I will be in need of a computer to replace my current laptop soon. I'm currently working with a Compaq Presario CQ57, WalMart special. It works fine, and took an upgrade from Win7 to Win8 without issue. The only reason why I need to replace this one is because I plan on moving it to the gun shop soon since it has all my gun files, electronic books, catalogs, etc.

I'd like to stick with something in the same line, perhaps another Walmart special.

What's your thoughts...my main requirements are that it be under $400, laptop, Win7 or higher, 3+ USB ports, card reader, and decent enough to last about 4 or so years.

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1987 560SL
85,000 miles

Are you planning on using engineering software, like CNC stuff or Solidworks?

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TC
Current stable:
- 2004 Mazda RALLYWANKEL
- 2007 Saturn sky redline
- 2004 Explorer...under surgery.

Past: 135i, GTI, 300E, 300SD, 300SD, Stealth

What is the critical thing you need to do?

Ditto

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2005 C240 4matic wagon (daily driver)
87 190D - 225K (on loan)
85 190D - 312K (on loan)
2011 Subaru Legacy AWD (Wife's)

He's a busy man, he doesn't have all day to stand around and wait on his computer.

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On some nights I still believe that a car with the fuel gauge on empty can run about fifty more miles if you have the right music very loud on the radio. - HST

1983 300SD - 305000
1984 Toyota Landcruiser - 190000
1994 GMC Jimmy - 203000

https://media.giphy.com/media/X3nnss8PAj5aU/giphy.gif

Aside from buying a Mac, what is the critical thing?

man anythings better than a compaq. imo stay away from compaq and hp. asus has some pretty badass machines for not too much

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have no worries.....President Obama swears "If you like your gun, you can keep it

Asus are indeed tempting when you look at the specifications vs price at the moment but they don't feel like they'll last long - acer seem to me to be a better budget buy

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1992 W201 190E 1.8 171,000 km - Daily driver
1981 W123 300D ~ 100,000 miles / 160,000 km - project car stripped to the bone
1965 Land Rover Series 2a Station Wagon CIS recovery therapy!
1961 Volvo PV544 Bare metal rat rod-ish thing

I'm here to chat about cars and to help others - I'm not here "to always be right" like an internet warrior



Don't leave that there - I'll take it to bits!

if their laptops are anything like their mobos , they have me sold. acer ..... well i guess they have made a comeback. havent really tried any of their new stuff

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have no worries.....President Obama swears "If you like your gun, you can keep it

I've recently bought an Aspire v3-771 that agreed doesn't feel like a Toshiba of old or an IBM toughbook but feels a bit better than my old Dell D610 (and that had lots of Toshiba stuff in it). The irritating thing with it is that the USB ports are all on the side, none on the back so a wired mouse is really irritating to use. I bought a wireless thing with a little blob that sticks in the USB port as a solution.

I've also just bought an acer smart phone to take advantage of the free navigation software you can get (I'm trying nav free first). This was dirt cheap for a SIM lock free machine (90 euros) and also this has the feeling of quality {for these disposable electronic items}.

I'd like to think I'll get 10 maybe 15 years out of my purchases but these days past about 4 years and you are skating on thin ice. Things just aren't made to last anymore - just look at Renaults and Citroens.

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1992 W201 190E 1.8 171,000 km - Daily driver
1981 W123 300D ~ 100,000 miles / 160,000 km - project car stripped to the bone
1965 Land Rover Series 2a Station Wagon CIS recovery therapy!
1961 Volvo PV544 Bare metal rat rod-ish thing

I'm here to chat about cars and to help others - I'm not here "to always be right" like an internet warrior



Don't leave that there - I'll take it to bits!

This. (Oh, and in reply to the other post, Asus has not been widely known, but they've been selling laptops since at least 2006. They're not a new fly-by-nighter, especially since they make components for other manufacturers' machines as well.)

I've been using Asus products for years - also bought a net book when I was in college. It's hideously outperformed now but it still trucks along after 5-6 years of daily use. It even survived a 32" tube tv falling straight on it (although the battey is dented) just replaced the screen. If I didn't have newer/faster/lighter stuff via my job I would still be using it. Good stuff.

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TC
Current stable:
- 2004 Mazda RALLYWANKEL
- 2007 Saturn sky redline
- 2004 Explorer...under surgery.

Past: 135i, GTI, 300E, 300SD, 300SD, Stealth

I still have an Eee PC that I use pretty frequently and carry when I travel. Bought it used for $100 or so in 2010, if it gets stolen then it's beer money.

If you’re looking to go cheap, find the sellers of recycled computers in the area, call and see if they have any notebook computers. Many of my customers have found reasonable bargains at recycled resellers for themselves and their kids that are priced in the 200-300 dollar range. These commonly need a battery but it is a way to get a good performing if last generation notebook.

Basically, I need it to be able to play online videos, serve as a music server over wireless network, internet surfing, and be able to remotely operate the one in the gunshop when needed.

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1987 560SL
85,000 miles