Laptop Recommendations?

[marco07]

It's refurbished -- does it still come with a copy of Windows installed?

Yes. I believe it dose.

Nice config. You'll probably need to add RAM. Get a second 4 GB DDR3 1600 MHz SODIMM and put it in the second slot, to run the RAM in dual-channel mode for best performance. If 8 GB RAM isn't enough, then get a dual-channel 16 GB kit (two 8 GB SODIMMs).

When I saw configuration I could not resist (another benefit of the thread.) Specially, the screen resolution. On ram, that is what I was thinking. I plan to get possibly an 8 GB for the second slot. They could be mixed, am I right?
Steve thanks alot, I believe I need plently of your help when I get to installation. I know sometimes ago you posted some guidance (how to) in dealing with UEFI, secure boot and disk partition. Could you please point me to that post? Then I can read thoroughly and get familiar with what I should be doing form the outset.

[SteveRiley]

It's refurbished -- does it still come with a copy of Windows installed?

Typically, it's best to install Windows first. If the computer comes with it, cool. If not, buy one. After installing Windows, you can add Ubuntu or Kubuntu next (the order doesn't matter), then the other one.

Nice config. You'll probably need to add RAM. Get a second 4 GB DDR3 1600 MHz SODIMM and put it in the second slot, to run the RAM in dual-channel mode for best performance. If 8 GB RAM isn't enough, then get a dual-channel 16 GB kit (two 8 GB SODIMMs).

[marco07]

Hi Folks:
After reading the entire posts on this thread and relying on the experience and expertise of SteveRiley, I went ahead and ordered a refurbished T540p laptop from ebay with the following specs. I am excited & looking forward to its arrival. However, at this time I have no clue as how to handle UEFI, scure boot and how to proceed with the installation of kubuntu 14.04 - 64 or should I be using 32 bit. What I like to do is to have a triple boot of windows 8, kubuntu and ubuntu 14.04.
Therefore, I am back here to ask for and will appreciate any guidance and advice preparing me for initiation & proper installation of the desired sytems. Please help!
Thanks in advance!

Item Description
Lenovo T540p Laptop
Intel® Core™ i7-4600M Dual Core Processor @ 2.9GHz (3.6GHz Turbo Mode, 4MB Cache, 4 Threads),Genuine Windows® 8, 64bit, US English

Processor
Intel Core i7-4600M Dual Core Processor @ 2.9GHz (3.6GHz Turbo Mode, 4MB Cache, 4 Threads)
Operating System
Genuine Windows® 8 Professional, 64 bit, US English
Memory
4GB, DDR3, 1600MHz
Hard Drive
500 GB 7200RPM
Graphics Card
Intel HD Graphics + Nvidia GeForece Gt 730M
Display
15.6" FHD ( 1920x1080 ) LED Backlight 720p HD Camera
Primary DVD/CD drive
DVD RW
Security
UltraNav ( TrackPoint + Touchpad ) with Fingerprint Reader
Networking
Intel Dual Band Wireless-AC 7260, Wi-Fi + Bluetooth Combo
Warranty
1 Year Lenovo Warranty valid till July 2015
Primary Battery
9 Cell Lithium Ion Battery
Ports
miniDisplayPort with audio
VGA port
2 x USB 3.0 (1 x Powered)
2 x USB 2.0
SD Card Reader

[woodsmoke]

My Sony Vaio Vista has the swipe glass bar, I set it up once....it crashed...and it is what...something like.... 2000 bytes of data....I took it to the computer store and they "undid it" and I never used it since....not that it doesn't work, but... just never used it.

woodsmoke

[GreyGeek]

I forgot to mention ZaReason, which is another computer vendor supporting Ubuntu, Kubuntu, Fedora, Mint, and Debian Linux.
Check out their Strata 7440, beginning at $699, which can be custom modified to suit your tastes and your budget.


My son is pleased with the portability of his Gazelle. The battery life depends on what you do with it. Heavy compiling or 3D accelerated apps give about 3 to 4 hours, lite usage like general Internet browsing gives 4-6 hours. He can watch a full HD DVD movie on a single charge, but an HDMI connection to his 52" LCD TV gives a better picture.

[Chopstick]

The fingerprint reader is one you swipe across, which is actually better than the flat glass type. It's possible to retrieve a left-behind fingerprint from the flat readers; the swipe readers don't have this vulnerability.

I would order without the reader simply because I have no use for it. Right now, my password storage device is my brain, and I prefer to keep it that way. If I were to use some other device, I'd probably start forgetting my passwords!

Right - this is actually the reason I set my computer require a password after the screen saver was on (eventhough my computer is usually at home and when I am outside, I always lock the screen when I leave the computer unattended): it forces me to enter the password more often, so I don't forget it.

[SteveRiley]

I also notice that you also removed the Fingerprint Reader - you don't trust those either? My T60p has one and for the brief period I was toying around with the pre-installed Windows, I actually found them very convenient for locking the screen, but I imagine that it would be very easy to get your fingerprint off your keyboard and manufacture something that can fool the device.

The fingerprint reader is one you swipe across, which is actually better than the flat glass type. It's possible to retrieve a left-behind fingerprint from the flat readers; the swipe readers don't have this vulnerability.

I would order without the reader simply because I have no use for it. Right now, my password storage device is my brain, and I prefer to keep it that way. If I were to use some other device, I'd probably start forgetting my passwords!

[Chopstick]

You're right -- the markup appears to be 100% on the peripherals. Going your route saves you (340+320)-(170+170)=$320, and you get to keep the left-over 4GB SODIMM and 500 GB hard drive.

So, with this in mind, I customized a T540p on the Lenovo website. Here are the specs I would choose:

Processor: Intel Core i7-4700MQ Processor (6MB Cache, up to 3.40GHz)
Operating System: Windows 8.1 64 (None, if possible, but I suppose not...)
Operating System Language: Windows 8.1 64 - English
Microsoft Productivity Software: None
Display: 15.5" 3K (2880x1620) IPS With WWAN
Graphics: Intel HD Graphics
Memory: 4GB PC3-12800 DDR3L SDRAM 1600MHz SODIMM
Keyboard: ThinkPad New Precision Backlit Keyboard with Number Pad US English
Pointing Device: ThinkPad TrackPad No Fingerprint Reader
Camera: 720p HD Camera
Hard Drive: 500GB Hard Disk Drive, 7200rpm
Optical Device: DVD Recordable 8x Max Dual Layer
System Expansion Slots: No Smart Card Reader
Battery: 9 Cell Li-Ion Cylindrical Battery 99.9Wh
Power Cord: 90W AC Adapter - AG
Wireless: Intel Dual Band Wireless 7260AC with Bluetooth 4.0
Integrated Mobile Broadband: Integrated Mobile Broadband upgradeable
Language Pack: Publication - US English
Adobe Software - Electronic Download: None
Security Software - Electronic Download: None
Warranty: 1 Year Depot or Carry-in

I will ask at out campus bookstore/computer shop if they can get me "educational pricing" on that.

And SteveRiley, you were right, the HP Elitebook is not as powerful as the T540p: what I initially didn't notice is that it does not have a quad-core option - only dual core! I really want the i7 quad-core!
The direct competition for the T540p would actually be the HP EliteBook 8570p, which is even bigger than the Lenovo and doesn't have a trackpoint, as far as I can tell. One advantage of HP is, though, that they do not necessarily ship with windows. Unfortunately I cna't seem to order them from the Canadian website, so I can't get a price quote.

I also notice that you also removed the Fingerprint Reader - you don't trust those either? My T60p has one and for the brief period I was toying around with the pre-installed Windows, I actually found them very convenient for locking the screen, but I imagine that it would be very easy to get your fingerprint off your keyboard and manufacture something that can fool the device.

[SteveRiley]

I basically agree with all of what you say about the Thinkpads, SteveRiley. The customizability is really unparalleled as far as I have seen. Except that I would like to keep my new laptop for more than 4 years - I've had my Thinkpad T60p for 7 years now!
Personally I would go without a discrete video card, also in hope that it uses less power and the power unit might be smaller.
Regarding RAM and SSD, I was thinking that I can get these separately and install them myself. I have the impression that the mark-up in price for RAM and SSD is a bit too much. So basically I was thinking I get the regular HDD and take out the optical drive and put an SSD in. I literally never use my optical drive, but I use my external HDD everyday.

Seven years -- that's a long time! I find that I can get about three years of usable life out of laptop. After that, the hardware specs can't keep up with what I need to do. So it's not really a durability issue but more of an insatiable need for MOAR POWAR.

Pricing for extra components...let's compare Lenovo vs. NewEgg for the RAM. The base model includes one 4 GB PC3-12800 DDR3L 1600 MHz SODIMM. Bumping up to 16 GB requires two 8 GB SODIMMs, for which Lenovo charges $340. NewEgg currently shows 27 different in-stock choices for a 2 x 8 GB pair, ranging in price from $145 to $186. I would limit my choices those running at 1.35 volts rather than 1.5, the lowest available CAS latency of 9, and a timing of 9-9-9-24. These would be Crucial Ballistix at $170 or Corsair Vengeance at $170 (what's up with violent names for RAM? LOL). Exactly half what Lenovo charges!

What about the SSD? Lenovo charges $320 for a 256 GB drive (and removes the included 500 GB drive). NewEgg shows 20 non-refurbished drives matching 256 GB, 2.5", 7mm, SATA III. They range from $110 to $450. There is quite a range of operating voltages and throughputs. The median price is $170, which is slightly more than half of Lenovo's charge.

You're right -- the markup appears to be 100% on the peripherals. Going your route saves you (340+320)-(170+170)=$320, and you get to keep the left-over 4GB SODIMM and 500 GB hard drive.

[Chopstick]

I basically agree with all of what you say about the Thinkpads, SteveRiley. The customizability is really unparalleled as far as I have seen. Except that I would like to keep my new laptop for more than 4 years - I've had my Thinkpad T60p for 7 years now!
Personally I would go without a discrete video card, also in hope that it uses less power and the power unit might be smaller.
Regarding RAM and SSD, I was thinking that I can get these separately and install them myself. I have the impression that the mark-up in price for RAM and SSD is a bit too much. So basically I was thinking I get the regular HDD and take out the optical drive and put an SSD in. I literally never use my optical drive, but I use my external HDD everyday.

[GreyGeek]

... One recommendation: do not buy HP. Three years ago, my wife's DV9000 burnt itself up. Shoddy heat sinks. Read about my adventures:
https://www.kubuntuforums.net/showth...l=1#post340940
Follow the links there for the full story.

I second that opinion.

[SteveRiley]

Yet another reason for favoring ThinkPads is Lenovo's custom ordering capability. You can start with a base model and alter its specs to your liking. For example, right now on the Lenovo web site I'm tweaking a T540p to the way I'd like. The base system price is $899. My modifications:

* Processor: from Core i3-4000M to Core i7-4700MQ -- add $205
* Display: from HD (1366x768) panel to 3K (2880x1620) panel -- add $370
* Graphics: nVidia GeForce GT 730M -- add $130
* Memory: from 4 GB to 16 GB -- add $340
* Fingerprint reader: remove it -- subtract $20
* Storage: from 500 GB hard drive to 256 GB solid state drive -- add $320
* Wireless: from ThinkPad wireless 2x2 to Intel dual band 7260AC -- add $30

Total build price: $2274. Not bad for a machine that likely has at least a four year usable lifespan.

Some other thoughts:

* If you do anything more than surf the web (excluding video sites) and read/write email, Core i7 makes a big difference over Core i5 (in the mobile CPU family). Core i3 a joke.
* You don't need a vPro processor. vPro is a set of enterprise-managed security features that allow an IT department to remotely manage a PC. Not necessary for home users.
* Intel graphics is fine for most cases; if you play a lot of games or routinely want to drive three monitors, you'll need the nVidia graphics.
* Try to use two memory DIMMS rather than one, to enable the dual-channel memory bus. If 8 GB is fine, then order with two 4 GB DIMMs rather than one 8 GB DIMM.
* You don't need an Opal SSD. Like vPro, Opal is an enterprise management technology that's useless in home situations.
* Definitely upgrade to the dual-band wireless, and make sure that your wireless access point is also dual-band (preferably with separate radios for each band).

[Chopstick]

Very interesting, Feathers McGraw! I was wondering if I should go for a WiFi upgrade, and after you comment, I think I probably will. And for me you are exactly the right jdge of video performance: I don't game either and if it plays bluray quality without problems, that's more than enough!

[Feathers McGraw]

Good to hear that you like the IPS screen - On the 15.6" version, the resolution is a bit odd (1.5xFHD, I think); I'm not sure if this causes scaling problems.

One thing I forgot to mention is I went for the non-touchscreen model.

This is strange: my screen is FHD IPS 1920x1080, and was the more expensive option when I ordered my laptop, but looking at the Lenovo UK site now the FHD IPS with WWAN is £1.32 cheaper than the HD+ WWAN despite having a higher resolution. Not sure if they are trying to trick people into ordering the other one or not but whatever!

And I take it you don't really miss the discrete video card?

Nah I don't miss the video card, but then I don't play games so perhaps I'm not the best judge. I went without the discrete graphics card because:
a) dual graphics on Linux can be a lot of pain for little benefit IME, and often requires proprietary drivers which I don't like.
b) the laptop is more power efficient without the extra graphics card.

The laptop plays bluray quality films with no problem, and looks great. The higher resolution screen lets me fit way more on this display than I could on my old 15.6" laptop.


Can I make a recommendation if you're upgrading your laptop: make sure it has decent WiFi capabilities. Transferring files around my house is much quicker on 5GHz than 2.4GHz, and nobody else is using 5GHz so I have that part of the spectrum all to myself

The default wifi chip for the T440s was a "thinkpad wireless 2x2 BGN", which I upgraded for about £10-15 to an Intel chip (AC 7260) which supports 802.11ac. I didn't want to have to open up my laptop in a couple of years to replace the wifi chip, and routers are cheap in comparison. Most smartphones now come with better wifi capabilities than B/G/N!

[Chopstick]

You know there's an option to disable the touch pad for a set time after keyboard input? I find it really useful.

Yes, now I have that, but it took me a while to figure this out.
Good to hear that you like the IPS screen - On the 15.6" version, the resolution is a bit odd (1.5xFHD, I think); I'm not sure if this causes scaling problems.

And I take it you don't really miss the discrete video card?