Thread: What computer should I buy?

Originally Posted by wjblaney

Not sure I agree 17" are a waste of money, if you want to watch movies.

i7 is the processor, but I'm sure you know that... i5 will deal very easily with any movies, as will and i3 processor. If you're watching movies, then as you said the HDMi to the TV is perfect - that's what most folks do nowadays...

Originally Posted by Bettyboo

i7 is the processor, but I'm sure you know that... i5 will deal very easily with any movies, as will and i3 processor. If you're watching movies, then as you said the HDMi to the TV is perfect - that's what most folks do nowadays...

I did so think 17 referred to the screen size. But now that you mentioned processor, I know that's important. I thought GHz (gigahertz, but I'm sure you knew that) was the standard for processing speed (isn't that what we're talking about?) For example, mine is 2.2 GHz. So what does 17 mean?

I haven't gotten very good HD resolution VGA to HDMI, as far as watching HBO, for example. The TV alone gives much better resolution.

Originally Posted by Boon Mee

Might have been mentioned in an earlier post but I can't be arsed to scroll back thru all of them but was at Pantip Nam Wong Wan the other day and ASUS Computers were the most expensive ones on display.

So, got chatting up the sales chick and she told me they are out of Taiwan with a real good reputation. I'm interested as my Sony doesn't have support here in LOS any longer with them pulling out. When it dies I'm probably going to look into one of these ASUS numbers.

I could give a shit about support. I just want a laptop/notebook that will last 3 years. Period...............

Originally Posted by wjblaney

So what does 17 mean?

It's 2 years younger than the average American soldier in Vietnam, as I'm sure you know very well.

Originally Posted by Bettyboo

It's 2 years younger than the average American soldier in Vietnam, as I'm sure you know very well.

Hmmm. We seem to be egging each other on. BTW, how many 'm's in hmmm?

did i forget to mention windows media center is an absolute requirement but I hate how Microsoft steals files and renames them: like .cda,.wma, etc. that no other player can play. I want all of my audio files to be MP3 or MP4, something universal. So I use Philip's Songbird to play the files that windows media won't. But my Songbird won't rip CDs so I have to use windows media. Any answers to that problem in a new computer?

Originally Posted by Bettyboo

How do I post these pictures???

I've gotten to the point where the pic is in my gallery. Now what?

Originally Posted by Bettyboo

Not sure if you can get a solid state drive for 30k or so???

Yeah, didn't know there was a beast like that. What is the commonplace drive called and what's so special about a solid state drive?

Many thanks to Bettyboo for his insistence on the undesirability of touch screens and the desirability of a SSHD. So that helped me eliminate Dell b/c of their lack of availability in LOS of that combination and have me seriously considering a lenovo: specifically LENOVO Y5070-59422156 Notebook Laptop review spec promotion price - Notebookspec.com It says the OS is DOS which I hope means they'll install win 7, 8 or even linux on it for me. You know that was Microsoft's very first OS in the late '70s or early '80s. That's the only worry I got so far.

It's a bit pricey at 39,990 but I believe that was within the price range on my original list and it's got the above combination plus a 15.6" screen (same as my VAIO) plus greater processing speed (2.5 GHz vs 2.2) as well as Betty's core 17 processor. With a full 2 year lenovo warranty, i expect it will be just the ticket for the next 3 years (that is, if I actually pull the trigger on the sale. Buyer's remorse gets me nervous all the time).

^ Why do people only expect a 3 yr life for a new laptop? Do you really need the processing power of an i7?

Despite Betty's hate of HP low end laptops, they are actually pretty damn reliable and I've had no problems with the two I have over the last couple of years. My dell is past its 4th birthday with only the battery needing replacement. I expect to use all 3 for at least another 3 years and possibly longer. The machines are i3, i5 and i7 and the i5 is more than powerful enough for work use.

Originally Posted by Troy

Why do people only expect a 3 yr life for a new laptop? Do you really need the processing power of an i7?

Valid argument. I guess it comes down to what floats your boat. I also believe in good tips (not for everything: i.e., the supermarket) and giving to the beggars. I recently hired a young woman to help me with my Thai pronunciation and paid her professional teacher wages. Mind you, this girl is 25 with a permanent job as my building manager and has no teaching experience but has good command of English so we could spend an hour a day 5 days a week for 4 or 5 weeks productively. I'm starting a A.U.A. course on Wed. so didn't really need to hire her but, likesay, if you got it, you ain't going to take it with you.

that lenova looks powerful, but it doesnt seem to have an optical drive , would not bother me I never use mine, but if you want to make music cds one might be handy, though you can get a good plug in one for not alot.

Originally Posted by blue

that lenova looks powerful, but it doesnt seem to have an optical drive , would not bother me I never use mine, but if you want to make music cds one might be handy, though you can get a good plug in one for not alot.

I thought the same but look at the right-hand side of the page under "Promotion": they throw a free external DVD/RW in with the bundle.

Still, I don't think it is value for the money. If ~40K is the budget you can get better than that imho.

Originally Posted by blue

that lenova looks powerful, but it doesnt seem to have an optical drive , would not bother me I never use mine, but if you want to make music cds one might be handy, though you can get a good plug in one for not alot.

Right, no optical drive.

Originally Posted by quimbian corholla

I thought the same but look at the right-hand side of the page under "Promotion": they throw a free external DVD/RW in with the bundle.

Still, I don't think it is value for the money. If ~40K is the budget you can get better than that imho.

You're both right, I'm pretty lazy when it comes to shopping around. I'll hope to do my bargaining at the shop, once I've decided what I want. I think that's the crucial decision and once that's determined, you get the best price you can. I've really liked my VAIOs so the Lenovo seems like a better machine. Also, it looks like 40k converts to about $1200 USD which I would be very happy to pay, for example, for a new VAIO like the one I own, if I were living in the USA. That prolly seems likes a stupid rationale, but I pride myself on my rationality.

Originally Posted by wjblaney

if you got it, you ain't going to take it with you.

Originally Posted by wjblaney

I'll hope to do my bargaining at the shop

I reckon a poor salesman would easily talk you into buying that i7 with Nvidia 820m graphics, 16gb of ram and SSD that you don't need.

If you want to chuck your money away, get a Macbook Pro

Originally Posted by Dillinger

i7 with Nvidia 820m graphics, 16gb of ram and SSD that you don't need.

That is a well specced machine...

My HP (which is crap but works) has an i3, 4gb of ram, intel graphics and a basic hard drive. 16,000 baht...



You can, as Troy said, get a decent machine for between 20,000 and 25,000 baht. An i5 if fine (an i3 is fine actually...). Don't get a touchscreen laptop!!! When I bought my Dells, I went to Pantip, walked around for about 3 hours checking everything out, then went to Burgerking and had a bite to eat, then went back to the best shop that had the best deal for the laptop I wanted (along with a salesperson I liked) then bought it - quite easy. It's good to research first to get an idea, but getting amongst it all and seeing what you like is the way forward...

Originally Posted by Bettyboo

Dell

I remember you used to be able to go to their website and literally build your PC to your own spec.

Its a bit of a concern that their website doesnt seem to work....

Laptop Computers | Dell Thailand

Originally Posted by wjblaney

LENOVO Y5070

Lenovo Y50-70 59-422475 - Notebookcheck.com Externe Tests

Originally Posted by Bettyboo

That is a well specced machine...

not with the older generation

Originally Posted by Dillinger

Nvidia 820m

Originally Posted by Dillinger

I reckon a poor salesman would easily talk you into buying that i7 with Nvidia 820m graphics, 16gb of ram and SSD that you don't need.

I read that the SSHD offers extraordinary speed so I don't know why I wouldn't want it. I think 8gb of ram ought to be enough.

Originally Posted by Bettyboo

I went to Pantip, walked around for about 3 hours checking everything out, then went to Burgerking and had a bite to eat, then went back to the best shop that had the best deal for the laptop I wanted (along with a salesperson I liked) then bought it - quite easy. It's good to research first to get an idea, but getting amongst it all and seeing what you like is the way forward...

Anyway, could only find it in one shop in the Pantip Plaza here in CM and could only get the price (39,990) as advertised, which includes windows 8.1, and an external CD/DVD drive. I didn't like the sales guy either. I'm going to see if Computer Plaza can compete with the offer and if not, I'll also check out Central Festival. I hope I can find some more SSHD models. Whoever gets my baht will have a lot of work to do: I want my current hard drive copied on an extra HD, windows installed, all before I have a chance to test drive it? I don't think so. What about your Dells, BB, were they out of the box and ready to run within 5 minutes after purchase?

Originally Posted by quimbian corholla

If ~40K is the budget you can get better than that imho.

Not at my Pantip, apparently. Could only find one shop and one model within that shop that I would buy. The service personnel didn't speak English and you didn't get the service and attention you find in the malls.

Originally Posted by wjblaney

What about your Dells, BB, were they out of the box and ready to run within 5 minutes after purchase?

Yes and no.

On mine, I wanted Ubuntu, and they didn't install it properly, so I had problems with security passwords which they didn't have even though they'd set the machine up. I had to start over, and that was a pain in the arse...

For the missus' Dell, they put on all the Thai stuff (windows, apps, etc) for 100 baht, and she was away. At that time, Dell were just starting their retail efforts, so the instore options were limited; I bought from a Dell dealer, not a Dell outlet. But, the tech support phone line folks were very good and well trained.

I would happily buy a Dell again. Since my Dell died, I've had a Fujitsu and an HP, and neither were as good as the Dell, imho. My missus' 13" Dell is still here with us in Korea - on its last legs, but it's 7 years old or so...

I checked Dells website and dill is quite right, it doesn't work properly, the MD of dell Thailand needs a good one up the rear, and I know the right man to do it, although we might have to buy him a ticket.