Need to replace the laptop

[+ bashful]

Windows will no longer support my Windows 7 beginning in January, and they do not recommend loading a new version, so I'm going to shop around for a new laptop.

 

Wondering what operating system should I look for. My needs are simple, email, websites, watch videos. I never do gaming, download videos, or save photos, but still want some space. WORD is about to only "work" I do, and I tend to save a lot of PDFs/WORD docs. I also would like speed. Can't stand waiting. My internet is 100 bps, and won't change as it's provided as part of a bulk rate through the condo association.

 

Is there something new, beyond Windows 10?

 

Intel, or some of the other ones? I have Intel CORE i5

 

I'm technically challenged, so almost all technical info goes over my head quickly.

 

I will be replacing a HP Pavilion 15 Notebook. Windows 7 Premium. 64-bit Service Pack 1 (that's what it says, don't know what it means). Works for my needs, but improvements welcomed.

 

Have had good luck with last 2 HPs. Want to get another. Mac too expensive. My brother hates his Lenovo. And. Dell, can go to (rhymes with dell)

 

Thanks in advance.

Edited October 21, 2019 by bashful

[+ oldNbusted]

My internet is 100 bps

 

I would hate the wait too, if my internet was 100 bits per second. I think you need to upgrade, here is a new gadget that can triple your speed to 300 bits per second:

 

 

[+ FrankR]

Windows will no longer support my Windows 7 beginning in January, and they do not recommend loading a new version, so I'm going to shop around for a new laptop.

 

Wondering what operating system should I look for. My needs are simple, email, websites, watch videos. I never do gaming, download videos, or save photos, but still want some space. WORD is about to only "work" I do, and I tend to save a lot of PDFs/WORD docs. I also would like speed. Can't stand waiting. My internet is 100 bps, and won't change as it's provided as part of a bulk rate through the condo association.

 

Is there something new, beyond Windows 10?

 

Intel, or some of the other ones? I have Intel CORE i5

 

I'm technically challenged, so almost all technical info goes over my head quickly.

 

I will be replacing a HP Pavilion 15 Notebook. Windows 7 Premium. 64-bit Service Pack 1 (that's what it says, don't know what it means). Works for my needs, but improvements welcomed.

 

Have had good luck with last 2 HPs. Want to get another. Mac too expensive. My brother hates his Lenovo. And. Dell, can go to (rhymes with dell)

 

Thanks in advance.

This may be helpful - i always check wirecutter... https://thewirecutter.com/reviews/best-laptops/

 

You can also search for “HP laptop” on cnet.com and see if there are any recommendations.

I have had good experiences with ASUS (not to be confused with Acer) - have an ASUS gaming laptop that I turned into a server that’s already 10 years old and runs Vista! ?

Edited October 22, 2019 by FrankR

[rvwnsd]

Windows will no longer support my Windows 7 beginning in January, and they do not recommend loading a new version, so I'm going to shop around for a new laptop.

 

Wondering what operating system should I look for. My needs are simple, email, websites, watch videos. I never do gaming, download videos, or save photos, but still want some space. WORD is about to only "work" I do, and I tend to save a lot of PDFs/WORD docs. I also would like speed. Can't stand waiting. My internet is 100 bps, and won't change as it's provided as part of a bulk rate through the condo association.

 

Is there something new, beyond Windows 10?...

That is the newest Windows OS.

 

Intel, or some of the other ones? I have Intel CORE i5...

That's actually the processor, not the operating system. The CORE i5 is sufficient for most users.

 

...I'm technically challenged, so almost all technical info goes over my head quickly.

 

I will be replacing a HP Pavilion 15 Notebook. Windows 7 Premium. 64-bit Service Pack 1 (that's what it says, don't know what it means). Works for my needs, but improvements welcomed.

 

Have had good luck with last 2 HPs. Want to get another. Mac too expensive. My brother hates his Lenovo. And. Dell, can go to (rhymes with dell)

 

Thanks in advance.

 

What is your price range?

 

I did not like my 2018 Macbook Pro and replaced it in 2019 with an HP Spectre x360 Convertible 13" notebook computer. That means it is a 13" laptop that ca also be used as a tablet. It is fast and unlike the Macbook has a very nice and responsive keyboard. I bought mine at Best Buy and saved a couple of hundred dollars off the manufacturer's list, despite it not being on sale. The only drawback is if you want to hook up dual monitors they either need to be wireless or you need to buy a dock, which runs an additional $125-$150. Had I known my Dell monitor would crap out, I would have bought wireless monitors, but I didn't and now I have a dock, an HP monitor, and a Dell monitor that has lines down the middle.

 

LOVE my HP.

[+ bashful]

That is the newest Windows OS.

 

 

That's actually the processor, not the operating system. The CORE i5 is sufficient for most users.

 

 

 

What is your price range?

 

I did not like my 2018 Macbook Pro and replaced it in 2019 with an HP Spectre x360 Convertible 13" notebook computer. That means it is a 13" laptop that ca also be used as a tablet. It is fast and unlike the Macbook has a very nice and responsive keyboard. I bought mine at Best Buy and saved a couple of hundred dollars off the manufacturer's list, despite it not being on sale. The only drawback is if you want to hook up dual monitors they either need to be wireless or you need to buy a dock, which runs an additional $125-$150. Had I known my Dell monitor would crap out, I would have bought wireless monitors, but I didn't and now I have a dock, an HP monitor, and a Dell monitor that has lines down the middle.

 

LOVE my HP.

 

Thanks.

 

Have liked my last two HPs too. Saw an HP laptop at Costco yesterday, $540 ish, CORE i5, 8GB. I think that can be sufficient. I really want to stay under $700, but closer to $600. because my iPad (one of the first) is pretty worthless these days since they haven't updated them in years, and I like to take the iPad when I travel. However, the HP I saw at Costco seemed thin, so may be also useful as a traveling companion without having to replace the iPad sooner than later. I'm thinking of another visit to Costco, or Abt (to compare).

[+ honcho]

Also, what do want to do with your laptop? Do you want to watch blu-ray quality video on it or is DVD good enough - that makes for a difference in the pixel count on the screen. (blu-ray requires at least 1980x1080)? (Even an iPhone 6 has that many pixels, but a $560 HP laptop only had something x 760 - which is DVD quality). Do have a camera and want to run lightroom or photoshop on it? Run the microsoft office suite? Doing photoshop might require more memory and a faster i5 processor than just doing Microsoft word

[+ honcho]

Oh, apologies, Bashful did say that he just wanted to browse websites, run word, but not download videos. Blue-ray quality resolution is not uncommon on youTube these days, though ...

[+ bashful]

Also, what do want to do with your laptop? Do you want to watch blu-ray quality video on it or is DVD good enough - that makes for a difference in the pixel count on the screen. (blu-ray requires at least 1980x1080)? (Even an iPhone 6 has that many pixels, but a $560 HP laptop only had something x 760 - which is DVD quality). Do have a camera and want to run lightroom or photoshop on it? Run the microsoft office suite? Doing photoshop might require more memory and a faster i5 processor than just doing Microsoft word

 

Thanks Honcho. I hadn't thought about the pixel count. I also watch Netflix when traveling vs. paying for hotel movies. As far as the photo stuff, not my thing. Sounds like I can stick with the CORE i5, which will save a couple of bucks. WORD is the only thing I use, and it's basic, such as the occasional formal letter. Haven't used EXCEL since I retired. Gratefully, you've steered me in the right direction. Hope they still have that HP I saw at Costco the other day.

[rvwnsd]

Costco's website lists four HP laptops with CORE i5 processors in your price range. All four have HD or better (HD + and Full HD) displays. These might not be the exact models available at your local website, but it would surprise me if the warehouse had models that were significantly different than the ones on the website.

 

I'd also look at Best Buy. Yes, yes everyone says to buy electronics at Costco, but I've bought computers at Best Buy and found the service to be very good. Had I bought my MacBook there and not at the Apple Store it would have been repaired or replaced under the extended warranty. The Apple Store would not waive the repair fee as they were in denial about the design defect in ther keyboards.

[+ easygoingpal]

WORD is the only thing I use, and it's basic, such as the occasional formal letter.

Hey Bashful, if you don't want to spend purchasing a license for WORD, you could use the free version provided by Google: https://www.google.com/docs/about/ - Since you only do basic stuff, it will be very easy to learn.

[+ bashful]

Hey Bashful, if you don't want to spend purchasing a license for WORD, you could use the free version provided by Google: https://www.google.com/docs/about/ - Since you only do basic stuff, it will be very easy to learn.

 

Thanks, I didn't know you could do that. Unfortunately, I paid for WORD a few years ago, $70 something maybe, I can't remember. I just assumed I can load it on the new laptop. It reminds me, I have to figure out if and how to do that. if can't transfer, good to know about this.

 

Oh, that reminds me, my Garmin updates too. Thanks again.

 

Then the dreaded "We don't recognize your device" when I sign into the usual websites, such as bank, etc.

[rvwnsd]

Thanks, I didn't know you could do that. Unfortunately, I paid for WORD a few years ago, $70 something maybe, I can't remember. I just assumed I can load it on the new laptop. It reminds me, I have to figure out if and how to do that. if can't transfer, good to know about this. ...

 

It probably can't be installed because 1) it is out of date and 2) if it is on a CD most new computers do not have CD and DVD drives.

 

Oh, that reminds me, my Garmin updates too. Thanks again.

 

Then the dreaded "We don't recognize your device" when I sign into the usual websites, such as bank, etc.

Many websites will request re-validation after a period of time, so you would likely encounter this even if you don't replace your laptop.

[+ not2rowdy]

If you have difficulty moving your current Microsoft Word program you consider LibreOffice. It’s very “Word Like” in how it works and can typically read / write Word formats. And it’s free. For your “simple” needs it should work fine for you. It’s a “Suite” so it also includes other powerful capabilities.

 

https://www.libreoffice.org/get-help/system-requirements/

 

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/LibreOffice

[+ Hoover42]

Microsoft prefers to sell Office these days as a subscription. You can get a one machine license for Office for $69 a year. This includes all the main apps like Word, Excel, Powerpoint, etc. The subscription has the big advantage of always being up to date unlike a one-time purchase.

[+ bashful]

Went online and ordered this at Costco. $549.

 

https://www8.hp.com/us/en/laptops/product-details/27103509

 

Should arrive Tuesday. Gives me plenty of time to see if i like it, and if not, get something else before they stop supporting Windows7.

 

Some mixed reviews on Costco's website, but one very helpful to address possible noise and heat complaints. We'll see.

 

Thanks. I let you know the verdict.

[+ FrankR]

Went online and ordered this at Costco. $549.

 

https://www8.hp.com/us/en/laptops/product-details/27103509

 

Should arrive Tuesday. Gives me plenty of time to see if i like it, and if not, get something else before they stop supporting Windows7.

 

Some mixed reviews on Costco's website, but one very helpful to address possible noise and heat complaints. We'll see.

 

Thanks. I let you know the verdict.

256 GB storage is simply too little storage space for the amount of porn I intend to download from the internet in the first year of use! ?

 

I am kidding, obviously. Looks like a solid choice to me!