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Post by char374 on Jan 6, 2022 11:34:40 GMT -5
What advice can you give me on a Lenovo® IdeaPad® 5i laptop with Intel® Core™ i5 Processor Windows 11 8 GB Ram 512 SSD 2.4 ghz $550 Good OK Bad any advice appreciated any other suggestions also Char
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Post by budgall on Jan 6, 2022 16:30:38 GMT -5
I have a Lenovo Thinkpad R61i that I really like. Came with Windows Vista and has lived through Window 8 and 10.It's currently running a prerelease of Windows 11. I think Lenovo produces excellent laptops and recommend them.
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Phil
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Post by Phil on Jan 6, 2022 18:49:56 GMT -5
My personal preference (may not be yours) is for at least a 15" screen and for at least 16GB ram. Also I'm not sure I like Windows 11 -I'd probably use Open Shell on it to make it look and behave more like Windows 7 or 10.
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MrBill
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Post by MrBill on Jan 7, 2022 0:16:07 GMT -5
It is pretty much like Windows 10
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joel
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Post by joel on Jan 7, 2022 23:55:57 GMT -5
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Post by char374 on Jan 8, 2022 9:02:48 GMT -5
Thanks to both Budgall & Phil for your replies. Back to the basics. Hubby told me he wanted a laptop so he could look up things online. That is his basic use. He knows nothing about what to look for and I no longer remember or know about new technology and basic requirements. Price range around $500. I stopped at Staples and they recommended the Lenovo® IdeaPad® 5i laptop with Intel® Core™ i5 Processor Windows 11 8 GB Ram 512 SSD 2.4 ghz $550 Sale up today Jan. 6. Then hubby said what about the one advertized in AARP for seniors. The copy I have available didn't have the add in it, so couldn't even check it out. He said 15" screen minimum and I would like to have a side numbers pad. (he should have mentioned this before Thanksgiving when all the sales were on) So other then this, can someone give me advice on what is good out there to look at. As always I really I appreciate the help everyone gives me.
I just saw Joel's reply, thank you for your input. It scared me to death about getting a Lenovo. Although I really prefer to buy local so I can deal in person, the computer needs to be reliable to begin with. At staples they told me they no longer sell Dell because of so many problems. Budgall remember you bought yours a long time ago and companies that sold good products then may no long be good. (isn't that the way it is with most products today) Char
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Post by jholland1964 on Jan 8, 2022 9:51:00 GMT -5
I don't know what the Staples person is trying to pull with you Char but around here Staples does sell Dell, in fact they had a full page ad in last Sunday's paper about the January Savings Event they are having on Dell computers. I have used nothing but Dell for well over 20 years and my experience has always been excellent. I had one problem with a Dell several years back and that was covered under the warranty 100% and the problem was not even the fault of the computer but due to a major electrical storm we had that knocked our both our TV and my computer. So that would have happened no matter what brand of computer I had. Both of them were covered by the warranties by the way.
You certainly can buy locally but Staples is not the only big store that sells computers, Wal-Mart, Best Buy, Office Depot all sell computers. Personally I have always ordered mine directly through Dell, then I get exactly what I want. I purchase the additional warranty so I am covered fully parts, labor and in home repairs. I used that for my repair for the electrical storm damage. I don't live in a big city and the tech had to come from out of town. He came one day to assess the damage and then came back the next day to do the repair while I sat and watched him.
You can buy one, two or three year coverage. I am certain Dell is not the only one to offer this if you'd rather not get a Dell. I am sure other mfgr's offer the same thing.
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MrBill
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Post by MrBill on Jan 8, 2022 12:49:05 GMT -5
I have bought a couple of referbs off of Dell and had good luck with them They offer a 1 year warranty just like the new ones have. Saved over a hundred bucks on the last one I bought from them. Some of the refurbs are ones that were sent back because somebody didn't like the PC. They will not sell them in the new section.
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Post by jholland1964 on Jan 8, 2022 13:09:51 GMT -5
My granddaughter is an IT Specialist for an international company that designs and builds sensors and detection systems for the military, security, industrial and environmental monitoring markets around the world. They only use Dell Computers in all of their offices and manufacturing centers throughout the world.
Bill's suggestion of a refurb from Dell is a very good suggestion, especially for what you say your husband will be using this computer for. He doesn't want or need anything fancy but these computers ARE well refurbished and as he said, you can purchase a premium warranty just like those available on a brand new computer. Here is the main page for Dell refurbished computers;
Here is one they are offering right now that sounds like what he wants and needs:
You can purchase one year of Premium Support for around $75.
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Post by char374 on Jan 8, 2022 20:09:53 GMT -5
Thank you so much for the additional information. The refurbished model was the same price as a brand new one listed.
They listed a 1 yr mail in service hardware support for $4.99 ? Is this like if something doesn't work and you have to pay to send it back?
Accident damage 1 yr $39 - just if it is your fault?
Foxit Phantum PDF standard $99.99 I assume this is not a yearly fee?
Can I open PDF files without a program? Or is there a version out there for free?
Can you tell if it has a numeric key board on the left of the key board? I can't tell and didn't see it listed. Now if I can just get hubby to answer if this is what he wants I can get this settled.
If you can think of anything else to help me, as I'm the one that has to try and hook it up to the internet by the hughesnet setup. Or any other helpful information I'd appreciate it. Thanks Char
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Post by jholland1964 on Jan 8, 2022 20:26:08 GMT -5
Thank you so much for the additional information. The refurbished model was the same price as a brand new one listed.
The new one has less memory and a smaller hard drive.
They listed a 1 yr mail in service hardware support for $4.99 ? Is this like if something doesn't work and you have to pay to send it back?
Generally you will not have to pay to send it in for repair.
Accident damage 1 yr $39 - just if it is your fault?
Obviously. They wouldn't send you a damaged computer.
Foxit Phantum PDF standard $99.99 I assume this is not a yearly fee?
Can I open PDF files without a program? Or is there a version out there for free?
There is no reason to purchase this or any of the other programs listed. There are any number of free PDF readers out there.
Can you tell if it has a numeric key board on the left of the key board? I can't tell and didn't see it listed. Now if I can just get hubby to answer if this is what he wants I can get this settled.
It looks to me as if there is a numeric keyboard on the right side.
If you husband truly wants a computer but truly has no idea what he needs or wants then if it were me I would choose and purchase. But of course that is up to you. You don't want to wait too long because they only have a few of these available.
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Post by char374 on Jan 8, 2022 23:22:53 GMT -5
Thank you to everyone. I ordered the Dell online tonight. So the fun begins for me as I try and set it up next week. Appreciate all your help Char
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Post by jholland1964 on Jan 10, 2022 17:28:21 GMT -5
Thank you to everyone. I ordered the Dell online tonight. So the fun begins for me as I try and set it up next week. Appreciate all your help Char It is going to work like any other computer you have so don't worry. |
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Post by char374 on Jan 10, 2022 18:10:50 GMT -5
Judy thank you for the encouraging words. I wish I had more confidents in myself. I'm sure I will back before too long with something I don't understand. I'm really thinking of trying to get a used copy of windows 10 for dummies at least for back up. Thanks again Char
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Post by bigbarney on Jan 10, 2022 18:19:50 GMT -5
I fairly recently bought a Dell laptop for the first time and found that the built in setup guidance was first class.
I doubt if you will have much trouble............just follow the guidance.
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Post by char374 on Jan 21, 2022 21:20:02 GMT -5
Hi everyone, after no internet for a couple of days (due to possibly snow on the dish and a day with dell to basically be able to get on the internet ), I'm back. By the way is it ok to keep asking questions related to my new computer here?
I went to download Malwarebytes 3 (from your essential tools & tips list) and I could not find a free program download listed. (only free 14 day trial) Am I missing something or is no longer available? If not is there another free program to do this? Also I can't get find where to enable windows updates. Char
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Post by jholland1964 on Jan 21, 2022 21:27:50 GMT -5
For this computer feel free to come back to this thread with any questions. There is NO free version of Malwarebytes anymore.
The built in Windows Security is excellent protection with anti-virus and firewall. I have used nothing else since I purchased my Windows 10. I do use the FREE Malwarebytes Browser Guard however.
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Post by Everton on Jan 22, 2022 3:50:53 GMT -5
When the 14 day free trial offer of Malwarebytes is completed there is an offer to pay for the premium version. If this is refused the Free version continues to function. This allows on demand scans and virus removal but no real time protection. Download link for free version with trial is about half way down this page www.malwarebytes.com/premiumI think it is a useful tool to have as a backup if infections need to be removed. I agree with Judy that Windows Security is excellent and sufficient for most purposes |
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Post by char374 on Jan 22, 2022 8:28:52 GMT -5
Thank you Judy and Everton. I do try and look up things for myself before asking for help, hoping it will keep this old brain moving . Plus it takes me extra time to find everything on this new set up. I finally got a copy of Windows 10 for dummies and gave it to Mart so he could become familiar with it while I continue to get the computer set up for easier usage. His comment (it's giving me a headache ) I've already found things that make working on the computer easier for me. Be back soon I'm sure. Char
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Post by jholland1964 on Jan 22, 2022 9:57:04 GMT -5
When the 14 day free trial offer of Malwarebytes is completed there is an offer to pay for the premium version. If this is refused the Free version continues to function. This allows on demand scans and virus removal but no real time protection. Download link for free version with trial is about half way down this page www.malwarebytes.com/premiumI think it is a useful tool to have as a backup if infections need to be removed. I agree with Judy that Windows Security is excellent and sufficient for most purposes Lordy! My brain stopped working! Yes of course Everton is correct. The trial paid version does revert to the free one after two weeks and allows the on demand scans and removals if needed. Don't know what I was thinking! It IS a useful tool and I do have it on my machine! I just haven't had to use it in so long I forgot it was there!  |
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MrBill
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Post by MrBill on Jan 22, 2022 12:55:35 GMT -5
Spyware Blaster works well on it also.
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Post by jholland1964 on Jan 22, 2022 15:45:03 GMT -5
Spyware Blaster works well on it also. Good Comment Bill. A must on any machine for sure.
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