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Where can you buy laptops with Windows 7???

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KingstonU

Golden Member
Dec 26, 2006
1,405
16
81
Sister needs a new laptop. Problem is that BestBuy, FutureShop etc. only carry Windows 8 and don`t give the option of Windows 7 and we want to avoid Windows 8 like the plague.

Where can we find a nice selection of budget Windows 7 laptops? (also we are in Canada)

She just needs something basic to use Facebook, Youtube, play DVDs and do a bit of Microsoft Office for school. Battery life, decent speakers, 14'' and it being ''pretty'' are high on the list of requirements as well.

She really likes this Toshiba Satellite C50D-A-023 which we found for $450. If we can find that with Windows 7 that would be perfect.

Thanks!
 
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DaveSimmons

Elite Member
Aug 12, 2001
40,730
670
126
Online manufacturer direct stores. Dell does it, check Toshiba's online store along with HP.
 
alkemyst

alkemyst

No Lifer
Feb 13, 2001
83,769
19
81
They are out there. However; bang for buck Windows 8 will win out. Once you begin using it you get over Win 7 wants especially with a laptop that's guaranteed total compatibility.

It will probably be cheaper to buy a Windows 8 laptop, wipe it to Windows 7...since she is a student a cheap Win 7 license should be out there or already owned.
 
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Bryf50

Golden Member
Nov 11, 2006
1,429
51
91
Don't be so hard headed. Windows 8 isn't that bad. And once you install a start menu replacement like Start8 it is just flat out better than Windows 7 in all ways.
 
MichaelD

MichaelD

Lifer
Jan 16, 2001
31,528
3
76
I was in the same boat. I wanted a new laptop but wanted W7 on it. There are several manufs out there selling new laptops w/W7. Typically they are not the latest model, but considering something 6 months old is considered "OLD" in the computing world it's not a big deal.

I second Alky's idea. Your sister should be able to get a student copy of W7 very cheaply if not free. I wound up buying a W7 Prox64 license key online for $68 last weekend for the Lenovo E545 I just bought. And returned. But that's another thread.

If you go the Dell or HP route, don't be afraid to give them a call and say "I want this laptop but it has to come with Windows 7 Pro at no extra charge." They want to sell you a laptop and licenses are dirt cheap for them b/c they buy by the thousands.

Now, I know you said "budget laptop" but that means many thing to many people. PowerPro sells laptops without operating systems on them, but obviously you have to load everything up yourself. This laptop is not "bottom tier" cheap but it is pretty nice for what you get. http://www.powernotebooks.com/PowerPro-J-5-16-business-laptop-notebooks-sys-5874.html
Or this one. Full HD screen for $700. http://www.powernotebooks.com/Sager-NP2650-gaming-laptops-notebooks-sys-5586.html <---I may pull the plug on this one myself.

If you REALLY want a BUDGET laptop, buy one of the $250 refurbs on Newegg and a new W7 license key and you'll have a "new laptop with W7 for $320. Just make sure you find all the W7 drivers for that model before you buy.

Good luck.
 
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DaveSimmons

Elite Member
Aug 12, 2001
40,730
670
126
> If you REALLY want a BUDGET laptop, buy one of the $250 refurbs on Newegg and a new W7 license key and you'll have a "new laptop with W7 for $320.

http://www.dfsdirectsales.com/

Dell off-lease has ~250 in stock with W7 installed already, and where you know the drivers exist. One I see is a Latitude, i3, 4 GB, 250 GB HDD is $300.

A friend picked up a couple of D630's for a charity a few years ago and they were in nice shape for off-lease.
 
MichaelD

MichaelD

Lifer
Jan 16, 2001
31,528
3
76
Nice find, DaveSimmons! Perfect for a student who just wants to take notes/do homework/surf on it.
 
RossMAN

RossMAN

Grand Nagus
Feb 24, 2000
79,012
431
136
DaveSimmons said:
> If you REALLY want a BUDGET laptop, buy one of the $250 refurbs on Newegg and a new W7 license key and you'll have a "new laptop with W7 for $320.

http://www.dfsdirectsales.com/

Dell off-lease has ~250 in stock with W7 installed already, and where you know the drivers exist. One I see is a Latitude, i3, 4 GB, 250 GB HDD is $300.

A friend picked up a couple of D630's for a charity a few years ago and they were in nice shape for off-lease.
Click to expand...

Back in the day I remember paying $1,400 for my nicely equipped Latitude D630 now it's collecting dust, ugh.

Typing this on a Dell XPS 14 (from Dell Outlet of course).
 
H

hans007

Lifer
Feb 1, 2000
20,212
18
81
Easiest way is to buy a corporate machine with windows 8 pro downgrade rights. Or hp / dell have select very limited selection of windows 7 machines.

Like hp probooks all models can have windows 7 pro instead of 8. Starts at around $500 in the US.
 
corkyg

corkyg

Elite Member | Peripherals
Super Moderator
Mar 4, 2000
27,370
240
106
dontl00katme said:
Can't you just buy whatever model it pleases you and then install Windows 7?
Click to expand...

That's also an option, but not always a good one for some. You need to have all of the prtoprietary OEM drivers for the particular laptop on hand or you will be minus many laptop features. Unlike desktop setups, laptops are not standard. Each OEM has its own stuff. It works for some folks, but not everyone is so inclined or equipped.
 
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dontl00katme

Member
Sep 20, 2013
25
0
61
corkyg said:
That's also an option, but not always a good one for some. You need to have all of the prtoprietary OEM drivers for the particular laptop on hand or you will be minus many laptop features. Unlike desktop setups, laptops are not standard. Each OEM has its own stuff. It works for some folks, but not everyone is so inclined or equipped.
Click to expand...

You can usually download them from the OEM's website plus it gives you the chance to avoid the regular crapware that usually ships with laptops nowadays.
 
frozentundra123456

frozentundra123456

Lifer
Aug 11, 2008
10,451
642
126
Bryf50 said:
Don't be so hard headed. Windows 8 isn't that bad. And once you install a start menu replacement like Start8 it is just flat out better than Windows 7 in all ways.
Click to expand...

Yes it is that bad, from a user interface point of view, especially in a cheap laptop without a touch screen. I just bought my wife a win 8 laptop, and she absolutely hates it. It is better in every way than the old one she replaced, except that the old one was running win 7. She still wants that old one back after several months of win 8 usage, even though it was slower and overheated like mad, finally leading to its death.

And the fact that start menu replacement programs exist and can be had easily just shows how badly MS screwed up something that would have cost them nothing to leave in the OS.

I dont know if they are really that out of touch with the average consumer, or if they are just so arrogant that they dont care.

Edit: back on topic, as far as buying laptops with Win 7 installed, Microcenter has a pretty good selection, although they are mid priced and up. Dont think they have any stores in Canada though.
 
alkemyst

alkemyst

No Lifer
Feb 13, 2001
83,769
19
81
frozentundra123456 said:
Yes it is that bad, from a user interface point of view, especially in a cheap laptop without a touch screen. I just bought my wife a win 8 laptop, and she absolutely hates it. It is better in every way than the old one she replaced, except that the old one was running win 7. She still wants that old one back after several months of win 8 usage, even though it was slower and overheated like mad, finally leading to its death.

And the fact that start menu replacement programs exist and can be had easily just shows how badly MS screwed up something that would have cost them nothing to leave in the OS.

I dont know if they are really that out of touch with the average consumer, or if they are just so arrogant that they dont care.

Edit: back on topic, as far as buying laptops with Win 7 installed, Microcenter has a pretty good selection, although they are mid priced and up. Dont think they have any stores in Canada though.
Click to expand...

What is stopping you from just putting a Start Menu replacement on it?

Simple solution and Win 7 ain't coming back.
 
frozentundra123456

frozentundra123456

Lifer
Aug 11, 2008
10,451
642
126
alkemyst said:
What is stopping you from just putting a Start Menu replacement on it?

Simple solution and Win 7 ain't coming back.
Click to expand...

Why should I have to? What did MS gain by removing it? It is almost like they are giving the "eff you" to traditional users. And even after all the feedback and outrage from traditional users, they did not put a start menu back in 8.1.
 
boomhower

boomhower

Diamond Member
Sep 13, 2007
7,228
19
81
I just went through this at work. We needed something cheap and durable. We ended up getting refurb Dell E6420's. 14" i5 with Windows 7 fit the bill perfectly for what we needed. Paid ~$300 for them.
 
alkemyst

alkemyst

No Lifer
Feb 13, 2001
83,769
19
81
boomhower said:
I just went through this at work. We needed something cheap and durable. We ended up getting refurb Dell E6420's. 14" i5 with Windows 7 fit the bill perfectly for what we needed. Paid ~$300 for them.
Click to expand...

This actually would probably be on of the best ways to go. You can also order directly from Dell and get a factory backed warranty.
 
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