A Saga Of Ordering A Laptop
Buying a new laptop is, for me, right up there with going to the dentist. (And as you know, I tend to get shingles when I have dental work.)
By the way, I’m feeling even better today. Still having problems eating food. But not so achy and tired.
Anyway…
For about a week I have been looking online at laptops. I don’t know how long I’m going to be able to keep a conduction on the charge for this computer.
So here’s my experience today.
My friend Melanie, a fellow blogger, emailed that I should buy a solid state drive. How is it I’d never heard of that?
So I got to googling laptops with solid state drive. And what exactly that was. (If you want to know, I’ll let you google it yourself and not go into foreign computer language.)
I first called Dell.com. Now you may recall that last time I purchased a laptop, I had a terrible experience attempting to purchase a laptop from Dell.
But the idea of actually talking to a person appealed to me. So I gave it a try once again.
Another terrible experience.
I got someone from the Philippines. I asked to be connected to someone who spoke better English. And this was the response:
“Thank you for calling Dell. Goodbye.”
I quickly repeated that I’d just like to talk to someone in the US.
He repeated: “Thank you for calling Dell. Goodbye.”
And he hung up on me.
Okay, Dell was out.
I checked out many websites and review sites. I checked out Amazon.com quite a few times.
My mind was abuzz with computer jargon that I didn’t understand. And the more I read, the more confused I got.
I looked online at Best Buy. Then attempted to call them. I sat waiting for a person until finally I heard a dial tone. I’d been hung up on again.
Last time I went to Best Buy to look at computers two years ago, there were only two laptops in the store that were not touch screen.
So I didn’t want to drive over there when I have shingles only to find that they might not have laptops that aren’t touch screen.
Can’t get a person on the phone. Okay, Best Buy was out.
Last computer I bought I was this Toshiba from Staples. It was under $500. But here you see me having to get another one in less than two years, so I decided Toshiba was out.
I’m online a lot, so I need a computer that can work a heavy duty day.
So I was looking online, going from site to site, and I landed on the Lenovo laptop. I knew next to nothing about them.
I went to their site, and I actually saw a phone number. I wondered: Could this actually be a “you can talk to a real person” phone number?
So I called it. I got a very nice woman who listened to all my concerns.
I told her I wanted at least 15 inches.
I wanted the solid state drive Melanie encouraged me to order that I kinda sorta understood.
I wanted a back-lit laptop so I could work without a light. (It gets hot in here. The windows are thin and insulation is practically non-existent.)
No touch screen.
Very fast.
Good graphics, as color is important to me.
Little to no bloatware.
Lots of memory for my photos.
I asked her to find the best computer for me at a decent price, because I was just flat tired of dealing with this right now.
Here is what I ended up ordering: A Lenovo Ideapad 700.
It was on sale, $420.99 off the regular price of $1149.99. So it was $729.
Tax brought it to $791. Shipping is free. It will ship today and behere in about 3 business days.
Oh, thank goodness that is over…
Here are the specs:
● Processor: 6th Generation Intel® Core™ i7-6700HQ Processor (2.60GHz 6MB) |
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● Operating System: Windows 10 Home 64 |
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● Display Type: 15.6″ FHD IPS AntiGlare (1920×1080) with integrated camera |
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● Memory: 8.0GB DDR4 2133 MHz |
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● Hard Drive: 1TB 5400 RPM+128GB PCIe SSD |
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● Optical Drive: External DVD Recordable |
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● Warranty: One year |
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● Graphics: NVIDIA GeForce GTX950 4GB |
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● Battery: 3 Cell 45 Watt Hour Li-Polymer |
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● Bluetooth: Bluetooth Version 4.0 |
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● Keyboard: Backlit English Keyboard |
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● Wireless: Intel Dual Band Wireless-AC 3165 |
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Brenda I'm happy to hear that you are doing better. I am going to need to buy one too in a few months. I like all your specs there is only one I don't understand. What is bloatware? Is that like when they fill the computer up with non-essentials?
I don't love my Toshiba either….I had one years ago that was much better. Glad you're feeling better, look forward to finding out what you think of the new computer!
I've never heard of Lenovo. Sounds like you found what you wanted, though so that's great. I am so intolerant of having to research stuff before I buy it. I envy your ability to stick to it until you're satisfied.
So glad you are progressing with the healing. How is Abi doing? Are you still having to get up so much at night with her?
Still sending healing energy and love energy. Keep thinking positively, that will help, too.
Have fun with your new computer!
I know you have a very difficult time getting around, Brenda, but my experience with Best Buy, as in going to the store personally, was the best I could ask for. There were so many models and brands it could have taken me days to choose something. My salesperson was super informative. I'm a very happy owner of a laptop that hasn't given me a problem in three years.
Again…I know you are not feeling up to par but it's my belief that if we want serious help, get out there in person. As much as I love shopping online, it can be very frustrating, especially with something as involved a computer. That said, I'm HAPPY for you!!! One less problem, right?!
Jane x
My son-in-law works in IT for Johnson & Johnson and he loves Lenovo and recommends the solid state drive. Good work, Brenda. I agree that researching and buying a computer is really hard.
My son got me a Lenovo PC about 3 years ago and it's great! Not one problem with it ever! I love it.
My oldest son has had a Lenovo for years. He seems to like them. He always goes back when he needs replacement. Gladyou feel better.
Sounds like the laptop will be just the perfect one for your needs. Good Luck.
I've had a Lenovo before and it is a VERY good computer. Glad you found one that suited your needs. My friend who is always on his computer uses a Lenovo and says it's the best. Glad you are feeling better today also.
Thank you for all the good information (and for doing all the research work for us). Glad you are feeling better today too.
I have a Lenovo and I love it. Best computer out there
Good luck on this laptop and finding a real person to talk to! That is so rare these days! I happen to have a Toshiba 17" laptop that I've had for TEN years! Yes 10 years. It came with Windows Vista way back then and didn't like it and eventually got Windows 7 on it which I still love. I've had it upgraded 2 times only, to more HD space and more RAM but still only have 1 GB of ram so things run slowly… and only have 2 GB of physical storage and I too have TONS of photos. I've been so happy with this laptop with the larger screen. One of these days I would like one that is faster and has more memory, etc. but am dreading that day, as I too need to TALK to someone, not just order online. Let us know how you like this one. My sister has a Lenovo desktop touch screen which I kind of like, but it seems really really slow for being a new computer! I find on my laptop, now that it has some popups and maybe even a virus that has lived here forever, that I can only use Opera as my operating system. It won't work at all with Chrome, Firefox or Internet Explorer. Anyway…. am glad you found what sounds really good for you and let us know how you like it! Marilyn
Thanks for sharing this info… I have an older Dell which I like but it is slowly dying and I'm going to have to get a new one soon. Your research is very helpful and like you talking to a real live person who speaks English I can understand is a real bonus.
Sounds great, Brenda. I hate buying stuff like this without a person to speak to also. I finally moved over to Mac a few years ago (something I said I would never do) and I have been super happy ever since. I wish you the same with your new laptop!! And glad you're feeling better!
Will you have to install anything or just turn on and go?
So far, it sounds like a good deal. Don't know that much about laptops.
Yipee….., so glad you got a new computer on the way. What a koo…..to talk to a real person. Glad your feeling a little better. ♥
I'm glad I told you about the SSD! I'm also glad that you got a laptop with 8GB of memory…that was one thing I forgot to tell you in my email. A lot of them still have 4GB, which is not enough. Hope you have good luck with Lenovo – that is one brand I don't have any experience with.
So sorry to hear about your laptop woes. I understand fully about the Philippine thing – I used to be a warranty repair technician for Dell and had to put up with the very same thing – yes, Dell's Help Desk for technicians was in the Philippines too! I wasn't impressed with Toshiba's laptops years ago; maybe they have gotten better since you bought yours. The Lenovo sounds like a really nice machine. I have enjoyed IBM's in the past and Lenovo is the company that was actually manufacturing the IBM laptops in the recent past. Should you have any problems with this laptop, do let us in on them. Always make back-up DVDs of your photos from your laptop. If that SSD fails, there is no way to retrieve anything from it. POOF! it will be gone.