Laptops/NoteBooks/UltraBooks

[Crystallas]

idk. It's a very standard Dell I believe.

I'm being annoying pointing out a bad habit with computers(ignoring what is on the inside, just knowing it by the outside). But, knowing some basic specs are important, so you know what to go off of, when you make a future purchase.

It's easy for someone to give advice when they don't know your needs. It's usually safe advice, but rarely ever the best kind of advise. Everyone's needs are different, and this includes tech shit too. I'll tell you the difference between just buying anything safe, versus an optimal purchase based on the user. The safe advice will usually be a fair price, and it will perform for the lifespan expected, so what's the problem? Well, compared to an optimal purchase, you would save more time and money, as well as the product will have a longer lifespan in the hands of the operator it suits best. It's one thing to feel relieved by getting the purchase done, it's another thing to be genuinely excited about a purchase long after the initial buy.

 

[botfly10]

I'm being annoying pointing out a bad habit with computers(ignoring what is on the inside, just knowing it by the outside). But, knowing some basic specs are important, so you know what to go off of, when you make a future purchase.

It's easy for someone to give advice when they don't know your needs. It's usually safe advice, but rarely ever the best kind of advise. Everyone's needs are different, and this includes tech shit too. I'll tell you the difference between just buying anything safe, versus an optimal purchase based on the user. The safe advice will usually be a fair price, and it will perform for the lifespan expected, so what's the problem? Well, compared to an optimal purchase, you would save more time and money, as well as the product will have a longer lifespan in the hands of the operator it suits best. It's one thing to feel relieved by getting the purchase done, it's another thing to be genuinely excited about a purchase long after the initial buy.

I agree with this. But still think it can apply more to configuration within a brand than between brands.

For example, HPs have been making laptops that aren't properly cooled for years and I would stay away from them regardless of need.

 

[Crystallas]

I agree with this. But still think it can apply more to configuration within a brand than between brands.

For example, HPs have been making laptops that aren't properly cooled for years and I would stay away from them regardless of need.

HP doesn't build many true laptops. For the most part, they build notebooks. Most people don't even know the difference, and here is a hint: rushing to wikipedia wont tell you.

But Specs > Brand. Because Brands are based on reputation. Specs are based on physics. A brand with a good reputation still has to keep manufacturers happy by pushing defective(but bumped for lower output to still make a profit) hardware, as much as their good hardware. Early 2000s, Asus was locked into a contract with a cap supplier, and the only reason a board would last more than a few years was luck. Those were some ridiculously bad caps on what would have been a good board. Gigabyte made power reg mistakes forever, so did Foxconn. Now Asus still has sketchy suppliers, like any other brand, and they try to limit those components to the lowest cost products, and to fill in supply gaps. Therefore it's really important not to look into brand, because between these 3, you have most of the major boards found in every major brand. MSI too(to round out the big 4), and they have component supplier issues too. Brand isn't the best starting point.

 

[nvanprooyen]

I would say get a macbook pro, but they are fucking expensive and don't have that microsoft shit.

I bought an HP laptop when my macbookpro died. I needed something quick so I bought it. I hate it because it's not sexy and had to relearn the windows ways after generations of generations (had a macs for 10 years before they got overpriced or before i had overpriced children, probably a combo) but I am not a rich person who can buy all sorts of clicks and whistles.

I <3 my Macbook Pro....but paying for it myself? I'm not so sure about that. Wonderful hardware...but really pricey. And I'm kind of fucking cheap.

 

[nvanprooyen]

Like I said many times before. I don't hate Apple(I own a few Macs). I hate Apple shills.

I used to make fun of Apple fanboys as a hobby....sadly, I think I may have become one.

 

[nvanprooyen]

Asus makes bad ass slim books now that are sick. Check these out.

http://www.xoticpc.com/asus-ux31adh71-p-4977.html

http://www.xoticpc.com/asus-ux51vzdh71-p-5081.html

Those are both high end, but cheaper models are available. Check out more here:

http://www.xoticpc.com/custom-gaming-laptops-notebooks-asus-laptops-ct-95_51_163.html

+1 for Asus....owned several. They make nice stuff.

 

[FrenchieBully]

+1 for Asus....owned several. They make nice stuff.

Yep, when you buy Asus you aren't paying for the billboards, TV, and magazine ads.

 

[FrenchieBully]

I think Asus books are the best value/performance/quality ratio you can get right now.

Yo French, how do you like that router? I just got a dual band netgear and its a piece of shit. Drops connection as well as packets constantly.

It fucking rocks and looks badass. See my post on the router thread.

 

[X]

So - someone w/ more tech-intel than myself, can you explain the difference between laptops/notebooks/ultrabooks?

 

[nvanprooyen]

Size / form factor, weight, screen size, power, battery life. Generally speaking anyways.

Edit> Here's a semi decent comparison:

http://www.makeuseof.com/tag/what-i...etbook-notebook-ultrabook-laptop-and-palmtop/

 

[Crystallas]

Good list, except that a Notebook =/= Laptop

The notebook term was coined to differentiate a portable computer designed to sit on a desk, like a paper notebook. A TRUE laptop is one step above, as it was designed to also function on someone's lap. Pretty simple. A laptop should be a 40c high end, have a stiffer lower chassis, and nearly every true laptop has a two or three piece motherboard to allow more chassis flex in accordance to a person's lap.

But the terms did not catch on for all manufacturers in their correct form, so they never bothered to correct anyone, since what they don't know, wont hurt them, just help sales.

edit: I should also add, that I feel really bad for people who buy notebooks, thinking they are laptops. They use them like laptops, always bringing the system with them into every room of the house, ect. Then they get some kind of consumer trauma after having 2-3 break in a short period of time. After all that, they go ahead and spend more to buy a laptop, which for the most part remains stationary on a desk, like the notebook was supposed to be.

 

[Ares]

I started using Asus motherboards to build desktop rigs in like 2004 or 2005.

The original Asus motherboard I put in my oldest gaming rig 9 years ago is still running today.

Since then I have turned to Asus for boards and laptops and have not been disappointed.

I get Crystallas' points about not looking brand first, but Asus has consistently served me well.

On another note, I love explaining to Mac people that their 2000$ laptop has the same hardware specs as a cheaper Windows machine and that they are paying a lot of extra money for an OS and a logo. If you love the Mac OS then enjoy it, but don't tell me its better hardware, its the same shit that goes in to PCs.

Never have understood the Mac fad, but more power to ya Mac lovers.

 

[Omeletpants]

I started using Asus motherboards to build desktop rigs in like 2004 or 2005.

The original Asus motherboard I put in my oldest gaming rig 9 years ago is still running today.

Since then I have turned to Asus for boards and laptops and have not been disappointed.

I get Crystallas' points about not looking brand first, but Asus has consistently served me well.

On another note, I love explaining to Mac people that their 2000$ laptop has the same hardware specs as a cheaper Windows machine and that they are paying a lot of extra money for an OS and a logo. If you love the Mac OS then enjoy it, but don't tell me its better hardware, its the same shit that goes in to PCs.

Never have understood the Mac fad, but more power to ya Mac lovers.

It's the Mac OS. MS is garbage and full of security holes, counterintuitive and totally user unfriendly. Using a computer shouldnt require an IT degree

 

[Crystallas]

Asus switched to ceramic caps for midrange and high-end in 2004 I think. That was a VERY good move on their part, otherwise I don't think Asus would exist today. I like Asus myself, so I hope nobody reads me as an Asus hater. I'm just trying to point out why brand loyalty isn't very wise in technology. I miss old Abit though(IMO, best board makers ever for a period), before their top engineers were recruited to MSI, then left for Asus spin-off, ASrock. Those engineers developed boards that made Intel's top of the market boards into a ,what seemed to be, generic reference designs and cost while costing a quarter of the price. Game changer for the whole industry.

 

[Crystallas]

It's the Mac OS. MS is garbage and full of security holes, counterintuitive and totally user unfriendly. Using a computer shouldnt require an IT degree

I do an introduction to computing class for the elderly 3 times a year. All of them know nothing about computers. To them, there is no difference between MacOS, Windows, or a Linux Desktop. If I had to squeeze any favor out of them, I would say that Linux is consistently their favorite. They're actually in an active state quicker on Linux, and it takes them the longest to get to that state on MacOS, because they need to learn far more about the interface.

Although I'll admit, where Apple shines with the elderly, are iPads. Android has nothing on iPads, when it comes to new-to-tech elderly users.

 

[nvanprooyen]

Partially true, but not completely. It all depends on what you are comparing. For example, let's look at the high end of things...

MacBook Pro w/ Retina - http://store.apple.com/us/configure/ME664LL/A $2200

vs.

ASUS Zenbook, Alum Case - http://www.amazon.com/UX51Vz-XH71-15-6-Inch-Laptop-Silver-Aluminum/dp/B009PHUUY0/ $2200 (on sale)

Notable differences -

MacBook 2.4GHz i7 vs. Asus 2.1GHz i7
MacBook 256 SSD vs. Asus 512 SSD
Macbook 2880x1800 vs. ASUS 1920x1080 (holy shit the Retina display is awesome)

And they are roughly the same price. Of course you can find Windows laptops considerably cheaper than this, but show me some of those with comparable specs & build quality.

 

[nvanprooyen]

I do an introduction to computing class for the elderly 3 times a year. All of them know nothing about computers. To them, there is no difference between MacOS, Windows, or a Linux Desktop. If I had to squeeze any favor out of them, I would say that Linux is consistently their favorite. They're actually in an active state quicker on Linux, and it takes them the longest to get to that state on MacOS, because they need to learn far more about the interface.

Although I'll admit, where Apple shines with the elderly, are iPads. Android has nothing on iPads, when it comes to new-to-tech elderly users.

What flavor of Linux? Ubuntu?

 

[Omeletpants]

I do an introduction to computing class for the elderly 3 times a year. All of them know nothing about computers. To them, there is no difference between MacOS, Windows, or a Linux Desktop. If I had to squeeze any favor out of them, I would say that Linux is consistently their favorite. They're actually in an active state quicker on Linux, and it takes them the longest to get to that state on MacOS, because they need to learn far more about the interface.

Although I'll admit, where Apple shines with the elderly, are iPads. Android has nothing on iPads, when it comes to new-to-tech elderly users.

Then we agree to disagree. I actively use both OS and there is no comparison in ease of use. With Mac things are where they are expected to be and easy to find. With MS you need an IT staff, Priest doing an excorcism and the help of a small boy. I think that defines my preference.

 

[Crystallas]

http://shop.lenovo.com/us/en/laptops/ideapad/y-series/y510p/

Smarter implementation of drives, better GPU, $600 less. High-end, more reliable than both, better than the Asus Zenbook. Also, it's 100% Linux ready(all kernel native drivers).

 

[Crystallas]

What flavor of Linux? Ubuntu?

For the elderly? Default Mint installations. Which is also Debian based, like Ubuntu, but IMO, better for everyday users. It helped that I know linux, so I knew which distro to bring to the classes. If I brought Ububtu, then I would have to be very picky over whether I wanted to expose them to LTS or not(which to them, makes no difference). Because LTS Ububtu desktops have a different feel from installation than their popular versions. I use Arch myself.

Sit a grandma in front of Mint, and sit her in front of MacOS. 19 times out of 20, she's going to be active on the Mint install first. This is not my opinion, this is observational fact. I have no needed bias for these people, none, as the goal isn't to sell them on a product, but an experience of life that can help them.