Official Building/Upgrading thread

[Razor Ramon HG]

What laptop do you have?

If the GPU die was getting hot due to incorrect contact with the heatsink, the fans should've been at practically 100% the whole time, and there's no way you couldn't have noticed.

Might be something else.

[StylinRed]

It's a vaio f something and yep the fans were almost always at max just from browsing the net and the vent would be scorching hot if I used it for more than an hour

The bottom plastic casing had also been disintegrating, there are little plastic bits all over the place, the plastic grill by the vents are broken off, the plastic surrounds of many screws as well, found plastic bits all over the motherboard too from pieces falling in, sigh


Ive got a duo11 'convertible' but I'd like a regular laptop too, however I notice Sony doesn't sell laptops anymore -_- any brand other than Lenovo that allows you to customize components?

[Razor Ramon HG]

Yeah, I guess you reacted just a bit too late

Get a Clevo from Eurocom.. they're great laptops for the money, especially if you're looking for a gaming notebook.

Although most customization is generally cheaper done yourself (like RAM/SSD upgrades).

[underscore]

One thing I really should ask, how do SSD's handle operating in cold temperatures? Last year I had to work in a building at -45 and the poor HP I had didn't even recognize that it had a battery.

Originally Posted by Razor Ramon HG

What type of work are you going to be doing?

What I do is probably the most demanding, PLC programming with software like RSLogix5000 while also running a VM with FactoryTalk View Studio. Most of my coworkers are doing lots of either CAD with Visio or using multiple accounting programs. Realistically it would be better to get 2 levels of laptops but for simplicity we're getting them all the same.

Originally Posted by Razor Ramon HG

The problem is that I don't know of any business laptops that aren't using ultrabook CPUs at the moment, so you'll have probably have to use a third-party dock.

If you don't mind using a third-party dock, I would recommend a Clevo.

This Clevo P650SE can be configured to your liking - Eurocom Configure Model

For compatibility sake I think were stuck with a first-party dock, but the Eurocom site at least lists the dock as an optional extra so I'm sure it's fully supported. I like that the OS is optional as we already have a bunch of licenses for W7 Pro in our current machines (all upgraded) so it might be worth asking whoever we go with if no OS is an option.

[!MiKrofT]

Originally Posted by underscore

E7450 is too small, E6540 looks to be the same specs as the others I've looked at aside from the CPU, but it's more expensive atm. Right now leaning towards the Lattitude E5550, i7-5600u (2.6GHz x2), 8GB RAM, 256GB SSD, 1920x1080 screen with a dual display dock for ~1800, most likely going to add the touchscreen for $200 (much to my annoyance) and backlit keyboard to all of them as well.

Best option from Lenovo is the W550s, but spec'd the same as the Dell it lands at $2300 and the touchscreen upgrade costs twice as much since you need the 3k screen to get it. The $700 difference might be doable if I wasn't buying 7 of them, but $5k is a pretty big price gap overall.

Toshiba and HP seem to have docks but aren't very clear on what laptops can use them, so I'm waiting to hear back from their reps on what options they have.

As a side note the surcharge for upgrading to an SSD anywhere is such bullshit, they charge twice what the drives are worth on their own and they don't remove the value of the basic HDD.

If you're only using Win7 don't bother getting a touchscreen.

You should look at the Dell Precision series. They are mobile workstations (More powerful CPUs and graphics) and they have docking connectors.

Dell Precision Laptops - Mobile Workstations | Dell Canada

[underscore]

Preaching to the choir man, but a couple people seem deadset on having it. I'm told it might be nice for Win10, which it might be, except industrial software upgrades at a snails pace. The main software I use only started supporting Win7 about 2 years ago and I still do 90% of my work in a VM of XP, so I doubt we'll be using Win10 until our next round of laptops in ~4 years anyways.

[bigzz786786]

Has anyone dealt with Tigerdirect.ca?

Any issues with dealing about a price discrepancy? there was an advertised best price for a video card and said the price will show at check-out, but when i get to the point of placing the order, the price still shows full price!

i've been going back and forth with customer service via email and they keep giving me the bullshit runaround as they "fix" the website prices and remove all "best price" prices.

Good thing I screened shot them. fuckers are trying to weasel their way out of honoring the price.

Granted its $100 off but still! its been advertised for a week at that price!

Fuckers.

[Razor Ramon HG]

No, because fuck TD

[underscore]

Originally Posted by bigzz786786

Has anyone dealt with Tigerdirect.ca?

I dealt with them once and I'll never deal with them again. Their worthless customer service gave the the runaround on a DoA PSU until it was past their support window (3 bloody months) so I had to deal with the mfr directly, who was a bit confused but very helpful.

Now I only deal with NCIX. TD are assholes, Memory Express are slow as hell to ship things, and NewEgg ships half their stuff from the US so you have to pay 2x the shipping.

[bigzz786786]

Hmmmm, but if everything works out then they will be sending me an msi gtx 970 for 369.99

They said they will be contacting me in 1 - 2 business days. Im going to call them tomorrow morning to follow up. I have all the proof, also including the screen shot of the price and the details of the screen shot showing the date and time. They tried to bs there way out of it but i called them on there lie!

[!MiKrofT]

Originally Posted by bigzz786786

Hmmmm, but if everything works out then they will be sending me an msi gtx 970 for 369.99

They said they will be contacting me in 1 - 2 business days. Im going to call them tomorrow morning to follow up. I have all the proof, also including the screen shot of the price and the details of the screen shot showing the date and time. They tried to bs there way out of it but i called them on there lie!

Good luck on that. They have 0 obligation to fulfill your order as their fine print most likely includes a clause about online pricing error.

[77civic1200]

Can anyone recommend a new router for me? I signed up for a new ISP and its being held up by my current one (asus rt-n53). Looking for an affordable way to keep up with the 950Mbps that is coming out of the wall

[jing]

^ AC68u

[IMASA]

Is this a decent deal? I have a 240gb SSD that is quickly getting filled up with apps that I use regularly. Samsung 850 500gb SSD for $190 from ebay Newegg.ca

eBay.ca: Samsung 850 Evo 500GB 2.5" Internal Solid State Drive $190 (Was $300) + Free Shipping - RedFlagDeals.com Forums

[bigzz786786]

^ memory express has it for 199
Samsung 840 EVO Series Solid State Drive, 500GB at Memory Express

Looks like a new version too

[RevYouUp]

Originally Posted by StylinRed

Omg, my laptop just died, I put it in sleep and went to do some other stuff came back to it and its off and won't turn on, it lights up then shuts off immediately -_- bah! @%#$!!

Same thing happened to my Son Vaio. Brought it to jack laptops and they said the motherboard was damaged. They wanted $140 to fix it. Decided not to fix it, my laptop is already 5 yrs old and it'll probably happen again.

[godwin]

Does your devices support AC? If not you will benefit upgrading them too.

For sub $100 I like TPLink C7 Archer review can be found here. The problem with AC routers in general is if you go custom ROMs, the AC chipset from Broadcom (so far) is not fulling open source.. but it is philosophical for most people.

I also like the Apple Airport Extreme.. so much less hassle and if you use Mac you can iCloud back home transparently and securely via the built in VPN.

Originally Posted by 77civic1200

Can anyone recommend a new router for me? I signed up for a new ISP and its being held up by my current one (asus rt-n53). Looking for an affordable way to keep up with the 950Mbps that is coming out of the wall

[godwin]

It is a decent deal especially if you get free shipping.. remember to get your airmiles etc too.

Originally Posted by IMASA

Is this a decent deal? I have a 240gb SSD that is quickly getting filled up with apps that I use regularly. Samsung 850 500gb SSD for $190 from ebay Newegg.ca

eBay.ca: Samsung 850 Evo 500GB 2.5" Internal Solid State Drive $190 (Was $300) + Free Shipping - RedFlagDeals.com Forums

[godwin]

SSD handle cold just fine.. battery is another story because they are in a gel.

Originally Posted by underscore

One thing I really should ask, how do SSD's handle operating in cold temperatures? Last year I had to work in a building at -45 and the poor HP I had didn't even recognize that it had a battery.

[godwin]

Dell and HP professional lines let you configure components. I think the Dell's XPS has improved quite a bit.

Sony had sold their Vaio to a hedge fund.. the Vaio is now only available in Japan only VAIO

Originally Posted by StylinRed

Ive got a duo11 'convertible' but I'd like a regular laptop too, however I notice Sony doesn't sell laptops anymore -_- any brand other than Lenovo that allows you to customize components?

[G]

Question for you guys:

I have a desktop PC that I built but I now need to ship it to another province. What would you say is the best method to do so?

Right now I am thinking of :
- Taking out all my components except for my SSD (which is mounted to the side of my case frame) and my power supply (which is mounted on the bottom of my case frame).
- Putting the components into anti-static bags
- Bubble wrapping my case, and bubble wrapping my components. Then putting it in a cardboard box that is cushioned inside with clothing.

Any thoughts? I will be choosing between Purolator or Air Canada Luggage (I am flying to the other province). Which one would you choose?

Thanks!!

[heisenberg]

does anyone know a good bang for your buck battery bank or a reliable one around 10000mAH?

[asian_XL]

Should wait until Meizu releases its newest 10000Mah QC2.0 slim power bank on 30 jul. Around 30USD.

[Mr.HappySilp]

Originally Posted by G

Question for you guys:

I have a desktop PC that I built but I now need to ship it to another province. What would you say is the best method to do so?

Right now I am thinking of :
- Taking out all my components except for my SSD (which is mounted to the side of my case frame) and my power supply (which is mounted on the bottom of my case frame).
- Putting the components into anti-static bags
- Bubble wrapping my case, and bubble wrapping my components. Then putting it in a cardboard box that is cushioned inside with clothing.

Any thoughts? I will be choosing between Purolator or Air Canada Luggage (I am flying to the other province). Which one would you choose?

Thanks!!

Put the desktop in the orgingal box it comes and use those foam they have? I mean Dell ships out PC like this all the time and it works just fine for them.

[underscore]

^ agreed. Personally I think the parts are safer bolted inside a metal case than on their own in some thin cardboard and foam. Although if the tower is small enough I'd take it as my carry-on.