Wellingtonzed

Righto. So i am starting to peak into maybe, sorta kinda treating myself and getting a new phone. Really don't need one though. My current one is a Xiaomi Mi A2 and its been fantastic! at $250 Canadian, its literally a pixel clone, even stock android. I got lucky. I don't need an upgrade since the A2 has been so good to me, but hey here i am looking. Given how solid Xiaomi's have been compared to many other trash Chinese phones, Im hellbent on it being another one. It's hard finding a good Chinese brand that's not rubbish. Unfortunately, right after I got my mi A2 back in 2018, Xiaomi was banned in Canada(probably cause everyone else couldn't compete with em), so realistically the next best thing is Alibaba. Question: is Alibaba any good for getting em? Xiaomi's are relatively cheap there even with shipping included, so are the prices scams? Thoughts?

Hi. I just bought a new Lenovo Legion 5 Pro. yay! Unfortunately the screen flickers violently when I move it. My thought is that it might be a loose ribbon display cable. Has anyone experienced something like this? Thoughts? If its defective, I should return in immediately. Video of it happening: https://drive.google.com/file/d/1hxOrZRo7Wirzq_chsFi-Pg_GhN8JUOiB/view?usp=sharing

Noted. Ive decided to go with the Lenovo Legion 5 pro then: https://www.lenovo.com/ca/en/p/laptops/legion-laptops/legion-5-series/legion-5-pro-gen-7-(16-inch-amd)/82rg0046us Specs are great, especially the display. I also see less issues from Lenovo on forums, so there's that much. Thanks for the advice.

Why so? reliability issues?

I somewhat need it now. My current laptop us showing signs of dying, but i reckon it has a few months of life left. as for the 1080p screen, I isn't the end of the world for me. 1440p would be nice, but I can't find any at that price. 4k is pointless 1. the screen size, 2. the fact that your PC has to work hard to achieve good frame rates. Do you feel different? What would be your preferences? https://www.newegg.ca/p/N82E16834725204?Description=rtx 3070ti laptop&cm_re=rtx_3070ti laptop-_-34-725-204-_-Product I did find an alternative with a 1440p. Thoughts on this one?

hey. So after some looking around and watching reviews and stuff, blah blah, I came across this as a good, all round reliable, gaming laptop: https://www.lenovo.com/ca/en/p/laptops/legion-laptops/legion-5-series/legion-5-gen-7-(15-inch-amd)/82rd000yus?cid=ca:sem|se|google|pmax_gaming_pcs|||82RD000YUS|18403775518|||shopping|mix&gclid=Cj0KCQjwqoibBhDUARIsAH2OpWgTKs5b2zGasly9wiwCDnIYusGyrhBfRMHInKANXOXGXGu_nH9QecAaAiB3EALw_wcB Lenovo Legion 5 with an RTX 3070-Ti, Ryzen 7 6800H, 16GB of DDR5-4800mhz ram, 1TB of SSD storage, and an 80whr battery for 2k Canadian. Alotta money, but I think im getting alot of laptop for it too. And it should be just as good as future RTX 4060 laptops so kinda future proofed a bit. Thoughts?

Right. So unfortunately, my laptop is dying. It wont start up unless plugged in, and even then sometimes. Have to wait or mash the button a bit. So, time to buy a new gaming laptop. My budget cap is 2-2.2K Canadian. I was in need of something reasonably powerful-ish, yet sleek and portable so I was initially looking at this as a starter: https://www.lenovo.com/ca/en/p/laptops/legion-laptops/legion-7-series/legion-slim-7-gen-7-(16-inch-amd)/len101g0019 Lenovo Slim 7 with 6800H and Radeon 6800S GPU. Brand new and barely any reviews unfortunately. Ticks all the boxes and its performance is solid. DDR5 4800mhz memory too as a bonus. Though the sample size for the 6800S is basically the Zephyrus G14 so not much to go by in terms of performance figures, but its about an RTX3070 or RTX3070 TI depending on the wattage variant. And I do prefer AMD CPU machines because of the extra battery life off the wall, but open to intel too. https://www.lenovo.com/ca/en/p/laptops/legion-laptops/legion-5-series/legion-5i-gen-7-(15-inch-intel)/82rb0055us Legion 5i is good too. Do you have any other similar devices at the price? Alternatively, should I try and wait out for the 4000-series and Ryzen 7000? 4060 would do the trick, and next gen 7000s series should be notably better. PS: No Asus or Alienware machines. Alienware likes burn itself to death, and Asus quality control is notoriously awful. Great cutting edge machines, but they die in like 3-4 years. As an example, mine is a GA502(2019). First model I got had a defective motherboard. Then I got a new one(under warranty), which a few months later the bearings for a fan failed. Still works but sounds like a chainsaw even on silent. Then my motherboard(again, on a new machine) failed and I lost everything. Had to factory reset it. And now its dying on me. Asus is ass. In hindsight, I should have noticed all the forum posts on "-insert asus model here- failing help me!!!" on the internet. Lenovo is preferred for the reliability. Sorry for being picky, but im not making another $1500 dollar mistake again. Thanks.

Hi there. So here's the story. Only a few days ago, my laptop, a zephyrus GA502 bricked. Took it to memory express and they said the motherboard was done. It wouldn't even post! So at this point, I wanted to save what was in the SSD. So in order to do that, they would need to "release the permissions" and throw it in an SSD enclosure, which basically turns it into an external hard drive. easy peasy. But, while they were releasing permissions, the laptop came back to life! huzzah! Its all fine and dandy too. So part-way through, they stopped having the permissions released. Except there is a slight issue. Some of the programs now don't work. and its kind of random. For example, Asus Armory crate or Microsoft Email dont work. Now this is fine, odds are I can just reinstall it and it would work again. Except those weren't the only programs. I can no longer even open images! Screenshots, PNGs, etc... Snip doesn't work either. the microsoft "Photos" app also probably had its permissions removed. And who knows what else doesn't work. I suspect the reason is because they stopped releasing the permissions part way. So hence some apps just dont work. Yes, there is a chance that the critical failure is the cause, but my money is on them stopping the release of permissions part way, so only some programs don't work. My question is this: is there a way to reenable permissions? I mean, im ok with re-installing some programs but, I don't know how to fix not being able to open images. And who knows what else has ceased to work! So like i said, my money is on permissions being released on some programs. The first image here is a pop-up when I start PC, and the second is when i try and open images. Thanks

Hi. I nabbed a Zephyus Ga502 a bit back. Very recently I noticed a weird buzzing noise on the left fan. It's noticeably noisier, particularly on low RPMs. The right one is fine. I cleaned out the the laptop with an air can thinking dust might be it, but that didnt do it. Could it be coil whine? If so, will there be any problems? just askin for your thoughts on what else it could be. Thanks

Hi. so Im looking for an easy classic cruiser as a first motorcycle. What are you thoughts on a Honda Shadow Phantom. https://www.autotrader.ca/a/honda/shadow 750/fort mcmurray/alberta/19_11574940_?ms=motorcycles_atvs&showcpo=ShowCpo&ncse=no&orup=5_5_5&sprx=-2 Just asking for thoughts and opinions on the motorcycle itself. Thanks!

For those who are experienced: looking for first motorcycle that ill be keeping for many many years and kilometres. under 5k(canadian). is a Honda 750 shadow ideal? https://www.autotrader.ca/a/honda/shadow aero/edmonton/alberta/19_11549960_?ms=motorcycles_atvs&showcpo=ShowCpo&ncse=no&orup=13_15_31&pc=T6H 1M7&sprx=100 Just asking for opinions and thoughts.

How so?

Hi, quick question. Is there some website or wherever that i can get to get windows keys for cheap? Updating my storage and my PC and I need to upgrade from windows 8 to 10 so if there's somewhere where i can get the key for windows 10 for a fair price that be great. Thanks.

Okay, from what others have told me the C&C soundtrack is copyrighted, but the Twisted Insurrection soundtrack (Twisted Insurrection is a user made mod with its own original music) is also copyrighted, so i will have to remix it and credit it. Also the copyright for C&C will end recently. But i geuss remixing them and crediting both will be the solution.

Hi! So, im currently trying to learn the ins and outs of Unity. My purpose is to make a game. I've got a good idea of what the game is going to be, and will take many months to actually work on and finish. I was thinking of going through the trouble and putting it up on Steam if it meets my expectations, which it should. Obviously it'll be for free. My question is this: im using several soundtracks from the old Command and Conquer series, will my upload to Steam be rejected since im using music that's not technically created by me? My initial thoughts is no since im not profiting from any of it. Maybe ill have to credit it. don't know.

yeh, those dont look bad at all but im looking for something more on the slimmer side as stated above. just cause im gonna be goin outside with em alot and having them be on the larger side isnt ideal. Edit: found something solid. thanks anyways.

hello there Looking for Bluetooth headphones about $90-$150 Canadian. Basically flexible on price. Something preferably on the slimmer side like the Sony WH-XB700 is what im looking at right now so far. Also it would be nice if it lasted more than 6 months before falling into pieces like everything else ive owned. Im looking at you Monster. recommendations? thanks

Hi. Quick question. i know the odds of this existing is nonexistent but worth a try. any chance theres a 1440p or more monitor thats under 23''. Just asking cause im planning to move the PC up next to the big TV, but trying to get a smaller monitor than the HP 23er monitor cause ill be having it set up next to a couch, i.e the monitor will be within pereferal vision of those watching the TV. suffice to say basically a smaller monitor so that when im using it, the TV watchers wont be too annoyed. Again, very niche thing and i suspect a monitor 1440p or more under the 23'' HP 23er i have doesn't exist. just worth asking out of curiosity. If not, is there any monitors yall recommend anyways? preferable around or at 23''. I might be doing some light video editing and a touch of gaming but no FPS games so 60hz isnt a problem. 1440p or more is recommended though just for that extra clarity. budget is 280-380 CAD (Canadian). Thanks.

Yes, that can be an option for it. Another thing you can consider is getting a tablet with a keyboard and pen. You can write notes, type in google docs, etc.... Do whatever needs to be done. Might be easier on you to manage a tablet rather than another computer. Samsung has a number of tablets. Look one up and find a case with a keyboard and a pen. maybe a Samsung Tab A. might be cheaper too when you put it all together. Heck, maybe even a bluetooth mouse? https://www.amazon.ca/SM-T510NZKAXAR/dp/B07Q5VM8ZD/ref=sr_1_5?keywords=samsung+tab+A&qid=1580404346&s=electronics&sr=1-5 Really a tablet that you can find the attachments for. Maybe start another thread if youre looking for recommendations on a tablet for such a purpose. Either way both ways meet your requirements.

im not gonna read all that... Can apple be annoying? Yes. Is their products really overpriced. Purposely expensive to repair? Absolutely, they want to run you dry. Is their products simple, consistent and more bug free than their android counter part? Yes. Does it give you the freedom to download and do whatever you want to do with your device? no. They both have ups and downs. I don't like apple very much purely because of the costs. That may be because i'm a poor student and cant justify spending over half a grand for a phone. I also pirate ALOT of stuff, IOS doesn't like that. Android doesn't care. Really, if your on the wealthy side then id imagine youd like an Apple product more, problem is most people aren't so you really cant recommend them to the masses, yet they buy them anyway. It all comes down to $$$. Best example is the university i go to. All in debt students and they all have $2'000 Mac books and $800 Iphones thanks to loans. Half a semester. It hurts to watch. But in the end, they are successful. I'm not sure for how long though. The laptop and phone market aren't what they used to be a few years ago. Competition and quality has skyrocketed. somethings gotta give. Cheers

no, You need a Thunderbolt Type-C connector in order to have an eGPU setup. Even then your processor isnt all that powerful to begin with. That being said the CPU does have Vega 8 graphics which is better than their Intel counterpart so you can play some light E-sports games like rocket league and Fortnight on low graphics already. But not much more beyond that.

hmm, im not familiar with that brand. an i7 8750H though, with an rtx 2070.... that raises questions. I find it a tad sketchy. Yes i know theres no difference between a 8750 and a 9750 but its a bit strange to see a last gen processor strapped to a new gpu, and for that price. Im not familiar with the Zealander market, bear that in mind. Maybe take a peek at Lenovos offerings as theyre generally solid and the industry standard and overall great. You might get what you want for better quality and less cash. Just throwin it out there. The Y540s and Y740s, they got 15' and 17' offerings.

Okay, in that case, maybe take a look at the Zephyrus G. However, If you can push your budget to the mag 15/vapour 15 (same laptop), it would be alot better. the mags battery life lasts along longer as the zeph g hits 5-6 hours with its 76WHR battery while the mag hits alot higher with its 94WHR battery. the color accuracy of the Zeph is also pretty bad so colors look more distorted and inaccurate because of the panel. Asus laptops are also less reliable generally. The mag also has a GTX 1660 TI rather than the weakened GTX 1660 TI Max-Q. Its also more reliable long term. If you can stretch your budget to hit that magic Mag-15, do it. Otherwise within that budget the Zephyrus G is the only thing that comes to mind and its not as good. Both are options.

well, strictly speaking, the L340 is probably better bang for buck. the i7 9750H is overkill with a GTX 1650 and kinda wasted. BUT.... The best thing i can say about the Y540 with these specs is the better cooling no doubt. Cooling is the biggest foe with gaming laptops and the L340 is a normal laptop that happens to have a GPU built in rather than a purpose built gaming laptop with proper cooling. In short, i can see the cooling kill the L340s performance. Y540 is preferred. Your not gonna be playing triple 'A' games anyways with these specs, no loss given most of em suck. But that being said, see if you can find some 1660Ti laptops. You might be able to find some GTX 1660 Ti laptops if you look hard enough or wait for a sale of sorts if possible. The 1660 TI is a nice step up from a 1650 and the i7 9750Hs horsepower is better in use with a 1660 Ti. The market is spammed so hard with 1660TI laptops its insane. I guess you can kinda think CPUs as an engine and GPUs as the tires to a car. The 9750H has lots of horsepower but paired with a GTX 1650 it wont put all of it down. Better suited with a 1660Ti. Just my thoughts, feel free to correct me if im wrong.

yeah were talkin a different price point here.