Want to Buy a New PC

[savedbygrace]

So, I want to buy a new PC. I have a 4 year old Asus laptop and the screen has a lot of bad pixels. And I do not want to install Win7 again, but Start and Shutdown are both taking a long time, so I know I should re-install if I keep it.

So, my options are to buy a laptop with Win8, or a combo laptop/touch-screen with Win8. I will not buy a desktop PC.

What are the advantages of each, and which models would you recommend? I want as much RAM as possible, maybe 8GB, and the fastest processor I can afford. I want to keep it under $800, or not much more than that.

Note that I will not buy anything from Toshiba.

Go.

[Moonman62]

People seem to like Windows 8.1. Don’t let the Linux and Apple zealots deter you.

[Eric in the Ozarks]

Get a Mac.

[Obadiah]

That is completely believable.

[Bloody Sam Roberts]

I want to keep it under $800, or not much more than that.

I would suggest going to eCollegePC.com.

I have purchased 3 PCs from them and all have been stellar performers.

The have many pre-made configs but I would suggest using the Customer Builder and you can build your own. With free FedEx shipping, my last one cost me under $800.

AMD  FX  Configurator :

• CPU: AMD FX-4350 Vishera Quad-Core 4.2Ghz 8MB Cache AM3+
• AMD Copper Heatsink and Fan Included
• MoBo: GIGABYTE GA-78LMT-USB3 (Radeon HD3000, HDMI, 6xSATA, 4xDDR3)
• Memory: 4GB (4GBx1) PC3 10666 DDR3 1333Mhz Memory Lifetime Warranty
• HDD: 1TB 7200RPM 32MB Cache SATA3 6Gbps (Major Brand)
• CD-RW DVD: 24X LG SATA Dual Layer DVD /-RW/CDRW w/LG Software
• Vid Card: 2GB GeForce GT 630 GDDR3 PCI-E DVI/HDMI (Major Brand)
• OS: Microsoft Windows 8.1 Professional 32bit
• Case: NXZT Source 210 Elite Black (3 5.25, 8 3.5) 2 Fans, Audio/USB 3.0
• PS: 600watt Thermaltake TR2 W0388RU | Onboard LAN included
• Onboard Sound included | Wires and Cables neatly tied up away from fans
• 3 Year Parts and Labor Warranty – 2 year hassle free pickup and return

$733.00

This is using my current monitor, KB, mouse and speakers with subwoofer.

[Revolting cat!]

I hear Ethan Krupp uses a Mac.

Not true. Ethan Krupp uses Grundig, drives a Volkswagen, and eats sauerkrauten.

[prisoner6]

In January mrs p6 bought a HP Pavillion laptop from QVC without asking me. Came with W8...updated o 8.1 for free. Have to admit she loves it. Came with lifetime support which she used for minor stuff...basically adapting to W8.

No problems, less than $800...Maybe less than $700...I don’t recall.

Came on 6 payment plan...no questions asked.

It’s been a great machine for her! Took maybe a month...maybe less ...for her to adapt to W8 but the best part is I don’t have to be tech support.

[dhs12345]

I haven’t used Mint. But heck but it is except for the time to set it up and test it. Plus, Linux is indeed more secure.

My laptop would be collecting dust right now or be recycled. I have replaced the battery and keyboard. Pretty cheap to maintain since it is an old laptop.

I still keeps on chugging along. Using it right now.

[Fresh Wind]

I WILL NOT buy Windows 8, if nothing BETTER is available I will buy...

...a gay computer?

[jdsteel]

Look at the Lenovo Yoga Pro. My son has had one for a year and likes it so much I purchased the Yoga Pro 2 for my wife for Christmas. The top of the line is over your budget but you can find one in your price range. I am very impressed with the machine. Absolutely get a touch screen.

[Red in Blue PA]

Why not Toshiba?

This one is being released soon to BestBuy and you will not be able to find a better deal anywhere for any computer.

Toshiba - Satellite 17.3” Laptop - 8GB Memory - 750GB Hard Drive - Satin Black

$379.99

[jdsteel]

Are there any “Lightning-to-USB” adapters on the market?

Yes. They cost about $30. Get an "official" one rather than a knock off as Apple has done some things so the ipads can tell the difference between them.

[Ouderkirk]

There are a broad array of options.

but IMHO there are certain minimums

Intel i7 only.

300Gb minimum

I’m suspicious of Solid State drives but I think that they will get better over time.

I bought a MacAir and like it a lot. I have older Windows based PC’s which I have updated to Win8.1 and they function just fine and maybe better than the Win7 I had on them previously. Win8 is not an ideal GUI but it works just fine.

At this point I can’t speak to the WinRT boxes, have not used them though it has been in the news that the last update to them “bricked” quite a few.

Overall, processor speed now helps with longevity over time as more apps get developed may require more processor speed than is provided with the i3 and below.

[Truth29]

Another software recommendation is Advanced System Care. I have kept old XP computers restored and running for years with their free version.

[Mark17]

See post 4

[Mark17]

What’s the noise level on that? (My current pc sounds like a jet engine taking off.) I’ve been thinking about a Mac Pro, but want something quiet! Thanks.

No noise level at all. Completely silent.

[mreerm]

if your noisy machine is a laptop, it’s quite likely that the heat exchanger is plugged w/ lint/dust. very easy to fix. typically a screwdriver, small brush, vacuum cleaner. don’t blow the dust...you’ll only push it into places you can’t reach. youtube &/or manufacturer’s site will show you how to do it. if yours is a desktop, could easily be similar situation for CPU heat-sink/fan &/or powersupply fan. all easy to fix. dust is not your friend, it prevents cooling. hot processor throttles itself down in speed = slower computer.

[taxcontrol]

Or if you like your laptop, consider replacing the screen.

[Starstruck]

Toshiba is one of the best. Like ASUS. And Lenovo.

Just bought a Lenovo. Best selling point was it came with Windows 7 (also Windows 8 if I want to downgrade).

[fwdude]

PC’s are so 2000’s.

[Jonty30]

My Toshiba Satellite is about 8 years old and still runs almost like it was new. The only thing I’ve done with it was up its RAM to 4Gb.