Echo Hello World! Excited for my fully upgraded ThinkPad T420!

[TribalMethods]

Greetings fellow techies!

I'd like to introduce myself. My name is John, age 26 and I currently am trying to relocate out of the terribly tiny town I live (which smells.)

Most of my life I have spent helping others repair, or update, or fix their expensive equipment meanwhile working low-class restaurant jobs and not being able to afford my own nice things. The few times I have owned anything nice, it's either been stolen, or something terrible happens and I end up having to sell whatever I have to survive....

Life however is looking up. I just purchased the first nice laptop I have had in years. As I'm not much of a desktop-guy or a gamer. I used to be fluent in over 6 web languages including XHTML, PHP, CSS, JavaScript, Java and MySQL. When I used to design websites, I was a snob. I'd never use ANY visual editor, and always used the W3 Validator on ALL pages.

I only worked with a few windows languages like C++, python, and basic, though never mastered much. I actually am slightly ashamed to admit the most useful app's I designed were built in Visual Basic. But at least I did a lot of coding and less visual editing.

I have been using a Dell Inspiron Mini 1012 for the past year... it came loaded with windows 7 and was completely unusable. I down-graded to windows xp (with some effort using graphics drivers from a different dell model!)
However this laptop is still too slow to even watch YouTube videos. I even have trouble listing my items on eBay due to how slow it is... though it's 400% better than with Windows 7.

Here are it's terrible specs:
Intel Atom N450 @ 1.66GHZ
0.99GB RAM
Intel graphics media accelerator 3150
Western digital 240GB HD @ 2500RPM


Now for the great news!

I just purchased a new laptop yesterday!!!
I bought a Lenovo ThinkPad T420 refurbished for $260
Here are the specs:

[SIZE=4][FONT=Arial][SIZE=4][FONT=Arial][SIZE=4][FONT=Arial][SIZE=4][FONT=Arial][SIZE=4][FONT=Arial][SIZE=4][FONT=Arial][SIZE=4][FONT=Arial][SIZE=4][FONT=Arial][SIZE=4][FONT=Arial][SIZE=4][FONT=Arial][SIZE=4][FONT=Arial][SIZE=4][FONT=Arial][SIZE=4][FONT=Arial][SIZE=4][FONT=Arial][/FONT][/SIZE][/FONT][/SIZE][/FONT][/SIZE][/FONT][/SIZE][/FONT][/SIZE][/FONT][/SIZE][/FONT][/SIZE][/FONT][/SIZE][/FONT][/SIZE][/FONT][/SIZE][/FONT][/SIZE][/FONT][/SIZE][/FONT][/SIZE][/FONT][/SIZE][COLOR=#000000][FONT=Arial][SIZE=2]Product ID[/SIZE][/FONT][/COLOR]
[COLOR=#000000][FONT=Arial][SIZE=2]4178-6WU[/SIZE][/FONT][/COLOR]
[COLOR=#000000][FONT=Arial][SIZE=2]Form Factor[/SIZE][/FONT][/COLOR]
[COLOR=#000000][FONT=Arial][SIZE=2]Laptop[/SIZE][/FONT][/COLOR]
[COLOR=#000000][FONT=Arial][SIZE=2]Release Date[/SIZE][/FONT][/COLOR]
[COLOR=#000000][FONT=Arial][SIZE=2]2011[/SIZE][/FONT][/COLOR]
[COLOR=#000000][FONT=Arial][SIZE=2]CPU[/SIZE][/FONT][/COLOR]
[COLOR=#000000][FONT=Arial][SIZE=2]Intel Core i7 [RIGHT]2620M [/RIGHT]2.7GHz[/SIZE][/FONT][/COLOR]
[COLOR=#000000][FONT=Arial][SIZE=2]Installed RAM[/SIZE][/FONT][/COLOR]
[COLOR=#000000][FONT=Arial][SIZE=2]8 GB PC3-10600S[/SIZE][/FONT][/COLOR]
[COLOR=#000000][FONT=Arial][SIZE=2]Graphics Processor[/SIZE][/FONT][/COLOR]
[SIZE=2]Nvidia NVS 4200M, Intel HD Graphics 3000[/SIZE]
[COLOR=#000000][FONT=Arial][SIZE=2]HDD Type/Capacity[/SIZE][/FONT][/COLOR]
[COLOR=#000000][FONT=Arial][SIZE=2]500 GB SATA [/SIZE][/FONT][/COLOR]
[COLOR=#000000][FONT=Arial][SIZE=2]Optic Disc Drive[/SIZE][/FONT][/COLOR]
[COLOR=#000000][FONT=Arial][SIZE=2]DVD+-RW-DL[/SIZE][/FONT][/COLOR]
[COLOR=#000000][FONT=Arial][SIZE=2]Ports[/SIZE][/FONT][/COLOR]
[COLOR=#000000][FONT=Arial][SIZE=2]4 USB 2.0, FireWire/i.LINK, USB/eSATA, VGA, DisplayPort, SD/MMC card slot, ExpressCard/34 slot, ethernet[/SIZE][/FONT][/COLOR]
[COLOR=#000000][FONT=Arial][SIZE=2]Power Supply[/SIZE][/FONT][/COLOR]
[COLOR=#000000][FONT=Arial][SIZE=2]Lenovo 65W AC Power Adapter[/SIZE][/FONT][/COLOR]
[COLOR=#000000][FONT=Arial][SIZE=2]Display Size[/SIZE][/FONT][/COLOR]
[COLOR=#000000][FONT=Arial][SIZE=2]14 inches[/SIZE][/FONT][/COLOR]
[COLOR=#000000][FONT=Arial][SIZE=2]Display Resolution[/SIZE][/FONT][/COLOR]
[COLOR=#000000][FONT=Arial][SIZE=2]1600 x 900[/SIZE][/FONT][/COLOR]
[COLOR=#000000][FONT=Arial][SIZE=2]OS Installed[/SIZE][/FONT][/COLOR]
[COLOR=#000000][FONT=Arial][SIZE=2]Windows 7 Pro 64-bit[/SIZE][/FONT][/COLOR]
[COLOR=#000000][FONT=Arial][SIZE=2]OS License[/SIZE][/FONT][/COLOR]
[COLOR=#000000][FONT=Arial][SIZE=2]Windows 7 Pro COA in battery bay[/SIZE][/FONT][/COLOR]
[COLOR=#000000][FONT=Arial][SIZE=2]OS Recovery Media[/SIZE][/FONT][/COLOR]
[COLOR=#000000][FONT=Arial][SIZE=2]OEM Recovery Partition, Recovery Disc burning utility in Windows[/SIZE][/FONT][/COLOR]
[COLOR=#000000][FONT=Arial][SIZE=2]Battery Capacity/Type[/SIZE][/FONT][/COLOR]
[COLOR=#000000][FONT=Arial][SIZE=2]Lithium Ion 56 Wh[/SIZE][/FONT][/COLOR]
[COLOR=#000000][FONT=Arial][SIZE=2]Battery Health[/SIZE][/FONT][/COLOR]
[FONT=Arial]Normal [/FONT]
[COLOR=#000000][FONT=Arial][SIZE=2]Wireless[/SIZE][/FONT][/COLOR]
[COLOR=#000000][FONT=Arial][SIZE=2]802.11n, Bluetooth 3.0[/SIZE][/FONT][/COLOR]
[COLOR=#000000][FONT=Arial][SIZE=2]Built-in devices[/SIZE][/FONT][/COLOR]
[COLOR=#000000][FONT=Arial][SIZE=2]Webcam, fingerprint reader, microphone[/SIZE][/FONT][/COLOR]
[COLOR=#000000][FONT=Arial][SIZE=2]Cosmetic Damage[/SIZE][/FONT][/COLOR]
[FONT=Arial][SIZE=2]General surface wear and signs of removed stickers; trackpads [/SIZE][/FONT]
[COLOR=#000000][FONT=Arial][SIZE=2]Function Test Results[/SIZE][/FONT][/COLOR]
[COLOR=#000000][FONT=Arial][SIZE=2]passed all tests[/SIZE][/FONT][/COLOR]
[COLOR=#000000][FONT=Arial][SIZE=2]Completeness[/SIZE][/FONT][/COLOR]
[COLOR=#000000][FONT=Arial][SIZE=2]100% complete[/SIZE][/FONT][/COLOR]

I also bought these upgrades/extras:
* OEM 9-Cell Extended Slice battery
* Kingston 240GB HyperX FURY SSD (Cloud 9 Edition)
* 2 * 8GB Crucial DDR3 PC3-10600S 1333MHZ Ram
* LG 16X eSata Blu-Ray Rewriter
* eSata to Sata III power + data connector (So I can use the old HDD as an external back-up drive)
* Havit HV-F2056 15.6" Laptop Cooling Pad (3 fan)
* Case Logic Protective Hard Case / Sleeve for 13 to 15 inch Laptops

I am extremely excited as I've not had anything this nice ever to play with since I built a cheap desktop with nice components.

I do like to game occasionally, but mostly I plan to use it for multi-tasking between browsing, video editing, photo editing, and web programming.

I always like to dual-boot my OS's and am trying to decide on what to do with this laptop in the way of the operating systems.

This is what I'm thinking?
Linux Mint Cinnamon (main) 120gb
SteamOS (secondary, gaming) 60gb
Ubunto Studio (third, photo/video/graphics) 30gb
Windows 7 pro (fourth, for the random windows program maybe....) 20GB

total: 230/240gb (Because they never have full capacity of course)

Any thoughts or suggestions?

 

[zaka100]

That gpu is not for gaming. All you need is windows and ubuntu/mint. SteamOS is a waste of time, you can install steam on your windows installation. Install windows quick before the upgrade to windows 10 offer expires. I'd say if ur going to use linux more, do 160gb linux and 80gb windows, if ur going to use windows more, do the opposite.

 

[TribalMethods]

That gpu is not for gaming. All you need is windows and ubuntu/mint. SteamOS is a waste of time, you can install steam on your windows installation. Install windows quick before the upgrade to windows 10 offer expires. I'd say if ur going to use linux more, do 160gb linux and 80gb windows, if ur going to use windows more, do the opposite.

Thanks for the advice!

I am aware that the GPU is not a gaming-oriented. However I'm sure it will still be able to handle some old-school stuff like CS:GO and maybe even the as new as Diablo III. Considering the rest of the system is fairly good.

I prefer older games. I'd love to pick up a copy of Quake III Arena.

However I thought that the SteamOS would be faster for playing CS:GO and other steam games because it's based off linux, and not running inside of resource-hogging windows?

As for windows 10... I never, EVER use the latest version of windows. Really there is no point as I'm not going to be able to play the latest games aimed at windows 10.

I don't trust ANY Microsoft OS as being a "Secure" OS. So the so-called "Security Updates" mean nothing to me.

I do plan to use Linux 99% of the time except for when I feel like playing some emulators, older games, or using Photoshop for the various graphics design task.

I think I will use a portion of the extra 500GB HD for the Ubuntu Studio instead of downloading all those graphics tools onto mint.

 

[zaka100]

Thanks for the advice!

I am aware that the GPU is not a gaming-oriented. However I'm sure it will still be able to handle some old-school stuff like CS:GO and maybe even the as new as Diablo III. Considering the rest of the system is fairly good.

I prefer older games. I'd love to pick up a copy of Quake III Arena.

However I thought that the SteamOS would be faster for playing CS:GO and other steam games because it's based off linux, and not running inside of resource-hogging windows?

As for windows 10... I never, EVER use the latest version of windows. Really there is no point as I'm not going to be able to play the latest games aimed at windows 10.

I don't trust ANY Microsoft OS as being a "Secure" OS. So the so-called "Security Updates" mean nothing to me.

I do plan to use Linux 99% of the time except for when I feel like playing some emulators, older games, or using Photoshop for the various graphics design task.

I think I will use a portion of the extra 500GB HD for the Ubuntu Studio instead of downloading all those graphics tools onto mint.

That gpu will run cs go on min settings. It is always best to run the latest version of Windows for newer features and security. Windows is a secure os, as long as you don't go on anything dodgy - I always download stuff chrome calls 'malicious' but I know it is legit because I do my research and I don't get infected.

Games require a lot of space, cs go can reach up to 20gb. I suggest 60gb for Windows at least.

 

[TribalMethods]

That gpu will run cs go on min settings. It is always best to run the latest version of Windows for newer features and security. Windows is a secure os, as long as you don't go on anything dodgy - I always download stuff chrome calls 'malicious' but I know it is legit because I do my research and I don't get infected.

Games require a lot of space, cs go can reach up to 20gb. I suggest 60gb for Windows at least.

I find that VERY hard to believe... I've run CS:Go just fine on minimum settings on much worse hardware. After all, look at the minimum system requirements for CS:GO:

[LIST]
[*]OS: Windows® 7/Vista/XP.
[*]Processor: Intel® Core™ 2 Duo E6600 or AMD Phenom™ X3 8750 processor or better.
[*]Memory: 2 GB RAM.
[*]Graphics: Video card must be 256 MB or more and should be a DirectX 9-compatible with support for Pixel Shader 3.0.
[*]DirectX: Version 9.0c.
[*]Storage: 8 GB available space
[/LIST]

According to the developers, I have 4 X the hardware requirements to play it on minimum. I have tested this on many machines and know them to be pretty darn accurate estimates.

As for windows being a secure OS... Don't make me laugh. Nothing is secure, if someone wants in bad enough, they will find a flaw. Windows is EXTREMELY flawed, always has been, always will be.

I've never used anything past XP SP1 with NO additional updates (except for occasional gaming,) and I've never had anyone try and "Hack into my system" or "Plant a keygen," or any other malicious activity.

I've also never been infected likely due to using Anti-Virus that do not rely on databases, but rather by analyzing what is going on with all areas of the PC, and then seeing if anything is suspicious. Well... That... and knowing High-Level Assembly and being able to thoroughly inspect what each process is doing if anything seems out-of-the-norm.

If you keep an eye on your system start-up programs, services, and know where to look, and occasionally look in-depth at them all, even anti-virus is unnecessary in my opinion.

Of course if your a multi-billionaire that has to keep huge lists of all of his off-shore bank account on his computer... then I guess somebody possibly compromising your computer for a few moments could be traumatic.

I don't even keep money in the bank because debit cards these days are so insecure. Cash only... can't steal cash with a keygen.

Please don't be offended, I'm not trying to be rude. Just having a friendly discussion / debate.

I do appreciate you trying to help.

I will have to take some video of me playing CS:GO on XP and we'll see what settings I can use.

I think for OS's I am going to arrange them like so:
Linux Mint - 100GB
Windows XP - 80GB
Windows 7 Pro - 60GB

I am doing it this way because I will use linux mostly, then XP for most of my older-gaming-needs, and if I want to test out a newer game (Yes on low perhaps lol, I don't mind if it's playable,) I'll use windows 7.

It's also possible to install the games on the external 500GB 7200RPM drive via a USB3.0 card and it shouldn't be too terrible slow I hope. We'll just have to see...

 

[zaka100]

I find that VERY hard to believe... I've run CS:Go just fine on minimum settings on much worse hardware. After all, look at the minimum system requirements for CS:GO:

[LIST]
[*]OS: Windows® 7/Vista/XP.
[*]Processor: Intel® Core™ 2 Duo E6600 or AMD Phenom™ X3 8750 processor or better.
[*]Memory: 2 GB RAM.
[*]Graphics: Video card must be 256 MB or more and should be a DirectX 9-compatible with support for Pixel Shader 3.0.
[*]DirectX: Version 9.0c.
[*]Storage: 8 GB available space
[/LIST]

According to the developers, I have 4 X the hardware requirements to play it on minimum. I have tested this on many machines and know them to be pretty darn accurate estimates.

As for windows being a secure OS... Don't make me laugh. Nothing is secure, if someone wants in bad enough, they will find a flaw. Windows is EXTREMELY flawed, always has been, always will be.

I've never used anything past XP SP1 with NO additional updates (except for occasional gaming,) and I've never had anyone try and "Hack into my system" or "Plant a keygen," or any other malicious activity.

I've also never been infected likely due to using Anti-Virus that do not rely on databases, but rather by analyzing what is going on with all areas of the PC, and then seeing if anything is suspicious. Well... That... and knowing High-Level Assembly and being able to thoroughly inspect what each process is doing if anything seems out-of-the-norm.

If you keep an eye on your system start-up programs, services, and know where to look, and occasionally look in-depth at them all, even anti-virus is unnecessary in my opinion.

Of course if your a multi-billionaire that has to keep huge lists of all of his off-shore bank account on his computer... then I guess somebody possibly compromising your computer for a few moments could be traumatic.

I don't even keep money in the bank because debit cards these days are so insecure. Cash only... can't steal cash with a keygen.

Please don't be offended, I'm not trying to be rude. Just having a friendly discussion / debate.

I do appreciate you trying to help.

I will have to take some video of me playing CS:GO on XP and we'll see what settings I can use.

I think for OS's I am going to arrange them like so:
Linux Mint - 100GB
Windows XP - 80GB
Windows 7 Pro - 60GB

I am doing it this way because I will use linux mostly, then XP for most of my older-gaming-needs, and if I want to test out a newer game (Yes on low perhaps lol, I don't mind if it's playable,) I'll use windows 7.

It's also possible to install the games on the external 500GB 7200RPM drive via a USB3.0 card and it shouldn't be too terrible slow I hope. We'll just have to see...

Forget wxp, just get w7. You can run nearly all old games on 32bit windows 7. If it doesn't run properly, just right-click on the program and go on troubleshoot compatability.

As for the compatability part, I meant that the laptop would handle csgo at ~60 fps, it would handle medium at a reasonable speed but it depends on the resolution.

Moreover, if you do have an av built into your brain then there is no problem running windows because you know you will not get a virus. imo, security is just a bunch of bs - I never came across anything worse than adware even when I was 10 years old downloading the most shifty looking things on the web.

 

[carnageX]

Welcome to the forums!

Interesting to see another web developer / developer in general here - not many on these boards. For web, I do HTML, CSS , JS for client-only stuff, and MVC (switching from ASP.NET) applications for client-server apps. Yes, I'm a .NET dev - so for that I do C#. I also know C++/C, have dabbled in Java (because of work), and a few other random languages during my college years.

 

[TribalMethods]

Forget wxp, just get w7. You can run nearly all old games on 32bit windows 7. If it doesn't run properly, just right-click on the program and go on troubleshoot compatability.

As for the compatability part, I meant that the laptop would handle csgo at ~60 fps, it would handle medium at a reasonable speed but it depends on the resolution.

Moreover, if you do have an av built into your brain then there is no problem running windows because you know you will not get a virus. imo, security is just a bunch of bs - I never came across anything worse than adware even when I was 10 years old downloading the most shifty looking things on the web.

Windows 7 won't play Final Fantasy 7 or many other older games... even with the "Compatibility mode" settings enabled. I've tried.

FF7 with 3D mods is way better than emulating. It's easier to just have use the OS the games were designed for. Eventually I should get a bigger SSD but this way what my budget could handle right now.

Your totally right. Security is a joke. Most people get their info stolen via Carding websites, not malicous apps. There are those that are spamming keyloggers... but that's a rare thing these days. Even more likely is someone being scammed over the phone. "Loose lips sink ships."

Welcome to the forums!

Interesting to see another web developer / developer in general here - not many on these boards. For web, I do HTML, CSS , JS for client-only stuff, and MVC (switching from ASP.NET) applications for client-server apps. Yes, I'm a .NET dev - so for that I do C#. I also know C++/C, have dabbled in Java (because of work), and a few other random languages during my college years.

Thank you

There aren't many web developers it seems that do anything besides visual editing. So props to you

C++ and C# were always incredibly difficult for me to grasp. Java is the hardest I managed to start to be able to do anything valuable with. PHP was my favorite by far. Super well-designed language, ultra-powerful. I managed to make a PHPBB clone which used 1/1000th of the code. My thought was less code, less chance of a hacker being able to get into something they shouldn't right? Not only that, it was MUCH faster. Still had all the same features and options. Just didn't look as spiffy.

I was never that good at the design honestly. Much better at coding than making all the colors blend perfectly or look space-age-stylish. I like dark themes too much.

But a few people liked my work

 

[carnageX]

Windows 7 won't play Final Fantasy 7 or many other older games... even with the "Compatibility mode" settings enabled. I've tried.

FF7 with 3D mods is way better than emulating. It's easier to just have use the OS the games were designed for. Eventually I should get a bigger SSD but this way what my budget could handle right now.

I've seen guides on getting FF7 to work with newer OS's - would suggest looking into those. Usually have to do more than just set Compatibility Mode.

There aren't many web developers it seems that do anything besides visual editing. So props to you

C++ and C# were always incredibly difficult for me to grasp. Java is the hardest I managed to start to be able to do anything valuable with. PHP was my favorite by far. Super well-designed language, ultra-powerful. I managed to make a PHPBB clone which used 1/1000th of the code.

Did some PHP in college, but didn't really like it. I like Visual Studio too much .

My thought was less code, less chance of a hacker being able to get into something they shouldn't right?

Not true at all . Biggest fk ups with web stuff are usually SQL Injection, cookie vulnerabilities, and XSS. Basically everything on the OWASP Top 10.

Not only that, it was MUCH faster. Still had all the same features and options. Just didn't look as spiffy.

I was never that good at the design honestly. Much better at coding than making all the colors blend perfectly or look space-age-stylish. I like dark themes too much.

But a few people liked my work

I'm "meh" at design as well, but with things like Bootstrap and such, definitely makes it easier to make a nice looking website (and style it easily).

 

[MidnightShadow]

Welcome to the forums!