OT: Looking for new laptop

msudawg05

Redshirt
Oct 12, 2009
260
13
18
I'm looking for a new laptop and am trying to decide between a couple different ones (which I've linked). I'm not a gamer. I do the typical web browsing, Microsoft Office, and video streaming/photo viewing. But I want something with good performance and good quality that will (hopefully) last for at least a few years as far as specs go. It just so happens that the specs I'd like are typically found in gaming computers.

The Acer has a better graphics card and 2x2 MIMO wireless. The Dell has a 4K display and double the storage (as well as the better PCIe NVMe SSD). The Dell would also cost ~$135 more after tax and shipping. Both laptops use the i7-7700hq chip and have the same amount of RAM. My concerns are, with my type of usage, would I notice any performance difference between the GTX 1050Ti and 1060, and is the extra storage and better display worth the extra money.

If anyone has any insight or has dealt with either of these or has another option to look at, feel free to share. Thanks in advance.

https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B06Y4GZS9C/ref=ox_sc_act_title_1?smid=ATVPDKIKX0DER&psc=1

http://www.dell.com/en-us/shop/productdetails/inspiron-15-7567-laptop/dncwf408s
 

msudawg05

Redshirt
Oct 12, 2009
260
13
18
Possibly a good bit more private browsing when I have a laptop that can handle my new 1gbps fiber internet.
 

BigMotherTucker

Sophomore
Aug 20, 2006
6,797
187
63
I was about to say the same thing. I got a MacBook Pro refurbished from apple.com. I couldn't be happier and saved almost $400 from the original sticker. They have a wide range of pricing options also. Plus, they back all their refurbished stuff.
 

msudawg05

Redshirt
Oct 12, 2009
260
13
18
I've always been a Windows guy although I have an iPhone and iPad and love them. Is it hard or how big is the learning curve going from PC to Mac?
 

muhstate

Redshirt
Aug 29, 2013
240
0
0
I'm looking for a new laptop and am trying to decide between a couple different ones (which I've linked). I'm not a gamer. I do the typical web browsing, Microsoft Office, and video streaming/photo viewing. But I want something with good performance and good quality that will (hopefully) last for at least a few years as far as specs go. It just so happens that the specs I'd like are typically found in gaming computers.

The Acer has a better graphics card and 2x2 MIMO wireless. The Dell has a 4K display and double the storage (as well as the better PCIe NVMe SSD). The Dell would also cost ~$135 more after tax and shipping. Both laptops use the i7-7700hq chip and have the same amount of RAM. My concerns are, with my type of usage, would I notice any performance difference between the GTX 1050Ti and 1060, and is the extra storage and better display worth the extra money.

If anyone has any insight or has dealt with either of these or has another option to look at, feel free to share. Thanks in advance.

https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B06Y4GZS9C/ref=ox_sc_act_title_1?smid=ATVPDKIKX0DER&psc=1

http://www.dell.com/en-us/shop/productdetails/inspiron-15-7567-laptop/dncwf408s

Work for Dell as a sales rep so going to be a little bias. That said, Dell has better overall support, both basic and ProSupport compared to HP, Acer, and Apple.

Given what you typically do on your laptop, I'd say your specs are a little over kill.
 
Nov 16, 2012
2,481
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If you can work an iPhone then you can easily switch to apple platform. Best decision I've ever made tech wise. No more hours fighting viruses or downloading the latest blockers.
 

BigMotherTucker

Sophomore
Aug 20, 2006
6,797
187
63
Use Mac OS for two weeks and you'll never want to go back.

I was anti iPhone/iPad/Mac forever... Now, im fully integrated into the Mac ecosystem. I love it.

I have an iPhone, iMac 27", MacBook Pro
My wife has an iPhone, Apple Watch, and MacBook Air
My kid has an iPod touch, and a old MacBook pro.

We are all in.
 

411dawg

Redshirt
Sep 5, 2012
184
25
28
Use Mac OS for two weeks and you'll never want to go back.

I was anti iPhone/iPad/Mac forever... Now, im fully integrated into the Mac ecosystem. I love it.

I have an iPhone, iMac 27", MacBook Pro
My wife has an iPhone, Apple Watch, and MacBook Air
My kid has an iPod touch, and a old MacBook pro.

We are all in.

This^^^. I totally thought the Mac group was crazy to spend that much money. I went thru two laptops in a 5 year period, and decided I would give apple a try. I am 9 years in with my MacBook pro. I am just now thinking that it might be time to replace it. At 9 years old, I still prefer it over my company provided new Lenovo.

Apple's stability and ease of use are outstanding. They also last. I can't imagine having to go back.
 

dudehead

Senior
Jul 9, 2006
1,589
662
113
Use Mac OS for two weeks and you'll never want to go back.

I was anti iPhone/iPad/Mac forever... Now, im fully integrated into the Mac ecosystem. I love it.

I have an iPhone, iMac 27", MacBook Pro
My wife has an iPhone, Apple Watch, and MacBook Air
My kid has an iPod touch, and a old MacBook pro.

We are all in.

The only thing you need now is one of these bad boys (when you need to change the view from your office window):

View attachment 7437
 
Nov 12, 2007
25,831
10,016
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This^^^. I totally thought the Mac group was crazy to spend that much money. I went thru two laptops in a 5 year period, and decided I would give apple a try. I am 9 years in with my MacBook pro. I am just now thinking that it might be time to replace it. At 9 years old, I still prefer it over my company provided new Lenovo.

Apple's stability and ease of use are outstanding. They also last. I can't imagine having to go back.


I have been using Macs for over 20 years. A long time ago, there were big differences between platforms, especially in software, but not anymore. After Apple switched to Intel processors and finally made big changes to their OS, there are minimal differences in operating the computer.

Fewer updates, less problems, high quality hardware... You get what you pay for, they last. I have a 2008 MacPro tower that I am still using as the home server/media center.

They are also worth more when you trade up. Not to mention that you can "synch" things between Apple phones, computers and iPads.

My son uses Windows but he's millennial and I am sure it's mostly to make sure I don't spy on his machine. lol
 
Nov 16, 2012
2,481
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Work for Dell as a sales rep so going to be a little bias. That said, Dell has better overall support, both basic and ProSupport compared to HP, Acer, and Apple.

Given what you typically do on your laptop, I'd say your specs are a little over kill.

I hear ya bra and get where u coming from. But with apple you don't need any support
 
Feb 14, 2017
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I'm operating on a 2011 Samsung computer... works fantastic. I expect to get another year out of it before i buy a new one. I will purchase another samsung. Find a refurbished on amazon or wait to till the newest models come out and buy last years model. pretty much all computers are great these days. I've never needed any support... i did have to order a new power cable but i just googled the product code on it and it came up on. I don't know anyone that has had to call customer support on any computer in the last 10-15 years.
 
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msudawg05

Redshirt
Oct 12, 2009
260
13
18
Thanks for all the input. I ended up going with a scaled back version of the Dell that I originally linked because Best Buy had it on sale plus an extra $100 off.

If y'all have kids in grade school or college (or are a student yourself), I highly recommend signing up for Student Deals on Best Buy. They'll send you coupons occasionally for all kinds of things which is how I got the extra $100 off.