laptop

[mommytobug]

I am ready to purchase the dell....................does anyone have suggestions on how to get the most for my money!! Yall were such a bug help before!!!

 

[Forevryoung]

IMO dont get a dell...

 

[mommytobug]

Ok, so any more suggestions on what kind.........I am interested in wireless capability and in dvd playing ability ..................I am totally clueless and if you dont like dell. why and what is better? This is for my dd but I would like to use also.

 

[Forevryoung]

Ok, so any more suggestions on what kind.........I am interested in wireless capability and in dvd playing ability ..................I am totally clueless and if you dont like dell. why and what is better? This is for my dd but I would like to use also.

Almost all of the new ones have DVD playing ability and wireless capability-

What I would get depends on how much money you are willing to spend, how old your daughter is and what you guys would be using it for? Do you like to play games? Is it just for homework? Do you need a lot of storage space on it (for pictures, music...)?

I would not get a Dell because Dell computers are poorly made and have a tendency to break/burn out easily. Sometimes their tech support is great and sometimes it is horrible. Against my advice my sister got a Dell laptop and within two months had to have the hard drive replaced. I will never buy a Dell again- some people such as my father (who has 6 or 7 in his office) swear by them. Everyone has their own opinion on computers.

Whichever you get I would buy an external hard drive to back up your entire hard drive onto. They are relatively cheap and if something ever happens, you wont lose anything.

Just my .02

 

[aka-mad4themouse]

I have to agree with Forevryoung. Dell's customer support is hit or miss, mostly miss.

I've had an HP laptop for several years now. I had a problem with the CD-ROM while it was still under warranty. After trying to troubleshoot over the phone for about an hour, the tech support rep and I agreed that the drive needed to be replaced. They sent UPS to my house to pick it up (I had to package it) and they got it back to me in less than a week. Since then there have been no other problems.

A lot of people swear by their iMACs but I prefer to use Windows. If they made an iMac that was Windows-based and operated like a PC, I be getting one. I just don't want to take the time to learn a different operating system.

You can find laptop reviews at cNet.com. They are usually right on the mark with their evaluations. They include both editor's reviews and owners'.

 

[LeCras]

I would not get a Dell because Dell computers are poorly made and have a tendency to break/burn out easily.

Actually, in a survey of 8,000 computer users Dell laptops came out as the most reliable, ahead of Gateway, HP, IBM, Sony and Toshiba (PC Magazine).

Charlotte

 

[jeancbpugh]

I've had an HP laptop for several years now. I had a problem with the CD-ROM while it was still under warranty. After trying to troubleshoot over the phone for about an hour, the tech support rep and I agreed that the drive needed to be replaced. They sent UPS to my house to pick it up (I had to package it) and they got it back to me in less than a week. Since then there have been no other problems.

Working with HP's tech support over a printer a year ago was a nightmare.

I'm curious, do they still outsource to India?

 

[Miss Kelly]

I am ready to purchase the dell....................does anyone have suggestions on how to get the most for my money!! Yall were such a bug help before!!!

I would keep a close watch for deals on Dells, especially now at the end of the quarter. Check www.slickdeals.net regularly. Some people are anticipating the $750 discount coupon again. Now, thats a deal!

BTW, I have a Dell Desktop and I love it. *knock on wood* I want a laptop too, but only if a good deal comes out.

 

[aka-mad4themouse]

Working with HP's tech support over a printer a year ago was a nightmare.

I'm curious, do they still outsource to India?

The gentleman I was working with did not sound like a native speaker of English. I had difficulty understanding him and that was why, after an hour of havinghim repeat himself over and over, we both agreed that the unit should be sent in for repair.

Many companies are outsourcing their technical response work to workers in countries where English is not their first language. That's how they can sell their product so cheaply and continue to support it. It can be very frustrating but there's not much that can be done about it.

Fortunately, with two HP PC's and a laptop, I've only had to contact tech support that one time. I guess that I'm just fortunate that way or else their computers are that well-made. Printers, well that's another story.

 

[speedyf]

I just recently ordered a basic Dell laptop for one of our captains here at our tug boat company.

I was able to get it for $477 delivered after rebates. It has a DVD Rom / CD-Burner...but, no wireless card. You can add the wireless card for about $39 more on the Dell site...or just go purchase a wireless Linksys card at Wal-Mart, CompUSA, etc.

I've been happy with Dell. I've been the IT Manager here at my company for 8 years. I originally custom built each computer when we first started out with 6 computers. Since we have grown, I could not keep up. When we decided to upgrade last December, we went with Dell. I have not had one breakdown or crash (knock on wood) in the past year.

As for the hard drive failures or other failures, that could happen on any computer. Dell does not actually manufacture the hard drives. They use IBM or Hitachi drives.

I have had a Dell laptop for 2 years without any problems. Of course, everyone's opinion is different. I would never buy a Compaq / HP. My boss had a Compaq system and the power supply went out on it. Since Compaq doesn't use "standard" size power supplies (only their proprietary sized ones)...I had to search for an actual Compaq replacement. The cheapest I could find for that power supply was $200 at CompUSA. If he had a Dell or Gateway, I could have purchased one for $35.

Good Luck...
Speed

 

[speedyf]

Also...Dell has a tech support chat on their website. Easier to understand someone who can't speak English well when they are typing in chat rather than talking to you from across the world.

I had to use the chat for one of my friend's computers that was hit by a power surge after the power was reconnected after Hurricane Katrina. I was able to "chat" on Dell's site and try different things until finally we figured out it was the power supply and they shipped a new one, next day DHL, for me to install.

I purchase the 1 year warranty on all my systems.

Speed

 

[DisneyGirl83]

Sorry Long Post...

You get another vote for Don't get a Dell here!!! My laptop gives me so many problems it isn't even funny. Don't even try to use a dell wireless with verizon dsl! I have way too many problems. Phone support for dell is terrible you can never understand the person you're talking to but Chat Support online is better. I have to call dell at least once a month about something wrong with my laptop. The keyboard on mine broke and then sent me a new one and a screw driver to put it in myself!!!!!! Now I'd consider myself computer savvy but come on. I had to pull the whole darn thing apart! I also didn't have very much luck with my HP. The backlight on the screen went out and I would have had to pay $800 to fix it. So I'd never buy an HP or a dell again. However, I don't really have any suggestions on which to buy, my Aunt has a Sony laptop and she doesn't seem to have any problems with that one so maybe look at a Sony..Good Luck

 

[oogieboogie]

I'm on my second Compaq/HP right now and I couldn't be happier. This thing is sturdy, well built, a bit on the heavy side, but mine has a 60GB drive, a DVD/CD burner, and internal wireless. I got mine from Circuit City. With rebates it came to $599 - good price for all that came with it.

 

[AngieInOH]

Another vote for don't get Dell. Our company had to replace every single one of its Dell computers and laptops after just one year. They were failing all over the place. We're not talking just a few, more like thousands.

 

[piglet33]

Here is a vote FOR Dell. I bought two laptops (Inspiron 9300) using a code from gotapex.com and saved 45% on each one plus got free shipping. They also made a mistake on the 0% financing through their credit card - they gave me two different expiration dates even though they were both purchased the same day. For my trouble, the CS rep. extended both to Jan. 2007 and made me very happy. BTW - I love the laptop and the wireless internet is great.

ETA - all the computers where I work are Dells. They never buy anything else.

 

[becky7953]

We have had 2 Dell computers, our laptop is a Gateway. The customer service for Dell has been outstanding. Better than Gateway. My DH company buys computers for the employees and takes out payments out of their check (interest free). They did Dell then switched to gateway 1 year (how we got laptop) and went back to Dell. They have been with Dell since.

 

[deltachi8]

I bought my Dell 600M in April with a $750 off sale and could not be happier. The machine performs very well and have never had an issue with customer support.

 

[Forevryoung]

Ok, so I have had *good* luck with Dell tech support. They replaced my desktop for free after 2 years with an upgrade for my troubles but over the past three years I have logged over 35+ hours on the phone with them. Their online chat is nice when you dont want to have a phone up to your ear on hold for an hour or two but if your computer wont turn on, online support is useless.

You are going to find good things and bad things about all brands. If you have your heart set on a Dell because of what they offer for the money, go for it. But I just wanted to give you a word of warning first.

PS: for the person who mentioned that it's not a Dell hard drive- ok fine but my mother board, my processor, my video card, the power supply and the RAM have all been replaced at one point over the past three years in addition to the hard drive issues (ok 2 different desktop computers but the problems shouldnt have occured for the age of the machines)

 

[speedyf]

Forevryoung...

I had mentioned the thing about the hard drive. Again...it's the same thing with all of the parts of the computer.

Dell does not actually produce any part in their systems. They just put them together.

Your processor will be made by Intel or AMD. Whether you buy a Dell, Gateway, HP...etc....one of those 2 chips will be in that unit.

I have a Dell desktop unit open right now to add memory. The memory is made by Infineon.

It's basically just the luck of the draw on any of those units.

Think of it in the same terms as a car. I'm sure if you posted a thread on how you love your "Brand X" car and how it has never given you any trouble...that 10 people will be behind you posting that they had nothing but trouble with the same make and model.

Speed

 

[arminnie]

I have had a Dell laptop for 2 years without any problems. Of course, everyone's opinion is different. I would never buy a Compaq / HP. My boss had a Compaq system and the power supply went out on it. Since Compaq doesn't use "standard" size power supplies (only their proprietary sized ones)...I had to search for an actual Compaq replacement. The cheapest I could find for that power supply was $200 at CompUSA. If he had a Dell or Gateway, I could have purchased one for $35.

Good Luck...
Speed

I too agree with you that I would NEVER buy a Compaq/HP again. And this is coming from someone who was one of the original purchasers of Compaq. I bought the first "lugable" Compaq over 20 years ago. Compaq used to be one of the most reliable manufacturers, but the quality for the past 5 years or so has been awful.

I bought a Compaq laptop about 3 years ago. It literally went up in smoke about a month after the one year warranty was up. Against my better judgement I bought a Compaq again 2 years ago. I thought the one that burnt up was a fluke, but I did get a warranty.

I just left it for service a few minutes ago. They told me that it would be at least two weeks before they would know what was wrong and IF if would be covered by the warranty.

Fortunately I have a desktop at home and a Treo that I can use to get email when I'm not at home. I don't even use my laptop that much. I'm not that rough on them either.

I will NOT buy another Compaq. I won't pay to have this one fixed either.