Need Help picking a laptop
#91
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For the software it will help to know what version of Windows you are coming from and what version of Quicken you are running now.
The mouse and keyboard should work with the generic drivers that come with Windows. If you had extra features (usually extra buttons) it will depend on what the vendor of the keyboard and mouse still supports.
There is supposed to be a way for Windows to connect the laptop with the laptop closed and use it with a keyboard, mouse, and external display just like a desktop. I may not recall correctly, but I think it's in the power settings and how you set the lid-closed button. It may be possible to trigger the change depending on if you are on battery or wall power.
You may want to look into USB hubs if you run short of ports. These expand one USB port into 4 or 7 or even 10.
The mouse and keyboard should work with the generic drivers that come with Windows. If you had extra features (usually extra buttons) it will depend on what the vendor of the keyboard and mouse still supports.
There is supposed to be a way for Windows to connect the laptop with the laptop closed and use it with a keyboard, mouse, and external display just like a desktop. I may not recall correctly, but I think it's in the power settings and how you set the lid-closed button. It may be possible to trigger the change depending on if you are on battery or wall power.
You may want to look into USB hubs if you run short of ports. These expand one USB port into 4 or 7 or even 10.
No extra features on the keyboard. It's a standard HP keyboard that's been around forever.
The laptop has USB-c ports and I recognize I probably will need a hub. My issue is will I need one to go from USB (old) to new USB-C.
I do know I"m going to transfer everything using laplink like I did when I got the desktop. I worked like a charm and all my programs and setting carried over. I am going to start cleaning out the drive & old programs though.
#92

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No extra features on the keyboard. It's a standard HP keyboard that's been around forever.
#93
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Looking at pics of your new laptop, you appear to have two standard USB ports, one on each side of the laptop, and one USB-C port on the left side. So you can "hub" either way.
You also have an HDMI port on the left side that you can plug a monitor into. If your current monitor plugs in using a DisplayPort plug, or a DVI plug, or a (heaven forfend) VGA plug...there are adapters you can buy on Amazon for a few dollars.
You also have an HDMI port on the left side that you can plug a monitor into. If your current monitor plugs in using a DisplayPort plug, or a DVI plug, or a (heaven forfend) VGA plug...there are adapters you can buy on Amazon for a few dollars.
#94
 



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Not sure if you really need a hub ... You can consolidate and eliminate wired kbd/mouse, and go with a network enabled printer/scanner.
I'm using an Anker 565 usb-c hub that also powers the laptop. Combined with an Anker 736 100w charger. The charger powers the hub, the hub uses 15w and sends up to 85w to the laptop. I don't need to travel with that, just use it to plug in a few things at home (audio, ethernet, external drive). I've tried a ton of different hubs and docking stations, this one seems to be working pretty well, but they all misbehave when the power goes out, even for an instant. They have other versions of this, but I'd stick with newer Anker hubs if you really need it at all. Maybe if you go with a bluetooth kbd/mouse and network enabled printer/scanner you might have enough ports for everything else you need?
I've also upgraded my external storage (backups, etc) to Samsung T7 SSDs, which can be had for around $80 for 1TB usually. They are native USB-C but they come with both usb-c to c and usb-c to a cables. I only plug one of those into my hub because of their power requirements. 2 might work, but I haven't tried that.
I just back up my quicken data files to the cloud. (two different ones in fact) and I keep monthly, weekly, daily backups.
All data is backed up to the cloud and external storage drives for a nightly image and time machine backups (mac).
-David
Last edited by LIH Prem; Mar 27, 2023 at 10:08 pm
#96
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Those of us who love a Trackpoint.....loooooooooove a Trackpoint.
The other 99.9% of the population have absolutely no clue how to use a Trackpoint.
The other 99.9% of the population have absolutely no clue how to use a Trackpoint.
#97

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#98
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I got the lenovo 2 days ago and finally turned it on today. Seems to work well. Until I get a mouse, how the heck to I right click on the trackpad ? 



AND, I also bought an individual use license for Office 2021, for a whopping $40 today. It is good for 1 computer and I have to activate it within 30 days.
Should I activate on my old desktop and then let Laplink do it's work, or just update it after I'm done with laplink?
I'm going to be buying a keyboard and mouse today and will also deal with the other peripherals.
Needless to say, with the move and selling stuff on FB and starting to pack, I have my hands full these days and I'm really concerned about not having access to my computer to work as I normally do.
Thank you.




AND, I also bought an individual use license for Office 2021, for a whopping $40 today. It is good for 1 computer and I have to activate it within 30 days.
Should I activate on my old desktop and then let Laplink do it's work, or just update it after I'm done with laplink?
I'm going to be buying a keyboard and mouse today and will also deal with the other peripherals.
Needless to say, with the move and selling stuff on FB and starting to pack, I have my hands full these days and I'm really concerned about not having access to my computer to work as I normally do.
Thank you.
#99

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PS - As with others, to this day, I still sometimes revert to the track-point thing as I click with my thumb. LOL...old habits really die hard...
#100

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Worse comes to worse, take a photo of the trackpad and post it here.
#101
 



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#102
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Thank you.
It's a single block. I tried playing with it and instead, opened the app. A mouse is on it's way 
I'll play with it after I get my mouse later today
So that could be a number of things depending on the trackpad (personally, I prefer mouse and usually disable trackpad and pointer if possible)... if it's just one solid piece with the deck of the laptop, then it's usually double-tap. If it's a separate piece, then try clicking on the right-hand bottom corner (the Lenovos I usually work with usually have mouse buttons at the top of the trackpad, but they're the older models).
Worse comes to worse, take a photo of the trackpad and post it here.
Worse comes to worse, take a photo of the trackpad and post it here.


I'll play with it after I get my mouse later today
#104
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I got the lenovo 2 days ago and finally turned it on today. Seems to work well. Until I get a mouse, how the heck to I right click on the trackpad ? 



AND, I also bought an individual use license for Office 2021, for a whopping $40 today. It is good for 1 computer and I have to activate it within 30 days.
Should I activate on my old desktop and then let Laplink do it's work, or just update it after I'm done with laplink?
I'm going to be buying a keyboard and mouse today and will also deal with the other peripherals.
Needless to say, with the move and selling stuff on FB and starting to pack, I have my hands full these days and I'm really concerned about not having access to my computer to work as I normally do.
Thank you.




AND, I also bought an individual use license for Office 2021, for a whopping $40 today. It is good for 1 computer and I have to activate it within 30 days.
Should I activate on my old desktop and then let Laplink do it's work, or just update it after I'm done with laplink?
I'm going to be buying a keyboard and mouse today and will also deal with the other peripherals.
Needless to say, with the move and selling stuff on FB and starting to pack, I have my hands full these days and I'm really concerned about not having access to my computer to work as I normally do.
Thank you.
Also wanted to add that in general I only use trackpads and prefer them to using a mouse. Even on desktops or when I hook a mouse up to a bigger monitor I use external trackpads.
#105
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Not yet, only because I'm working on cleaning my existing hard drive and backing everything up. I only want to get the new one ready to use after I'm done with laplink. Because we're preparing to move, I can't risk not having a computer ready to use when needed. That includes the printer and scanner too.


