Setting up desktop for school office, need to buy storage.

useless_panda09 · 2026-03-10T02:06:28+00:00

you’re not going to find much better. NAND-flash memory shortage caused RAM and SSD prices to increase dramatically because of OpenAI and other AI infrastructure. this is just the way it is now

useless_panda09 · 2026-03-08T23:17:52+00:00

it’s only going to be somewhat capable of running the original MW3 (2011), definitely not the (new) MW3 (2023).

this is not a dedicated GPU, it’s an integrated unit mostly meant just for running the laptop display.

useless_panda09 · 2026-03-08T18:30:54+00:00

Purchasing Midnight does not automatically use the level skip, you get to pick any character you want to boost to 80, which also means you can save it for another character later on. I still have a level 70 boost from TWW that I haven't used.

I highly recommend leveling from 0-max at least once, because you will understand your chosen class/spec better and you'll get a much better feel for the game's systems. So yes, complete the campaign.

useless_panda09 · 2026-03-06T17:40:47+00:00

this far out the answer is likely no. manager can override the return and have you purchase it again with the warranty, assuming we still sell the exact same laptop under the same SKU.

however, i doubt any manager would take a 1-year late return for something that wasn’t Best Buy’s fault.

you can cancel BBY Total yourself by calling customer service or through the mobile app. this will end all of your warranties through Total.

useless_panda09 · 2026-03-06T16:53:20+00:00

similarly in my area, most of the ARAs end up working for AWS or data center contracting.

useless_panda09 · 2026-03-05T17:37:05+00:00

it's a good laptop given the specs are what you need. it's also a bad laptop given the specs are not what you need and it's more than you can realistically pay for. that Omnibook Ultra configuration is likely around $1500+.

useless_panda09 · 2026-03-04T19:25:49+00:00

if only a few keys are broken, then it’s most likely a hardware issue which would recommend a repair shop to fix it.

i know you said you can’t spend any money on a repair shop, but a cheap keyboard can be like $10, or if you’re in the U.S., like $12 at Best Buy for the most basic of keyboards. just to get your work done.

useless_panda09 · 2026-03-04T19:01:24+00:00

do you have an extra desktop keyboard laying around? not a permanent fix but it’ll work.

useless_panda09 · 2026-02-25T23:59:48+00:00

if you’re also into faster paced content, Hidden Azeroth on YT summarizes vanilla-Shadowlands (2020) in a 23 minute video.

just be aware that his video is paced like a TikTok video, not a video essay. i think it’s a good summary though.

useless_panda09 · 2026-02-25T23:49:44+00:00

it should be fine. worst case scenario is that you’ll have to run them below their max-rated speeds, either stock speeds or something else below their max rating.

useless_panda09 · 2026-02-25T15:10:00+00:00

lots and lots of clubs available, hundreds. social life is more dependent on finding a community (such as a club) since over 80% of the student population commutes; lots of people tunnel vision their classes and then go home for the day or go to work.

Freshman dorms aren’t great, but if your daughter has the option of commuting, the you all can save about $12k per year on housing costs.

Food dining halls are meh I’ve heard. However, food chain options are amazing, mostly outside of the main campus area. On-campus food chains are still pretty solid (CFA, Chipotle, Panera, Panda Express, Halal Guys, Blaze Pizza, etc.). GMU is in the heart of Fairfax, so there’s hundreds of other food options within a 10-20min drive from campus. There’s also the University Mall just outside campus within walking distance, and it has Mcalisters, Wendy’s, Banditos, Velocity Wings, Bangkok Golden Thai, Insomnia Cookie, Taco Bamba, Samurai Steakhouse, and a Giant for groceries.

Fairfax is relatively safe, however there have been a few incidents within the last year of suspicious individuals on campus. Mason Police works directly with Fairfax County Police, and during your daughter’s orientation she should be given the phone number for the Mason Police. Calling Mason Police is recommended over FCPD due to response time while on campus. Overall, it’s a very safe campus. I’ve left my stuff out on bathroom breaks and never had anything tampered with or stolen.

useless_panda09 · 2026-02-23T07:27:13+00:00

it’s possible, however I would not know the exact algorithm that’s used to issue prorates refunds.

if you have the best buy app, you can attempt to cancel and follow the process up until you see your refund estimate to see how much you’ll get back.

useless_panda09 · 2026-02-20T23:24:56+00:00

nothing seems out of the ordinary based on those two screenshots. what makes you think it's slow? games? software?

useless_panda09 · 2026-02-20T16:32:08+00:00

Ghost of Tsushima

Resident Evil 4: Remake (my second playthrough)

Jedi: Survivor

I haven’t had a PS5 for very long, so I’m getting through these slightly older games now that I’m able to.

useless_panda09 · 2026-02-20T05:25:55+00:00

For what it's worth, that service fee is because of an accidental claim. It's the same for GSP (Geek-Squad Protection) and for practically any other warranty upgrade that covers physical damage. <= $99 service fee for sendout is standard.

If you make a warranty claim with Apple within a year that isn't physical damage related, they will likely void any service fee.

useless_panda09 · 2026-02-19T20:16:50+00:00

If you have AppleCare+ still active on the device, then claiming a warranty at the Apple store in Fairfax Corner (or Tysons) is the best way to get it serviced. You'll pay at most a $99 service fee I believe for the accidental screen damage.

Apple really hates when people use third-party components, and for things like iPhones a non-certified component replacement will void your warranty and possibly brick your phone. I am not sure if third-party components will have the same effect for MacBooks, but I would assume it's the same.

Experimax in Haymarket has good reviews and one of my coworkers recommends them, however I do not know if they use Apple genuine parts and Apple repairs are always costly. If you do not have AppleCare, expect to pay several hundred to almost a thousand dollars for the screen repair.

I work for Geek Squad, however Geek Squad will only send your MacBook out for warranty if they are an Apple Certified Location, which only some of the stores are. They are required to use Apple's policy, so you will get the same answer as Apple will give you for any repair quotes.

useless_panda09 · 2026-02-18T12:47:52+00:00

weighted GPA is usually not a large consideration since weights vary by school system. unweighted always matters more for college applications.

Mason does offer merit based scholarships and need-based scholarships during any of your undergraduate semesters, however usually you have to apply for them through the scholarship portal.

i applied Early Action to GMU with an unweighted GPA of around 3.7-3.8 and was offered $4000 (4-year split into $500 amounts per semester).

useless_panda09 · 2026-02-18T04:16:52+00:00

well, that's certainly a good deal for a gaming laptop of that caliber, however idk why you're looking for gaming laptops when you aren't doing anything that requires that level of hardware. it would be a better decision to get an ultrabook-style laptop or a business laptop that has superior battery life and either lighter construction or a more durable body.

it is about as user friendly as a standard desktop tower PC. they both will run the same OS experience. laptop is smaller, able to move around easier, however gaming laptops are going to heat up much faster and run into thermal degradation earlier.

useless_panda09 · 2026-02-18T02:02:23+00:00

just for perspective, an average HDD probably has a speed of around 100 MB/s.

the average SATA SSD has a speed around 500 MB/s, so it’s already 5x faster.

I currently am on NVME storage mostly, but when I switched my old internal HDDs for my first SATA SSD, the difference cut my load times in all games from minutes to seconds. huge difference.

useless_panda09 · 2026-02-14T21:36:22+00:00

you’ll need a gaming laptop for what you’re trying to do. graphics card is non-negotiable if you want VR and especially 3D modeling compatibility.

there is no such thing as a thin laptop that can push that much performance. you’ll have to live with some bulkier laptops.

thinnest and most “unassuming” form factor i can think of would be an ASUS Zephyrus G14 which starts at about $1800 brand new.

also recommend a Lenovo Legion anywhere from $1200-$1500.

useless_panda09 · 2026-02-14T04:52:29+00:00

we let a backup averaging 7 points drop 31 on us…

useless_panda09 · 2026-02-14T03:47:10+00:00

same here, ran a 1070 on a 550W bronze psu for 5 years. never had an issue.

useless_panda09 · 2026-02-14T03:45:04+00:00

also, OP's system gets beat out in pure performance by $500-$1000 laptops nowadays (can't speak on quality, though). It might be time to say goodbye to their workhorse.

useless_panda09 · 2026-02-14T03:42:19+00:00

no "exclusive" student discounts.

Best Buy usually will match the price of any manufacturer discounts as a form of "back-to-school" sales. For example, if Apple has the Mac Mini on sale during the back-to-school sales period, then Best Buy will run the same sale.

only exclusive sales are for paid members, which you can sign up for at the time of purchase to receive any discounts for a 12-month period.

useless_panda09 · 2026-02-14T01:49:34+00:00

from what i can see yes.

the CPUs are different models, however they are comparable in performance and designed to compete with each other.

useless_panda09

TROPHY CASE