1 hour ago, ChaiyaTH said:

Always think it's funny to read these type of topics, as I one was this hardcore seller for Lenovo and Dell. After i quit that job, I got a new job that came with a Macbook Air, never looked back ever since.

 

Why I am saying this? Because windows seem to always have bigger and bigger hardware, insane amounts of memory, to then still be slower than my Macbook with like 1/3rd of those specs. Yeah unless it's like a heavy thing, but then I could also go for a macbook pro and still beat it.

 

And this usually while we talk about 1-2 versions earlier even in terms of the model. So even a second/third hand mac is often a better deal in 2024. I think these new Mac Mini's with the M1 processor in it already, are only like 20-30K baht new. About to buy one for a permanent home computer.

I don't know, it seems to me Mac's are a trap. Yes, the cheapest way into the Apple world is the Mac Mini M2 but you get very little with the base model. Plus, whatever model you buy you're stuck, you can't upgrade. So, just to get started with the Mac Mini is going to cost close to 30,000 baht you can buy 2 decent Mini PC's for that along with the ability to upgrade. Mac Mini Wifi is notoriously spotty/horrible as well. 

Mac's a Trap. 

I'd say go for the ice MG5 before touching the ev MG4. A world of difference. 

mobile banking is most convenient if there's a secure place to store your package in case you're not home upon delivery. 

Of the Asia countries I've lived in, the friendliest are:

1. Japan

2. Vietnam

3. Philippines

4. Saudi Arabia, Turkey, Qatar 

5. Thailand

6. China

7. South Korea

8. Kuwait

15 minutes ago, Dart12 said:

I just asked my laptop tech-geek friend who lives in UK the question of "Which is a good quality inexpensive laptop right now?"

Here's his answers:

I think Huawei are good value for money. They often have discounts on their website.

2.  I (him) plan to get a Xiaomi Mi pad 6 tablet and a Logitech Anywhere keyboard. As a lightweight solution to take out and about, leave the laptop at home.

3. Really inexpensive:  Chromebook or INSTALL chromebook in a used other brand laptop:
 

Ah, ok. So, the good thing about a Chromebook is how resource light it is. You can install it on an old windows computer and it would run great.

So where the computer with windows on it may be fit for the bucket, you can install Chrome and give it a new lease of life.

That would be the cheapest solution.

 

You can pick up many Chromebooks for just a few hundred too.

https://chromeos.google/products/chromeos-flex/

4. I told him don't want to go that route of having to install something for the girl so his ultimate suggestion was can't go wrong right now with a Huawei.

or if you want it super portable go with #2 (but means you probably have something else at home you can use too).

Good tips, thanks. I'm going to take a 6 month trip to several countries out of Thailand next year. Ideally I'd like a laptop but to me they are the biggest risk, so many of them break down at the wrong time. So, right now I've got the Honor 9 tablet, that can definitely work for my 6 month trip without too much to worry about.

I've had a Chromebook before, it worked ok when my previous laptop busted but won't buy another one.

As far as my home PC, I've got a HP Mini I bought used off of Lazada but I want to replace it with a new mini unless someone can give me good reasons to buy a new desktop. 

I've got one quick question. I'm on Win 10 and I really like it. Is Win 11 as good? I have seen a YT video on how to optimize the hell out of Win 11 so I think as long as I do that I won't miss Win 10. 

no more sightseeing. 

I know cold is not kind to EV batteries but doesn't this Thai heat just kill batteries as well? 

Your thoughts? 

8 minutes ago, connda said:

Buy a custom-built desktop for home use and a laptop for when your away from home.  Then you're pretty much set.

This is what I need, a moderately powerful Desktop at home and then I'd just gamble on a 18,000 baht 14 inch  i5/16GB Ram laptop.

Do you mean build my own PC or buy a PC that someone else has built? I ask because I'd screw up if I built one on my own lol. 

I appreciate everybody's input. Ultimately, I decided to buy the Honor Pad 9 for 10,900 baht. I did a deep dive on laptops and ended up believing what a popular tech youtuber said "Laptops are designed to be sold, not used". He reviews all the laptops, finds big faults in all of them even though by now they should be awesome devices. It's just such a crapshoot, I don't feel like gambling right now. 

14 minutes ago, impulse said:

 

Is that the WiFi version or the LTE version with a SIM slot?

 

It's the WiFi version. I'm not sure if Banana sells the LTE version. There's supposedly an Honor 9 Pro version as well but I haven't seen either in any store. 

I went to Banana today and got the Honor Pad 9 for 10,900. They threw in a stylus pen, power bank, smart speaker, and flip cover for free. 

4 minutes ago, Upnotover said:

Which was very reasonable.  So what is the message?

I went to Vietnam as well but already had pre-paid for my re-entry visa when I did my annual renewal. 

My neighbor went to Vietnam earlier this month and the lady at the Don Mueang airport asked if had an extra passport photo. He did but he didn't know it at the time. She charged him 200 baht for not producing the passport photo. 

I'm down to either the Honor Pad 9(11,000 baht), or Xiaomi Pad 6(10,000 baht). Both tablets are rated very high. The Honor is 12 inch, the Xiaomi is 11 inch that might be the deciding factor. 

I think the mail in process is very easy but if you can always try Maneerat on Soi 13. 

59 minutes ago, ronster said:

I had an iPad air 2 for years but refused to buy the new version at 20000bht so looked around. Ended up buying the Xiaomi pad 6 and it's brilliant for the price . It can take a bit of use to figure out how it works but after that a piece of cake , or maybe just me as used iPad for so long .

The display on it is crystal clear , the sound is amazing as has 4 speakers as far as remember and it's so quick doing anything. Build quality seems very good and it feels solid well built piece of kit .

The alternative I was looking at was a Samsung for same price but in all comparison sites the pad 6 beat the Samsung easily in scores. Also the fast charging for the pad 6 is lightning quick.

Bought mine on Lazada from the Mi site during a sale and paid 9000bht I think it was .

Thanks, it's either the Xiaomi 6 or the Honor Pad 9. Similar pricing. 

1 hour ago, patman30 said:

were you not looking to buy a laptop yesterday?

Yes, I'm updating all my gear. My Acer laptop blew its MB awhile back and a cheap tablet would be nice to have. I also would like a much better desktop than my HP Mini. 

1 minute ago, Korat Kiwi said:

In NZ there was a consumer report about laptops.  The worst one/brand for failures was Acer. 

 

 

Yes, they don't seem to be in the top seven reliable brands. I don't really trust any brand but if you're not in the top 7 you're out. 

Are local computer stores in Pattaya better than Banana? 

Maybe Wattana or Tukcom? 

I'm thinking any laptop I buy is only going to last 2-3 years so it's better to buy on sale lol. 

2 minutes ago, proton said:

Would not touch an Acer at any price, how many old ones do you see on sale? none, they are all Dells, Fujitsu or Toshiba's. Had a top of the range Acer a few years ago, lasted 3 years.

I think you're right. I had an Acer a few years back and it seemed cheaply made. Banana has a light(1.3kg)Asus Vivobook with the same specs for 15,000, down from 19,000. 

I'm looking for a light laptop(1.25kg) and this Acer is on sale on Banana for 17,000 baht(down from 26,000 baht). I believe it has backlit keyboard, fingerprint ID. I'm in Pattaya I like to get a good deal but leery about Acer. Any suggestions for a light 14 inch laptop is welcome. Thank you. 

Acer Swift Go SFG14-41-R2QM

AMD Ryzen 5 7530U

RAM: 16GB LPDDR4X

SSD: 512GB SSD M.2

2 x USB Type-C , 2 x USB 3.2 Gen1 port

50Wh 3-cell Li-ion

2 Years (Parts & Labor) Warranty

I just got back from Vietnam it's a huge difference as they are still skinny. Although I did go to a Vietnamese restaurant in Danang and there was this big family get together where I saw the atypical fat uncle constantly stuff food and drink in his face, it was effing funny/hilarious. 

I'd like to ride from Pattaya to Ho Chi Minh city but I don't think Vietnam will let me in.