Solved Laptop opinions

[PSCO2007]

I am in the market for a laptop and ordered this one from Staples last week:

http://www.walmart.com/ip/HP-4540s-1...Specifications

The price was $399 because they gave me a $100 coupon - even got a conformation email.
When I didn't receive it, I called and they said DISCONTINUED, but Walmart has it, as does [FONT=inherit !important][FONT=inherit !important]Tigerdirect[/FONT][/FONT][. (but I would have to pay $499,00.

Staples wouldn't even let me use the coupon tp purchase something else.

STAY AWAY FROM STAPLES!!
They are useless!!!

Anyway, I am also looking at this one:

http://www.amazon.com/Lenovo-ThinkPa..._cd_ql_qh_dp_t

I have a self-built for any heavy lifting.

The laptop would only be for light Web surfing, watching movies, listening to music.

I'm inclined to go for the Lenovo and add an [FONT=inherit !important][FONT=inherit !important]SSD[/FONT][/FONT]
Through Amazon - no shipping or tax, so that would almost pay for the SSD.

I am getting conflicting opinions on AMD in a laptop - overheating issues?

Any opinions appreciated.

Thanks,

Paul

 

[linnemeyerhere]

I have almost the same HP lappy and with 8gb of ram and a ssd it's flat amazing for the money (I don't want to tell you what I paid.


Here's the same at Tiger where I got mine !
http://www.tigerdirect.com/applications/SearchTools/item-details.asp?EdpNo=7737000&CatId=4935

 

[PSCO2007]

What's your better deal?
Is it still available?

What about the Lenovo?

 

[linnemeyerhere]

The AMD A series chip is a very good chip as well and it could be a better performer but let me tell you this my HP ProBook 4539's scores 6.4/7.3/5.7/6.2/7.9 WEI with i3-8gb 1333 ram-256gb Crucial SSD. I got my stock unit with the 8gb ram no SSD for $329.00 delivered including tax and I'm so glad I snapped it up as it's price jumped after that first offer.

 

[PSCO2007]

I got my stock unit with the 8gb ram no SSD for $329.00 delivered including tax and I'm so glad I snapped it up as it's price jumped after that first offer.

Wow, that makes me sick.

The one I guess I will get is $499 and only 4gbs Ram.

Can I just add one stick of memory (4gb) or do I need to get a matching pair?

 

[linnemeyerhere]

Here's an idea as well?

HP 250 G1 Intel Core i3 4GB Memory 320GB HDD 15.6 Notebook Windows 8 64-bit - F2P82UT#ABA at TigerDirect.com

While they last, call HP get the disk or not and then do a clean install and add back only what you want and need and lose the bloatware.

 

[linnemeyerhere]

Mine came with one 4gb module which is the way all mfg'rs should do it but you may open up to find otherwise? They then included another 4gb and man the machine just flew.....I scored but this was almost 2 years ago so factor that as well.

 

[madcratebuilder]

I've ordered 3 new lap tops for customers since the first of the year, Dell, HP and Lenovo. Personally I prefer the Lenovo, I own a older Dell and a new Lenovo Flex 15, i5, 8gb, ssd, touch screen W8.1. The Lenovo's are very nice machines, I like the brushed aluminum frames and the "flex" makes it nice for watching movies in bed with the LT on my lap, no keyboard in the way. The i3 Lenovo's are running around $500, the i5's around $650 and i7's $750.

 

[PSCO2007]

Thanks for reply,

I'm still torn between the HP and Lenovo in my first link.

Most posters online seem to recommend Intel.

According to online discussions, the Lenovo w/AMD tends to overheat with mild use.

Have your customers experienced that?

Thanks,

Paul

 

[PSCO2007]

The AMD A series chip is a very good chip as well and it could be a better performer but let me tell you this my HP ProBook 4539's scores 6.4/7.3/5.7/6.2/7.9 WEI with i3-8gb 1333 ram-256gb Crucial SSD. I got my stock unit with the 8gb ram no SSD for $329.00 delivered including tax and I'm so glad I snapped it up as it's price jumped after that first offer.

Well, after looking at both today - the Lenovo went up by $40.00, which made the HP probook that much more attractive and I pulled the trigger today.

Although the price on that went up even on Amazon, I was able to get it at the $499 price at Walmart and Tigerdirect.

Still not a bad price, I guess.

Thanks agin for all your time!

 

[linnemeyerhere]

Don't look back as that i3 chip is a little jewel and then save for a external enclosure and a ssd 128 minimum or better yet a 256gb then place the stock drive once you've cloned it or clean install W7.

 

[PSCO2007]

I'm getting the Crucial m500 - 240gb ssd.

Since this is already installed (W7 pro) I'll just do a backup with Trueimage and install to ssd - That's what you meant, right? That's what you meant by a clean install?

http://www.amazon.com/Crucial-2-5-Inch-adapter-Internal-CT960M500SSD1/dp/B00BQ8RGL6

 

[linnemeyerhere]

Well close, I would order the os and driver disc from HP, I called and asked for it real nice and they shipped it free. Then I would load just the OS and drivers and only a very select if any of the other bloatware and HP is known for their bloatware. You can also download and your OS version online and then use your product key to register then grab the needed drivers off HP's site but I prefer to have a disc copy. I would do a clean install rather than an image because you'll be imaging the bloatware and other HP trash.

 

[PSCO2007]

I called and asked for it real nice and they shipped it free.

Wow, didn't know of that option.!!

Thanks, that's what I'll do.

Paul

What I meant about an image is that I would first eliminate all the bloatware, then do a backup and install that to the new SSD.

 

[linnemeyerhere]

Perfect and you'll love this lappy with the ram and ssd combo and then get something like these to round out the package !

To store the stock drive in and transfer large files:

Vantec NexStar CX SuperSpeed 2.5" SATA to USB 3.0 External Hard Drive/SSD Enclosure (Supports 7mm, 9.5mm, 12.5mm HDD/SSD) - Model NST-200S3-BK - Newegg.com

Then just keep this in the sd slot for added storage and easy transfer:

PNY Elite Performance 64GB SDXC Flash Memory Card - 90 MB/s Read Speed, CL 10, For High-end DSLR Cameras & HD Video - P-SDX64U1H-GE at TigerDirect.com

 

[PSCO2007]

 

[PSCO2007]

Hi linnemeyerhere,

The one question you didn't answer was about memory- Can I just add one stick of 4gb (assuming they didn't use 2 - 2gb sticks instead of one 4gb stick)

I also am kind of confused - I visited the HP forum and people are saying even though it supports 16gb ram, the performance degrades at that level.

Strange, isn't it?

 

[ignatzatsonic]

Hi linnemeyerhere,

The one question you didn't answer was about memory- Can I just add one stick of 4gb (assuming they didn't use 2 - 2gb sticks instead of one 4gb stick)

I also am kind of confused - I visited the HP forum and people are saying even though it supports 16gb ram, the performance degrades at that level.

Strange, isn't it?

You should be able to add one stick of 4 to your existing 4. Just try to make sure it matches in as many respects as possible, particularly voltage. I'd get the same brand and model number if at all possible. I don't think memory mismatch issues are as prevalent as they were some years back when a lot was made of it and people were buying sticks with consecutive serial numbers to be sure of a "match".

Never heard of degraded performance on 16 GB. What reason is stated? I suppose a laptop might use slightly more battery power if more RAM slots are populated. It's more likely to just be a waste of money as few people have a legit need for 16.

 

[PSCO2007]

http://h30434.www3.hp.com/t5/Desktop-Lockups-Freezes-Hangs/Performance-degrades-in-Probook-4540s-after-memory-upgrade/td-p/2268503

 

[linnemeyerhere]

Zero need to go the added expense of 16gb in your lappy. Just get a matched set (best) or a single stick as closely matched to speed and timings as the one in the unit now. That's what came with mine, a Samsung stick was then supported with a Crucial and they worked well together but I then bought matched pair of GSkills !