More Questions re Purchasing An Inexpensive Laptop

[MEXICOWANDERER]

I shop. I see quad-core HP units with 1.7 GHz processors. There are Intel then AMD processors. I realize the more expensive the processor the more likely it is to be faster.

But the low end laptops are awash in variety of CPU types.

This is going to be the last laptop I will ever buy. I am at that age.

Should I just ignore all the hype and assume one processor will work just as fast as the other brand?

I am NOT multi-tasking. I am surfing the internet maybe with 3 or four sites open at the greatest load.

I found out too late the bargain 1.0 GHz C-50 HP with 2Gb RAM Compaq I purchased in 2011, was a real dog. Now I see 1.7 GHz models. Is that speed still too slow for reasonable performance? Most of the low-end jobs have 2Gb RAM. I've never loaded a hard disc with more than 80 GB of data.

Also are all WiFi receiver gizmos the same as far as sensitivity? No "One type will give three bars of power while another is lucky to get one"?

Slowly I absorb and learn this stuff. Thank you.

[Vixen21]

Deal is dead now, I hope you were able to get it.

[Naio]

I dunno if this is helpful to you, Mex, but i like to try before I buy, so I order several different computers from Bestbuy and return the ones I don't want. No restocking fee. Only 14 days to return, though so, again, maybe not useful to you.

I saw a $130 Walmart laptop on slickdeals the other day, if you want reallly cheap. But the ones others have suggested are better!

[Vixen21]

Oh I see.

[MEXICOWANDERER]

I have a USA ship-to address. And Mexican friends that share it with me. The owners of large commercial stores who shop in the USA infrequently. By virtue of an ATM card under strict use protocol I can shop online. My VISA platinum served well until four 1st class tickets were purchased with it Miami - Bogota in 2003. A hundred and forty dollars worth of telephone calls later the issue was resolved. The Sunset of Capital 1 customership.

[Vixen21]

So how will you be able to buy this?

[MEXICOWANDERER]

I try avoiding the use of credit cards because of the logistics nightmare of loss of connectivity down here. That and pirated credit card information is tantamount to a tsunami of trouble. This internet connection for instance is dependent on 400+ miles, 31 cell tower relays. Then a 900 mile fiber optic return to Tijuana.

[Vixen21]

Additional 10% cash back possible using a discover card and shopping through the discover deals site

[MEXICOWANDERER]

Trying to figure out how to do a SIGNED rebate form...

[Vixen21]

Ok this is perfect for you
Dell Inspiron 15 Touchscreen Laptop: Core i3 5005U, 4GB DDR3, 500GB HDD, 15.6" 1366x768 Touchscreen,...

Actual link at DELL

Specs

Intel Core i3-5005U
4GB DDR3
500GB HDD
15.6" 1366x768 Touchscreen Display
Intel HD Graphics 5500
Dell Wireless-N + Bluetooth 4.0
4-Cell 40WHr Battery
Windows 8.1

IMPORTANT: Rebate requirements:

Signed rebate form
Online invoice with SKU 466-8330 listed
Online invoice can be Printed Here
(requires order number and customer number)

If you have any questions, regarding the rebate, please don't hesitate to post a reply. For customer services inquires, please reach out to our customer service team at slickdeals@help.4myrebate.com.

[Vixen21]

Toshiba Satellite 15.6" Laptop $199 4gb memory,500gb hard drive,2.16 gigahertz processor, USB 3.0, Multiformat DVD±RW/CD-RW drive with double-layer support, HDMI, Bluetooth 4.0

Video Review

Laptop at bestbuy
I will check my local Post Office for a movers packet that hopefully will have a 10% coupon for Bestbuy inside which would make this laptop $180. And now you have a good basic laptop that will do everything you need it to and stream netflix if available and play/record DvD's.
After you get a laptop:
Get rid of the Bloatware on it with Pc Decrapifier
The PC Decrapifier is here to help! It's a free tool for you to use that helps remove programs, unnecessary startup items and icons that can slow down your PC. It takes you step by step, giving you recommendations on what to remove, many of which can be removed unattended.
Then you can make it look and feel like Windows 7 using: ClassicShell

Classic Shell™ is free software that improves your productivity, enhances the usability of Windows and empowers you to use the computer the way you like it. The main features are:

Highly customizable start menu with multiple styles and skins
Quick access to recent, frequently-used, or pinned programs
Find programs, settings, files and documents
Start button for Windows 7, Windows 8, Windows 8.1 and Windows 10
Toolbar and status bar for Windows Explorer
Caption and status bar for Internet Explorer

[APT]

I recommend a ChromeBook. They are relatively inexpensive and quick. Every inexpensive Windows OS based laptop I have used gets slow, even if fast when new. But they tend to come with so much software that loads every power cycle as well as slow antivirus. Chromeboook + 64GB USB flash drive, or portable hard drive.

[strollin]

Gdetrailer wrote:
Try running the Chrome book with your internet access disconnected and see just how limited of a machine it is..

You will need Internet access even to run the "apps" you loaded on it since the "apps" are storedd in the cloud not on the machine so even if you had say PDFs stored on a USB drive you will not be able to open them unless you have internet access..
...

Spoken by someone who has never actually used a Chromebook. A Chromebook may not be the best option for the OP but at least don't spread false information about them. Downloaded apps run fine on a Chromebook without internet access and there's even a fairly large section of "offline" apps in the app store.

[Vixen21]

If you don't need it right away, wait until a really good deal comes up.
The Hot Computer deals forum at Slickdeals is where you need to be checking, all the really good deals show up there.

[Naio]

MEXICOWANDERER wrote:
I think these rentals are counterfeits. Most have no language or subtitle selection and are rented in plain black boxes with titles scrawled over masking tape.

Well that sounds very high tech :).

I'd get the cheap laptop and if you have problems with the discs deal with that later.

Hey, have you seen the refurbished Dells sold thru BestBuy online? $150-170, 2 ghz processors, 2-4 gb RAM. The hard drives are small -- 80 gigs seems to be the biggest -- but that might be all you need.

And, for the price, you could buy the separate DVD player if need be :).