Notebook computers... but which one?!

[Chip 'n Dale Express]

Okay, so I'm researching buying a notebook computer. I have a great & powerful desktop that does everything I need, except one thing. It's not very portable. I'll still be using my desktop for all my power uses. However, I'd like to get a notebook that I can take with me so that I can do e-mail, web surfing, word processing, and IM type chat. Nothing strenuous. I'm not a big gamer. I just like to chat, surf the DIS, and occasionally sometimes do homework. Oh, and I'd like to be able to watch some DVDs on it. I'm a struggling college student, so price is a big factor. I'm thinking that with my second job, I should have $1,000 saved by the end of the month... give or take... all depends on those pesky tips.

But at any rate... during my research... all the user reviews I see are all negative. No one likes thier notebook. They all hate the abysmal tech support they get. All the hard drives and whatnot all crash all the time. It's looking pretty bleak. Definetly going to bite the bullet and get an extended warranty. (Whatever happened to the days when things came with warranties FREE??)

So... What can y'all recommend for me to check out?

 

[crz4mm2]

DD just got a Toshiba at Best Buy for $799.00. We did buy the extended warranty. (highly recommend!). So the total was just a bit over 1000. So far she loves it. I can't give you the specs on it right now as I can't remember them, but look at Best Buy. Toshiba has a pretty good reputation.
I have a HP Pavilion ze4500. It is almost 2 years old. I have had the hard drive replaced once and the power attachment replaced once (but both were under the warranty) I am very pleased with it too, but it was over 1000 when I bought it (also at Best Buy).

Good luck in your search. Pros and Cons for all makes and models.

Cathy

 

[safetymom]

I have a Compaq and a Dell. Both travel quite a lot and haven't had any problems. I think they are all pretty good nowadays. I would look at the battery life if you plan to be mobile a lot. Also the weight can make a difference.

Look at the warehouse clubs. I got a great deal on my Compaq at Costco.

 

[SyracuseWolvrine]

I get periodic (2 or 3 times a month) emails from Dell with special deals ... if you're interested, I can forward the next 1 or 2 of them to you

 

[LK03]

As a former struggling college student like yourself, I switched to Apple last year and never regretted it. No blue screen of death, the fan never comes on, on the laptop, awesome software, and it's so pretty. Since you are a college student you'd get a good discount on the Apple website as well, or you could get the discount if you bought it at the store. Right now, if you buy a laptop with Apple you get a free iPod Mini, the offer is good until the end of September I believe.

 

[Pugdog007]

LOVE my new Dell Latitude D610. I have a docking station at the office.

 

[Dan Murphy]

If getting a Dell (a great choice IMO), keep checking this site for current promotions, some of which sometimes are huge.

http://www.techbargains.com/dellcoupons.cfm

 

[Poohnatic]

I bought an HP Pavillion this past January. I love it! I sprung for the huge screen and I'm glad I did.

Prior to this one, I had an IBM Thinkpad that my DH bought me on ebay. It also was good, I liked it, but I had to uprade windows and ram to install the wireless card. When I went to go buy the card, I found out how cheap laptops are these days, and here I am.

Funny thing is that a few friends have said this laptop is really heavy compared to their machines, but I was used to lugging around the Thinkpad. The HP is light versus the IBM!

Suzanne

 

[DawnCt1]

As a former struggling college student like yourself, I switched to Apple last year and never regretted it. No blue screen of death, the fan never comes on, on the laptop, awesome software, and it's so pretty. Since you are a college student you'd get a good discount on the Apple website as well, or you could get the discount if you bought it at the store. Right now, if you buy a laptop with Apple you get a free iPod Mini, the offer is good until the end of September I believe.

We have a Gateway, which I am using now. We also have a Dell. I am not crazy about either of them. I am so sick of pop ups, renewing the Norton Antivirus, Adaware, etc, that we just bought an Apple. DH is loading it with his stuff and then I will probably use it. I like a computer in the kitchen and that is what I use the lap top for.

 

[disneysteve]

My first choice would be an Apple, but assuming you are looking for a PC, I love my Toshiba. I've got the Satellite M45-S331. I've traveled around with it a fair amount with no trouble. I'm typing on it right now from my hotel room in Las Vegas. I think I paid $1299 after rebates at CompUSA.

 

[WatchinCaptKangaroo]

I love my Dell 700m.

If you do decide on a Dell buy the smallest amount of RAM possible (usually 256mb) and buy additional RAM after market.

 

[Barb D]

I have a Toshiba satellite, which just came out of the shop because of power problems. (The battery wouldn't hold a charge, and I had to jiggle the cord to get the AC to work.) Up until this week I also HAD an HP. It was in the shop in February (that's when I bought the Toshiba) and again in April. It went up again last week, but this time the warranty is expired, the 90 day warranty on the last repair is also expired, and Best Buy won't even look at it. I was not aware that Best Buy will only repair computers that are still under their service plans. They "don't do cash repairs."

I haven't decided yet whether to buy another laptop to replace the HP or not. I don't have extra money now. (I bought both of the others after I got $1000 cash awards at work, but I'm not expecting one any time soon.) But knowing that laptops seem to end up in the shop fairly often, I think I might have to bite the bullet. With the heavy use that computers get in this house I think we're going to need another laptop just for general use and to cover us in case one has to go into the shop.

BTW, I'll never buy another desktop. Laptops have their problems, but they take up SO much less space in my tiny house, and we can move them anywhere at any time.

 

[caitycaity]

i'm a dell fan, but if i didn't have to worry about it working with our network, i would buy an apple.

 

[Papa Deuce]

......

But at any rate... during my research... all the user reviews I see are all negative. No one likes thier notebook. They all hate the abysmal tech support they get. All the hard drives and whatnot all crash all the time. It's looking pretty bleak. Definetly going to bite the bullet and get an extended warranty. (Whatever happened to the days when things came with warranties FREE??)

So... What can y'all recommend for me to check out?

That's because they don't have a Mac!

BTW... they all have warranties....but if you want to have a 3 year warranty, well, ya gotta pony up the cash.

 

[Talking Hands]

I love my Sony laptop. Had a Gateway and will never buy from them again. Had a Compaq and it was ok but the Sony is the best. My daughter has an Apple and likes it. Hers is set up with all her music programs.

 

[monarchsfan16]

Get an HP. HP's are made to last. My dad's got one from 8 years ago that's still going strong. He hasn't had to replace anything. Granted it doesn't work very well for the internet anymore since it's so outdated, but it's held up great. I've got an HP for college; it's a more typical laptop vs a notebook, but it was well under $1000. It's the HP Pavillion zv6000. Love it. My dad got an HP notebook last fall and is extremely happy with it. It's very powerful, and fully equipped (bluetooth capacity, dvd, etc). HP's have some great deals occasionally too. I know Best Buy has been running sales on them, or even go to HP.com

 

[Aimeedyan]

I have mixed thoughts on my Dell. I think highly of Dell, and maybe my issues are common for someone that uses their laptop 18 hours a day, who knows.

My power cord only went out once, but my dad's cord went out 6 times. Covered by warranty but still. We have 3 year warranties.

Then, about a month ago, my harddrive completely crashed. Again, covered by warranty AND i was able to get everything off it in time (THANKFULLY). Note to self - back up harddrive often! The disc drives wouldn't work so it took logging into the net and storing everything online. A huge hassle but the tech guy I talked to was very nice, easy to understand, and I got my new harddrive in 2 days. I have found that Dell's online chat support is your best bet, as you don't have to talk to them! LOL! However, that only works if you have a 2nd computer to sit on while you mess with the laptop.

Like I said, those things might go wrong on any computer, I don't know. When I have had problems, Dell has been beyond helpful and quick on fixing it - I'll give them that. I am on my laptop A LOT, it travels with me, goes to school, goes to work, and it's on day in and day out.

Good luck! We hope to buy another to replace DH's desktop (and HP that just bit the dust!) and aren't sure if we'll do another Dell or try something else.

 

[sjh801]

I love my Dell 700m.

If you do decide on a Dell buy the smallest amount of RAM possible (usually 256mb) and buy additional RAM after market.

Why? I thought that you should always try to buy as much as possible at the start. or is that a marketing ploy?

 

[Disneyworldreaming]

Apple, Apple. Apple!! I love my Apple. and being a student you can get your discount. mine burns CD's and DVD's and is just great!

 

[Papa Deuce]

Why? I thought that you should always try to buy as much as possible at the start. or is that a marketing ploy?

no. You are correct. aftermarket RAM is cheaper, though.