Windows Machine Recommendations

[Aguymac]

I did that repair on a friend's 2011 macbook. Removing a resistor which is smaller than a grain of sand with only a regular sized soldering iron and a magnifying glass was... stressful.

But it did work.

Did the iron have temp control, and what kind of tip?
You had to remove a resistor? It's like there's another different step each time I look.

 

[Aguymac]

Yes, that's one of the benefits of the Lenovo ThinkPads. Great machine

When you guys are mentioning these machine that you like, can you be a bit more specific please? Are you talking about a computer that's a year or two old model?
Really, I'm looking for a good model laptop that *isn't* the newest thing, that I can fine *used* for a good price. Like $500-700 CAD, max, if possible.

 

[maflynn]

Are you talking about a computer that's a year or two old model?

I can mention that my Thinkpad X1 E (first gen) has been rock solid, but the high quality and solid reputation of the thinkpads dates back to before Lenovo owned them and they were a IBM product, so its kind of hard to pin it down to a particular model year simply because they've been doing very well for a long time

 

[Aguymac]

I can mention that my Thinkpad X1 E (first gen) has been rock solid, but the high quality and solid reputation of the thinkpads dates back to before Lenovo owned them and they were a IBM product, so its kind of hard to pin it down to a particular model year simply because they've been doing very well for a long time

I remember that phrase; IBM thinkpad. Ok, do you know of any particular model that's good, that I'm likely to find used on ebay, or kijiji (like craigslist in canada)?

 

[Herbert123]

Did the iron have temp control, and what kind of tip?
You had to remove a resistor? It's like there's another different step each time I look.

I used this guide:

Macbook 2011 Radeon GPU Disable - Real Radeongate Solution.

Here we will show you a simple method we have developed to completely and totally disable your defective AMD Radeon GPU. Permanent and Cheap Fix.

realmacmods.com

I am embarrassed to say I used an old Dollar Store iron with overheating issues to fix this 😊

After removal, my friend's Macbook still works like a charm - now over two years ago.

*edit* she mentioned at the time that it worked better than before: the mac felt not as warm to the touch, which she disliked when working from a couch.

 

[rumplestiltskin]

I own last year's LG Gram 13 which I believe is not longer sold; instead, there is the 14", 15" and 17". Mine has a 16:9 screen and has a fairly large "chin" below the screen. I believe the newest models use a 16:10 and so fill the space much better.
Mine is 1920x1080, is powered by a Core i5-8265U (1.60GHz/1.80GHz "turbo mode"). If I am reading the manual correctly, there's a RAM slot (currently with a 4GB plus 4GB on the logic board) and a 256GB SSD in an M-2 NvME slot. Again, if I'm reading things correctly, there are actually two M.2 slots (one empty). One day I'll open it up and put in a 16GB RAM module (for 20GB total) and, if I really need one, another SSD or just replace the 256GB with something larger.

But I must say it runs quite nicely with Windows 10 and I've had virtually no issues since I bought it the middle of last year. It was $800 at Costco including a second year of warranty. I used my Costco VISA for the purchase and that gave me another two years of warranty.

It has USB-A 3.1 (two), USB-C (one), HDMI and, for some weird reason, a micro-SD card slot (as if any digital camera uses such a card??). In spite of that last stupid spec, I am quite happy with the machine and will probably buy another LG Gram in a few more years when my wife's MB Air decides to shuffle off its mortal coil.

I will say I fired Apple early last year when they refused to adequately support one of my clients even though her 3 month old iMac (with AppleCare!) died and they told her to drive 300 miles to an Apple Store to get it repaired (which would have required a hotel stay of at least a week). They refused to simply ship her a new Mac as a replacement or even pick up hers for repair.

I had a confirmation that my decision was wise when another client called me yesterday to upgrade the RAM on his two year old iMac Pro. I wouldn't touch it but recommended he bring it to the Apple Store where they have the qualified techs to get it done. I was shocked when he told me that Apple refused to upgrade the machine. You read that right: Apple told him to pound sand even though his machine was supported, not "vintage", not "obsolete. They sold him the iMac Pro and lied to his face when they told him it could be upgraded with larger RAM modules.

I'm really not surprised any more about Apple. People say it's not Steve's company any more but I disagree; it sells exactly the sort of product Steve dreamed of: No user serviceable parts inside. Buy a new one every three years. Everything is an iPhone, just in various sizes.

 

[Donfor39]

I LOVE MY DELL XPS 13"!
256GB-8gb ram not 4K screen for $999- in 2019 brand new
the laptop is great, light. thumbprint passwords, fast, sturdy and great screen!
i purchased mine at a micro center so i didn't not get that bloatware.
just windows is not sinkable to my iPad and iCloud compu_system as the macbook air.

What is compatible XP's 13 2020 or 2021 model please.
Tempting.

Thanksk

 

[MBAir2010]

What is compatible XP's 13 2020 or 2021 model please.
Tempting.

Thanksk

there really is no difference from 2019, although the 2021 has a better processor for the same price.
mine was the one they started to place the camera in the top bezel.

 

[Donfor39]

there really is no difference from 2019, although the 2021 has a better processor for the same price.
mine was the one they started to place the camera in the top bezel.

Thanks did you go for I5 or i7 if so which version.

 

[MBAir2010]

the i5 which seems to pack a punch while i saved `$150 at the time
the Dell xps is a great laptop, i which i could run Mojave on that tho.

 

[skaertus]

I have (had at the moment) a late 2011 mbp, top specs, etc. But I've wanted/needed a windows machine for a while, and ow it's even more needed.

What can I get that won't feel like a massive downgrade?
I don't have $2500 for a new mbp.

I love the hardware of the the 2011 mbp, the keys, their layout, the trackpad and its gestures that work so well, the trackpads placement, etc.

I don't want one of those POS windows laptops you can get at shoppers drug mart with points you've saved up for the past couple years (a relative has one, lol). The screens are utter trash on them as well.

I'm not sure where to start, what brand/manufacturer even, hp? Dell? (Acer seems to only make toys?) Lenovo?

Surfing (with silly amount of open tabs), streaming (UL. DL), word processing/email, the odd use of handbrake, or basic photo editor software, using an external monitor (along with main screen) constantly. That's more or less my needs.

Thanks for any recommendations.

There are several models which you can get that will feel like a massive upgrade (and hardly a downgrade especially if you are buying a new laptop after ten years).

But then some things are important to know. What is the screen size of your current 2011 MacBook Pro? Is it the 13-inch, the 15-inch or the 17-inch? And what you really like on your MacBook that you would feel a huge downgrade if you lost? The keyboard? The trackpad? The screen size? The feel of aluminum touching your hands?

 

[skaertus]

I have (had at the moment) a late 2011 mbp, top specs, etc. But I've wanted/needed a windows machine for a while, and ow it's even more needed.

What can I get that won't feel like a massive downgrade?
I don't have $2500 for a new mbp.

I love the hardware of the the 2011 mbp, the keys, their layout, the trackpad and its gestures that work so well, the trackpads placement, etc.

I don't want one of those POS windows laptops you can get at shoppers drug mart with points you've saved up for the past couple years (a relative has one, lol). The screens are utter trash on them as well.

I'm not sure where to start, what brand/manufacturer even, hp? Dell? (Acer seems to only make toys?) Lenovo?

Surfing (with silly amount of open tabs), streaming (UL. DL), word processing/email, the odd use of handbrake, or basic photo editor software, using an external monitor (along with main screen) constantly. That's more or less my needs.

Thanks for any recommendations.

There are several models which you can get that will feel like a massive upgrade (and hardly a downgrade especially if you are buying a new laptop after ten years).

But then some things are important to know. What is the screen size of your current 2011 MacBook Pro? Is it the 13-inch, the 15-inch or the 17-inch? And what you really like on your MacBook that you would feel a huge downgrade if you lost? The keyboard? The trackpad? The screen size? The feel of aluminum touching your hands?

 

[Donfor39]

Thanks each response.

Iv'e this morning ordered XP's 13" 11th gen i5 8gb ram 512 Ssd.
Hopefully arrive mid next week.
That's my latest WFH requirements almost solved.
Is there No usb 2/3 sockets, what Dongle do i need as I could use one or two devices using usb 2/3

 

[Aguymac]

I used this guide:

Macbook 2011 Radeon GPU Disable - Real Radeongate Solution.

Here we will show you a simple method we have developed to completely and totally disable your defective AMD Radeon GPU. Permanent and Cheap Fix.

realmacmods.com

I am embarrassed to say I used an old Dollar Store iron with overheating issues to fix this 😊

After removal, my friend's Macbook still works like a charm - now over two years ago.

*edit* she mentioned at the time that it worked better than before: the mac felt not as warm to the touch, which she disliked when working from a couch.

This is something different than dosdude1's gmux software then, right? Confusing me.

 

[MBAir2010]

Thanks each response.

Iv'e this morning ordered XP's 13" 11th gen i5 8gb ram 512 Ssd.
Hopefully arrive mid next week.
That's my latest WFH requirements almost solved.
Is there No usb 2/3 sockets, what Dongle do i need as I could use one or two devices using usb 2/3

Dell ships/includes a usb c to usb a chord with every laptop, or they used to
I have separate dongles including 2 macally usb_c-a and a usb_c to HDMI chords only
dell makes ports and hubs that are guaranteed to work to monitors while charging the notebook

 

[Herbert123]

This is something different than dosdude1's gmux software then, right? Confusing me.

Not sure - I am unfamiliar with that method. But yes, it is a different method (I checked just now).

 

[Aguymac]

I own last year's LG Gram 13 which I believe is not longer sold; instead, there is the 14", 15" and 17". Mine has a 16:9 screen and has a fairly large "chin" below the screen. I believe the newest models use a 16:10 and so fill the space much better.
Mine is 1920x1080, is powered by a Core i5-8265U (1.60GHz/1.80GHz "turbo mode"). If I am reading the manual correctly, there's a RAM slot (currently with a 4GB plus 4GB on the logic board) and a 256GB SSD in an M-2 NvME slot. Again, if I'm reading things correctly, there are actually two M.2 slots (one empty). One day I'll open it up and put in a 16GB RAM module (for 20GB total) and, if I really need one, another SSD or just replace the 256GB with something larger.

But I must say it runs quite nicely with Windows 10 and I've had virtually no issues since I bought it the middle of last year. It was $800 at Costco including a second year of warranty. I used my Costco VISA for the purchase and that gave me another two years of warranty.

It has USB-A 3.1 (two), USB-C (one), HDMI and, for some weird reason, a micro-SD card slot (as if any digital camera uses such a card??). In spite of that last stupid spec, I am quite happy with the machine and will probably buy another LG Gram in a few more years when my wife's MB Air decides to shuffle off its mortal coil.

I will say I fired Apple early last year when they refused to adequately support one of my clients even though her 3 month old iMac (with AppleCare!) died and they told her to drive 300 miles to an Apple Store to get it repaired (which would have required a hotel stay of at least a week). They refused to simply ship her a new Mac as a replacement or even pick up hers for repair.

I had a confirmation that my decision was wise when another client called me yesterday to upgrade the RAM on his two year old iMac Pro. I wouldn't touch it but recommended he bring it to the Apple Store where they have the qualified techs to get it done. I was shocked when he told me that Apple refused to upgrade the machine. You read that right: Apple told him to pound sand even though his machine was supported, not "vintage", not "obsolete. They sold him the iMac Pro and lied to his face when they told him it could be upgraded with larger RAM modules.

I'm really not surprised any more about Apple. People say it's not Steve's company any more but I disagree; it sells exactly the sort of product Steve dreamed of: No user serviceable parts inside. Buy a new one every three years. Everything is an iPhone, just in various sizes.

Thank you, man. I appreciate you sharing this feedback/experience.
LG gram, ok, I'll check it out.

 

[Aguymac]

There are several models which you can get that will feel like a massive upgrade (and hardly a downgrade especially if you are buying a new laptop after ten years).

But then some things are important to know. What is the screen size of your current 2011 MacBook Pro? Is it the 13-inch, the 15-inch or the 17-inch? And what you really like on your MacBook that you would feel a huge downgrade if you lost? The keyboard? The trackpad? The screen size? The feel of aluminum touching your hands?

The only reason I'm looking into a computer right now at all is because my mbp isn't working.

With that said.. It is a 15" mbp, late 2011, 8,2, A1286, 2.4ghz i7, with 16gb ram, and an ssd upgrade (that I hadn't been, but was soon going to use).

I want: a 15" screen (I'd maybe settle for something in the 14" range). A usable keyboard with well placed, "quality"(?) keys. A trackpad that works and performs as good as the one on the mbp, and has gestures like it. A quality screen. Decent resolution - no less than whatever my mbp is (1680x ...1050? I can't remember. I opted for the "high resolution" model when I bought it though).

It's the first and only laptop I've owned. I'm using an acer aspire right now (not mine) and it is the worst computer I've ever had to use in my entire life. It's a piece, of, garbage. I have to smash my fingers down into the keys; plastic-ey, flex-ey trash. Poorly spaced and arranged keys, crammed, always hitting caps lock by accident. The trackpad is absolute garbage as well, and the placement is stupid; one constantly touches it with their palm below their thumb and looses whole bits of text or performs some unintended action or other. The screen is one that makes the user feel as though it was designed to destroy their eye sight; pale, washed out, low resolution. The speakers; trash, they crackle and have weak volume.
That's just the user experience with the "ergonomics" or "hardware".
The performance. I don't even want to... it's the worst. Right click a file/folder on the desktop and it shows an hourglass and takes upwards of 30 seconds to show the right click menu. It's capable of nothing.
It's like a toy almost, one you'd let a toddler with applesauce and stuff all over them play with for fun.

So, that's how bad it can be - haha. Rant over.
So, while one reply mentioned that my usage needs are "utterly mundane", this acer cannot do half of them, and struggles to do the rest to the point you wan't to literally smash it.

I duno if that helps at all.
Thank you.

 

[Erehy Dobon]

That's funny, my Acer Swift 3 from last year works just fine. Maybe the system you are using has malware.

You're right that the Acer's trackpad sucks but I hate notebook trackpads in general. I always use a mouse with my notebook computer and I used Apple notebooks for eighteen years.

I will point out that the Acer Swift 3's keyboard is the exact same size as the MacBook Air 2019's keyboard (the system it replaced).

And the Swift doesn't have the butterfly keyboard (you know, the design Apple finally gave up on).

I will point out that the Swift 3 was about half the cost of the MBA 2019 it replaced.

So you don't like Acer. Fine. No one can please everyone all the time. (And not just in notebook computing...)

There are plenty of other suggestions in this thread. Dell XPS, Lenovo Thinkpad, Razer, etc.

Don't expect Apple-like hardware quality at a bargain basement price. That would simply result in crushing disappointment.

Best of luck.

 

[Donfor39]

@MtLoin2020

I wasn't sure what I needed, missed early order chance for usb dongle or hub.
Is usb C to A the one that will allow me to fit old school usb mouse etc.
I was tempted with a Dell wireless keyboard/mouse, though my preference has been a Smaller keyboard which I suspect I'll have to return to Employers.

I only have one Amazon basic 3 USB port dongle - Wireless headphones/Keyboand+Wired usb Mouse.
Not all latest tech though very reliable, Drained wireless mice/keyboards drive me mad whilst working.

Edited -Thunderbolt 4 please explain -Can I connect old school usb 2 or 3 direct to TB4.

Thanks

 

[MBAir2010]

Is usb C to A the one that will allow me to fit old school usb mouse etc?

yes, i use that for iPods, adaptors for photo cards etc.

 

[Donfor39]

Is usb C to A the one that will allow me to fit old school usb mouse etc?

yes, i use that for iPods, adaptors for photo cards etc.

Excellent thanks

 

[rumplestiltskin]

I noted the post regarding trackpads and thought I'd add a bit more to the conversation. I had an HP notebook last year but its trackpad (a Synaptics!) exhibited the dreaded "unexpected bounce" syndrome where a two finger swipe to scroll downward produced a downward scroll immediately followed by an upward scroll considerably beyond where I started. This is a known issue among many notebooks that use Microsoft's touchpad driver. HP could have requested a driver from Synaptics to fix this issue but apparently declined to do so, instead relying upon Microsoft's goofy driver. I never could get it fixed so, before the return period expired, I did return it to Costco and replaced it with the LG (also from Costco). The bounce issue isn't there in the LG; I suspect it's because it doesn't use a Synaptics touchpad (but can't be sure). The weird thing is that Synaptics provides all of Apple's touchpads because they have the best quality.

As Microsoft has no apparent intention to fix the "bounce", I strongly urge anyone considering a Windows notebook to either test the unit in the store (yeah; good luck with that during COVID) or verify that there's an adequate return window if buying online. I strongly suspect that if your notebook has a driver that comes from the touchpad manufacturer, it should be fine. Do understand, however, that if your notebook uses Microsoft's Touchpad Driver be default, installing the mfr's driver will probably only resolve things until the next boot as Windows will detect the wrong driver and overwrite it pretty quickly.

I will note that should your touchpad not support inertia (where a swipe ending off the surface doesn't continue the scrolling as it slows down), there are Windows Registry tweaks that work fine. I did that with the LG so scrolling emulates my old MacBook Pro. (Not everything Apple did was bad.)

 

[nearfield]

The only reason I'm looking into a computer right now at all is because my mbp isn't working.

With that said.. It is a 15" mbp, late 2011, 8,2, A1286, 2.4ghz i7, with 16gb ram, and an ssd upgrade (that I hadn't been, but was soon going to use).

I want: a 15" screen (I'd maybe settle for something in the 14" range). A usable keyboard with well placed, "quality"(?) keys. A trackpad that works and performs as good as the one on the mbp, and has gestures like it. A quality screen. Decent resolution - no less than whatever my mbp is (1680x ...1050? I can't remember. I opted for the "high resolution" model when I bought it though).

A while ago, in a different thread, I recommended the Lenovo T460p that I recently bought. It's a 14 inch FHD matte screen, quad core processor. Something like this

https://www.ebay.com/itm/Lenovo-Thi...654215?hash=item54934e9787:g:dJcAAOSwfOhf9hXt

It was a lot more expensive here in Germany. Even though it was refurbished, crystaldiskinfo showed that the SSD was not doing well, and I had to replace it, which is really easy to do with these laptops. The quad-core processor and the little 2GB graphics card work well for 2D CAD software, and even for games. The keyboard is great.

 

[pshufd]

If I needed a mobility Windows laptop, I'd go with the LG Gram 17. You can add RAM, add an SSD and it has a QHD display, and great battery life. The CPU is not that strong though.

If I needed workstation class without spending an arm and a leg - I'd look at AMD laptops. I have not looked at these yet but the ability to get a 5900H is impressive for a laptop.