook in the next year (Son is a sophomore and uses Macs at school in his graphics and digital design class...though, the program would run on a PC as well...but if a Macbook, it would probably be something we let him take off to college as well).  If not a mac, something with a solid i5 or i7 processor and less on the gaming side will be whats next for us.

Currently have an older gaming computer that Ive upgraded the SSD on, may upgrade the graphics card too to keep it going a few more years.  Still runs the games he plays and does well for everything else we do.

 
I encourage anyone shopping for a computer to check out the Slickdeals Computers page.  Slickdeals is a deal aggregator, but like Reddit where the best deals get the most thumbs up.  You can regularly check the site for deals, but a better option is to register for the site and then setup a Deal Alert with a keyword like "desktop" or "macbook" and then a threshold of a certain amount of thumbs.  That way you only get alerts (can configure email and/or SMS) for the best deals.

Desktop deals are harder to find these days than laptop deals, but I've gotten a number of great deals over the years on Dell Outlet.  Sign up for their emails and they often send out coupon codes like "Extra 20% off all XPS desktops" for example.  I know HP has an outlet and I'm guessing Lenovo does too.  I know Dell's are obviously customer returns but they have the exact same manufacturer warranty and many have never even been used.

For Macbook deals, the best I've seen are the extra discounted ones you can get through Best Buy by registering an edu email address for special discount codes for students.  Those deals are always posted on Slickdeals and they always get a ton of upvotes.

And an SSD is a no-brainer these days.  It's the biggest bang for the buck in terms of speed increase by far.

 
My current one is HP. Only thing I've had to do in 5+ years is replace the keyboard...because I vacuumed off (ironically) the delete key. :D
I will say their customer service trying to take care of it was atrocious.

ETA- My previous one was also an HP that I had for five years. My issue then was that I sit with it on my lap plugged in and it stresses the port (though the port and plug on this one are different and I haven't had that issue). I replaced the port once under the service contract and when it loosened again, at 5 yrs., didn't seem worth putting money into. I had the same issue with the port on my previous Dell. Not with Thinkpads, but they generally sat in a docking station and were replaced more frequently.

 
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Going to hijack this if I can. I can't remember the last time I looked into buying a computer, and I'm probably getting a laptop for my daughter before she starts high school this fall.

No major needs. No gaming or anything like that. Anybody have anything they would recommend?  Tia.

 
Bob Sacamano said:
Going to hijack this if I can. I can't remember the last time I looked into buying a computer, and I'm probably getting a laptop for my daughter before she starts high school this fall.

No major needs. No gaming or anything like that. Anybody have anything they would recommend?  Tia.
Click to expand...
What size does she want?  Ultrabook (13")?  Standard 15"?  17"?

Are you willing to spend extra $ for thin/light or do you just want something basic/functional?

If gaming isn't important, the things she will notice most in everyday performance is an SSD and adequate RAM (8GB min).

 
FWIW- 2 teenage daughters, 9th & 10th grade- We’re going with Mac Airbooks 13 with the added (16gb) memory for an extra $200 which brings them to a little over a grand each. I’m just gonna get the zero financing for 12 months by applying for an Apple Card. 

 
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STEADYMOBBIN 22 said:
FWIW- 2 teenage daughters, 9th & 10th grade- We’re going with Mac Airbooks 13 with the added (16gb) memory for an extra $200 which brings them to a little over a grand each. I’m just gonna get the zero financing for 12 months by applying for an Apple Card. 
Click to expand...
Just did the same for 9th and 11th grader. 
 

👍

 
Do you guys think any of these "Ready to Ship" computers are good deals? I play some games, but nothing that would need a specific gaming computer. I will use it mostly for internet, streaming, and Microsoft Office things. These are all directly from Lenovo.

ThinkPad L13 Yoga Gen 2 13-Inch AMD laptop

Learn more about the ThinkPad L13 Yoga Gen 2 (13" AMD) 2-in-1 laptop, a secure, durable 13.3" business laptop powered by AMD Ryzen™ PRO 5000 Series processors.
www.lenovo.com

ThinkPad T14s Gen 2 (14" AMD) | Powerful, lightweight corporate laptop

Powered by the latest AMD Ryzen™ PRO 5000 Series processors, the 14" ThinkPad T14s Gen 2 laptop delivers leadership performance and modern security features.
www.lenovo.com

ThinkPad L13 Yoga Gen 2 13-Inch AMD laptop

Learn more about the ThinkPad L13 Yoga Gen 2 (13" AMD) 2-in-1 laptop, a secure, durable 13.3" business laptop powered by AMD Ryzen™ PRO 5000 Series processors.
www.lenovo.com

Lenovo ThinkPad L13 Gen 2 | 13 Inch Business PC

Financing as low as 0%â Price Match Guaranteeâ Free Shippingâ Powered by Intel, the 2nd gen Lenovo ThinkPad L13 work laptop is built for productivity. It has Wifi 6, Modern Standby, Rapid Charge & call-control keys.
www.lenovo.com
 
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