Windows 7 w/Bootcamp vs new laptop
 

For my biostats course we have to install and use SAS. I have a Mac desktop that meets the 'adequate' specs we were given and has Bootcamp on it; but the Windows OS on it is XP. We have to have Windows 7.

Reading online, it looks as if it's not that easy to replace XP with 7. I'd have to do a 'clean install', but I haven't wiped this computer while using the Windows platform, and I don't have the original software to re-install - it's all with my ex. While buying Windows 7 and trying this would be the least expensive option I don't have a lot of time to spend cursing and sweating, trying to get the thing working.

If I bought a PC laptop, I'd need an Intel Pentium 4 or better processor; 2+ GB RAM; direct x9.0c compatible graphics card; Windows 7 OS, of course. Does anyone have an opinion on a good value out there for these needs? I see Celeron and other processors listed for the student special laptops and don't know if that will do. I don't need gaming stuff, but I need to be able to use Silverlight and be able to stream video.

Any recommendations? Or is it worth trying to put Windows 7 on an older Mac desktop?

I sell like 4 laptops per week for the pawn shop. I could snag you a good one, but how soon do you need it?

Because I sell them on eBay and there are always great deals on notebooks there:

Here are about 2000 laptops, P4 or better, 2GB ram or better, under $300, Buy-It-Now only

oooh!


Also as I recall you need to be 64 bit ready. Oddly when I do the check with my computer, via microsoft's website, it says I am not 64 bit ready.

When I check via Belarc it says I am 64 bit ready. I think I tend to trust Belarc slightly more.

You're not orthodoc!

Yes I am! My nose looks different.

I thought this was the window to sign up for Boobcamp.

*shuffles away, mumbling*

OK, well. Anyone who needs a used laptop for between $200 and $300, should give me precise descriptions of exactly what you need and how scratched up and shitty it can be. You should expect to buy a new battery. (They are under $20 on the 'Bay) We usually put a nice vanilla Win 7 Home Premium on everything. (But not Macs.)

Next week I will not be at the shop, so you see, it's really "here and there" sorta stuff. Some weeks we have 6 laptops and some weeks we only have 1 and it's a shitbox. But recently there have been a lot of three-year-old systems with 15.6" screens.

Ask Bri how she likes hers!

Sorry for posting and disappearing UT, I couldn't get back to my computer at work ... but a used laptop would be fantastic. I was told that because of the 'direct x 0.9c compatible graphics card' I would need a dedicated graphics card, which isn't common in laptops and pushes the price 'way up. Was I being given a load of bs? Because a nice used laptop would be perfect. Unfortunately I need it sometime next week though, so if you're not around it may not work out ... but I really appreciate any advice, and if it can be arranged that's fantastic. If not, is it bs that I need a dedicated graphics card?

Thanks!

SAS doesn't really say that, which I think they would? Even the extremely detailed PDF System Requirements for SAS 9.3 Foundation for Microsoft Windows doesn't even say you need a dedicated graphics card, much less a complicated one. But maybe one of the other client softwares need it.

A lot of modern laptops support DirectX 9. I don't think they even need a dedicated card to do it, but I can check that.

Now here's the thing, I am working a half day at the shop tomorrow. What if there is a laptop for $300 or less, that supports Win 7 and DX9, 2GB+ RAM, plus $20 shipping and insurance, do you want it? (What if it was dusty and/or grimy, two of the rubber feet were missing, and there was a 1/2" scratch on the screen that didn't show much when the screen was on?)

Oh and all of the Windows laptops I've sold are major brands: Compaq/HP, Dell, Toshiba, Acer, Asus.

If you have one like that, absolutely, I'll take it! I don't need it to look pretty, I just need it to work. And it would have Win 7 installed?

That would be fantastic ... thank you!!

Watch this space tomorrow afternoon.

I will (surreptitiously, while getting grilled by my prof on random Occ Med topics during didactics all afternoon - but I WILL check as often as I can)!

Thanks so much! :)

Wow, it turns out that one of my sons has a used laptop that seems to meet requirements - I'd totally forgotten this particular laptop was around. He loaned it to a roommate a year ago, so doesn't know what state it's currently in. He's going to wipe it and reinstall everything in the next couple of hours. If it works, I'd be able to use it for the class ... I will let you know as soon as he gets the reinstall done, Tony. I just got an email from him this morning mentioning it.

I'm at the shop now, will head out soon. There are two decent HPs on the Bay already, and one nice Acer that will be up in about an hour. All my auctions are seen here. If you want one of 'em give me a shout, otherwise they have to remain listed and should sell soon. (I can't reserve them very much.)

This goes for anybody who needs a laptop... or a netbook... speak now or wait about two weeks for the next batch... the real benefit from buying them from me, as opposed to the rest of the eBay, is an honest assessment and usually a vanilla Win 7 install.

Thank you, Tony - my son was able to get the OS and software reinstalled on his old computer and wants to give it to me, so I'll go with that ... but I really appreciate your willingness to do this. Many thanks. :)

No prob. Dwellars, last call for a mint Samsung Galaxy Tab 10.1 tablet for under $300!

If the sequestered jury comes back with a verdict against Samsung, you won't be able to buy these in the future either.

SAS
 

BTW, we have two SAS developers at work (well, one is an Hematologic Oncologist that has it in his contract that he can develop his software package).

We've used Intel graphics on both of their Core 2 Duo workstations. Everything works fine with 64-bit Windows 7. SAS needs RAM, however. 2GB DDR3 is super cheap online (I just got 2 2GB sticks for $22 from Newegg for a Thinkpad I got on Overstock).