Cheap Laptops

[Skillet]

Does it really matter which brand to buy? Will one of you computer gurus makes us dummies a buying guide checklist thing, please?

What to stay away from, what to look for. So far all I hear is do not buy used. that's good info though!

Yes, it definitely matters what brand it is because some brands are (in)famous for certain things which can be a good thing and bad thing. Example: HP laptops get very hot because the cooling sucks, and Dell has bad customer service.

It depends on what you are planning on doing with the computer, and if you value taking it with you etc. So I'd get a laptop if you do. But could you specify what you are planning on using it for? I can link you to some computers, and if I can't find something meeting your needs I can even give you a list of hardware parts (this is often cheaper by the way, if you buy the parts and not buy one of a brand)

Blessings

Ps; Computer hardware is a hobby of me so I'll be very happy to help!

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[Skillet]

Dell has bad customer service.

It depends on what you are planning on doing with the computer, and if you value taking it with you etc. So I'd get a laptop if you do. But could you specify what you are planning on using it for? I can link you to some computers, and if I can't find something meeting your needs I can even give you a list of hardware parts (this is often cheaper by the way, if you buy the parts and not buy one of a brand)

My last two computers were Dells. You speak the truth about their customer service.

I do not do a lot on computers. I do not need to take it with me. I use my computer for E-mail, business purposes which include E-mail, creating documents through word or similar, printing them out, browsing the web, searching for info, I watch quite a few vids on You tube and download vids to be played on my VLC media player, watching the news here and there, watching occasional programming on project TV, and no serious gaming or graphics. The most games I play is Microsoft hearts or minesweeper once in awhile. I would like it to be able to take an additional video card so that I can run two monitors. That way I can hook up to my big screen tv and do something while continuing to work intermittently on the smaller desktop monitor. That's about it. I plan to also get a camera system for the house that can be plugged into the computer (another reason for the 2nd monitor). My family room is in in the basement where I can not hear the doorbell and where I spend most of my time. A camera on the front door would let me keep an eye out.

Ahh okay, I will get back to you tomorrow because it is 28 past midnight here and I am getting quite tired and I got school again tomorrow! Pfft one more week and then I will have 2 weeks of holidays. Goodnight and God bless.

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[JumpingBean]

My computer actually died Friday.. go figure. hahaha

sniff I'm sorry. But we're glad that you're back.

Np no one really missed me... lol but that's ok I'm using my phone.

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[Vince]

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Np no one really missed me... lol but that's ok I'm using my phone.

We missed you. And we are glad that you're back.

 

[Skillet]

My computer actually died Friday.. go figure. hahaha

sniff I'm sorry. But we're glad that you're back.

Np no one really missed me... lol but that's ok I'm using my phone.

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Yes we did! How is it going at your youth camp? Has anyone talked to you yet?

Blessings, Josh

 

[Skillet]

Ok. Thanks brother.

Do you have a budget for the computer?

 

[Skillet]

Do you have a budget for the computer?

The cheaper the better. I don't want to spend 3K that's for sure. Especially for one that's backed with with poor customer service. (I had Dell build us one for the business before, NO DELLS!) A few hundred bucks would be lovely.

Haha no worries, for 3k you would get an extremely high end gaming computer which you simply wouldn't even need for all of the things you said you need the computer for.

 

[JumpingBean]

My computer actually died Friday.. go figure. hahaha

sniff I'm sorry. But we're glad that you're back.

Np no one really missed me... lol but that's ok I'm using my phone.

Sent from my SCH-I545 using Tapatalk 4

Yes we did! How is it going at your youth camp? Has anyone talked to you yet?

Blessings, Josh

I got home Sunday night. Nope, didn't rlly meet ne 1. It sucked. I just wont go again. LOL

 

[Skillet]

Np no one really missed me... lol but that's ok I'm using my phone.

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Yes we did! How is it going at your youth camp? Has anyone talked to you yet?

Blessings, Josh

I got home Sunday night. Nope, didn't rlly meet ne 1. It sucked. I just wont go again. LOL

Aww welcome home, sucks you didn't really meet anyone :/

 

[Vince]

Jumping Bean, things will get better. Edward, buy a cheap computer from a reputable company. When the hard drive fails, throw it out and buy another one.

 

[Vince]

So what'll a few hundred bucks get me nowadays?

Stick with name brands. Generally, the best cheap laptops are Acer. If you find one you like, write down the complete model number, go home, and look it up on the internet. Find out EXACTLY what the operating system is. Is it Starter Edition, Single Language Edition, etc.

Forget the warranty, since the manufacturer won't pay much attention to it. Find out how long the store will allow you to return it. When you get it home, if it doesn't work right, TAKE IT BACK! Don't try to fix it, TAKE IT BACK!

Be very careful about buying a Linux laptop. There is one version of Linux written especially for laptops. But if the machine is designed for Windows but has the Linux operating system installed, walk away.

 

[Skillet]

I'd go with HP, I'll get you some links to some models later on Edward which are a couple hundred

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[Skillet]

Ok, but remember I am not interested in a laptop. Go desktop. Thanks.

Here just a few I found just now:
http://www.ebay.com/itm/New-HP-6305...1274178972?pt=Desktop_PCs&hash=item3f2933799c

http://www.ebay.com/itm/HP-ENVY-H8-...d=100005&prg=1088&rk=4&rkt=5&sd=151084867434&

http://www.ebay.com/itm/HP-Business...d=100034&prg=1079&rk=3&rkt=8&sd=181225173334&

http://www.ebay.com/itm/New-Home-Of...0969522107?pt=Desktop_PCs&hash=item1e7e644fbb

Tell me what you think, if you don't like it I might be able to get a list of parts which you could buy and then get assembled, this MIGHT be cheaper, not quite sure.
Personally I'd go with seperate parts because I know how to assemble a computer, it's not all that hard to be honest.

Blessings.

 

[Skillet]

Tell me what you think, if you don't like it I might be able to get a list of parts which you could buy and then get assembled, this MIGHT be cheaper, not quite sure.

Oh I could assemble one I have no doubt. I've changed boards and cards and stuff. It's just screws and plug in molex connectors.

4GB for 400 bucks! I have a 4GB flash drive, lol. $550 for a 8GB/1TB is better but starting to get to be more than I care to pay. It's starting to sound like I should assemble one. I could always buy an external HD with 1 or 2 TBs if I needed it. I really do but am cheap, lol. Being able to run 2 monitors is a pretty important feature for me. I want to hook up to my big screen tv.

Okay, I'll get you a list of some parts later today for a good price. I'll make sure it has a good graphics card so you can use 2 monitors I use 2 monitors myself (laptop screen and 24" monitor) and it's great! So I understand why you'd want it haha.

Blessings.

 

[Skillet]

Tell me what you think, if you don't like it I might be able to get a list of parts which you could buy and then get assembled, this MIGHT be cheaper, not quite sure.

Oh I could assemble one I have no doubt. I've changed boards and cards and stuff. It's just screws and plug in molex connectors.

4GB for 400 bucks! I have a 4GB flash drive, lol. $550 for a 8GB/1TB is better but starting to get to be more than I care to pay. It's starting to sound like I should assemble one. I could always buy an external HD with 1 or 2 TBs if I needed it. I really do but am cheap, lol. Being able to run 2 monitors is a pretty important feature for me. I want to hook up to my big screen tv.

http://www.amazon.com/registry/giftlist/2LBTG3ZA0Z3CE < Much cheaper than the eBay ones and a much better set up as well for what you want to use the computer for, should last at least 2-3 years I reckon!

 

[Skillet]

[MENTION=90700]Edward[/MENTION] Hey, did you check out the link?

 

[Skillet]

@Edward Hey, did you check out the link?

I did, thanks for that. I must admit to feeling just a little bit lost, not being entirely sure as to what all I will need...

Wanna make me a shopping list?

Yeah of course man, a shopping list as in what parts or just what hardware(names of components)?

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[Skillet]

Yeah of course man, a shopping list as in what parts or just what hardware(names of components)?

I think a list of components should do it. Thanks bro.

The list I sent before was a list of components though? Haha or would you like me to make a newer list or something?

List I made earlier:
RAM memory - Kingston Hyper X Blu 4 GB 1600MHz DDR3 Non-ECC CL9 Desktop Memory (KHX1600C9D3B1​/4G)
Video Card- Sapphire Radeon HD 7770 GHZ 1 GB DDR5 HDMI/DVI-I/DP PCI-Express Graphics Card 11201-17-20G
Processor- AMD FX -4130 3.8Ghz Processor FD4130FRGUBOX, Black Edition
Motherboard- ASUS M5A97 R2.0 AM3+ AMD 970 SATA 6Gb/s USB 3.0 ATX AMD Motherboard
CD/DVD - Asus 24xDVD-RW Serial ATA Internal OEM Drive DRW-24B1ST (Black)
Power Supply- Corsair Builder Series CX 600 Watt ATX/EPS 80 PLUS (CX600)
HDD - Western Digital 1 TB RE3 SATA 3 Gb/s 7200 RPM 32 MB Cache Bulk/OEM Enterprise Hard Drive - WD1002FBYS

The total price of this computer would be $470.84 , which is a big improvement to the computers I sent you earlier.

Blessings bro!

 

[Skillet]

Whoops just discovered I forgot to add a case for the computer to the list sorry..

You can find a good amount of cases on www.amazon.com as well, you can check it out and see which one you like the most and adds up to the price.

Blessings.

 

[Skillet]

The list I sent before was a list of components though? Haha or would you like me to make a newer list or something?

List I made earlier:
RAM memory - Kingston Hyper X Blu 4 GB 1600MHz DDR3 Non-ECC CL9 Desktop Memory (KHX1600C9D3B1​/4G)
Video Card- Sapphire Radeon HD 7770 GHZ 1 GB DDR5 HDMI/DVI-I/DP PCI-Express Graphics Card 11201-17-20G
Processor- AMD FX -4130 3.8Ghz Processor FD4130FRGUBOX, Black Edition
Motherboard- ASUS M5A97 R2.0 AM3+ AMD 970 SATA 6Gb/s USB 3.0 ATX AMD Motherboard
CD/DVD - Asus 24xDVD-RW Serial ATA Internal OEM Drive DRW-24B1ST (Black)
Power Supply- Corsair Builder Series CX 600 Watt ATX/EPS 80 PLUS (CX600)
HDD - Western Digital 1 TB RE3 SATA 3 Gb/s 7200 RPM 32 MB Cache Bulk/OEM Enterprise Hard Drive - WD1002FBYS

The total price of this computer would be $470.84 , which is a big improvement to the computers I sent you earlier.

Blessings bro!

Oh, I don't know if I missed the other list or just didn't remember.

Ah well, thanks!

Oh, and a case!

Do you want me to find one or do you want to find one yourself? Since there's such a big variation in prices, looks, airflow etc! I'd recommend having a good airflow so you can get the best performance out of the computer.