Research on New Laptop

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beck3906

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I'm research laptops to replace a 12 inch model I've used for years. Need to get a bigger screen, looking at a 15 inch. A 17 inch is too big as I have one from the office and it's too bulky to travel with.

In talking to a Best Buy salesperson yesterday, I asked why a 15 inch model didn't have a 10-key pad on the model. She said the major laptop builders were moving away from having a 10-key area on the keyboard.

Has anyone heard this and can verify this? I may have to rethink getting one of the latest models and getting an older one if I feel the 10-key pad is a necessity.

Thanks for all input.
 
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I just bought a new 15" HP 10 key pad included. Shopped Best Buy and found them to be too rich for my blood. Ended up at one of the big box office supply stores and found a middle of the road laptop at the price I was willing to pay. Be sure whatever you buy has the ports you need. To cut costs some manufacturers are changing the port configurations.
 
beck3906 said:
She said the major laptop builders were moving away from having a 10-key area on the keyboard.
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Click to expand...

I don't rate Best Buy salespersons high on the credibility scale. All they know about is selling extended service warranties.

It seems to me that there is a significant segment of the computer market that is interested in doing things other than web surfing, Facebook, Twitter and Instagram. A key pad is essential for those whose work is numerically intensive.

That said, I suspect that outfits like BestBuy target users who are mainly interested in social media applications. I know that before I retired, my employer sourced computers directly from the manufacturers rather than through retailers, and was able to get the technical features that we needed to use those computers in actual work.

I've bought computers through two retailers (BestBuy and Staples), and had far better experience with Staples. But I've also bought computers directly from the manufacturer (Dell and Gateway). The different is that when you buy direct, the machine you buy is built to your specifications and isn't just the standard model stocked by the retailer.
 
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Big question is, what is your price point? You can go cheap and get cheap (under $500) or a bit better (over $500)

What do you want to do with it? That will determine what you get and how much you will need to budget.
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I am no techie expert, nor am I a gamer.
After buying $2,500-plus laptops and having most crap-out due to some component that requires me to buy a new motherboard (which I won't do). I now spend less than $750. I buy anything from Dell to Acer to Asus as long as it is under $750. I buy it at Costco because they double the warranty and I like their concierge service. I expect to discard after two years.

This is not my advice; it is just what I do after having no better experience with the higher-end devices. Maybe, it is just me.
 
Haven't bought many laptops as I just don't have a need for one. I use a 10" tablet and desktop. I tend to deal with Tiger direct. Reasonably fast delivery and decent prices.
 
I like being able to configure my own machine from MB brand to hard drives and memory so I buy from online places like cyber power. Have configured and owned two of their desktop models over the past decade with no problems plus reasonable prices. They offer configurable laptops as well.
 
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I'm a computer consultant by trade, and I wouldn't buy a computer from best buy because if you have any problems you are stuck with the Geek Squad for support. My experience with Geek Squad has been abysmal! If you want to see some horror stories just google geek squad complaints.
 
Take a look at US Micro - you can pickup some refurbs at awesome prices. I've had better luck with Dell refurbs from then then I have had with brand new HP of a similar setup. You can tack on an extended warranty for a bit more and still be way under what a new PC/Laptop will cost..
 
Thanks for all of the thoughts and suggestions. My real question is whether or not manufacturers are taking the 10-key pad off the design.

The company I work for is a HP value added reseller so I can go thru them to get access to certain products. We also get a list of over-stock and recertified machines from a separate distributor. I saw the list yesterday and there were several products with good prices but I was holding off until I could determine the validity of the 10-key question.

I use this laptop for work and home use so I need something that can survive frequent travelling. I'm wiling to pay a bit more so I can get something durable.
 
My 15.5" samsung has the keypad. There is plenty of room for it on a 15.5" design. The older square screen 14" didn't have room for it, but the newer "landscape" type laptops have plenty of room for it with a standard keyboard.

I've had quite a few problems with HP laptops lately. You might want to stick with Dell, Samsung, Acer. Asus. Lenovo. The video cable in the hinge of the lid on HPs have failed on several of my client's laptops. and they had to send it back to HP for warranty repair....and a LONG time to get it back. If you have a Frys Electronics anywhere near, they have good prices and they will give you a loaner if you have to take your system in for service while it is under warranty.
 
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There are numerical keypads that work the same as a laptop mouse with a cord or I suppose Bluetooth now. Perhaps a way to use any laptop you like.
 
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