Could use some help with ordering a new laptop

[V]

I need to buy a new computer. My current desktop and laptop are now both 12 years old and pretty much useless. I've decided just a laptop would work best for me so no more desktop. I have very basic and minimal requirements for what I need in a computer but since things are constantly changing, I have no clue about exact specs of whats currently available.


After doing some research and looking around, i think i've decided to go with an HP laptop. They offer customization on the builds and some upgrades are common sense but others I'm not sure if they would matter to me for my needs.



https://www.hp.com/us-en/shop/pdp/hp...onal-2v2h8av-1


First off, I would use the computer for basic web surfing, photo storage, email, hptuners, autocad/FreeCAD, and 3d printing. Maybe occasional streaming, No gaming. I do want a 17" screen, LAN port, hdmi output, usb ports for a full size keyboard/mouse. Not sure how that fits into one model i had been looking at though.


Details like processor, i am clueless. AMD ryzen 3 5300u is an upgrade to the standard spec'd amd ryzen 3 3150u. Is the 5300u ok? or is the 5500u needed? Is the amd good at all, or should I only look at the intel i5 or i7?


I know 16gb memory is better than 8, but for my use, do i need 16 or just 12, or is 8 fine?



Storage.. SATA and ssd, or just an SSD? 128GBssd and 1TBsata ok? or no sata at all and a 512 ssd? or just rely on a seperate portable hard drive for majority of files? As for amount of pics... i'm talking hundreds, not thousands. and maybe a few hundred CAD files max. no music will be stored on computer.


network options only seemed to be wireless. But options for USB-c to rj45 adapter? usb 3.0 to gigabit adapter? Would one of those get me wired network connection?


Price as I spec'd it out came to $801.97, that's with upgrades. I guess that reasonable... my last two laptops were $249(2005) and $349(2009), but were very basic.


I can give more details of what I spec'd or I'll take other suggestions, just no apple, and not over $1,000 shipped.

[V]

I did some additional research after my post.


It seems like the ryzen 3 5300u would be more than enough for my needs. Ideal for web browsing yet still able to handle tasks such as CAD drawing. So thats pretty much figured out.


With the memory, 8 comes standard and there were sites sorta explaining what would be needed. What I got out of it, is that 8 is bare minimum, 12 is good, 16 is best, and anymore for my use would be overkill and a waste of money. So 16 it is.



As far as the storage amount issue, sites online said most users would be fine with the faster 256GB SSD. There were some examples of how many pictures were essentially a GB and such. Windows 10 takes up a bunch apparently too. So the 1 TB sata hdd would just be an additional place to dump stuff in my case. After reading all about that, I think i'd stick with the 256GB SSD and 1TB hdd, and not need an additional external hard drive.




And the USB 3.0 to gigabit adapter should solve my need for being hardwired to the internet, costs another $20 so makes the grand total $821.97 which isnt horrible imo. That price also includes a year of microsoft 365 personal and Mcafee lifesafe. Plus an external optical dvd burner drive, windows 10 home 64, and a backlit keyboard.


It will probably be a few days before I actually order this thing so if anyone has any comments, please post.

[ThoR294]

autocad and such is very demanding. i would recommend a laptop that has a dedicated graphics card at least.

16GB memory
at least 512GB SSD

screen size up to you

[V]

It says it comes with amd ryzen 3 5300u + amd radeon graphics. So I assume it is a separate card. Reviews for the radeon seemed good.

[ThoR294]

Originally Posted by V

It says it comes with amd ryzen 3 5300u + amd radeon graphics. So I assume it is a separate card. Reviews for the radeon seemed good.

That is just the integrated graphics card within the processor.

What is your budget?

[V]

Budget is as low as possible. Preferably under a grand. If I still had a desktop, budget would be half. I also swapped in better graphics cards in those but never touched a laptop internals other than to pull the Hdd.

[ThoR294]

yeah laptops are just hard drives and memory. most you cant even touch battery anymore lol. let me look around ill will see what i can find

[ThoR294]

Check this out on @Newegg: ASUS VivoBook 15 K513 Thin & Light Laptop, 15.6" FHD Display, Intel i7-1165G7 CPU, NVIDIA GeForce MX350, 16GB DDR4, 256GB SSD + 1TB HDD, Fingerprint Reader, Windows 10 Home, Indie Black, K513EQ-PH77 https://www.newegg.com/black-asus-k5...582-_-08202021

Not 17" but you'll have to spend more to get 17 with decent specs

[V]

Those ultra thin laptops scare me, lol. My wife has a lenovo, I think it is, and I feel if i type too hard it could break. I'm used to a multiscreen desktop setup with ~24" samsung hdtv as my main monitor so switching to only a laptop will take some adjusting. Previously, my laptops were for HP tuners and that was about it.



I'm not sure how much CAD I'd actually be doing, maybe a project every 2 months or so and nothing really extensive. And I'd be using FreeCad which isnt packed with features such as AutoCad which I no longer have a license to. So without gaming or streaming, shouldn't the integrated graphics be fine? It seemed the reviews put it above the intel integrated graphics.


The HP I linked to earlier fits really everything else, with microsoft 365 for a year with virus software subscription, and a new wireless printer for under 1000. ship date would be 10/4 which is annoying but I could deal. Also i'd opt for the upgrade to the ryzen 5 5500u, over the 3 5300u and still be right at/around 1000. (1,027.47)




To understand my frustration, it took me 20 min to get this desktop to open a webpage this morning. Plus its been freezing and crashing just about every time I use it. Or it won't wake from sleep mode.
Now to be honest this computer has pretty much been running 24/7 since January 2010. I don't turn it off. I have the tower standing vertically with additional fans and lately, even the whole side cover removed. About 2 years ago I replaced the power supply with an identical used one bought off ebay just to keep it going. This pc was a $500 Dell bestbuy in-stock windows7 preorder from fall 2009(when I was in Afghanistan). Just about anything will outperform what I'm currently used to.

[ThoR294]

Yeah if you don't use CAD that much you should be OK with integrated graphics. HP has always been good to me. I would upgrade to Ryzen 5 that would be a good boost in performance.

Once you use the new laptop you'll be spoiled for sure lol