New Laptop, $1,200 Budget. What would you buy and why.

BigPoppa

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Doesn't sound like you are doing much more than browsing and what not.

In that case, something with 16gb mem, an on-board video card, and an i5 processor should do you well. I like a solid state drive for fast boot, but it isn't necessary. That and a 17" should keep you under budget.

I've got a late 2011 Macbook Pro for general browsing and a Dell Precision M4800 17" with 16GB mem, i7, one solid state 500gb SSD, one 500gb HDD, and an Nvidia Quadro card for work.
 

CobraBob

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To add, I sometimes have 6-9 pages open on this site alone going back and forth looking at stuff.
Makes sense. I asked because with the Retina screen, I can see the text and graphics really well on my 13" screen. I never considered a 15" because of that. But for your intended use, a 17" would serve you better.

My advice, Brad, is to compare the quality of the various laptop screens. They're not all created equal, and IMO the better the screen quality (and graphics card) the more you'll like it. Contrast and brightness are important, too. I find that higher resolution/higher quality screens are easier on your eyes.

Let us know what you end up with.
 

Shiper

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I have an Asus, 17 inch. One of the gamer models, I love it. They are kinda heavy I guess, never bothered me tho. Had it a few years now, will run anything I throw at it. Got it refurbished on tigerdirect.com, under $1k.
 

03cobra#694

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I have an Asus, 17 inch. One of the gamer models, I love it. They are kinda heavy I guess, never bothered me tho. Had it a few years now, will run anything I throw at it. Got it refurbished on tigerdirect.com, under $1k.
Kinda what I was looking at, but they don't have CD/DVD drive. I have $400 in gift cards from Best Buy.
 

OETKB

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I used Bill Gate's abomination since 1993. Once my boys were both using school issued Macs, and we were all using iPhones I finally caved and got an iMac with the Retina display last year.

I help my wife with the fairly fast (but aging) PC I bequeathed her and it feels like a freakin jalopy compared to the Mac, and the Retina display on the Mac is simply the bomb.
 

DaleM

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Look for refurbished ones. They are either floor models or returns brought up to new standards, even come full warranty.

Dell and Amazon offer them. Worth a look. I have bought a few for myself others. So far, so good with them holding up

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bglf83

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I like the #'s on the keypad on the right, hate them on the top. I also like the big screen so I can see more.
Look at elitebook 850, it has a 10 key with a 15" screen.

HP Elitebook 850 G4 15.6" Notebook, Windows, Intel Core i5 2.5 GHz, 8 GB RAM, 256 GB SSD , Silver (1BS47UT#ABA) https://www.amazon.com/dp/B01MSCY7C1/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_apa_f9r9zbCYCY3E2



HP Elitebook 850 G4 15.6" Notebook, Windows, Intel Core i7 2.7 GHz, 16 GB RAM, 512 GB SSD , Silver (1BS53UT#ABA) https://www.amazon.com/dp/B01MRBX1E5/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_apa_6as9zb5QVT1V1

Refurbs available from:

http://www.hp.com/sbso/buspurchase_refurbished.html

Refurbs are ok in the models.

Sent from my HTC 10 using Tapatalk
 

Never_Enough

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I bought a nice Dell for $800 a few months ago after having the new HP I bought take a dump TWICE.
 

Equalbracket

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I bought an Acer aspire vx15 for shits and giggles, decent bang for your buck. I have a great pc so it was just an impulse buy, I have no complaints.
 

CobraBob

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.....I help my wife with the fairly fast (but aging) PC I bequeathed her and it feels like a freakin jalopy compared to the Mac, and the Retina display on the Mac is simply the bomb.
Yup! It's the bomb! As I type on mine. My eyes love it. ;)
 

Blk91stang

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I went with a Dell Latitude E7450 touchscreen with a solid state HD and don't have any regrets for around $1,100 from Dell. I'm sticking with "Business" laptops going forward. Magnesium chassis and heavy duty everything, easily replaced and plentiful new parts if needed, dockable, lightweight, etc.
 

2000GTSTANG

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Still rocking my mid 2010 Macbook Pro. Ive only upgraded the HDD to a SSD, maxed out the ram, and replaced the battery. Still does everything I need it to and looks good while doing it. Plus the lid hinge is as tight as the day I bought it. The screen on my work Dell Latitude is all floppy from normal use.

Find yourself a used MBP, id advise not getting the mid-2010 since the Intel HD graphics has issues with the newer OSX versions which forces me to use the integrated graphics only. But for browsing the web and what-not, it works just fine.
 

mdever12

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Been using my 15" retina since 2012. Came in to recommend that but since you don't want Mac I don't have a lot to say. Good luck on the search
 

focussvtracer

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I have the surface book 4 for a few years now and its awesome. The new version is pretty awesome.

We also have several Intel NUC. Small box computer that we hook up to our TV's and projector. Itll play steam for house parties and searches the web. All have SSD's and i7/
 

SolarYellow

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Are you looking for a gaming setup or just basic web browsing, moderating, media, etc.., If the later is what you are doing, your budget cold be much lower IMO.
 

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