Help me find a new laptop!

[2 Sweet]

CR, please help.

 

I have a Compaq laptop I bought on craigslist several years ago for $50. I love it. All I've done to the thing is uninstall Vista (POS) and install XP (best OS ever made) and it's been great. All I really use it for is browsing the internet, and occasionally Microsoft Word and Paint Shop Pro.

 

Now that XP is no longer supported, I guess I need to get with the times and get something more up to date. Especially since this thing has a fucking Celeron processor. Yeah, I'm long overdue for an upgrade.

 

Here's the thing, I use my girlfriend's laptop from time to time, I think it's an Anus or Asus or something? It's newish, and has Windows 8 or 10 or whatever, and I can't fucking stand it. It has your typical "new laptop" bloatware installed on it, and the new version of Windows is set up like an iphone or something. I hate the interface, there's too much going on. Even trying to execute the simplest of functions is annoying. Maybe I just need to get used to it? And every time I use the thing, it makes me download/install an update which always takes 15 minutes. It doesn't give me the option to tell it NO, it forces me to update and restart. Dumb dumb dumb.

 

Here's the other thing, my current laptop has a nice wide screen, and a number pad. I refuse to purchase any laptop that doesn't have a number pad on the keyboard. So I guess that's my only requirement. Oh and I also don't want to spend much, because I'm not using it for gaming or anything fancy.

 

In summary:

I love XP

Use laptop for internet and Word

The simpler, the better. I don't want a ton of icons and bullshit everywhere

MUST have a num pad on the keyboard

 

Should I buy new? If so, from where? I don't want all the BS add-ons that come with your typical store bought laptop.

 

Should I buy used? If so, what should I look for that doesn't suck?

[Furloaf]

Put xfce Mint Linux on the compaq

[ShowHBK]

If you ask me... I would get a Windows 10 "signature" system from Microsoft's store directly (Link to store) These systems are free of any bloatware and bullshit from the manufactuers and they are growing in popularity. Windows 10 is (factually) what Windows 8 should have been in the first place and cleans up the update bullshit from Windows 8. Make sure the system you get has an SSD (Solid State Drive. These have no moving parts and are fast) and you will be happy.

 

What kinda budget are we looking at? What is cheep to you? $300, $500, or like $700 range? Let me know and I can find you a good system for what you are asking.

 

As for XP based systems. I fully understand your desire for an OS that you are comfortable with and I respect that you want that experience. Something like a Dell Latitude D620 can be purchased off Amazon for $72 right now (Link) With a dual core processor and 2GB of RAM, this is all XP will ever need. Spend a little bit more and buy an SSD for this thing and install an OEM copy of Windows XP would put you in good shape. Now, I should also take a moment to note that an SSD will not be as fast as you think on XP because certain things are not supported to make that happen in XP. I know this laptop lacks the number pad you want, but this is just an idea of what is possible.

 

Let me know a little bit more about what you are looking for and I will do my best to provide options.

[2 Sweet]

If you ask me... I would get a Windows 10 "signature" system from Microsoft's store directly (Link to store) These systems are free of any bloatware and bullshit from the manufactuers and they are growing in popularity. Windows 10 is (factually) what Windows 8 should have been in the first place and cleans up the update bullshit from Windows 8. Make sure the system you get has an SSD (Solid State Drive. These have no moving parts and are fast) and you will be happy.

 

What kinda budget are we looking at? What is cheep to you? $300, $500, or like $700 range? Let me know and I can find you a good system for what you are asking.

 

As for XP based systems. I fully understand your desire for an OS that you are comfortable with and I respect that you want that experience. Something like a Dell Latitude D620 can be purchased off Amazon for $72 right now (Link) With a dual core processor and 2GB of RAM, this is all XP will ever need. Spend a little bit more and buy an SSD for this thing and install an OEM copy of Windows XP would put you in good shape. Now, I should also take a moment to note that an SSD will not be as fast as you think on XP because certain things are not supported to make that happen in XP. I know this laptop lacks the number pad you want, but this is just an idea of what is possible.

 

Let me know a little bit more about what you are looking for and I will do my best to provide options.

 

Good stuff, thanks!

 

Ideally I would like to spend less than $300 but I'm not sure what that'll get me if I'm buying new. If I can get a better used laptop for $150 I would prefer to go that route.

[jeffro]

Older macbook pro with bluetooth numpad. No bloatware, fast enough, and affordable.

[ShowHBK]

Good stuff, thanks!

 

Ideally I would like to spend less than $300 but I'm not sure what that'll get me if I'm buying new. If I can get a better used laptop for $150 I would prefer to go that route.

 

Well, to be honest... At that price you really should look into a Chromebook if you are much of a Google fan. for <$300 you can get a brand new VERY fast chromebook if you are willing to explore the ChromeOS eco system. Chromebooks are designed to be simple systems for web browsing, office applications, and a few apps here and there. If you like Google and want simple, theses are the way to go at that price point when buying new.

 

Lenovo IdeaPad 100s

HP 11-v020nr

 

If you are willing to buy refurbished units, then Microcenter has you covered with some legacy systems.

 

Dell Latitude E6420

HP ProBook 6470b

 

These are two systems in your budget that come with a licensed copy of Windows 7 which is not an extreme departure from XP in terms of look and feel. I like to think of Windows 7 as a more polished version of XP, but thats just me. Both these options have SSD on them and should load fast and easy. Let me know what you think and I can keep searching if this is more up your alley.

[2 Sweet]

Well, to be honest... At that price you really should look into a Chromebook if you are much of a Google fan. for <$300 you can get a brand new VERY fast chromebook if you are willing to explore the ChromeOS eco system. Chromebooks are designed to be simple systems for web browsing, office applications, and a few apps here and there. If you like Google and want simple, theses are the way to go at that price point when buying new.

 

Lenovo IdeaPad 100s

HP 11-v020nr

 

If you are willing to buy refurbished units, then Microcenter has you covered with some legacy systems.

 

Dell Latitude E6420

HP ProBook 6470b

 

These are two systems in your budget that come with a licensed copy of Windows 7 which is not an extreme departure from XP in terms of look and feel. I like to think of Windows 7 as a more polished version of XP, but thats just me. Both these options have SSD on them and should load fast and easy. Let me know what you think and I can keep searching if this is more up your alley.

 

I had a Chromebook, and it was OK. I ended up giving it to my mother.

 

I am perfectly fine with buying refurbished. Is a SSD really that much better? Both those examples you posted would fit the bill, but I really want a number pad on the keyboard and a bigger screen (15" maybe? I think that's what I currently have). I'm probably being too picky considering my budget.

[ShowHBK]

Yes, an SSD is a big deal in my opinion. Think of an SSD as a supercharger for your computers load times. Below is a simple graph for transfer speeds of the average spinning hard drive against an SSD and RAM disk. Let me try and see what I can find you with a number pad and 15" of screen for your porn.

 

http://www.laptopmag.com/images/wp/purch-api/incontent/2012/07/ramdisk-charts.jpg

[ShowHBK]

in my research, I found this website... HOLY CRAP is this cool!

 

http://www.productchart.com/laptops/

[Doc1647545523]

Mike, thanks for your info in this thread. I used the Microsoft store and ordered the Dell Inspiron 15 i5559-3333SLV Signature Edition Laptop which should meet my needs well (web surfing and email while away from home) at least for the next few years. I hadn't purchased a laptop in nearly 10 years, and the bloatware was my biggest hassle with the last machine.

[2 Sweet]

Agreed with Doc, the info Mike provided was excellent. I think I found the laptop I need thanks to this thread. :thumbup:

[ShowHBK]

Sounds great guys, Happy to help

I hope you both enjoy the new systems.