Right now, I'm look at the following:
HP Pavilion 17z-e000 series
Operating system Windows 8 64
Processor and Graphics AMD Quad-Core Processor A6-5200 (2.0GHz, 2MB L2 Cache) + 1 GB AMD Radeon HD 8670M Discrete
Display 17.3-inch diagonal HD+ BrightView LED-backlit Display (1600 x 900)
Memory 8GB DDR3 System Memory (2 Dimm)
Hard drive 1TB 5400 rpm Hard Drive
Primary battery 6 Cell Lithium Ion Battery
Primary optical drive SuperMulti 8X DVD+/-R/RW with Double Layer Support
Keyboard Standard Keyboard
Personalization HP TrueVision HD Webcam w/ integrated digital mic
Networking 802.11b/g/n WLAN
I'd like your thoughts. It's ringing in at around $660, which is fine, but I'd kind of like to go a bit cheaper.
I need the machine for my programming classes, gaming, general household accounts, and email.
Quote from: merithyn on September 18, 2013, 02:49:39 PM
I'd like your thoughts.
Do you really want my thoughts?
Quote from: Barrister on September 18, 2013, 02:56:58 PM
Quote from: merithyn on September 18, 2013, 02:49:39 PM
I'd like your thoughts.
Do you really want my thoughts?
Yes. But... keep in mind that my programming classes are mostly set up for PCs, not Macs, so those aren't really an option.
Quote from: merithyn on September 18, 2013, 03:01:15 PM
Quote from: Barrister on September 18, 2013, 02:56:58 PM
Quote from: merithyn on September 18, 2013, 02:49:39 PM
I'd like your thoughts.
Do you really want my thoughts?
Yes. But... keep in mind that my programming classes are mostly set up for PCs, not Macs, so those aren't really an option.
Well then, my thoughts go something like this:
1. Buy MacBook Pro
2. Install Windows 7 (dear God, not 8) through Boot Camp.
3. Profit!
:)
Beeb has lame thoughts.
Sorry, Mer, can't help as I'm not up to date on laptop specs.
Quote from: merithyn on September 18, 2013, 02:49:39 PM
I'd like your thoughts. It's ringing in at around $660, which is fine, but I'd kind of like to go a bit cheaper.
I need the machine for my programming classes, gaming, general household accounts, and email.
I tend to buy more or less this machine (the specs keep getting better, but basically the same machine, AMD chip + Radeon graphics + some RAM) from HP every couple of years for gaming and net surfing.
You could probably drop the RAM to 6 GB and hard drive to 500GB to drop the price down to a base $570, the hp shopping site tells me.
Quote from: ulmont on September 18, 2013, 04:16:57 PM
Quote from: merithyn on September 18, 2013, 02:49:39 PM
I'd like your thoughts. It's ringing in at around $660, which is fine, but I'd kind of like to go a bit cheaper.
I need the machine for my programming classes, gaming, general household accounts, and email.
I tend to buy more or less this machine (the specs keep getting better, but basically the same machine, AMD chip + Radeon graphics + some RAM) from HP every couple of years for gaming and net surfing.
You could probably drop the RAM to 6 GB and hard drive to 500GB to drop the price down to a base $570, the hp shopping site tells me.
Yes, but am I then going to want to replace this machine in a couple of years? I guess the question is, should I splurge on the extra 2 GB RAM and 500 GB storage now?
Quote from: merithyn on September 18, 2013, 04:21:52 PM
Yes, but am I then going to want to replace this machine in a couple of years? I guess the question is, should I splurge on the extra 2 GB RAM and 500 GB storage now?
Storage depends totally on what you do with the machine; from what you've said, I doubt it. RAM is always fun.
If you're using it for any gaming other than "games that are no newer than when I bought the machine", you'll want a new one in a couple of years for a better processor and better GPU.
Quote from: merithyn on September 18, 2013, 02:49:39 PM
Right now, I'm look at the following:
HP Pavilion 17z-e000 series
Operating system Windows 8 64
Processor and Graphics AMD Quad-Core Processor A6-5200 (2.0GHz, 2MB L2 Cache) + 1 GB AMD Radeon HD 8670M Discrete
Display 17.3-inch diagonal HD+ BrightView LED-backlit Display (1600 x 900)
Memory 8GB DDR3 System Memory (2 Dimm)
Hard drive 1TB 5400 rpm Hard Drive
.....
I'd like your thoughts. It's ringing in at around $660, which is fine, but I'd kind of like to go a bit cheaper.
I need the machine for my programming classes, gaming, general household accounts, and email.
Meri, I pretty much bought that sort of machine 12 months ago at a similar price point, though it had a smaller display, I don't like 17in screens. I does what I want, with a bit or reasonable gaming on the side (Civ5+expansions)
edit: found the spec, broadly similar with a few differences:
Samsung NP305VA-A05UK AMD A8 Processor 8Gb 750Gb 15.6 inch Laptop - Blue
CPU benchmark:
AMD A8-3530MX APU
2575
£399
Thanks, guys. I may do as suggested and cut the RAM and the storage a bit since I can't imagine ever needing that much. That'll save me a few bucks.
I've had an HP Pavilion for the last four years, and I love it. It's still a decent machine, but the battery doesn't hold a charge and it's pretty slow. I'll pass it on to Riley when I get the new one.
Ask Carter what he just got.
I ordered mine. :)
What'd he get?
Quote from: merithyn on September 20, 2013, 12:05:28 PM
I ordered mine. :)
What'd he get?
not sure, just know it was what he spent half of his Fair money on though :D
Oh, yeah. He told me when he got the job with you that that was what he was spending the bulk of his pay on. I just wondered if you knew what he got.
I'm going to Staples tomorrow and pick up some of those Lenove i5's for 500 bucks. Fuckers look loaded for the price.
My computer has been shipped! :w00t:
From China :mad:
Won't be here for another week. :glare:
Computer's here. I'm annoyed. :glare:
It has Windows 8. I had to have Jackson come over and show me how to work the damn thing. I'm not impressed. :mad:
Quote from: merithyn on October 02, 2013, 07:47:33 PM
Computer's here. I'm annoyed. :glare:
It has Windows 8. I had to have Jackson come over and show me how to work the damn thing. I'm not impressed. :mad:
First thing I did was banish that new Win 8 menu. Now mine really just looks like Win 7. :)
Quote from: garbon on October 02, 2013, 07:55:45 PM
Quote from: merithyn on October 02, 2013, 07:47:33 PM
Computer's here. I'm annoyed. :glare:
It has Windows 8. I had to have Jackson come over and show me how to work the damn thing. I'm not impressed. :mad:
First thing I did was banish that new Win 8 menu. Now mine really just looks like Win 7. :)
But there's no start button to find programs. :(
Quote from: merithyn on October 02, 2013, 08:08:00 PM
Quote from: garbon on October 02, 2013, 07:55:45 PM
Quote from: merithyn on October 02, 2013, 07:47:33 PM
Computer's here. I'm annoyed. :glare:
It has Windows 8. I had to have Jackson come over and show me how to work the damn thing. I'm not impressed. :mad:
First thing I did was banish that new Win 8 menu. Now mine really just looks like Win 7. :)
But there's no start button to find programs. :(
http://www.classicshell.net/
Brings back start menu, lets you boot directly to desktop (rather than crappy 8 menu) and let's you customize how start menu works. Has basic and advanced options.
I believe Microsoft is bring back start menu button in Windows 8.1 but I don't know when that is coming out.
It should be out in a few weeks.
Quote from: garbon on October 02, 2013, 08:12:45 PM
http://www.classicshell.net/
Brings back start menu, lets you boot directly to desktop (rather than crappy 8 menu) and let's you customize how start menu works. Has basic and advanced options.
I believe Microsoft is bring back start menu button in Windows 8.1 but I don't know when that is coming out.
Oh, that's much better. Thank you.
Quote from: merithyn on October 02, 2013, 08:17:27 PM
Quote from: garbon on October 02, 2013, 08:12:45 PM
http://www.classicshell.net/
Brings back start menu, lets you boot directly to desktop (rather than crappy 8 menu) and let's you customize how start menu works. Has basic and advanced options.
I believe Microsoft is bring back start menu button in Windows 8.1 but I don't know when that is coming out.
Oh, that's much better. Thank you.
Yeah, I didn't even give Win8 a chance. When I knew my computer was coming with it, I looked up how to disable it ahead of time. :blush:
Only negative is that I haven't fixed the defaults for several file types - so every now and then things open in the Windows 8 interface and I have to struggle to get back to my desktop. :D
The Metro UI could be usefull if it could be use in tandem with the Desktop but no, it's either or.
Quote from: merithyn on October 02, 2013, 07:47:33 PM
Computer's here. I'm annoyed. :glare:
It has Windows 8. I had to have Jackson come over and show me how to work the damn thing. I'm not impressed. :mad:
This:
http://www.stardock.com/products/start8/
Also, Win8.1 is just around the corner.
Quote from: Grey Fox on October 04, 2013, 08:48:39 AM
The Metro UI could be usefull if it could be use in tandem with the Desktop but no, it's either or.
Start8 should solve that problem. You can go back and forth to Metro interface and Win7 style desktop at will.
Quote from: viper37 on October 04, 2013, 09:16:18 AM
Quote from: Grey Fox on October 04, 2013, 08:48:39 AM
The Metro UI could be usefull if it could be use in tandem with the Desktop but no, it's either or.
Start8 should solve that problem. You can go back and forth to Metro interface and Win7 style desktop at will.
That's not what I mean.
I have 2 monitors. I want to have this : 1. Metro on both - nope not available 2. Use Metro on one & Desktop on the other. Simultaneously - Nope not available.
Quote from: Grey Fox on October 04, 2013, 09:29:33 AM
Quote from: viper37 on October 04, 2013, 09:16:18 AM
Quote from: Grey Fox on October 04, 2013, 08:48:39 AM
The Metro UI could be usefull if it could be use in tandem with the Desktop but no, it's either or.
Start8 should solve that problem. You can go back and forth to Metro interface and Win7 style desktop at will.
That's not what I mean.
I have 2 monitors. I want to have this : 1. Metro on both - nope not available 2. Use Metro on one & Desktop on the other. Simultaneously - Nope not available.
Ah, well, I haven't tried it on my own computers yet, only on my ex-gf laptop, so I didn't know. Have no idea if 8.1 fixes this either.
Quote from: Grey Fox on October 04, 2013, 09:29:33 AM
That's not what I mean.
I have 2 monitors. I want to have this : 1. Metro on both - nope not available 2. Use Metro on one & Desktop on the other. Simultaneously - Nope not available.
That's actually not a bad idea. So, basically, you're using Metro as a launchpad taking up one screen while you work on the other, yes?
Quote from: DontSayBanana on October 16, 2013, 08:37:48 PM
Quote from: Grey Fox on October 04, 2013, 09:29:33 AM
That's not what I mean.
I have 2 monitors. I want to have this : 1. Metro on both - nope not available 2. Use Metro on one & Desktop on the other. Simultaneously - Nope not available.
That's actually not a bad idea. So, basically, you're using Metro as a launchpad taking up one screen while you work on the other, yes?
Yes that's one way to see it. It's not actually possible tho.
Looks like 8.1 can do what I was saying.
http://www.theverge.com/2013/10/17/4845142/windows-8-1-review
QuoteThe first time you launch the desktop in 8.1, you'll see the return of the ultra-familiar Start Button. It acts as a portal to switch between the desktop and Start Screen worlds, and it will only show on the Start Screen if you use a mouse to navigate to the lower left-hand corner. It replaces Microsoft's odd looking square tip from Windows 8, and for many will act as a familiar reminder of how to navigate Windows. But it's just a button: Microsoft is not bringing back the traditional Windows Start Menu here.
Ah so looks like I'll stick to the setup that I already have.
Get it anyway & continue to use ClassicShell or Start 8. The other improvements are worth it.
Like what? From my quick look most of them only apply if I were to use the metro interface.
Not that I won't get it but just yeah I won't be getting ride of ClassicShell like I'd been anticipating.
The Multi Monitor improvements.
Btw, there's a new start menu. It's not the old start menu & they haven't mention it at all.
There's an option that leads metro directly to all the apps.
When you press windows button/key/charm It'll show you this a view with all your apps. It's a new start menu where you can search.
Quote from: Grey Fox on October 17, 2013, 10:17:16 AM
The Multi Monitor improvements.
Btw, there's a new start menu. It's not the old start menu & they haven't mention it at all.
There's an option that leads metro directly to all the apps.
When you press windows button/key/charm It'll show you this a view with all your apps. It's a new start menu where you can search.
So nothing I need then? :P
I actually have an iPhone, iPad, and a Mac Mini I'm using as an HTPC at present so my long hatred of Apple has cooled substantially. Will probably be a long time before I'd go full Macfag and buy an Apple laptop or use one as my regular PC.
I actually like the search feature in the new Windows 8 Start Menu, but I hate the other aspects of it and really the Metro Apps bring no value at all to a desktop user. A more regular Start Menu that allows for searching would be better.
I know Meri has already made her purchase some time ago, but I also thought I'd promote Lenovo a bit. I've been really happy with everything I've bought from them, they make good desktops/laptops.
I just broke down and bought a refurbished Alienware M18X R2 for $1479 :blush:
Processor : Intel Core 3rd Generation i7-3610QM
RAM : 16GB Dual Channel DDR3 at 1600MHz
Hard Drive : 500 GB SATA Hard Drive (7200 RPM)
500 GB SATA Hard Drive (7200 RPM)
32 GB SSDR mSATA Full Card
Video card : 2 GB DDR5 NVIDIA GeForce GTX 660M
Optical Drive : Slot-Loading Dual Layer Blu-ray Reader (BD-ROM, DVD±RW, CD-RW
System : Windows 8 64 bit
Screen : 18.4 inch WLED WideFHD display (1920 X 1080)
My current Toshiba Qosmio laptop from 2009 has performed well the past four years, but it just cannot handle intensive work anymore; crashing and overheating several times a day, even after some cleaning and adding cooling station under it.
I don't see how 8 is at all likeable. :(
Smooth, easy to use. What's not to like? It's pretty close to the same thing as 7 just with a different start menu.
E: One real annoyance I had with 8 was the stupid full screen apps that couldn't be minimized (or at least I couldn't see how), but that is solved by changing the default programs to stuff that runs on the desktop (Win Media player vs. Music, Win Picture Viewer vs whatever the 8 App is called, Adobe Reader vs Reader?, and so on). I was experimenting with using my Apple trackpad with it, but meh. The mouse works fine once you get used to where shit is.
All of the metro bits -_-
Why?
E: Seriously. Given the nature of my job, I talk to a lot of different people about these sorts of things. Windows 8, despite being very similar to 7 with the obvious exception of how the icons in the start menu look, gets a lot of hate, but quite a few people don't actually know why they don't like it (except when it's just things like "I don't like the way it looks," the OS equivalent of "I don't like your face"), so I'm always interested in seeing what people have to say when asked. Windows 7 is also awful for the people we're forcing to upgrade from XP.
There was also one Dr who hated OSX so much she had us completely wipe it off of her MacBook Pro and replace it with Win 7, so Apple catches shit too.
I've no interest in learning a new layout. Particularly not one that looks like it was designed with tablets/touch screens in mind. I've seen little on how this is an improvement for a Pc User.
Note, I'm still not sold on the ribbons in office. The drop down menus were certainly a pain, but the ribbons seem just as confusing as I'm always having to turn to Google to relearn how to do things. Especially doesn't help that they appear to update locations of various tasks in newer versions.
You don't like it's face. Fair enough.
In terms of basic functionality it isn't all that much different though, and doesn't require much in the way of "learning a new layout." Microsoft could definitely have done a better job of documenting things though for people who might need it. Search, for an easy example, is exactly the same as Win 7 only there's no actual box on the screen until you start typing (press the windows key and start typing and there it goes), although I understand they've addressed this a bit in 8.1 (and there's also a search box).
:rolleyes:
Oh you're going to be like that? It's a start menu. It's not that hard to figure out.
Quote from: garbon on October 27, 2013, 09:00:06 PM
Note, I'm still not sold on the ribbons in office. The drop down menus were certainly a pain, but the ribbons seem just as confusing as I'm always having to turn to Google to relearn how to do things. Especially doesn't help that they appear to update locations of various tasks in newer versions.
This thing brings back menus if you don't like them: http://www.techsupportalert.com/content/dont-ms-office-ribbon-bring-back-proper-menus.htm
Doesn't appear to work with 13, which I use, or I'd test it out for you.