What computer should I buy?

Thanks Loopy I have sourced an X210 with 160 SSD + 4 gig of ram

wifi + 3G Windows 7 pro fresh install + licence etc

12 months RTB warranty £130

Bargain I reckon ,, cheers mate

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Originally Posted by baldrick

forget data migration - not worth the time and effort - all your data will be accessible from the 1 TB drive in a USB enclosure anyway

did you get a windows CD/DVD ? is your windows genuine or was it installed for you after you bought the laptop by some lads at the emporium

if you do not have a cd you will need to torrent a copy of win7 ultimate afterwards you will have an ISO file ( CD/DVD image )

then you will need an empty 8gig USB stick

google "installing windows 7 with a usb drive"

you should also go to lenovo support and download the drivers for your laptop ( post the model if you need help finding the page )

it may take a little mucking around to set the BIOS to boot the USB - not sure about lenovo BIOS - but the answer will be just a google away

it is really no so hard , though if you have someone with some knowledge handy you may find it easier to pay them - just make sure you have taken out the 1 TB and replaced it with the SSD

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OK, my Win 7 Professional is genuine but did not come with a CD/DVD. Just to be sure of these steps: 1) download a torrent of Win 7 (Ultimate or Professional?) as an ISO image, which I will copy to an 8 GB USB stick 2) Windows has a USB/DVD Download Tool to install the ISO image on my new SSD after I have swapped out the 1 TB HD 3) not clear where to download Lenovo's drivers to and how to install them on the new SSD. Wouldn't they be on the Win 7 ISO? 4) swap the drives. I found a youtube video that seems to correctly describe how to swap the HD with the SSD. I don't want to update the ram, just swap my HD for an SSD:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VqOWxfVbDg4

About which SSD to buy, I found this to be interesting: Sandisk could make HDDs obsolete with newer, cheaper SSDs | Digital Trends

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According to a recently released spec sheet, the Z400s will come in available storage flavors of 32GB, 64GB, 128GB and 256GB. The drives will be available as M.2 or 2.5-inch SATA and will supposedly offer sequential read/write speeds of 549 megabytes per second and 330MB/s, respectively.

.......Unfortunately, SanDisk is being tight-lipped about exactly how much the Z400s will cost or when it will be released. We’re skeptical that the company will be able to exactly match mechanical disk prices, but if they even come close it’ll be a big step forward for SSD affordability.

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Originally Posted by wjblaney

3) not clear where to download Lenovo's driver

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what is the exact model number

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Originally Posted by nigelandjan

Thanks Loopy I have sourced an X210 with 160 SSD + 4 gig of ram

wifi + 3G Windows 7 pro fresh install + licence etc

12 months RTB warranty £130

Bargain I reckon ,, cheers mate

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Sounds good Nige.

I guess you mean X201?

I don't there ever was an X210

I think the X220 succeeded the X201, then there was X230 and X240 is current model I think.

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Originally Posted by wjblaney

not clear where to download Lenovo's drivers

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The drivers might download automatically when you connect to internet using basic windows drivers for the first boot.

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Originally Posted by baldrick

what is the exact model number

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The model number is Z50-70 20354 and the download page is Laptops and netbooks :: Lenovo Z Series laptops :: Lenovo Z50 70 - Lenovo Support (TH)

download everything related to the OS you wish to install - win 7 64bit - and copy each one to the memory stick you wish to install the OS from ( they are self extracting exe files so very straightforward )

with the BIOS update - if you have a working operating system on the laptop now - download and run it first - the readme says

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Installing the package
1. Windows
Run 9bcn31ww.exe (With admin authority)

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Originally Posted by baldrick

with the BIOS update - if you have a working operating system on the laptop now - download and run it first - the readme says

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Installing the package
1. Windows
Run 9bcn31ww.exe (With admin authority)

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This is fvckin' with my mind. Run it first before what? Swapping my drives?

are you using your lenovo now ?

download the bios update - 9bcn31ww.exe and the README.txt

read the txt and then run the exe as administrator - 5 Ways to Run Programs as Administrator in Windows 7 & Windows 8

OK, so it's a test run, EH?

no it is a BIOS update - released on the 15th of march

you need to do a bit more googling and reading - hand holding through basics that are covered across the web becomes irritating

HTG Explains: Do You Need to Update Your Computer?s BIOS?

Understand.

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Originally Posted by Looper

The drivers might download automatically when you connect to internet using basic windows drivers for the first boot.

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That would be nice. Thanks.

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Originally Posted by nidhogg

I just spent a while looking at new lap tops also. Would like to upgrade. Need a lightweight computer with a decent size screen that I can work on (writing mostly).

Was looking around at the Lenovo Yoga 2 pro, the dell XPS 13 and the quite fancied Asus Zenbook UX305 (fancied, as it runs in at 30K baht as opposed to the other two which clock in at 60K).

Now, the problem I have is that the memory on these (at least 2 out of the 3) is a 256 GB SSD. Which I think is a solid state memory.

Now, I may be missing something, but my main work data folder (which has everything I need) runs (today) to 53.4GB.

So, this means that more than 20% of the memory would be gone just by loading my main work file onto the computer - that is before I load any other programs etc?

Or am I missing something blindingly obvious?

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Went with the dell XPS 13. Nice. 1.1Kg. As always takes a while to get it set up how I want it, but seems to be sweet. Will suit me down to the ground I think.

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Originally Posted by nidhogg

Went with the dell XPS 13

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I was looking at that before I went with the asus

but the shiny screen was a no - the reflecting screen on my previous xps14 was irritating

3200 x ?? screen added to the cost for no real return

no discrete graphics card

the new dell xps 13 has recieved great reviews , but I would recommend the asus I have even though it required a small amount of modification from stock - replaced the hybrid drive for an SSD and added a 128g sata3 half size mPCIe card ( $100 from amazon )

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Originally Posted by baldrick

the new dell xps 13 has recieved great reviews , but I would recommend the asus I have even though it required a small amount of modification from stock - replaced the hybrid drive for an SSD and added a 128g sata3 half size mPCIe card ( $100 from amazon )

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Price, (Sandisk?) and size of SSD, pls?

the samsung evo 850 is what I would recommend

but if you want the full rundown from the testbenches

Best SSDs of 2015 - Solid State Drive Comparison Charts

I was having a look at some small form factor PCs and they are getting better and better at packing a lot of power into a small space. However, I am not sure about getting them through hand luggage for air travel, as in without display or power supply. Does anyone know?

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Originally Posted by Troy

I am not sure about getting them through hand luggage for air travel, as in without display or power supply. Does anyone know?

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so long ss you dont look like Tim Howard

https://teakdoor.com/images/smilies1/You_Rock_Emoticon.gif

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Originally Posted by baldrick

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Originally Posted by nidhogg

Went with the dell XPS 13

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I was looking at that before I went with the asus

but the shiny screen was a no - the reflecting screen on my previous xps14 was irritating

3200 x ?? screen added to the cost for no real return

no discrete graphics card

the new dell xps 13 has recieved great reviews , but I would recommend the asus I have even though it required a small amount of modification from stock - replaced the hybrid drive for an SSD and added a 128g sata3 half size mPCIe card ( $100 from amazon )

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I was halfway to getting the asus, looked nice, and was cheaper. but I really like the way the xps has a thin screen "bevel" (thats probably not the right word, but there is almost no "rim" to the screen, making the computer smaller for the same screen size).

Plus, honestly, I am not a computer guy, just wanted something light for travel that I can work on. no games or other stuff, just fast, light and can do the job. Seems ok so far.

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Originally Posted by baldrick

the samsung evo 850 is what I would recommend

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If I'm not mistaken, the evo 850 500MG is about 3.5 times more expensive than the Seagate Internal Hard Drive 500GB SATA-III 7200rpm Cache 16MB (ST500DM002). I make that comparison b/c Sandisk promises the Z400 SSDs will be comparable in price to HDDs. Question: is my comparison valid, obviously other than the Seagate is an HDD and the Samsung is an SSD and Sandisk is whole other line of products?

Sorry to bore you but you won't get around to it until you feel like it. Where'd you buy the Evo? :thankyou:

^ Seagate reliability figures are not too hot...if you opt for a HDD then go for Hitachi....

I have an evo 840 250gig in my laptop now - I purchased it from panthip a year ago

if I was to purchase a SSD right now I would get someone to bring me one from the US at 170 USD for the evo 850 500gig

the SSD is less power consumption , higher speed , lighter weight but more per gig than a spinning drive

the speed and power consumption make them worth while if you are using in a laptop that is away from a power source.

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Originally Posted by Slip

Recently, I purchased a Lenovo with 100TB HD.

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Something tells me you didn't....

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Originally Posted by wjblaney

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Originally Posted by baldrick

the samsung evo 850 is what I would recommend

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If I'm not mistaken, the evo 850 500MG is about 3.5 times more expensive than the Seagate Internal Hard Drive 500GB SATA-III 7200rpm Cache 16MB (ST500DM002). I make that comparison b/c Sandisk promises the Z400 SSDs will be comparable in price to HDDs. Question: is my comparison valid, obviously other than the Seagate is an HDD and the Samsung is an SSD and Sandisk is whole other line of products?

Sorry to bore you but you won't get around to it until you feel like it. Where'd you buy the Evo? :thankyou:

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If you want different options, try here:

SSD, mSATA, 3D Scanners, Compact Flash, SDHC, SD, USB Drives and more | My Digital Discount

I've used them several times and they ship to the sandpit, so I'd imagine they'd ship to Thailand.

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Originally Posted by Slip

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Originally Posted by harrybarracuda

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Originally Posted by Slip

Recently, I purchased a Lenovo with 100TB HD.

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Something tells me you didn't....

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HOW ABOUT 1TB?

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That's more like it. If there were 100TB drives I'd buy a couple.

Too many hard disks floating around my house.

:)

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Originally Posted by harrybarracuda

Too many hard disks floating

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something tells me they are not :)

or have you got the ones with extra helium

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Originally Posted by baldrick

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Originally Posted by harrybarracuda

Too many hard disks floating

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something tells me they are not :)

or have you got the ones with extra helium

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My but you're in a bitchy mood.

:)

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Originally Posted by harrybarracuda

If you want different options, try here:

SSD, mSATA, 3D Scanners, Compact Flash, SDHC, SD, USB Drives and more | My Digital Discount

I've used them several times and they ship to the sandpit, so I'd imagine they'd ship to Thailand.

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seriously, many greens.

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Originally Posted by harrybarracuda

My but you're in a bitchy mood.

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My, my. just as well (i had thought he might explain what he thought was the diff between the evo 850 and the possible sandisk z400. Maybe he regrets not waiting for the z400s to hit the market?)

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Originally Posted by Troy

Seagate reliability figures are not too hot...if you opt for a HDD then go for Hitachi....

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No, not opting for that piece of shit. My new comp. (lenovo z50-70) came with the aforementioned 1TB seagate something or other HDD. I've been constantly annoying baldrick, whom, IMNSFHO, is the smartest geek on the forum, about how to replace it with an SSD, which one, etc., etc., etc.

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Originally Posted by baldrick

I have an evo 840 250gig in my laptop now - I purchased it from panthip a year ago

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Ok, from the shop, eh? well, we got the same shop somewere's in CNX.

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Originally Posted by baldrick

if I was to purchase a SSD right now I would get someone to bring me one from the US at 170 USD for the evo 850 500gig

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Sane price as Amazon but they won't ship I know, those MFs. But if you was to purchase right now, why not wait for for the Sandisk z400s? :) :):)

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Originally Posted by wjblaney

why not wait for for the Sandisk z400s?

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because

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SanDisk is offering the Z400s in capacities from 32GB to 256GB

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and I doubt I will buy less than 500gig next time I buy an SSD

also how long will you be waiting until this sandisk unit is on the shelf ?

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Originally Posted by baldrick

and I doubt I will buy less than 500gig next time I buy an SSD

also how long will you be waiting until this sandisk unit is on the shelf ?

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just as I thought )um, I didn't know the z400s wouldn't be larger than 256 mg(.

So you knew the Samsung 850 EVO 500GB comes in at $172 USD (at Amazon, according to toms hardware)?

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Originally Posted by wjblaney

So you knew the Samsung 850 EVO 500GB comes in at $172 USD (at Amazon, according to toms hardware)?

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I did read the page before I posted the link

I was actually surprised at the price - I thought they were north of 200$
170 is very good value for a 500gig SSD - I would bet that you pay more for one pre installed in any ultrabook you might buy from an OEM

^Man, I can't drive to California so I guess it's Lazada, eh? (don't trust no panthips)

looks like the 170$ was a mistake

Best SSDs of 2015 - Solid State Drive Comparison Charts

shows 270$ now

You can get a 4TB Seagate SSHD for $155.

Well, I've bookmarked Tom's damn web site and will get an update every month for awhile before deciding.

choosing your hard drives

https://teakdoor.com/images/imported/2015/06/1412.jpg

When will your hard drive fail? | ITworld

I've had two Seagate 1T drives fail in just over a year, won't be buying that shite again.

Seagate took over Samsung's HDD business in 2011. Wonder if that's a factor?

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Originally Posted by Stinky

won't be buying that shite again.

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HGST ( ex Hitachi ) seems to be the choice

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Originally Posted by harrybarracuda

Wonder if that's a factor?

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a lot of opinion points toward the flooding in Thailand and seagate moving production to china