Question about Replacing a Laptop with Something That Doesn't Have an in-Built Screen or Keyboard

Duckman on 15/11/2022 - 16:46

I'm currently using an Acer Nitro 5, maybe 3 or 4 years old. The power adapter has died and the cost of buying a new one is ridiculous. Whilst I'm managing to run this Acer on a smaller power adapter, as soon as the discrete GPU kicks in, the laptop draws too much power and it shuts down without warning. I've had other problems with this Acer Nitro 5 as well.

So I guess I'm looking to buy a new laptop or something like it. The catch being that I use a triple monitor setup with my laptop lid closed. And I use an external (bluetooth) keyboard and mouse as well.

So is there a better alternative? The laptop screen and keyboard seem wasted.

But with the price of GPUs etc. seeming sky-high, I can't imagine that I'll be able to get anything near the power/specs of this Acer Nitro 5 (AN515-54) with i7-8750H CPU @ 2.20GHz, 32 GB of installed RAM and GeForce GTX 1660 Ti.

I don't have a large budget to play with, unfortunately.

But I would appreciate any advice. Thank you!

Computing Computer Laptop

Comments

  • StonedWizard on 15/11/2022 - 16:49
    +3

    If you don't need the laptop form factor, then buy a NUC or desktop?

    • Duckman on 15/11/2022 - 16:52

      I guess I'm just looking for advice on what particular NUC or desktop options might be available. Especially with the cost of GPUs being so high. For reference, the reason I was able to afford this laptop (3 or 4 years ago) was because there was a deal here on OzBargain where I got the whole thing (GPU included, of course) for around $1,300 IIRC.

      I'm a student that needs to use 3D CAD modelling software.

      • Che0063 on 15/11/2022 - 18:39
        +1

        Be aware that the GPU cost crisis is effectively over - you'll find that prices have mostly normalised across the board

  • Ryanek on 15/11/2022 - 16:54
    +5

    I don't understand, why not just buy a new power adpater? Aren't they around $60?

    • AndyC1 on 15/11/2022 - 16:57

      Yes, just googled and that's the price if you do NOT go directly to Acer.

    • Duckman on 15/11/2022 - 16:58
      +1

      That's a fair question. The issue is that the power adapter for this model has an output of 19.5 V @ 9.23 A (180 watts). The model is Acer AC/DC adapter ADP-180MB K.

      • AndyC1 on 15/11/2022 - 17:05

        Okay so the really cheap ones are 135W. The 180W are a little bit more at some stores… $58 and $62 were spotted….

        • Duckman on 15/11/2022 - 17:07
          +1

          Could you share a link with me please? Jaycar (for example) no longer sell ones that are up to 180W.

          I'm wary of buying one from Aliexpress or something that might blow up my laptop or cause a housefire.

            • Duckman on 15/11/2022 - 17:13
              +1

              @AndyC1: I'm not sure how I missed them in all of my Googling, but thank you :-)

              • Duckman on 15/11/2022 - 17:14
                +1

                @Duckman: I think it's because I was looking for the generic replacement adapters with interchangeable plugs. But this is a cheaper/easier option than trying to buy a whole new setup. Thank you!

            • A-mak on 16/11/2022 - 08:45

              @AndyC1: Hey @AndyC1

              Could you help me find a better price for Metabox P150SM-A (I don't think the -A matters, also goes by clevo) 180w psu? Best I've found is $100 and metabox charge $150 themselves =. Would appreciate it, kiddo is currently using a 90w liteon adapter I had in the cupboard and like OP it shuts down if the laptop draws too much power.

              • AndyC1 on 16/11/2022 - 10:03

                @A-mak: one google search and I found a bunch around $75

                • A-mak on 16/11/2022 - 11:14

                  @AndyC1: @AndyC1 can you post your link? I am not finding them. I found one "Original Genuine Chicony ADP-180MB K Ac Adapter 19.5v 9.23A A15-180P1A For Acer MSI Clevo" for apparently $60aud, not sure how great that brand is and the website ( https://www.replacement-laptop-battery.com.au/adapter-metabo… ) looks dodgy as. The rest are $120-200+ or not even for the p150sm.

  • AndyC1 on 15/11/2022 - 16:56

    $60 does not sound ridiculous for a replacement Acer Nitro 5 power adapter.

    If you do not want a Laptop with a screen then get a small form factor desktop.

    • Duckman on 15/11/2022 - 17:05

      My comment below that got unpublished somehow (I think I might have clicked the wrong button) says that I agree, $60 would not be ridiculous, but I haven't found a replacement adapter for this (180 watt) Acer adapter for anywhere near $60. If I can find one that's close to $60 and I can be confident that it won't fry my laptop and all of the components inside it / set my home on fire, I'd definitely be looking at that as a preferable solution.

      • Duckman on 15/11/2022 - 17:10

        Although I'm still curious what a comparable NUC might cost (with a GPU).

        Then I could perhaps sell this laptop to offset the cost. As I mentioned, the screen and keyboard on this laptop are essentially wasted on me.

        I'm fairly tech-savvy but not at all up-to-date with computer hardware.

      • AndyC1 on 15/11/2022 - 17:10

        Your existing power adapter has a higher chance of frying something due to it being underrated and as such overheating and malfunctioning than the "genuine Acer Nitro 5 power adapter" that are available for around the $60 price in OZ.

        • Duckman on 15/11/2022 - 17:11

          Could you please provide me with a link? I haven't been able to find one.

  • Duckman on 15/11/2022 - 17:25

    Does anybody have suggestions for an NUC / small form factor desktop with equivalent CPU/GPU/RAM specs as I mentioned above? What kind of price range would I be looking at?

    (Acer Nitro 5 (AN515-54) with i7-8750H CPU @ 2.20GHz, 32 GB of installed RAM and GeForce GTX 1660 Ti, and as mentioned, I don't use the in-built display or keyboard).

    • AndyC1 on 15/11/2022 - 17:30

      Try google again.

    • scrimshaw on 15/11/2022 - 17:57

      MSI MPG TRIDENT 3 maybe?

      It'll set you back $1,079 from Computer Alliance ebay.

      https://www.ebay.com.au/itm/175094030233?

      Bear in mind you're paying a premium for small form factor. A regular Micro ATX system for $1100 could have a RTX 3060 or similar GPU rather than the old 1660 Super, you just have to put the desktop on the floor if you're lacking desk space.

    • A-mak on 16/11/2022 - 08:53

      I would expect a $500 (if that) tower/desktop from facebook marketplace to be more powerful. You have to remember, laptop gpu's 1. Suck and 2. Share HSF with the cpu & are very easily able to throttle both cpu and gpu due to the heat.

      Seen as the laptop still sounds capable and a replacement power adapter being the cheaper option, maybe stick with it. But in the future, if you game and the device is just kept static on your desk, you are far better off with a desktop mainly for future upgradable options (Might upgrade mobo/cpu/gpu/ram every 2-5 years, but the tower/psu/ssd 5-10+ years)

  • Gregmond on 15/11/2022 - 18:02

    Anything else will cost you more than buying a power supply.
    Don't buy a NUC if you want to game/3D CAD as you will be limited in graphics ability.
    You say you don't have a large budget, what do you have? r/Buildapc on Reddit do some amazing things when you give them a budget, just specify you are in Aus.
    This is a basic build I put together on PCCaseGear, it has not been checked in pcpartpicker.com to confirm it is all compatible, but it's under $1300 and should be better than your laptop https://www.pccasegear.com/wish_lists/1282170

    OK, PCpartpicker list: https://au.pcpartpicker.com/list/67DxjZ Note: It needs an updated bios to run that CPU. PCCaseGear will do a Firmware update if you add it to the cart.

    Ooh and I forgot a OS, but they can be obtained cheaply at various places like HRK, where I got my last Win 11.

  • brendanm on 15/11/2022 - 18:11
    +4

    Why don't you just get a normal desktop? I can never understand people who get a laptop, and plug it into external monitors, and it never moves.

    • AndyC1 on 15/11/2022 - 19:22

      More $$$ than …..

    • Quantumcat on 16/11/2022 - 09:50

      Means you can take it with you on holiday?

      • brendanm on 16/11/2022 - 14:49

        por qué no los dos?

        Ops main use of it is as a desktop. Op already has a laptop that would work if they wanted something portable as well, or they could buy a cheapy.

  • p1 ama on 16/11/2022 - 00:23

    https://www.auadapterspc.com/acer-laptop-adapters-c-57_36/or…

    $85. Did you even Google?

    • Geoff01 on 16/11/2022 - 09:53

      Lol. I'm not even sure why this post is on. Adaptor would be miles cheaper however you look at it.

  • mikzter on 16/11/2022 - 10:49

    Ali Express have 280 watt 19.5v power supplies to suit Acers including postage for under 40 bucks….

  • mikzter on 16/11/2022 - 10:50

    Sorry, that's 180 watt

  • jonkvh on 16/11/2022 - 18:40

    Don't buy a NUC, they're all plastic that go brittle after 4 years.

  • mult1m4n on 19/11/2022 - 21:50

    Another option is a HP Prodesk G2 Mini, small form factor (half A4 paper size) and comes with i5 and can expand RAM and SSD if needed.
    Can buy refurb (check google) with 2 D-ports display ports, $270 and 1 year warranty

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