Computers Need advice on SSD laptop options

Megatron96 · 02:14 PM

So my laptop is dying. battery died a few weeks ago, and now it seems the fan is inop, so it runs for a couple three hours then locks up and shuts itself down.

Before things slide even further downhill, I figure I need to get a replacement, so I can at least transfer my data from one to the other. I have some options in mind, but I'm no computer guy, so I thought I'd ask CP if they had any recent experiences that might be helpful.

Looking for a laptop, at least a 14" screen (my eyes ain't so good), SSD because I'm now addicted to the speed. I don't play games, so don't need to have anything geared that way necessarily. But I do need it for work-related stuff, so the speed is helpful. Under $1,000. Under $700 would be ideal.

A couple option I'm going to look at are:

ASUS Vivobook 15

Lenovo FLex 5

Dell Inspiron 3000

Also, need a color printer, decently reliable, not expensive.

Thx in advance for any help.

BlackOp · 01-24-2025, 02:14 PM

Get a used 2019 MacBook Pro i-9 8 core, 1 TB ssd with 32 or 64GB ram...16" retina screen. Was a $3000-$4000 laptop at the start of Covid. They released silicone processors so the these intel units (runs windows) can be had for around $550-$700 in new shape on Ebay.

Runs Apple's latest OS too...smoking good computer for the money

htismaqe · 01-24-2025, 03:37 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by BlackOp

Get a used 2019 MacBook Pro i-9 8 core, 1 TB ssd with 32 or 64GB ram...16" retina screen. Was a $3000-$4000 laptop at the start of Covid. They released silicone processors so the these intel units (runs windows) can be had for around $550-$700 in new shape on Ebay.

Runs Apple's latest OS too...smoking good computer for the money

That 2019 model will likely only run the latest MacOS until October of 2025. I have t checked lately but if the schedule holds, it will be slated for depreciation this year.

htismaqe · 01-24-2025, 03:42 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by BlackOp

Get a used 2019 MacBook Pro i-9 8 core, 1 TB ssd with 32 or 64GB ram...16" retina screen. Was a $3000-$4000 laptop at the start of Covid. They released silicone processors so the these intel units (runs windows) can be had for around $550-$700 in new shape on Ebay.

Runs Apple's latest OS too...smoking good computer for the money

Also be aware that Apple is not going to support Intel at all after the last Intel Macs are EOL. They made it much much harder in recent OS releases to run Windows side by side with MacOS.

You're better off just buying whatever native OS you want to use and be done with it. Unless you're a power user and really know what you're doing.

booger · 01-24-2025, 03:58 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by htismaqe

Also be aware that Apple is not going to support Intel at all after the last Intel Macs are EOL. They made it much much harder in recent OS releases to run Windows side by side with MacOS.

You're better off just buying whatever native OS you want to use and be done with it. Unless you're a power user and really know what you're doing.

Running into this issue with my phone. iPhone 8 Plus and I love the damn thing. Only problem it no longer supports updates for the OS. Now there’s some apps I can’t update or use. The last year they used the home button feature. I much prefer the thumbprint option over the facial recognition shit. So much so I’m considering a Samsung Galaxy 24 ultra. Or a iPhone 14 or 15 pro max and I will just have to get used to the facial recognition. I really really am used to the thumbprint and don’t want to switch. Bastard engineers need to bring the home button and thumbprint back to iPhone!!!

Coach · 01-24-2025, 04:20 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by booger

Running into this issue with my phone. iPhone 8 Plus and I love the damn thing. Only problem it no longer supports updates for the OS. Now there’s some apps I can’t update or use. The last year they used the home button feature. I much prefer the thumbprint option over the facial recognition shit. So much so I’m considering a Samsung Galaxy 24 ultra. Or a iPhone 14 or 15 pro max and I will just have to get used to the facial recognition. I really really am used to the thumbprint and don’t want to switch. Bastard engineers need to bring the home button and thumbprint back to iPhone!!!

I believe you still can have the PIN option without needing to utilize the Face ID as long as the Face ID is shut off in Settings -> Face ID and Passcode.

booger · 01-24-2025, 04:24 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Coach

I believe you still can have the PIN option without needing to utilize the Face ID as long as the Face ID is shut off in Settings -> Face ID and Passcode.

Yeah I’ve heard that. For passwords though I’m so used to that thumbprint! Always had iPhone so I wonder if I would regret switching to a Samsung

htismaqe · 01-24-2025, 06:22 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by booger

Running into this issue with my phone. iPhone 8 Plus and I love the damn thing. Only problem it no longer supports updates for the OS. Now there’s some apps I can’t update or use. The last year they used the home button feature. I much prefer the thumbprint option over the facial recognition shit. So much so I’m considering a Samsung Galaxy 24 ultra. Or a iPhone 14 or 15 pro max and I will just have to get used to the facial recognition. I really really am used to the thumbprint and don’t want to switch. Bastard engineers need to bring the home button and thumbprint back to iPhone!!!

Yeah not sure what to tell you there. I'm pretty much separated from Apple after like 3 decades. The clincher for me was that they want $35 a month for 2TB of cloud storage. Google charges $10 a month and the devices are so much cheaper. Paid $300 less for my last phone and bought a nice high end Chromebook (that runs Android apps natively) for literally 1/8 of the cost of my last Mac.

booger · 01-24-2025, 06:38 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by htismaqe

Yeah not sure what to tell you there. I'm pretty much separated from Apple after like 3 decades. The clincher for me was that they want $35 a month for 2TB of cloud storage. Google charges $10 a month and the devices are so much cheaper. Paid $300 less for my last phone and bought a nice high end Chromebook (that runs Android apps natively) for literally 1/8 of the cost of my last Mac.

You a fan of Samsung phones? What did you switch to when you gave up on iPhone? Yeah price wise they are getting out of hand

BlackOp · 01-24-2025, 04:00 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by htismaqe

Also be aware that Apple is not going to support Intel at all after the last Intel Macs are EOL. They made it much much harder in recent OS releases to run Windows side by side with MacOS.

You're better off just buying whatever native OS you want to use and be done with it. Unless you're a power user and really know what you're doing.

I have 6 macs...My 2 2019 laptops run Ventura and my 2019 production tower is staying on Catalina. It runs how I need it to run.

Mac OS updates arent going to be an issue for 98% of casual users...it'll be years before they are obsolete...and the newest OS is littered with AI shit I dont want.

All the M1/M2/M3/M4 models...with the exception of the tower has the SSD soldered to the motherboard...they also wont boot from an external anymore. So when the SSD dies...these units are essentially bricked.

There will no 2nd market for this silicone generation....they are disposable in 6-8 years by design. They want EVERYBODY tethered to AI...no thanks.

The intel MacBook Pro versions are great machines...way more power than your average consumer needs...unless you plan on serious gaming.

I have a 2012 MacBook pro that stills runs 95% of what my newer models do...for casual use it's perfectly fine. It'll run the 2022 version of all Adobe software.

htismaqe · 01-24-2025, 06:30 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by BlackOp

I have 6 macs...My 2 2019 laptops run Ventura and my 2019 production tower is staying on Catalina. It runs how I need it to run.

Mac OS updates arent going to be an issue for 98% of casual users...it'll be years before they are obsolete...and the newest OS is littered with AI shit I dont want.

All the M1/M2/M3/M4 models...with the exception of the tower has the SSD soldered to the motherboard...they also wont boot from an external anymore. So when the SSD dies...these units are essentially bricked.

There will no 2nd market for this silicone generation....they are disposable in 6-8 years by design. They want EVERYBODY tethered to AI...no thanks.

The intel MacBook Pro versions are great machines...way more power than your average consumer needs...unless you plan on serious gaming.

I have a 2012 MacBook pro that stills runs 95% of what my newer models do...for casual use it's perfectly fine. It'll run the 2022 version of all Adobe software.

For sure, if you can deal with forced obsolescence, your setup will work. My reason for ditching apple were financial. I just wasn't getting enough unique functionality for the price.

crispystl · 01-24-2025, 04:02 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by BlackOp

Get a used 2019 MacBook Pro i-9 8 core, 1 TB ssd with 32 or 64GB ram...16" retina screen. Was a $3000-$4000 laptop at the start of Covid. They released silicone processors so the these intel units (runs windows) can be had for around $550-$700 in new shape on Ebay.

Runs Apple's latest OS too...smoking good computer for the money

I actually have a bunch of 2019 16inch Macbook pros for sale. I think most have the i7 though.

BlackOp · 01-24-2025, 04:22 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by crispystl

I actually have a bunch of 2019 16inch Macbook pros for sale. I think most have the i7 though.

You should hook the OP up...there isn't that much performance difference between the i9 and i7.

I think these are the steals right now...the advent of the M1 chip sent the prices spiraling down...overnight. Still capable machines

crispystl · 01-24-2025, 06:36 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by BlackOp

You should hook the OP up...there isn't that much performance difference between the i9 and i7.

I think these are the steals right now...the advent of the M1 chip sent the prices spiraling down...overnight. Still capable machines

I think they are too. That's actually why I bought a few when I had the opportunity.

RedRaider56 · 01-24-2025, 02:22 PM

Don't know much about the specific computer models you have listed but both ASUS and Lenovo put out solid products. I'm not a big fan of Dell computers.

Regarding configurations, go for max RAM and the biggest SSD that you can get.
32 GB RAM and a minimum of 512GB of SSD storage is a good start. 1TB of storage is better.

For a dependable printer, we have 3 Epsons in our house and have had zero issues with any of them. The most recent one being an ET-2750 with the ink tanks and not cartridges.

01-24-2025, 02:04 PM	Topic Starter
Megatron96 Suupraa Geniuuusss Join Date: Jan 2019 Location: North Phoenix, AZ Casino cash: $-1689600	Need advice on SSD laptop options So my laptop is dying. battery died a few weeks ago, and now it seems the fan is inop, so it runs for a couple three hours then locks up and shuts itself down. Before things slide even further downhill, I figure I need to get a replacement, so I can at least transfer my data from one to the other. I have some options in mind, but I'm no computer guy, so I thought I'd ask CP if they had any recent experiences that might be helpful. Looking for a laptop, at least a 14" screen (my eyes ain't so good), SSD because I'm now addicted to the speed. I don't play games, so don't need to have anything geared that way necessarily. But I do need it for work-related stuff, so the speed is helpful. Under $1,000. Under $700 would be ideal. A couple option I'm going to look at are: ASUS Vivobook 15 Lenovo FLex 5 Dell Inspiron 3000 Also, need a color printer, decently reliable, not expensive. Thx in advance for any help. Last edited by Megatron96; 01-24-2025 at 02:14 PM..
Posts: 34,821	1 0

01-24-2025, 02:14 PM	#2
BlackOp MVP Join Date: Oct 2012 Casino cash: $2845267	Get a used 2019 MacBook Pro i-9 8 core, 1 TB ssd with 32 or 64GB ram...16" retina screen. Was a $3000-$4000 laptop at the start of Covid. They released silicone processors so the these intel units (runs windows) can be had for around $550-$700 in new shape on Ebay. Runs Apple's latest OS too...smoking good computer for the money Last edited by BlackOp; 01-24-2025 at 02:22 PM..
Posts: 19,106	6 0

01-24-2025, 02:22 PM	#15
RedRaider56 MVP Join Date: Aug 2017 Location: Austin, Texas Casino cash: $1070400	Don't know much about the specific computer models you have listed but both ASUS and Lenovo put out solid products. I'm not a big fan of Dell computers. Regarding configurations, go for max RAM and the biggest SSD that you can get. 32 GB RAM and a minimum of 512GB of SSD storage is a good start. 1TB of storage is better. For a dependable printer, we have 3 Epsons in our house and have had zero issues with any of them. The most recent one being an ET-2750 with the ink tanks and not cartridges.
Posts: 7,304	2 0