I am THE leaset tech savvy person on the planet and felt that I had scaled the summit of Mt. Everest when I figured out how to hook my laptop up to my personal Hot Spot device without having to call for help, so that should tell you what a remedial techie I am...
The laptop I have is a HP Pavilion g7 with a full keyboard ( includes the 10 key pad on the right) and while I really enjoy using it, I am working with Windows 8 and when I tried to do the 8.1 upgrade it froze up my system, so I went back to version 8 and haven't upgraded since, which means that Windows 10 free upgrade passed me by, and, based on the complaints I heard about it, I don't really mind that I don't have it, however, Windows isn't sending me security updates anymore so that compromises my system, apparently.
I am going to be going on a road trip in a few weeks and I wanted to have something smaller than the laptop I have now to take with me and keep up with business matters. Nothing like lugging a 10lb briefcase along with everything else to convince me the time to upgrade is now!
Anyway, I was wondering if anyone could suggest a good, servicable laptop that is smallish, very user friendly for a remedial techie like me, that will take my old Word 2003 program so that I can use the documents I have saved on a thumb drive ( yeah, I managed another monumental goal by figuring out how to do that, too!). Nothing too expensive, I'm used to HP but I'm not married to the idea of sticking with them if something else is better quality and easy to use.
Thank you in advance for any help and input you can give me!
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Userlevel 6
? Or anyone who can answer this... Now that I have managed to upgrade to Windows 8.1, does this change the sort of external disc driver that can play movies/music and also download programs and burn files onto?
If it says it's for PC ( which I have vs a MAC item ) then it should work for me, right?
Or does my new upgrade make a difference?
Thanks for all the help!
If it says it's for PC ( which I have vs a MAC item ) then it should work for me, right?
Or does my new upgrade make a difference?
Thanks for all the help!
Userlevel 6
? I was wanting something a bit smaller than my HP Pavilon g7 in terms of size and weight to make it more functional to take with me on the road or to meetings. To this point I have not done that and I have only taken it out of my office twice before and not to a client meeting.
I had thought that with the better graphics and HD that the viewing size wouldn't be quite such a difficult adjustment and that the loss of the 10 key pad on my keyboard wouldn;t be a hard adjustment.
But, it always takes time to get used to everything new and I am one who HATES the learning curve on tech stuff, even if it's the adjustment to a new keyboard... I guess it has to do with awkwardly spastic fingers... :$:D
I had thought that with the better graphics and HD that the viewing size wouldn't be quite such a difficult adjustment and that the loss of the 10 key pad on my keyboard wouldn;t be a hard adjustment.
But, it always takes time to get used to everything new and I am one who HATES the learning curve on tech stuff, even if it's the adjustment to a new keyboard... I guess it has to do with awkwardly spastic fingers... :$:D
Userlevel 7
+56
There both very good, but make sure your happy with the screen size before you buy!@ wrote:
I also found this one thru Amazon:
2016 Newest Dell Inspiron 13 7000 13.3-Inch Full HD Touchscreen 2-in-1 Convertible Laptop PC, Intel Core i7-6500U Processor, 8GB RAM, 256GB SSD, Webcam, Bluetooth, HDMI, WIFI, Windows 10
This one is on sale for $715.00.Comparing the two, which would be the better buy over the long term?
Getting the separate DVD optical drive to increase its functionality, of course!
Thank you!!!!
Daniel
Userlevel 6
I also found this one thru Amazon:
2016 Newest Dell Inspiron 13 7000 13.3-Inch Full HD Touchscreen 2-in-1 Convertible Laptop PC, Intel Core i7-6500U Processor, 8GB RAM, 256GB SSD, Webcam, Bluetooth, HDMI, WIFI, Windows 10
This one is on sale for $715.00.Comparing the two, which would be the better buy over the long term?
Getting the separate DVD optical drive to increase its functionality, of course!
Thank you!!!!
2016 Newest Dell Inspiron 13 7000 13.3-Inch Full HD Touchscreen 2-in-1 Convertible Laptop PC, Intel Core i7-6500U Processor, 8GB RAM, 256GB SSD, Webcam, Bluetooth, HDMI, WIFI, Windows 10
This one is on sale for $715.00.Comparing the two, which would be the better buy over the long term?
Getting the separate DVD optical drive to increase its functionality, of course!
Thank you!!!!
Userlevel 7
+56
Very nice! ;)@ wrote:
All the options that I was given don't seem included in the products at the local Staples so I am looking on eBay and I found one with these specs:
Lenovo IdeaPad Flex 3 1480 14" FHD Touchscreen 2 in 1 Laptop / Latest 6th Generation Intel Core i5-6200U Up to 2.8Ghz (Base 2.3GHz, 3MB Cache, 1600Mhz FSB) / 14" FHD 1920x1080 IPS Touchscreen / 256GB SSD / 8GB DDR3L / Wifi-AC, 720P Webcam, Bluetooth 4.0, HDMI, USB 3.0, Card Reader, Ethernet, Backlit Keyboard, build in battery / Windows 10 Home 64bit
The price is fairly low, $612, including the Lenovo mfg warranty.
Does this look like a good piece to invest in?
Thanks!!!:D
Daniel
Exactly! Why does it take me three or four almost solid weeks to familiarise myself with a new operating system plus an upgraded Office Suite (admittedly a big jump from Office 2003 to 2016 😞 but all the same...) and customise it to my "quoibles" and why can't it be, as you say, like a car where you can get in, turn the key and voilà you can drive off to wherever you want???? I do have to agree that IT technology is still extremely primitive indeed as compared with car technology 😠 It still has a very, very long way to go before it matures.
EDIT: It's rather like the early days of the car when you had to hire a full-time mechanic (and a special seat was constructed for him on the side of the car LOL!!!) . In much the same way, most ordinary people like you and me can't survive without more or less regularly consulting an IT chap like the IT person at our local computer shop. It's only because I'm now retired that I can devote a considerable part of my time to understanding these (for us non-techies) arcane subjects of how to simply make your computer work properly 😃
EDIT: It's rather like the early days of the car when you had to hire a full-time mechanic (and a special seat was constructed for him on the side of the car LOL!!!) . In much the same way, most ordinary people like you and me can't survive without more or less regularly consulting an IT chap like the IT person at our local computer shop. It's only because I'm now retired that I can devote a considerable part of my time to understanding these (for us non-techies) arcane subjects of how to simply make your computer work properly 😃
Userlevel 6
? - Oh, yeah! Being tech challenged means that if anything doesn't work or look the way it did before the infamous phrase ' upgrade ' or ' improved' then I'm entirely lost.
Shoot, the same thing with my car. I feed it gas, get it maintained and when I put the key in, I expect it to start and to be able to drive where I want to without any problems...
Is that SO much to ask? 😃
Shoot, the same thing with my car. I feed it gas, get it maintained and when I put the key in, I expect it to start and to be able to drive where I want to without any problems...
Is that SO much to ask? 😃
See! I told you I was tech clueless 😞 But we both agree that Microsoft can be annoying "beyond articulation" sometimes 😠@ wrote:
Hi, Keith! I thought I HAD my Outlook on my local instead of in the cloud, but with this new 'upgrade' everything is super slow and apparently they decided to hide my stuff in new places without any sort of warning.
I really do despise that kind of stuff beyond articulation... Really, really....:catmad:
Userlevel 6
All the options that I was given don't seem included in the products at the local Staples so I am looking on eBay and I found one with these specs:
Lenovo IdeaPad Flex 3 1480 14" FHD Touchscreen 2 in 1 Laptop / Latest 6th Generation Intel Core i5-6200U Up to 2.8Ghz (Base 2.3GHz, 3MB Cache, 1600Mhz FSB) / 14" FHD 1920x1080 IPS Touchscreen / 256GB SSD / 8GB DDR3L / Wifi-AC, 720P Webcam, Bluetooth 4.0, HDMI, USB 3.0, Card Reader, Ethernet, Backlit Keyboard, build in battery / Windows 10 Home 64bit
The price is fairly low, $612, including the Lenovo mfg warranty.
Does this look like a good piece to invest in?
Thanks!!!:D
Lenovo IdeaPad Flex 3 1480 14" FHD Touchscreen 2 in 1 Laptop / Latest 6th Generation Intel Core i5-6200U Up to 2.8Ghz (Base 2.3GHz, 3MB Cache, 1600Mhz FSB) / 14" FHD 1920x1080 IPS Touchscreen / 256GB SSD / 8GB DDR3L / Wifi-AC, 720P Webcam, Bluetooth 4.0, HDMI, USB 3.0, Card Reader, Ethernet, Backlit Keyboard, build in battery / Windows 10 Home 64bit
The price is fairly low, $612, including the Lenovo mfg warranty.
Does this look like a good piece to invest in?
Thanks!!!:D
Userlevel 6
Hi, Keith! I thought I HAD my Outlook on my local instead of in the cloud, but with this new 'upgrade' everything is super slow and apparently they decided to hide my stuff in new places without any sort of warning.
I really do despise that kind of stuff beyond articulation... Really, really....:catmad:
I really do despise that kind of stuff beyond articulation... Really, really....:catmad:
Glad to hear you had a great birthday!
Well, join the club! I'm also of the salty mop variety and I too am pretty clueless tech-wise. But I do have the advantage that now I have a bit more time on my hands being retired (but still continuing to work a bit!) so I have been able to devote some extra time to finding out how to do the things I would normally ask the man from my computer shop about. That's one reason I felt able to get a computer from the internet/Aldi (the Medion distribution approach—Aldi in my case) because I felt I could now save some money and learn a lot of the things I got from my computer man before. Maybe that is something to bear in mind when deciding whether to get your computer from your local shop or whether to go for a Dell or a Medion or whatever (though it appears that in the US you can get Medion computers from special shops—although I'm not quite sure about that one). Anyway, happy hunting!!
EDIT: also hope you sort out the Outlook thing. Sounds like a pretty annoying thing for Microsoft to suddently spring on you! I'm glad (particularly after hearing that) that I've kept with Outlook locally stored rather than the Outlook in the cloud thingy.
Well, join the club! I'm also of the salty mop variety and I too am pretty clueless tech-wise. But I do have the advantage that now I have a bit more time on my hands being retired (but still continuing to work a bit!) so I have been able to devote some extra time to finding out how to do the things I would normally ask the man from my computer shop about. That's one reason I felt able to get a computer from the internet/Aldi (the Medion distribution approach—Aldi in my case) because I felt I could now save some money and learn a lot of the things I got from my computer man before. Maybe that is something to bear in mind when deciding whether to get your computer from your local shop or whether to go for a Dell or a Medion or whatever (though it appears that in the US you can get Medion computers from special shops—although I'm not quite sure about that one). Anyway, happy hunting!!
EDIT: also hope you sort out the Outlook thing. Sounds like a pretty annoying thing for Microsoft to suddently spring on you! I'm glad (particularly after hearing that) that I've kept with Outlook locally stored rather than the Outlook in the cloud thingy.
Userlevel 6
Thanks, Keith! It was a heck of a birthday... Aside from looking for a new computer ( and being totally tech backward makes that something of a painful adventure 😳 ) Microsoft sprung an updated Outlook on me and now my flagged folder has entirely disappeared from my folder index and there seems to be an issue among their tech people as to how to find it and how to restore it.... Leaving me adding uncountable NEW gray hairs to my already overpopulated salty mop!
But, there's always the off chance that I can figure out how to ask for help from all of you tech wizards in here now to find the folder in such a way that you believe me when I tell you I'm entirely tech remedial!
Again, thank you for the birthday well wishes and, yes, I'm here in California...
But, there's always the off chance that I can figure out how to ask for help from all of you tech wizards in here now to find the folder in such a way that you believe me when I tell you I'm entirely tech remedial!
Again, thank you for the birthday well wishes and, yes, I'm here in California...
Happy birthday from me as well!
Sounds like you live in the US (Staples). I don't know about the US but in Europe the Aldi Medion computer offers only crop up from time to time, are advertised, and as there is only a limited number, tne computers go pretty quickly. Having said that, I was lucky as just when I needed a new computer there happened to be an excellent offer coming up at Aldi's. Who knows, maybe you will be too? That is, of course, if a Medion computer proves to be the best choice for you! (Don't forget you can buy online too)
I wish you the best of success in finding the right brand and model of computer for you.
Keith
Sounds like you live in the US (Staples). I don't know about the US but in Europe the Aldi Medion computer offers only crop up from time to time, are advertised, and as there is only a limited number, tne computers go pretty quickly. Having said that, I was lucky as just when I needed a new computer there happened to be an excellent offer coming up at Aldi's. Who knows, maybe you will be too? That is, of course, if a Medion computer proves to be the best choice for you! (Don't forget you can buy online too)
I wish you the best of success in finding the right brand and model of computer for you.
Keith
Userlevel 6
? ? Thank you for the birthday well wishes! I'm shopping for a new computer for my birthday present! Takes the guilt out of the splurge, if you know what I mean!
Thanks again!!!!
Thanks again!!!!
Userlevel 7
+54
Happy Birthday ?, I hope you are having a great day.
Well Happy Birthday, gr8auntteffie!@ wrote:
Aldi's? they just opened up a store across the street from where my local Staples Store is, so if you can buy computers there, maybe I should stop in and check it out! After all, even if they don't, I can pick up something nice to have for my birthday dessert tonight!!!!
Thank you all again for your input!!❤️
http://bestanimations.com/Holidays/Birthday/black-calligraphy-happy-birthday-fireworks-wishes-animated.gif.gif
Enjoy your day!
BD
Userlevel 6
Aldi's? they just opened up a store across the street from where my local Staples Store is, so if you can buy computers there, maybe I should stop in and check it out! After all, even if they don't, I can pick up something nice to have for my birthday dessert tonight!!!!
Thank you all again for your input!!❤️
Thank you all again for your input!!❤️
Aldi's all over Europe. For Europe, you have Aldi North and Aldi South, each managed by one of the two brothers. Curiously, Aldi in the UK is part of Aldi South (go figure...)!! I think this is the first time I have bought something in an Aldi in Belgium and I'm most certainly not displeased with my purchase. Not one bit! At least not so far...
Didn't know they had Aldis in Belgium. Been shopping at Aldi since I was a bachelor on a budget, and still do. ;)@ wrote:
For what it's worth, I've recently bought a Medion Akoya laptop (Medion not available in the standard computer shops, I don't think, but only through direct web order or with special offers through the Aldi supermarket chain...
For what it's worth, I've recently bought a Medion Akoya laptop (Medion not available in the standard computer shops, I don't think, but only through direct web order or with special offers through the Aldi supermarket chain and some other supermarket chains) and I'm absolutely delighted with what I have managed to get for the price (€499). It seems very solid and so far very reliable. Also it DOESN'T have a touchscreen. You normally get two years free technical support by telephone (I got 3 through the Aldi special offer) and then unlimited email support (I think). Small problem: it seems the smallest screens are 15.3": maybe too large, bulky and heavy for you? Have a look and see what you think. A German make, acquired by Lenovo in 2010 and Lenovo have let them continue to develop in their own independent (German) way (I actually prefer it to my two Lenovos. A more minimalist approach to software and keyboard buttons and a less chunky, more streamlined minimalist appearance). I am certainly very happy with what I've got (bought it almost exactly a month ago). It came with Office 365 which I like very much. That is also like you an upgrade for me from Office 2003. Office 365 is a subscription payment (€69 p.a.) but you get updates for life and free technical support. Though take care, a phone call tto technical support can keep you hooked to a level 1 technicain for a pretty long time as they sort out whatever problem you are dealing with. And yes, it's a pain in the neck upgrading from one OS to another and from one office suite to another, I do heartily agree, but having spent a very, very long time getting everythying absolutely right and customised to my particular quoibles, I am delighted with both Windows 10, Office 365 and my Medion hardware.
www.medion.com
www.medion.com
Userlevel 7
Excellent...do let us know what you finally settle on. :D
Userlevel 6
Thank you everyone! Now i have a wish list to take to the store!!!
Userlevel 7
It should, Jasper...as I told you before I think that you made an excellent choice. :D
Userlevel 7
+54
That sounds almost like mine Baldrick 😉@ wrote:
Hi gr8auntteffie
Hope that you are well?
Just my two pennies worth on this. GIven what you say about your lack of 'skills' (which I don't believe for a moment ;)) I would suggest that you go for a lighter weight hybrid, i.e, a laptop that has a touch screen and that can double up by folding back the keyboard part of the laptop on itself so that you effectively have a tablet.
I will see if I can find some examples for you.
Regards, Baldrick
Userlevel 7
Hi gr8auntteffie
Hope that you are well?
Just my two pennies worth on this. GIven what you say about your lack of 'skills' (which I don't believe for a moment ;)) I would suggest that you go for a lighter weight hybrid, i.e, a laptop that has a touch screen and that can double up by folding back the keyboard part of the laptop on itself so that you effectively have a tablet.
I will see if I can find some examples for you.
Regards, Baldrick
Hope that you are well?
Just my two pennies worth on this. GIven what you say about your lack of 'skills' (which I don't believe for a moment ;)) I would suggest that you go for a lighter weight hybrid, i.e, a laptop that has a touch screen and that can double up by folding back the keyboard part of the laptop on itself so that you effectively have a tablet.
I will see if I can find some examples for you.
Regards, Baldrick
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