Laptop Recommendations

[michboro]

I was thinking of purchasing a Laptop, and was wondering if anyone had any recommendations?? Which model and what specifications would you recommend? Where is the best place to get a good deal? I already have a Dell desktop, and was considering buying another Dell.
Thanks for any input.

 

[poohbear158]

That really depends on what your looking for... screen size, HD space, RAM etc. Keep in mind that most PC's being sold now are loaded with Vista. Vista is not compatible with most of the older software/hardware that you may have. I just purchased a Dell laptop about a week ago from the outlet since I didn't want Vista. Vista is just too new for me and I'm sure they don't have all of the bugs worked out yet (remember when XP first came out??? ... need I say more?). I got a 17" 9300 w/XP and I could not be happier .

 

[michboro]

Do all of the new laptops come with Vista already on the computer? Or, is it something that you have the option to upgrading to in the future? I really didn't want Vista yet, because of all of the problems that I have heard about with it. Is my only option to order from an outlet if I didn't want Vista? If so, where is recommended?
I was looking for computer with at least 1 or 2 gb RAM and 100 gb hard drive.

 

[Darcy03231]

I just ordered a new laptop through Dell. If you order through Small & Medium Business instead of Home you can save quite a bit. I just saved $300 over ordering through Home. All the new laptops (and computers) I've looked at recently are coming loaded with Vista. While I would have preferred XP, that wasn't an option. I got an Inspiron 6400 w/Intel Pentium Dual Core Processor, 1GB shared DDR2 SDRAM, 120 GB harddrive, CD/DVD Burner, 256MB ATI Mobility Radeon X1400 Hypermemory, and Dell Wireless Mini Card for $699 w/free 3-5 day shipping. If you want the discount code just PM me.

 

[poohbear158]

Your pretty much limited to purchasing from outlets to get anything with XP. All new PC's being produced have Vista installed. Check out dells outlet, they have some great bargains there. HP, Gateway, Toshiba, etc. also all have outlet's on their websites. I'm not going to recommend a company to purchase from because what one person likes, the next person hates. All I can say is that I've had a number of Dell's in the past and I've personally had no problems with them.

Do all of the new laptops come with Vista already on the computer? Or, is it something that you have the option to upgrading to in the future? I really didn't want Vista yet, because of all of the problems that I have heard about with it. Is my only option to order from an outlet if I didn't want Vista? If so, where is recommended?
I was looking for computer with at least 1 or 2 gb RAM and 100 gb hard drive.

 

[toocooltobeMom]

I have a DEll 6400 15.4" trulite screen , 1 G and 160 G harddrive, the new vista, and upgrade to a 9-cell battery. Using a few value code and coupon, I paid $760.(including tax and free shipping). My DS has the Dell XPS with 2 G and a lot(I mean ALOT) more upgrades. His was closed to 2 big one$$$. Shop around for the best one that YOU like. I believe that tech support after sales to be very important too.

 

[lost*in*cyberspace]

My husband and son both have Dell XPS M1210 laptops and they love them. We did get a small discount as my son is still a college student. It now comes with Vista.

 

[michboro]

For those that have the laptops with the Vista, have you encountered any problems with it?

 

[mmcguire]

We bought an HP laptop last month with Vista on it. I LOVE the laptop and highly recommend it. I'm in IT, so I've used a lot of computers in my day. HP has good quality and a good price.

Vista has been 99% great; the only exception is that it does NOT play well with iTunes, specifically the new (tiny clip-on version) iPod Shuffle. My 5th Gen iPod Video doesn't seem to have a problem, but we bought DS12 a Shuffle for Christmas, and the first time I tried to put music on it with the new laptop, we got an error, and can't put anything new on it now. After some research, it turns out this is a widespread problem that Apple has not yet addressed with a patch to iTunes. So. If you're an iPod Shuffle user you might want to hold off a bit.

 

[Darcy03231]

Marci: Thanks for posting that about the Ipods. I have a nano but until I know that Apple has a patch for Vista I guess I'll just continue to load it from the desk top.

 

[3PrezGirls]

I love my iBook G4 but I know Apple doesn't make that anymore. But we love our iMac as well. We're a Mac family!!

 

[Forevryoung]

I love my iBook G4 but I know Apple doesn't make that anymore. But we love our iMac as well. We're a Mac family!!

And while I loved my macbook until recently, it's about to be thrown against a wall...

Tech Support is the number one thing you should base your purchase on unfortunately... Over the course of four years with a dell desktop I spent approximately 38 hours on the phone with tech support (they replaced a hard drive, the whole computer after two years and another hard drive and video card in the second computer)

So far in 6 months I am up to 4.5 hours on the phone with Apple and 7 days without my laptop while it was sent away for repairs. They are about to have to fix it again so thats another x amount of days without it... There is steam coming from my ears over this

 

[michboro]

I was wondering about whether it is worth getting Microsoft Office Home + student (includes word, excel and powerpoint) for $149 more, or Microsoft Works Suite 2006 (includes MS word 2002/Encarta 2006 + more) for $79 or just getting Microsoft Works 8, with no MS word, for no additional price. I woudn't be using for any company work, and didn't know if my kids who are only in 1st and 3rd grade would eventually need it.
Did anyone get this on their computers?

 

[branv]

In DH's job, he has to do alot of laptop testing. He hasn't specified what model, but he's always been impressed with Fujitsu. I now have one, and of all the brands/models he can choose from at work, he chooses to use a Fujitsu. I've used a Sony, a dell, a compaq and an HP, but this has been my favorite.

 

[JuneChickie]

We bought the XPS 1210 Last July and absolutely love it. Its a dell.

We did all our research on a forum called www.notebookforums.com

You might want to check out the forums, , most any and all questions have
already been asked there . Its free and if you want to post a question
you have to sign up to do that , its free also. IT seems alot of computer
people hang out over there .