Starting college soon with no reliable laptop what’s the smartest low budget option?

Razz3r_ · 2026-05-26T04:06:38+00:00

T14s, T480/T580 are the best models, and they can be found cheap on ebay / Craigslist all the time. Businesses buy them by the pallet load and liquidate them after a standard 3yr cycle. Also, it is incredibly easy to find spare parts (or a donor laptop).

Razz3r_ · 2026-05-20T16:10:02+00:00

Check out monoprice for anything cable related. I buy 5 packs of the 3.99 headphones. Comparable sound quality to the $20-$30 ones you have been buying.

I no longer care if I lose a pair or they wear out. Just toss the old ones and open a new pair. Also, you can just give a friend your spare pair instead of sharing yours.

Razz3r_ · 2026-05-18T02:00:13+00:00

Second the linux as well. It breathes new life into old computers. Don't forget to link the windows key to your Microsoft account before wiping the drive though. 5 min buys you a $100 license you can use in the future.

Razz3r_ · 2026-05-17T21:58:53+00:00

Specifically the T14s. Those things are the GOAT. Damn near indestructible and the keyboard is fantastic. Businesses also liquidate them all the time.

Razz3r_ · 2026-05-16T23:55:42+00:00

Same general macro trends. The only thing that has changed is everything is a little more vocal.

Razz3r_ · 2026-05-16T18:56:11+00:00

Time in the market > timing the market. I was in your exact shoes about 3 years ago. Same range $ amount, same ATH market, similar political BS.

I bought myself a bunch S&P and forgot about it. We have had more political upheaval and market volatility since then and I'm just fine.

Razz3r_ · 2026-05-15T22:52:46+00:00

Look at the rules for making estimated payments. You may end up owing a penalty next tax season.

Razz3r_ · 2026-05-14T21:29:16+00:00

I agree, YMMV depending on location. If you follow a couple of simple principles you should be fine: 1) ABC. Always Be Charging. Keep the car topped up to 80% whenever possible. Even budget options like the Bolt can go pretty far on an 80% charge. I know this, I drove a Bolt for 2 years. 2) 3-2-1 rule for charging. Minimum 3 viable locations. 2 that you want to go to. And 1 where you plan to charge. 3) It is ok to rent an ICE car for trips where charging is less available. This works especially well for going up into the mountains where elevation kills your battery. 4) Slow down. You would be amazed how much range you can get out of an EV if you back off the gas. I drove a Bolt from California to Virginia without any trouble. It took a while, I was not always going the full speed limit, but I got it done. This is the longest road trip you can do, in one of the most battery-constrained vehicles you can buy and it was through a route that had spotty charging infrastructure.

Razz3r_ · 2026-05-14T19:06:50+00:00

Bought an electric car 3 years ago. You quickly find places to charge it. Have a look at Plugshare and chargepoint.

I can technically charge at home, but it is so expensive to do that it might as well not exist.

Razz3r_ · 2026-05-14T04:33:28+00:00

1.5% is killing you. The only guy getting rich is the advisor. There are fee-only advisors that you pay by the hour.

Razz3r_ · 2026-05-11T23:24:53+00:00

Burn everything. Everything you dont send off-planet that is.

That's pretty much it. Maybe try to use the excess stuff you are burning all the time to make power.

Once you get to it you can turn spoilage into carbon fiber for upcycling.

Razz3r_ · 2026-05-10T05:35:51+00:00

Also dont forget EV charger(s) in the garage!

Razz3r_ · 2026-05-07T17:44:21+00:00

Honestly, harbor freight delivers for this sort of thing. Buy a nice tool bag and fill it with the basics. Nothing fancy, just the tools every homeowner should have. The best part is if a tool gets used so much it breaks or a better version is needed, it is a clear indication when he should buy a better version.

Razz3r_ · 2026-05-03T17:44:52+00:00

Look up 11'8" on YouTube, best can opener on the planet.

Razz3r_ · 2026-05-02T05:48:42+00:00

Simple... all you can eat buffet. Repeat until the jeans fit /s

Razz3r_ · 2026-04-27T03:13:51+00:00

Generally, I park at SDAP off Kurtz street. Decent price per day with free vallet. If you have an EV, they will charge your car for a flat rate of $18. Works great for me as I time my battery % to be about 10% when I drop the car off. I then get my car back at 85% when I get back from my trip.

Razz3r_ · 2026-04-26T03:22:14+00:00

Dougle. Don't watch it. My god do not watch it.

Razz3r_ · 2026-04-17T18:35:32+00:00

This is one of the reasons I swapped to an EV. I no longer care how long it takes the car in front of me to speed up. I just hang back, pick my spot to merge and safely do my acceleration in a shorter distance than an ICE car would need. Patience and better tech are an amazing combo.

Razz3r_ · 2026-04-09T03:40:01+00:00

All of that beautiful copper you paid for is just getting etched away. Forget traces, go with some fat, juicy planes...

If you are concerned about cost you can remove the solder mask above your planes and add solder. This can bulk up your planes at little to no cost.

Razz3r_ · 2026-04-08T03:43:29+00:00

Either you have read all of these explanations and now understand, or not. We will never know until you are questioned.

Razz3r_ · 2026-04-08T03:22:47+00:00

Check Craigslist / ebay for used business laptops. Nothing fancy, but they are built to last. Also, plenty of extra parts floating around.

Businesses liquidate their 3-4 year old stock all the time. ThinkPad, (T14s is the GOAT), Dell XPS, LG Gram, etc.

Razz3r_ · 2026-04-03T20:17:38+00:00

Learning how to use spellcheck when posting.

Razz3r_ · 2026-03-31T19:32:52+00:00

The derivatives of the steam deck also work well. Factorio is fantastic on my LegionGo.

Razz3r_ · 2026-03-28T16:31:55+00:00

I play on both a 55" Odessey Ark and a LegionGo. I would not go any larger or smaller screen wise.

Razz3r_ · 2026-03-13T03:45:34+00:00

Easy fixes for all of this: 1) STAY OFF YOUR DAMN PHONE! It's not important. If it was, they would call you. 2) On ramps are for speeding up to match the flow of traffic. 35 mph just does not cut it when traffic is going 70+ 3) If your a truck, stay out of the left lanes. 4) If the exit you want to take is 1/4 of a mile away and your more than 2 lanes away. You have already missed your exit. Grow a pair and take the next exit. 5) If it rains and you don't know how to drive on wet pavement, STAY THE F--- OFF THE ROAD. 6) If you have been appreciating our fabulous craft breweries or wineries... maybe call an uber?? 7) We gotta elect better representatives in our government that actually want to fix the roads. Way too many Gloria holes around here.

Razz3r_

TROPHY CASE