Solved Finding the right laptop

iko22 · Oct 11, 2021

Hazel123 said:
I will assure you that the soldered RAM is actually probably the most durable piece on the motherboard. RAM tends to have a really long lifespan.

I thought that might be the case, but never know how temperature affects things :)

Hazel123 · Oct 11, 2021

Edwin said:
Bummer!

That's ok - maybe I should look at the 15" one :)

Hazel123 · Oct 11, 2021

iko22 said:
I thought that might be the case, but never know how temperature affects things :)

Yeah but you think they could be a little bit more technical than that and know how their machines work!

Hazel123 · Oct 11, 2021

iko22 said:
I thought that might be the case, but never know how temperature affects things :)

I've replied thanking them for the quick response and asked if it's possible to pass the query on to someone in the technical department to give an explanation of how this would work and whether it's possible.

It would be good if it is as it might tip me in the direction of spending a bit more and getting the Asus Zephyrus G14. There's a deal on somewhere at the moment for the basic version. While I don't need a gaming laptop it would do everything needed and could be borrowed by the teenager during holidays (while away from his PC). Maybe! Basic model is Ryzen 5 processor 3Ghz, 8gb ram (soldered but can upgrade to 16gb via the separate ram slot) and 500gb ssd, plus Nvidia GT 1650ti graphics card. £300 over budget. And slightly rounded front edges :). This one's refurbished but seen it new for about £850 via a deal.

Incidentally - how do people add their links so it's shaded background and shows a picture - I just use the paperclink link icon at the top of the message box but the link looks different.

ASUS ROG Zephyrus G14 Gaming Laptop Ryzen 5-4600H 8GB 512GB SSD 14" FHD 4GB GFX

iko22 · Oct 11, 2021

Hazel123 said:
Yeah but you think they could be a little bit more technical than that and know how their machines work!

Yeah, like who did you speak to? Technical Support or Sales when you emailed Asus? Also bear in mind that companies like Asus only put computers together, they do not make the SODIMM and the memory controller logic - they just glue everything together according to a blueprint.

Still, thumbsup to ASUS for responding so quickly with an informed answer.

Hazel123 · Oct 11, 2021

iko22 said:
Yeah, like who did you speak to? Technical Support or Sales when you emailed Asus? Also bear in mind that companies like Asus only put computers together, they do not make the SODIMM and the memory controller logic - they just glue everything together according to a blueprint.
Still, thumbsup to ASUS for responding so quickly with an informed answer.

Reply was from "Customer Services Feedback" so I asked them to pass it to someone in the technical department. But good point - they maybe don't know! Someone must have designed it though. Maybe they just didn't think through that bit because they're just supplying "extra ram slot" as part of the package and not considering soldered ram failing.

Winuser · Oct 11, 2021

Hazel123 said:
Yeah but you think they could be a little bit more technical than that and know how their machines work!

My guess is that the reply was from a tech who follows a list of questions to solve any problems that a user may have.

iko22 · Oct 11, 2021

Hazel123 said:
...

Incidentally - how do people add their links so it's shaded background and shows a picture - I just use the paperclink link icon at the top of the message box but the link looks different.

ASUS ROG Zephyrus G14 Gaming Laptop Ryzen 5-4600H 8GB 512GB SSD 14" FHD 4GB GFX

Yes, it is counter intuitive, because you do not use the editor buttons on the ribbon. I found that too.
Instead you paste the weblink on its own directly on a newline, and the link automatically "unfurls" when you press "Preview" or "Post reply" .
Otherwise, if you use the insert link button, or directly paste a weblink on a line with other text on it, you just get an embedded hyperlink, like in your example.
( - I think you mean you use the insert link button, rather than the paperclip link, perhaps??)
Like this:

ASUS ROG Zephyrus G14 Gaming Laptop Ryzen 5-4600H 8GB 512GB SSD 14" FHD 4GB GFX

Condition Certified Refurbished. They are professionally tested and restored to Factory default state. May have light cosmetic blemishes in some cases. (Buyer pays Return postage). Warranty 12 Months L

www.laptopoutlet.co.uk

It does not grab for all sites. Some sites will still not unfurl. The term to use is "unfurl".

Bree · Oct 11, 2021

Hazel123 said:
Incidentally - how do people add their links so it's shaded background and shows a picture - I just use the paperclink link icon at the top of the message box but the link looks different.

That is not in your control (well, it is insofar as you can stop it putting in a picture). Whether or not the link unfurls to something fuller depends on the website that your link point to. If the website returns the extra info required, then you get the pretty pictures. If it doesn't, then it just unfurls to the name of the linked page.

This is a link to your post above....

Finding the right laptop

I will assure you that the soldered RAM is actually probably the most durable piece on the motherboard. RAM tends to have a really long lifespan. I thought that might be the case, but never know how temperature affects things :)

www.elevenforum.com

The actual code the editor puts in your post is:

Code:

[URL unfurl="true"]https://www.elevenforum.com/t/finding-the-right-laptop.1661/post-41457[/URL]

Change that to unfurl="false" and you get this:

https://www.elevenforum.com/t/finding-the-right-laptop.1661/post-41457

Hazel123 · Oct 12, 2021

Thanks for those explanations :) . So I'm thinking of getting something new. Still keen on the Asus Vivobook 14. But there are limitations. It's a good buy at £550 for Core i7, 500gb ssd and 8gb ram. Except I am stuck with 8gb ram for as long as I have the laptop then - and I tend to keep them. There is a 16gb version (which is not easy to find online) which costs £200 more. But has a 1tb ssd and the 16gb ram as well as the core i7. Which is pretty good. I'd need to buy a new ssd if I got the 8gb ram model anyway as I need a 1tb ssd - so that could easily cost £200 on top.

So it looks like a good option, even though over budget. Nothing is going to be perfect. What I need to get past is

No ethernet port (can live with that)
The 16gb model has the stupid numeric pad built into the touchpad which goes wrong and is virtually impossible to disable apparently
Very unlikely to be able to replace or fix anything myself ever
The 16gb could still die lol. And not replaceable. I guess an extended warranty needed.

clam1952 · Oct 12, 2021

SSDs From a quick look

1TB Crucial BX 500 £69.99 or better MX500 £79.99 on Amazon.
or if it's an M.2
1TB Crucial M.2 (2280) PCIe 3.0 (x4) NVMe SSD £59.99 on Overclockers.

Hazel123 · Oct 12, 2021

Thanks. Yes you’re right - I’d been looking at the Samsung evo ones because that’s what I’m using now (except not m2 currently). But maybe I’d need to use something cheaper:

So in that case accepting 8gb ram permanently is the cheaper option definitely.

I think some of it is psychological- not keen on buying something that can’t be upgraded. Hence 16gb would be more future proof - don’t really need 16gb though.

TraderGary · Oct 12, 2021

Hazel, I have a number pad built in to the touchpad on my Asus. I rarely if ever use it as I touch type and the number keys are as easy for me to use as any other key.

The number pad is activated by tapping a tiny icon located on the upper right hand corner. I've never accidently activated it. However it is rather cool, looks pretty, and has two different brightness levels controlled by a tiny icon in the upper left corner. I've never even thought about a need to deactivate it.

BTW, even though I have a Microsoft Precision Bluetooth Mouse, I use the Asus touchpad most of the time. It has a smooth glass surface and is a delight to use. It responds perfectly to light single taps for left mouse clicks and light two finger taps for right mouse clicks.

Bree · Oct 12, 2021

Hazel123 said:
I think some of it is psychological- not keen on buying something that can’t be upgraded. Hence 16gb would be more future proof - don’t really need 16gb though.

A lot depends on what you want to use it for, but for general use 8GB should be enough. Even for running a Hyper-V VM I find that 8GB is sufficient. Now if I want to run three or more VMs at the same time, then I need to use my other machine with its 16GB. :wink:

TraderGary · Oct 12, 2021

Hazel123 said:
TI think some of it is psychological- not keen on buying something that can’t be upgraded. Hence 16gb would be more future proof - don’t really need 16gb though.

As has just been said, memory is totally dependent on your use. I have 32GB on my Asus and when I'm working with Lightroom/Photoshop or DaVinci Resolve Studio, I can use every bit of my 32GB plus my 8GB on my NVIDIA RTX 3070.

Hazel123 · Oct 12, 2021

TraderGary said:
Hazel, I have a number pad built in to the touchpad on my Asus. I rarely if ever use it as I touch type and the number keys are as easy for me to use as any other key.

The number pad is activated by tapping a tiny icon located on the upper right hand corner. I've never accidently activated it. However it is rather cool, looks pretty, and has two different brightness levels controlled by a tiny icon in the upper left corner. I've never even thought about a need to deactivate it.

BTW, even though I have a Microsoft Precision Bluetooth Mouse, I use the Asus touchpad most of the time. It has a smooth glass surface and is a delight to use. It responds perfectly to light single taps for left mouse clicks and light two finger taps for right mouse clicks.

Thanks - that is really helpful to know. Especially how the mouse pad works. I'm used to smaller mousepads where there's not much difference in space between left and right "click" so couldn't quite imagine how you'd do it on a larger touchpad without a lot of reaching. I had read of people finding the touch number pad kept coming on and off on its own, so nice to know you haven't had any problems. I guess there is always someone with a glitchy one.

Hazel123 · Oct 12, 2021

Bree said:
A lot depends on what you want to use it for, but for general use 8GB should be enough. Even for running a Hyper-V VM I find that 8GB is sufficient. Now if I want to run three or more VMs at the same time, then I need to use my other machine with its 16GB.

Thanks. I just checked memory usage on my current 8gb ram laptop with a few tabs open and a video playing on youtube and it was about 67%. When I then rendered a photo in photo editing program it went up to 75%. I use Capture One and do some photo editing but not that regularly. 75% ram usage sounds ok anyone - it's not like it's 95%.

Anyway have established that anything new I've looked at has soldered ram basically - including the dell xps 13, HP Pavilion etc. Like the idea of having something new for my £500 and hopefully it lasting longer than having to upgrade second hand again in a few years. So will just have to accept soldered ram.

Just about decided on the Asus vivobook 14. Three options:

1) Core i5 10th generation, 8gb ram, 500gb ssd - £499
2) Core i7 10th generation, 8gb ram, 500gb ssd - £550
3) Core i7 11th generation, 16gb ram, 1tb ssd - £750 (the version with the touchpad number pad)

Just need to decide if option 3 is worth an extra £200. But option 2 is a better deal than option 1.

Hazel123 · Oct 12, 2021

TraderGary said:
As has just been said, memory is totally dependent on your use. I have 32GB on my Asus and when I'm working with Lightroom/Photoshop or DaVinci Resolve Studio, I can use every bit of my 32GB plus my 8GB on my NVIDIA RTX 3070.

That's just answered my question really - it depends how much photo editing I end up doing in future. Don't need 16gb at the moment - but I might need it and couldn't upgrade. So really should go for 16gb now. Ouch. It's very annoying. When you used to be able to buy a laptop cheaper and upgrade later!

Hazel123 · Oct 12, 2021

Also just missed out on bidding on a used Surface Laptop 3 on ebay! Opened box but unused. It went for £550!

Bree · Oct 12, 2021

Hazel123 said:
Just about decided on the Asus vivobook 14....

Do you have a Currys branch near you? They have them in stock (not at such good prices though). But as you value the feel and touch as much as (if not more than) the specs, you could check for stock at your local store, then go an actually type on one before you decide....