jyoutz
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Whatever brand you buy, by all means get the solid state drive.
Unrelated topic, Laptop question
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2manyrocks
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These Acers are on sale for $230 in the Nashville, TN area. https://www.bestbuy.com/site/asus-v...als_LLC&acampID=0&mpid=10451&affgroup="Deals"
OP
paulsharvey
Elite Member
I just double checked, and my current work computer is an HP Elitebook, and although only a few months old, the keys have cracked from sliding off the seat, the screen isnt touch screen. It does USB-C charge (which is nice), and it has a large touch pad (which I don't like to use, I'm stuck on having a mouse, but a bigger touch pad is better than a small one).
gstrom99
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You might want to ask the school. I'm sure they can advise what would work best for the type of classes he's gonna take.
JasperFrank
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What is your spending limit?
I tend to like the mid level Dells, and Lenovos. If you are going with Sold State Storage, make sure it is removable. Dell has a whole series of what they call " Rugged." These are not Panasonic Tough Books, but survive pretty well. The Apples have fantastic battery life, and are works of art, with the M2 and M3 series of power books, but you can't really ever fix these, or DIY upgrade them. Plus, they have less Freeware options than Linux or MS OS based systems. When you do settle on a particular Lap, look up the repair guides, before buying. And after buying it, cover the back with stickers, so no one is going to steal it.
I tend to like the mid level Dells, and Lenovos. If you are going with Sold State Storage, make sure it is removable. Dell has a whole series of what they call " Rugged." These are not Panasonic Tough Books, but survive pretty well. The Apples have fantastic battery life, and are works of art, with the M2 and M3 series of power books, but you can't really ever fix these, or DIY upgrade them. Plus, they have less Freeware options than Linux or MS OS based systems. When you do settle on a particular Lap, look up the repair guides, before buying. And after buying it, cover the back with stickers, so no one is going to steal it.
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ericm979
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Many of my laptops have been refurbished models. They're usually returned from some corporate IT dept and in good shape. Saves a bit on the cost.
Whatever laptop you get, it needs a padded case of some sort. I've used ones that are briefcase shaped and ones built into messenger bags.
Whatever laptop you get, it needs a padded case of some sort. I've used ones that are briefcase shaped and ones built into messenger bags.
newbury
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IF he can use a PC architecture and you want to try and save $$ look at a refurbed Dell (or two).
For instance right now Dell has their 5420 Refurbs's on 50% 0ff, and there's a coupon/code for an additional 45% off.
and 1yr warranty for $50.
linky
For instance right now Dell has their 5420 Refurbs's on 50% 0ff, and there's a coupon/code for an additional 45% off.
and 1yr warranty for $50.
linky
OP
paulsharvey
Elite Member
I'll ask about recommendations from the school here Wednes or Thurs, he has an orientation there.
As far as budget; that's part of the question. I see many new lap tops, typically 15" screens anywhere from $350-800 online from many retailers. I'd be fine anywhere in that range, but prefer to stay out of the upper range, unless there is a specific feature needed, that pushes that higher.
Anyone in IT know what they really do when they Refurb a computer? Does that mean they factor reset/wipe, and clean and resell? Or so they replace aging batteries,
As far as budget; that's part of the question. I see many new lap tops, typically 15" screens anywhere from $350-800 online from many retailers. I'd be fine anywhere in that range, but prefer to stay out of the upper range, unless there is a specific feature needed, that pushes that higher.
Anyone in IT know what they really do when they Refurb a computer? Does that mean they factor reset/wipe, and clean and resell? Or so they replace aging batteries,
MossRoad
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That right there is what I would have asked first.
See what the school recommends.
One of our kids starts Vet school in the fall. They are very specific as to what laptop to get for the work they will be doing.
dmccarty
Super Star Member
The refurbs we have bought for the kids over the years were brand new and never issued from a large company that bought them. That was surely luck that is for sure. I would be shocked that refurbs were not formatted and new image installed. I would not expect new batteries.
As others have said, the school might have a requirement for the laptop. A 250-500GB SSD is likely all that is needed for most people unless one is doing video worked. Macs need less RAM than a Windows system. I think my work Mac has 16GB of RAM vs 32GB on my Windows system. I had to replace my personal Windows laptop and got 32GB. Having a bit more would have been "better" due to my workloads but 32GB has been adequate.
We have both Lenovo and Macs at home and work. The keyboard on the Mac simply sucks. Apple in their quest for a small form factor and light weight has lost sight of the requirement to have a good keyboard and have regressed back to the 1980's. My typing mistakes on my Mac is much higher than on Lenovo and I see people at work having the same issues. But if the school specifies Macs, you just got to live with it.