What do I need to look for when buying a laptop??

[moniot]

We need a second computer. My DD14 wants a laptop and has even saved up over $200.00 to put towards one. We told her if she came up with half she we would match her. Darned if my little shopper didn't start saving

So know I started looking around. I went to Dell and was checking out the refurbished selection. I see all the numbers and words but it all sounds like Wah Wah Wah to me. Could somebody who understands what all that means tell me what I need to make sure and have on the computer.

My DD is 14 and in 8th grade. She will be sharing with me I am sure. We will need internet so she can email and IM her friends. She also needs power point because that is what the school seems to use for presentations. She plays online (downloaded games) like from GameFish.

What else do I look for??

Got to run to a football game in the rain and cold but I will check back later.

Thank you so much all you smart people!!!!

 

[simonkodousek]

If I were you, I'd try to find a laptop without Windows Vista as an operating system. Vista is slow, bug-ridden, and prone to many more viruses than XP. This means that you would definitely have to buy used or refurbished. As far as computer specs go, I would try to find something with the following:

-Intel or AMD Dual-Core processor with at least a speed of 1.6GHz
-1 or even better, 2 gigabytes (GB) of RAM
-a 120+ GB hard drive
-Windows XP Home, Media Edition, or Professional Edition

We have had great experiences with Dell and Compaq/HP, so definitely check them out.

Hope that helps!
~Simon

PS: You'll have to purchase Microsoft Office '07 separately (retails for approx. $149) because not everybody needs it and it doesn't come preloaded on most computers.

 

[dawnbu40]

My husband is a Best Buy manager.... he suggested same as above poster but he says 160 GB hard drive. He recommends Toshiba or HP as good brands.

 

[princessAMG]

Yeah... I'm not so much a Dell fan.....

 

[hoosiergirl7]

Wish I could help but all we buy in our house are Macs - no PC's for this family.

There is one website that I know of that does free reviews. It's called cnet.com
Not only do they have professional reviews but also customer reviews. We've used it several times when buying our DSLR & camcorder, etc...

 

[a1tinkfans]

Personally I'd go HP, there are MANY sales right now with refurbs (online store).

The thing with a laptop is WHAT will it be used for, sounds like you need just basics.
Powerpoint is expensive to buy, can you get a copy from someone you know??

Good Luck!

 

[Feeln'Froggy]

You can get Word, Powerpoint and Excel on the home/student edition at Sam's for $98.00 or Amazon for 119.00.

 

[twinklebug]

Google the laptop model with the word review before making any purchase. I'm not a Dell fan either.

Dude! You got a Dell!!!
Has turned into
Dude.... uh, you got a dell.

Our company has over 100K people, most of whom are currently running Dell products. Yes, there are good dell laptops out there, but a couple of the newer laptops have known issues that dell has acknowledged the issue and is replacing system boards on (one in five is not a good number). It's driving our tech support team nuts as they don't want the extra work this is bringing in, but they also want to make sure they have all the faulty equipment fixed before the service period is up (too many folk are "just living with it" because the system only occasionally shuts down on them). They, and I can't wait till we start building with the new contracted products

 

[Green Tea]

I would look for a Mac. And Apple is set to announce new laptops next week, so you should be able to get a good deal in the clearance section of the website for the current models.

 

[MsStinkerBelle]

No matter what laptop you choose, please get as much memory (RAM) as you can afford. Processor speed means squat because the real bottleneck with laptop performance is the memory. Go for at least 2GB if at all possible.

 

[pnutmnm]

THis past weekend, the hard drive on my laptop crashed (it was 4-5 years old). I didn't want to spend a fortune, but wanted to find someting good. We typically don't use the laptop for elaborate things - that is for my desktop. Here is what we bought:
http://www.circuitcity.com/ssm/Comp...23177/catOid/-12963/rpem/ccd/productDetail.do

 

[mookie]

I have to respectifully disagree with previous posters. I am currently using my 6 day old Dell Studio 15 that I bought from the Dell Outlet. I was able to get a great deal (579.00...practically fully loaded with upgrades.). My dh also has a Dell, and while their customer service isn't always the greatest, if you don't have any problems with your laptop, you never really have to deal with them anyway. My dh has never had any problems with his Dells. on the other hand, my dad, sil, neighbor and bil have all had HP's and had nothing but trouble with them.

You sound like you need a laptop for the same basic reasons I do. I didn't want to pay a lot of money for a laptop when all I was going to be doing was some basic things on it. For me, the Dell was the most bang for the buck. And the Outlet has the same warranty as new laptops. Of course, talk to me in a year, and I may regret my decision, but from others I know with their past laptop experiences with HP, dell was the way to go.

 

[wdwfan1]

I have to agree with the previous poster. I have purchased 6 or 7 Dell computers and they have all performed well. I did have a problem with the newest one. I called customer service and they could not fix the problem on the phone. The next day the repairman was at my home with a brand new part and fixed it in a few minutes. However, we do get our computers through the DH's employee purchase plan. He works for a major, well known company.

We have not had nearly as much luck with the other brands in the family (HP and Gateway).

Enjoy your new laptop!!!

 

[Kycha]

No matter what laptop you choose, please get as much memory (RAM) as you can afford. Processor speed means squat because the real bottleneck with laptop performance is the memory. Go for at least 2GB if at all possible.

Especially if you get Windows Vista...you need at least 2GB RAM.

Personally, I don't have a preference between HP/Compaq and Dell. I have owned both and they performed equally the same for me. I am definitely upgrading to a Mac next time I need a new computer.

 

[moniot]

Thank you so much. We have had Dells and have had minimal issues.

I am leaning toward a Dell Refurbished (or something at their outlet) if I can find one without Vista. I am also looking for

Intel or AMD Dual-Core processor with at least a speed of 1.6GHz
-1 or even better, 2 gigabytes (GB) of RAM
-a 120+ GB hard drive

(Thank you simonkodousek)

If I have to get Vista I will make sure it has 2GB of RAM.

To bad I have to buy the Power Point (Is it part of Microsoft Office) separate. We down loaded a free 60 day trial (DD had a project she needed to finish) but it will cost me $150.00 to convert it after the 60 days. I will check out prices at Sam's club. Can Dell add it to a computer if purchased through them? I will check that out also.

 

[moniot]

Especially if you get Windows Vista...you need at least 2GB RAM.

Personally, I don't have a preference between HP/Compaq and Dell. I have owned both and they performed equally the same for me. I am definitely upgrading to a Mac next time I need a new computer.

I did price out Mac but it is more than I have to spend.

 

[Friendly Frog]

You might want to Google the brand and model you are thinking about buying, especially if you are buying used. It might give you a heads up on a certain model that has problems.

"Flashing codes on a (name the brand)" is another good search to do.

 

[lucigo]

Last year Wal-Mart ran a deal around thanksgiving on Acer laptops for $268. I got one of them and its been an awesome little computer. When we were at Disney I had it plugged in and walked across the cord and pulled it onto the floor and it broke...they said it was still under a year so it was under warranty and they fixed it for me for free. There really isn't anything I can't do with it, and I even run Photoshop CS3 on it.