BajaNomad - Laptop for Baja(New Post, What Not to Buy)

Laptop for Baja(New Post, What Not to Buy)

DianaT - 7-6-2013 at 04:45 PM

This has not been the greatest of weeks. While not very successfully trying to come to terms with the loss of our baby, I managed to drop my laptop on the tile floor. While repairable, we have decided to buy a new one and we are looking for suggestions.

While the large screen laptop was good for using at our second home, it was a bit of a pain for traveling. And I have not been very happy with Dell either in the laptop or the Desktop.

We may head down to Baja soon and we need a laptop. I don't want a really small one as I want the DVD/CD drive. From researching, I keep reading that ASUS is a good brand?

Any suggestions from you computer gurus?

Thanks

[Edited on 7-6-2013 by DianaT]

[Edited on 2-12-2014 by DianaT]

ASUS

bajaguy - 7-6-2013 at 04:54 PM

We have an ASUS and have had it for about 4 years now. We take it with us everywhere in a special computer type backpack.....almost time to upgrade. It is also our home computer, we gave up our desktop years ago.

Two of the things I would look for are a 15.6" screen and an intel i5 or i7 chip.

If you go on the web sites for Staples, Office Depot, Office Max and Best Buy you can do some comparisons with specs and prices.

Also check woot.com every evening at 10PM for new and rebuilt laptops in their daily specials and on the tech tab.......$5 shipping on any order

[Edited on 7-6-2013 by bajaguy]

monoloco - 7-6-2013 at 05:12 PM

I went with a Macbook pro 3 years ago, never been sorry.

weebray - 7-6-2013 at 05:21 PM

We bought a Lenovo in May. We have had nothing but problems and because we're in Mexico Lenovo won't fix it. They are really a really lame company. You have to go thru 3-4 service tech's to find one that has a reasonable grasp of english. They keep telling us that the warranty is only good in "North America." I keep telling them that Mexico is in north america but they can't grasp the concept. BTW do not get windows 8 for your operating system. It is inappropriate for a laptop without a touch screen and the learning curve for anyone over 60 is brutal. Also, if you buy in Mexico beware that the os will probably be in espanol. This is not acceptable for us but maybe you are advanced in spanish.

weebray - 7-6-2013 at 05:23 PM

You couldn't give me an apple product. No flash, censored web and a zillion other little niggling problems - no thanks. Apple does not play well with others.

woody with a view - 7-6-2013 at 05:38 PM

Toshiba.

willardguy - 7-6-2013 at 05:43 PM

yup, hard to go wrong with a toshiba satellite!

rts551 - 7-6-2013 at 05:44 PM

I want a laptop as... oops.....

Yes Marilynns ASUS netbook has been good. She loves it.. the keyboard is a little small for my liking so I stay with the full size laptop

woody with a view - 7-6-2013 at 05:44 PM

nyme saing?

rts551 - 7-6-2013 at 05:47 PM

Diana. I think I know of a place in Tucson you can get a laptop at a Nomad discount.

Our Local Computer Guru

Gypsy Jan - 7-6-2013 at 05:51 PM

Recommended Acer just this last week.

I don't how available it is here in Baja, but it is very available in San Diego at the tech stores.

BajaBlanca - 7-6-2013 at 05:57 PM

Every once in a while, esp near Aug when sts are buying computer laptops to go to college in the States, you get some INCREDIBLE deals. One lady got her son the laptop for free after all the rebates.

Please, all you norte americanos, if you see a super deal on a laptop, PLEASE let me know. I am looking to get 5 laptops for some students who are headed to college in La Paz and can't afford one.

DianaT - 7-6-2013 at 06:15 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by rts551
Diana. I think I know of a place in Tucson you can get a laptop at a Nomad discount.

It is good to laugh. :yes:

So, good reports on the ASUS,Toshiba,and Acer and thanks for the not good report on the Lenovo as that is one that I had considered. And I have heard that Windows 8 has a big learning curve.

Mac, well maybe someday, but not now.

[Edited on 7-7-2013 by DianaT]

woody with a view - 7-6-2013 at 06:37 PM

FORGET windows 8.... trust me!

Windows 8

bajaguy - 7-6-2013 at 06:50 PM

I remember reading somewhere that you could select a Windows 7 option in the control panel of the new Windows 8 computers...... :?:

Ah, here it is..............

........"I don't use the metro interface, have used the "classic start 8" app, I believe it's called, from the beginning and it acts for me very much like 7 did, with a few nice enhancements"......

[Edited on 7-7-2013 by bajaguy]

woody with a view - 7-6-2013 at 07:19 PM

yeah, but it isn't too intuitive.... we sold our win8 for $200 less than retail just to get rid of it.

SFandH - 7-6-2013 at 07:23 PM

I'm a BIG fan of Google. What a wonderful company. A chromebook will soon be my next computer. You can use USB flash drives if you want.

It's time to break out of the aging and cumbersome Microsoft paradigm without going the pricey Apple route.

Thousands of free apps for the chrome browser.

Cloud drive, file loss due to disk crashes, broken hardware a thing of the past. Backup automatico.

No separate and resource intensive anti-virus software.

Look into it. It may work for you.

http://www.google.com/intl/en/chrome/devices/features.html

[Edited on 7-7-2013 by SFandH]

CaboMagic - 7-6-2013 at 07:25 PM

Well .. I am so very far from anything that remotely resembles a guru :-) but will put our two votes also for Toshiba Satellite .. many great experiences with them .. we have several including the Satellite T135D series .. thin and lightweight 13" screen
... Have also had Compaq, Dell and HP to compare ..
hope this helps!

greengoes - 7-6-2013 at 07:35 PM

Look into the Lenovo brand, it used to be IBM and retained their quality.

You will get windows 8 with it but if you can't stand it use an app called Start8 from a company called Stardock. It makes it work like Win 7.

Windows 8.1 is due out this otono, it will ease some of the pain.

805gregg - 7-6-2013 at 07:36 PM

For travel I prefer a smaller unit like 14.5, cheaper to buy easier to carry, I just buy HP, more support.

rts551 - 7-6-2013 at 08:03 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by BajaBlanca
Every once in a while, esp near Aug when sts are buying computer laptops to go to college in the States, you get some INCREDIBLE deals. One lady got her son the laptop for free after all the rebates.

Please, all you norte americanos, if you see a super deal on a laptop, PLEASE let me know. I am looking to get 5 laptops for some students who are headed to college in La Paz and can't afford one.

Maybe you could get one for the OP of this thread, Blanca.

DianaT - 7-6-2013 at 08:54 PM

Thanks for the reviews --- I am checking them all out.

monoloco - 7-6-2013 at 09:10 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by weebray
You couldn't give me an apple product. No flash, censored web and a zillion other little niggling problems - no thanks. Apple does not play well with others.

I don't know what you're talking about, I open stuff with flash all the time, and have no problem opening any other kind of web page or file.

Russ - 7-7-2013 at 05:44 AM

I've got the Mac book Air and love it. Tho quite spendy it's fast, great for photos, has a very sharp screen. It's almost like having an ipad very light.

willyAirstream - 7-7-2013 at 07:17 AM

I have an Asus laptop 17 inch and an Asus transformer tablet. I use them for entertainment, graphic design and website design/ development. Top notch products. My last 4 pc`s were Asus.
Best Buy and similar places usually sell Asus products that are one generation behind, so shop carefully.
Best price and warranty and latest editions are at http://tigerdirect.com
U2u if you want specific help.
So sorry for your loss. Maybe he is with Gunner now. :-)

weebray - 7-7-2013 at 08:02 AM

I repeat, stay away from Lenovo. If you don't believe me try calling customer support. If you ever have a problem you are in deep doo doo. Lenovo (IBM) has gone the way of Toyota. The used to produce a quality product. Also Apple products do not support flash - that is a fact which I found out the hard way. In teaching english there are any number of wonderful aids to teaching on the interweb, many of them are in flash. I was unable to use some of the best for my students. I repete, Apple does not play well with others.

BajaBlanca - 7-7-2013 at 08:14 AM

I will take your suggestion under advisement, Ralph!

:biggrin:

[Edited on 7-7-2013 by BajaBlanca]

vandenberg - 7-7-2013 at 08:40 AM

I understand that HP is not a top of the line product, but over the years I owned several of them without any issues, till the last one. Keyboard problems and cooling fan very noisy. About 10 months old.
Called HP, they send a packing carton the following day (Fed Ex), I shipped it with the provided label and instructions and had the unit back the 4th day in perfect working order.
Something to be said for such service.

DianaT - 7-7-2013 at 08:53 AM

Thanks everyone. I think I am really learning toward the Asus and Willy I will check out that site. And I remember Gunner. Another big hole in someone's heart. :no:

While I have eliminated HP from my list, it is good to know they have such good service. My sister should have sent her's back. The keyboard has a real mind of its own.

Russ, you have tried to convince me to buy MAC for a long time and maybe someday.

Now, to just avoid Windows 8. I can't find ANYTHING positive about it.

Again, Thanks everyone!

monoloco - 7-7-2013 at 08:56 AM

Quote:

Originally posted by weebray
I repeat, stay away from Lenovo. If you don't believe me try calling customer support. If you ever have a problem you are in deep doo doo. Lenovo (IBM) has gone the way of Toyota. The used to produce a quality product. Also Apple products do not support flash - that is a fact which I found out the hard way. In teaching english there are any number of wonderful aids to teaching on the interweb, many of them are in flash. I was unable to use some of the best for my students. I repete, Apple does not play well with others.

Weebray, You are absolutely wrong about Macbooks not being able to play flash, OSX supports Adobe Flash Player and while ios devices don't play flash out of the box, 3rd party apps are available to allow it. I have a Mac and a PC sitting right next to each other on my desk, at this point the only thing I use the PC for is a connection for the Magic Jack phone so I can use my Macbook wirelessly. I have found nothing that I can do on the PC that I can't do on the Mac, I find the Mac much more intuitive and efficient for everything I use a computer for and I love the way it seamlessly syncs with our other Apple devices. If you do require Windows, you can install bootcamp and enjoy both operating systems.

bajajudy - 7-7-2013 at 09:17 AM

Quote:

Originally posted by woody with a view
Toshiba.

Ditto

ncampion - 7-7-2013 at 10:16 AM

Quote:

Originally posted by monoloco

Quote:

It's hard to convert people from the "Apple Religion"

ASUS

toneart - 7-7-2013 at 10:44 AM

I bought my laptop about 2 years ago. No issues. Just delete the bloatware to make it run faster. I also use a wireless keyboard and a mouse with it. I don't like the little finger-touch and tap scroll thingy. I'd rather have the thumb joint and shoulder pain that screams in the middle of the night.

I was going to buy a Toshiba but read all the negative stuff about their customer non-service. Asus had Amazon's highest rating at the time.

Most American computers are made in China now anyway, but they are closet Chinese. You might as well buy one from a Chinese company that admits it. :lol:

I hate Macs! A few years ago I bought one. It was a real dud. I bought it from Apple's website. It was shipped directly from China with someone else's password in it. (Must have been a reject and shipped back to Apple). I was leaving for Mulege the next week and didn't have the time to return it and wait for a new one.

When I called their tech support the tech said he had never heard of such a thing. He said to reinstall the operating software while he stayed on the phone. (It came with about a dozen installation CDs, but the software was already installed). Sure enough, it came to the point where I had to set up my password, it hit a wall. Couldn't do it.

Well, the tech guy said he had to go off the phone and think about it. He did call back! He engineered a work around and that got me set up. Buy after I got to Baja, everything was screwed up. It never worked right.

Finally, in a fit of rage, I decided to see how many skips it would take to bounce across the Mulege River. It didn't skip once. It went straight to the bottom like a bad marriage. Well, y'all know the bad Ju Ju that created. Shhhhhh! Please keep that a secret. :rolleyes:

Psst! Monoloco! Please don't drop your Mac into the Pacific Ocean.

Anyway, Diana...go with an Asus.

Bubba - 7-7-2013 at 10:48 AM

Quote:

Originally posted by woody with a view
FORGET windows 8.... trust me!

Ditto, it's one big mess!

Mexitron - 7-7-2013 at 10:55 AM

Quote:

Originally posted by SFandH
I'm a BIG fan of Google. What a wonderful company. A chromebook will soon be my next computer. You can use USB flash drives if you want.

It's time to break out of the aging and cumbersome Microsoft paradigm without going the pricey Apple route.

Thousands of free apps for the chrome browser.

Cloud drive, file loss due to disk crashes, broken hardware a thing of the past. Backup automatico.

No separate and resource intensive anti-virus software.

Look into it. It may work for you.

http://www.google.com/intl/en/chrome/devices/features.html

[Edited on 7-7-2013 by SFandH]

Saw a Chromebook for $250 in Staples ad this morning---looked into it and it looks great! That's my next one too---I really like the no-virus software thing especially. Only hidden cost, apparently, is that you need to pay for your GoogleDrive cloud storage after two years---$5/month which is about what one pays for virus software. Still, if the system runs as clean as it sounds its worth it. Another bonus---the system is supposed to have virtually no start up/reboot time.

bajaguy - 7-7-2013 at 10:56 AM

Quote:

Originally posted by Mexitron

Quote:

Uh, if you want a DVD player/burner, check again, it doesn't have one.

Mexitron - 7-7-2013 at 11:55 AM

Who uses those anymore? :lol:

Actually, I'd keep the current Windows comp for that...but except for loading old CD music for itunes I haven't used the CD DVD player hardly at all.

weebray - 7-7-2013 at 12:16 PM

There's an Apple N-zi in every crowd.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=H0InpO2pQXw&bpctr=1373226...

bajaguy - 7-7-2013 at 12:18 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by Mexitron
Who uses those anymore? :lol:

Since we always take a laptop when we travel (for e-mails and MagicJack), my wife uses it (with headphones) to watch her Netflicks........keeps her comments about my driving to a minimum. :lol:

Russ - 7-7-2013 at 12:31 PM

My Mac Air is so much faster than my older iMac I put the iMac away and am using the Air exclusively now. I maybe buying another iMac for the desk top in August. And the use iCloud to work between them. It's nice to see the big picture instead if the little 13" er. Now if we could get Carlos to upgrade Mulege to G4 banda ancha I could dump the Hughes net.

Ateo - 7-7-2013 at 12:35 PM

I love my MacBook Pro. It just works. No hiccups. No antivirus needed. Has a CDROM/DVD drive. Never used the drive though except to watch Dust To Glory once.

I'm typing this on my old MacBook from 2005.

I had Dell PC's up until about 2008. I've used both platforms. I would choose a mac over a PC any day of the week.

SFandH - 7-7-2013 at 03:03 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by bajaguy

Quote:

Originally posted by Mexitron

Quote:

Uh, if you want a DVD player/burner, check again, it doesn't have one.

I've read you can plug in a USB DVD player. Read only, no write. I'm not sure what file formats work. I never use disks of any kind anymore. Just thumb drives for movies and the cloud for the rest.

Here's a new chromebook - pricey but looks very cool.

http://www.google.com/intl/en/chrome/devices/chromebook-pixe...

[Edited on 7-7-2013 by SFandH]

Bruce R Leech - 7-9-2013 at 09:53 AM

I like my HP it is the fastest and runs cooler than any of the others. and battery life is long.

what ever you get dont get it with windows 8 it sucks windows 7 is the best OS ever

DavidE - 7-9-2013 at 12:52 PM

Drop your five thousand dollar mega terabyte ultra zigabyte laptop on a tile floor and it will work exactly as good as a 299 dollar Wal-Mart refurbished computer.

I remember where i am: If I purchase a 1,200 horsepower Bugatti 12-cylinder with 300 mph tires, i will still go 2mph behind a motor grader like I had to yesterday in my clunker. What good are 9 valves per cylinder on Mexican bandwidth?

pauldavidmena - 7-9-2013 at 01:10 PM

I know that there is some ambivalence about HP, but I recently bought a refurbished HP Folio 13 from eBay for $670 and have been very happy about it. It features a 128 GB SSD (Solid-State Storage Device) and no hard drive that could break down. It also doesn't have a CD-ROM drive, so you'd have to use an external drive instead. On the plus side, not having the additional components makes the laptop very light, and booting up from SSD is very fast.

Mexitron - 8-27-2013 at 05:43 AM

From an article on tech busts for 2013:

"Google's Chromebook Pixel Internet-dependent laptop got rave reviews for its awesome speed, sound and display when it was unveiled early this year, but at $1,300 a pop, critics dismissed the computer as an overpriced Web browser that is essentially useless offline."

Wah. Hate to buy something that may not have support long-term....

His 'n her iPads...

windgrrl - 8-27-2013 at 06:13 AM

...Puffin browser app with flash capability. Use iPod for notes, music and budgeting along the route. Editing out photos is a breeze. Skype app works fine across Baja.

Thinking about adding a Mini Mac and using iPad for screen via Splashtop app.

I would never go back to clunky old Windows.

Happy shopping,
W

WiFi on the road?

durrelllrobert - 8-27-2013 at 08:35 AM

Southwest Airlines now offers it on domestic flights. I guess they pick up signal directly from satellite but I'm wondering when Carlos Slim will add it to his cell towers so you can use your laptop while on the road, just as you can use your cell phone?

Cisco - 8-27-2013 at 01:49 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by DianaT
Thanks everyone. I think I am really learning toward the Asus and Willy I will check out that site. And I remember Gunner. Another big hole in someone's heart. :no:

I cannot afford a PC.

By the time I pay for add-on's and different services, pay to have it repaired, pay to...the cost is just prohibitive.

That's why I use a MAC. This is being typed and sent on an 11 year-old G4 that has outrun many of the systems available now (advanced Adobe, etc...) but still does just about everything I want it to with NO problems, an 11 year old machine.

I did take it to the genius bar in Mission Valley and they installed iWork 2009 for me at NO charge. That allows me some of my writing features.

Not knowing how extensive your utilization of the machine will be there is a MAC that will fit it. The 13" Air is a good overall option and if you really want to go with everything the 15" pro with retina display would be my choice for a portable unit.

A friend does graphic displays for her business and she went with the 27" desktop (requires 110 v) and a Pelican case to haul it in. Goes on the airplane, back of the car,...and has a beautiful presentation of all her stuff right there.

So, whatever features you need and apps they are all there and over time will be less expensive than a PC I believe.

Although they are more expensive than others when you amortize out a life of ten or more years and no down time, travel to have repaired, etc...it makes sense to me.

http://www.apple.com/mac/

Diana;

neilm81301 - 8-27-2013 at 01:59 PM

Best Buy will sell you(us) an ASUS Netbook w/Linux installed for about $210. No Win8 issues. I've used an ASUS net book for years now, very happy. If you want to do real work (CAD, etc) get an external mouse, keyboard and monitor. Otherwise, It's fine as is.

Neil

http://www.bestbuy.com/site/olstemplatemapper.jsp;jsessionid...

Cisco - 8-27-2013 at 02:05 PM

I forgot to mention.

For anyone who uses a laptop. Heat is a real enemy of the machine when lying on a flat surface and uncomfortable when used on my lap, so I bought an iLap for my 15" machine.

Great for a hard flat surface with the front foam removed (just slide off) and comfortable and much easier to use when on my lap.

Acts as a heat sink and a comfortable operating station.

DavidE - 8-27-2013 at 02:13 PM

I prefer allotta bang for the buck. Wal-Mart and a refurbished Compaq HP/ 15.6" Supposedly the Intel 4 core is great. At least 4GB ram. USB3 if you use it a lot. Windows 8 is a YUGO according to those that hate it which is everyone. I use an ALPHA 2000 mw USB wifi amplifier the best thing I ever added ever. A 12 cell battery and a car charger would be a great thing. So would a USB to 3.5 mm jack and plug adapter so when the jacks go bad in goes the adapter into a USB port.

Load it up and debug it in the states. Make sure the keyboard isn't weird like some of them. I just lost the DELETE key on this 299 dollar special after a year and a half. Wish this thing had a half dozen USB ports instead of three.

Cisco - 8-27-2013 at 02:16 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by DavidE
I prefer allotta bang for the buck. Wal-Mart and a refurbished Compaq HP/ 15.6" Supposedly the Intel 4 core is great. At least 4GB ram. USB3 if you use it a lot. Windows 8 is a YUGO according to those that hate it which is everyone. I use an ALPHA 2000 mw USB wifi amplifier the best thing I ever added ever. A 12 cell battery and a car charger would be a great thing. So would a USB to 3.5 mm jack and plug adapter so when the jacks go bad in goes the adapter into a USB port.

Load it up and debug it in the states. Make sure the keyboard isn't weird like some of them. I just lost the DELETE key on this 299 dollar special after a year and a half. Wish this thing had a half dozen USB ports instead of three.

David. There is a usb device that you plug one end into the machine and have three, four, or however many usb ports on the other end.

Sorta like an extension cord with multiple outlets only this takes additional usb devices. Bought one at the 99 cent store that has room for three flash drives and uses only one usb port on the machine.

[Edited on 8-27-2013 by Cisco]

Udo - 8-27-2013 at 03:32 PM

I love my Mac Book Pro with the 17" screen, but if I were to do it all over again, I would get the Mac Book Air.
The three pounds of difference make it soooo much better to carry around. Plus the battery life is also so much better.

gnukid - 8-27-2013 at 08:30 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by Udo
I love my Mac Book Pro with the 17" screen, but if I were to do it all over again, I would get the Mac Book Air.
The three pounds of difference make it soooo much better to carry around. Plus the battery life is also so much better.

The new 2013 Mac Air has a super long battery life of about 10+ hours and the computer parts are sealed with shrinkwrap type plastic making it perfect for baja outdoor lounging. And the weight is very low at 3lbs which helps to avoid stress. But it is not upgradeable since it's sealed so get it how you want it - loaded with 250GB SSD drive and either 4GB (fine) or the 8GB Ram option. There is a very high resolution "retina" display which is very nice though the regular display version is totally acceptable too. Consider using a sealable and padded carrying bag to carry your computer when you travel to reduce dust.

I also use a Lenovo w530 laptop for windows 7 which is excellent but it's more of a beast at 6lbs.

Whatever laptop you get, vaccuum the vents and blow high preassure air at the vents to clean out dust. Dust and salt causes the computer to heat up and fail.

[Edited on 8-28-2013 by gnukid]

gnukid - 8-27-2013 at 08:35 PM

You can get a 7 inch andorid tablet for most browsing, mail and book reading for about $80 or less or pay more for the latest model.

http://www.ebay.com/bhp/android-tablet-7-inch-dual-camera

monoloco - 8-27-2013 at 09:17 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by gnukid

The new 2013 Mac Air has a super long battery life of about 10+ hours and the computer parts are sealed with shrinkwrap type plastic making it perfect for baja outdoor lounging. And the weight is very low at 3lbs which helps to avoid stress. But it is not upgradeable since it's sealed so get it how you want it - loaded with 250GB SSD drive and either 4GB (fine) or the 8GB Ram option. There is a very high resolution "retina" display which is very nice though the regular display version is totally acceptable too.

The MacBook Air isn't available with a retina display, it's only available on the MacBook Pro and the full sized Ipad. Here's a comparison between the Air and the Pro:
http://www.gizmag.com/macbook-air-vs-retina-macbook-pro-2013...

gnukid - 8-28-2013 at 03:02 AM

Quote:

Originally posted by monoloco

Quote:

Mac Air Retina Shipping soon http://www.cultofmac.com/216482/macbook-air-with-retina-disp...

SFandH - 8-28-2013 at 06:28 AM

I travel with a Dell Netbook and only use it when there is WiFi connection to access email, pay bills, and read the news. It runs XP. The solid state hard drive has developed some bad sectors and some of the Control Panel applications, like User Manager and Add/Remove Software, have stopped working. Nothing happens when the icons are clicked. I'm thinking it's dying a natural death due to old age.

Seriously considering one of these because it's not Windows, it's cheap ($199), and I'll use it only when WiFi is available. The operating system is based upon Linux. I have a powerful desktop and a USB external hard drive and thumbdrives for mass storage and running large apps.

link

Anybody have experience with Acer hardware?

[Edited on 8-28-2013 by SFandH]

monoloco - 8-28-2013 at 07:18 AM

Here's another travel solution that allows you to access and use all the files and programs on your home computer remotely with an iPad:
http://9to5mac.com/2013/08/27/parallels-new-ipad-app-access-...

comitan - 8-28-2013 at 10:09 AM

try this:https://www.woot.com/offers/14-core-i7-750gb-sata-notebook

DavidE - 8-29-2013 at 03:11 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by Cisco

Quote:

Thanks Cisco. I just wish Compaq was more intelligent and placed the USB ports so adding a gizmo like you suggest did not block off 2 much needed other ports. Like audio and microphone. OK, something with a pigtail. Like finding a USA keyboard down here. I need to come up with a keyboard trackball, and some sort of 22" monitor as my Cataracts are getting worser. The Lincolns ain't doin too hot either.

[Edited on 8-29-2013 by DavidE]

comitan - 8-29-2013 at 04:27 PM

OK I"ve had my new computer now for 2 weeks and it has windows 8 and I love windows 88888888888. :spingrin:

Alm - 8-29-2013 at 05:48 PM

Haven't read the entire thread, but... Brand doesn't matter, really. They are now all Chinese anyway.

Just make sure it has enough RAM for the operation system you choose, i.e. minimum 1GB for Win XP and 2GB for Win7, and the screen size enough for you. If you store a lot of music and videos, consider HDD at least 600 GB, though you can always get an external HDD. Some laptops - I think - still come with solid state drives, which are reportedly slower than "regular" spinning HDD, so this you might consider as well. To me, screen smaller than 15" is too small, but everybody is different. Try getting something that says "processor Core 2 Duo", it's a little faster than single core.

If you've got used to Win XP, stick to XP. I've been using in 7 on both laptop and desktop for 3 months, have got used to it already but don't find it particularly good. Folder options were better in XP. If you work with Word docs a lot, I suggest you install Office 2003 rather than 2007 or later.

monoloco - 8-29-2013 at 06:54 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by Alm
Some laptops - I think - still come with solid state drives, which are reportedly slower than "regular" spinning HDD, so this you might consider as well.

I think you have that backwards, the SSD's are way faster than HDD's.

Alm - 8-29-2013 at 07:45 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by monoloco
the SSD's are way faster than HDD's.

Yes. This mostly affects files opening, not too important task. About 30% difference in speed. Costly.

DianaT - 8-30-2013 at 06:17 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by comitan
OK I"ve had my new computer now for 2 weeks and it has windows 8 and I love windows 88888888888. :spingrin:

I played with windows8 and thought I might even learn to like it. But for so many apps and other things it wants my Microsoft user name and password and then will not accept it.

I have changed my password 3 times and it still won't accept it.

So, I downloaded the shell.

Alm - 8-30-2013 at 07:39 PM

Quote:

Win 7 is dangerously close to that. From time to time it won't turn off, displaying the user login button on the blue background. I want my XP Home back

I hope that won't have to change the desktop and laptop for few more years, and keep Win 7. Haven't tried Win 8 yet, but I read somebody's feedback that this new OS was designed not to help the user in his tasks, but to prevent him from doing them. Now after your post I understand what he meant. With the fact that it needs more RAM than Win 7, it makes it rather unattractive to us Simpletones, more pain with no benefits added.

Do you people realize that Win 7 will already make you replace many applications, and some you might not find again or for free, and it might also reject your perfectly functional old laser printer because there is no driver for Win 7? I was lucky to find a driver for a different printer that works with my old HP. Stick to Win XP, people, for as long as you can.

[Edited on 8-31-2013 by Alm]

BajaNomad - 8-30-2013 at 10:24 PM

Regarding SSD:

http://www.pcworld.com/article/2043634/how-to-stretch-the-li...

drzura - 9-1-2013 at 05:53 AM

I just bought one of the new Macbook Air's and I have been really happy with it. For traveling, I think a 13.3" laptop is good; its light-weight and easy to travel with. Microsoft and Apple both have there pro's and con's, so I think any operating system you choose will be ok. I you choose Microsoft, I heard that the ASUS laptops are pretty good.

Damion

pauldavidmena - 9-1-2013 at 06:32 AM

I have an HP Folio 13 with a 128 GB SSD drive running a lightweight Linux operating system called CrunchBang. It boots up in roughly 15 seconds. I only store a small number of static files on SSD, instead relying upon an external USB drive for MP3s, images, etc. Not having a hard drive or a CD-ROM drive, it's extremely lightweight and therefore very portable.

Cisco - 11-5-2013 at 05:03 PM

"I Gave Up My Mac For A Google Chromebook Pixel And Loved It ... Until It Became A Brick At Starbucks"

Read more: http://www.businessinsider.com/mac-vs-google-pixel-mac-wins-...

For the past two weeks, I've been working 100% in the cloud, giving up my MacBook Pro to use a Google Pixel Chromebook.

I loved it. Until it had an epic fail.

For the first 13 days, I was so happy that I was ready to recommend it instead of a Mac (with some caveats). But last weekend, I took it Starbucks and experienced such a disaster that I changed my mind.

Before I get into the Starbucks fail, I want to talk about the 13 days where things went well. With the Chromebook operating system, all work is done via cloud apps over the Web. Instead of using applications installed on your PC, you open cloud apps in Chrome tabs or new Chrome windows.

You can save some files to your PC, too, though that's not the default. Mostly your files will be automatically saved in your Google Drive.

That was fine for my job because at Business Insider, we rely almost entirely on cloud apps. We use Gmail and Google Apps. Our main application, the "content management system" where we write stories, is accessed through a browser. Editors chat to each other through an online chat program called Campfire, or through Google Chat. I use Hootsuite for Twitter, etc.

I opened the ChromeBook, signed into my Business Insider account and all my bookmarks to cloud apps and saved passwords were there. No downloading. No installing anything. It was great!

I had one problem: I also use my personal Gmail account for work. For instance, I use RSS reader Feedly and the only way to access it is to be signed in with my personal Gmail account. But I found a way to rig ChromeBook to sign into multiple Google accounts at the same time. (From Gmail, click on the user account icon and then "add account"). It wasn't hard, but it wasn't intuitive. That "add account" is a little hard to find.

Pixel and Chrome OS are fast and responsive, even when I have a lot of tabs open. No beach balls. No fan coming on, mysteriously heating up the device for hours at a time like my Mac loves to do. No bugging me to update my software.

I was a happy camper.

One bad thing: Many Chrome add-on apps are still immature. For instance, the calculator doesn't support copy/paste. I had to manually type in numbers.

Also, the Mac blows the Pixel out of the water when it comes to image editing.

ChromeBook's default Photo viewing app is really weak. It won't even resize a photo (except to crop). I found a Chrome OS app called Pixr, which worked OK. But the Mac's apps, iPhoto and Preview, are far better.

The Pixel Chromebook does have a beautiful touchscreen, which worked great. I didn't need an external mouse.

For non-work things, like watching movies, it's also great, like the Mac. And because the screen has such high resolution, it took great screen shots, even when cropping and resizing photos to be bigger.

So, for 13 days, I was delighted. I even wanted to buy a new HP Chromebook for my daughter, who is in college.

Then I took the Pixel to Starbucks. And the Pixel wouldn't let me log on to the Internet.

This particular Pixel has 4G, but it told me that the 4G/3G network wasn't available. That was crazy. I was right in the middle of town, across the street from the college and 3G worked on my phone.

At Starbucks, AT&T requires you to sign an agreement before accessing the network. The AT&T sign-up page wouldn't load, no matter what (logging in and out, rebooting, going straight to the Starbucks AT&T page ...). Since that didn't happen, I got an error message that told me I couldn't use the network:

Without being able to use the Internet, I couldn't access ANY apps. The file I needed was actually stored on the Pixel's hard drive, not in the cloud. But because I couldn't get to the cloud app Google docs, the file wouldn't open.

The Pixel was a brick. I couldn't even take screen shots.

This would never have happened with a Mac or a PC. Even if I couldn't access WiFi, I could open a file and work offline.

The upshot is, at under $300, like for an HP ChromeBook ($279, no touchscreen) a ChromeBook is fine for home, or school, where WiFi is reliable.

But the Pixel costs $1,300 and for $1,100 you can get a new 13-inch MacBook Air. For $1,200, a new MacBook Pro. (Not to mention a countless variety of Windows 8 machines.)

So I don't recommend the expensive Pixel instead of a Mac.

That said, I'm going to miss this Pixel after I send it back. For working at home on stable WiFi, I've learned to prefer it.

Read more: http://www.businessinsider.com/mac-vs-google-pixel-mac-wins-...

chuckie - 11-6-2013 at 06:02 AM

Seems like it would be easier to stay out of Starbucks?

schwlind - 11-6-2013 at 06:48 AM

I've used HP, Dell and a few others but have been using Toshiba Satellite for the last 6 years or so and really like them.

I have the 15+ screen and have keyboard and number pad.

Due for a new one soon...

Russ - 11-6-2013 at 06:59 AM

After my "roll over" trip north I bought a new iMac and love it. I had the older iMac with me and it survived the roll over and now my niece has it and I got a lot of uncle points. The new is faster, lighter and sexier but has no DVD player. I had a player for the Mac Air so no worries there. I shouldn't read the Mac propaganda though. Now I'm drooling for the iPad Air. But I've opted for more concrete out back to set my rolling 20' guest house on.
One more word on the Mac.... When Mac come out with a new operating system they don't charge much to upgrade or the latest OS is free. Yes, there are always some bugs to work out and those are free to down load too. Every time a Windows has a new OS there is a huge cry about it and lots of folks say don't get it. With 10 times the number of people using Windows you might thing they would shake down the new system better.

DianaT - 11-6-2013 at 08:15 AM

I slipped again and did not go MAC --- wish I had. I ended up buying an ASUS laptop which is very good, except to turns itself off now and again and it is not hot. I am working with the company on that problem.

I have grown to not mind Windows 8, in fact there are some things I like about it.

Next time, MAC

Russ - 11-6-2013 at 08:48 AM

Sheeeshs by then Diana Mac will have a wrist unit that you'll just talk into for all your projects.

DianaT - 2-12-2014 at 09:27 AM

Russ, Russ, Russ, why do I NOT listen to you! Maybe I have now learned.

I just received by ASUS back from the company. I sent it in for repair as it turns itself off and the touch screen quit.

The returned it saying that when turning on, it didn't boot to the operating system so then simply reformatted the computer. That was NEVER a problem. That was just an easy solution for nothing, except I have to reload all my software.

They ignored the real problem and my computer came back with lots of Adware, Malware and viruses that were not there before! It is a mess. I have now removed most of the malicious programs and am working with Kapersky to get rid of the viruses.

So, ASUS was NOT a good choice. :fire:

Okay, maybe I got a lemon, but to return a computer full of malware, adware and viruses is untenable!

Repeating to myself, over and over, learn to listen to Russ, learn to listen to Russ. John also tried to convince me to convert to Apple, but I just didn't want to spend the money --- BAD CHOICE.

[Edited on 2-12-2014 by DianaT]

toneart - 2-12-2014 at 03:17 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by DianaT
Russ, Russ, Russ, why do I NOT listen to you! Maybe I have now learned.

I just received by ASUS back from the company. I sent it in for repair as it turns itself off and the touch screen quit.

The returned it saying that when turning on, it didn't boot to the operating system so then simply reformatted the computer. That was NEVER a problem. That was just an easy solution for nothing, except I have to reload all my software.

They ignored the real problem and my computer came back with lots of Adware, Malware and viruses that were not there before! It is a mess. I have now removed most of the malicious programs and am working with Kapersky to get rid of the viruses.

So, ASUS was NOT a good choice. :fire:

Sorry, Diana! I'm afraid you listened to me about my ASUS. You did get a dud. Mine works really well and I am happy with it.

Then again, I have not had to send it back to the factory. Wow! There is no excuse for them returning it to you with viruses and malware.

I had the same problem with a MAC laptop which was the laptop before my ASUS. I bought it new, online from Apple, and it came from the factory with someone else set up as the Administrator and someone else's password. (I have related this problem before on Bajanomad, so please pardon the repetition if you read it before).

I had to leave in the next few days for Mulege and there was not time to send it back for an exchange. I had to bite it.

Upon calling customer support, the engineer said he had never heard of such a thing. He had me reinstall all the set up software. When it reached the point where I was to enter my name and password, it hit a wall. Wouldn't let me do it. The engineer had to go away from the phone and figure a workaround, which he did.

At least I could use the damned thing, but it had so many bugs that it was never right. Then I had to continually upgrade from current OS to the next, often and at great expense. I didn't, and soon the damned thing was obsolete. I could not get into my bank's security encryption.

It would probably be a good idea to buy computers from a local store or from Amazon. That way you have more recourse, less hassle and less time waste. Then again, if you are buying a Mac, you are stuck in bed with Apple.

I ended up taking bets on how many skips it would take to skim the surface of the Mulege River and land on the opposite riverbank. The only security the river bank required was to negotiate around the brown trout. One of those would have stopped it midway with a thud, or I guess that sound would be Plop

BajaNomad - 2-12-2014 at 03:24 PM

Still happy with my Asus for a number of years now. Of course I don't run Windows on it. There are operating system alternatives out there besides Windows that run on a PC.

Just saying.

tripledigitken - 2-12-2014 at 03:57 PM

Happy owner of 13" Toshiba PC laptop, its very thin with a metal case. Running win7 and trouble free so far. Added memory a couple years ago to 8gb. Years ago I was invested in PC with work related programs, now that isn't an issue. Next laptop will, however, probably be a Mac......

I have had no virus related issues since installing Norton 360.

DianaT - 2-12-2014 at 04:08 PM

Tony and Doug --- yes I listened to you two and others, however, I also did a lot of research on my own and ASUS just kept coming out on top! I certainly take FULL responsibility for my choice.

Mine may be a dud. I bought it at Costco, so if it turns itself off one more time, it is headed back to Costco.

I don't understand how they got so much Adware, Malware and viruses in such a short time when they reinstalled the OS. They put Norton on the computer after dumping my Kapersky. I prefer Kapersky and it picked up on 4 viruses right away after reinstalling it.

I just could not believe the other programs that had helped themselves to my computer while it was in their hands. I should have made a list of all of them.

I do hope I can get it totally cleaned up and it will last for a while --- back to reinstalling software.

[Edited on 2-12-2014 by DianaT]

Jaybo - 2-12-2014 at 05:56 PM

Take a look at Glary Utilities. It's a great program with all sorts of utilities to keep your system up to snuff, get malware off and keep order of your computer.

http://www.glarysoft.com/

GREAT Program

..Jay

elfbrewery - 12-3-2014 at 12:46 PM

If you have satellite internet on a HughesNet 7000 do NOT buy a Chromebook, unless you work only during the wee hours of the morning. There is no way to turnoff automatic updates. We have a wifi system that we share and the very first 1.5 hours that a Chromebook was added to our system, it FAP-ed us. I did some questioning over the internet to the Google group and they recommended that I not allow Chromebooks on our system. Very interesting...but ...

chuckie - 12-3-2014 at 01:40 PM

Maybe I am just not fussy, or smart enough to get in trouble, BUT I have been buying used laptops for Baja since dirt wuz rocks, and aside from abuse damage, have had almost no problems. I try to keep 2 or 3 working laptops with the same OS and when one shows signs of fatigue, just switch to another one....Currently have 2 dells and a Lenovo think pad....paid less than 100 bucks each on ebay.....

DianaT - 12-4-2014 at 09:18 AM

Gees --- old thread, but I will say that my ASUS has been back to the factory a few times and it is still a piece of junk! It shuts itself off and it is not hot, the touch pad quits, the touch screen quits, on and on.

I will probably buy another one soon.

Skipjack Joe - 12-4-2014 at 11:03 AM

How was the ASUS for graphics Diane?

I bought Alex a dell laptop paying no attention to the screen. Later I realized that we had to look perfectly perpendicular to it for the colors and tones to be visible properly. My macpro doesn't have that issue. Actually it exists to a very small degree.

Thanks