Need new laptop, am going to USA. What to buy?

[jobin]

I'm too ignorant, and too uncaring and old, to get all involved with the myriad permutations of devices available. Need reliable, since will be returning to T'land so no phone support. Need all software installed in USA, i guess. Need to keep price under about US$800. Not into gaming, heavy duty graphics or 3D modeling. Usually not a WiFi, but cable guy.

Am looking at Dell Inspiron 15 5000, one model has Touch screen which is the cheapest. I can see no value in touch screen, just another possible problem. Maybe a close-out special.

Also Acer Aspire E5, some models look ok.

How to judge, if possible, anything from user reviews. Six users love, five users hate.

Got a moment... give me some input.

[daveAustin]

Can't go wrong with an ASUS.

Currently on a Lenovo X201 (IBM) which is a very rugged, stalwart working lappie. Probably the best keyboard in the business, matte screen and even has drainage channels for when you spit your coffee all over the thing. Screen relatively small but very portable and works well with another monitor. Also has a very handy LED above the screen for typing in the dark and the handy in-keyboard pointer. It was about $800-$1000 few years back.

[KhunBENQ]

One of many points to look at: as far as I can see, the Dell Inspiron 15 5000 does not have an optical drive (CD/DVD).

For me this would be a no go, especially if it would be my only computer.

If you (let) install all the SW in the US you must make sure, that you can restore/rebuild the basic operating system (with the drivers) and the application software (as you desire) here in Thailand. Either on bootable DVD for the OS and/or harddisk/DVD backup of the application software.

Ask the dealer about recovery media and the license information for reinstallation.

Not having an optical drive can make life hard.

Edited November 30, 2014 by KhunBENQ

[Chicog]

Who uses Optical these days? Most software is a download, and most backups can be done to USB devices.

And you can pick up an optical drive for peanuts.

Just a drain on power if you ask me.

More important is that the thing has USB 3.0 slots.

[JDGRUEN]

If there is a Fry's Electronics in your area in he U.S. -- difficult to beat the price ... any name brand - mine is Lenova and works just fine... Fry's consistently has the greatest selection and lowest price...

Edited November 30, 2014 by JDGRUEN

[Pib]

Unless you get a computer with a worldwide warranty...most computers have warranties limited to certain parts of the world, when you return to Thailand with your brand new computer and say it breaks within the warranty period you'll probably be SOL for free warranty repair/support.

[elgordo38]

I love Hewlett Packard large screen(I am older toooo) We have 2 Acers in our home had nothing but trouble. Hewlett Packard has a service centre here in Chiang Mai which they also no doubt have in all major cities in LOS. Check and see if the warranty is international if it is I suggest you buy a 3 year one.

[Bpuumike]

 

Who uses Optical these days? Most software is a download, and most backups can be done to USB devices.

And you can pick up an optical drive for peanuts.

Just a drain on power if you ask me.

More important is that the thing has USB 3.0 slots.

Agree with the USB 3.0 slots. Would also go for 6 or 8 Gb RAM.

A bit off-topic but you touched on it.

Came across the term 'reversible USB' a few days ago. What's that all about?

[RKASA]

 

Who uses Optical these days? Most software is a download, and most backups can be done to USB devices.

And you can pick up an optical drive for peanuts.

Just a drain on power if you ask me.

More important is that the thing has USB 3.0 slots.

Agree with the USB 3.0 slots. Would also go for 6 or 8 Gb RAM.

A bit off-topic but you touched on it.

Came across the term 'reversible USB' a few days ago. What's that all about?

reversible USB

currently most usb only plug in one way. with reversible USB it won't matter upside down or not the plug goes in and works.

[kkerry]

Reversible as in you don't have to fiddle around to make sure you are inserting the USB plug right way up, it will fit first time as there is no wrong way. Be sometime next year I imagine before you see this on a computer in Thailand.

Back to the laptop question. Go on to Amazon and use the following to filter your search results. An Intel i5 processor, minimum 4GB RAM, a screen with good resolution and if the budget allows, an SSD. Make your shortlist from the results and try to find one in a store to check the screen is decent in real life, a solid build, good keyboard and trackpad.

[DogNo1]

_{There are various options available in the USA - Fry's, Best Buy, Amazon.com. Best to go with new technology - windows 8.1, touchscreen, USB 3.0 with SSD and 8GB of internal memory. I have a Sony Vaio Tap 11 with Windows 8.1, a touchscreen and a 128 GB SSD. It has one USB 3.0 port (can attach a USB 3.0 hub if necessary) and a micro HDMI port. With its detachable keyboard, it can be used as a tablet as well as a notebook. Got it for $600. Great machine. Highly recommended. Despite some negative reviews panning its WiFi on Amazon, my machine's WiFi works fine. The screen quality and speaker quality are great. I recommend going into a store for a hands-on evaluation before you decide. So far as Installing software, everything is downloadable these days and can be saved out to a USB 3.0 flash drive or external drive for safekeeping.}

[NeverSure]

I have an American friend in Khon Kaen who visits the US about once a year and always buys a laptop. He does what I do. He goes to Walmart and buys what fits his needs.

I recently bought a 15" Toshiba Satellite with a DVD drive, 6 gig of ram and Windows 8 pro installed and validated with a restore partition on board. The HDD is 1 TB and I can't remember the processor speed but it was "current."

It cost me just under $400 ($39?.??) all in, out the door.

If you are going to the US between now and New Years, "everything" is on sale.

Take a look at THESE. Eat your hearts out, the rest of you, LOL.

[Lefty]

I just returned from USA and now in Korat,while in U.S. BROUGHT A LENEVO THINKPAD E545. came with 500 gb solid state drive so boot-up takes lass than 30 seconds.16GB of memory has win 7 professional installed.Cost from Amazon 900 dollars.

Lefty

[lostinisaan]

One of many points to look at: as far as I can see, the Dell Inspiron 15 5000 does not have an optical drive (CD/DVD).

For me this would be a no go, especially if it would be my only computer.

If you (let) install all the SW in the US you must make sure, that you can restore/rebuild the basic operating system (with the drivers) and the application software (as you desire) here in Thailand. Either on bootable DVD for the OS and/or harddisk/DVD backup of the application software.

Ask the dealer about recovery media and the license information for reinstallation.

Not having an optical drive can make life hard.

I've seen quite a few and pricey external drives at Ubon's Sunee Plaza. The one from Sony seemed to be the best and cheapest one.But you're right that not having one can make life harder, as it already is.

[craigt3365]

OP: where will you be in the US? There are many good places to buy a laptop. And yes, the options can be mind boggling! But the choices are fantastic.

I highly recommend shopping around a bit and going into the store to shop. I found actually typing on them and goofing off on the PC for a few minutes could change my mind one way or another.

I love Fry's and that's where I bought mine. I've found the employees to be great. They told me the in's and out's of each model. Even steering me away from many due to my requirements. These guys really know their stuff.

I ended up with a Lenovo that had just come up on sale. I found it via their website then went back to the store. It was originally $800 on sale for $450. Fantastic laptop. No DVD, but I haven't used a CD/DVD in years.

Best of luck!!!

[NeverSure]

I think DVD drives are on their way out. I ordered an image of my laptop to do a complete restore and it came as a bootable memory stick. It restored all partitions including the "hidden" restore partition which yes, I had screwed up.

[NeverSure]

Whatever you do, buy one right away. That way you have a chance to burn it in while you're in the US and can return it if necessary.

My experience is that if a new computer is going to fail, it will probably do it right away. If it's solid for a while it will probably stay that way.

[dddave]

You couldn't have picked a better month to buy a laptop in the US...Pre-Xmas promotions will be the best ever. A friend just messaged me that at a "Black Friday" sale, she bought a Dell Laptop with an i5 processor, 8gb RAM, 1tb HD, USB 3.0 for $399...That's pretty amazing.

Check promotion ads in local newspapers and then check the internet for reviews of the models that interest you. While online reviews aren't 100% reliable, they can help you to avoid a real dog.

I know from experience that Gateway/Acer and HP will honor the warranty of a US purchased machine in Thailand.

[just_another_guy]

Jobin

A lot of good info here in these posts. I too am an old fart and just purchased a new laptop here in Thailand. My old laptop was a HP Netbook from 5 years ago and had it plugged into a big monitor. Works great--but didn't have the stuff the new models have.

Once I decided to buy a new Laptop (two weeks ago) here are the things I wanted included---- that my old HP didn't have.

1> a HDMI port

2> A DVD player

3> at least 4 Gig of memory

4> at least 1000 GB HDD

After looking a several models from different companies I decided on the Acer E5-471G-39-1R. Paid just under 500 USD but had to buy the MS windows disk extra. I chose Windows 7 HOME PRO for no reason other than I have heard some complaints about windows 8 an 8.1.

And DON'T buy a copy of windows for your new computer. Buy the original from MS. (just my opinion)

Nearly 20 years ago in the states, one of my first PC computers was an Acer. Nothing but trouble they (Acer) finally made good and mailed me a new computer. I swore I'd never buy Acer again. But 20 years on and talking with a few Thai folks here, they seem to think Acer is pretty good and is why I purchased another Acer.

Personally, I think now-a-days any major brand is going serve you well as long as you get it with at least the four items I listed above.

One thing I forgot to look for was a back lit keyboard which would seem nice to have if you are typing at night. Overall....so far I am happy with my purchase.

Good luck with whatever you decide and let us know what you decided to buy.

[Pib]

As FYI, here's link to a Square Trade laptop reliability/repair report. Square Trade is a computer repair/extended maintenance insurance plan offered by many sellers. Before is a cut and paste from the report graphically showing laptop reliability by manufacturer.

[tutsiwarrior]

yeah...I'd say an optical drive is not needed much these days, before they were usedtoinstall drivers for devices and now all thedrivers can be downloaded...

I justbought a new Asus K550Lwith i7, 6GB memory and other stuff but the keyboard sticks as you can see fromthe preceding text in thispost...so, look out...