Laptops

[Cathy baby RN]

We are looking to buy a laptop, specifically to use when we're at WDW.
I've been looking at both Dell and Gateway. Does anyone have any recommendations? Thanks!

 

[OKW Lover]

Its difficult to give you a recommendation without knowing just what you plan on doing with it.

But, have you considered an Apple iBook?

 

[DebbieB]

I'd highly recommend Dell. I have a Dell desktop and laptop. Love them both. I had an HP laptop before and it was awful. It was always freezing. If you are an RN at a large facility, you may want to check if your employer is in the Dell Employee Purchase Plan, you can get discounts.

 

[kimber-lilly]

my husband just surprised me with a new Dell 1150 --it's great, i love it and recommend it!

 

[Razor Roman]

Cathy,

I would definately recommend a Dell as well their service is very good. Their computers are also of very good quality, they do not throw the cheap on-the-way-out technology that other companies use in their cheap computers. I got a computer for $450 (desktop) Pentium 4, Hyper Threading, DDR2 Memory, PCI Express bus for extra graphics 80 gig hard drive, and 17" flat panel! Awesome deal.

If you go to the following sites

http://www.gotapex.com/

or

http://www.tcnj.edu/~it/personalpurchases.html

you can get good pricing on laptops.
Got Apex lists some phenomenal deals... sometimes they say they are small business deals, but I had no trouble ordering mine through it.

The second one is from my college's IT department. I am an alumnus of and employee of The College of New Jersey, we have deals with Dell and Apple to sell computers at a discount if you follow the links on our website, so if you were interested in an iBook you might find a deal for that too.

They don't care if you're not an employee or student at the college either!

 

[capthooksmom]

We have a Dell laptop and my DH works as a computer consultant for a healthcare Info. Svcs. company. Dell is the only thing they use for their clients.

 

[Cathy baby RN]

Thanks so much for all your replies....they were very helpful and I think I will go with a Dell. I will look to see if the hospital I work at has an Employee Purchase Plan like Debbie suggusted.

Thanks Razor Roman for the links you supplied. At Christmas I was able to get a discount on ipods through our schools educational site. This sounds like it is similar.

 

[frannn]

DH bought me a Dell laptop for Xmas. I have yet to use it, since we need to get a wireless router to access what I need. I got a decent deal by buying one of their refurbs. For 898, I got a 3.06 GHZ Inspiron notebook, with a 15 inch screen, wireless card, 60 GB hard drive (slower speed), Windows XP home, external floppy, dvd drive, and other specs. I heard that the deals may actually be better after Xmas. I have not found this computer to have any problems, but then, I haven't quite used it yet. This is a more affordable option.

 

[Coach Rick]

Ok, I'll go against the tide on this one. I teach computer, including building and repair, and have built 48 computers for the school in the last 5 years. In addition, I am the technology coordinator at our local city library. Unfortunately we buy what we can there through deals with the rest of the libraries, and that has brought us to Dell. We also have 6 Gateway's that have been donated by the Bill & Milinda Gates Foundation. The Gateway's have never had a problem, but I do have 4 Dells sitting on the floor out back that are not practical to repair. It would cost more to repair them than to replace them. They are under 2 years old, and although they are used heavily, but no more so than the Gateway's. Honestly inside the machines all use the same components. It's just when they buy their parts some companies require a lower tollerence on their specifications, and since Dell has come out with these low price computers it would seem the quality has gone down hill. Personally when it comes to laptops, I prefer Sony myself. I have owned a couple of Sony's now, and have been thrilled with them. My DW uses a Dell that her company leases, feel very cheap compaired to my Sony. Ok, my arms are tired from swimming against the tide. Good Luck!!

 

[goin2disneyagain]

I also prefer Sony. A friend bought a Dell computer about 2 months ago and had to send it back. A lot of the reports I have heard about Dell lately are not very favorable.

 

[Jimdamedic]

I assume you are an OB nurse. Talk with some of the nurses in your emergency room. The National Emergency Nurses Association also has discount programs through Dell. You can simply use their code when you order your computer.