Need Help Purchasing A Laptop
 

Our laptop is done and I'm looking for a new one. We pretty much only use it for going on line, email, and would probably want some form of Microsoft windows. What would be a cheap laptop with a decent size screen for this tyoe of use?

Take a look at Dell outlet. They have great, cheap deals.

Re: Need Help Purchasing A Laptop
 

Dell or HP - cheap and reliable. If you wanted to spend a little more for a rock-solid laptop, Lenovo.

Also check [URL="http://www.newegg.com"]Newegg.com - Computer Parts, Laptops, Electronics, and More![/URL] for reviews and good deals.

Re: Need Help Purchasing A Laptop
 

[url=http://www.bestbuy.com/site/olstemplatemapper.jsp?id=pcat17080&type=page&qp=cabcat0500000%23%23d%23%231u4~~cabcat0502000%23%235%23%2332~~f510%7C%7C41737573~~q70726f63657373696e6774696d653a3e313930302d30312d3031~~nf1221%7C%7C24343030202d20243439392e3939&list=y&nrp=15&sc=abComputerSP&sp=-bestsellingsort+skuid&usc=abcat0500000]$400 - $499.99: Asus: Laptops - Best Buy[/url]


Take a look at Asus, great Laptops, reliable, won't set you back, and with Office do you use Outlook or no??

Re: Need Help Purchasing A Laptop
 

the most reliable are sager from powernotebooks.com

if you want something for 300-500, just get an i3 and be done with it. check techbargains.com for a good deal. staples/office depot/best buy have a good deal through there every now and then.

if you need a case or cables, go to newegg.com or microcenter (brick and mortar) if you live close to one. (on nutley st. in virginia).

Re: Need Help Purchasing A Laptop
 

here's an i3 lenovo 15.6" for $360, free shipping or pick it up at office depot:
[url=http://www.officedepot.com/a/products/983842/Lenovo-G580-59359080-Laptop-Computer-With/?cm_mmc=Mercent-_-PriceGrabber-_-Computers_and_Tablets-_-983842&mr:referralID=a0060ca3-b736-11e2-a969-001b2166c2c0]Lenovo G580 59359080 Laptop Computer With 156 Screen 3rd Gen Intel Core i3 Processor Brown by Office Depot[/url]

Re: Need Help Purchasing A Laptop
 

dell i5 $480:
[url=http://www.techbargains.com/news_displayItem.cfm/348117]Dell Inspiron 15 Intel Core i5-3317U ULV 15.6in Laptop (4GB/500GB) $479.99[/url]

dell i7 $625:
[url=http://www.techbargains.com/news_displayItem.cfm/348327]HP dv6tqe Core i7-3630QM 2.4GHz Quad 15in Laptop (8GB/750GB) $624.99[/url]


the i3 i posted above is all you need, and they're doing a lot better as far as the amount of stupid crap they put on the thing.

BIG HINT: when you go to the store to pick it up
-- YOU DO NOT NEED AN EXTENDED WARRANTY
-- YOU DO NOT NEED A COPY OF McAFFEE
-- YOU DO NOT NEED CABLES OR ACCESSORRIES

they try to upsell you them 3 or 4 times, just be confident and don't agree to extras.

Re: Need Help Purchasing A Laptop
 

My biggest tip is to make sure you have as much RAM as possible. Also, Windows 8 is a little bit annoying if you're not using a tablet, so I might recommend going with something Windows 7.

Beyond that, just buy whatever feels the best and has the best price.

Re: Need Help Purchasing A Laptop
 

3 year on-site repair is always a good option to have when getting a laptop.

Re: Need Help Purchasing A Laptop
 

What about a Tablet? go intro, quick tablet?

Re: Need Help Purchasing A Laptop
 

[quote=That Guy;1008155]dell i5 $480:
[URL="http://www.techbargains.com/news_displayItem.cfm/348117"]Dell Inspiron 15 Intel Core i5-3317U ULV 15.6in Laptop (4GB/500GB) $479.99[/URL]

dell i7 $625:
[URL="http://www.techbargains.com/news_displayItem.cfm/348327"]HP dv6tqe Core i7-3630QM 2.4GHz Quad 15in Laptop (8GB/750GB) $624.99[/URL]


the i3 i posted above is all you need, and they're doing a lot better as far as the amount of stupid crap they put on the thing.

BIG HINT: when you go to the store to pick it up
-- [B]YOU DO NOT NEED AN EXTENDED WARRANTY[/B]
-- YOU DO NOT NEED A COPY OF McAFFEE
-- YOU DO NOT NEED CABLES OR ACCESSORRIES

they try to upsell you them 3 or 4 times, just be confident and don't agree to extras.[/quote]

I totally disagree if your someone who doesn't want to do their own troubleshooting and follow-up repair. Now, for the average tech person who doesn't mind popping a palm-rest off or reapplying thermal paste, sure, don't buy anything warranty related.

Re: Need Help Purchasing A Laptop
 

[quote=EARTHQUAKE2689;1008150][URL="http://www.bestbuy.com/site/olstemplatemapper.jsp?id=pcat17080&type=page&qp=cabcat0500000%23%23d%23%231u4~~cabcat0502000%23%235%23%2332~~f510%7C%7C41737573~~q70726f63657373696e6774696d653a3e313930302d30312d3031~~nf1221%7C%7C24343030202d20243439392e3939&list=y&nrp=15&sc=abComputerSP&sp=-bestsellingsort+skuid&usc=abcat0500000"]$400 - $499.99: Asus: Laptops - Best Buy[/URL]


Take a look at Asus, great Laptops, reliable, won't set you back, and with Office do you use Outlook or no??[/quote]

When you say office do you mean using it for work? Don't use it for work but I do have Outlook at work.

Re: Need Help Purchasing A Laptop
 

[quote=That Guy;1008153]here's an i3 lenovo 15.6" for $360, free shipping or pick it up at office depot:
[URL="http://www.officedepot.com/a/products/983842/Lenovo-G580-59359080-Laptop-Computer-With/?cm_mmc=Mercent-_-PriceGrabber-_-Computers_and_Tablets-_-983842&mr:referralID=a0060ca3-b736-11e2-a969-001b2166c2c0"]Lenovo G580 59359080 Laptop Computer With 156 Screen 3rd Gen Intel Core i3 Processor Brown by Office Depot[/URL][/quote]

Two of you have mention Lenovo I have never heard of them but that's not saying very much. The $400 to $500 price range was what I was thinking but I don't want a piece of crap that fails over and over again. I just don't need all the bells and whistles. I also don't know crap about computers.

Re: Need Help Purchasing A Laptop
 

[quote=firstdown;1008168]Two of you have mention Lenovo I have never heard of them but that's not saying very much. The $400 to $500 price range was what I was thinking but I don't want a piece of crap that fails over and over again. I just don't need all the bells and whistles. I also don't know crap about computers.[/quote]

If your needs are, as listed above, web surfing and email in a Windows environment, then any $400 laptop from the companies listed above (Asus, Dell, HP) will more than do want you want.

Personally I avoid Lenovo since they are a Chinese company (although an offshoot from IBM). But they do make good computers and the difference is marginal since pretty much all computers have at least some parts which are made in China.

Re: Need Help Purchasing A Laptop
 

Depends on what you need it for.

Some of these newer tablets (galaxy note 10.1, ipad 4, etc.) have the processors and graphics capabilities of some laptops.

If you're just getting something just for web surfing and what not, go with a tablet and get a Bluetooth keyboard and mouse. If you run into any compatibility issues just hop on google (or thewarpath) and you'll find answers to most of your problems.

Re: Need Help Purchasing A Laptop
 

Consider looking at Chrome books if you're just looking for a webbrowsing box. It isn't as robust as Windows, but they're cheap and effecient for browsing.

[url=http://www.newegg.com/chromebook?Tpk=chrome%20book]Newegg.com - FOR EVERYONE[/url]

Re: Need Help Purchasing A Laptop
 

My wife uses people pc and has an email account through them. If I'm correct that's a web based and all she need to see her email is accesss to the internet.

Re: Need Help Purchasing A Laptop
 

[quote=Daseal;1008179]Consider looking at Chrome books if you're just looking for a webbrowsing box. It isn't as robust as Windows, but they're cheap and effecient for browsing.

[url=http://www.newegg.com/chromebook?Tpk=chrome%20book]Newegg.com - FOR EVERYONE[/url][/quote] heard great things about chrome books. sounds like a good thing for someone who just to surf and doesn't want to deal with computer issues.
.

Re: Need Help Purchasing A Laptop
 

As always it just depends on what you need it for. If you're looking for a cheap laptop for internet browsing, well virtually anything new even in the $350 range is likely going to make you happy.

HP has plenty of laptops in said range
[url=http://shopping.hp.com/en_US/home-office/-/products/Laptops/Laptops?SearchParameter=%26%40QueryTerm%3D*%26brandlaptops_dte2%3DPavilion%26CategoryUUIDLevelX%3DjeEQxXjbj14AAAE0syxcZzOW%26%40Sort.TieredPricing%3D0&PageSize=15]Pavilion Laptops | HP® Official Store[/url]

I feel like right now HP has the best combination of price and performance. They remind me a bit of Dell when Dell was in their glory days ([URL="http://youtu.be/L7wfHStzm24"]think Stoner Steve[/URL]). The main problem that myself and other people have with their computers is bloatware. Also I think like virtually every other computer manufacturer they have a call center in India depending on the time you use support. However I have never had to use them.

Heck I have a store bought HP from 2008 that I'm just running into the ground without mercy (virtually on 24/7) playing movies and/or music all day. It's only issue is the battery life is around 15 minutes if unplugged which would be fixed if I replaced the battery. My most current computer is an HP high performance laptop which I would grade as a B+ for gaming.

You can also apply to BillMeLater and hold off paying for 6 months or pay as you go before interest kicks in at the 6 month mark which reminds me, I need to finish off paying for my laptop..

My only questions at this point are if you have any additional plans and or requirements? Do you ever edit videos (video editing has a lot of potential to slow down your computer)? Do you want something thats easier to carry around or do you prefer something with a bigger screen? Blu-Ray movies?

Also have you used Windows 8? Virtually any new computer you buy will come equipped with it. Personally I think it's a terrible OS for PC's. Everytime the mouse "wanders" into the bottom left corner your computer goes to the metro aka the new start menu that takes up the entire screen which is really designed for tablets. Granted this is easily fixed by paying $3 for an app (I think theres also a couple free ones) that gives you back the traditional start button but just beware that there can bit of culture shock with Windows 8. Ironically part of the reason I bought a laptop around this time last year was because I knew Windows 8 was coming and I wanted to get one before Windows 8 became standard.

Anyway let me know about how you feel about windows 8 or if you have any additional requirements besides web browsing but I think if you're just looking for a simple point A to B computer you'll have a TON of options none of which will really be a bad fit.

Re: Need Help Purchasing A Laptop
 

[quote=724Skinsfan;1008158]3 year on-site repair is always a good option to have when getting a laptop.[/quote]

I'd say that depends on the type of computer you're getting. If you're spending close to a $1,000 or more then yes on site repair and extended warranties, especially on laptops are a smart investment. However if you're getting a low end, just let me browse the web and email type then you might be better off with risking it.

However if you want to get a cheap computer with a protection plan then just a quick look says Dell probably has the best offer. HP charges more for warranty and in home service on their low end laptops then Dell. Like $216 for HP on a $400 laptop vs $119 for protection with Dell on a $350 laptop on a 3 year protection plan with in home home service.

Re: Need Help Purchasing A Laptop
 

[quote=firstdown;1008166]When you say office do you mean using it for work? Don't use it for work but I do have Outlook at work.[/quote]

No, Microsoft Office. You said you might need it and there is a suite with it and one without it.

Re: Need Help Purchasing A Laptop
 

[URL="http://www.dell.com/us/p/inspiron-15z-5523/fs"]Buy a Dell laptop[/URL]. Don't be too cheap if you want a machine that lasts a while and be sure to get a protection plan.

As others have said there are deals out there though you want see as many Dell deals as you would have when they were public. I loved their end of the quarter deals.

Re: Need Help Purchasing A Laptop
 

Once you go Mac, you never go back.

Re: Need Help Purchasing A Laptop
 

You only have to buy an entirely new operating system every few years.

Re: Need Help Purchasing A Laptop
 

[quote=hagams;1008252]Once you go Mac, you never go back.[/quote]

Yakety Yak (don't go Mac) :D

Being in Marketing I have as much respect for Apple as anyone. And no doubt in the smart phone and MP3 market they are king. Just like Windows is to PC pretty much every third party bit of mobile and MP3 related software is developed with the iOS in mind. And if we were talking phones or Mp3 players Apple would be at the top of the list. However in the world of computers Mac books are pretty much the dumb blondes of the computer world. Well built and beautiful on the outside, but nothing more then gold diggers on the inside.

Seriously if I tried to sell someone an HP/Dell/Gateway/Lenovo with a 13.3 inch screen-900p, 512 GB SSD, with a 1.8ghz i5 dual core, 4 GB of Ram for $1,199 I'd get laughed at. However if I slap an Apple logo on there suddenly it's worth the price. For that same price I got a 17 inch screen 900p, 1TB HDD, 2.3gHz i7 quad core, and 8 GB of Ram.

Sorry Mr. Jobs but I need more room for my pronz and while I appreciate your efforts to get me my pronz faster the 512GB is not enough.

Okay end rant.

Re: Need Help Purchasing A Laptop
 

[quote=Dirtbag59;1008297]Yakety Yak (don't go Mac) :D

Being in Marketing I have as much respect for Apple as anyone. And no doubt in the smart phone and MP3 market they are king. Just like Windows is to PC pretty much every third party bit of mobile and MP3 related software is developed with the iOS in mind. And if we were talking phones or Mp3 players Apple would be at the top of the list. However in the world of computers Mac books are pretty much the dumb blondes of the computer world. Well built and beautiful on the outside, but nothing more then gold diggers on the inside.

Seriously if I tried to sell someone an HP/Dell/Gateway/Lenovo with a 13.3 inch screen-900p, 512 GB SSD, with a 1.8ghz i5 dual core, 4 GB of Ram for $1,199 I'd get laughed at. However if I slap an Apple logo on there suddenly it's worth the price. For that same price I got a 17 inch screen 900p, 1TB HDD, 2.3gHz i7 quad core, and 8 GB of Ram.

Sorry Mr. Jobs but I need more room for my pronz and while I appreciate your efforts to get me my pronz faster the 512GB is not enough.

Okay end rant.[/quote]

Well put.

When you buy Apple, you implicitly pay to support their bloated ad programs. I'd much rather have a PC and keep that cash for myself.

Re: Need Help Purchasing A Laptop
 

if you're worried about chinese parts, don't buy a computer. ever.

I'd say at least 90% (probably more) is made in china, and that's everything from individual ICs on up. their government keeps their currency cheap and subsidizies their international shipping, so it's not like there are a ton of places that can compete.

and buying a $300 warranty or a $350 laptop is stupid. they don't push it that hard cause their losing money on it. if you want piece of mind, dell has in home tech support (if the remote tech support can't fix it).

if you want win7, you'll have to pay a LOT more than $350 right now, but windows 8.1 is supposed to give you the startbar etc back.

I just got one of the lenovos for my uncle a couple months ago (same one, from office depot) and it's good. does everything he needs, no issues, not a ton of bloatware, etc. and it's got an i3, which is much better than a old duo core or celeron.

Re: Need Help Purchasing A Laptop
 

[quote=saden1;1008245][URL="http://www.dell.com/us/p/inspiron-15z-5523/fs"]Buy a Dell laptop[/URL]. Don't be too cheap if you want a machine that lasts a while and be sure to get a protection plan.

As others have said there are deals out there though you want see as many Dell deals as you would have when they were public. I loved their end of the quarter deals.[/quote]

I'm usually the don't buy cheap person but I have a hard time spending $750 to surf the net 95% of its use.

Re: Need Help Purchasing A Laptop
 

[quote=Dirtbag59;1008224]As always it just depends on what you need it for. If you're looking for a cheap laptop for internet browsing, well virtually anything new even in the $350 range is likely going to make you happy.

HP has plenty of laptops in said range
[URL="http://shopping.hp.com/en_US/home-office/-/products/Laptops/Laptops?SearchParameter=%26%40QueryTerm%3D*%26brandlaptops_dte2%3DPavilion%26CategoryUUIDLevelX%3DjeEQxXjbj14AAAE0syxcZzOW%26%40Sort.TieredPricing%3D0&PageSize=15"]Pavilion Laptops | HP® Official Store[/URL]

I feel like right now HP has the best combination of price and performance. They remind me a bit of Dell when Dell was in their glory days ([URL="http://youtu.be/L7wfHStzm24"]think Stoner Steve[/URL]). The main problem that myself and other people have with their computers is bloatware. Also I think like virtually every other computer manufacturer they have a call center in India depending on the time you use support. However I have never had to use them.

Heck I have a store bought HP from 2008 that I'm just running into the ground without mercy (virtually on 24/7) playing movies and/or music all day. It's only issue is the battery life is around 15 minutes if unplugged which would be fixed if I replaced the battery. My most current computer is an HP high performance laptop which I would grade as a B+ for gaming.

You can also apply to BillMeLater and hold off paying for 6 months or pay as you go before interest kicks in at the 6 month mark which reminds me, I need to finish off paying for my laptop..

My only questions at this point are if you have any additional plans and or requirements? Do you ever edit videos (video editing has a lot of potential to slow down your computer)? Do you want something thats easier to carry around or do you prefer something with a bigger screen? Blu-Ray movies?

Also have you used Windows 8? Virtually any new computer you buy will come equipped with it. Personally I think it's a terrible OS for PC's. Everytime the mouse "wanders" into the bottom left corner your computer goes to the metro aka the new start menu that takes up the entire screen which is really designed for tablets. Granted this is easily fixed by paying $3 for an app (I think theres also a couple free ones) that gives you back the traditional start button but just beware that there can bit of culture shock with Windows 8. Ironically part of the reason I bought a laptop around this time last year was because I knew Windows 8 was coming and I wanted to get one before Windows 8 became standard.

Anyway let me know about how you feel about windows 8 or if you have any additional requirements besides web browsing but I think if you're just looking for a simple point A to B computer you'll have a TON of options none of which will really be a bad fit.[/quote]

Wife said she does not want windows 8 and the one below might be the ticket. Its $479 but I could handle that but I still feel like I spending more then I need for how we use a laptop.[LIST][*]Attractive, reliable, affordable; ideal for everyday activities[*][B]Operating system[/B] - Windows 7 Home Premium 64-bit[*][B]Processor[/B] - 2nd generation Intel(R) Core(TM) i3-2350M Processor (2.3 GHz, 3MB L3 Cache)[*][B]Screen size[/B] - 15.6-inch diagonal High Definition HP BrightView LED Display (1366 x 768)[*][B]Memory[/B] - 4GB DDR3 System Memory (1 Dimm)[*][B]Hard drive[/B] - 500GB 5400 rpm Hard Drive[/LIST]

Re: Need Help Purchasing A Laptop
 

[quote=firstdown;1008424]Wife said she does not want windows 8 and the one below might be the ticket. Its $479 but I could handle that but I still feel like I spending more then I need for how we use a laptop.[LIST][*]Attractive, reliable, affordable; ideal for everyday activities[*][B]Operating system[/B] - Windows 7 Home Premium 64-bit[*][B]Processor[/B] - 2nd generation Intel(R) Core(TM) i3-2350M Processor (2.3 GHz, 3MB L3 Cache)[*][B]Screen size[/B] - 15.6-inch diagonal High Definition HP BrightView LED Display (1366 x 768)[*][B]Memory[/B] - 4GB DDR3 System Memory (1 Dimm)[*][B]Hard drive[/B] - 500GB 5400 rpm Hard Drive[/LIST][/quote]

Firstdown, that one can surf the web like a demon. Who makes it?

Re: Need Help Purchasing A Laptop
 

Lenovo bought the part of IBM that made desktops and laptops.

Anything in the $300-500 range with an Intel i3 and at least 4GB of memory will do what you need it to do.

Re: Need Help Purchasing A Laptop
 

[quote=BDBohnzie;1008480]Lenovo bought the part of IBM that made desktops and laptops.

Anything in the $300-500 range with an Intel i3 and at least 4GB of memory will do what you need it to do.[/quote]

Basically this. The only time you really need better specs is when you're either gaming, video editing, or doing 3D Cad drawings. I guess it could also help to get a better CPU if you have extreme ADD like me and you open multiple multiple multiple tabs. The other day I was closing Firefox and I had a popup tell me something like "You're about to close 106 tabs are you sure you want to proceed?"

Re: Need Help Purchasing A Laptop
 

[quote=firstdown;1008168]Two of you have mention Lenovo I have never heard of them but that's not saying very much. The $400 to $500 price range was what I was thinking but I don't want a piece of crap that fails over and over again. I just don't need all the bells and whistles. I also don't know crap about computers.[/quote]


Ever hear of the old IBM Thinkpads? The indestructible laptops with the little red trackball in the middle of the keyboard? Lenovo makes them. They go by the Lenovo name now instead of IBM.
Old:
[IMG]http://homepage.univie.ac.at/l.ertl/thinkpadt40/thinkpadt40.jpg[/IMG]

New:
[IMG]http://www.computershopper.com/var/ezwebin_site/storage/images/ces-2012/new-lenovo-laptops!-the-thinkpad-x1-hybrid-t430u-and-more/lenovo-thinkpad-e530-open/971236-1-eng-US/lenovo-thinkpad-e530-open_slideshow_main.jpg[/IMG]

Re: Need Help Purchasing A Laptop
 

[quote=hagams;1008252]Once you go Mac, you never go back.[/quote]

I have a newer iMac for work and a Windows 7 machine for myself...I prefer Windows overall.

I've built PCs, ran Linux, used Macs and I keep going back to Windows. Win 7 if the best version they ever made.

I won't touch that POS Windows 8. I absolutely hate what they've done to it.


Choose a Windows 7 machine for the best bang for the buck.

Choose a Mac if you want your bank account to be sodomized by fruit.

Re: Need Help Purchasing A Laptop
 

[quote=Monkeydad;1008569]I have a newer iMac for work and a Windows 7 machine for myself...I prefer Windows overall.

I've built PCs, ran Linux, used Macs and I keep going back to Windows. Win 7 if the best version they ever made.

[B]I won't touch that POS Windows 8. I absolutely hate what they've done to it.
[/B]

Choose a Windows 7 machine for the best bang for the buck.

Choose a Mac if you want your bank account to be sodomized by fruit.[/quote]

Windows 8 has some great positives. The kernel is cleaned up and runs really efficient, once Blue (Windows 8.1) comes out, you can set that as your default home which will bring back the start button/etc. At that point, I think I'll make the switch.

Re: Need Help Purchasing A Laptop
 

[quote=Daseal;1008573]Windows 8 has some great positives. The kernel is cleaned up and runs really efficient, once Blue (Windows 8.1) comes out, you can set that as your default home which will bring back the start button/etc. At that point, I think I'll make the switch.[/quote]

Yeah to be fair I've heard similar critiques in favor of Windows 8 in that its more stable and efficient then Windows 7. It seems to be, with good reason, that the main gripe is the removal of the traditional start button as well as the system not starting in desktop mode in which case theres plenty of fixes out there from apps that you pay $3 through paypal to a couple free ones. Also as ThatGuy pointed out Microsoft is likely going to bring it back in an update.

Re: Need Help Purchasing A Laptop
 

You need a tablet.

Re: Need Help Purchasing A Laptop
 

same thing that's always true, did microsoft make it?
wait until service pack 1.

Re: Need Help Purchasing A Laptop
 

Just reminded of something. Be very careful about getting a Lenovo. The one I set up for my Dad had a very funky touchpad mouse that in my experience was very unresponsive. Theres some interesting features like paging down by putting two fingers on the touch pad but it seems more often then not the mouse does things you had no intention of doing, like it has a mind of its own. There were also times where we had to click it like 3 or 4 times to get one left click to work.

Re: Need Help Purchasing A Laptop
 

[quote=That Guy;1008596]same thing that's always true, did microsoft make it?
wait until service pack 1.[/quote]
This all day and twice on Sunday. I was an early adopter of Vista at work because we needed a SysAdmin up on it. It wasn't until SP1 that a good many of the daily quirks went away. I didn't wait on Windows 7, but only because it was pretty much a SP and then some of Vista. The Network Admin got a new laptop with Win8 and after a month, downgraded to Windows 7. Win8 is not very business-environment friendly, especially without a touchscreen.

Windows touchpads in general suck. That is one thing that Mac has done leaps and bounds better than Windows. The touchpad on the MacBook Air I have for work is amazing.