Techie Help...need a new laptop

[poohfriend]

I need a new laptop.

requirements:
basic internet use
run disboards!
be able to access travel sites (like Disney.com) and view information
kids use it for internet gaming (like poptropica or webkinz)

favorite software that I'll definately load: excel, word, publisher, powerpoint

don't do a ton of fancy photoshop stuff

I'd really like it to last at least 2 years (maybe 3).

we use charter internet and have the fastest speed available, so the computer taking advantage of that would be nice.

Any suggestions? We've owned Dell in the past and been happy. The last laptop was Compaq and didn't like it very well.

Also welcome advice on how to sit-tight and wait for a good price to come along...

 

[dfchelbay]

I need a new laptop.

requirements:
basic internet use
run disboards!
be able to access travel sites (like Disney.com) and view information
kids use it for internet gaming (like poptropica or webkinz)

favorite software that I'll definately load: excel, word, publisher, powerpoint

don't do a ton of fancy photoshop stuff

I'd really like it to last at least 2 years (maybe 3).

we use charter internet and have the fastest speed available, so the computer taking advantage of that would be nice.

Any suggestions? We've owned Dell in the past and been happy. The last laptop was Compaq and didn't like it very well.

Also welcome advice on how to sit-tight and wait for a good price to come along...

Depending on what state you live in, I'd go to a Micro Center. They seem to have very good prices. Try their website to see if you have a store near you. You can get everything you need for about $400 there. Toshibas are good, reliable and last quite a while. All the specs are on the website too. Sonys are good, but always costs more. I avoid Compaq/HP. Just look over their website, and Best Buys Website to get a look at the specs for laptops. You'll see what the laptops have and for how much. Start your shopping there. A lot of times, you can get a pretty decent laptop on a sale for $329-$359...the only catch is that each store only has a few of these, and when they're gone, they're gone. I've got about seven laptops, from high end laptops to bargain basement ones/surf the web only, so I know prices and specs, for what I need them to do. Let me know if I can help with questions, if you find something that peaks your interest at a store.

 

[poohfriend]

Depending on what state you live in, I'd go to a Micro Center. They seem to have very good prices. Try their website to see if you have a store near you. You can get everything you need for about $400 there. Toshibas are good, reliable and last quite a while. All the specs are on the website too. Sonys are good, but always costs more. I avoid Compaq/HP. Just look over their website, and Best Buys Website to get a look at the specs for laptops. You'll see what the laptops have and for how much. Start your shopping there. A lot of times, you can get a pretty decent laptop on a sale for $329-$359...the only catch is that each store only has a few of these, and when they're gone, they're gone. I've got about seven laptops, from high end laptops to bargain basement ones/surf the web only, so I know prices and specs, for what I need them to do. Let me know if I can help with questions, if you find something that peaks your interest at a store.

these are both more than you mention price wise...

Dell Inspiron 15
dual core proccessor
4 GB memory
500 GBhard drive
webcam/microphone
wireless
8x DVD burner
win 7 os
1 yr service
$499

vs
Dell Inspiron 17
i3
4gb memory
500 GB hard drive
webcam/mircophone
wireless
8x DVD burn
win 7 os
3 years service
$677

thoughts?

 

[comicguy]

I had to bujy a new laptop 2 weeks ago after the one I had crashed and could no longer do anything with.

I got an Acer Aspire 5251-1805 from Amazon for 379.00

It has:
15.6 in LCD screen
3GB DDR Memory
250 BG Hard drive
CD/DVD RW Drive
4 USB Ports
Ethernet Port
Wireless Internet

plus more that I am forgetting

Hope that helps

 

[Cruise]

One of the things I considered when looking for a new laptop was portability. I have a decent desktop at home, so the laptop really was just for traveling, or even leaving on a side table in the living room for a quick reference for something.

I ended up getting this one: http://www.amazon.com/Toshiba-Satel...ite-11-6-Inch/dp/B003LPUUCY/ref=rsl_mainw_dpl and I absolutely love it. It does everything I need and, according to techie husband, could do a lot more if I wanted it to. Honestly, I think the specs on it are better than on my 4 year old desktop.

It's not much larger than a netbook (11.6" screen), and is *so* very light, that it truly is a "lap"top computer. I've been away from home for two months now and it's been all I've needed and quick to set up and doesn't take much space. At only 3.3 pounds, it can be slipped right into my rolling carryon in a sleeve - no more carrying a 9 pound behemoth on my shoulder in it's own laptop bag.

If you'll mainly be using this in one spot and not traveling with it, this might not make much difference, but I hope it helps someone.

 

[SandrA9810]

Go for a Black Friday sale, there's always computers/laptops on sale. And if you follow the black friday topic, Teena will post up the ads as soon as they're released, which is usually a few weeks prior to Black Friday.

newegg.com is good for ordering online for cyber monday.

 

[kaytieeldr]

If you CAN wait until Black Friday, shopping directly from the Toshiba site seemed to be working well for me last year - until I talked some sense into myself and realized I only want a laptop, I didn't need one

 

[PatMcDuck]

One of my priorities was no more malware, spyware, and slow performance.

So, I got a MacBook. NO MORE PROBLEMS. Worth every penny. I just got the basic one. And also picked up Microsoft Office and run those programs on here.

My prior laptops were Toshibas. They were ok, but this is so much better.

 

[disneymom2003]

One of my priorities was no more malware, spyware, and slow performance.

So, I got a MacBook. NO MORE PROBLEMS. Worth every penny. I just got the basic one. And also picked up Microsoft Office and run those programs on here.

My prior laptops were Toshibas. They were ok, but this is so much better.

Couldn't agree with you more. Buy a Mac. you will not regret it!

 

[goofy's_gurl]

i bought my laptop about a month ago its a gateway intel core i3-330M processor its was 499.99 at best buy

 

[Swimalie]

One of my priorities was no more malware, spyware, and slow performance.

So, I got a MacBook. NO MORE PROBLEMS. Worth every penny. I just got the basic one. And also picked up Microsoft Office and run those programs on here.

My prior laptops were Toshibas. They were ok, but this is so much better.

100% agree here, too. We have 5 Macs in our house, including a Macbook and have zero problems with our computers. All the newer ones (the oldest is from 1982 and yes, it still works) have Microsoft Office.

 

[Minnie824]

Check out the HP website..they've had some awesome deals lately and we've had really good luck with them.

 

[tlbwriter]

But buying a Mac when you already own a PC and want to use that same software is pretty inconvenient. Also, Macs are a LOT more expensive. I'm not a Mac hater (my desktop machine is a Mac), just being realistic.

 

[crisi]

One of my priorities was no more malware, spyware, and slow performance.

So, I got a MacBook. NO MORE PROBLEMS. Worth every penny. I just got the basic one. And also picked up Microsoft Office and run those programs on here.

My prior laptops were Toshibas. They were ok, but this is so much better.

Linux based computers aren't bad for this either. We loaded up my mother with Umbuntu and Open Office and it was a BREEZE for supportability. Plus, they are a LOT cheaper than the price you pay for a Mac - and we just reimaged a six year old Windows box for her - so it was a free computer.

Then my Dad decided to surprise her with a new Windows 7 laptop. So now we are back in support mode. And she has an overpowered machine to show YouTube videos to the grandkids and use gmail.

But with either, you are on a "less popular" operating system. So you have to be aware that not everything you are interested in running will run.

(The Compaq must have been ages ago, they haven't made Compaq laptops for nine or ten years? They got bought by HP.)

 

[bcvmargs]

Have you considered getting an ipad? It sounds like you have some pretty basic requirements.

 

[crisi]

Have you considered getting an ipad? It sounds like you have some pretty basic requirements.

iPad wouldn't be good for the Excel, Word, Powerpoint, Publisher - unless she is happy using something like gdocs instead. Its also way pricey for its limited functionality.

Even a Netbook isn't good once you say "Excel" - unless your needs are pretty simplistic.

 

[tlbwriter]

Have you considered getting an ipad? It sounds like you have some pretty basic requirements.

She wants to use Word, Excel, Publisher, and Powerpoint. An iPad wouldn't be a good option for her.

 

[Mommee]

Linux based computers aren't bad for this either. We loaded up my mother with Umbuntu and Open Office and it was a BREEZE for supportability. Plus, they are a LOT cheaper than the price you pay for a Mac - and we just reimaged a six year old Windows box for her - so it was a free computer.

Then my Dad decided to surprise her with a new Windows 7 laptop. So now we are back in support mode. And she has an overpowered machine to show YouTube videos to the grandkids and use gmail.

But with either, you are on a "less popular" operating system. So you have to be aware that not everything you are interested in running will run.

(The Compaq must have been ages ago, they haven't made Compaq laptops for nine or ten years? They got bought by HP.)

Using my cheapy Compaq bought a year ago as we speak. They're definitely still around despite being bought out.

 

[Swimalie]

Some of the lap tops being suggested go as high as almost $700. I got my Mac for $888 and with a Mac, you don't have to worry about buy virus software nor the blue screen of death. To me, that is worth the extra money. Plus, Apple stores always have people (The Genius Bar) on hand to help if something does happen.

 

[disfan07]

And I'll be the odd man out and say that I HATE macs. I refuse to buy another one. Nothing but problems with the two that we have owned.

I just got a Dell Inspiron 15R for school. So far so good. My mom has had a dell laptop for 8 years and my brother has had a dell laptop for 6 years. So far no problems (well except for one of our dogs eating a couple of keys...no biggie..lol)