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Official Black Friday LAPTOP Discussion Thread

Brad

By Brad
in 2013

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Brad

Brad

Posted
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As always, we have several dedicated threads for the hotter items each Black Friday. Please try to keep all discussion related to these items in their official threads. Other threads posted will likely be merged into this main thread.

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momee2twins

momee2twins

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Okay, first of the new to laptop field questions: what's best for 10 yr olds? Need decent screen size , but not huge since don't need to stream movies. Good memory and input for a memory stick. Not looking at a Mac, since all other computer stuff Windows operated (except for ipods and DH still can't work those). They will want to surf internet for school and some online games (think gamesgames.com or the ones on nick.com....not world warcraft types) Need to be able to print via cord or wireless.  And I have to buy 2, so hopefully under $350 each. Suggestions on brands, memory, stores, etc??

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LoneStarMama

LoneStarMama

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Okay, first of the new to laptop field questions: what's best for 10 yr olds? Need decent screen size , but not huge since don't need to stream movies. Good memory and input for a memory stick. Not looking at a Mac, since all other computer stuff Windows operated (except for ipods and DH still can't work those). They will want to surf internet for school and some online games (think gamesgames.com or the ones on nick.com....not world warcraft types) Need to be able to print via cord or wireless.  And I have to buy 2, so hopefully under $350 each. Suggestions on brands, memory, stores, etc??

I would like to know this info as well. My info is the same except mine is for a 14yo. She will use it for school, forums, games etc.

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tinkrbel

tinkrbel

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Here's a site that lists the pro's/cons side by side

 

The best explanation I could find from 2011 thread is this from Nirvana4all:

 

regular e-reader/kindle/nook/etc - reads pages from book, really mostly only good for reading books.

tablet - about size of e-reader, has more power, can access apps, run webpages well, can play some games

netbook - tablet with a full keyboard, more power, more ability to run programs, games, surf internet.

laptop - netbook with a DVD or blu-ray drive, able to run any programs, web pages, games for the most part you want to throw at it depending on the price level you go for.

 

and again in a separate thread:

 

As you move from smartphone to tablet to netbook to laptop, at around the same price point you trade size and portability for ease of use and functional abilities. Netbooks don't have built in DVD/Blu-ray players, but are lighter, longer lasting battery, and easier to carry/pack.

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Pnambic

Pnambic

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Posted (edited)

Wondering why you think a laptop or netbook is a better solution than a desktop. 

Simply asking as you get a lot more performance for your buck with a desktop than you do with a laptop.

10 yr olds are also much more likely to drop their laptop and break it than a desktop... ;)

Edited by Pnambic
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nirvana4all

nirvana4all

Posted
Posted (edited)

Here's a site that lists the pro's/cons side by side

 

The best explanation I could find from 2011 thread is this from Nirvana4all:

 

regular e-reader/kindle/nook/etc - reads pages from book, really mostly only good for reading books.

tablet - about size of e-reader, has more power, can access apps, run webpages well, can play some games

netbook - tablet with a full keyboard, more power, more ability to run programs, games, surf internet.

laptop - netbook with a DVD or blu-ray drive, able to run any programs, web pages, games for the most part you want to throw at it depending on the price level you go for.

 

and again in a separate thread:

 

As you move from smartphone to tablet to netbook to laptop, at around the same price point you trade size and portability for ease of use and functional abilities. Netbooks don't have built in DVD/Blu-ray players, but are lighter, longer lasting battery, and easier to carry/pack.

:gdyeahthat:

I still agree with myself    I would add that even though it is named a Kindle, the Kindle Fire's fall under the "tablet" category, and the non "Fire" kindles are the e-readers.

 

 

To answer Tigger, you have almost zero chance finding a store selling a win7 laptop to you for black friday.  You may however get a place like buy.com, newegg.com, tigerdirect.com etc to sell you a closeout or refurbished one.  Dailysteals.com will often have these as well, but less and less as time goes along.  Win7 is a disappearing breed. 

Edited by nirvana4all
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momee2twins

momee2twins

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Wondering why you think a laptop or netbook is a better solution than a desktop. 

Simply asking as you get a lot more performance for your buck with a desktop than you do with a laptop.

10 yr olds are also much more likely to drop their laptop and break it than a desktop... ;)

 They're pretty responsible with their ipods, and no room in the toy room or their rooms for two desktop computers. Plus want something they can take on trips. Saw some laptops at walmart. one had 4gb memorty and 320 gb hard drive for $298. Couple others had 4 gb memory and 500 gb hard drive with touch screens for $398 and $465

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leefamily23

leefamily23

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I am in search of a windows 7 laptop NOT a windows 8 one for college. Is there any chance of finding one on black friday or would most retailers no longer have window 7 machines?

 

I too think this will be virtually impossible.  However, in the past I was able to order direct from Dell a new computer with a windows version back from the current.

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Tigger97498

Tigger97498

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Posted (edited)

thats what im thinking plus light for taking to and from class. Just was kind of curious if people had good or bad luck with sleekbooks (I've never even heard of them). One thing that drew me to it is its one of the first i3 processor laptops at that low a price. I went to Sams to get some prescriptions and found it in there so I played with it for a few minutes and really liked it. Only different is it has an I5 instead of an i3 and 750 instead of 500 gb so just the next laptop up but got a feel for it at least. I feel like I got an amazing deal because the exact same laptop as what I just got for $299 at walmart is $475 at Amazon.

Edited by Tigger97498
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nisha98

nisha98

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Can anyone tell me about touch screen laptops? My 11 year old son wants one but he doesn't know anything about them and neither do I. I'd like to get him one as his main present but I don't want to spend more than $500 and I'd like for it to have decent memory and the like. Thanks!
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laddhorn

laddhorn

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Touch screen laptops work well with the Windows 8 stuff.  The touch works just like you would expect on a tablet.  You can use the touch like a mouse.  Some of the touch laptops fold over where you can use it like a tablet.  I would lean toward a touch screen if I were using Windows 8 anyway.

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lucyred

lucyred

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I am joining third thread but mine is for kindergartner. She already has a nook that she uses and likes. This would be more for getting her use to operating an actual computer. What does everyone think of the BB door buster they have? I'm hoping office max or Office Depot has something similar.
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shay

shay

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Okay, first of the new to laptop field questions: what's best for 10 yr olds? Need decent screen size , but not huge since don't need to stream movies. Good memory and input for a memory stick. Not looking at a Mac, since all other computer stuff Windows operated (except for ipods and DH still can't work those). They will want to surf internet for school and some online games (think gamesgames.com or the ones on nick.com....not world warcraft types) Need to be able to print via cord or wireless.  And I have to buy 2, so hopefully under $350 each. Suggestions on brands, memory, stores, etc??

 

So funny, as I was just coming on here to ask this same exact question!!!

 

My 10 year old is in 5th grade, and is in Gifted and Talented.  When she moves to middle school next fall, she will be in a kind of pre-pre-ap classes, and will also be in a technologically based GT class where they work with kids around the world to solve problems.  Our Middle and High schools have adopted a BYOE (bring your own electronics) for classes, and they suggest ipads or laptops.  I want to go with a laptop because of the functions available.  I don't need over the top, something that can get online, print, etc.  She does a lot of homework from our desktop, but she will need something of her own next year.  Since she will have to take it to school, it will have to be portable. :)

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jaymacfla

jaymacfla

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Posted

For all of the varied questions here, the jury is still out on selections, since in this case they will be specific to the store, and we have not seen all of the major players hands yet. Given the range from $350 to $500, the choices should be abundant. Will the best option be online or in store? Stay tuned and we shall see.

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pcrtx

pcrtx

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Posted

I'm looking for a good laptop that my 12 year old could use for programming. Ideally 6gb Ram. 

I would like a hybrid hard drive but I don't seem to see many of them in mass produced laptops.

Do I have to upgrade it later? Any suggestions on units on sale now or listed in the Black Friday ads?

 

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len_mullen

len_mullen

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It's about time for the ads to start arriving.  Should be some good deals out there.  I've been almost done with desktops and laptops for years.  Last year I bought a laptop and a desktop and this year my kids asked for new desktops.  No matter what I am buying -- phone, tablet, laptop or desktop -- the process remains the same...

 

1. make a list of all the things you want to do with the device

2. choose all the apps that you would like to do those things with

3. make a short list of devices that run those apps

    - read reviews

    - hands on

4. find 'best' prices on those devices

5. when you get your price, see if staples will price match

6. pay with staples gift cards bought with discover cash back for 20% more off

 

If you are buying for someone else, find out what apps they use.  If you are buying for a kid, check with their school for restrictions and recommendations.

 

If you are trying to decide between a tablet and a laptop (or netbook), there are some additional things to think about...

 

1. screen size/weight

2. keyboards and mice vs touch

3. performance

4. battery life

 

A laptop that is suitable for games is going to be pretty expensive, kind of heavy, and tough on batteries.  If you are buying a computer for a gamer, get a desktop.  For the price of a gaming laptop, you can probably buy a gaming desktop plus an inexpensive laptop/tablet for the road.  A desktop that is suitable for gaming should have a standard power supply, a PCI-e slot (or two), and about eleven inches behind the PCI-e slots for the bigger gaming video cards.

 

If games are not a concern, a laptop may make more sense.  Generally laptops are either very functional or very portable -- very powerful, very portable laptops tend to be very expensive.  If you are shopping for a web browser/Office machine that can be moved from the bedroom to the kitchen, get a big screen.  If you are going to use the laptop on a plane or in the car or on a park bench, get something that is comfortably balanced on your actual lap and pay attention to battery life.

 

If you are shopping for a media consumption device and only occasionaly plan to use the device for data entry, then a tablet may be right for you.  Most have bluetooth keyboards.  Even if a tablet has limited storage, you can supplement it with wifi drives and cloud storage.

 

My wife uses a Kindle Fire for *everything* -- recipes, games, word processing, email, web browsing.  She rarely uses a laptop or desktop.  My kids have asked for new desktops.  Each has a game console and a 15.6" laptop.  Not ready to move on the the new consoles but want new games.  My youngest uses a tablet to surf and play games.

 

I have a laptop with a 13.5" display.  I use it for work.  I need Windows for Microsoft Access.  The small form is great on a plane or in an airport and I can live with the small screen when I travel.  When I'm at home or work, I plug in a keyboard, mouse, and two additional displays.  I keep a kindle fire and a Wi-Drive in the backpack when I travel.

 

It's been a long time since I have purchased a PC or tablet except at Staples.  They match prices and you can use Discover cash back to purchase $25 gift cards for $20.  These are treated as cash at the staples store, so it's like getting 20% off anyone's best price.  If you want to use the cards to make an online purchase, go to the store, use their kiosk to make the web purchase, choose pay at register, and use the cards to pay.

 

That's what I think about laptops.  happy shopping!

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ginagee

ginagee

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Posted

Any suggestions for a first time laptop buyer?  I need it for work (microsoft products) and email.  No movies or gaming.  I want something good that will last several years but it doesn't need to be the best.  Thoughts on the 2-in-1s?

 

Thanks!

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