New computer now? Prices/availability

March 01, 2020, 09:06 PM

I'm still running Windows 7 and for a while have been toying with thoughts of getting a new one. But I haven't been researching or pricing. Does anyone have an idea of the buyers' market right now? I've taken a look on TigerDirect and Newegg, where I've bought stuff before, but have no way to know if current prices have changed due to expected supply shortages. Anyone have a bead on this?

March 01, 2020, 09:11 PM

220-9er

I bought a new laptop at the end of the year. My experience was that you need to look around to decide exactly what spec's you want, and determine a model number for a specific brand computer, then do a search for the best price.
Time consuming but I normally keep mine for 5 or more years so I want to get something I'll be happy with for a while.

March 01, 2020, 09:30 PM

amals

I get that, but what I'm wondering is whether or not prices have bumped up because of new or coming supply shortages due to China situation. I have no basis for judgement since I wasn't shopping before this hit.

March 01, 2020, 09:49 PM

Rey HRH

I think personal laptop prices have come down as users have moved to tablets and smartphones. Black Friday after Thanksgiving has the best prices.

"It did not really matter what we expected from life, but rather what life expected from us. We needed to stop asking about the meaning of life, and instead to think of ourselves as those who were being questioned by life – daily and hourly. Our answer must consist not in talk and meditation, but in right action and in right conduct. Life ultimately means taking the responsibility to find the right answer to its problems and to fulfill the tasks which it constantly sets for each individual." Viktor Frankl, Man's Search for Meaning, 1946.

March 01, 2020, 09:50 PM

braillediver

I saw this on youtube so it seems timely:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SPoPwrQwm_g

March 01, 2020, 11:27 PM

YooperSigs

I get my computers from the Dell outlet site. They are mostly models that people have configured but did not buy. I have bought several, all with no problem. Considerably cheaper too.

March 01, 2020, 11:54 PM

jimmy123x

I buy my laptops from the Office Depot sales flyer, they seem to have the best prices for HP, Lenovo, etc.

March 02, 2020, 07:37 AM

kalei

I'm an Apple guy, 2011 iMac, 2012 MacBook Pro, 3rd Gen iPad, 8+ iPhone. Never had/have any problems with any of them. Yeah pricer than the PC stuff, but buy once cry once.

March 02, 2020, 07:47 AM

John Steed

I bought a Lenovo IdeaPad S340 at Costco last summer for about $400 + tax (on sale at $100 off regular price). It has exceeded my expectations and I am very pleased with it.

I see on the Costco website the same model is now $450 + tax (on sale at $50 off). So the base price is the same but the sale price is $50 more.

Unless you're desperate for a new PC, it might pay to wait and watch for better deals.

March 02, 2020, 08:07 AM

Kraquin

Ever thought about building your own?

I haven't bought a PC since '92, just upgrade parts now and then.

https://pcpartpicker.com/list/

There's also a price trend page:

https://pcpartpicker.com/trends/

March 02, 2020, 09:02 AM

amals

Thanks for the replies. braillediver, that in particular, is the kind of information I'm after; food for thought.

March 02, 2020, 09:04 AM

amals

quote:
Originally posted by Kraquin:
Ever thought about building your own?

I haven't bought a PC since '92, just upgrade parts now and then.

https://pcpartpicker.com/list/

There's also a price trend page:

https://pcpartpicker.com/trends/

Kraquin, yes, I have built my own before. The one before my current computer. I'm not enough of a techie to want to do it again. Also, interesting price chart. Thanks.

EDIT: Ok, now you've piqued my interest. Maybe I should consider re-building with upgraded parts where needed. That site's build guide and compatibility feature would help me navigate the changes. So I don't have to do a lot of comparative shopping, are their prices good as well? Thanks.

March 02, 2020, 09:21 AM

1gkek

quote:
Originally posted by amals:

Kraquin, yes I have built my own before. The one before my current computer. I'm not enough of a techie to want to do it again. Also, interesting price chart. Thanks.

EDIT: Ok, now you've piqued my interest. Maybe I should consider re-building with upgraded parts where needed. That site seems to have a compatibility feature that would help me navigate the changes. Thanks.

I built two PC's in the last 6 months. One a gaming PC for me (it's a beast) and the other an Intel NUC for my wife. I really like the NUC for general computing and ease of assembly. Just install memory and a drive then load windows. No compatibility issues to worry about with Win 10.

But if you like to tinker, go for it. My gaming PC was my first build in many years - things have changed a lot

March 02, 2020, 09:46 AM

snidera

camelcamelcamel + amazon
You can see the price history for anything.
it's much easier with the browser extension for chrome - 1 click & price history pops up.

March 02, 2020, 09:48 AM

amals

quote:
Originally posted by snidera:
camelcamelcamel + amazon
You can see the price history for anything.
it's much easier with the browser extension for chrome - 1 click & price history pops up.

Interesting. Thank you.

March 02, 2020, 09:53 AM

doublesharp

I've done business with Acer recertified and have not been disappointed.

March 02, 2020, 09:54 AM

Abn556

My advice is to go a machine with the best processor you can afford and get it with Windows 10 Pro. It’s a much better version of 10 than Home.

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