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General discussion

Buying a new Laptop

by asanderd Jun 18, 2014 11:12AM PDT

I posted this back in February and I finally have the money to get my laptop. I'm looking to buy a new (my first) laptop in the next few days. Below is what I want to do on it. Also where online is the best deals? Or should I go Brick and Mortar?


Basically I want to be able to do everyday internet stuff, stream netflix, do light editing of videos with just a simple Windows Movie Maker program, touch up photos and the have my Sims games. That is pretty much it. As far as storage, I do plan on buying an external hard drive so as to not clutter the computer, and I'm not worried to much about battery life as It will mostly be plugged into an outlet.

My biggest concern is that I am a big fan of the Sims games, and I want to be able to have the base game and 7-9 expansion games as well as some Stuff Packs (new furniture, floors, walls but no worlds) I was speaking online with a family friend who said I would need 16gb of RAM.... I am on a budget and would love to pay under $1000.

I don't want a Macbook because A.) They are freaky expensive and B.) In my honest opinion... Apple is all name. I have heard so many times that they are over rated, I can't say that as I have never used a Apple product, but still.

Portability for me is a must. I won't be taking it anywhere unless I have family in the hospital, so it will be at home, but I want a laptop because I have degenerative disc disease, basically the cushions (discs) in between my vertebrae are slowly breaking down. Sitting in one place for too long get very painful. Because I cannot work, and have my mom to help with housework. I have an insane amount of free time on my hands. The computer is where I spend a good amount of my time. When my back starts to reject my computer chair, I can go to my recliner and from their my bed and then the cycle just repeats. I want to be able to just pick up my computer and take it with me, to my bed or recliner.

Also I'm sorry if my wording is confusing. I have Asperger's and I have been known to confuse people, because I use the wrong wording.

Discussion is locked

12 Posts
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Read this recent discussion.
by r. proffitt Forum moderator Jun 18, 2014 11:20AM PDT
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Thinking I may forego sims play to save some money.
by asanderd Jun 18, 2014 1:01PM PDT

Hi Bob, I wasn't sure if anything as far as newer/better specs has changed since February. That's why I posted again. After talking with my cousin tonight and, I have all but given up hope on being able to play sims on the laptop, the way he was talking I'm looking at a price tag of over $800.

I like the price on this one. Plus it has separate graphics card. AMD Radeon HD 8610G

$619.91

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16834300389

Here are the specs

DELL Inspiron i5735-1935sLV

Windows 8.1 (64Bit)

CPU Type
AMD A10-5745M (2.10GHz)

Screen_____________ 17.3" 1600 x 900

Memory Size_________ 8GB DDR3 1600
Hard Disk ___________ 1TB 5400RPM
Optical Drive_________ DVD+R/RW
Graphics Card_______ AMD Radeon HD 8610G Integrated Card
Video Memory
Shared memory

DVD+R/RW
Ports__________ 2 x USB 2.0 ___ 2 x USB 3.0
HDMI_________ 1 x HDMI

Audio
Waves Maxx Audio 4.0
Non-backlit Keyboard
Card Reader 8-in-1
Webcam
Battery
6-cell lithium ion

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Small world.
by r. proffitt Forum moderator Jun 19, 2014 7:25AM PDT
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Looking at Rent to Own at Aarons rental center
by asanderd Jun 24, 2014 9:58AM PDT
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A4? Don't bother.
by r. proffitt Forum moderator Jun 24, 2014 10:01AM PDT

Same for the A6.

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Off the top of my head
by Steven Haninger Jun 24, 2014 10:16AM PDT

The HP site doesn't show that exact model but its higher end Pavilion series shows at quite a bit less (more than $300) than the Aaron's purchase price. I can't see rent-to-own as offering much of an advantage. So you spend 100 bucks plus whatever tax and service charge an find out you don't like it. That's a lot of money for that lesson.

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denied
by asanderd Jun 24, 2014 1:57PM PDT

The reason for me possible going the rent to own route, is that I applied for a Newegg prefered account and got denied. My mom said she would try later, but if anything, I might just wait on either back to school or black friday/Cyber Monday sales. I know in the end a R-O will end up costing me more on interest, but it's the easiest on my wallet.

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May be hard on the wallet.
by r. proffitt Forum moderator Jun 24, 2014 3:18PM PDT

That is, the A4 and A6 won't be a happy solution so you would have spent your money and not got what you wanted. Lose and lose and keep losing?
Bob

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Just found out I can order from QVC with no credit check :-)
by asanderd Jun 25, 2014 3:09PM PDT

My mom just told me that QVC does payments without credit checks, so no more Aarons Happy This is a regular $1,873.73 onsale for $794.98 payments only $132.49.The payments would be a little more, but the processor is a AMD 10 Quad Core, which I think... is the best AMD processor you can get. The payment plan expires on the 30th. So then I would have to pay for the whole $794.98 in one fall swoop. I gotta ask my mom if she can spot me $50 so I can get the 3 year $224.00 Drop & Spill protection, otherwise there is only a 1 yr limited warranty. I think this is the one, because I can see anything being any better as far as price and specs go.


http://www.qvc.com/Dell-17-Laptop-AMD-A10-Quad-Core-8GB-RAM-1TB-HD.product.E226010.html?sc=E226010-WISH

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Frankly, I can get that on Woot for maybe 455.
by r. proffitt Forum moderator Jun 25, 2014 3:17PM PDT
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used
by asanderd Jun 25, 2014 8:31PM PDT

I don't want to pay that much money on something that's used. Normally I'm all for used. I frequent Amazon for books, movies clothing and other small ticket items. But I don't know if trust's used computer. Awitb my running luck it would die 2days after the warrenty expires. Plus, I can't drop that much money at one time. Hence my looking rent to owns and 6 monthly payment PCs.

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I'm bought a few from there.
by r. proffitt Forum moderator Jun 25, 2014 10:57PM PDT

The machines have been scratch free and spotless. It's as if someone had bought it to try it out, sent it back the next day so used? Doesn't feel like it and the OS load is as if it was right from the factory.

So you're going to pay double. Go right ahead.
Bob

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