Member of the Month

KilaTsunami
October, 2024

Online

Welcome to the Newschoolers forums! You may read the forums as a guest, however you must be a registered member to post. Register to become a member today!

Buying a laptop for college, need some help!

profile picture
Chubz.
Posts: 13918 - Karma: 25,661
ppl who are good with computers, can you lend me some help?
looking to get a laptop for college. My main use for the computer will be video editing and photo editing. I only have about 800 to spend on it.
Currently use a lenovo desktop at my house and its starting to slow down a little bit compared to when my family first got it.

Part of me wants a used macbook pro, i found one on ebay that looks appealing, i just dont wanna spend the money a computer that wont last me through college.
I found this,
https://www.ebay.com/itm/Apple-MacBook-Pro-15-2-0GHz-3-1GHz-8-16GB-RAM-500GB-HDD-1TB-SSD-Warranty/183266939794?var=&hash=item2aab8f9392
The one i want has 16gb of ram and a 256gb ssd, but im worried that it might not be enough of a computer to last me the next 4 years.

Other option is this
https://www.bestbuy.com/site/acer-nitro-5-15-6-laptop-intel-core-i5-8gb-memory-nvidia-geforce-gtx-1050-1tb-hard-drive-shale-black/6212601.p?skuId=6212601&ref=212&loc=1&gclid=Cj0KCQjwk_TbBRDsARIsAALJSOYC--p4PhHnWU3F4KqiZSfEO5CSDk8nnDBi0UM07vSm6qzms4xVqcsaAvcBEALw_wcB&gclsrc=aw.ds

I'm way more familiar using PC's and it's the same price and seems like it has betters specs. But I dont know enough about computers to make this decision by myself.

Any suggestions or know of a laptop thats better than these two that i may have not come across yet, please let me know!

Thanks ppl
Aug 22 2018 5:42PM
2 0
profile picture
Rparr
Posts: 5561 - Karma: 45,575
I've built a couple desktops for gaming, and although I know you're looking for something for video editing, I believe the central concept remains the same- I try to find the cheapest combination of GPU, CPU, ram and hard drive that fits what I'm looking for. PC's are indeed generally cheaper. Less part bullshit. And you can actually replace parts and fix your computer when stuff goes wrong. I think the second laptop you linked is a better deal. Even though it lacks a solid state hard drive, the GPU and CPU are likely better than the mac's, and that will be the most important stuff for what you're doing. 16 gigs of ram is a must in 2018. I don't know how far down the graphics card food chain you could go while still having enough firepower for video editing, but you might be able to find an even better deal.

It might be worth trying to read more about what kind of GPU and CPU performance video editing requires
Aug 23 2018 7:51AM
0 0
profile picture
Slunky
Posts: 689 - Karma: 2,319
RparrI've built a couple desktops for gaming, and although I know you're looking for something for video editing, I believe the central concept remains the same- I try to find the cheapest combination of GPU, CPU, ram and hard drive that fits what I'm looking for. PC's are indeed generally cheaper. Less part bullshit. And you can actually replace parts and fix your computer when stuff goes wrong. I think the second laptop you linked is a better deal. Even though it lacks a solid state hard drive, the GPU and CPU are likely better than the mac's, and that will be the most important stuff for what you're doing. 16 gigs of ram is a must in 2018. I don't know how far down the graphics card food chain you could go while still having enough firepower for video editing, but you might be able to find an even better deal.

It might be worth trying to read more about what kind of GPU and CPU performance video editing requires


If I recall correctly video editing is quite GPU and ram intensive
Aug 23 2018 2:15PM
1 0
profile picture
McNoche
Posts: 1731 - Karma: 3,661
Just order a brand new MacBook wth all the shit you need.
Why do you need video editing for your laptop intended for college? You choosing to piss your money away on a useless degree and only be able to purchase used shit your entire life?
Smfh
Aug 23 2018 2:39PM
2 8
profile picture
eheath
Posts: 61601 - Karma: 123,027
Chubz, that mbp is old as shit.

Spend $800 on a windows laptop with the best specs you can find, i5 or i7, 16gb of ram and a gtx1050/950 and you'l be fine, it wont be super fast, but thats the limit of your budget.
Aug 23 2018 2:49PM
5 0
profile picture
Chubz.
Posts: 13918 - Karma: 25,661
eheathChubz, that mbp is old as shit.

Spend $800 on a windows laptop with the best specs you can find, i5 or i7, 16gb of ram and a gtx1050/950 and you'l be fine, it wont be super fast, but thats the limit of your budget.


thats what i figured lmao, i just need reliability and be able to run premier, after effects, and photoshop till 2022.

ik that acer only has 8gb of ram, which is my only concern with it, other than that it seems like a decent computer for what i need.
Aug 23 2018 3:59PM
0 0
profile picture
PB1
Posts: 98 - Karma: 660
https://www.amazon.com/dp/B07FBZXTQT/ref=sspa_dk_detail_1?psc=1&pd_rd_i=B07FBZXTQT&pf_rd_m=ATVPDKIKX0DER&pf_rd_p=a54d13fc-b8a1-4ce8-b285-d77489a09cf6&pf_rd_r=68ARKGH9TV933TGD8TVG&pd_rd_wg=t5qZv&pf_rd_s=desktop-dp-sims&pf_rd_t=40701&pd_rd_w=sKA8y&pf_rd_i=desktop-dp-sims&pd_rd_r=b9bfc0b9-a71a-11e8-8e51-357518f34f72
Aug 23 2018 5:25PM
1 0
profile picture
IanAvery-Leaf
Posts: 9931 - Karma: 9,399
RparrEven though it lacks a solid state hard drive, the GPU and CPU are likely better than the mac's, and that will be the most important stuff for what you're doing.


you're right about the CPU/GPU since thats an old MBP, but I'd say its pretty damn important to get a computer with an SSD in 2018, especially since chubz wants it until 2022. HDDs are painfully slow as the main boot drive and it'll be a massive bottleneck no matter how good the other specs are
Aug 23 2018 5:44PM
1 0
profile picture
TRVP_ANGEL
Posts: 12503 - Karma: 116,105
RparrI've built a couple desktops for gaming, and although I know you're looking for something for video editing, I believe the central concept remains the same- I try to find the cheapest combination of GPU, CPU, ram and hard drive that fits what I'm looking for. PC's are indeed generally cheaper. Less part bullshit. And you can actually replace parts and fix your computer when stuff goes wrong. I think the second laptop you linked is a better deal. Even though it lacks a solid state hard drive, the GPU and CPU are likely better than the mac's, and that will be the most important stuff for what you're doing. 16 gigs of ram is a must in 2018. I don't know how far down the graphics card food chain you could go while still having enough firepower for video editing, but you might be able to find an even better deal.

It might be worth trying to read more about what kind of GPU and CPU performance video editing requires


Pretty much this. Don't get a fucking laptop OP and most important of all, don't get a fuccing macbook, you can build your own shit for 2/3 as cheap.

Video editing requires good CPU, GPU (rendering), RAM (holding video/images in memory) and most importantly get a nice SSD (think harddrive but faster, youll need it to move shit around). This is pretty much all the important aspects to a PC anyways so make sure you dont cheap out on GPU and SSD.

See here for a good example build: http://www.logicalincrements.com/articles/videoediting/ the $800 one is pretty nice but id personally spend a lil more cash on the CPU and RAM
Aug 23 2018 7:42PM
2 1
profile picture
Chubz.
Posts: 13918 - Karma: 25,661
TRVP_ANGELPretty much this. Don't get a fucking laptop OP and most important of all, don't get a fuccing macbook, you can build your own shit for 2/3 as cheap.

Video editing requires good CPU, GPU (rendering), RAM (holding video/images in memory) and most importantly get a nice SSD (think harddrive but faster, youll need it to move shit around). This is pretty much all the important aspects to a PC anyways so make sure you dont cheap out on GPU and SSD.

See here for a good example build: http://www.logicalincrements.com/articles/videoediting/ the $800 one is pretty nice but id personally spend a lil more cash on the CPU and RAM


i really dont feel like lugging a desktop to school with me, and also having to buy a monitor is going to put me way over my price range. I appreciate the response though.

Right now im trying to pick one from these 3:
Dell inspiron 7000
https://www.amazon.com/Dell-Inspiron-7000-7567-i5-7300HQ/dp/B06WLMJPC3

Acer Nitro 5 with a 128ssd + 1tb hard drive
https://www.amazon.com/Flagship-Acer-Quad-Core-i5-7300HQ-Keyboard/dp/B07G6T3HTJ/ref=sr_1_1_sspa?s=electronics&ie=UTF8&qid=1535073151&sr=1-1-spons&keywords=acer+nitro+5&psc=1

HP omen
https://www.amazon.com/2018-HP-15-CE018DX-Gaming-Laptop/dp/B07CKHGWY9/ref=sr_1_7?s=electronics&ie=UTF8&qid=1535073250&sr=1-7&keywords=HP+gaming+laptop
Aug 23 2018 9:15PM
0 0
profile picture
TRVP_ANGEL
Posts: 12503 - Karma: 116,105
Chubz.i really dont feel like lugging a desktop to school with me, and also having to buy a monitor is going to put me way over my price range. I appreciate the response though.


Have you ever used two monitors before? Once you do your work (such as video editing) with two monitors you'll never go back, if you have a car and room to lug a desktop around, its worth it fam. promise
Aug 23 2018 10:15PM
2 0
profile picture
Chubz.
Posts: 13918 - Karma: 25,661
TRVP_ANGELHave you ever used two monitors before? Once you do your work (such as video editing) with two monitors you'll never go back, if you have a car and room to lug a desktop around, its worth it fam. promise


Maybe next summer but I’m pretty set on using a laptop
Aug 23 2018 10:17PM
1 0
profile picture
a_pla5tic_bag
Posts: 9215 - Karma: 5,398
How do you guys go through computers? My 2010 MBP is completely fine, I replaced the hard drive with an SSD and changed it to 8gb of ram. It's not even bad performance wise, lots of new laptops are still dual core, even with higher clock rates on CPU's it doesn't really make browsing the internet or typing stuff that much faster.

I like macbooks because the trackpad is nice and more importantly it's unix. But the newest ones have useless ports and a 2.3Ghz dual core for the cheapest one, which is exactly what my laptop from 8 years ago has, granted this one probably performs better. Worse yet, the storage is abysmal, you've gotta be kidding me with that 128gb ssd, and an upgrade costs a fortune. Plus all that stuff is soldered. They're digging in real hard trying to get you to use their cloud shit and just dump the computer for a new one if something goes wrong.

Razer laptops seemed kind of nice but it seems a lot of people complain about quality control.

Oh wait you want to edit video. It's just going to be slow as shit and hot on a laptop and you'll get thermal throttling. You'd need a laptop with a huge fan system to not throttle. Either just make a desktop and take notes on paper or get a very cheap chromebook or used thinkpad and make a video editing PC

Actually a better idea, get whatever laptop you want and use the university computer lab computers to edit video, I bet they have a student access video lab.
Aug 23 2018 10:47PM
0 1
profile picture
jensen
Posts: 2576 - Karma: 1,267
I replaced my 2008 MBP last year.... that is 9 years. Bought a new MB because I like the size and don't hardly ever edit video anymore, plus I am all about the Apple product integration once you buy in. I used my MBP for pretty much all of college (minus 1 year), edited video/photo, traveled, downloaded pirated software/music, you name it. I'm not a tech nerd but if I were OP I'd get a job, save up some extra dough, buy a new MBP, buy Apple Care and be set for college. I still think it is hard to debate for the majority of users the Apple unix OS tends to not get as jammed up as Windows after years of use.

Also, the SSD upgrades in the Mac are definitely expense but portable hard drives are cheap... you can always keep your video clips external.
Aug 24 2018 3:50AM
0 0
profile picture
eheath
Posts: 61601 - Karma: 123,027
jensenI replaced my 2008 MBP last year.... that is 9 years. Bought a new MB because I like the size and don't hardly ever edit video anymore, plus I am all about the Apple product integration once you buy in. I used my MBP for pretty much all of college (minus 1 year), edited video/photo, traveled, downloaded pirated software/music, you name it. I'm not a tech nerd but if I were OP I'd get a job, save up some extra dough, buy a new MBP, buy Apple Care and be set for college. I still think it is hard to debate for the majority of users the Apple unix OS tends to not get as jammed up as Windows after years of use.

Also, the SSD upgrades in the Mac are definitely expense but portable hard drives are cheap... you can always keep your video clips external.


Its not 2008 anymore my dude, macbooks used to be hands down the best laptops out, but now there are high quality windows laptops that will last you just as long. Windows 10 is a great operating system, works just fine and i'd say that apple software has gone down a bit. For $800, you can get a very decent windows laptop, one that will be just as operational for the next 5 years as any MBP.

I understand the apple ecosystem, but its an expensive ecosystem and TBH apple has fallen behind in leading edge tech, siri sucks, apple home pod sucks (minus the speakers) their phones are the same fucking thing every year, they're STILL using faceID... lots of problems at apple.
Aug 24 2018 12:07PM
2 0
profile picture
eheath
Posts: 61601 - Karma: 123,027
a_pla5tic_bagRazer laptops seemed kind of nice but it seems a lot of people complain about quality control.

Oh wait you want to edit video. It's just going to be slow as shit and hot on a laptop and you'll get thermal throttling. You'd need a laptop with a huge fan system to not throttle. Either just make a desktop and take notes on paper or get a very cheap chromebook or used thinkpad and make a video editing PC

Actually a better idea, get whatever laptop you want and use the university computer lab computers to edit video, I bet they have a student access video lab.


I've got a razer blade 2016, its a great machine, I use it at home with two monitors and edit 4k footage in real time, plays pubg at 60-80fps and is slim and nice like a MBP. Its loud AF when the cpu/gpu in on a heavy load, but its tolerable seeing as its a thin laptop. This doesn't really help chubz out because its a $2000 laptop, but just fyi.
Aug 24 2018 12:12PM
0 0
profile picture
Chubz.
Posts: 13918 - Karma: 25,661
eheathI've got a razer blade 2016, its a great machine, I use it at home with two monitors and edit 4k footage in real time, plays pubg at 60-80fps and is slim and nice like a MBP. Its loud AF when the cpu/gpu in on a heavy load, but its tolerable seeing as its a thin laptop. This doesn't really help chubz out because its a $2000 laptop, but just fyi.


Think I’m about to pull the trigger on an HP omen.
Aug 24 2018 2:06PM
1 0
profile picture
eheath
Posts: 61601 - Karma: 123,027
Chubz.Think I’m about to pull the trigger on an HP omen.


Yeah it looks goofy but its got some decent specs for sure.
Aug 24 2018 2:14PM
0 0
profile picture
Chubz.
Posts: 13918 - Karma: 25,661
eheathYeah it looks goofy but its got some decent specs for sure.


Definitely gonna get a skin or something haha
Aug 24 2018 2:16PM
0 0
profile picture
IanAvery-Leaf
Posts: 9931 - Karma: 9,399
eheaththey're STILL using faceID...


hey now....its been less than a year, and whats wrong with FaceID? Its a hell of a lot more secure than the 2D facial recognition in certain android phones and once it learned my face its just as fast as TouchID, and actually works when your fingers are sweaty/gloved. Tbh I'm glad TouchID is gone, gestures instead of a home button is a way better way to navigate IMO


to stay on track with this thread I agree with you on the computer side, I love MacOS but the new touchbar MBPs are dogshit
Aug 24 2018 2:18PM
0 0
profile picture
eheath
Posts: 61601 - Karma: 123,027
IanAvery-Leafhey now....its been less than a year, and whats wrong with FaceID? Its a hell of a lot more secure than the 2D facial recognition in certain android phones and once it learned my face its just as fast as TouchID, and actually works when your fingers are sweaty/gloved. Tbh I'm glad TouchID is gone, gestures instead of a home button is a way better way to navigate IMO


to stay on track with this thread I agree with you on the computer side, I love MacOS but the new touchbar MBPs are dogshit


Its just a workaround, a band-aid because apple didn't want to change their design. Finger print scanners are faster, just put one on the back of the phone like everyone else. If they're smart touchID will make a comeback, either with a sensor under the display or using the display itself in the future as a fingerprint reader, i don't think faceID is the future, at least in its current form.
Aug 24 2018 2:25PM
1 0
profile picture
IanAvery-Leaf
Posts: 9931 - Karma: 9,399
eheathIts just a workaround, a band-aid because apple didn't want to change their design. Finger print scanners are faster, just put one on the back of the phone like everyone else. If they're smart touchID will make a comeback, either with a sensor under the display or using the display itself in the future as a fingerprint reader, i don't think faceID is the future, at least in its current form.


I'd argue putting a sensor on the back of a phone is more of a "band-aid" than FaceID. Its not a natural spot for a lot of peoples fingers vs just gripping the edges, and its an inconvenient spot for a lot of scenarios, like laying flat against a desk/stand, or mounted to a car mount, both of which unlock by just glancing with faceID to see notifications and not fiddling with your phone while driving or working

its fairly limited and un-secure right now, but I agree in the future its a fair bet under-display fingerprint tech will be widely used, hopefully covering the entire screen instead of a tiny spot, but thats the only scenario I see being "better" than FaceID, and perhaps then apple would switch back
Aug 24 2018 3:03PM
0 0
profile picture
IanAvery-Leaf
Posts: 9931 - Karma: 9,399
Chubz.Think I’m about to pull the trigger on an HP omen.


sorry for double post but going off the link you posted, did you miss everything in this thread saying don't get an HDD? If you want this computer to last you need an SSD, because its gonna be bottlenecked on day 1 without one
Aug 24 2018 3:05PM
0 0
profile picture
MLB
Posts: 4462 - Karma: 298
Honestly check newegg.com. I got my MSI gaming laptop there for pretty cheep. I7 core, 1060 Gtx, 16GB ram, 256 gb SSD, 2 TB HDD, VR ready for 1500$. It’s an even better deal on the American site. Also I would check the Asus, and MSI rigs. Incredible customer service, and very customizable.
Aug 24 2018 5:13PM
0 0
profile picture
Lonely
Posts: 6741 - Karma: 61,663
Chubz.Definitely gonna get a skin or something haha


Hey chubb, just thought I'd chime in here.

I have an ASUS Zenbook pro. Kind've a Frankenstein laptop. It has the build quality of a Mac, 4k touchscreen, decent last generation graphics card and a battery that lasts forever.

Some specs

2.6 GHz Intel Core i7-6700HQ Skylake
16GB of DDR4 RAM
15.6" IPS Multi-Touch Display
UHD 4K 3840 x 2160 Native Resolution
NVIDIA GeForce GTX 960M (2GB)
512GB PCI-Based SSD
SDXC Card Reader
802.11ac Wi-Fi & Bluetooth 4.0
Thunderbolt 3, USB 3.0, and HDMI Ports
Windows 10 (64-bit)

I run it with a monitor and it fits all my photo/video editing, gaming, and music production needs. It's about $1000 so it's a little more expensive tha. some of the other options. I paid $1600 for it when I first got it and it's been worth every cent.
Aug 24 2018 6:33PM
0 0
profile picture
Lonely
Posts: 6741 - Karma: 61,663
Also, whatever you do, please do not get an hp.
Aug 24 2018 6:41PM
0 0
profile picture
JohnnyDope
Posts: 457 - Karma: 1,699
LonelyAlso, whatever you do, please do not get an hp.


this for sure. my parents had 2 hp laptops, 1 shitty one for like 300$ - died in like a year. Since it was under warranty they returned it, added 200 more bucks and got a better one - flat cable died after 6 months , it was crashing all the time and then they figured out that ssd was damaged as well. My dad never cares it without a leather hard case and only uses it at desks, never dropped it down or anything it was just shitty quality hardware. That laptop has spent more time under warranty at the store than in their place lmao
Most of the time they would use my old pentium4 pc that still works like a charm

TRVP_ANGELHave you ever used two monitors before? Once you do your work (such as video editing) with two monitors you'll never go back, if you have a car and room to lug a desktop around, its worth it fam. promise


This even more, these are wise words! pinky promise





...but if you really want a laptop you should listen to Eheah and get a good gaming one like Razer or an Alianware if you want it to last it more than 2 years. 800$ is hardly gonna get you through entire college, so get a part time job, coupons for best buy, sell some pot idk but I think you need to stretch out with a little bit more $$$ for what you are looking for. Any cheap used monitor will also be something to look into whatever you buy. Dual monitor setup rocks, especially for what you will be doing OP, you won't regret it
Aug 24 2018 9:27PM
0 0
profile picture
a_pla5tic_bag
Posts: 9215 - Karma: 5,398
But OP, are you actually a film major or something? Think about it, you could get an alienware or something that's huge and expensive that you could carry it around. But the reality of it is that it needs to be plugged in if you intend to do a lot of work on it, at which point it might as well be a desktop. Unless you're really intent on being able to edit in separate places and such.

A guy in my lab has a big alienware laptop. It's nice and I assume it can perform, but it's huge and heavy.
Aug 24 2018 10:53PM
0 0
profile picture
skialpental
Posts: 248 - Karma: 38
buy an ipad and spend ur money on condoms
Aug 25 2018 2:01AM
0 0
profile picture
Chubz.
Posts: 13918 - Karma: 25,661
a_pla5tic_bagBut OP, are you actually a film major or something? Think about it, you could get an alienware or something that's huge and expensive that you could carry it around. But the reality of it is that it needs to be plugged in if you intend to do a lot of work on it, at which point it might as well be a desktop. Unless you're really intent on being able to edit in separate places and such.

A guy in my lab has a big alienware laptop. It's nice and I assume it can perform, but it's huge and heavy.


i am a film major, i ended up buying an acer nitro 5, i can upgrade to 32gb of ram down the road if need be, and my parents helped me out a little bit so i could get the version with a 256gb SSD.
I just got it today and im very happy with my choice.
Aug 25 2018 11:21PM
1 0
profile picture
Dustin.
Posts: 13839 - Karma: 7,704
I'm posting from a Macbook Pro I bought 9 years ago. I paid $60 on OWC to max out RAM and another $200 to upgrade to a SSD. That's it.

I like them because the body is made of metal. Traveling, shoving it into gym bags and travel pods, and dropping it has been therefore been non-consequential. You can absolutely get away with a good one for a long time and minimal maintenance, just don't cheap out on the processor you need. They can be found for $200 easily, and you can spend a little more to upgrade RAM and memory if you need it.
Aug 27 2018 12:16AM
0 0
All times are Eastern (-5)