Lap Tops

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jttheclockman

jttheclockman

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Feb 22, 2005
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Well dealing with my Mom's condition these past few months has kept me away from the computer more than I expected so I was thinking the other day, why not get a lap top. I have no experience with one so have no idea what to look for and what to get. So I am reaching out and looking for suggestions as to what to get and how big and what do I need in it. I do really need to get back to creating my web site.

I had someone build the computer that I have at home and lately I have developed a problem and asked the question how to fix it on a few forums including this one and no one has stepped up.

I can still operate it and have been using it just knowing there is a problem and working around it.

Should I be looking at lap top that has been configured already and if so what name brand. I hear HP is about the best. I have been tempted before to make a purchase of one from QVC because of the package deals they run but have not pulled the trigger.

Looking for suggestions. Thanks.If you are going to mention the one you have please state why you like it and if there is something you don't like about it and if you were to buy again what you would buy. Thanks.
 
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lot of good choices, your price budget will be the limiting factor...example no budget then get a Macbook air...under $400 Dell, HP will work fine. TigerDirect online has many to choose from, if you have a Fry's electronics, they have good deals.

BTW, I have a lot of Dell laptops but hands down my favorite laptop is this Sony Viao
 
John:

I have owned, used and repaired most laptops made, at one point or another. When looking at "brands", Dell and Toshiba are my "goto" machines.

I have a Dell 600 that goes with me, everywhere! It has outlasted 3 "Tuffbooks". This thing is bulletproof (and survived a "deep water" lake dunk).

Toshiba also makes a great laptop. Very durable, very good customer service.

I have not had much luck ( I bought "fleet" computers) with IBM, HP, Compaq, Panasonic, and especially ACER (35 of the 35 Acer's bought failed in less than one year, non-existent customer services).

A friend who still buys "fleet" packages says ASUS still makes a great and inexpensive laptop.

Apple makes a great, user friendly "thin book" that is not susceptible to virus, BUT Apple still sucks with CAD and several other business apps.

I hope this helps.
 
I am currently using a 5 year old Toshiba and the LOML purchased a new Toshiba about 6 months ago. Mine has been extremely reliable with no hardware issues, except the battery has finally crapped out. No big deal though.
 
I did computer support for my company for about 7 years and another company from 10 years before that.

Good brands for laptops.....Dell, Lenovo and HP/Compaq. Sonys are okay. Toshiba used to be good but their quality has fallen off over the years. I would stay away from Acer and from what I read you have a 50/50 shot with Asus. I would stay away from most everything else. That's not to say they are all bad but the quality of the hardware and the support from the three I named rank among the best.

DO NOT get a netbook. Get a laptop.

As for specs.....depends on your budget. There are some great deals out there. If you want to PM me your budget, I will be glad to point you to some good deals.
 
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I just bought a new HP Pavilion G7. It has a 500 GB Hard Drive, 4 gigs of RAM, and a 17" screen. This cost me about $500 at Best Buy. I do not do a lot of video streaming and things that require a special video card or anything like that, but the computer I had before was set up for gaming by the guy who owned it before me and this new one blows it away in every area except possibly the video card, since the one I have now is stock rather than upgraded. Unless you have a specific need for an upgraded piece, I would just go with whatever one you feel comfortable with. You get a lot more nowadays for your dollar than before even on the lower lines. This laptop was one of the least costly in the store.
 
PenMan1 said:
Have you thought about "netbooks"? Much smaller footprint and Dell makes a "kidproof" model for under $300.
Click to expand...

I have a netbook and it is a good dependable machine...but is like the fourth computer in the house and is used very casually. In general they are slower and have smaller screens. Often the screen does not display a "full screen" so you end up scrolling up and down and often sideways to see everything.

They just aren't on my list as a primary computer, or a secondary as a replacement for a laptop. I have seen many full screen laptops at about the same pricepoint.
 
Heat is the big killer for laptops. Whatever you get, raise the rear end just a bit (set the rear end on some wood blocks :biggrin: ) to help air circulation.

Be aware that mfr's specs for battery life are wildly artificial.

That said, if you are a member of Costco, buy the laptops either at the store, or through the "configure-your-own." Buying from Costco gets you a 2 yr warranty, as opposed to one, and a 90-day return policy. If you're not a member of Costco, I like the HP line, but that's because I get a discount. Check out www.logicbuy.com for some coupons/deals on laptops if you're going to buy online.

I'm of the opinion that spending more than $1K on a laptop (unless corporate is buying) is wasted $. A laptop's useful life is prob. 3-4 yrs (the battery will die in 3 yrs). A desktop will typically last 1 or 2 yrs longer, before the dustbunnies get into the desktop and cause it to overheat and die.

Hope that helps!
 
You can also get a decent "free" computer from the cell phone carriers. Sign a two year mobil Internet contract and the cell phone guys will give you a free netbook with unlimited support and replacement until the end of the contract.
 
I would stay the heck away from a net book unless ALL you ever want to do is surf the web. My LOML spend about $450 at Best buy for her Toshiba lap top. All will depend on your budget and what you expect out of the machine.
 
Wow, get ready for all kinds of "expert opinions." My preference is either Apple or Sony. My brother will buy nothing but Dell. My parents prefer Toshiba. So who is right?

First, you REALLY have to know what you want to do with the laptop. Can you get by with a tiny netbook, or do you need a large screen or full computing power. To me, the most important feature is the quality of the keyboard, as I do a tremendous amount of typing. I simply cannot stand some of the cheaper keyboards in many of the laptops. Other people rarely type at all, just entering a few websites and a few emails daily. But they might need better speakers, for watching movies or Youtube.

My best advice would be: Determine exactly what your needs are, and what you want to do with it.

Go to several stores, such as Best Buy, where numerous models are displayed. Type on the keyboards, listen to the speakers, look at the colors on the screen, and the size. Look critically for the features that you would use most. Pick it up, to see how heavy it will be to lug around day after day. Some laptops have outstanding battery life, but they should be sold with a hand truck to help move them. (a bit of sarcasm there, but you will be surprised how weighty some are. If they weigh too much, you won't carry it with you. )

Finally, ask about their extended warranty program. The cost of repairing laptops is outrageous, and an extended warranty is well worth it, if you are one of the unlucky people who have a breakdown two weeks after the warranty expires.

Regarding cost, some brands have a cheaper model, then more expensive models that come with additional software. If your software is old, this might be worth examining. Don't automatically purchase based on price. Take some time to ponder these points and you will have a much happier purchasing experience, one that will last you the life of the computer without regrets.
 
Gary:
MCSE, here. The cell providers will GIVE you a "bullet proof" netbook for free for signing a two year, $35 per month contract.... They keep it running.

$35 pet mo x 25 = $700 AND 5 gigs Internet use per month.

Cheapest p.o.s laptop (tigerdirect refurb $300+ shipping), it dies after 30 days, it's your dead. No Internet

We choose to exploit the "cell phone" wars and get free computers and free service.

Respectfully submitted.
 
well what I am looking for is basically a computer to take the place of my desk top so I can do things I normally do on a desk top. I want a full screen lap top and not a netbook. I need to be able to work my web site from any location when it is finally set up. $500 to $600 is about the range I was thinking. I am not an Apple fan so that is out. I need to be able to surf the web easily. I store most my photos at Photobucket.

Also interested in the best way to connect to the web. Probably wireless.
 
If you are looking to replace a desktop, a netbook is NOT an option.

Dude, I'd get a Dell. $500-$600 still buys a lot with them.... But do spend $20 a get a "cooler". All laptops get hot and it does shorten the life of the unit.

I prefer a netbook for travel, simply because it is used lightly, and I don't have to carry a "diaper bag". But as a replacement for desktp, you need a laptop.
 
I don't think you can even buy a laptop without wifi, built in.
Most places (even McDonalds) have free wifi, but I still keep my MIFI 2200 hot spot in my pocket, in case I need a "fix".
 
$500-$600 will get you a reasonable desktop replacement. Check out the 13 vs 15" screens. You'll probably want a 15" screen, as the keyboard is much closer to full-size. The only problem is that you're talking relatively heavy (5-6 lb) vs the 11-13" models (3-5 lb). (Weight does not include charger, btw).

Dells are available from Costco as "customize your own." HP's are off-the-shelf and "customize your own." Costco gives that additional year warranty in the built-in price. I'm typing all this on a 15" HP (dv5 older generation). The only minus with the desktop replacement laptops is that they are heavy. If you do a lot of traveling, you don't want to lug a 5-6 lb laptop. At work, I use a convertible tablet for travel (3 lb-ish). I'm about to buy a sub-$500 laptop for personal travel (11 inch, about 3.5 lb, but nearly full size keyboard), as I do about 3-4 business volunteer trips/yr.

At home, you can connect your laptop just like you did your desktop--via an ethernet cable. Or, you can shell out another $50 and get a wireless router in the house (be sure to change the default password, and set up the wireless security!). Then, you can be at your desk, or move to the kitchen if you feel like it, or take the laptop out to the garage and use the webcam to do live shots of your doing your pens!

p.s. Software: If you're cheap, uninstall the "trial" MS-Office bundle that gets pre-installed on your computer, and install "Open Office." Open Office is free; compatible w/ MS-Office, and works pretty well.
 
Just to join in the fray (with the Star wars theme playing behind) :biggrin:
Something to think about as stated earlier what you are going to do with it comes into play. While it weighs more a 17" screen model is good if you are doing CAD, Web site work or are like me and your eyes are not what they once were. Also the larger size also gives you a full numeric key pad. If you are doing any number work this is a plus. I do inventory on mine & find it faster. After 17 years doing tech support I have to second the folks saying good things about Dell & Toshiba (working on my Toshiba right now).
 
If you can afford it, get a Mac.

Why?

Because when you have a problem, you can walk into any Apple store and get support. Or training. Or whatever.

I have a MacBook Pro (provided by the church I work for), but I'm not a fanboi. I prefer Windows in most cases. But that support alone is worth the price of admission, IMHO.
 
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