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I have been reading and researching for a while. I was thinking tablet (Ipad air 2) for a while. Then thought about going with the Surface 3, not the pro. But now I'm back to a laptop. As for the money I'm getting a MUCH more powerful machine dollar for dollar. I also prefer AMD chip sets as my last two desk tops have been AMD and have been bulletproof. I was wondering if anyone had any specific recommendations? Here are a couple that I'm really looking into.

 

http://www.samsclub.com/sams/hp-15-6-touch-nb-amd-a8-6410/prod14220201.ip?navAction=push

 

http://www.samsclub.com/sams/dell-insp-15-amd-amd-a10-7300/prod15630227.ip?navAction=push

 

http://www.bjs.com/hp-pavilion-15-p030nr-beats-special-edition-laptop-17ghz-amd-quad-core-a8-5545m-processor.product.283989

 

And on sale http://www.staples.com/Toshiba-C75D-B7360-AMD-A8-6GB-RAM-750GB-SATA-hard-drive-Windows/product_1389313

 

Thanks for your input.

2015 Ram 3500 RC DRW CTD AISIN 410 rear

2016 Mobile Suites 38RSB3

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Only you can determine which form factor works best for you. However, I would like to pass along my opinion on CPU's. While AMD makes some fine chips for the desktop, their mobile line seems to be either WAY under-powered or run hotter than blazes. In a laptop with limited cooling options, this leads to shorter battery life and / or overheating laptop. Intel chips may cost more, but I believe the extra expense is worth it in a portable device.

 

Safe Travels...

Roger, K4RS and Toni, K1TS
Amateur Radio Operators - Motorcycle Riders (Harley Davidson Tri-Glide Ultra)

Fulltime from 2003-2016 - Now longtime RVers

On the road, living the dream...
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I agree with Roger. For portable the Intel chipsets are the way to go. Again, JMO.

 

I like my T100 Asus. The new T200 is worth a look if you can tolerate the small (11") screen. It is not a development machine, though. If doing lots of production work you will want at LEAST a 13" display, and more likely a 15" or better.

Jack & Danielle Mayer #60376 Lifetime Member
Living on the road since 2000

PLEASE no PM's. Email me. jackdanmayer AT gmail
2016 DRV Houston 44' 5er (we still have it)
2022 New Horizons 43' 5er
2016 Itasca 27N 28' motorhome 
2019 Volvo 860, D13 455/1850, 236" wb, I-Shift, battery-based APU
No truck at the moment - we use one of our demo units
2016 smart Passion, piggyback on the truck
-------------------------------------------------------------------------
See our website for info on New Horizons 5th wheels, HDTs as tow vehicles, communications on the road, and use of solar power
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I too prefer the "i" series Intel chips in laptops, the Intel system integrates the CPU, graphics and WiFi systems exceptionally well. If I was looking at using wired Ethernet a lot I'd even look for Intel Ethernet chips, the gold standard for heavy use.

 

If you really need high speed graphics for 3D gaming or CAD work then looking for an NVIDIA graphics subsystem is a good idea but you will pay a price, heat and battery life penalty. AMD does graphics chips too but I haven't paid attention to them in years.

 

I try to avoid Broadcom and Realtek (my spelling is iffy) chips due to many frustrations over the years.

 

 

A lot of Linux folks are buying Apple and wiping the system before loading Linux, that really isn't a bad option (aside from the cost) for a Windows system either.

 

I rarely buy new these days, NewEgg has some really great deals on refurbished laptops if you sign up for their e-mails, the ones you'll find on their website aren't bad but the e-mail offers are the best deals and usually sell out fast. Got a Lenovo Thinkpad 410 for a really good price a while back so I replaced my ancient HP Nx5000.

First rule of computer consulting:

Sell a customer a Linux computer and you'll eat for a day.

Sell a customer a Windows computer and you'll eat for a lifetime.

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Rynosback,

What is it for? Gamer? Work? MS Office only? Video production? consumption? The ASUS T200 I have is a nice 11.6" laptop when connected to the dock, and a nice tablet 11.6" screen when undocked. They also have a SSD or HD port in the base so you can plug in 1 TB storage there in addition to the 64GB mine has. Mine also has a 120GB SSD there so it is still shockproof in use. 1 ea. Full size USB 3 and USB 2, as well as a real Ethernet port and 4GB of RAM.

 

But as said your choice of form factor lends itself to a hybrid as you wanted a tablet then opted for laptop. I no longer for much of anything demanding and I could use it for my main desktop with my powered hub and my stand that brings my tablets to eye level. But I like 27" screens.

 

I am not anti laptop, but use desktops and tablets and Windows 8.1 soon 10 phones now with all accessing the same One drive for storage and viewing.

RV/Derek
http://www.rvroadie.com Email on the bottom of my website page.
Retired AF 1971-1998


When you see a worthy man, endeavor to emulate him. When you see an unworthy man, look inside yourself. - Confucius

 

“Those who can make you believe absurdities, can make you commit atrocities.” ... Voltaire

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Rynosback,

What is it for? Gamer? Work? MS Office only? Video production? consumption? The ASUS T200 I have is a nice 11.6" laptop when connected to the dock, and a nice tablet 11.6" screen when undocked. They also have a SSD or HD port in the base so you can plug in 1 TB storage there in addition to the 64GB mine has. Mine also has a 120GB SSD there so it is still shockproof in use. 1 ea. Full size USB 3 and USB 2, as well as a real Ethernet port and 4GB of RAM.

 

But as said your choice of form factor lends itself to a hybrid as you wanted a tablet then opted for laptop. I no longer for much of anything demanding and I could use it for my main desktop with my powered hub and my stand that brings my tablets to eye level. But I like 27" screens.

 

I am not anti laptop, but use desktops and tablets and Windows 8.1 soon 10 phones now with all accessing the same One drive for storage and viewing.

I have had my Compaq AMD desk top for 7 plus years with no issues at all. Selling the house and going to full time. We use for personal use and surf the net, forums, Facebook (wife) and email. We photo edit, no video at this time, but who knows if that will change. Not sure what you mean by consumption.? I would like a larger screen so my wife can see it better. Her eyes are not the best, had to push a couple of her cheaters away to type this..LOL. I have an external 1 TB HD now. I keep really going between an Ipad air 2 and a lap top. As I get so much more power and memory for the $$. And i keep my technology for a while. I would rather have to much system so that I have room to expand if need be. I have been reading and researching a TON as I more then likely will be doing something with in a couple of weeks. The house might be under contract soon and the trailer will be ready next week for us to pick up.

Thanks for any advice or incite. I'm just not that tech savy.

 

I liked the idea of windows 10. Looks VERY cool. I know with a surface 3 I can update to windows 10 when it comes out. I think a person at HP said that I could upgrade to 10 when it comes out at N/C also. Sorry if it seems like I'm jumping around, but I have looked at MANY different options.

2015 Ram 3500 RC DRW CTD AISIN 410 rear

2016 Mobile Suites 38RSB3

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Just so you know, any new Windows computer you buy can be upgraded to W10 for free.....

Jack & Danielle Mayer #60376 Lifetime Member
Living on the road since 2000

PLEASE no PM's. Email me. jackdanmayer AT gmail
2016 DRV Houston 44' 5er (we still have it)
2022 New Horizons 43' 5er
2016 Itasca 27N 28' motorhome 
2019 Volvo 860, D13 455/1850, 236" wb, I-Shift, battery-based APU
No truck at the moment - we use one of our demo units
2016 smart Passion, piggyback on the truck
-------------------------------------------------------------------------
See our website for info on New Horizons 5th wheels, HDTs as tow vehicles, communications on the road, and use of solar power
www.jackdanmayer.com
Principal in RVH Lifestyles. RVH-Lifestyles.com

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These are on sale today and hard to beat

The first two are transformer 2 in 1 that give you a touch screen and all of Windows apps and desktop in the new 10. They are still good laptops as well as tent or tablets when desired. These are not light as tablets but very good as laptops. The last one is an Acer for under $339.00 it is hard to beat. Read the two reviews, one an idiot the other a regular user.

 

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16834232130

 

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16834232188

 

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16834314822&leaderboard=1

 

I have not personally used any of these but have used both brands and own an ASUS now. I got rid of all my laptops and we use an 11.6" ASUS T200 hybrid tablet/laptop, and a 10.8" Venue 11 Pro tablet, both of which we are happy with. And for heavy use we have three desktops, but I will be selling my Lenovo i5 With 8 GBs of RAM soon, as I do not need a backup desktop anymore. I too like Intel over AMD, despite my loving AMD chipsets all through the 90's as they were faster than Intel's then with extra features. But they all ran hot then. Intel would come out with a processor and AMD would beat it by a small margin in speed and features and be less expensive by far then..

 

They give you great value but are my bias' showing for touch and low price. Your selections up front could do well if you cross check them on Amazon.com for their reviews and price. I have stopped recommending touch on laptops and Desktops unless they come apart to be a tablet without the keyboard, or like the Two ASUS' or the Lenovo Yoga Pros here if you want the high end processors and a convertible 14" http://shop.lenovo.com/us/en/laptops/lenovo/yoga-laptop-series/?menu-id=lenovo_yoga

RV/Derek
http://www.rvroadie.com Email on the bottom of my website page.
Retired AF 1971-1998


When you see a worthy man, endeavor to emulate him. When you see an unworthy man, look inside yourself. - Confucius

 

“Those who can make you believe absurdities, can make you commit atrocities.” ... Voltaire

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Continuing about AMD vs Inter.

Currently the release of Windows 10 for testing has a problem with the AMD chip. MS has suggested those testers with that chip do update date with the latest release.

I only point this out as I have had problems some years ago with the same type of thing, meaning the chips are not exactly the same.

I am sure this will be fixed sometime before the summer real release.

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