I'm so out of touch with computers. It's been a while since I research them and knew what the hell I was looking at. I just need a basic laptop. No frills. I need Windows and don't really want 10.
I found this one and the price is reasonable:
http://www.tigerdirect.com/applications/SearchTools/item-details.asp?EdpNo=9187727&sku=AQY-102592205
Any thoughts?
Looks pretty Meh to me. I guess it is an OK price for a new computer, but the specifications are very limiting.
The follow up questions I would have are what are you looking for and why no windows 10? There are settings to make windows 10 look and behave like earlier versions.
If you are open to other options/OS the chromebook is an OK budget choice. You will lose some of the windows functionality/compatibility (because it uses and android derivative), but it works fine for basic tasks.
That seems like a large laptop and I know you are starting to hit the road.
Do you intend to use this while in the truck? It will be pretty large if yes.
Do you need a CD/DVD drive?
If the answer here is yes in that you intend to use it for movie viewing then you will be pretty much forced into a 15" sized laptop
Will you need a large hard drive?
Do you intend to keep movies onto the hard drive?
This unit does have a large 500GB hard drive.
It makes no sense to get an older version of Windows at this point, get Win10 or a non-Windows OS.
Well I've just been hearing so many people gripe about 10, but I haven't used it myself. 8 was the last one I used and I didn't care for it.
If you guys think it's a good OS, then they have the same comp with it on there.
I will keep looking.
In reply to JohnRW1621: That laptop is the same size as my wife's laptop. It's not that big to me. The specs are similar to hers and I've been fine with that one. I just need my own now.
I have A Win 8 machine and now all I get is offers on screen from Microsoft to upgrade to Win 10.
To those who know better, if you buy this Win7 won't you also get the same free offer from Microsoft to free upgrade to Win 10?
What are you going to use the laptop for? I've transitioned from 17" laptop to a 8" Samsung Galaxy Tablet S2 because mainly just need it for websurfing/researching, HD music, and HD videos and want it very portable for both daily use and travel.
HD video is GORGEOUS on the OLED screen of the Samsung Tablets and using Poweramp for music sounds very good with high quality headphones plugged directly in - beats the pants off an iPod playing Apple lossless format files for audio qualty. I do have Microsoft Office suit app set on it as well, using EXCEL and WORD mostly, and drawing/sketching software (Autodesk Sketchbook).
Still have the laptop but I hardly ever use it anymore. Only real use it gets is when I'm ripping CD's to .flac files - since it has multi-media card reader built in I use that to transfer them to the tablet's micro SD card.
We have an Aspire with a slighter higher spec (same screen size and resolution, but faster processor, twice the RAM, twice the memory and touch screen. It's a pretty decent machine and seems to work fine (it's mostly an online banking laptop for us).
On thing I don't particularly care for is the amount of crapware that Acer loaded on it. I think I managed to uninstall most of it by now, but that's a job and a half. Ours runs Win10 with no hiccups and I wouldn't go back to Win8 - I've used every Windows since 3.0 and NT 3.5, and Win10 is a big improvement over 8/8.1 as long as you turn off the invasive 'features'.
In reply to Vracer111:
It's for my new job and it has to have Windows for a logbook program. I may use it to stream movies.
I'm going to confirm with them that Win 10 is ok.
This is only $20 more. It's running Win 10 and has a huge hard drive, but it seems like a decent unit overall.
http://www.tigerdirect.com/applications/SearchTools/item-details.asp?EdpNo=9885535&CatId=4935
I personally think that 1366x768 is unacceptable resolution for a 15-inch screen (you get spoiled once you have one with a 1600x900 screen), but otherwise that seems like a decent laptop.
Take a look these:
http://computers.woot.com/plus/lenovo-business-class-laptops?ref=cp_cnt_wp_7
If you are going to be traveling with the laptop I would go with a business class machine, they tend to be built sturdier.
That second computer has a slower processor. I'd avoid it. I second the recommendation for a higher res panel at 15". 1366x768 is bad and it will be the cheapest (bad picture quality) panel they can sell.
The second laptop's CPU has a quad-core 1.6GHz vs the first's dual-core 1.4GHz, how is it slower?
There's a big problem with all the laptops mentioned so far, and it's not the screen resolution (I think 1366x768 is basic but usable). It's that they all have 4GB RAM, which is barely enough to run a modern OS, especially a 64-bit OS. I can't recommend having less than 6GB these days, for a new computer right now I'd recommend 8GB.
Edit: And Win7/8 can be upgraded to Win10 for free.
In reply to GameboyRMH:
I should technically be able to upgrade the RAM myself though, right? The problem is, that I have a budget and I'm trying not to go over $400 total including the shipping.
I've always had luck with Tigerdirect, but if someone suggests another place, I'm up to suggestions.
I bought this via Woot a couple of weeks back for $269. I then spent $35 on Amazon to take out the 4GB ram and put in 8GB ram. This means that for about $330 all in w/tax I have a computer that is likely closer to a $500 good price and $700 full price.
http://www.woot.com/offers/lenovo-thinkpad-yoga-11-6-touch-ultrabook-8
But, my unit would not meet your needs.
You want DVD drive and a larger hard drive. The DVD drive will force you into 14" at a minimum.
I recommend keeping an eye on Woot (owned by Amazon.) They have some very good deals.
As for the changing of the ram. If you can change one spark plug, you can do this. For me, it was remove the battery, then removal of 6 tiny phillips screws, pry off the plastic back of the computer and then just plug and play.
My computer only has one slot for ram so I took out a a 4GB and put in an 8GB. For larger laptops like the 15"ers you are looking at, they have two slots for ram. In this case, they come with one slot filled with 4GB and the second slot empty. If you add a 4GB to the second slot them you have an 8GB computer. If you add an 8GB and keep the 4GB you will have 12GB. It's that easy.
If you are interested, I just took out a 4GB and have no home for it. If you would like it, I'll drop it in the mail for you.
Computer #1 or #2 will meet your needs. Both are 2 slot for ram so my 4gb will make you 8gb.
I looked around Woot right now and this is the best that I found for your needs.
http://computers.woot.com/offers/lenovo-thinkpad-t430-14-intel-i5-laptop-1?ref=cp_cnt_wp_8_11
Lenovo. They make durable units. Not that this is "ruggedized" but their casings are typically stronger than other brands.
14" so as small as possible to still have DVD.
Intel i5 is a REALLY good processor.
Already 8GB but since this is a small unit it likely only has one slot (no way to add my free 4gb)
1TB drive is ENORMOUS.
Win7 but expect free upgrade to Win 10 if you want
Downside: this is a Refurb unit which is refud'ed by a third party company then sold on this Amazon/Woot site.
$350 (not cheap) gets you refurb'ed but more computer in terms of processor, ram and storage as well as the benefit of a smaller size from a company that make good stuff.
If you were buying these capabilities new and not refurb'ed, you would have to spend near $600.
In reply to JohnRW1621:
That was the one I had in mind when I posted the Woot link.
Good: http://computers.woot.com/offers/hp-probook-6460b-14-intel-i5-250gb-laptop-1?ref=cp_cnt_wp_3_3
HP, Refurb'ed. Still and i5 with smaller drive of 250gb.
Current 4GB but has second slot for 4gb more.
DVD only reads (plays) DVD's. Does not write (burn) them.
Cheaper at $209
As I wrote above, I bought one of these earlier this month. I have been amazed at how good it is for the price.
I see that woot has the offer back on so if you are looking for a sturdy, everyday lapop, this is a great deal.
Not right for Mr. Sbf's needs but great for me.
http://computers.woot.com/offers/lenovo-thinkpad-yoga-11-6-touch-ultrabook-19?ref=cp_cnt_gw_dly_wobtn.
New, not refurb'ed $269
In reply to JohnRW1621:
I think the biggest problem that I'm seeing and I completely forgot to mention, is that I want a full keyboard. I will end up entering a lot of numbers and I like having the keypad for that. It may not make sense, but it's a pet peeve of mine.
Unfortunately when you want a full keyboard, it only really comes on the larger laptops.
Could you get the external num-pad keyboard?
In reply to SyntheticBlinkerFluid:
I get it and I understand. I comes down to what you're comfortable with and what your real needs are. I like the smaller size for travel. When it is time for me to do "real work", I go to my desk and I plug my little computer into a full keyboard and a full monitor.
I am genuinely serious that if you want the 4GB, just let me know.
In reply to JohnRW1621:
I will definitely let you know. 
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