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02-07-2011, 06:32 PM
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#1 | | Rs has made me the woman i am today!
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| Dear RS geeksquad, help me pick a laptop :)
I've been looking through options and reviews over the last couple weeks but I'm finding it hard to make a final decision.
Plus I'm not to up to date with all the computer lingo, so I'm not 100% sure what I should be looking for.
Here are my basic criteria-
Must be a good speed (For this I look at the processor speed right?) Would there be much noticable difference between say 2.5ghz and 2.8 ghz?
Must be able to run a conseriderable amount of programs at once. (here I'm looking at RAM correct?) Almost all the Laptops I've considered have 4gbs of RAM, I don't think I would need much more than that to run say iTunes, Couple Browser pages, Word and maybe a picture editing program at once without slowing it right down.
Slim, 13" or 14", maybe 15"
Things I don't Need
A lot of hard drive space I Should be fine with 250gbs or less. I don't download a ton of programs or music or anything.
Some crazy graphics card I don't play WoW or watch movies or anything.
Things that would be nice
Pre loaded Microsoft OfficePPT Word Excel etc
Some alright picture editing software Doesn't have to be crazy like photoshop, just basic.
My previous laptop was an Acer aspire one netbook. I basically just used it to take notes at school/browse RS on breaks. It's recently decided to fail a bunch, and my family's home computer that I relied on for all my work/school work stuff has also fallen apart on us now So I figure I'll get a decent all round laptop for my needs.
I've never bought a computer or laptop from anywhere but FS/BB, but I've been reading a lot abotu mem express and NCIX lately, maybe I should check them out?
Budget = $800ish
TIA
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02-07-2011, 07:01 PM
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#2 | | I STILL don't get it
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| http://www.ncix.com/products/?sku=55...nufacture=ASUS
may be a bit inbetween what u want though, inbetween a netbook and reg laptop but price is good
oops, didn't see u wanted this for all around laptop, the screen on this is a bit small for browsing at home
Last edited by asdfpic; 02-07-2011 at 07:07 PM.
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02-07-2011, 07:08 PM
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#3 | | Rs has made me the woman i am today!
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^ Forgot to mention I'd prefer a disk drive.
Also How much will I notice a difference in 2gb of ram compared to 4 gbs?
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02-07-2011, 07:11 PM
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#4 | | To me, there is the Internet and there is RS
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Until the lions have their own historians, the history of the hunt will always glorify the hunter.
Last edited by Manic!; 02-07-2011 at 08:24 PM.
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02-07-2011, 08:04 PM
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#5 | | Kick' In' Duh' Bass
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bro Spoonfit bought a pretty good one from NCIX but it was on sale so watch for sales... I just bought an aspire from BestBuy but u already had one soo i dunno. $800 is a lil low for taxes in but if i were you maybe check out visions electronics too!
__________________ Flickr The DC5 Member's Journal > 2005 Acura TSX ASPEC < > 2003 Acura RSX-S < > 1994 Acura Intergra LS < > 1994 Honda Civic SI < > 1991 Acura Integra GS < ( RIP ) | |
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02-07-2011, 10:31 PM
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#6 | | Banned By Establishment
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| http://www.ncix.com/products/?sku=57...nufacture=ASUS
i have this one but it's probably out of your price range.
absolutely stunning laptop,.
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02-07-2011, 10:42 PM
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#7 | | hoppity HOP HOP
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I'm using this right now: http://www.memoryexpress.com/Product...(ME).aspx?cc=1
the Asus U30JC-B1
- optical drive
- ~5lbs
-13.3" screen
- integrated and dedicated(low-mid end) graphics
- up to 7hrs battery life
It's last year's model and is replaced by the U35J, and it often drops to $749 at either ME or NCIX, which was the price I bought it when ME opened here.
Edit:
Or a Dell http://www.costco.ca/Browse/Product....A&Sp=C&topnav=
Last edited by Spectre_Cdn; 02-07-2011 at 11:30 PM.
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02-07-2011, 11:19 PM
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#8 | | Who's naughty? I___i
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no link for you J but google HP Envy 14  | |
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02-08-2011, 04:20 AM
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#9 | | Say! Say! Say!
Join Date: Aug 2005 Location: Japan
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| Quote:
Originally Posted by MajinHurricane  | Very classy indeed. My eyes went WOW when they debuted this at CES last year! Posted via RS Mobile | |
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02-08-2011, 07:45 AM
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#10 | | 14 dolla balla aint got nothing on me!
Join Date: Feb 2011 Location: 604
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For your needs, a basic laptop is good enough for you. I won't be finding onr for you, there are just too many to choose from for basic things. As for microsoft office, you can torrent microsoft enterprise 2010, that will save you a couple hundred dollars. Also, photoshop CS5 is also out for torrent.
P.S. Stick with the 4gbs ram instead of 2. Posted via RS Mobile | |
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02-08-2011, 09:15 AM
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#11 | | Banned (ABWS)
Join Date: Feb 2009 Location: Kits/Richmond
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| Quote:
Originally Posted by fs604 For your needs, a basic laptop is good enough for you. I won't be finding onr for you, there are just too many to choose from for basic things. As for microsoft office, you can torrent microsoft enterprise 2010, that will save you a couple hundred dollars. Also, photoshop CS5 is also out for torrent.
P.S. Stick with the 4gbs ram instead of 2. | x2
If you're not gaming or developing or media editing (professionally, simple photo edits don't count) then $400 will buy you a basic laptop that will do everything you want, anything else is gravy.
I would spend the extra on a laptop with an LED 1080p screen. It makes such a difference to have 1920x1080 vs 1366x768. This is why I choose a Dell, this screen was only a $50 upgrade.
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02-08-2011, 09:35 AM
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#12 | | Diagonally parked in a parallel universe
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There's usually an Acer Laptop price pointed around $550 that will totally fit your needs unless you want the crisper display.
I've yet to ever have a problem with an Acer comp (knock on wood), meanwhile, my HP has already been in for a full hard drive replacement.
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~ Just another noob looking for a clue
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02-08-2011, 10:03 AM
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#13 | | Need to Seek Professional Help
Join Date: Jun 2010 Location: Vancouver
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from what i've followed on previous threads about laptops, I recall some members here getting the acer aspire timeline, or timelineX or something like that. http://www.memoryexpress.com/Product...29183(ME).aspx
or http://www.memoryexpress.com/Product...31896(ME).aspx
if theres something from memory express that you want, shoot me a pm. I'm in Edmonton for another week so I'm willing to help save you that 7% in taxes as long as your 100% certain you want that one.
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02-08-2011, 10:25 AM
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#14 | | I answer every Emotion with an emoticon
Join Date: Feb 2005 Location: somewhere
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check this out
The i5 should serve you well.. http://www.memoryexpress.com/Product...6%28ME%29.aspx
Acer Aspire Timeline 3820TG-6829 w/ Core i5-480M
4GB, 500GB
13.3in HD
Radeon HD 6550M
Win 7 Home Premium 64-bit
$769.99 http://www.memoryexpress.com/Product...0%28ME%29.aspx
this is almost the same as the previous one but $829.99 both are 13"
you want something with i5 since you said your going to be running lots of programs at once..
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02-08-2011, 10:27 AM
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#15 | | Need to Seek Professional Help
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| Quote:
Originally Posted by FerrariEnzo | posted that in my post too  | |
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02-08-2011, 10:32 AM
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#16 | | Rs has made me the woman i am today!
Join Date: Mar 2010 Location: PM
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Thanks for all the input guys. I'm guessing that if I go for an acer, the big brand stores like futureshop will have the best pricing? Posted via RS Mobile | |
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02-08-2011, 10:32 AM
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#17 | | I answer every Emotion with an emoticon
Join Date: Feb 2005 Location: somewhere
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| Quote:
Originally Posted by impulseX posted that in my post too | haha you did too... didnt see that...
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02-08-2011, 12:13 PM
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#18 | | I *Fwap* *Fwap* *Fwap* to RS
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I've been using this for about 5 months and it's an amazing computer. Quote:
Originally Posted by FerrariEnzo | | |
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02-08-2011, 01:38 PM
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#19 | | I answer every Emotion with an emoticon
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| Quote:
Originally Posted by Jgresch Thanks for all the input guys. I'm guessing that if I go for an acer, the big brand stores like futureshop will have the best pricing? Posted via RS Mobile | ME price match and i believe they give you 5% or 10% off after the match... Quote:
Originally Posted by _Hotsauce_ I've been using this for about 5 months and it's an amazing computer. | yea the specs on this machine seems nice.. and acer isnt a bad brand but price/performance, this seems good unless you find a better one on sale..
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02-08-2011, 05:08 PM
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#20 | | Need to Seek Professional Help
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mem express does 5% price match. I generally don't prefer bestbuy/futureshop for computers as i find most of the stuff is crap.. thats just me tho
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02-08-2011, 07:28 PM
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#21 | | 14 dolla balla aint got nothing on me!
Join Date: Feb 2011 Location: 604
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| Quote: |
I don't think I would need much more than that to run say iTunes, Couple Browser pages, Word and maybe a picture editing program at once
| Even i3 will fulfill this easily. I don't understand why an i5 would be needed for these basic needs. ANY quad core if not dual core processor will run these. I mean come on, itunes, firefox, and word will run fine on a single core. Paying an extra 100$ +/- a few to go from i3 to i5 is not worth the unnecessary speed he needs.
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02-09-2011, 09:18 AM
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#22 | | Banned (ABWS)
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| Quote:
Originally Posted by fs604 Even i3 will fulfill this easily. I don't understand why an i5 would be needed for these basic needs. ANY quad core if not dual core processor will run these. I mean come on, itunes, firefox, and word will run fine on a single core. Paying an extra 100$ +/- a few to go from i3 to i5 is not worth the unnecessary speed he needs. | x2
Spend the extra on getting a better screen. The reduced time scrolling will improve perceived performance more than any processor.
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02-09-2011, 01:03 PM
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#23 | | Snapping away
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but will an i5 outlast an i3 in the long run?
you get what you pay for, especially in laptops. i just formatted a lower-end i3 and it was pretty slow imo. not to mention the OP might be using it right outta the box with all the bloatware.
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02-09-2011, 03:10 PM
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#24 | | Banned (ABWS)
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| Quote:
Originally Posted by ddr but will an i5 outlast an i3 in the long run? | Who cares @$400, just buy a new one when you need to.
My 10yo laptop would still do everything the OP wants to. Quote:
Originally Posted by ddr you get what you pay for, especially in laptops. i just formatted a lower-end i3 and it was pretty slow imo. not to mention the OP might be using it right outta the box with all the bloatware. | That's a different story, any computer is going to be slow with all the crap that is installed on it.
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02-09-2011, 03:57 PM
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#25 | | Who's naughty? I___i
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haven't checked RFD lately but Lenovo sometimes have 30%-50% off coupon? That might make it a better deal than getting the Acer from FS/BBY
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