Helping a Friend Buy a Computer $800 Limit

C

Canaan

macrumors member
This is for a Laptop... forgot to mention that initially. I told my friend I'd help him pick out a computer, and while I did originally have a few models in mind (he asked this many months ago but now finally has saved up some money after having a series of unfortunate car events), but I forgot them and figure that at this point with how quickly things change, new stuff is out. Soooo it'd be great if I could get some ideas.

I'm looking for these things in particular with most important listed first...

-Reliability/Durable Build (Trying to steer clear of hp due to past experiences and a friend who works for them even said nowadays he wouldn't buy from them. I really like the look and feel of some of Samsung's ones that have metal bodies)

-Good/Long Warranty (Friend would be crushed if it got messed up quickly as he doesn't spend money on this stuff often)

-Good Internals (Preferably enough to run games like minecraft smoothly, maybe some other more demanding games.)

-Ascetically Pleasing (This is to replace an ancient Thinkpad that was arguably pretty sexy in it's own way, but maybe something more modern looking. Then again, he wouldn't be against another Thinkpad.)

And that's about it. Any and all suggestions are greatly appreciated. I really love this community and knew this is the first place I'd check for some help. :)

P.S. In the mean time I'll keep looking myself and anything that can be bought from Best Buy or something of that ilk would be a bonus as he is afraid of internet purchases. (I could change his mind though)
 
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For the warranty, you're just going to find industry standard everywhere. But you could get an accidental damage super mega amazing warranty from Best Buy. Probably would cost $100-200 or so depending on how many years.
 
matbook101 said:
Get a used macbook pro. Also, this should go in the "Buying tips and Advice" section, and not the "Community Discussion".
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Any way I can move it? I was wondering if I had picked the right section or not. Also, a Mac isn't an option because of the need for Windows. EDIT: Looks like it got moved so never mind that.
 
Canaan said:
Any way I can move it? I was wondering if I had picked the right section or not. Also, a Mac isn't an option because of the need for Windows. EDIT: Looks like it got moved so never mind that.
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You can run windows on a Mac. Either set up a Dual Boot, and run windows by itself, or get Parallels/VMWare Fusion and run OSX and Windows at the same time.
 
Canaan said:
Any way I can move it? I was wondering if I had picked the right section or not. Also, a Mac isn't an option because of the need for Windows. EDIT: Looks like it got moved so never mind that.
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Why not get another Lenovo?

See here's the thing, when you look for a "cheap" laptop (or anything really) you end up getting exactly what you payed for. Cheap.

Buy one good thing, one time and be happy with it.
 
/user/me said:
You can run windows on a Mac. Either set up a Dual Boot, and run windows by itself, or get Parallels/VMWare Fusion and run OSX and Windows at the same time.
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Yes I know that but, with the $800 limit, that's not a viable option.

Anyway, I believe this is what he and I will be looking at today: http://www.bestbuy.com/site/Samsung...lver/4707137.p?id=1218512739912&skuId=4707137

And judging from the reviews, specs, and my previously seeing it in Best Buy before, I think this about fits.
 
matbook101 said:
Get a used macbook pro.
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Or a refurbished MBP or even iMac, but yeah, I agree. For $800, I think a non-brand-new Mac is the best purchase. If someone was trying to maximize a budget of $500 or less, I would probably steer them toward a PC because the Mac options at that level just aren't good enough for modern general usage IMO.
 
Canaan said:
Yes I know that but, with the $800 limit, that's not a viable option.

Anyway, I believe this is what he and I will be looking at today: http://www.bestbuy.com/site/Samsung...lver/4707137.p?id=1218512739912&skuId=4707137

And judging from the reviews, specs, and my previously seeing it in Best Buy before, I think this about fits.
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Since some gaming is a requirement I would skip that laptop. It's just got a worthless integrated GPU from Intel. I set up a search on Newegg with your criteria in mind. The results are for Core i5 and i7 laptops with mid range GPU's.

At $800 you really are scraping the bottom for gaming laptops. Ones with better battery life cost more.

As for a hazard warranty I'd get a warranty through Squartrade.com afterwards. A 3 year warranty on a new $800 laptop runs $125 and it covers accidental damage. Don't bother with refurbished laptops if you want their warranty as it costs a lot more and covers less.
 
"Preferably enough to run games like minecraft smoothly" - I'm pretty sure any computer from the past decade can do that :)

Search eBay for a late model Macbook Air.
 
If he needs/wants Windows, then just buy a Windows computer and save money rather than buy a Mac and not use Mac OS. I recommend a Lenovo IdeaPad U400 or Thinkpad. The Samsung laptops look pretty nice too.
 
marzer said:
"Preferably enough to run games like minecraft smoothly" - I'm pretty sure any computer from the past decade can do that :)

Search eBay for a late model Macbook Air.
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Actually that claim is ******** the map generator the TNT explosions and the like all use up RAM and my 2011 MacBookPro gets 40 fps when I play so do some research before taking a quick look at the graphics and saying something ridiculous like that.
 
eric/ said:
Why not get another Lenovo?

See here's the thing, when you look for a "cheap" laptop (or anything really) you end up getting exactly what you payed for. Cheap.

Buy one good thing, one time and be happy with it.
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Yup. I'd direct them to an Ideapad from Lenovo. 30seconds of searching pointed me to the Y series, the Y740p to be exact. Online deal for $759.20 includes an i5-2450M Processor, an AMD Radeon HD 7690M 1GB GPU, 6GB of 1333MHz RAM, 14" screen, 500GB HD. Way better than any used Mac and quite a solid machine for the price. GPU seems to be somewhere between the 6750 and 6770M of the MBPs, all for $1000-1450 less.

macbook pro i5 said:
Actually that claim is ******** the map generator the TNT explosions and the like all use up RAM and my 2011 MacBookPro gets 40 fps when I play so do some research before taking a quick look at the graphics and saying something ridiculous like that.
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Meh, I've run Minecraft on my Late 2006 MacBook (Intel GMA 950 integrated) since alpha with no issue, unless sure you want to blow up the whole world.
 
malman89 said:
Yup. I'd direct them to an Ideapad from Lenovo. 30seconds of searching pointed me to the Y series, the Y740p to be exact. Online deal for $759.20 includes an i5-2450M Processor, an AMD Radeon HD 7690M 1GB GPU, 6GB of 1333MHz RAM, 14" screen, 500GB HD. Way better than any used Mac and quite a solid machine for the price. GPU seems to be somewhere between the 6750 and 6770M of the MBPs, all for $1000-1450 less.



Meh, I've run Minecraft on my Late 2006 MacBook (Intel GMA 950 integrated) since alpha with no issue, unless sure you want to blow up the whole world.
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The latest full release uses a new lighting system and I play on far viewing distance....
 
macbook pro i5 said:
Actually that claim is ******** the map generator the TNT explosions and the like all use up RAM and my 2011 MacBookPro gets 40 fps when I play so do some research before taking a quick look at the graphics and saying something ridiculous like that.
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What-ever! I stand by my claim. Phhhtttp!
 
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