Researching a laptop, input needed

I have a compaq now, It was a hand-me-down from my dad, so its like 3 years old, I just wiped so I could start over without all the stuff clogging it up from the past. It works fairly good, but I Havn't used it for much more then internet and some word processing. speakers on it suck, but im guessing thats for most laptops. Dell imo would be better, I used to have a dell PC (personal computer) before I built by own, but the thing held up to all my abuse so they get a big thumbs up from me. :bigups
 
For what its worth! Some things you should know about laptops! Things have gotten 100x better than they were in the past however some things still apply!

I have had 2 laptops in the past 8-10 years. Both had to go back for repairs within the first 6 months to a year...The first one the modem was DOA(this was before broad band) the second the system board went. In the past when something went wrong with a laptop they used to just replace the whole unit due to the fact that they really couldn't replace individual parts. That isn't so anymore

If your going to purchase an extended warenty MAKE SURE IT COVERS THE LCD SCREEN!!! (VERY IMPORTANT) its worth while espessially if your going to really be traveling with the unit often.

The IBM Think pad is probably the oldest laptop on the market. IBM sold the rights to the think pad to Lenovo (who always built the think pad for IBM) so now the Think Pad is sold under the Lenovo name!

Being that your in school! LOOK IN TO EDUCATION PROGRAMS!!!!! Most of the companys offer deals for students all you have to do is show them some kind of proof that your in school (school id or tuition statement etc) The computers they offer in their Education programs are Business grade machines which are built to hold up to a bit more use than the typical light use home laptop.

if you have any questions IM me ..
 
Greg,
I have not gone over the thread so as of now i'm not sure if
you have bought a computer yet. I received this ad today
in the mail.

Micro Center The Ultimate Computer Store. The biggest notebook sale of the year! Exclusive Offer save $150.00 after micro center mail-in-rebate
on All Windows-Based notebooks Total Savings up to $350.00.

microcenter.com
 
Greg Look at this site.

microcenter.com

Micro Center
The UltimateComputer Store

The Biggest Notebook sale of the year
Exclusive Offer! Save $150.00 on All Windows-Based- Notebooks
Total savings up to $350.00 after Micro center Mail-in-Rebate
http://microcenter.com/
 
Thanks Joe, I will check it out!

I wont be purchasing a computer for a few weeks yet.

Greg
 
Doesn't quite fit the 60gb requirement of yours, but you can upgrade it no problem, just add a little more to the cost. These are Dells btw

http://forums.slickdeals.net/showthread.php?sduid=0&t=259915 is where I took this from.


"I got this from another website. hope this will help SDers here. Seem like there are a lot off good deal here. I just got one myself.

Dell Home - computer coupons

40% off $999 select Dimension desktops, code: 9911Z3J8NB?S2F

$300 off $999 select Inspiron laptops, code: Q9Z60RTPKN13LD

$450 off $1499 select Inspiron laptops, code: 5WVDVQBCQ951M7

$750 off $1999 select Inspiron laptops, code: 4XJ062M1S1KXF2

Applying a coupon improves their normal prices by a little bit. Examples of what you can get using the codes:


Inspiron E1405 with Dual Core 1.66GHz, 14" WXGA screen, 1GB memory, 60GB, DVD Burner, internal wireless, 6-cell battery, and 1 year warranty for $999 before discounts, and $300 code brings it to $749.

Inspiron E1505 with Dual Core 1.66GHz, 15.4" WXGA screen, 1GB dual-channel memory, 60GB hard drive, 8x CD/DVD Burner, internal wireless, 6-cell battery, 1 year warranty for $1049 before discounts, and $300 code brings it to $749. Or if you add a few more upgrades such as a 4 year at-home warranty and a Truelife display, the price comes to around $1517 before discounts, and $1067 after $450 coupon, and a $50 mail-in rebate is available on the 4 year warranty."

Hope this helps, if you go to sites like www.deals2buy.com or www.slickdeals.net you can find TONS of electronics for cheap.
 
www.techbargains.com is another great site for coupons and discounts on Dell and other electronic equipment.

As with any new system, I think you should wipe it and reinstall the OS on day one. Then update all of the drivers and install only the applications you need. The junk that companies like Dell have on their images are a total waste of time and resources.
 
GregCavi said:
Hello everyone! I had my graduation party today and got about 1k from all of the cards, and gifts. I want to by a laptop for school, but I am kind of in the dark on which is the best quality etc. I will jot down the things that it will be used for and If you have a suggestion It would be much appreciated.

- I want it to be able to run for at least 3-4 years
- Major uses, Internet, Microsoft Word & Excel, Photoshop CS, no games
- I want at least an 80 gig HD
- want at least a 15" screen but would love a 17"
- Good battery life
- Wireless Internet
- UNDER 1200 bucks ** If that is totally unreasonable please say so **

Thanks!Greg
Click to expand...

I am going to be the oddball of the group and highly reccomend an Apple. Specificly the new macbook. I just bought one to replace my Dell and I'll tell you I will never go back to windows it is amazing. For the uses you list a mac would be great. The Macbook only has a 13.3" screen but it' a very good screen that I actually like better then my 15" Dell. As for surfing the net it's great and Photoshop CS works best on a Mac in my opinion but I've recently given Aperture the nod. You can get MS Office for mac but I would reccomend Open Office.org works just as well as MS and it's free. The MacBook comes with wireless and Bluetooth and my battery has lasted 7 Hrs so far it's rated for 6 hrs. Beyond all of this Mac OS X is very easy to learn and even easier to use. Macs have a good long usable life so getting 4 years out of it will be easy. When I did my research most users said they had theres for atleast that long. As for price the lowest level Macbook is well below your price point but the middle unit may be more to your liking , that is the one I have but I upgraded the ram to 2GB and the HardDrive to 120GB I saved money by doing the upgrades aftermarket , they where very easy very user friendly installation. Hope this info helps in you computer purchase.


PS. with the recetly released Boot Camp you can run Windows XP on your Mac if you need to.
 
I've owned Fujitsu, Dell, IBM, Toshiba and Apple laptops in the past, but my favorite for about the last five years have been the Thinkpads (was IBM, now Lenovo). You can get a T60 with a Core Duo processor for $1500. I've always like the keyboard feel and the "thin and light" form factor of the T-series, all the way from the old T2x models to the current T60.

If you're going to be using this at school, check to see if they have any special requirements. I'm not anti-Mac (I have a new 20" Core Duo iMac on the conference table in my office), but you need to think very carefully before going with a platform that might not be well supported or compatible with your campus.
 
Hello everyone. Tonight I finally ordered my laptop.

I went with a dell inspiron e1505

Some of the specs are:

-Intel® Coreâ„¢ Duo processor T2050 (2MB Cache/1.60GHz/533MHz FSB
-100 GB HD
- 15.4" screen
-Soundblaster soundcard
-wireless net
-Windows XP
-Mcafee virus software.. (hey it was free.. couldnt NOT get it.)
-CD and DVD burner
-4 yr warrenty and 4 yr accidental coverage
-2 batteries

All for 1331.20 shipped. I will get 64 back from the Credit Card so It was pretty much in my budget. Cant wait to get it!!

Greg


 
Alright, Ill have to hook up my wirless internet, maybe you can pick it up down at ur house.......ok probally not, but if u drive by you would pick it up.
 
I am a network adminsitrator during the day hours and have been around computers for over 12 years. I woudl have to say that you can;t go wrong with the following:

Dell Latitude
IBM thinkpads ( what we use at work )


The HP's went way down in quality and do not have the longevity of the above two.

gateway, even worse the the HP, failures are known right out of the box.

Toshiba's are ok, but they are very fragile, but I have had some luck with them in the past.

If you have $1000 to spend, go with a dell, they have great custoem rservice and you can;t go wrong!
 
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