Computer Purchase - Calling Tech Experts

Rash

I need to get a new laptop for my father in law. He uses it for checking e-mail, limited internet browsing and quickbooks. He doesn't really move it much, but still wants a laptop. His current laptop is 5-6 years old so anything is a tremendous upgrade. He went to Bestbuy and they had him looking at $700 computers. I think that is overkill. Any recommendations?

Matt

I see Netbooks for $200-$600 so you're on the right track. Get more RAM, you know for the porn he'll be streaming

Martin

Take his current laptop to a nerd and have him swap in an SSD and double the ram, or buy a used ThinkPad with the same upgrades for $300-400.

AaronWebstey

We got my wife's latest laptop at Costco. Like most things there, you won't find the cheapest model but you might find a smoking deal on something slightly above the minimum.

Martin

AaronWebstey said:

We got my wife's latest laptop at Costco. Like most things there, you won't find the cheapest model but you might find a smoking deal on something slightly above the minimum.

And you can return it in six months and get a new one,

scotty

Work just bought me a 15" HP for around $600. It works fine, but honestly the screen feels too big (at least compared to my MacBook) and I could have easily gone smaller. I do really like the touch screen aspect though.

IanL

is quickbooks installed or online? i just bought a Google Chrome book and it is awesome.

Johns622

scotty said:

Work just bought me a 15" HP for around $600. It works fine, but honestly the screen feels too big (at least compared to my MacBook) and I could have easily gone smaller. I do really like the touch screen aspect though.

Think i just got the same one, i've been pretty happy with it so far.

Rash

Must be nice to get new work computers - my company just recycles the previously broken ones. I turned in my 2016 laptop and was provided a 2015 replacement.

Thanks for the input. I just told him anything around $400 or less is good enough for what he needs and 1,000x better than what he had.

Granpa Chook

@Martin Where do you look for used upgraded Thinkpads? That sounds interesting to me. They seem good?

I also need to get a new laptop. This Asus is 8 years old, slow like molasses, no battery, hinge completely broken, wires popping out. It can run some games but it's going to explode at any moment.

wchevron

A friend of mine works at Dell. He said buy a Dell refurbished computer. Most of them are brand new. People order them and then realize they didn't order exactly what they wanted and return the computer. It's cheaper for Dell to put the returned computer in the refurbished dept than modify it for what the original customer really wanted.

Martin

Granpa Chook said:

@Martin Where do you look for used upgraded Thinkpads? That sounds interesting to me. They seem good?

You can find them on most classified sites, and if you buy a higher end one they are pretty much indestructible so it's a safe buy. I'm lucky to have a good computer store near my place that deals in refurb. He fixed one up for me and gave me a one year warranty. If you can find someone similar in your area, it's probably worthwhile paying a few bucks extra than buying off craigslist or ebay.

AaronWebstey

One of our contractors started as a small group of computer nerds who needed high end computing at real-world prices, and they only ever used Thinkpads. +1 to @Martin .