Time for a new Laptop

[BoonHauler]

It’s time for me to start looking for a new laptop. I plan on using it for just general computer stuff, surfing the web, emailing, etc, and as an entertainment center. When I say entertainment center I mean I’ll be using it to play movies on, as a TV (with OTA stations), and play music (MP3’s). I won’t be doing any intensive work on the machine and I have no plans for any high definition video.

I’m currently using a Gateway laptop with a 15” screen running Windows Vista Home Premium that I bought back in 2007 so just about anything will be a huge leap forward for me.

Being that I’ll be going fulltime with mobile internet I hear that Windows 7 is the way to roll.

So here’s my questions to all of you aficionados:

What would you think would be a good machine for this task? ….. a Dell?

Can any of you give me any pointers on how to limit the OS as to updates that swallow up huge amounts of data?

Any good add blockers out there that should be used?

Any good programs that I should be thinking of to play my ISO files?

Any ideas of a good USB Tuner?

Anything that I’ve forgotten?

Thanks in advance for your help, god knows I need it :S

[BoonHauler]

greenrvgreen wrote:
The mini computer is a decent idea but you have to make sure the onboard graphics will power your external monitor. This is important because the mini will have limited upgradeability if any.

For monitor I recommend FHD (1920X1080) which ought to be doable with a stock mini. Don't let anyone talk you into 4k because the computer you're shopping for won't be able to power it.

Finally getting around to the OP's request, if you're set on WMC then win7 isprobably your best option ALTHOUGH you must verify that you'll be able to get the install disk to boot on your mini. If the computer comes with win7 installed that would be ideal. If your ideal computer hardware comes with win 8.1 installed then I would go with that.

I've run both and the primary shortcomings of Win 8.1 have to do with configurability and the stupid charms bar. Otherwise 8.1 is actually better than 7 in many important respects.

The people recommending other OSes aren't paying attention to your primary request: You want to run a tuner and/or cablecard.

Thanks GreenRV;

Costco has a 24" Samsung (1940x1080) monitor for $130 right now.

Here's what I'm looking at right now. Gigabyte Intel i3

[bcsdguy]

dccamper wrote:

tragusa3 wrote:
I'm a school teacher and was issued a Chromebook two years ago. When I need to buy another personal device, it will be a Chromebook. My Mac does the heavy lifting at home, but the CB is the perfect consuming device for me.

I'm with the Chromebook. I love mine.

I can't agree more.

[greenrvgreen]

The mini computer is a decent idea but you have to make sure the onboard graphics will power your external monitor. This is important because the mini will have limited upgradeability if any.

For monitor I recommend FHD (1920X1080) which ought to be doable with a stock mini. Don't let anyone talk you into 4k because the computer you're shopping for won't be able to power it.

Finally getting around to the OP's request, if you're set on WMC then win7 isprobably your best option ALTHOUGH you must verify that you'll be able to get the install disk to boot on your mini. If the computer comes with win7 installed that would be ideal. If your ideal computer hardware comes with win 8.1 installed then I would go with that.

I've run both and the primary shortcomings of Win 8.1 have to do with configurability and the stupid charms bar. Otherwise 8.1 is actually better than 7 in many important respects.

The people recommending other OSes aren't paying attention to your primary request: You want to run a tuner and/or cablecard.

[2oldman]

dccamper wrote:

tragusa3 wrote:
I'm a school teacher and was issued a Chromebook two years ago. When I need to buy another personal device, it will be a Chromebook. My Mac does the heavy lifting at home, but the CB is the perfect consuming device for me.

with the Chromebook. I love mine.

x3. Instant on.

[Tom_M1]

BoonHauler wrote:
Again, thanks everyone for chiming in on the thread.

I've taken a little turn here and am now looking into a mini computer with a 24" monitor. Again, I'll be using it mostly as an entertainment center and can plug in just about anything I need.

I'll update the thread accordingly.

If I could get you guys to focus one one topic it would be the OS. Is it really better to run Win 7 and can I get Windows Media Center with Win 7?

Windows 7 comes with WMC (Windows Media Center) built in so there is nothing to add. For Windows 8/8.1 you must purchase WMC. Windows 10 has no WMC option.

If you are looking for an all-in-one type PC with Win 7, about your only option is Dell under their "For Work" section.

Another option is to buy a small PC and connect it to your TV with an HDMI cable. One model is the Intel NUC. The NUC is very tiny and typically is available barebones meaning no operating system but can be purchased with an OS installed.

[dccamper]

tragusa3 wrote:
I'm a school teacher and was issued a Chromebook two years ago. When I need to buy another personal device, it will be a Chromebook. My Mac does the heavy lifting at home, but the CB is the perfect consuming device for me.

I'm with the Chromebook. I love mine.

[BoonHauler]

Again, thanks everyone for chiming in on the thread.

I've taken a little turn here and am now looking into a mini computer with a 24" monitor. Again, I'll be using it mostly as an entertainment center and can plug in just about anything I need.

I'll update the thread accordingly.

If I could get you guys to focus one one topic it would be the OS. Is it really better to run Win 7 and can I get Windows Media Center with Win 7?

Again, thanks guys for the input!!



Cee

[Tom_M1]

wa8yxm wrote:
I would never recommend a DEL.. Nothing wrong with the computer but I have major issues with the company (I bought one once).

If you want NEW, windows 7 is no longer an option

You must not have read my previous post. There are sources for new PCs with Windows 7 installed. A few that I have checked online are Walmart, Staples, OfficeDepot, NewEgg, and Dell.

Just because you have had one bad experience with Dell should not be reason to condemn the company.

[Chris_Bryant]

I always at least check out the Wirecutter for reviews, and they have this guide to laptops which is pretty good.

[tommykelly]

The MacBook Pro is the way to go especially with the no moving parts in the hard drive...Big money though...but is great...keep the updates from Apple installed...however....

there are programs that require Windows...Namely Auto Enginuity...so I have a low cost laptop for that...

[wa8yxm]

I would never recommend a DEL.. Nothing wrong with the computer but I have major issues with the company (I bought one once).

If you want NEW, windows 7 is no longer an option, Windows 10 is. and if you are a power user and know what to disable it's not that bad.. i'm using, using, it now (two computers side by side) I would like XP better myself (3rd computer in other room) but I use what I have to.

True story: The computer on my right was purchased, for 200 bucks, at Wal-mart on Black Friday 2014.. It has very little storage (Enough for what it does but no more) and just enough Ram/processor (Again no "Spare") it is an HP Stream The actual feature that caused it to be selected was size.. It needs to fit in a space.

Last Black Friday I got another HP.. This one is not here, it was a gift, 500 Gigs of HD, I think 4 Gigs of Ram, much faster processor.. This box is better than my "Main" laptop (Which I'm typing on and which was purchased in 2013 from Staples)........ Same 200 bucks as the tiny one beside me.


My advice sir.. Wait till Black Friday.

[APT]

Laptops with SSDs are quite a bit more. I highly recommend using an SSD for the operating system/boot/and most programs. A 240GB should be plenty and use a platter drive for storage. So maybe a laptop with two drive bays would be helpful. I just use external USB drives for large data storage.

[Tom_M1]

BoonHauler wrote:
To follow up I really would like to get away from Vista. Every since I bought this machine I've had problems with Google Earth and that something I really would like to have going forward. It got to the point where Google Earth wouldn't even run so I finally uninstalled it. I've been using Google Maps ever since.

As for the drives, I'm okay with a HDD.

Again, this stuff is all greek to me.

A check of Staples, OfficeDepot, and Walmart online still sell several models of notebooks with Windows 7. Also Dell has notebooks in their business section that are available with Win 7.

[tragusa3]

I'm a school teacher and was issued a Chromebook two years ago. When I need to buy another personal device, it will be a Chromebook. My Mac does the heavy lifting at home, but the CB is the perfect consuming device for me.

[BoonHauler]

greenrvgreen wrote:
Reading the OP again his current laptop might be just fine. It's not going to be as powerful as a new one but a 2007 laptop will have enough power to run VLC and wintv and play music (not at the same time).

ALSO: I would recommend looking into a value-priced FHD external monitor (1920x1080). HP makes a VERY good lineup and and you should be able to get one close to a hundred bucks. Make note of what kind of external monitor port (and IF) your current laptop has.

EDIT: I meant to say "FHD"

To follow up I really would like to get away from Vista. Every since I bought this machine I've had problems with Google Earth and that something I really would like to have going forward. It got to the point where Google Earth wouldn't even run so I finally uninstalled it. I've been using Google Maps ever since.

As for the drives, I'm okay with a HDD.

Again, this stuff is all greek to me.