Please help me choose a Lap Top PC

[Claudia Kellenberger]

For MANY years, DH and I have been using Web Tv for our internet. If you don't know, Web Tv is internet and e-mail on a TV set. It does not have a hard drive, and it cannot get a virus. It does have a box, similar looking to a VCR. We can keep some photos on it, but we cannot actually put them in. We can keep photos if someone sends us a JPG kind of photo.

Well, Web Tv just cannot seem to keep up with the times. MANY web sites have upgraded and upgraded to the point where Web Tv can no longer get them. My last straw came when my Web Tv is no longer compatible with Southwest Airlines web site !!

All that said ... I am totally bewildered shopping for a Lap Top. We will still keep our Web Tv running, so we understand that we need to hook up a router. Our Time-Warner Cable already gave us the router.

I know I want a reasonably large size screen Lap Top, as I have no interest at all in traveling with it. I have a Jewelry Hobby/Business so I want to keep a selection of Jewelry photos in the computer.

I do want to have Microsoft Word so I can make Jewelry Signs and Jewelry Show announcements.

I am considering Power Point in the future for Jewelry Advertising.

Please help. Are any brands better than others? What about anti-virus software ? Are any of those brands better than others ?
How much memory do you think I need for what I want to use it for ?

I basically know what I want - but with the different selections, I am completely confused with what to choose.

Thanks so much for any help !!!

 

[kelby86]

I have had good luck with Dell; I have had numerous laptops as well as desktops from Dell. You can build many different computers to compare prices on their website which is helpful to compare prices between different options.

I also had a Sony Vaio and it was a good laptop but I enjoy my Dells more.

Also, I would recommend Windows 7, this is the newest Windows operating system and I really like the options, ease of using it, and speed. For Windows 7, you will need at least 1 gig of memory. Any additional memory is always a plus because it enables you to do more at once, have more things open, etc.

I hope this is helpful - at least a little!

Also, I wanted to ask you about your jewelry hobby/business - I also have one of those (Premier Designs) , in addition to my "day time job." Which company do you enjoy?

 

[tjevans]

I am a mac user myself, but as a former pc person, I can give you some advice.

First, I and many others would tell you not to spend money on anti-virus. AVG and Avast anti-virus applications are both free (for home use) and do as good of a job, imo, as Norton, PC-Cillan and other brand names. You also need a firewall program (the built-in windows firewall will, iirc, keep malware from "calling in" to your computer, but not any that may have gotten installed on your system by accident from "calling out."). I would recommend ZoneAlarm or Comodo personal firewalls.

I don't think Powerpoint will be that useful for advertising.

Any computer sold nowadays should have adequate memory for what you describe.

Hope this helps

 

[kelby86]

First, I and many others would tell you not to spend money on anti-virus. AVG and Avast anti-virus applications are both free (for home use) and do as good of a job, imo, as Norton, PC-Cillan and other brand names.

I agree with you tjevans, I forgot to mention that but I am an AVG user and it has done its job for years now.

 

[Claudia Kellenberger]

I have had good luck with Dell; I have had numerous laptops as well as desktops from Dell. You can build many different computers to compare prices on their website which is helpful to compare prices between different options.

I also had a Sony Vaio and it was a good laptop but I enjoy my Dells more.

Also, I would recommend Windows 7, this is the newest Windows operating system and I really like the options, ease of using it, and speed. For Windows 7, you will need at least 1 gig of memory. Any additional memory is always a plus because it enables you to do more at once, have more things open, etc.

I hope this is helpful - at least a little!

Also, I wanted to ask you about your jewelry hobby/business - I also have one of those (Premier Designs) , in addition to my "day time job." Which company do you enjoy?

Thanks for the advice.

All of the jewelry I sell is handcrafted by Myself. I dearly love to make Jewelry. It is difficult to balance the time at my regular job, and time spent with making jewelry. It is only a local hobby/business. I have no web site or store. I just use my dining room table as my work shop, and do local craft shows and local home jewelry parties. And I love it !

 

[Slapster]

I used to be a Dell lover (I have 5 laptops and 2 desktops that are Dells) but I can no longer recommend them due to their battery / power supply issues. You WILL be replacing your battery within a year, and likely your power supply as well, and these will cost you hundreds to replace. I recently bought a third set for a laptop that is 4 years old, cost me almost three hundred bucks.

I've never been a Mac user, but they intrigue me. If I were getting a laptop for the first time, I'd consider a Macbook Pro over a PC.

Just my two cents. There are some laptop review sites out there, just search for "laptop reviews" and you'll have a wealth of info.

 

[tlhbdm]

As a user of both Mac and PC, for what you want to use the computer for I would go with the mac. I have both because I have programs(for work and play) that aren't mac compatible so I will keep my laptop. Currently my PC laptop is a Sony Vaio and LOVE it. We have had two Sony's and they both never really had any problems. Good luck with your decision.

 

[Sphyrna]

I've been doing computer support for 10 years in both the private sector and retail. I don't think you can go wrong as long as you stick with a major brand (HP, Dell, Sony, Toshiba, etc). From my experience, they all have about the same rate of repairs. So it's more a personal preference of how you like the look of the laptop and the features/software that comes with it. Myself, I've always leaned towards HP. You might also want to look into extended warranties for them. Unlike a desktop, you can't just go into Best Buy and buy a replacement part for most laptop parts. As for Word and PowerPoint, you'll need Office. Most computers don't come with Office, just a trial of it. If you do a configure to order laptop you can add it to your order, otherwise you'll have to buy it separately. There are different suites of Office, depending on the programs you need. If you just want Word, Excel, and PowerPoint you can go with the Home and Student version. Anything else you'll have to step up to the higher suites which get pricey. For your business needs, you might consider a suite that includes Publisher. Also, check out the various deal sites. You might be able to score a good deal on a nice laptop. Slickdeals.net and TechBargains.com, and Gottadeal.com are some I check frequently.

 

[MM32830]

I know I want a reasonably large size screen Lap Top, as I have no interest at all in traveling with it.

Let me take this down a different path. If you have no interest in traveling with the computer then I would suggest you look at desktop computers. You will get more computer for less money. In addition, repairs (if you need them) are less expensive since most desktop computers use standardized parts.

I have 17 computers in my business. They are a wide mix of desktops and notebooks. As stated earlier, as long as you stay with brand names (and you stay away from the Intel Celeron and AMD Sempron processors) you will do fine.




_______________
Armand

 

[kaligal]

I've had Dell, Toshiba and Sony. They all kicked the bucket in 3-4 years.

My next one will be either a Mac or whatever is cheapest at Wal-Mart. I'm done paying $2000 for something that will break in three years. Might as well pay $500.

People I know who have bought the cheapiest cheapo laptops have them lasting just as long as the expensive ones, so I'm done paying the big bucks for laptops.

I'll pay for quality, but not for crap.

 

[safetymom]

Let me take this down a different path. If you have no interest in traveling with the computer then I would suggest you look at desktop computers. You will get more computer for less money. In addition, repairs (if you need them) are less expensive since most desktop computers use standardized parts.

I have 17 computers in my business. They are a wide mix of desktops and notebooks. As stated earlier, as long as you stay with brand names (and you stay away from the Intel Celeron and AMD Sempron processors) you will do fine.




_______________
Armand

Claudia, how do you plan on using the laptop? I mean are you going to use while watching TV or outside?

If you are then I would recommend a laptop. I have had very good luck with Toshiba's and Compaq(which is now HP).

I agree with the poster above that if it will sit on your desk then go with a desktop. You will get a lot more for the money.

If you plan to do a lot of things on your computer I would go with a PC. There is more software available.

 

[kelby86]

All of the jewelry I sell is handcrafted by Myself. I dearly love to make Jewelry. It is difficult to balance the time at my regular job, and time spent with making jewelry. It is only a local hobby/business. I have no web site or store. I just use my dining room table as my work shop, and do local craft shows and local home jewelry parties. And I love it !

That is amazing! I love jewelry and would love to make my own as well, but I know what you mean about finding the time to those types of things.

Maybe when you get your new laptop you can setup a website/store!

 

[FireDancer]

I highly recommend this new laptop from Toshiba. It is the only one I would even consider purchasing if I were in the market for one at the moment.

 

[Claudia Kellenberger]

One of the reasons that I will be choosing a Lap Top over a desk computer is because I have a lack of space in my house. I have absolutely no space at all to put a computer set-up. This is why we originally decided to buy a Web Tv unit for our internet. Even now, I have no idea where I am going to store the Lap Top. Our house is very small. Our kitchen only seats two people, and our living room only seats two people. The living room cannot even fit a full sized sofa. HOWEVER ... we do have a dining room table that I can work at. I figure that I will work with my Lap Top on the kitchen table, OR the dining room table, or maybe from the living room recliner. That's just about the only space available ..... UNLESS .... I WIN THAT LOTTERY !

 

[mikelan6]

I highly recommend this new laptop from Toshiba. It is the only one I would even consider purchasing if I were in the market for one at the moment.

Frank, you are so funny!!!

 

[wishspirit]

I used to be a Dell lover (I have 5 laptops and 2 desktops that are Dells) but I can no longer recommend them due to their battery / power supply issues. You WILL be replacing your battery within a year, and likely your power supply as well, and these will cost you hundreds to replace. I recently bought a third set for a laptop that is 4 years old, cost me almost three hundred bucks.

My boyfriend had the same problem, and is now having massive overheating issues with his Dell.

I bought my Acer about 4 months before him, and I love it! Its got a large screen (and a blu-ray player, but that came included), as well as it being really simple to use.

So far, it's running fine and the battery is staying decent. I would recommend it!

 

[Sphyrna]

We've all heard it before, but size doesn't matter! You can get small form factor desktop computers now. My family has an HP desktop that is tiny! As long as you have space for the monitor you should be fine. Although personally, I still prefer a laptop over these. Even if you don't plan to take it anywhere, a laptop does give you that option should the rare occasion come up.

 

[WebmasterPete]

I highly recommend this new laptop from Toshiba. It is the only one I would even consider purchasing if I were in the market for one at the moment.

I keep falling for this crap all day today!!! Nice one.

 

[WebmasterPete]

Honestly, from a quality standpoint, I'll never own another laptop not made by Apple. My MacBook Pro is by far the best laptop I've ever owned. It's expensive, but worth every penny.

Pete

 

[*NikkiBell*]

I'm thinking about getting an Apple laptop. I own nothing that is made by Apple except for my iPod and now the iPhone. Any advice on what to look for?