Suggestions about Laptop ?

Blazergamer

New Member
Messages
12
Hi,

I'm looking to buy a New Laptop for under 800$ after 3 years on windows 7 with my HP. With all the different kinds of processors Haswell, 3rd and 4th gen, AMD, Dual or Quad core, I'm a little lost. Is a 4th gen i3 enough for Windows 8.1 ?

I'm really concerned about overheating since it's been a concerned with all of the Laptops I've had so far after about 1 year even if I don't game at all because I have a Ps3 and Ps4.

Also wondering about the recommended amount of ram and the necessity of having a touch screen. One more thing is that I don't intend to take it out of the house.


Any suggestions would be appreciated !
 
Last edited:

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    Windows 7
HP Split 13t-g100 x2 PC. It uses an Intel i5 chip and it is a hybrid, a powerful hybrid!
 

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    Windows 10 Pro 64-bit
    Computer type
    PC/Desktop
    System Manufacturer/Model
    Self-built/ Custom
    CPU
    AMD FX-6300
    Motherboard
    MSI 970A-G43
    Memory
    Crucial Ballistix Sport 8GB
    Graphics Card(s)
    Asus GTX 750 ti
    Monitor(s) Displays
    HP w2207h
    Screen Resolution
    1680x1050
    Hard Drives
    Seagate 1TB 3.5" 7200 Hybrid Internal Hard Drive
    Crucial M500 240GB 2.5-inch Internal SSD
    PSU
    EVGA 500 Watt 80+ Certified ATX Power Supply
    Case
    Fractal Design Define R4
    Cooling
    Corsair Hydro Series H55 Quiet Edition Liquid CPU Cooler
    Keyboard
    CM Storm Devastator - Red
    Mouse
    Logitech Wireless Performance Mouse MX
    Internet Speed
    Really fast.
    Browser
    Firefox
    Antivirus
    AVG
    Other Info
    Logitech G230 Headset
Core i3 2.4GHz or faster is powerful enough. Core i5 2.4GHz or above is a little more powerful, but both are dual-cores. Core i3 may run slightly cooler, but not much. ASUS and Lenovo both make solid good quality laptops. 4GB RAM is enough for most people but, if multitasking, you may prefer 8GB. The biggest performance boost is probably to add an SSD instead of relying on a standard 5400 rpm spinning hard drive. Several Lenovo models come with an extra connector for an "m-SATA" drive which is a tiny SSD. This would allow you to use the m-SATA SSD as a lightning-quick boot drive and still keep the standard hard drive as a huge secondary storage drive. Or, you can remove the standard drive and just use the m-SATA, or replace the standard drive with a decent capacity standard SSD. Currently, Crucial M500 SSDs and m-SATA's are very competitively priced for 240GB capacity or larger. Heat should not be a problem with any modern laptop. If you live or work in a dusty environment, get a can of compressed air from the office supply store and blow air through the vent grille slots on your laptop now and then.
 

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    windows 8.1
    Computer type
    PC/Desktop
    System Manufacturer/Model
    custom
    CPU
    Intel Core i5-4590 @ 3.3GHz
    Motherboard
    ASRock Z97 Extreme4
    Memory
    4 x 4GB G.Skill DDR4-2400
    Graphics Card(s)
    Gigabyte GTX-1050Ti
If you worry about heat, you should stay away from AMD. They usua;y use more power thus more heat.

And i3 would be OK but with your budget I would go for an i5. You can find nice systems for under $600. A frosting on the cake would be an eSata port. They are really fast for attaching external disks. But USB3 is the next best.

Screens are another factor. HD screens are, of course, better but also more expensive and heavier, which in your case may not matter.

Here are a few that might be worth studying. You should plan appr. $120 additional to replace the HDD with a 240GB SSD.

HP ENVY 15t-j100 Quad Edition Notebook PC (ENERGY STAR) | HP® Official Store

Lenovo Z710 Laptop | 17.3" Multimedia Notebook PC | Lenovo (US)

Lenovo G710 Laptop | Entry-Level Laptop | Lenovo (US)

Inspiron 17R Laptop | Dell
 

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    Vista and Win7
    System Manufacturer/Model
    2xHP, 2xGateway, 1xDell, 1xSony
    Hard Drives
    5 SSDs and 12 HDs
By the way, Blazergamer, welcome to the forums!
 

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    Windows 10 Pro 64-bit
    Computer type
    PC/Desktop
    System Manufacturer/Model
    Self-built/ Custom
    CPU
    AMD FX-6300
    Motherboard
    MSI 970A-G43
    Memory
    Crucial Ballistix Sport 8GB
    Graphics Card(s)
    Asus GTX 750 ti
    Monitor(s) Displays
    HP w2207h
    Screen Resolution
    1680x1050
    Hard Drives
    Seagate 1TB 3.5" 7200 Hybrid Internal Hard Drive
    Crucial M500 240GB 2.5-inch Internal SSD
    PSU
    EVGA 500 Watt 80+ Certified ATX Power Supply
    Case
    Fractal Design Define R4
    Cooling
    Corsair Hydro Series H55 Quiet Edition Liquid CPU Cooler
    Keyboard
    CM Storm Devastator - Red
    Mouse
    Logitech Wireless Performance Mouse MX
    Internet Speed
    Really fast.
    Browser
    Firefox
    Antivirus
    AVG
    Other Info
    Logitech G230 Headset
Oh Hell go with a iMac Mac Book Pro 13.3, and put Win 8.1 in Boot Camp. . .oops, sorry guys, the Devil made me so that. . .:doh:
 

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    Win 8, (VM win7, XP, Vista)
    Computer type
    PC/Desktop
    System Manufacturer/Model
    HP Pavilion p1423w
    CPU
    Intel Core i5 3330 Ivy Bridge
    Motherboard
    Foxconn - 2ADA Ivy Brige
    Memory
    16 GB 1066MHz DDR3
    Graphics Card(s)
    ATI Radeon HD 5450
    Sound Card
    HD Realteck (Onboard)
    Monitor(s) Displays
    Mitsubishi LED TV/Montior HD, Dell 23 HD, Hanspree 25" HD
    Screen Resolution
    Mit. 1980-1080, Dell 2048-115, Hanspree 1920-10802
    Hard Drives
    1 SanDisk 240Gig SSD, 2 Samsung 512Gig SSDs
    Case
    Tower
    Cooling
    Original (Fans)
    Keyboard
    Microsoft Keyboard 2000
    Mouse
    Microsoft Optical Mouse 5000
    Internet Speed
    1.3 (350 to 1024 if lucky)
    Browser
    Firefox 19.1
    Antivirus
    MSE-Defender
Oh Hell go with a iMac Mac Book Pro 13.3, and put Win 8.1 in Boot Camp. . .oops, sorry guys, the Devil made me so that. . .:doh:

Umm, he needs to stay under $800...
 

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    Windows 10 Pro 64-bit
    Computer type
    PC/Desktop
    System Manufacturer/Model
    Self-built/ Custom
    CPU
    AMD FX-6300
    Motherboard
    MSI 970A-G43
    Memory
    Crucial Ballistix Sport 8GB
    Graphics Card(s)
    Asus GTX 750 ti
    Monitor(s) Displays
    HP w2207h
    Screen Resolution
    1680x1050
    Hard Drives
    Seagate 1TB 3.5" 7200 Hybrid Internal Hard Drive
    Crucial M500 240GB 2.5-inch Internal SSD
    PSU
    EVGA 500 Watt 80+ Certified ATX Power Supply
    Case
    Fractal Design Define R4
    Cooling
    Corsair Hydro Series H55 Quiet Edition Liquid CPU Cooler
    Keyboard
    CM Storm Devastator - Red
    Mouse
    Logitech Wireless Performance Mouse MX
    Internet Speed
    Really fast.
    Browser
    Firefox
    Antivirus
    AVG
    Other Info
    Logitech G230 Headset
Blazergamer, the first question that comes to mind is what is wrong with the current laptop. As for what the best to go with, use your wallet to do the speaking. There is nothing wrong with using systems with AMD CPU's in them. They run no hotter then the Intel CPU's.

Toshiba has been running a lot of good deals for systems under $400 for the past four months. You can get a decent AMD E1, with a lot more, then you can for a Intel i3. i5's & i7's are going to cost you more then $800.
 

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    Linux Mint 17.2
    Computer type
    Laptop
    System Manufacturer/Model
    Toshiba Satellite C850D-st3nx1
    CPU
    AMD E1-1200 APU with Radeon (tm) HD Graphics 1.40 GHZ
    Memory
    12GB
    Graphics Card(s)
    AMD Radeon™ HD 7310 Graphics
    Sound Card
    Realtek HD
    Monitor(s) Displays
    LCD
    Screen Resolution
    1366 x 768
    Hard Drives
    Crucial M500 240GB SSD
    Mouse
    Logitech M525
    Internet Speed
    45/6 - ATT U-Verse
    Browser
    Google Chrome
    Antivirus
    None needed. It is Linux.
    Other Info
    Arris NVG589 Gateway; Router - Cisco RV320; Switch - Netgear GS108 8-Port Switch & Trendnet TEG-S50g 5-Port Switch; Access Points - Engenius ECB350, Trendnet TEW-638APB; NAS - Lenovo ix2-4; Printer - Brother HL-2280DW; Air Print Server - Lantronix XPrintServer

    A/V UPS - Tripp-Lite Smart 1500LCD 1500 Va/900 W.
Oh Hell go with a iMac Mac Book Pro 13.3, and put Win 8.1 in Boot Camp. . .oops, sorry guys, the Devil made me so that. . .:doh:

OMGoodness! A traitor! :roflmao: Even if I were willing to pay the price, Macs hate me! Long years ago, one defeated me handily and I've never troubled them since; that was just too much of a whuppin'.
 

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    Windows 8.1
    Computer type
    PC/Desktop
    System Manufacturer/Model
    HP Pavilion 500-056
    CPU
    AMD Elite Quad-Core A8-6500
    Memory
    8 GB
    Graphics Card(s)
    AMD Radeon HD 8570D
    Monitor(s) Displays
    Acer 23"
    Screen Resolution
    1920 X 1080
    Hard Drives
    1 TB
    Keyboard
    Logitech Wave K350
    Mouse
    Logitech M510
    Internet Speed
    Fast
    Browser
    Firefox
    Antivirus
    Windows Defender
Blazergamer, the first question that comes to mind is what is wrong with the current laptop. As for what the best to go with, use your wallet to do the speaking. There is nothing wrong with using systems with AMD CPU's in them. They run no hotter then the Intel CPU's.

Toshiba has been running a lot of good deals for systems under $400 for the past four months. You can get a decent AMD E1, with a lot more, then you can for a Intel i3. i5's & i7's are going to cost you more then $800.

I got my 17" HP Pavilion for around $650 several years ago. It has everything I need, and I just upgraded it to Windows 8. I'm thinking it has 4 GB RAM and a 500 GB hard drive.

I hate to say it, but I bought a Toshiba for $100 less. The thing kept crashing on me and after the fourth restore, I took it back, paid $100 more and got the HP mentioned above.

My daughter has a Toshiba and I think she's happy with it.
 

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    Windows 8.1
    Computer type
    PC/Desktop
    System Manufacturer/Model
    HP Pavilion 500-056
    CPU
    AMD Elite Quad-Core A8-6500
    Memory
    8 GB
    Graphics Card(s)
    AMD Radeon HD 8570D
    Monitor(s) Displays
    Acer 23"
    Screen Resolution
    1920 X 1080
    Hard Drives
    1 TB
    Keyboard
    Logitech Wave K350
    Mouse
    Logitech M510
    Internet Speed
    Fast
    Browser
    Firefox
    Antivirus
    Windows Defender
Most common makes like Toshiba, HP, Dell, Gateway, Acer, etc. are very similar. I think some of them come out of the same plants anyhow. If you want real well built quality, you have to get something like a Sony Vaio. But they have other drawbacks like a retarded BIOS and a higher price.
 

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    Vista and Win7
    System Manufacturer/Model
    2xHP, 2xGateway, 1xDell, 1xSony
    Hard Drives
    5 SSDs and 12 HDs
Don't waste money by getting a laptop with a touchscreen. Windows 8 is perfectly usable with a mouse and keyboard and touch is NOT required. IMO, a mouse/keyboard works substantially better and touch is really only useful on a device like a tablet that doesn't have a keyboard/mouse.
 

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    W10 Pro (desktop), W10 (laptop), W10 Pro (tablet)
    Computer type
    PC/Desktop
    System Manufacturer/Model
    Home built i7-8700K, Hp Envy x360 EVO Laptop, MS Surface Pro 7
    CPU
    3.7Ghz Core i7-8700K, 11th Gen Core i7-1165G7 4.7Ghz, 10th Gen Core™ i5-1035G4 1.1Ghz
    Motherboard
    ASUS TUF Z370-Pro Gaming, HP, MS
    Memory
    16G, 8G, 8G
    Graphics Card(s)
    AMD Radeon RX580, Intel Iris X Graphics, Intel Iris Plus Graphics G4
    Sound Card
    ATI High Definition Audio (Built-in to mobo)
    Monitor(s) Displays
    Dual Samsung U32J59 32 inch monitors, 13.3" display, 12.3" display
    Screen Resolution
    3840x2160 (Desktop), 1920x1080 (laptop), 2736x1824 Pro 7
    Hard Drives
    500GB ssd boot drive with 2 & 10TB Data (Desktop), 512GB ssd (laptop), 128GB SSD (tablet)
    PSU
    Corsair CX 750M
    Case
    Antec 100
    Cooling
    Coolermaster CM 212+
    Keyboard
    IBM Model M - used continuously since 1986
    Mouse
    Microsoft IntelliMouse
    Internet Speed
    665Mbps/15Mbps down/up
    Browser
    FireFox, MS Edge
    Antivirus
    Defender on all
    Other Info
    Retired in 2015 after working in the tech industry for 41 years. First 10 years as a Technician, the rest as a programmer/software engineer. After 1 year of retirement, I was bored so went back to work as a Robotic Process Automation Consultant. Retired for 3rd (and final) time in 2019.
Blazergamer, the first question that comes to mind is what is wrong with the current laptop. As for what the best to go with, use your wallet to do the speaking. There is nothing wrong with using systems with AMD CPU's in them. They run no hotter then the Intel CPU's.

Toshiba has been running a lot of good deals for systems under $400 for the past four months. You can get a decent AMD E1, with a lot more, then you can for a Intel i3. i5's & i7's are going to cost you more then $800.

I got my 17" HP Pavilion for around $650 several years ago. It has everything I need, and I just upgraded it to Windows 8. I'm thinking it has 4 GB RAM and a 500 GB hard drive.

I hate to say it, but I bought a Toshiba for $100 less. The thing kept crashing on me and after the fourth restore, I took it back, paid $100 more and got the HP mentioned above.

My daughter has a Toshiba and I think she's happy with it.
Never have I had any issues with crashing on both of our units. One has a SSD, the other has the original hard drive that Toshiba installed at the factory. Now of course mine runs Xubuntu 12.04 at this time, until 14.04 lts 64-bit comes out.
 

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    Linux Mint 17.2
    Computer type
    Laptop
    System Manufacturer/Model
    Toshiba Satellite C850D-st3nx1
    CPU
    AMD E1-1200 APU with Radeon (tm) HD Graphics 1.40 GHZ
    Memory
    12GB
    Graphics Card(s)
    AMD Radeon™ HD 7310 Graphics
    Sound Card
    Realtek HD
    Monitor(s) Displays
    LCD
    Screen Resolution
    1366 x 768
    Hard Drives
    Crucial M500 240GB SSD
    Mouse
    Logitech M525
    Internet Speed
    45/6 - ATT U-Verse
    Browser
    Google Chrome
    Antivirus
    None needed. It is Linux.
    Other Info
    Arris NVG589 Gateway; Router - Cisco RV320; Switch - Netgear GS108 8-Port Switch & Trendnet TEG-S50g 5-Port Switch; Access Points - Engenius ECB350, Trendnet TEW-638APB; NAS - Lenovo ix2-4; Printer - Brother HL-2280DW; Air Print Server - Lantronix XPrintServer

    A/V UPS - Tripp-Lite Smart 1500LCD 1500 Va/900 W.
Never have I had any issues with crashing on both of our units. One has a SSD, the other has the original hard drive that Toshiba installed at the factory. Now of course mine runs Xubuntu 12.04 at this time, until 14.04 lts 64-bit comes out.

As I said, my kid is happy with hers, but I had nothing but trouble. Maybe the one I had was a lemon.

FWIW, the Toshiba is the only laptop I've ever had that gave problems. All-in-all, today's computers are much better than when I started out with them sometime in 1981, but I guess you're occasionally going to get a lemon, as we've seen in this forum. Not every problem is caused by the "driver". :what:
 

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    Windows 8.1
    Computer type
    PC/Desktop
    System Manufacturer/Model
    HP Pavilion 500-056
    CPU
    AMD Elite Quad-Core A8-6500
    Memory
    8 GB
    Graphics Card(s)
    AMD Radeon HD 8570D
    Monitor(s) Displays
    Acer 23"
    Screen Resolution
    1920 X 1080
    Hard Drives
    1 TB
    Keyboard
    Logitech Wave K350
    Mouse
    Logitech M510
    Internet Speed
    Fast
    Browser
    Firefox
    Antivirus
    Windows Defender
Ok thanks for all your help guys !
I'll let you know what choice I made as soon as I buy it. I'll be hanging out in the forums now that I'll be a Windows 8 user. People seem to be much more friendlier here than in other forums.
 

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    Windows 7
Oh Hell go with a iMac Mac Book Pro 13.3, and put Win 8.1 in Boot Camp. . .oops, sorry guys, the Devil made me so that. . .:doh:

OMGoodness! A traitor! :roflmao: Even if I were willing to pay the price, Macs hate me! Long years ago, one defeated me handily and I've never troubled them since; that was just too much of a whuppin'.

Wynona, did you go from Windows to Mac of did you start out with Mac?
 

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    Windows 10 Pro 64-bit
    Computer type
    PC/Desktop
    System Manufacturer/Model
    Self-built/ Custom
    CPU
    AMD FX-6300
    Motherboard
    MSI 970A-G43
    Memory
    Crucial Ballistix Sport 8GB
    Graphics Card(s)
    Asus GTX 750 ti
    Monitor(s) Displays
    HP w2207h
    Screen Resolution
    1680x1050
    Hard Drives
    Seagate 1TB 3.5" 7200 Hybrid Internal Hard Drive
    Crucial M500 240GB 2.5-inch Internal SSD
    PSU
    EVGA 500 Watt 80+ Certified ATX Power Supply
    Case
    Fractal Design Define R4
    Cooling
    Corsair Hydro Series H55 Quiet Edition Liquid CPU Cooler
    Keyboard
    CM Storm Devastator - Red
    Mouse
    Logitech Wireless Performance Mouse MX
    Internet Speed
    Really fast.
    Browser
    Firefox
    Antivirus
    AVG
    Other Info
    Logitech G230 Headset
Wynona, did you go from Windows to Mac of did you start out with Mac?

Actually, I was on DOS at that time. I'm pretty sure Windows "the first" had come out, but working in a corporate environment meant that we were slow on the uptake when it came to upgrading computers.

Ahhhhhhhh, brings back memories . . . As resident guru I was part of the volunteers who installed Windows on more than 100 machines. But I guess that's for another time.
 

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    Windows 8.1
    Computer type
    PC/Desktop
    System Manufacturer/Model
    HP Pavilion 500-056
    CPU
    AMD Elite Quad-Core A8-6500
    Memory
    8 GB
    Graphics Card(s)
    AMD Radeon HD 8570D
    Monitor(s) Displays
    Acer 23"
    Screen Resolution
    1920 X 1080
    Hard Drives
    1 TB
    Keyboard
    Logitech Wave K350
    Mouse
    Logitech M510
    Internet Speed
    Fast
    Browser
    Firefox
    Antivirus
    Windows Defender
Buying a mac would be good for u for simplicity and ease unlike windows' complications but,
u must be ready to pay the price for a mac as evrything to be bought for it is expensive and u won't get much of windows supported programs readily available for it!
 

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    Windows 8.1 Pro Update 1
    Computer type
    PC/Desktop
    System Manufacturer/Model
    Dell
    CPU
    Inspiron 530S
    Motherboard
    64Bit X64 based Processor
    Memory
    4.5GB Ram
    Graphics Card(s)
    1GB - XFX ONE ATI Radeon HD 5450 - Plus Edition
    Sound Card
    Inbuilt
    Monitor(s) Displays
    Dell Monitor
    Screen Resolution
    1440*900
    Hard Drives
    1*Seagate 150gb + 1*Seagate 320gb
    Cooling
    3 x fans
    Keyboard
    Dell Analog
    Mouse
    Dell USB Mouse
    Internet Speed
    1Mbps, 100kbps Download Speed
    Browser
    Firefox
    Antivirus
    Kaspersky, Norton, Avast, Bitdefender, but Switched off
Most common makes like Toshiba, HP, Dell, Gateway, Acer, etc. are very similar. I think some of them come out of the same plants anyhow. If you want real well built quality, you have to get something like a Sony Vaio. But they have other drawbacks like a retarded BIOS and a higher price.
I would not touch a Sony Vaio. Even if it was the last manufacturer on the planet.
 

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    Linux Mint 17.2
    Computer type
    Laptop
    System Manufacturer/Model
    Toshiba Satellite C850D-st3nx1
    CPU
    AMD E1-1200 APU with Radeon (tm) HD Graphics 1.40 GHZ
    Memory
    12GB
    Graphics Card(s)
    AMD Radeon™ HD 7310 Graphics
    Sound Card
    Realtek HD
    Monitor(s) Displays
    LCD
    Screen Resolution
    1366 x 768
    Hard Drives
    Crucial M500 240GB SSD
    Mouse
    Logitech M525
    Internet Speed
    45/6 - ATT U-Verse
    Browser
    Google Chrome
    Antivirus
    None needed. It is Linux.
    Other Info
    Arris NVG589 Gateway; Router - Cisco RV320; Switch - Netgear GS108 8-Port Switch & Trendnet TEG-S50g 5-Port Switch; Access Points - Engenius ECB350, Trendnet TEW-638APB; NAS - Lenovo ix2-4; Printer - Brother HL-2280DW; Air Print Server - Lantronix XPrintServer

    A/V UPS - Tripp-Lite Smart 1500LCD 1500 Va/900 W.
Most common makes like Toshiba, HP, Dell, Gateway, Acer, etc. are very similar. I think some of them come out of the same plants anyhow. If you want real well built quality, you have to get something like a Sony Vaio. But they have other drawbacks like a retarded BIOS and a higher price.
I would not touch a Sony Vaio. Even if it was the last manufacturer on the planet.

Tell us how you really feel, Broe. :what:
 

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    Windows 8.1
    Computer type
    PC/Desktop
    System Manufacturer/Model
    HP Pavilion 500-056
    CPU
    AMD Elite Quad-Core A8-6500
    Memory
    8 GB
    Graphics Card(s)
    AMD Radeon HD 8570D
    Monitor(s) Displays
    Acer 23"
    Screen Resolution
    1920 X 1080
    Hard Drives
    1 TB
    Keyboard
    Logitech Wave K350
    Mouse
    Logitech M510
    Internet Speed
    Fast
    Browser
    Firefox
    Antivirus
    Windows Defender
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