Laptop questions

[always quiet]

I'm in the market for a laptop (having 3 kids and one computer is getting a bit nuts!! ). I don't really know what to look for in a decent, reasonably priced one. I know I'll have to get a wireless router for my dsl and the laptop needs a card...or something like that......to make it work. Beyond that, I am clueless!! I went into the dell website, just to look around and that just left me scratching my head!! What should I look for and any recommendations?? HELP!!

 

[wvjules]

Bumping for you. I'm interested in recommendations as well since my laptop has apparently died for good. (Don't buy a Toshiba!).

Right now I'm leaning towards a Dell XPS but I hear their CS is awful.

 

[monarchsfan16]

My biggest (ok only) recommendation is to avoid Dells. A lot of my friends here at school have them and a lot of them have had problems with them, and they've only had the computers since July or August. Their customer service is also awful.
My dad swears by HP (that's what I have too, since he bought it for me). He's been buying HP and Compaq laptops for 10 or 15 years, and hasn't had a problem yet. His oldest one still works; it's just useless for today's programming

 

[CJMickeyMouse]

I am in the process of choosing a Dell notebook. My feeling is you get what you pay for, so if you stay with the higher end computers you are better off. Just MO.

 

[clm3]

We just bought an HP and so far so good, we had a Toshiba before that but the power cord plug went out. This one has built in wireless so we don't need any card. There is something called "WLAN" that reads our DSL router. Its great being able to lay in bed and mess on the web.

I would suggest going to a computer retailer and talk with them. We got ours at Best Buy and the sales "Kid" was fantastic. He really helped us out the all the changes computers have gone through.

Good Luck ... I know its an $$$ decision.