Considering buying a laptop-please help with ??

[frannn]

I am considering buying a laptop, and my head is spinning with all the different companies and components. I now know what I want, but am not sure if I should go with a refurbished or new laptop. I am mostly looking at Dell and J&R. There were 140 listed in Dell's refurb outlet; they were gone like 5 minutes later. Would you go with new or refurb? Who has the best holiday sales, or will I get a better deal after Christmas?
I am looking for 2+ GH processor, 40+ GB hard drive, 256+ RAM, 15 in screen, a CDRW drive, and a network card.
Thanks so much!

 

[PlutoPony]

We've purchased refurbished twice - desktop and laptop, from HP and Compaq (same company now). Hope I don't jinx us, but we've had no problems. Saved $150 on the laptop, don't remember how much on the desktop. BIL works for HP and he suggested the reconditioned option as a money saver.

 

[DNBois]

Where I work, we have a pretty large IT division and they have always recommended Dell computers - actually, a co-worker of mine just helped a woman pick a great laptop for her DH for Christmas from Dell. Unfortunately, we purchased a Gateways at our home and although we love it, we paid much more $$$ than we would if we had bought a Dell. Good luck!!!

 

[Savin4Disney]

I have a ibm thinkpad. Works fine for me. All I want is internet and able to work from home sometimes. But I got mine used from work in our IT department. So it was cheap. $100.00.

 

[vjc715]

DH is now a IT guy and works at Intel doing some really cool testing for products yet to be released. So....I just asked him his opinion on this. We ourselves are a dell family.

This is what his opinion is:
Look at the warranty that the refurb computer offers. The difference on the warranties will be a determining factor, but sees nothing wrong with the refurbs. They have to be tested to be sold.

There is a website called www.gotapex.com and they always list dell or other computer deals at the moment. Also, they may have a link to get coupons/coupon code to get additional money off your purchase too. (sometimes)

Also...a factor is the size you want, the weight, etc. We have 3 dell laptops and my absolute favorite is small and light weight in size. The screen is about 14". I never thought I would like a smaller/lighter laptop...but DH has a hard time getting me to give this up. It really makes a difference the portability of the equipment. It's approx 4lbs. The larger screen you get, the more weight you may have. They have to make the whole laptop bigger.

DH actually thinks IBM makes better/more reliable laptops than Dell, but Dell is a close 2nd. (Go figure...we have dells even with that said) All have been very reliable

 

[rachael95]

I help run computer labs at work and we've had good experience with Dell, though you need to make sure you have all your specifics down. www.gotapex.com is a great site. We recommend that to family all the time. My Dad was able to get a Dell through there that came with free shipping, a PDA and some other extras for cheap.

One thing you might want to do though is get extra RAM, XP really eats up the memory and if you only have 256 that might slow you down a bit.