(no subject)

[igpayatinlay]

Why do I not like a single fucking laptop being sold right now? Seriously, I've been to three stores, I've searched online, I don't like anything I've seen. I just want a power cord on the side of the computer rather than in the middle of the back, a mouse track pad that will respond to my thumb so that I don't have to take my fingers off home row to select anything, and an Intel processor.

Does anyone have a laptop that they love? I've always had Dells, and I've never used a HP that didn't have this problem with the tracking pad; if I change the sensitivity options on my mom's then it jumps around selecting things willy nilly.

This is so frustrating I legitimately think I might cry. I just want a new computer, why is it this hard?

Comments

[diadem.insanejournal.com]

and by 13 I mean i3. I'm so computer savvy.

[igpayatinlay.insanejournal.com]

I guessed! :) I'm nervous about Sony and Acer and Toshiba and I can't logically explain why. I think possibly because I've never touched one/they're not quite as popular so I don't know if I should trust the reputation or not. Thoughts?

[diadem.insanejournal.com]

Understandable! I'm like that when it comes to the Acer. I did have a Toshiba before and I think that one didn't have a great battery life. But I'm also starting to take better care of it and not have it constantly plugged in.

Personally out of all of the computers so far, I've really liked this one the best. If you are interested, I'd definitely talk to someone about it! They would know a lot more! Lol.

[igpayatinlay.insanejournal.com]

Talking to computer salespeople in stores makes me nuts because like... you can say "What makes these two computers different?" and the answer is p. much always that they have a different processor/memory/hard drive/manufacturer, which I could read just fine on the info sheet posted right next to the computer? But then I feel rude saying "Yeah, I can read thanks, but really, how much better are Intel processors than other cheaper ones?" The one time I did actually ask a guy that, he just shrugged and said "They're better, that's why they cost more."

[diadem.insanejournal.com]

Ugh. I hate that. If you're going to sell computers you should at least know something about them, not just what's on the freaking tag.

[igpayatinlay.insanejournal.com]

There should be a website (there probably is this website and my googlefu is failing me in finding it) or an outstanding service department of some store, where you can just answer tons of questions/select certain options, and it will tell you "This is the computer you need!" Laptop/desktop, operating system preference, processor/hard drive/memory, size, battery life, weight, a big list of programs to tick off the ones you use, additional features, ta-da!

[diadem.insanejournal.com]

A match.com for computer lovers.

[igpayatinlay.insanejournal.com]

For anyone, really! I mean, gaming people can specify they play games, I can specify I use the Adobe Suite, my dad can specify that he hates typing and just checks his email/sports scores and plays online poker. Declare the things you intend to use the machine for, any specifications you know you want, and they give you a top 5 shortlist of best matches.

[mumkin.insanejournal.com]

When you find this site, I want the link. Ugh, I am so computer stupid, but I'm starting to look for a new one in anticipation of this one probably crashing soon. :| BUT I DON'T EVEN KNOW WHERE TO START

[igpayatinlay.insanejournal.com]

I had been hoping that mine would last until Christmas-ish so I could look around at Black Friday type sales, research what was being offered, and get one on the cheap then. ALAS, ALACK.

[mumkin.insanejournal.com]

Oh, I don't know why I didn't think of that. I don't usually do Black Friday, but I might keep that in mind. This one is still working for the most part, but it's just you can tell it's getting old. She's a Mac, but I think I'm going back to PC when I eventually get a new one.

[igpayatinlay.insanejournal.com]

I mean, I'd do it in an online sense rather than in store since I don't want to camp out/get trampled, but I feel like that's the cheap time to do it.

[mumkin.insanejournal.com]

Totally. It's a good enough reason to consider it. Computers are so expensive, even when they're cheap.

[katling.insanejournal.com]

I can actually give you some answers to that if you really need them. Not in depth technical ones and probably not all of them but there's a few good computer stores I've been into where the guys running them are actual computer geeks and have given me proper answers to questions I've asked.

[igpayatinlay.insanejournal.com]

Ugh, I love you for this. If you don't know, that's okay and I won't complain about you because it is not your job to know these things, LOL! ♥

So I know I want a 15-16" laptop, with 750GB-1TB hard drive, I'm pretty sure I want an Intel processor because like, I run Adobe Suite programs and I know Photoshop is kind of killer for that. I'm occasionally guilty of running iTunes and Photoshop and an internet browser all at once. My gaming consists of backgammon and solitaire and like... the freebie games at msn's game section, so that's kind of inconsequential. I do watch Netflix and HBO Go, often while doing other things because I'm just programmed to be a multi-tasker.

I think my problem is that like, at Costco I was looking at three computers, two HPs and one Dell, and the Dell is the cheapest and has the best mousethumbpad option and an Intel i5, the large HP is the next most expensive with a crap mouse and AMD processor, and most expensive was a 14" HP with middling mouse and Intel i7, but I've kind of ruled it out for being small when I do a lot of webdesign stuff and want the option of viewing things on a larger screen. Both HPs had side power ports and the Dell had one on the back, eff that.

Hi, this comment is ridiculous because I can't actually clarify anything but I'm going to post it anyhow, just in case my gibberish makes sense to you. XD

[katling.insanejournal.com]

Yeah, you'll definitely want the Intel processor for that or a top level AMD. I don't know as much about AMD processors to know which are the better ones. The Intel processors are better for things like graphics programs simply because they have more memory for the program to use. If you don't have a powerful enough processor then that's when the computer will start crashing and you can actually burn out your motherboard as well.

The i5 should be sufficient. I have an i5 in my current laptop, the one that runs Skyrim on high. How much RAM do the various laptops have? And do they have separate graphics cards or just what's on the motherboard? Those are the two things that I think could be an issue with using Photoshop and watching movies.

[igpayatinlay.insanejournal.com]

I don't know because the ones in store are different than the ones online and I didn't take good notes because I was exceedingly frustrated. *sigh* I'll probably go back in an hour or so.

[igpayatinlay.insanejournal.com]

I mean, whatever I have now in this three years old computer is capable of running Photoshop while movies or music plays and Firefox is open, so... uh, yep, if I get a new one and it can't handle that, I would be cranky. :P My really old computer is currently better than all the other options, and I don't say this with a fondness for it or hating change on principle, it's just that I see no option that jumps out and says "THIS is what you need!"

[katling.insanejournal.com]

You and my Dad should get together. He's been having the same problem, trying to work out what he needs and what's available without anything really jumping out at him. And he's faced with the problem that new laptops come out so rapidly in Malaysia because of their proximity to most of the big companies that by the time he thinks he's decided one what he wants, something new is out. *lol* He's been at this for months and only just boght a new one a couple of weeks ago.

Aim for at least 4Gb of RAM, I'd say. Graphics cards are a bit more iffy. Theoretically if it's got an i series processor, the onboard graphics should be good enough. Just scanning the comments, yeah, if you're buying at one of the big shops then you should be okay on that.

[igpayatinlay.insanejournal.com]

I think the least was 6Gb, and two were 8? But thank you! ♥ This was helpful, I'm glad I have internet friends to help me even if I am not in Malaysia with the next big thing. :)