Um, can I ask you guys a question?

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Hype
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Re: Um, can I ask you guys a question?

#26 Post by Hype » Mon Mar 23, 2015 9:45 am

This article might be helpful: http://www.cnet.com/topics/laptops/best-laptops/

Btw, creep, the laptop I was talking about is the Yoga 2 Pro... I would be very wary. I've had to replace it once (faulty SSD), and just got it back from a repair -- faulty display, motherboard, and they tossed in a new keyboard because it had worn down way too quickly (seems like the keys are just painted black...). It seems like Lenovo knows about all the issues that people have had with this model... The convertible aspect is great though.

I'm pretty sure you will get a copy of Windows 10 for free when it comes out if you own a Windows 8/8.1 computer. I don't hate it though.

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Re: Um, can I ask you guys a question?

#27 Post by SR » Mon Mar 23, 2015 9:47 am

creep wrote:i've been looking at the lenovo yoga's lately and am probably going to get one for my next laptop. many people will think it's silly but i like the idea of having a laptop/tablet. the only problem is that i hate windows 8. that has been my only reason not to have one already.

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Tempting but I've really hated this Lenovo

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Re: Um, can I ask you guys a question?

#28 Post by creep » Mon Mar 23, 2015 9:50 am

Adurentibus Spina wrote:This article might be helpful: http://www.cnet.com/topics/laptops/best-laptops/

Btw, creep, the laptop I was talking about is the Yoga 2 Pro... I would be very wary. I've had to replace it once (faulty SSD), and just got it back from a repair -- faulty display, motherboard, and they tossed in a new keyboard because it had worn down way too quickly (seems like the keys are just painted black...). It seems like Lenovo knows about all the issues that people have had with this model... The convertible aspect is great though.

I'm pretty sure you will get a copy of Windows 10 for free when it comes out if you own a Windows 8/8.1 computer. I don't hate it though.
hmmm...i hate change in my operating systems like most and am always the last to change. i hung on to xp forever and in the past year gave in to windows 7 and of course i like it.

i use a lenovo z380 13.3 and i love the thing. i guess i shouldn't change until it takes a shit. the only thing i really want in my next laptop is actual buttons for the track pad. my lenovo doesn't have it but some dells still do so most likely i will go dell next.

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Re: Um, can I ask you guys a question?

#29 Post by SR » Mon Mar 23, 2015 10:25 am

Ok, thx gents

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Re: Um, can I ask you guys a question?

#30 Post by SR » Mon Mar 23, 2015 12:19 pm

So, pretty pleased so far......it's a Toshiba 15+ inch screen, 1tb, 750gb, laptop/tablet with Office 8.1. The graphics are better than I have ever had and it has an extended key board as I like to type in numbers as I would on a calc. The key board is also quiet which I like a great deal. Speed is fine. After the gift card it cost me like 370.....total of 750 or so.

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Re: Um, can I ask you guys a question?

#31 Post by Larry B. » Mon Mar 23, 2015 12:31 pm

SR wrote:So, pretty pleased so far......it's a Toshiba 15+ inch screen, 1tb, 750gb, laptop/tablet with Office 8.1. The graphics are better than I have ever had and it has an extended key board as I like to type in numbers as I would on a calc. The key board is also quiet which I like a great deal. Speed is fine. After the gift card it cost me like 370.....total of 750 or so.
Sounds alright!

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Re: Um, can I ask you guys a question?

#32 Post by SR » Mon Mar 23, 2015 12:40 pm

Larry B. wrote:
SR wrote:So, pretty pleased so far......it's a Toshiba 15+ inch screen, 1tb, 750gb, laptop/tablet with Office 8.1. The graphics are better than I have ever had and it has an extended key board as I like to type in numbers as I would on a calc. The key board is also quiet which I like a great deal. Speed is fine. After the gift card it cost me like 370.....total of 750 or so.
Sounds alright!
Yeah, I am sure I'll be pulling my hair out shortly as I need to dl iTunes and lookinto office online, but it has a i5 processor as well. Thank for the help guys.

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Re: Um, can I ask you guys a question?

#33 Post by Hype » Mon Mar 23, 2015 12:44 pm

Let me know how that goes. I was a diehard Toshiba supporter for a long time (I still have a Toshiba laptop I bought in 2004 that still runs but has 8 minutes of battery life...) but haven't been sure about them for a while. Considering going with them for my next computer.

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Re: Um, can I ask you guys a question?

#34 Post by SR » Mon Mar 23, 2015 12:46 pm

Adurentibus Spina wrote:Let me know how that goes. I was a diehard Toshiba supporter for a long time (I still have a Toshiba laptop I bought in 2004 that still runs but has 8 minutes of battery life...) but haven't been sure about them for a while. Considering going with them for my next computer.
Shall do, but I am sure our standards are quite different. My first laptop was a Toshiba and it was my favorite of all, but with age and the increase in technology I really don't know what that says. And from just an hour or so, the action on it is spectacular. It feels much like an Apple machine in terms of screen look and touch. But, much more to do.....
Last edited by SR on Mon Mar 23, 2015 12:49 pm, edited 1 time in total.

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Re: Um, can I ask you guys a question?

#35 Post by Hype » Mon Mar 23, 2015 12:48 pm

SR wrote:
Adurentibus Spina wrote:Let me know how that goes. I was a diehard Toshiba supporter for a long time (I still have a Toshiba laptop I bought in 2004 that still runs but has 8 minutes of battery life...) but haven't been sure about them for a while. Considering going with them for my next computer.
Shall do, but I am sure our standards are quite different. My first laptop was a Toshiba and it was my favorite of all, but with age and the increase in technology I really don't know what that says.
Laptops should just work, and there should be no component issues, because they're not very user-serviceable. That's my standard. Which is why I'm never buying a Lenovo ever again. My old Toshiba was a tank.They made some pretty terrible netbooks for a while, but then, all netbooks were of questionable quality.

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Re: Um, can I ask you guys a question?

#36 Post by SR » Mon Mar 23, 2015 12:50 pm

Adurentibus Spina wrote:
SR wrote:
Adurentibus Spina wrote:Let me know how that goes. I was a diehard Toshiba supporter for a long time (I still have a Toshiba laptop I bought in 2004 that still runs but has 8 minutes of battery life...) but haven't been sure about them for a while. Considering going with them for my next computer.
Shall do, but I am sure our standards are quite different. My first laptop was a Toshiba and it was my favorite of all, but with age and the increase in technology I really don't know what that says.
Laptops should just work, and there should be no component issues, because they're not very user-serviceable. That's my standard. Which is why I'm never buying a Lenovo ever again. My old Toshiba was a tank.They made some pretty terrible netbooks for a while, but then, all netbooks were of questionable quality.
:lol: Well, this one is very light and very thin.....at least compared to anything I have ever had. The key board is backlit every time I touch the keys to type as well.

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Re: Um, can I ask you guys a question?

#37 Post by SR » Mon Mar 23, 2015 12:54 pm

And so far I am really digging 8.1......from a flick of a button I go to what I consider a normal desktop to a Apple TV style screen where I have access to the bells and whistle apps, then I can just touch screen navigate. Keeping this machine clean is going to be a chore though.

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Re: Um, can I ask you guys a question?

#38 Post by Hype » Mon Mar 23, 2015 1:01 pm

Pro-tip: you don't have to click on the big squares on your Start Screen, you can start typing the name of the application or file you want, and even if you've only partially gotten through the word, you can hit ENTER to open it. So you could do this:

1. Press WIN-KEY (opens Start screen)
2. Type 'Wor', hit enter.
3. Use Microsoft Word.

No need to navigate through menus or app buttons.

On the Start screen, you can uninstall an app just by right-clicking on it. Sometimes this opens the old-school uninstall window, but still pretty simple.

Also, you should get CCleaner, MalwareBytes Anti-malware, and honestly, you could probably get away with just using Windows Defender as your main antivirus (and just double-check once in a while with MalwareBytes...)

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Re: Um, can I ask you guys a question?

#39 Post by Larry B. » Mon Mar 23, 2015 1:06 pm

Adurentibus Spina wrote:My old Toshiba was a tank.
Wait... are you saying that something that you had was incredibly perfect, and that everything else was rubbish? Wow, now that is a surprise!

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Re: Um, can I ask you guys a question?

#40 Post by SR » Mon Mar 23, 2015 2:44 pm

Adurentibus Spina wrote:Pro-tip: you don't have to click on the big squares on your Start Screen, you can start typing the name of the application or file you want, and even if you've only partially gotten through the word, you can hit ENTER to open it. So you could do this:

1. Press WIN-KEY (opens Start screen)
2. Type 'Wor', hit enter.
3. Use Microsoft Word.

No need to navigate through menus or app buttons.

On the Start screen, you can uninstall an app just by right-clicking on it. Sometimes this opens the old-school uninstall window, but still pretty simple.

Also, you should get CCleaner, MalwareBytes Anti-malware, and honestly, you could probably get away with just using Windows Defender as your main antivirus (and just double-check once in a while with MalwareBytes...)
Wow, that was pretty amazing......but it doesn't mean that I can capture files from email and otherwise on word right?

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Re: Um, can I ask you guys a question?

#41 Post by Hype » Mon Mar 23, 2015 2:49 pm

SR wrote:
Adurentibus Spina wrote:Pro-tip: you don't have to click on the big squares on your Start Screen, you can start typing the name of the application or file you want, and even if you've only partially gotten through the word, you can hit ENTER to open it. So you could do this:

1. Press WIN-KEY (opens Start screen)
2. Type 'Wor', hit enter.
3. Use Microsoft Word.

No need to navigate through menus or app buttons.

On the Start screen, you can uninstall an app just by right-clicking on it. Sometimes this opens the old-school uninstall window, but still pretty simple.

Also, you should get CCleaner, MalwareBytes Anti-malware, and honestly, you could probably get away with just using Windows Defender as your main antivirus (and just double-check once in a while with MalwareBytes...)
Wow, that was pretty amazing......but it doesn't mean that I can capture files from email and otherwise on word right?
I think/hope you meant 'find files from email on the start screen', because finding email files in Word makes no sense. And I'm not sure of the answer to that question because it depends on what email client you use, whether you store files locally, etc. But if you play around with the settings you can tweak the Windows search function in different ways. You can also rearrange the Start Screen in various ways. For one thing, you can set it so that when you start up the computer it goes straight to the desktop instead of to the Start screen, and it might also be helpful to set the "Apps" view as the default, with desktop apps first. All these settings are accessible by right-clicking on the taskbar and selecting 'properties', and then the Navigation tab.

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Re: Um, can I ask you guys a question?

#42 Post by Hype » Mon Mar 23, 2015 3:01 pm

I should have said that you can also just press WIN+S to search/open a new program/file at any time.

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Re: Um, can I ask you guys a question?

#43 Post by SR » Tue Mar 24, 2015 7:35 am

Adurentibus Spina wrote:
SR wrote:
Adurentibus Spina wrote:Pro-tip: you don't have to click on the big squares on your Start Screen, you can start typing the name of the application or file you want, and even if you've only partially gotten through the word, you can hit ENTER to open it. So you could do this:

1. Press WIN-KEY (opens Start screen)
2. Type 'Wor', hit enter.
3. Use Microsoft Word.

No need to navigate through menus or app buttons.

On the Start screen, you can uninstall an app just by right-clicking on it. Sometimes this opens the old-school uninstall window, but still pretty simple.

Also, you should get CCleaner, MalwareBytes Anti-malware, and honestly, you could probably get away with just using Windows Defender as your main antivirus (and just double-check once in a while with MalwareBytes...)
Wow, that was pretty amazing......but it doesn't mean that I can capture files from email and otherwise on word right?
I think/hope you meant 'find files from email on the start screen', because finding email files in Word makes no sense. And I'm not sure of the answer to that question because it depends on what email client you use, whether you store files locally, etc. But if you play around with the settings you can tweak the Windows search function in different ways. You can also rearrange the Start Screen in various ways. For one thing, you can set it so that when you start up the computer it goes straight to the desktop instead of to the Start screen, and it might also be helpful to set the "Apps" view as the default, with desktop apps first. All these settings are accessible by right-clicking on the taskbar and selecting 'properties', and then the Navigation tab.
no. Those 3 commands took me to a blank word file, which was cool. And no, I was never looking to find emails in a word file doc, but rather want to have my computer recognize word file attachments from email.

All of these tips are interesting, but tell me.....do people generally shut down their computers? I never have. I simply let it go to sleep. Is this unwise, unsafe?

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Re: Um, can I ask you guys a question?

#44 Post by Hype » Tue Mar 24, 2015 7:38 am

You don't really have to shut down modern computers, especially laptops that use SSDs. Hard restarts are necessary for some installations/updates, but that's about it.

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Re: Um, can I ask you guys a question?

#45 Post by SR » Tue Mar 24, 2015 7:45 am

Adurentibus Spina wrote:You don't really have to shut down modern computers, especially laptops that use SSDs. Hard restarts are necessary for some installations/updates, but that's about it.
Will Larry be upset?

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Re: Um, can I ask you guys a question?

#46 Post by Hype » Tue Mar 24, 2015 8:56 am

SR wrote:
Adurentibus Spina wrote:You don't really have to shut down modern computers, especially laptops that use SSDs. Hard restarts are necessary for some installations/updates, but that's about it.
Will Larry be upset?
God I hope so. :tiphat:

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Re: Um, can I ask you guys a question?

#47 Post by mockbee » Tue Mar 24, 2015 9:59 am

I have a MacBook at home, essentially use it as a desktop, so I am curious about the "on" and "how best to cycle the battery" question.

This is just what some random person said, but seems practical, but I suppose just depends on what your situation is and what type of drive/battery you have. :noclue:

eroydouglas wrote:

Never heard that advice before. The kb certainly does not say that.


Big difference from your statement compare ""Apple does not recommend leaving your portable plugged in all the time."


I think using the battery regularly is a better interpretation.

I would submit that is the way most people use their Portables, close the lid.


You absolutely misunderstood I referred to BOTH "on power AND in sleep mode"

not to: "closing the lid ,... sleep mode"

Using the battery regularly can mean anything as a generalization.

That advice on parasitic charging is correct. Which referres to BOTH in sleep AND on power... not however to merely "in sleep mode"


There is no etrecheck for parasitic battery charging, ..... NOR is there any such check for both:

1. fast discharges

3. low discharges

As such that battery information you provided above doesnt report bad abuse / misuse of a battery.


Nor does / can Etrecheck report on physical abuse of any macbook, logically.

Battery abuse / misuse is a type of physical abuse, chemistry of the battery abuse, however its internal.


I did not say the KB article said that, what it says:

http://www.apple.com/batteries/notebooks.html

"Apple does not recommend leaving your portable plugged in all the time."

So, you misunderstood.

Apples recommendation refers to micro-cycling the battery and to parasitic charging in the above quote, that it doesnt elaborate on the specifics of same is irrelevant.


The implication from same is exactly this

*If you don’t plan on using it for a few hours, turn it OFF (plugged in or otherwise) ..*You don’t want your Macbook both always plugged in AND in sleep mode (When portable devices are charging and in the on or sleep position, the current that is drawn through the device is called the parasitic load and will alter the dynamics of charge cycle. Battery manufacturers advise against parasitic loading because it induces mini-cycles.)


Keeping batteries connected to a charger ensures that periodic "top-ups" do very minor but continuous damage to individual cells, hence Apples recommendation above: “Apple does not recommend leaving your portable plugged in all the time”, …this is because “Li-ion degrades fastest at high state-of-charge”.

This is also the same reason new Apple notebooks are packaged with 50% charges and not 100%.

Contrary to popular myths about notebook batteries, there is protection circuitry in your Macbook and therefore you cannot ‘overcharge’ your notebook when plugged in and already fully charged.

However if you do not plan on using your notebook for several hours, turn it off (plugged in or otherwise), since you do not want your Macbook ‘both always plugged in and in sleep mode’.

A lot of battery experts call the use of Lithium-Ion cells the "80% Rule", meaning use 80% of the full charge or so, then recharge them for longer overall life. The only quantified damage done in the use of Lithium Ion batteries are instances where the internal notebook battery is “often drained very low”, this is bad general use of your notebook battery.

A person who has, for example, 300 charge cycles on their battery and is recharging at say 40% remaining of a 100% charge has a better battery condition state than, say, another person who has 300 charge cycles on their battery and is recharging at say 10-15% remaining on a 100% charge. DoD (depth of discharge) is much more important on the wear and tear on your Macbook’s battery than the count of charge cycles. There is no set “mile” or wear from a charge cycle in specific. Frequent high depth of discharge rates (draining the battery very low) on a Lithium battery will hasten the lowering of maximum battery capacity.

All batteries in any device are a consumable meant to be replaced eventually after much time, even under perfect use conditions.


If the massive amount of data that exists on lithium batteries were to be condensed into a simplex, helpful, and memorable bit of information it would be:

1. While realistically a bit impractical during normal everyday use, a lithium battery's longevity and its chemistry's health is most happy swinging back and forth between 20% and 85% charge roughly.

2. Do not purposefully drain your battery very low (10% and less), and do not keep them charged often or always high (100%).

3. Lithium batteries do not like the following:

A: Deep discharges, as meaning roughly 10% or less on a frequent basis.

B: Rapid discharges as referring to energy intensive gaming on battery on a frequent basis (in which case while gaming, if possible, do same on power rather than battery). This is a minor consideration.

C: Constant inflation, as meaning always or most often on charge, and certainly not both in sleep mode and on charge always or often.


From Apple on batteries:

http://www.apple.com/batteries/notebooks.html

http://support.apple.com/kb/HT1446


Bad discharging or battery use conditions:

Heat (due to environmental conditions or due to rapid discharges from heavy use = gaming / video editing)

Rapid discharging of the battery frequently causes chemical changes over time in the battery leading to decreased capacity and resistance of current flow.

The very worst use of your battery is often draining the battery very low, and worse still letting it remain in such a state.

*Most long-term rapid damage to the battery occurs from discharging it with high loading (gaming) conditions but paramount is avoiding deep and frequent low DOD (depths of discharge) in use.


Undesirable charging or charged conditions:

High perpetual SOC (state of charge), where the battery is always or very often connected to charge

Parasitic loading where the battery is both usually on and charging or worse both always charging and in sleep mode, since this induces mini-cycling of the battery.


Bad general handling conditions:

Temperature use conditions when either too hot (95F and above) or too cold (50F and below)
Storing your battery away with a low charge (40% and less) long-term.


Considerations:


Your battery is subject to chemical aging even if not in use. A Lithium battery is aging as soon as its made, regardless.

In a perfect (although impractical) situation, your lithium battery is best idealized swinging back and forth between 20 and 85% SOC (state of charge) roughly.

Further still how you discharge the battery is far more important than how it is either charged or stored short term.

Ultimately counting charge cycles is of little to no importance. Abuse in discharging (foremost), charging, and storing the battery and how it affects battery chemistry is important and not the ‘odometer’ reading, or cycle counts on the battery.

Everything boils down to battery chemistry long term, and not an arbitrary number, or cycle count.

Keep your macbook plugged in when near a socket since in the near end of long-term life, this is beneficial to the battery.

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Re: Um, can I ask you guys a question?

#48 Post by Larry B. » Tue Mar 24, 2015 11:02 am

SR wrote:
Adurentibus Spina wrote:You don't really have to shut down modern computers, especially laptops that use SSDs. Hard restarts are necessary for some installations/updates, but that's about it.
Will Larry be upset?
Not this time, but there is no harm in turning them off either. It just saves a tiny bit of energy. If you have Windows, a restart after an installation is recommended, to minimize registry errors.

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Re: Um, can I ask you guys a question?

#49 Post by Hype » Tue Mar 24, 2015 11:07 am

Some companies preload battery management software to help deal with the cycling issue. One way to do this is to set the battery to stay around 60% and keep it from charging, but yeah if you're keeping it plugged in a lot... Don't.

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Re: Um, can I ask you guys a question?

#50 Post by SR » Wed Mar 25, 2015 7:29 am

Just went to authorize my iTunes and apparently I have to locate an old compute to de-authorize it. Hope I can find one. :banghead: :banghead:

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