Brother is the best basic printer. What's the best basic laptop?
February 4, 2023 8:52 AM Subscribe
Mr. DrGail's laptop computer should be replaced. It has to have SSD, cuz once you have it you won't settle for anything less. There are really no other requirements. He uses it for email and the web, nothing else. So what brand/model does he want? Bonus question: How do we populate his new machine with his Thunderbird history?
Response by poster: Further information since computers can never just be simple: He definitely wants a laptop (not a tablet) and it should have a Windows OS. His current machine is a Dell running Windows 10, and Firefox is his preferred browser. His email account is with gmail, accessed through Thunderbird.
posted by DrGail at 9:14 AM on February 4, 2023
posted by DrGail at 9:14 AM on February 4, 2023
ThinkPads are generally reliable. If cost is an issue, get a renewed (refurbished) one. I don't have a specific model to recommend, but Amazon has a bunch of options that come with Windows pre-installed. Just make sure the laptop has an SSD, which most do.
posted by alex1965 at 9:29 AM on February 4, 2023 [4 favorites]
posted by alex1965 at 9:29 AM on February 4, 2023 [4 favorites]
How do we populate his new machine with his Thunderbird history
Thunderbird has import and export functions. On mine they're located in the Tools menu - that may or may not be the case for you. You'd want to do an export on the old computer, copy the file it gives you onto the new computer, and do an import. If you run into trouble using that, let us know (there's also a manual way to do it).
posted by trig at 10:34 AM on February 4, 2023
Thunderbird has import and export functions. On mine they're located in the Tools menu - that may or may not be the case for you. You'd want to do an export on the old computer, copy the file it gives you onto the new computer, and do an import. If you run into trouble using that, let us know (there's also a manual way to do it).
posted by trig at 10:34 AM on February 4, 2023
If the Gmail account is configured to use IMAP, you won't have to migrate any messages from Thunderbird. All the messages will be stored in Google's servers. See this page.
posted by alex1965 at 10:38 AM on February 4, 2023
posted by alex1965 at 10:38 AM on February 4, 2023
Also, make sure he really doesn't have any other preferences. Is he currently using an external keyboard, monitor, and mouse/touchpad? If not, it might turn out he'd be less happy with ones that are different or of a lower quality than what he has now. For example, the first laptop I ever had had an IPS display and when I was looking for my next laptop, I was spoiled and forgot to consider what type of display the new one would have. I wound up with a laptop that had a TN display, which turned out to be much less nice.
If you can, maybe post the specs of his current laptop so people can recommend ones that are at least as good, especially with respect to display and RAM.
posted by trig at 10:40 AM on February 4, 2023
If you can, maybe post the specs of his current laptop so people can recommend ones that are at least as good, especially with respect to display and RAM.
posted by trig at 10:40 AM on February 4, 2023
Response by poster: His Dell is an Inspiron7559 without a touchscreen (and I doubt he would use one). He has external speakers he likes and uses a mouse. The current machine has Intel Core i5 - 6300HP CPU@2.30 GHz, 8G RAM, and a 64-bit operating system. Here is the link to the specs. (NB: I understand maybe 25% of this.)
posted by DrGail at 11:06 AM on February 4, 2023
posted by DrGail at 11:06 AM on February 4, 2023
That link doesn't work but I think it's this one. His screen is matte, right (as opposed to glossy)?
For anyone making recommendations - the current screen is 15.6", either 1366 x 768 or 1920 x 1080.
posted by trig at 11:46 AM on February 4, 2023
For anyone making recommendations - the current screen is 15.6", either 1366 x 768 or 1920 x 1080.
posted by trig at 11:46 AM on February 4, 2023
ThinkPads are generally reliable
My company provides ThinkPads for everyone except the few users who need a Mac. I love mine, and I wish I had shelled out for one the last time I bought a laptop for personal use.
posted by Serene Empress Dork at 12:11 PM on February 4, 2023
My company provides ThinkPads for everyone except the few users who need a Mac. I love mine, and I wish I had shelled out for one the last time I bought a laptop for personal use.
posted by Serene Empress Dork at 12:11 PM on February 4, 2023
If you buy a ThinkPad buy the superduper deluxe warranty for as long as you can afford. Just in the past week alone I've had two motherboards replaced in my fancy, expensive high-end ThinkPad (and I suspect I may need a new keyboard after all that as some of the keys aren't responding well after the system was dismantled so often in such a short period of time.) I won't tell you how many other repairs and replacements I've been through before this past week, but believe me when I say the warranty, even though expensive was well worth the price and has really turned out to be a lifesaver.
The most recent tech said he'd recommend the Lenovo Carbon line. I've got a P Series.
posted by sardonyx at 1:41 PM on February 4, 2023 [1 favorite]
The most recent tech said he'd recommend the Lenovo Carbon line. I've got a P Series.
posted by sardonyx at 1:41 PM on February 4, 2023 [1 favorite]
When I needed to give back my work laptop (some sort of Lenovo Thinkpad), I got a refurbished one that ended up costing ~$300 and I couldn’t be happier with it. It’s not my only computer, I just use it for YouTube, Discord, gSuite, and general web surfing. But it’s great at being portable and handling lightweight use.
The only thing I’d do differently is make sure I’m getting a model with USB-C charging, instead of whatever proprietary shape mine charges with.
posted by itesser at 4:26 PM on February 4, 2023
The only thing I’d do differently is make sure I’m getting a model with USB-C charging, instead of whatever proprietary shape mine charges with.
posted by itesser at 4:26 PM on February 4, 2023
An Inspiron is a machine targeted at consumers. If that line has served you well then the simple answer is to get another one. I would second the suggestion to get USB C powered unit.
Most of the recommendations above are for businesses class machines that are much more expensive. The great thing about biz machines is that they don’t change much- so moving up to a Latitude would be familiar and a fine machine. A alternative that is also a step up from a Inspiron would be the Dell XPS line. Base models are more than good enough, good screens, good keyboards, excellent touchpad, come in a few sizes, the 13 is clearly aimed at the mac air.
It can be hard to set aside personal preferences on this issue- I am increasingly fussy about gear. My work has a Dell latitude that they have issued to me. It’s still sitting in the supply closet. For the last laptop I bought for household use was a x1 carbon Thinkpad from Lenovo. But these are so expensive. You could probably get 3 latitudes for that price.
posted by zenon at 7:05 PM on February 4, 2023 [2 favorites]
Most of the recommendations above are for businesses class machines that are much more expensive. The great thing about biz machines is that they don’t change much- so moving up to a Latitude would be familiar and a fine machine. A alternative that is also a step up from a Inspiron would be the Dell XPS line. Base models are more than good enough, good screens, good keyboards, excellent touchpad, come in a few sizes, the 13 is clearly aimed at the mac air.
It can be hard to set aside personal preferences on this issue- I am increasingly fussy about gear. My work has a Dell latitude that they have issued to me. It’s still sitting in the supply closet. For the last laptop I bought for household use was a x1 carbon Thinkpad from Lenovo. But these are so expensive. You could probably get 3 latitudes for that price.
posted by zenon at 7:05 PM on February 4, 2023 [2 favorites]
Lenovo's website will list refurbished X1s every so often. They'll be in (limited) stock but it may take weeks to ship. But potential significant cost savings.
Even a 3 year old X1 is potentially still usable for 5+ (esp. for the intended purposes above) as X1s are typically top of the line (although there are budget X1s).
A relatively modern i5 is fine, you want an SSD in it - as large as you can afford, maybe 500GB - and you'll appreciate 16GB of RAM.
Lenovo's aren't what they used to be, which were almost as solid as ThinkPads were.
I avoid Lenovos with bulkier plastic housing. Build quality has seemingly slid a lot on those.
Have had Dells in the past, I'd give them a pass. (if the WiFi dies - try editing the BIOS (F2 on the Dell screen) to turn off secure boot (you'll want your Microsoft account information so you can log in and retrieve your BitLocker key)).
posted by porpoise at 9:54 AM on February 5, 2023
Even a 3 year old X1 is potentially still usable for 5+ (esp. for the intended purposes above) as X1s are typically top of the line (although there are budget X1s).
A relatively modern i5 is fine, you want an SSD in it - as large as you can afford, maybe 500GB - and you'll appreciate 16GB of RAM.
Lenovo's aren't what they used to be, which were almost as solid as ThinkPads were.
I avoid Lenovos with bulkier plastic housing. Build quality has seemingly slid a lot on those.
Have had Dells in the past, I'd give them a pass. (if the WiFi dies - try editing the BIOS (F2 on the Dell screen) to turn off secure boot (you'll want your Microsoft account information so you can log in and retrieve your BitLocker key)).
posted by porpoise at 9:54 AM on February 5, 2023
My last two lenovos sucked. I'm typing this on a HP that I'm very happy with. My preference is to avoid a touchscreen if at all possible.
posted by kathrynm at 12:24 PM on February 5, 2023
posted by kathrynm at 12:24 PM on February 5, 2023
Although your question isn't seeking advice on whether the current machine is ready for replacement, I couldn't help but notice the lack of info on how it's failing to serve you. Crashes? Slowness? Or maybe a more general concern about age? Because advancements in single-core CPU performance have slowed dramatically in recent years, a 7-year-old machine may have more remaining service life than one expects.
I believe Dells still have a "service tag" somewhere on the exterior, and the alphanumeric code on that tag can be looked up on the Dell support site to reveal details about the hardware config: things like installed RAM and SDD size, and maybe whether there are free slots for additional RAM. If, for example, you learn that the machine really has just 4GB of RAM, an upgrade to 8GB might provide more bang for the buck than a full hardware upgrade. In this scenario, one nice outcome is that you wouldn't have to migrate the existing Thunderbird state at all.
To keep my reply at least partially on topic with the question you asked: I have a 2017 Lenovo Thinkpad x1 that was not bargain-priced, but it has been quite rugged and is still my daily driver. My limited experience with other Lenovos (not ThinkPad-branded) is less stellar, especially WRT keyboard quality.
> If the Gmail account is configured to use IMAP, you won't have to migrate any messages from Thunderbird. All the messages will be stored in Google's servers.
That's one possibility, but please note that it's not necessarily either/or. E.g., Thunderbird may be configured with an IMAP account AND a mail folder that exists only on the local computer's drive.
posted by SaurianNotSaurian at 1:53 PM on February 5, 2023 [1 favorite]
I believe Dells still have a "service tag" somewhere on the exterior, and the alphanumeric code on that tag can be looked up on the Dell support site to reveal details about the hardware config: things like installed RAM and SDD size, and maybe whether there are free slots for additional RAM. If, for example, you learn that the machine really has just 4GB of RAM, an upgrade to 8GB might provide more bang for the buck than a full hardware upgrade. In this scenario, one nice outcome is that you wouldn't have to migrate the existing Thunderbird state at all.
To keep my reply at least partially on topic with the question you asked: I have a 2017 Lenovo Thinkpad x1 that was not bargain-priced, but it has been quite rugged and is still my daily driver. My limited experience with other Lenovos (not ThinkPad-branded) is less stellar, especially WRT keyboard quality.
> If the Gmail account is configured to use IMAP, you won't have to migrate any messages from Thunderbird. All the messages will be stored in Google's servers.
That's one possibility, but please note that it's not necessarily either/or. E.g., Thunderbird may be configured with an IMAP account AND a mail folder that exists only on the local computer's drive.
posted by SaurianNotSaurian at 1:53 PM on February 5, 2023 [1 favorite]
This thread is closed to new comments.
Here is a promising-looking Chromebook (with SSD), currently retailing for $270 on Amazon. It has good reviews.
posted by alex1965 at 9:10 AM on February 4, 2023