Looking at Laptops

[Lost_in_the_HTTP]

Last time I bought a NEW one was in 2010 or so from Tiger Direct, so I'm a little rusty on what to look for.

Lots to choose from on the Bay, but the sellers seem off some how (as usual). Lots of NW HPs and Dells, but many state no warranty. Why would anybody buy those?

What is SGIN for a brand? Never heard of it.

I see quite a few with 4Gb RAM and they don't seem to be expandable, mentioning only one slot.

Optical Drives don't seem to be common.

How do you load stuff you already have? USB add-on drives I guess.

GOT to have a big screen. I'm used to this 17" and I'm not going back. I see plenty though.

Most are Win 11, but some still show Win 10. I'm not familiar with either. Which can you get into withOUT an on-line account? I seem to remember reading about some tricks to get past the initial setup.

 

[sandorski]

4gb barely holds Windows these days, get more than that. USB sticks are definitely what to use if you don't have access to a Network. Optical drives don't exist afaik these days.

Definitely google reviews, check for things like case rigidity, some flex really badly. HP seems good with rigidity, but at least some models from Lenovo are quite bad. Usually the lower tiers anyway.

Decide on what type of Monitor you want. 1080p should be fine, but have never used a 4k, so. Panel type will make a big difference though.

Intel/AMD are very competitive in this space. AMD seems to have the edge, but the CPU is not as dominant in a laptop in comparison to other parts.

Budget and Intended Use info are important considerations too.

 

[lakedude]

What is SGIN for a brand?

No idea.

I see quite a few with 4Gb RAM and they don't seem to be expandable, mentioning only one slot.

Unless you are running Linux 4GB isn't enough these days.

Optical Drives don't seem to be common.

Yeah I miss those. There are ways around having one but an external USB drive is the obvious solution.

Disk images are another way...

GOT to have a big screen. I'm used to this 17" and I'm not going back.

Between the want of an optical drive and the requirement for a big screen have you ever thought of "docking" your laptop to a keyboard, mouse, big monitor (bigger than 17") and an optical drive?

...withOUT an on-line account?

Yes there are ways. We got around the need for an account when we built our gaming rig over the summer. I'll try to hunt something up.


Besides the big screen what are you looking for? What budget? Gaming? Thin and light are most likely out with that 17 inch screen you want.

For me docking eliminates the need for a big screen.

How does this 15.6 inch with 16GB RAM and a 1TB SSD for $409.99 grab you? Too small? I'll keep looking...

https://www.staples.com/hp-255-g10-15-6-laptop-amd-ryzen-5-7530u-16gb-memory-1tb-ssd-windows-11-pro-a29t1ua-aba/product_24599294

 

[lakedude]

withOUT an on-line account

1. Follow the Windows 10/ 11 install process until you get to the "choose a country" screen.
Now's the time to cut off the Internet. However, before you do, you need to issue a command that prevents Windows 11 from forcing you to have an Internet connection.

2. Hit Shift + F10. A command prompt appears.
3. Type OOBE\BYPASSNRO to disable the Internet connection requirement.
The computer will reboot and return you to this screen.

4. Hit Shift + F10 again and this time Type ipconfig /release. Then hit Enter to disable the Internet.
5. Close the command prompt.

6. Continue with the installation, choosing the region. keyboard and second keyboard option.
A screen saying "Let's connect you to a network" appears, warning you that you need Internet.

7. Click "I don't have Internet" to continue.
A new login screen appears asking "Who's going to use this device?"

8. Enter a username you want to use for your local account and click Next.
9. Enter a password you would like to use and click Next. You can also leave this field blank and have no password, but that's not recommended.

10. Complete the rest of the install process as you normally would.

 

[Lost_in_the_HTTP]

^^^ I'm a couple of months out yet, but I'll come back to that.

WHY am I seeing so many with no manufacturer warranty? I'm guessing Grey Market, but what happens if you have problems?

These are Dell, HP, Lenovo and a few others.

 

[Lost_in_the_HTTP]

On the Docked thing, that's what this 2010 vintage Gateway is. Sits on a stand and hasn't moved in years. USB KB and mouse with a bunch of other USB stuff.

This thing has been a tank and has been running 24 hours a day for years. I power cycle it once a month. I really don't want to give it up, but it won't run 10 or 11 as far as I know.

I guess maybe I could try 10 on a separate SSD and see what happens?

That wouldn't solve an issue with a couple of programs that have been updated and no longer run due to old graphics hardware though.

I don't know enough about Linux to even know what questions to ask about getting started.

 

[lakedude]

WHY am I seeing so many with no manufacturer warranty?

Grey market or open box/used being sold as new.

Also because you are looking on ebay.

 

[lakedude]

I don't know enough about Linux to even know what questions to ask about getting started.

Linux is a great way to breathe new life into an old computer, especially one with old spinning hard drives and limited RAM.

Assuming you have an optical on the old rig you can download a bootable live CD image. The cool thing is that a live CD will run without installing a single thing on your hard drive/SSD so you can check out Linux with no commitment.

I like small distros that load entirely into RAM like Puppy. Once loaded into RAM performance is quite snappy because you are not waiting on a hard drive.

Maybe something to play with when you have a new laptop and the Gateway is no longer your primary machine.

 

[Lost_in_the_HTTP]

16Gb ram, drive sizes vary, all Win11Pro

https://www.amazon.com/HP-Business-Display-i3-1125G4-Processor/dp/B0C6NBPXCZ/ $466


https://www.amazon.com/HP-Business-Laptop-2024-MarxsolAccessory/dp/B0D15V178P/ $450

https://www.amazon.com/Vivobook-Everyday-Display-i3-1215U-Bluetooth/dp/B0DQLT97D3/ $470


https://www.amazon.com/HP-17-Anti-glare-Business-Battery/dp/B0D1V2KMBF/ $478


https://www.amazon.com/HP-Business-i5-1235U-Graphics-Bluetooth/dp/B0CSFKBTY8 $670


https://www.amazon.com/HP-Business-i5-1335U-i7-1255U-Essential/dp/B0DHYJJCZY $500


There are a couple of more ASUS also if that matters.

 

[Lost_in_the_HTTP]

This one is 32Gb with a 1Tb PCie SSD

https://www.amazon.com/HP-2024-Essential-Laptop-MarxsolAccessory/dp/B0D172N3CP $520

 

[lakedude]

The second one is only 12GB and only 256GB storage. 256GB of storage isn't much.

The bottom one of the 1st group is used.

Most all of them are old, like several generations old, which might be fine if that is what you want but Intel is on 14th gen parts (plus the new Core Ultra chips) now and those linked ones are mostly 11th and 12th gen. Some 13th and 14th gen Intel CPUs have degradation issues.

The AMD laptop you linked is also old.

That laptop I linked at Staples is newer, cheaper and has 1TB of storage.

The latest thing is Ai which I don't know beans about but it is all the rage, evidently.

 

[In2Photos]

If this PC is stationary maybe consider getting a mini pc and a monitor since you already use a different mouse and keyboard? This would allow you any size monitor. With a laptop you are paying for the mobility, a battery, keyboard and mouse that you likely aren't using.

 

[Lost_in_the_HTTP]

"That laptop I linked at Staples is newer, cheaper and has 1TB of storage."

15.6" screen and out of stock.


I don't care so much about an older generation and long as it's new in the box and lower in price.

 

[Lost_in_the_HTTP]

If this PC is stationary maybe consider getting a mini pc and a monitor since you already use a different mouse and keyboard? This would allow you any size monitor. With a laptop you are paying for the mobility, a battery, keyboard and mouse that you likely aren't using.

Also considering Minis, but don't know much about them.

Prices aren't all that much less than notebooks ... some but not a lot.

I have a spare 20" monitor, but I'd probably need at least one EHD though. Then, USB or some other connection?

 

[Lost_in_the_HTTP]

Buncha oddball brands in Mini like geekom???

I see and HP business with 16/256 for $150, but it's renewed.

 

[Lost_in_the_HTTP]

I'm not 1000% opposed to factory renewed ....

$295

Amazon.com

$250

https://www.amazon.com/HP-Elitedesk-800-Mini-DisplayPort/dp/B0CXPDLXX2

.

 

[Lost_in_the_HTTP]

Dell Mini, 32G/1T $250

Amazon.com

 

[In2Photos]

Dell Mini, 32G/1T $250

Amazon.com

Most of these Dell ones seem to be 8th Gen CPUs, which is probably fine for most tasks, especially if you've been using a 2010 Gateway laptop. And while a lot of the other mini PCs out there aren't your typical name brand something like this one would be worth considering. Ryzen 7 5825U, 32GB/512GB At $299 new. Gets solid reviwes on Amazon.

https://www.amazon.com/Computers-Windows-Display-Desktop-Bluetooth/dp/B0C9J69KH8/ref=sr_1_29?crid=3FPZGDUQM7VZ&dib=eyJ2IjoiMSJ9.1NkHqAjCmgdu0o5JdcKdSVkd8fHPYuKbLFZwd0Z6aanemKagSlsKTESZRSXzocKabtv0Hnrpn5sqy0w81NdIOdVeNjYW6MS-EImiHZcwj18rvx_sPsvnrruHduWFDvuupPAHTPbsjMx3XshZ6w1eVQruMayZ8UhiCAeodqdgPOj8O0g1pB6avFl9YsK9hYsqI3NDqMyt__I-MVUZ-56MZkFH8aNcvqKF4Up8t03WjhAwib2At5bvO6M6DapfkCFgeXLYIlyF91mfmGCpZJwkOyNKyhvETOjohslR23e55TRPIKRjBXNHBwXRhtOS04TeBmPuiT4blZxnXqFoABkmuiV5pOzOsTtt4G7Ssx2hZj8.pIs5dWRoSxFmCm8Z07DkpF_bXelaepKzfd-GByngQSw&dib_tag=se&keywords=mini%2Bpc&qid=1734719418&refinements=p_n_feature_twenty-three_browse-bin%3A13580790011%2Cp_n_condition-type%3A2224371011&rnid=2224369011&s=electronics&sprefix=mini%2Bpc%2Celectronics%2C172&sr=1-29&th=1

 

[Lost_in_the_HTTP]

I'm not sure I want to get into wordsoupage names for PCs. Maybe there are some good ones I've never heard of though.

One version says Win11, but not which flavor.

Another version just says OS, no details .

 

[In2Photos]

Reading more into the reviews it seems like there may be concerns of malware due to a specific Windows image required. So disregard that suggestion.

 

[manly]

A pre- Sandy Bridge laptop is so old it's not even worth discussing how to make it last a little longer. Linux on that will just be an exercise in frustration.

PCs depreciate fast, so some off-lease laptop that's a few years old is about right. Intel Core 8th Gen is from 2018, not much sense in buying that today.

I haven't researched prices, but I'd try to draw the line at around 2021: Core 11th Gen or AMD Zen 3.

Forgot to mention that Win10 is EOL in 10 months. Although you could pay for one year of extended support, you should just decide now to use Win11 Spamvertisement or switch to Linux.

 

[Lost_in_the_HTTP]

What are these DreamQuest things?

https://www.amazon.com/DreamQuest-Desktop-Computer-Pro-Preinstalled/dp/B0CS2H2X7V/

 

[lakedude]

A pre- Sandy Bridge laptop is so old it's not even worth discussing how to make it last a little longer. Linux on that will just be an exercise in frustration.

Bet I can do it with ease.

The key is to use a small efficient distro.

Back in the day I downloaded a dozen or so different distros and found most to be bloated and slow.

I think it really depends on what one is expecting their machine to do. I get by most days with just a phone hooked up to a DeX, which allows for a keyboard, monitor and mouse to be hooked up to the phone. It really is amazing how much the phone can do.

 

[lakedude]

What are these DreamQuest things?

https://www.amazon.com/DreamQuest-Desktop-Computer-Pro-Preinstalled/dp/B0CS2H2X7V/

That looks cool and may be just what you are looking for.

It is basically a laptop with out a screen, keyboard or touch pad, perfect if you always "dock" your laptop anyway. You lose the ability to just grab your laptop and travel light but if you never take it anywhere this is not an issue.

Laptops and especially minis are heat and power constrained. The same chip will always perform best in a desktop because it can be fed more power and kept cooler but you might not care about that.

Upgrading a mini is not as easy as a upgrading a desktop.

I think you would be blown away with how well that DreamQuest performs. With 1TB internal storage it would be a while before you needed an external drive (other than an optical if you still need one of those).

These things are so small you can hang them from the back of your monitor!

 

[manly]

Bet I can do it with ease.

The key is to use a small efficient distro.

Back in the day I downloaded a dozen or so different distros and found most to be bloated and slow.

I think it really depends on what one is expecting their machine to do. I get by most days with just a phone hooked up to a DeX, which allows for a keyboard, monitor and mouse to be hooked up to the phone. It really is amazing how much the phone can do.

Believe me, I like using tech as long as its useful. Our disposable society with planned obsolescence really sucks, so I try to do my part. My Dell XPS 15 from 2017 is still going strong, so hopefully I'll keep using it as long as I comfortably can. Before that, I used a MacBook Pro from 2006 to 2017 but it was a bit frustrating towards the end. Likewise, I'd personally use a good smartphone for longer but until recently, the update policies sucked (now Google and Samsung have 7 years on flagships).

But a laptop from 2010 is so obsolete there's just not much utility remaining.* Sure, if it somehow has enough RAM and a SATA SSD, you could put a lightweight distro on there. But that's making assumptions that it's already been upgraded along the way. OP said in a different thread that he runs some legacy Windows apps so there is some "switching cost" to Linux.**

The reality is that as cheap as used PC gear is, if you can afford a few hundo on a decent laptop, that's the best play. (Or a new mini PC for that matter.)

Ultimately I'd like to see more convergence between our various computing devices, as you described about DeX. Moving from laptop to phone to iPad is somewhat silly, and it'd be nice if I could get rid of one of these devices. Today's flagship phone is about as powerful as a 2021-era PC/Mac, so it's not the hardware holding us back.

* That's 14 years. I think it's time.

** For any problem legacy apps, I'm guessing he can download the now free VMware Workstation and run Win7 in a VM. (Wine is coming along but it isn't quite a turnkey solution.)