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Post by Deleted on Jun 29, 2020 17:10:03 GMT -5
As online meetings and classes seem to be a new norm that will extend for awhile. I'm getting tired of using an IPad. My desktop doesn't have a camera/mic setup and I won't want to add one, so I'm looking for a laptop. I would like a larger one so I can use it for some online classes too.
What says the great YMAM community?
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Lizard Queen
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Post by Lizard Queen on Jun 29, 2020 17:30:32 GMT -5
My husband and I have gotten Asus the last two times. We really like them.
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Post by The Walk of the Penguin Mich on Jun 29, 2020 18:01:07 GMT -5
TD swears by Lenovo. If you do wind up using a laptop for classes, you want to find one that supports at least one monitor.
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Bonny
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Post by Bonny on Jun 29, 2020 18:56:14 GMT -5
I got a Microsoft Surface about a month ago from Costco for about $1k. The screen detaches so that it can also be a tablet.
It's FAST and the screen quality is gorgeous.
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Lizard Queen
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Post by Lizard Queen on Jun 29, 2020 19:30:46 GMT -5
Surfaces are really nice, but smaller and like another tablet. Plus expensive.
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jelloshots4all
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Post by jelloshots4all on Jun 30, 2020 6:41:59 GMT -5
I bought a Lenovo IdeaPad L340 last summer. It was under $500 and has a 14" screen. I loved my Lenovo think pad for work, but didn't want to spend that much on a personal laptop. You have to have Microsoft products installed, but that is for most computers.
I really like it. It is heavier than my think pad was, but I don't take it with me very often
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skubikky
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Post by skubikky on Jun 30, 2020 7:07:17 GMT -5
I got an ASUS Chromebook. Works perfectly and is very light.
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thyme4change
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Post by thyme4change on Jun 30, 2020 7:54:40 GMT -5
Do you have an idea of what you want to spend?
You can get a Chromebook for less than $200 and those are awesome if you can do everything online. My kids use it because all their homework is in google docs. They have had them for years.
Or, you can spend big bucks on a Macbook. Everyone who has one seems to want to cut off their arms before switching to anything else.
And every price point in between.
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Post by Deleted on Jun 30, 2020 8:26:30 GMT -5
I use a Chromebook and will never go back to a laptop. No more automatic upgrade BS, boots up in seconds, and has a battery that lasts all day.
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justme
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Post by justme on Jun 30, 2020 8:27:50 GMT -5
If you're just doing online work a chromebook would likely work. I always make sure mine has a decent amount of memory so I can do more complicated stuff.
I currently have a Dell and an HP for work and both are ok for me. But my HP doesn't have bluetooth which pisses me off to no end because I cannot connect my headphones to it for meetings.
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Rukh O'Rorke
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Post by Rukh O'Rorke on Jun 30, 2020 8:29:20 GMT -5
i have a lenovo yoga, got it in 13 and it is going strong, never had an issue.
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grumpyhermit
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Post by grumpyhermit on Jun 30, 2020 8:45:30 GMT -5
I will echo the Chromebook idea. If it was going to be your only computer, maybe not, as they do come with certain limitations. I have a mid-range Chromebook as my daily driver (I spent more because I really wanted a thin and light with a nice screen - it was around $500). You can definitely spend less.
One thing I will say, if possible, don't skimp on the screen quality. I bought one that I ended up returning because I just couldn't tolerate the budget screen. If you are coming from regular use of an IPad or high quality smart phone you will notice the deficiency.
If I had wanted a PC with the same form and specs as my Chromebook I would have been looking at over 1k easily. I have several Windows machines, so it wasn't really imperative to me that my laptop be running Windows.
One note about Zoom - it will run it via the app in the Google store, but I don't find the experience as convenient as when I run the Zoom program on my PC. I have it integrated to my work calendar so the appointments show up and the mobile interface (which is essentially what the Chromebook is running) is just not as streamlined.
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Post by Deleted on Jun 30, 2020 10:36:18 GMT -5
Thanks for all the replies. I got some good info to guide my research.
The laptop is 100% for online meetings and interactive classes so screen quality is important. I don't plan to replace my PC which is my workhorse with Office, Google Docs, Quicken etc.
The tip about ability to use headphones is something I hadn't thought about but would be nice in our small and sometimes noisy house.
Off to research!
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Post by Deleted on Jun 30, 2020 10:44:17 GMT -5
I second, third (or 4th) the Chromebook suggestion if all you're going to be doing is online stuff. Way cheaper. Both my kids have them and did all their online schoolwork with zoom meeting after zoom meeting with no problem. I save all my Excel spreadsheets I'm working on on my desktop to Dropbox and can open them with the Chromebooks and edit in Google docs.
Now I have to get him an actual laptop for college and the price difference SUCKS.
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oped
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Post by oped on Jun 30, 2020 10:47:08 GMT -5
Touch screen on whatever you get. It was so hard to tutor the girl who didn't have a touch screen... because I could easily draw on the interactive white board and she was trying to use a mouse. It became much more lecture and less illicit response than I prefer.
I guess you could also use a drawing tablet. But I do like the touch screen for this.
When I meet, I use my computer as the whiteboard, the ipad as my video interface and the phone to look something up/use as calculator, etc. etc.
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jerseygirl
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Post by jerseygirl on Jun 30, 2020 10:53:43 GMT -5
I second, third (or 4th) the Chromebook suggestion if all you're going to be doing is online stuff. Way cheaper. Both my kids have them and did all their online schoolwork with zoom meeting after zoom meeting with no problem. I save all my Excel spreadsheets I'm working on on my desktop to Dropbox and can open them with the Chromebooks and edit in Google docs.
Now I have to get him an actual laptop for college and the price difference SUCKS.
p Check with his advisor about computer. My grandson was in aeronautical engineering and a specific computer configuration was required. He also had an insurance policy for computer. Yes it was expensive
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Post by The Walk of the Penguin Mich on Jun 30, 2020 13:20:37 GMT -5
I second, third (or 4th) the Chromebook suggestion if all you're going to be doing is online stuff. Way cheaper. Both my kids have them and did all their online schoolwork with zoom meeting after zoom meeting with no problem. I save all my Excel spreadsheets I'm working on on my desktop to Dropbox and can open them with the Chromebooks and edit in Google docs.
Now I have to get him an actual laptop for college and the price difference SUCKS.
Pay really close attention to the specs. I'm sure that if he's in engineering he is going to have some CAD programs that his computer is going to need to support. Unfortunately, those are memory hogs and need a good video card.
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Deleted
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Post by Deleted on Jun 30, 2020 14:41:26 GMT -5
I second, third (or 4th) the Chromebook suggestion if all you're going to be doing is online stuff. Way cheaper. Both my kids have them and did all their online schoolwork with zoom meeting after zoom meeting with no problem. I save all my Excel spreadsheets I'm working on on my desktop to Dropbox and can open them with the Chromebooks and edit in Google docs.
Now I have to get him an actual laptop for college and the price difference SUCKS.
Pay really close attention to the specs. I'm sure that if he's in engineering he is going to have some CAD programs that his computer is going to need to support. Unfortunately, those are memory hogs and need a good video card. I guess he emailed his advisor about this and was told he can get anything. He said even a Chromebook would be fine the first year since all he'll be taking is math and science and gen eds and he already had a desktop, but if he was going to get a laptop he would recommend something at least middle of the road so it will last for all 4 years and lightweight for carrying around in your backpack. He said there are tons of computer labs on campus and you can VPN in to their super powerful Linux systems from anywhere on any laptop or desktop and use all their 3D CAD software that way so no need to buy something that can handle those programs independently.
I'm still getting him a laptop. His Chromebook is 4 years old and having display issues.
He sent us this link as a recommended specs machine, I think I can get something comparable to that cheaper than $1400.
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justme
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Post by justme on Jun 30, 2020 14:51:20 GMT -5
Pay really close attention to the specs. I'm sure that if he's in engineering he is going to have some CAD programs that his computer is going to need to support. Unfortunately, those are memory hogs and need a good video card. I guess he emailed his advisor about this and was told he can get anything. He said even a Chromebook would be fine the first year since all he'll be taking is math and science and gen eds and he already had a desktop, but if he was going to get a laptop he would recommend something at least middle of the road so it will last for all 4 years and lightweight for carrying around in your backpack. He said there are tons of computer labs on campus and you can VPN in to their super powerful Linux systems from anywhere on any laptop or desktop and use all their 3D CAD software that way so no need to buy something that can handle those programs independently.
I'm still getting him a laptop. His Chromebook is 4 years old and having display issues.
He sent us this link as a recommended specs machine, I think I can get something comparable to that cheaper than $1400.
His advisor is suggestion to just buy him another computer for sophomore year?? Is the advisor specifically in the engineering department? I have logged into virtual machines before via work and it can definitely slow down or lag if a lot of people are on it. Granted my company is cheap as shit so these are just desktops sitting in a corner - but I would wonder if there's actually enough availability to handle the entire student body. If it's a large university (and I think it is) the engineering college could have a couple thousand people and it could get pretty busy during certain times. At my college I got sooo annoyed the couple times I had to use a computer lab and everyone else did too so I had to sit and wait my turn. And this was before I got a laptop and smartphones so it was just a waste of sitting there waiting.
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Deleted
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Post by Deleted on Jun 30, 2020 15:02:09 GMT -5
I guess he emailed his advisor about this and was told he can get anything. He said even a Chromebook would be fine the first year since all he'll be taking is math and science and gen eds and he already had a desktop, but if he was going to get a laptop he would recommend something at least middle of the road so it will last for all 4 years and lightweight for carrying around in your backpack. He said there are tons of computer labs on campus and you can VPN in to their super powerful Linux systems from anywhere on any laptop or desktop and use all their 3D CAD software that way so no need to buy something that can handle those programs independently.
I'm still getting him a laptop. His Chromebook is 4 years old and having display issues.
He sent us this link as a recommended specs machine, I think I can get something comparable to that cheaper than $1400.
His advisor is suggestion to just buy him another computer for sophomore year?? Is the advisor specifically in the engineering department? I have logged into virtual machines before via work and it can definitely slow down or lag if a lot of people are on it. Granted my company is cheap as shit so these are just desktops sitting in a corner - but I would wonder if there's actually enough availability to handle the entire student body. If it's a large university (and I think it is) the engineering college could have a couple thousand people and it could get pretty busy during certain times. At my college I got sooo annoyed the couple times I had to use a computer lab and everyone else did too so I had to sit and wait my turn. And this was before I got a laptop and smartphones so it was just a waste of sitting there waiting. Not another. He said he'd be fine with what he has for freshman year if we just want to wait. He's an Aerospace Engineering advisor.
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justme
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Post by justme on Jun 30, 2020 15:05:03 GMT -5
Ah, though I'm guessing he didn't know it was 4 years old with display issues.
Do schools have like FB pages for majors or forums? I would think now with all the social media there might be a way to talk to students in the engineering college to ask about it? Universities are just like jobs where some people are like "no that's totally fine" but they don't actually use the thing in daily life so can't really say.
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Post by Deleted on Jun 30, 2020 15:07:35 GMT -5
At my college I got sooo annoyed the couple times I had to use a computer lab and everyone else did too so I had to sit and wait my turn. And this was before I got a laptop and smartphones so it was just a waste of sitting there waiting. Also, I don't think it's like this anymore. On the tours we were on there were computer labs EVERYWHERE. The dorms, the libraries, the department buildings. Plus keep in mind, he has a very powerful gaming desktop that is his baby upgraded with the latest and greatest whenever he gets enough money in his account.
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Post by Deleted on Jun 30, 2020 15:09:37 GMT -5
Ah, though I'm guessing he didn't know it was 4 years old with display issues. Do schools have like FB pages for majors or forums? I would think now with all the social media there might be a way to talk to students in the engineering college to ask about it? Universities are just like jobs where some people are like "no that's totally fine" but they don't actually use the thing in daily life so can't really say. Yes, Facebook, Reddit, and whatever else. He is not a social media person at all though. I'll ask the other parents in the school parent's Facebook page.
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justme
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Post by justme on Jun 30, 2020 15:14:05 GMT -5
At my college I got sooo annoyed the couple times I had to use a computer lab and everyone else did too so I had to sit and wait my turn. And this was before I got a laptop and smartphones so it was just a waste of sitting there waiting. Also, I don't think it's like this anymore. On the tours we were on there were computer labs EVERYWHERE. The dorms, the libraries, the department buildings. Plus keep in mind, he has a very powerful gaming desktop that is his baby upgraded with the latest and greatest whenever he gets enough money in his account. True. It should probably work for non play stuff too. At least one would hope lol.
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Post by Deleted on Jun 30, 2020 15:20:08 GMT -5
He definitely wants a touchscreen. We have one Chromebook with and one without and the touchscreen is nice to have. I see some that come with a stylus and others that don't. I'm not sure if some you can write on and others you can't?
Sorry @donethat, didn't mean to hijack this thread!
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justme
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Post by justme on Jun 30, 2020 15:35:30 GMT -5
He definitely wants a touchscreen. We have one Chromebook with and one without and the touchscreen is nice to have. I see some that come with a stylus and others that don't. I'm not sure if some you can write on and others you can't?
Sorry @donethat , didn't mean to hijack this thread! [img alt=" " src="//storage.proboards.com/forum/images/smiley/embarrassed.png" class="smile"] No, a stylus will work on any touch screen and are cheap to buy. Teenage boy in college will lose the damn thing if it came with the laptop quick enough. Worst case scenario it's just a program that the one with a stylus has that you might have to get a program for the other one, but I doubt that's the case (could be wrong).
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Lizard Queen
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Post by Lizard Queen on Jun 30, 2020 15:37:48 GMT -5
Just an fyi, I also have a cheap Lenovo Thinkpad and I hate it. It's so clunky to use.
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Deleted
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Post by Deleted on Jun 30, 2020 15:43:23 GMT -5
He definitely wants a touchscreen. We have one Chromebook with and one without and the touchscreen is nice to have. I see some that come with a stylus and others that don't. I'm not sure if some you can write on and others you can't?
Sorry @donethat , didn't mean to hijack this thread! [img alt="[img src="//storage.proboards.com/forum/images/smiley/embarrassed.png" class="smile" alt=" "]" src="//storage.proboards.com/forum/images/smiley/embarrassed.png" class="smile"] No, a stylus will work on any touch screen and are cheap to buy. Teenage boy in college will lose the damn thing if it came with the laptop quick enough. Worst case scenario it's just a program that the one with a stylus has that you might have to get a program for the other one, but I doubt that's the case (could be wrong). He wants to be able to take notes on it like a tablet. I wonder how inconvenient that would be if it wasn't one that folded flat?
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justme
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Post by justme on Jun 30, 2020 15:55:37 GMT -5
No, a stylus will work on any touch screen and are cheap to buy. Teenage boy in college will lose the damn thing if it came with the laptop quick enough. Worst case scenario it's just a program that the one with a stylus has that you might have to get a program for the other one, but I doubt that's the case (could be wrong). He wants to be able to take notes on it like a tablet. I wonder how inconvenient that would be if it wasn't one that folded flat?
It will be harder. And I dunno about his school but lecture classes are in auditoriums with those itty bitty desks which would be harder to lay a laptop flat on. Sounds like he might prefer a convertible or whatever it's called laptop. Has he used a writing program though? I haven't in a while because previous versions didn't work well for me. I'd consider testing it out in a store if that's why he wants a tablet-like laptop.
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Post by The Walk of the Penguin Mich on Jun 30, 2020 16:35:13 GMT -5
I have a Lenovo Yoga. It is a touch screen, folds flat, is very lightweight and is powerful. I never took notes on it though, so don’t know how it works for that.
Mine is about 5 years old, and it was not inexpensive when I bought it. I think it was about $1500.
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