len_mullen

Before all the ads arrive, I thought I would start a thread to discuss laptop features and specs. Microsoft has been quietly raising the Windows 10 baseline and Intel and AMD have been introducing chips whose names and nomenclatures make my head spin. It is increasingly common to find solid state disks, discrete graphics, and something called 'Optane' in laptops. Let's use this thread to figure out what a solid laptop looks like so that when the bargains appear we all have a better understanding of their value. I would also like to point out that Dell and Lenovo are building tanks these days. I have seen very few warranty repairs with these manufacturers. Square Trade has an excellent study on reliability that covers a lot of brands... https://www.squaretrade.com/htm/pdf/SquareTrade_laptop_reliability_1109.pdf While our study found netbook malfunction rates to be trending 20% higher than more expensive laptops, the variance between manufacturer is far greater and should be a bigger factor in making a buyingdecision. ASUS and Toshiba laptops failed just over half as frequently as HP, which makes them a solidbet in terms of reliability. Laptop Magazine rates HP #1 in 2019 (note that reliability is not part of the scorecard)... It's always an adventure to upgrade a laptop. ifixit.com takes a look at how difficult top laptops are to repair or upgrade... https://www.ifixit.com/laptop-repairability HP EliteBook 1050 2018RAM, SSD, and battery are easily accessible and removable. All screws are standard Phillips and Torx. Manufacturer provides free user-accessible repair documentation. rating: 9 HP EliteBook 840 G3 2017RAM, SSD, and battery are easily accessible and removable. All moving parts, including keyboard, trackpad, and pointing stick are modular and can be quickly replaced. The display is immediately replaceable, without any unnecessary disassembly. rating: 10 Dell Latitude E5270 2017All commonly failing (battery, trackpad buttons, display, keyboard) and upgradable (RAM, SSD) parts are easy to access and replace. Minimal adhesive is used throughout the unit's construction. All fasteners are standard Phillips screws. Overall construction is slightly complicated, but the manufacturer offers clear repair and disassembly instructions. rating: 10 Laptop CPUs Ranked: https://www.cpubenchmark.net/laptop.html Laptop GPUs Ranked: https://www.notebookcheck.net/Comparison-of-Laptop-Graphics-Cards.130.0.html Optane Explained: https://www.digitaltrends.com/computing/what-is-intel-optane/ Intel Optane provides much faster read and write speeds than even the fastest SSD can match without RAM’s constant power requirement. SSD vs HDD: https://www.pcmag.com/article/297758/ssd-vs-hdd-whats-the-difference Users who prefer to download their media files locally will still need a hard drive with more capacity. But if you mostly stream your music and videos online, buying a smaller SSD for the same money will give you a better experience. How much RAM?: https://www.digitaltrends.com/computing/how-much-ram-do-you-need/ 2GB: Only really found in budget tablet designs. Fine for them, but you’ll want more in a laptop or desktop.4GB: Entry level memory that comes with even budget notebooks. Fine for basic Windows and Chrome OS usage.8GB: Excellent for Windows and MacOS systems and entry-level gaming.16GB: Ideal for professional work and more demanding games. With RAM prices so low, this is the sweet spot for desktop users.32GB and beyond: Enthusiasts and purpose-built workstations only. Bottom line? If you plan to keep your laptop, make sure the battery and disk can be replaced and make sure you buy too much cpu and memory. Be careful of rigs that include Optane as RAM -- read the fine print. Match the GPU to your applications -- faster is hotter and heat must be mitigated which means less battery life and more noise. I'm not shopping for a laptop this year. Last year I bought a pair of Dell laptops that included discrete graphics chips. At $600 each, the laptops were a bargain. After a nearly year of use, my kids are very happy with their toys... Dell G3 15 Gaming GTX 1050Ti Laptop G3579-5467BLK-PUS• 15.6-inch Full HD display• Intel Core i5-8300H• NVIDIA GTX 1050Ti• 8GB memory/1TB HHD This year a similarly equipped laptop would still attract my attention and, in fact, the Microsoft Store has this one on sale for $600 right now... https://www.microsoft.com/en-us/p/dell-g3-15-gaming-laptop/8thnj2tttgfc I'm more than two years with a Lenovo Ideapad that cost me $525.99 in February of 2017... Processor: Intel Core i7-6500U Processor(Core i7-6500U)Memory: 12GB DDR4-2133Hard Drive: 1TB 5400Optical Drive: 1xWireless Network: 1xPorts: 1x 4-in-1 Media Card Reader (SD, MMC, SDHC, SDXC)Camera: 1x 0.3 MP CameraGraphics: 1x Intel HD 520Monitor: 15.6 HD Love all three machines. You cannot get the Ideapad anymore, but I recommend the Dell.

Now that Pnambic has rejoined the Black Friday conversation, it's time to open a Black Friday HDTV Discussion Thread. Please try to keep all discussion related to HDTVs in this UNOFFICIAL thread as I do not have the authority to merge rogue discussions.

I have four plasma televisions. My favorite of the four is a 720p 55" Samsung. It still takes my breath away at times. Bought it in 2008. We bought a PS3 and found out why HDTV was invented. Just land-filled recycled the 36" CRT it replaced. That TV is also the reason I got rid of Dish -- upgraded DVR plus 'technology fee' sent me to a Comcast bundle then OTA. At the time, we were paying Dish for TV, Comcast for high speed internet, three different providers for local, local-long-distance, and long distance phone service, PLUS another company for cell service. We are so spoiled these days. My second plasma was a smaller Samsung. I needed wide viewing angles in my bedroom and plasma had the best (still does). The third set was an impulse buy. It was an RCA made by TCL and you could read Samsung on the boards through the vents. Fourth set was also an impulse. I was camping with the Boy Scouts the weekend before the Superbowl when I got a deal alert for an LG 60" 1080p plasma for $600. Bought it from my sleeping bag. Had trouble getting it home in my Explorer. The game looked great. No way I could ever part with any of these awesome televisions. BUT, the guy across the street from me has a HUGE television. When I walk out to the street after dark, it's a lot like Times Square. Sometimes, I just watch from the curb. I'm sure it is not plasma -- which would be nice because you could FEEL the warmth of the bright colors -- BUT, I really want to have a home theater and the right hardware is quickly becoming affordable.

Chevy My F150 has a 36 gallon tank. And it streams BT audio. Welcome home! Let's get that television thread goint!

The alexa app on your phone connects to the echo auto and the car's smart software. If the alexa app is open on your phone and bluetooth is enabled when you restart your car, all three ought to connect. The only problem I have had is when I used the phone to make a call. That seemed to mess things up until the next time I started the car.

dream: https://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/product/1465024-REG/lenovo_81tf0004us_core_i7_8550u_16gb_512gb.html/c/product/1465024-REG/ dream big: https://store.hp.com/us/en/pdp/hp-envy-x360-laptop-15t-touch-5hk14av-1 dream less expensively: https://www.staples.com/lenovo-flex-14-81sq0000us-14-convertible-laptop-intel-core-i5-8265u-8gb-memory/product_24393615 I don't know what is going to be out there for BF, but start looking now. Time for the retailers to clear the back to school laptops.

Hard to walk away from $25 4k FTV Sticks. Still have two in the box...and three Dots (two were free). The 1T/4 Tuner Recast has been on sale for $229.99 quite often and be would an easy way to get broadcast television to all your FTV equipped televisions.

I just got my invitation a couple weeks ago. Bought it, of course. Not sure what I am going to do with it, but I like it and think you should grab one at $25. I *KNEW* you pre-ordered one.

oh, crap!

Interesting appliance. I have been looking for a waffle maker with removable plates. This may be overkill, but it does a lot. I found this comparison of features of the various models (there are quite a few)... https://www.super-kitchen.com/cuisinart-griddle-deluxe-vs-elite-whats-difference/ Good luck!

For the most part, it is already gone. Black Friday loosely covers what we used to refer to as the Holiday Season. In fact, the days before Black Friday were never part of the Holiday Season. The best deals are no longer reserved for those who camp out. With the addition of BF in July and Prime Days, there is not much special about the day after Thanksgiving. Except that it IS the day after Thanksgiving. Enjoy the season and don't worry about the sales.

I was THIS close. Bring on the haikus!

Right now, my beef with Amazon is the quality of their shippers. My last two orders were a disaster. One was clothes. The box was crushed with tears on all sides. The clothes within were not wrapped in plastic, so they were soaked by the day's rain. My last Subscribe and Save shipment was similarly damaged. I had a can of cooking oil which was damaged to the point that it could not stand up. No leak, but I was unhappy. The order included a gallon of Worcestershire sauce which developed a slow leak. My shopping with Amazon was already on the decline. This may put my Prime membership in jeopardy.

BW (Before Walmart) there was a certain order to the universe. The department stores cycled through their deals by week and by season. If it wasn't on sale here, it might be on sale there. No matter, it would be on sale next week. Consumers shopped the circulars but overpaid for out-of-favor items. Walmart changed that. If it wasn't on sale, get it at Walmart. Most retailers did not know how do deal with this disruption. They promoted. They price matched. They price adjusted. Many of those retailers are no longer with us. When I was a kid, I worked for a grocer. Every week the manager sent us to the competition's store to get a flyer and capture price mismatches. In real time, he would create specials to level the playing field. He noticed that people came into the store Sunday morning to get the current sale and the previous sale before we could change the prices. Mr. Stapleton delayed the markups and created a Sunday morning mega sale. The store was packed Sunday mornings. Kudos to BB for being as smart as Bob Stapleton. I scheduled an oil change at my local Ford dealership. I did this after researching prices and promotions at the oil change specialists. Ford was $20 less than Jiffy Lube. When I checked in, I shared this with the service manager. "I know. We are competitive. It's a priority." Amazon and Walmart will never compete with agile merchants. They don't have to -- they make plenty crushing the sloths.

My top priority is a new desktop computer. Current/last gen i7/i5, 12g of RAM, room in the case for a standard ATX power supply and full length video card (though I could like with an SFF case as long as there is room for a video card). Looking specifically at Staples as I need to spend $500 to keep my Rewards status, have $200 in Staples gift cards, and will have $80 in Rewards. I would love to replace my 60" 1080p plasma with something 75-90" 4K. I like the TCL Roku TVs and would prefer an 8-series, but my frugal nature males the 6-series a more likely candidate. My wallet would open at <$1k for the 75" 6-series. Not sure I could spend much more even for a 90" set, but the heart wants what the heart wants... I am passively looking at upright, self-defrosting freezers. I had a $350 14' clearance unit go out of stock in my cart. Wouldn't spend more than $400 on a freezer.

Fidelity will help you make a plan even if you have not invested with them. For me, the most difficult things to estimate are how long I will live and how much healthcare will cost. My company has a tool to estimate my pension, the Social Security Administration will help you estimate your Social Security pension. Good luck!

I am putting my lists together. I want to get my in-laws a nice corner television stand. Their TV is too big for the stand they have and the existing stand does not have room for all the peripherals attached. Maybe a sound bar as well. I am shopping for a new desktop for me. My i5 3330 has been a noble computer, but it's time. I may end up getting my kids new desktops and taking one of theirs. Looking at the HPs at Staples. I have a lot of gift cards (Discover Cash Back) and rewards (ink recycling) to burn. Other than that, gift cards and purchases of opportunity. I'm passively looking for a very big television. 75-90 inch. I am hoping the high end TCL Roku TVs are steeply discounted. I have a couple 55" sets and love them. I feel like this is going to be a great Christmas. The Farmers Almanac is predicting a cool and wet November. I'm dreaming of a white Black Friday... Looking forward to being in the stores on BF even if I do not get up to stand in line.

You should be sure where the figures come from. One day you may have to manage the plan. You might be surprised. My father has been dead for 22 years. My mother has not worked a day and has more money than she did the day he died. They were a middle class couple with six kids. Maybe you could spend your golden years camping? Workampering offers free camping plus pay. I've talked to a few of these people. They summer in the north and migrate with the birds. The most important thing is to minimize expenses -- pay off your mortgage, credit cards, etc. Understand the cost of your lifestyle -- track expenses carefully. Calculate your income -- social security, pension, plus income from savings. Estimate your life expectancy. Adjust your lifestyle to address any gaps -- no need to wait for retirement to do this. Address the gap by doing something you really like to do so it does not seem like work -- maybe work at a local retailer with employee discounts on stuff you use. Tracking expenses is a lot easier if you pay for everything with a credit card. As a bonus, you can get a cash back card which will provide fraud, price, and extended warranty protection. As you track expenses, some opportunities will be obvious. We fired the cable company ten years ago. There are lots of discounted cell phone plans. Once you stop commuting, cars last forever. Registration and insurance costs drop every year.

956 days ;-)

I never budget for BF. I will buy every deal on everything on my list. I'm also OK with getting nothing.

On my list as well. Not a priotity -- looking for a deal. Have you considered putting your stuff in milk crates? You'll surrender some space, but gain some organization.

I have never had a problem bonding with the people in line around me. When I used to do Staples first every year, I actually remembered people from the previous years. It was kind of cool. Some of them worked where I work and we reminisce from time to time. No one waits in lines anymore.

I am not an audiophile or a connoisseur of award winning movies, but I do like television. I was born in 1962 and never knew life without color television. I watched assassinations, moon landings, and wars as if I were there. I still remember my first Pong experience. I did not have a quarter or understand the game, but it was so cool that I could make something happen on a 'television'. I remember antennas, rotors, and the arrival of HBO. My sister and her husband lived in Portsmouth New Hampshire which was an early adopter of cable TV. She would pick us up, grab pizza or McDonalds, and we would settle in front of movies for the evening -- nudity, profanity...must see TV. So, it's no surprise that I have a LOT of televisions in my home. I avoided HDTV until they worked out the stretched image thing, but I'm all in now. I watch the NFL on a 60" 1080p LG plasma. I own three smaller plasmas. Nine televisions plus seven Echo Shows (which play TV via a Recast). I just recycled my last tube -- a 36" Sony CRT I bought at Circuit City in 2008. Lately, I have been impressed by TCL's Roku TVs (the very best television for a cord cutter). I have two of these. This year, I am passively shopping for a good deal on 75-90" 4k set to replace that LG plasma. Inexpensive, bright, no motion blur, and black blacks. Cheap. Then I'm done. Honest. Anyone else shopping for a television this year? Watching specific models? Features?

Harbor Freight 10/5.

I have only ever shopped with another person one time. You are going to love going solo.