Computer Questions Not Worth Their Own Thread II

Zelig · Apr 19, 2013

That budget is going to make it tough to get anything other than 1366x768 that isn't 17".

It should be possible to grab something on sale if you keep an eye on major sites. (newegg, tigerdirect, memoryexpress, canadacomputers, ncix, bestbuy/futureshop) Problem is that most of them other than newegg have awful filtering contro0ls.

warpus · Apr 19, 2013

Yeah. I'm expanding my budget. I now want an SSD OS drive and a good resolution. 6-8gb ram. and a good processor.

I'm combing through everything on tigerdirect.ca right now to see if I can find something.

I found this, but it has integrated graphics and a smaller display.

Zelig · Apr 19, 2013

Integrated graphics really aren't that bad anymore, the Intel HD 4000 is on par with the Geforce 6800 Ultra desktop card from years ago.

Is there some reason you're not considering my advice to consider getting a laptop with a HDD in order to install your own SSD?

warpus · Apr 19, 2013

I guess I've never opened up a laptop and mucked around inside. I'm pretty comfortable doing that with a desktop, but with a laptop, it's all alien to me. Will most places allow you to make that sort of request and the install the SSD for you?

Zelig · Apr 19, 2013

They'll probably charge you $50.

It's super easy, just do it yourself. Check the laptop model online beforehand to make sure it's user serviceable. You take the screws out of the bottom, and basically the only three things that are physically removable without getting into real disassembly are the battery, HDD and RAM.

warpus · Apr 19, 2013

I will consider this. What sort of compatibility and/or physical size issues are there that I'd have to keep in mind?

Zelig · Apr 19, 2013

I'm not sure what you mean? Most laptops use 2.5" sata drives, any SSD or HDD will work. A small number use mSATA SSDs, in which case only mSATA SSDs will work.

warpus · Apr 19, 2013

I just have no idea what sort of SSD to get for whichever laptop I choose, if the mobo would even support it, what kind I'd need, if it'd fit physically, etc.

The above helps clear a lot of that up though, thanks!

If I found a good laptop already preloaded with an SSD, I would just rather get that.. Less hassle, etc. Or are you saying there might be downsides to that?

Zelig · Apr 19, 2013

Yeah, any laptop with a HDD can have the HDD replaced by a standard SSD.

Preloaded SSD is fine, it just narrows your options.

warpus · Apr 19, 2013

Would my warranty be voided if I replace the HDD with a SSD? Depends on the brand I'm guessing?

Iranon · Apr 19, 2013

Afraid so. A little research is advisable either way: some vendors sell seemingly identical products at identical prices with SSDs that differ quite a bit in performance.

cardgame · Apr 19, 2013

If you're looking for decent screen resolution, check out Lenovo's Thinkpads. There's a 14" model with 1600x900 available for roughly $650 IIRC. Bought one for my mum, used it a bit, it's not bad.

Zelig · Apr 19, 2013

warpus said:
Would my warranty be voided if I replace the HDD with a SSD? Depends on the brand I'm guessing?

Doubtful, you generally don't have to crack the warranty seal to swap drives/battery/memory.

I recently won a free laptop with a HDD/cache SSD, I'm keeping the HDD until the warranty expires (just to take advantage of possible warranty replacement, not because of voiding the warranty in general), after which I'll rip it out and replace it with a SSD.

cardgame said:
If you're looking for decent screen resolution, check out Lenovo's Thinkpads. There's a 14" model with 1600x900 available for roughly $650 IIRC. Bought one for my mum, used it a bit, it's not bad.

They're too expensive in Canada.

dragonprobably · Apr 19, 2013

My antivirus is not allowing me to download a file from Mediafire. How do I turn it off so I can download the file?

Zelig · Apr 19, 2013

Nice system in the $1000 range: http://www.memoryexpress.com/Products/MX43829

cardgame · Apr 19, 2013

Definitely paying for Ultrabook premium though.

edit: oh and touchscreen gimmick

Zelig · Apr 19, 2013

I'm not sure how you think there's a premium on that laptop, you'll have a very hard time finding any 1080p laptop more than $50 cheaper than that, regardless of ultrabook/touschreen.

And touchscreen is surprisingly nice on laptops.

Souron · Apr 19, 2013

warpus said:
Would my warranty be voided if I replace the HDD with a SSD? Depends on the brand I'm guessing?

You got two opposing answers to this, So I'll offer a tie breaker of sorts. It would not void the warranty on the drive, but it would probably void the warranty or insurance on the prebuilt system. Unless its a laptop, then you're fine.

I wouldn't worry about it though. Everything except the harddrive tends to outlive its warranty, or die by uncovered causes..

Mr.WorldWide · Apr 20, 2013

Well yeah I'd take the SSD over a optical drive anyway.

J-man · Apr 22, 2013

My graphics card crapped out . A few months ago I installed because my previous one also died (Ati HD3870). The one I have now is a Nvidia 8800GT that a friend had lying around.

Can you help me recommend a graphics card? I'm looking for one that's not too expensive (I'm on a budget) and at least be able to match my previous card performance wise.

My motherboard has one x16 PCI-e slot.

Computer Questions Not Worth Their Own Thread II

Beep Boop

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In pork I trust

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In pork I trust

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In pork I trust

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In pork I trust

Deity

Obsessively Opposed to the Typical

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The Poster Formerly Known as MartinLuther

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Obsessively Opposed to the Typical

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The Dark Lord

Smugly Inferior

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