Need New Gaming Laptop (not so much for games):

[MNK99]

Hey all.

I hope everyone is doing well. I need a nice laptop that has a backlit keyboard, a pretty good graphics card (ND8500 or whatever? I forget). I figure if it's good enough to run the latest games, it will be good for my purposes. I intend to use it for Investing/Trading, Writing, Professional school (1y + from now). It would be great if it's light.. I have a Macbook air, but I am kind of working 16 -18hrs a day sometimes (Self-employed, learning a lot). I'd like to connect 2 monitors and maybe 4 later (may not be needed).

-For now I'd use for my own work, 2-4mo at a job, 6-12mo maybe at school and trading also.

I know that desktops are more cost-efficient, but I haven't had a desktop in so long, I prefer laptops.

I was thinking of getting 1 of these 4 brands: Acer, Lenovo, Dell, or MSI.
-There's Acer Predator, it doesn't look very professional though (it looks cool, but I keep things private - it's bright red and black).
-There's Dell XPS, MSI I think may be best bang for the buck. I don't know, I think Lenovo is good.
-I only ever had an HP, and all my other laptops were tablet PC's (I was an early adopter / nerd).

Anyways, let me know if any of you are into that stuff, maybe gamers know. I need it to last 2 years or maybe even 3. I'm sure with proper care it will last a long time.
-I sometimes have 30-40 tabs open and my 2015 mac air slows to a crawl and gets warm.
-Proper cooling fans, silent-ish running, small 13-15inches ideally, good ram, decent storage (250gb or 500gb or more)...
-Can I get this in a nice form factor for $1800 or $2000 CAD? (like $1560 USD)? 1400 CAD? I'll either get it in store or on Amazon.com.

-Also* How do I make it into a Hackintosh? Just for Mac OSX form factor and security (hard to hack, less viruses), but also have Windows functionality/power?
-I'm thinking:
-My mac air is like 2.3lb, can I get something that is 3lb or 4lb... and not 8lb? Also initially my MacBook Air had like 24hrs of battery life, I'm guessing that is not going to happen with these types of computers.

-Maybe Acer Helios, or Maybe Razor Blade... Amazon is probably cheaper. If there's an issue with a laptop purchased on amazon or if it needs warranty repair, I just send it back to them or drive to the shipping centre?

Are any of these a good deal?
Laptops / Notebooks at Memory Express - Memory Express Inc.

https://www.amazon.ca/Razer-Blade-U...pID=31vyQTirHdL&preST=_SX300_QL70_&dpSrc=srch
Damn that's expensive!!

American one much cheaper: https://www.amazon.com/Razer-Touchs...F8&qid=1526051452&sr=1-2&keywords=razer+blade

Can I just get a mac (so light and easy!), no real problems besides battery now and also: processing power/graphics card (soldered in, can't change it)?
-How annoying will it be to get the dual OS on there. My friend did this, but he's in Asia. I don't want to read a ton of tutorials... ain't got time for that.
-I used to fix up androids, it was exhausting to me.
-WIndows 8 is good? And windows 10 sucks? WIndows 7 had issues rite? WIndows XP forever!! I hate computers so much.

 

[joekool]

if you have a MAC and get VirtualBox for free, you can load any OS in a virtual box... so you have MAC running alongside of Windows 10 (or whatever ISO you have) and switch back and forth... the MacBook Pro has 8 cores and 8GB of RAM (or 16GB) so you divi up some cores to the Virtual Box (depending on what you're planning to run, this can be adjusted each time) Say you're going to run a game in the windows virtual box, you can give it 6 of the 8 cores and most of the RAM... the Mac OS will crawl but the virtual box running windows will be smooth for the game

I have linux in virtual boxes on my MAC too... I power them off and on as needed... I would say the quality of Mac remains tops compared to the other brands like Dell or Acer... they have their place for cheapie.. like sub $1000 laptops that you EXPECT to only get 2 years out of and then give away... but a MAC just tends to last longer and more reliable... tho I have the same hotness you notice when I push my Mac with a lot of tabs... but I honestly don't think Windows outperforms it... I wouldn't tell my friend to spend $2k+ on a Dell or Acer...

Lastly, check into Linux preloaded... you might find a nice sized machine with the raw power and none of the windows bloat

 

[barbaar]

If you're not going to game or run any gpu compute stuff (cuda/opencl etc.) a high end business laptop like the Dell XPS would be an awesome choice. If I could afford/justify it myself I'd get a XPS 15 9560. It has a gtx1050, so plenty of GPU horsepower as well.

 

[MNK99]

Hmm... I will consider that. I know the Powerbooks are better for heavy use than the Mac Airs.
Also, I saw some computers on Memory Express that said "No OS"... so people are supposed to put whatever OS they want on there?

Damn, this looks to be a process. I was going to wait till I have more money, bc I anticipate things going wrong. Never has on Mac so much, used to all the time on Windows (desktops, tablet PC's -- but they weren't ready then).

Is linux easy to use? It would work with all exchanges/ platforms (for trading)? Probably... those are websites and applications. Was vanilla android built off Linux?

@barbaar that's possibly a very good choice... Also, yes gtx1050, that's what I was trying to say.
@joekool, I do agree they seem more reliable. Fixing my battery, this computer would be fine for more school and most office work.
-I tended to overpower the Mac Air sometimes in university (exams, assignments, editing), but literally several times a day everyday with trading.

Basically I want to generate charts and look at things, have setups like tradingview.com (that site kind of sucks, and everyone should learn their own technical analysis, but just as an example).
-also yeah I don't know why I said 2-3 yrs, I mean it should last like 4-5 yrs, some use them 7-10 yrs even. I tend to break things tho... Seldom ever broke newer androids, and never macs.

 

[barbaar]

+1 for Linux. I've been running it as my main OS for years now and only switch over to windows when I absolutely have to (most games, Photoshop etc.)

My 5 year old Lenovo is faster than the day I bought it. After I put in an SSD and nuked windows

Android is built on top of the Linux kernel, but other than that it's pretty different from desktop OS's running on the same afaik.

 

[supernature]

-WIndows 8 is good? And windows 10 sucks? WIndows 7 had issues rite? WIndows XP forever!! I hate computers so much.

...

 

[Walker]

I use a MacBook Pro 15" new model at home, for work I run an Origin EON17-SLX. I love my MacBook pro because it is so portable and does everything I need it for sans Memory Analysis. The Origin is a bad ass computer (64 gb RAM, dual NVIDIA GTX 1080 8GB graphics cards) but the only time it uses a good chunk of the 64GB ram is running memory analysis programs. Most of my team (penetration testing, incident response and malware analysis) uses MacBook pros at home, FWIW. Obviously with either you can run your VMs, I prefer the VMware platform, and then run my RHEL, Ubuntu, Kali boxes on there and then have the nice crisp Mac platform for my other computing.

 

[MNK99]

Thanks everyone for your responses.

Nice. Yeah that's what I'm saying, mac has to be good enough. A lot of film-makers, tech guys, etc use them. My uncle had a company that sued rimm, was bought out by alcatel.... AND I'm pretty certain they used iphones and Macs (once they sued and countersued rimm). SO, he's in an actual tech company where ppl rely on it, same with you @Walker, so it has to be good enough. But aren't mac pro's also like 2500-3000? I guess my mac air was like 2200-2500 plus ram and stuff, minus like 600-700 student discount (university, not from Apple's discount (that discount sucks)). -Oh I see, 1149-1800 CAD or so... So that may be possible. Honestly, feel nervous buying windows after like 4-5 computers broke in childhood to 20's. My mac still works and I take care of it, and actually like it.

It's like paper notebooks, the notebooks you don't care about... you won't use. The ones you like, that keep you engaged, you will actually bring to lectures.

Yeah I am leaning towards MAC, if I make more money, I'll get a desktop as well maybe (maybe... not if I have 400-500 sqr feet and am paying 2500 a month or 4k in NY)....
-Probably not... could use that money for clothes or gaming stuff... or food or whatever.
-Anyways, if it works for actual Tech companies, and I'm a sole proprietor/Solo Entrepreneur... then it should be fine for me.
-Besides I had Surface Pro 3, got a deal... And sold it like 2 weeks later.... It's actually pretty annoying ADHD wise to have extra gadgets (time wasting).
-All these should far out perform Surface Pro's I think. There's the surface book.... which looks pretty cool, but I'll always have Android phones anyways for the time being
-runs better than all my previous laptops and also better than the mac in someways, but obviously has different uses. It's smooth.

 

[snowball]

I have Mac book and a high end desktop.IMO you can go with this combination as well.

 

[joekool]

@MNK99 you mention structure... which I'm big on as well... 'Routine makes my life possible'... it's why bodybuilding (no I'm not huge, but ppl notice) appeals to me... you eat at a certain time, workout at a certain time, sleep at a certain time... everyday...

Watch the movie 'Memento' if you have a chance... I think you'll like it

#threadhijack

lol !!! ttys

 

[MNK99]

I might just buy a typewriter, screw it.
And a fax machine.

 

[MNK99]

Lenovo x1 carbon pretty good.
Supposedly bad timing to buy a Mac, may wait till 2018 ones come out or save for desktops.

And hackintosh is better on desktops to avoid broken components, firmware, etc. I think. Maybe a 2015 pro retina for cheap. Probably not that much more helpful than my 13in MBA. Though if I then get a third Mac, I can use one as a burner laptop.

 

[MNK99]

No gaming laptop, not in the budget.
Mac is overpriced (Business insider says "worst time ever to buy a mac").
I don't know.
Whatever, I have a Lenovo Carbon X1 (or whatever it's called) arriving with 16gram. That and replacing my Mac Air 2015 battery, should be pretty damn good for longevity.
Thank you ev1, I'll definitely keep virtual os in mind in the future and some of the other stuff mentioned. I think Lenovo is pretty good for business. And probably way more than enough for like law or business school or whatever the future holds (kind of scary thinking about all the stuff I want to do and am doing rite now).

 

[barbaar]

Heyo, I hope everyone's making great progress in their fights against PFS, PSSD, and PAS (and other illnesses).
I just got the Lenovo X1 Carbon (2018, 6th gen).
How do I do a clean install?
-Should I dual boot WIN 10 and Linux?
-Linux alone may not allow some components to work?
-I just want to get rid of any Lenovo and or Intel bloatware, and have it run efficiently.
-All except *HDR* screen is maxxed out, I think.
-It's pretty cool, but I don't want to use it much, until I get some stuff sorted out. I will be writing some tests soon maybe, maybe not... if registration is closed/ not sure.
-It's definitely pretty fast, thin, and light. I like it. -windows is decent nowadays.... I think it's much better built than the Surface Pro 3 I had for a couple of weeks/ 2 yrs ago.
-I got an inexpensive case (small portfolio/folder) to place it into my laptop bag. I am clumsy.... I wonder if there's a "skin" that I can get so that with that and the sleeve, it's safe and sound. -Saved like 600 dollars too, which is nice.

-Update: 12.29am, EST.:
Re: Just do this?
*taken from some woman online, I've done such things with android, reinstalled windows a ton of times, but not recently.
-So I need 1 Blank USB, i.e. 8gb or 16gb? -- ISO should be on there or on HDD of computer? - A windows startup disk?
-How do you get into recovery? Hold power button, reset... press F4 or something?
1. Download and Install Software to Create Bootable USB Drives (Rufus https://rufus.akeo.ie/)
2. Download Desired Linux ISO
3. Create Bootable Linux USB Drive Using Rufus
4. Test Linux Distro on Your Device in Live Mode
5. Shrink Windows Partition to Create Space for Linux Installation
6. Install Linux
7. Boot into Linux
8. Boot into Windows
9. DONE. Enjoy your new dual boot laptop.

Looks about right

If you want a clean windows install do that first, windows likes to mess with your bootloader on installation (makes your Linux boot option disappear) and it's a hassle to fix. You should be able to download a Windows iso directly from Microsoft and use their USB tool to create a bootable USB much like you would for Linux.

 

[MNK99]

Tool on ms site says "requires elevation" but extracts then doesn't work.

Anyways..........

I think the newest Microsoft Windows + a good Linux should be iighiite.

Unless there's some other vanilla MS Windows option, and way to put it on there.

I got Linux 19 Mate version or something a couple hrs ago. I'll try putting that on there.

-UPDATE: - 7am EST:
-Alright. I had clean windows install, I said screw it... locked bootloader to USB HDD drive only. Installed Linux Mint 19 (Mate), deleted windows.
-I'm sure learning how to use GRUB etc is doable, but I don't have time for all this.
-I will go to this shop Memory Express, get them to reduce the partion on this now, Linux-System. AND load up windows 10 too.
-THEN I have ease of use in Windows and light gaming (not a gaming laptop), ease of use for office work etc. AND I have Linux too for customization, no viruses, etc.
-I wish there was just a click and install. It looks good, nice and clean. My original windows was fine, but I got into this whole clean install thing. Probably should have found out
how to "shrink" the partition first.
-Hopefully I can just pay the guy 30 bucks or something, to do it up. Secure and reliable for school, work, and my entrepreneurial endeavors.
-Falling asleep.

 

[barbaar]

Tried the tool didn't work.
Apparently have a usb start disk for Windows ten probably when I was messing with the surface 3.

And I have made the Linux disk.

Since I couldn't use the online tool, and couldn't load from usb... For the Windows clean install (doing that first),

I did something else...
-click here for clean install, etc.. did that.
Now it looks like crap. Probably old win 10.

Fucking windows!

Anyways maybe now tool will work...

Or I just install Linux only (ruining some components), use it for upcoming exams and trading, and or fix later to have both.

-Probably it's relatively clean I think I can
Just delete whatever games and most bs on there.

- @barbaar
-1. I hate computers.
-2. This computer takes a sim card.
-is this to run the internet off your data, i.e. your phone wireless plan?
-can you also call from there... Call from your computer, using the sim, and bypass service charges (I guess calls are already paid monthly anyways).

--I don't know I thought maybe that I could do the latter. Thinking about it, that doesn't make sense. I think it's mostly for the internet.
--there's discord and Tele anyways.

Did you try this tool? Windows USB/DVD Download Tool - Microsoft Store

With an iso from here? Download Windows 10

If it's important to have a working laptop it might be a better idea not to mess with linux just yet unless you have time to fix things, there's a bit of a learning curve. You can always use virtualbox or something to run linux in a VM on top of your windows install, see if you like it, and if you do you can always still do dual boot later.

NVM I can't read, you have linux mint running now? That's a solid choice, I think you'll like it.

 

[Walker]

Use Win 10 and run VMs for your Linux boxes. This is the best way for an off the street guy to run his "enterprise". Unless you're a *nix guru, running Linux as your main platform is just overkill, IMO. If you're not a developer, security/operations professional using the client as a designated platform (pen test, vuln management server, etc) or just an absolute Linux beast, I don't honestly see the point.

 

[barbaar]

I agree running it as your main platform without first trying it out for a while, either dual boot or VM (preferably vm, less chance of breaking other things), might not be the way to go. Especially if you don't like tinkering and maybe fixing things once in a while. There's pretty much a 99.99% chance you'll need to use a terminal (command line shiz) at some point, and that's not something most people are willing to spend time on.

What's the reason you want to run linux? I think there's something to be said for getting away from windows 10, but I might be a little biased lol. And I still use win10 for gaming and photoshop / video editing.

 

[MNK99]

@Walker, I am definitely not a linux guru haha, tbh I have no idea what I'm doing.
I've broken and fixed OS's, randomly (no recollection how... and no time to do that. Usually during finals).

@barbaar, I think I may have jacked up things.
-SEE linux was working fine. Turned it off.
-1 issue: and it's common. Is that screen blinked or actually it seemed to reset slightly when scrolling down a page (like in web browsing).
-Turned it on today... and then it went to some Purple/Black lines.
-Messed up. Not working...
-Trying to get someone to fix it.
-Or maybe GET Win 10... on my external harddrive (from mac air... download, save there).
-THEN try and boot into recovery.
-RAN: Diagnostics, all fine. 100% fine. CPU, Memory, Screen, HDD, and the other things that were there (6 total).
-Saved most the logs, but I'm rushing thru this.
-I may have to book an exam today, my buddy says it's possible to do it in this time frame but hard. He had a "bad" GPA, and a very good Lsat. I need an even better LSAT,
bc I'm older and my transcript looks crazy. (Science -- Econ non honors; econ honors, withdrawals, transferred, etc). His GPA was actually decent considering our major, but it's all about grades, and it was below median acceptance. Worst city, worst schools still have hard requirements. I mean worst livable cities, I'm not sure about cities I don't even think about in Canada.

-MAYBE just get working windows again on LINUX keep it like that. I have ANDROID, MAC, and WINDOWS... no big deal., run the Linux in VM like you said, @Walker.
-I cannot get wrecked in Trades/ miss dates, applications, and actually should study rather than doing things last minute.

-Summary: FML.

 

[MNK99]

-No way the Lenovo X1 Carbon is destroyed right?
-I used it for like 4h...
-This might be a record.
-I know I break a lot of things, but not this fast usually.
-My Google Nexus Tablets (1/2) still are perfect condition.
-I will try uploading pictures of dx tests if that helps you techie guys...
-Running around right now/ deciding some school stuff/ calling... otherwise I'd drop them off somewhere to fix.
-Toronto is super sketchy, but someone somewhere would be able to fix it. Calgary... gonna be 15-30km drive.