what new laptop should I get, IT guys chime in

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Glenn McCullough

Glenn McCullough

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I have a desk top that does all I need it to do and then some. I want a supplemental laptop, basically to surf the net while mobile. I thought about a Ipad, but I want a bit more, any suggestions would be appreciated.
 
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If you're just surfing the web, it really doesn't matter, pretty much anything you can pick up for a few hundred bucks will suffice. The tradeoff is between screen size and weight. Bigger screens show more web site at the same time, but are heavier to lug.

If you need to play up to date games, now you're talking real money.
 
GoatRider said:
If you're just surfing the web, it really doesn't matter, pretty much anything you can pick up for a few hundred bucks will suffice. The tradeoff is between screen size and weight. Bigger screens show more web site at the same time, but are heavier to lug.

If you need to play up to date games, now you're talking real money.
Click to expand...

If you're just looking for basic surfing tasks, I agree with the above.

However, pay close attention to the resolution of the screen as well. If you look at a 13" and 16" monitor with the same resolution, the 16" will be bigger in size, but will show no more on the screen than the smaller monitor. Bigger isn't necessarily better! (but it might be a little easier on your eyes :smile:)
 
FWIW....I say stay away from the netbooks. Screens are small and usually don't display the entire page ( you do a lot of scrolling). I would stick to a laptop with a 14" screen. Other than that. Keep it cheap. A lot of good deals out there to be had !!
 
If you're looking for mobile - personally I'd be VERY curious what "more" you want. For me, I would almost take an iPad OVER a laptop for most mobile surfing... Why?
- Apps (things that make mobile even better like Forum Runner, etc)
- Battery life (plus easier charging options like the car)
- Portability

So... What specifically do you want that an iPad won't give you.
 
alphageek said:
If you're looking for mobile - personally I'd be VERY curious what "more" you want. For me, I would almost take an iPad OVER a laptop for most mobile surfing... Why?
- Apps (things that make mobile even better like Forum Runner, etc)
- Battery life (plus easier charging options like the car)
- Portability

So... What specifically do you want that an iPad won't give you.
Click to expand...


I agree...my previous comments are based on the fact that you said you did not want an iPad....but if it was me...that is what I'd get.
 
NOt certain what compatibility it has with my desk top (Vista), would like to link them up, print discount coupons, online banking, etc.

alphageek said:
If you're looking for mobile - personally I'd be VERY curious what "more" you want. For me, I would almost take an iPad OVER a laptop for most mobile surfing... Why?
- Apps (things that make mobile even better like Forum Runner, etc)
- Battery life (plus easier charging options like the car)
- Portability

So... What specifically do you want that an iPad won't give you.
Click to expand...
 
Linking a tablet (or even a smart phone, for that matter) to an Internet equipped desktop is eazy peazy.

If you don't want to pay a small monthly fee to a company like gotomypc (mobile), there are several desktop apps for free in the app store. I tried most of them, and so far, they all do what I need them to do.

I am really excited about the IPad rumor of a new, lower priced IPad mini to replace the IPad2 being introduced with the iPad 3 expected to be available next month.
The 9 inch iPad 2 is bigger than I want and more than I'm willing to pay for another one. I sure hope it happens.
 
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While we don't have an iPad in the family yet, LOML's 15" is giving a little bit of a problem. While we were in Japan, she needed a full laptop. Now, 99% of what she does in online stuff. When the new iPads come out, she will probably get one.

I have been keeping up with numerous friends who travel a lot internationally and am totally surprised on how much basic business, contact, and internet they get done on the iPad.

AS to a laptop, in '03 I bought a 17 in laptop with a 1440 x 900 screen; in 2006 I bought 15" with the same screen res. Last summer I bought a 13 in with the same screen resolution. IF you check for screen resolutions you can get a light weight with very good screen resolution and see quite a bit.

You will get better battery life with SSDs over HDs too in addition to lighter weight.

I have the 13 in MacBook Air and run Parallels with Windows with no problems. Windows prints wirelessly and is seamless. This MBAir is VERY light and with an i7 is FAST. The SSD makes it even faster. I have a very hard time working on a computer with a HD now. The light weight plus the all of the power of an i7 and 5 hours of real battery life amazes me.
 
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I have a monster custom built desktop with over clocked processors and liquid cooling and every bell and whistle I could add. I also have a laptop with the same bells and whistles. That being said, I rarely use either one of them. 99% of what I do is done on my iPad.

The only thing I would recommend is to get the largest you can afford. I started with the 16 gig. I filled that up pretty quick. I was pretty selective about music and pictures also. Still filled up pretty quick with apps. I now have the 64 gig iPad 2 and wonder how I made it through life as long as I did without one. They're a bit on the pricy side but I think it's money well spent.
 
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My kid LOVES his MacBook. wore out the first one (about 5 years of high school/freshman year of college) and picked out his new one a couple of months ago... he has the "entry level" one and it does everything he wants and then some. he passed on the AIR version because he was concerned about durability...just seemed too light!
 
If your into an ipad type check out the new ASUS and compare them. The ASUS is expandable with memory cards slots, can run windows programs and android, is more durable than the apple ipad and more upgradeable. Comparison shop with reviews from pcmag, cnet and other sites. I have no problems with apple I just don't want to be told what I need by a company.
 
Seer said:
I have no problems with apple I just don't want to be told what I need by a company.
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LOL Jerry! That statement is a oxymoron :)

But seriously - I agree that a lot of the other tablets are starting to catch up, but the iPad is still the best IMO for most users. Android has a bunch more flexibility but also comes with a more significant learning curve.

More than just read the reviews. If you are going with a tablet vs a laptop - go PLAY with them in the stores. Hands on will help you decide which one you like most.
 
alphageek said:
Seer said:
I have no problems with apple I just don't want to be told what I need by a company.
Click to expand...

LOL Jerry! That statement is a oxymoron :)

But seriously - I agree that a lot of the other tablets are starting to catch up, but the iPad is still the best IMO for most users. Android has a bunch more flexibility but also comes with a more significant learning curve.

More than just read the reviews. If you are going with a tablet vs a laptop - go PLAY with them in the stores. Hands on will help you decide which one you like most.
Click to expand...

As was said go to a store and play with them and then get the reviews and see which will fill your needs or wants. It may look pretty and everyone has one but decide for yourself. I do not have any use for a pad of any kind much less a smart phone as I really hate phones (I have to carry one for my job).
 
Seer said:
If your into an ipad type check out the new ASUS and compare them. The ASUS is expandable with memory cards slots, can run windows programs and android, is more durable than the apple ipad and more upgradeable. Comparison shop with reviews from pcmag, cnet and other sites. I have no problems with apple I just don't want to be told what I need by a company.
Click to expand...

The problem with comparing specs is how misleading they are. Before the iPhone the specs of the previous smart phones included a lot that the iPhone did at a later date. But the problem was that the "specs" were there for "sales" only and not practical functionality. A Keyboard, internet, music, and even until now, some smart phones had better camera resolution but the functional camera of the iPhone still out performed. Look at the 4G LTE phones. GREAT specs, FAST but functional use is curbed so much by the battery consumption that it is king of specs only. 4G LTE are diminishing because of that fact alone. Maybe the next gen will get it right.

I was never so disappointed (before the iPhone) as when a fellow started naming "spec features" on his smart phone and then I asked him to show me how it accessed the internet. A minute later it finally got there.

Specs are nuts - Bragging rights only. But "Functionality" of the specs is what so many people overlook.

As to durability, the statement that ASUS is more durable is highly arguable in the converse.

And no, I still don't have an iPhone or iPad.

IF anyone is considering a new iPad, I would wait until early March for the iPad 3. It will be worth the wait.
 
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