Laptop suggestions

[Meanie]

I'm in need of a new computer. I've been using my desktop for about 7 years
now and it's time to upgrade. I've decided on a laptop and will partially
use it connected to my desktop monitor (because it's big). I am asking for
suggestions what to buy from the computer gurus.

My requirements are fairly simple. I'm not a gamer, therefore, no major
graphics card is required (I think). My main purpose for a computer is
internet surfing and video/audio editing, which may revert back to the need
of a graphics card. The editing is done for surveillance and requires good
quality. The remaining requirements are general desires such as quality
display (when not using with my desktop monitor), minimum 15" display,
minimum 500gb drive, minimum 2 GHz processor, prefer a graphics card with
it's own memory instead of sharing, otherwise, I would want an 8GB memory
and a burnable DVD/CD-rom. Overall, something fast enough for that basic
stuff.

Thus far, I've been eyeing these units.
http://h10025.www1.hp.com/ewfrf/wc/document?cc=us&lc=en&dlc=en&docname=c03603952
and http://us.toshiba.com/computers/laptops/satellite/S950/S955-S5373/

Also, when purchasing a new computer, is there a way to avoid most of the
useless extra software added in these bundles with exception to uninstall
one at a time?

All suggestions appreciated.

Thank you

 

[Flasherly]

Also, when purchasing a new computer, is there a way to avoid most of the
useless extra software added in these bundles with exception to uninstall
one at a time?

That should come under manufacture resource provisions, readily
available drivers and documentation for chipset and peripheral devices
included in the design. Effectively a Microsoft Windows platform.
Although it's been sometime since equipping a laptop, but I prefer it
that way. Why not...it's the same way I build a computer with a fresh
OS install, customized to individual preferences for as much or little
beyond a minimum interface the OS requires of third-party driver
support.

That would be an IBM ThinkPad, also dated to finding somewhat
cumbersome resources for navigating on their site. I've seen other
model makes, however, where product-packaged resources are integral to
an included OS, [sic] so incorporated for sole restorative measures.
That's what you're asking. They're assuming, based within
demographical marketing and cost considerations, the greatest buyers
are end users incapable of driver or OS involvements. It's an aspect
you'll also need to consider, or contact a representative and first
verify product details are acceptable to your needs.

The correct approach within reason as follows...

If a manufacturing party does, however, fill up your new computer with
their useless software, crap you call them to complain and ask why it
was installed, or how it is then to be rectified. . .do you honestly
believe they'll admit or assume any responsibility for such criticism,
beyond the fact, that you bought it so equipped?

 

[Charlie Hoffpauir]

I'm in need of a new computer. I've been using my desktop for about 7 years
now and it's time to upgrade. I've decided on a laptop and will partially
use it connected to my desktop monitor (because it's big). I am asking for
suggestions what to buy from the computer gurus.

My requirements are fairly simple. I'm not a gamer, therefore, no major
graphics card is required (I think). My main purpose for a computer is
internet surfing and video/audio editing, which may revert back to the need
of a graphics card. The editing is done for surveillance and requires good
quality. The remaining requirements are general desires such as quality
display (when not using with my desktop monitor), minimum 15" display,
minimum 500gb drive, minimum 2 GHz processor, prefer a graphics card with
it's own memory instead of sharing, otherwise, I would want an 8GB memory
and a burnable DVD/CD-rom. Overall, something fast enough for that basic
stuff.

Thus far, I've been eyeing these units.
http://h10025.www1.hp.com/ewfrf/wc/document?cc=us&lc=en&dlc=en&docname=c03603952
and http://us.toshiba.com/computers/laptops/satellite/S950/S955-S5373/

Also, when purchasing a new computer, is there a way to avoid most of the
useless extra software added in these bundles with exception to uninstall
one at a time?

All suggestions appreciated.

Thank you

Until last year, I had bought nothing but Thinkpads because they had
the only acceptable (to me) keyboards on laptops. But after comparing
lots of alternatives, I ended up with a Samsung Series 7 with 6 GB
memory and 750 GB HDD. I actually like it, but won't do video editing
on anything but my several years older desktop. I have dual 19"
screens on the desktop, and 120 GB SSD for software and a pair of 1 TB
HDD in Raid 0 for data. I really don't think you'll like video editing
on a laptop.

 

[Yousuf Khan]

Thus far, I've been eyeing these units.
http://h10025.www1.hp.com/ewfrf/wc/document?cc=us&lc=en&dlc=en&docname=c03603952
and http://us.toshiba.com/computers/laptops/satellite/S950/S955-S5373/

They should all be fine choices, but you should also consider an
AMD-based laptop if you're going to be doing video editing. The AMD
processors are slightly weaker in CPU, but much stronger in GPU, and a
lot of the latest video editing software are emphasizing GPU power these
days. Of course, if you get an Intel laptop with a separate AMD GPU,
then that'll be an even better choice, but it'll add to the cost. The
AMD laptops are usually $100-$200 cheaper too.

Also, when purchasing a new computer, is there a way to avoid most of the
useless extra software added in these bundles with exception to uninstall
one at a time?

Not really, but don't worry, the bundles are usually harmless, you can
uninstall them fairly easily. Just don't use the bundled Norton or
McAfee anti-virus software, and go with the Microsoft Security
Essentials instead.

Yousuf Khan

 

[The Daring Dufas]

I'm in need of a new computer. I've been using my desktop for about 7 years
now and it's time to upgrade. I've decided on a laptop and will partially
use it connected to my desktop monitor (because it's big). I am asking for
suggestions what to buy from the computer gurus.

My requirements are fairly simple. I'm not a gamer, therefore, no major
graphics card is required (I think). My main purpose for a computer is
internet surfing and video/audio editing, which may revert back to the need
of a graphics card. The editing is done for surveillance and requires good
quality. The remaining requirements are general desires such as quality
display (when not using with my desktop monitor), minimum 15" display,
minimum 500gb drive, minimum 2 GHz processor, prefer a graphics card with
it's own memory instead of sharing, otherwise, I would want an 8GB memory
and a burnable DVD/CD-rom. Overall, something fast enough for that basic
stuff.

Thus far, I've been eyeing these units.
http://h10025.www1.hp.com/ewfrf/wc/document?cc=us&lc=en&dlc=en&docname=c03603952
and http://us.toshiba.com/computers/laptops/satellite/S950/S955-S5373/

Also, when purchasing a new computer, is there a way to avoid most of the
useless extra software added in these bundles with exception to uninstall
one at a time?

All suggestions appreciated.

Thank you

I just got off the phone with an HP CSR who is making arrangements to
send my friend a new laptop because his laptop had been sent in by The
Geek Squad three times for repair because of the same problem which they
couldn't find because of its intermittent nature. The customer
service rep was very nice and agreed to replace the laptop with a new
one after I explained the tests I had run on it to determine it was a
thermal intermittent failure. HP seemed to be on the ball but The Geek
Squad was well, geeky. ^_^

TDD

 

[Don Phillipson]

Also, when purchasing a new computer, is there a way to avoid most of the
useless extra software added in these bundles with exception to uninstall
one at a time?

Woody Leonhard's Windows7 for Dummies recommends
www.pcdecrapifyer.com/download

(found useful here.)

 

[Flasherly]

Not really, but don't worry, the bundles are usually harmless, you can
uninstall them fairly easily. Just don't use the bundled Norton or
McAfee anti-virus software, and go with the Microsoft Security
Essentials instead.

An understatement. When called by someone to remove Norton's security
suite from a computer, long last, I found its stub embedded in the
MBR. Had to Fdisk /MRB to remove that sucker. (He'd, btw, went to a
best store buy and let them sell him on it. I'd sold him the computer
sometime before, when he called to say he wanted out and no part of
Norton no more. Expensive lesson #1.)