Laptop selection help

**j10asen** · 07-11-2007, 03:14 PM

What brand?
What OS?
How Much RAM ?
What size Hard drive?
What screen size?

and from where would you buy this?

Would you select for a Laptop computer.

I appreciate all responses.
Thank You

kmfarm · 07-11-2007, 06:30 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by j10asen

What brand?
What OS?
How Much RAM ?
What size Hard drive?
What screen size?

and from where would you buy this?

Would you select for a Laptop computer.

I appreciate all responses.
Thank You

I got a Toshiba Satellite with Windows XP. Built in wireless. I upgraded to 1GB ram. More ram makes all the difference. I've got a 60 gig hard drive that's not even 20% full. 15 inch screen is comfortable for me. Been almost 2 years without a problem. Except I'd like the battery to last longer. Got this rig from Best Buy as a surprise from my wife. Good gift.

Mark

pk · 07-11-2007, 10:42 PM

Good topic j10asen....it is highly suggested that our daughter have her own laptop this fall for the high school she is going into. I've been looking around but not sure what the best would be to buy for her. We also need to purchase a second one for my husband to use at work.

I keep hearing about a store at an Illinois Mall that sells refurbished laptops. Is this a safe way to go or are you just buying somewhat used goods or possible future problems?

How can you tell if a laptop is ok to buy if you are buying a used laptop from someone such as in a garage sale or ad? What's the best things to look for to make sure it works ok?

thanks!

pk

**j10asen** · 07-13-2007, 06:04 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by pk

Good topic j10asen....it is highly suggested that our daughter have her own laptop this fall for the high school she is going into. I've been looking around but not sure what the best would be to buy for her. We also need to purchase a second one for my husband to use at work.

I keep hearing about a store at an Illinois Mall that sells refurbished laptops. Is this a safe way to go or are you just buying somewhat used goods or possible future problems?

How can you tell if a laptop is ok to buy if you are buying a used laptop from someone such as in a garage sale or ad? What's the best things to look for to make sure it works ok?

thanks!

pk

I have read in a few places that used or refurbished laptops are NO deals. If you look at the price difference I think you will see new is the better deal. if they are selling it used ,ask youself why?
So all you techies out there , please share with us your thoughts on this, PLEASE.

pk · 07-13-2007, 08:33 AM

Quote:

if they are selling it used ,ask youself why?

exactly what I wonder when seeing someone selling at a garage sale or something.

I wonder though about the store that thrives on selling refurbish. How good are they? Do they go through each one they get in and fix anything wrong with them first?

:?

**j10asen** · 07-13-2007, 11:25 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by pk

Quote:

if they are selling it used ,ask youself why?

exactly what I wonder when seeing someone selling at a garage sale or something.

I wonder though about the store that thrives on selling refurbish. How good are they? Do they go through each one they get in and fix anything wrong with them first?

:?

two things to remeber.
1.
For the little difference in price you have brand new componenets, even if repaired they are still used components.

2. used means old technology and you know how fast this stuff changes why buy something that will be obsolete sooner. If you recall a posting I made a few months back, my motherboard died and it is no longer made!
If you can not get the parts you can not repair it!

I would say stay with new.

pk · 07-13-2007, 11:35 AM

Quote:

I would say stay with new.

Yeah, you are right. Buying old is like buying someone else's issues and problems and I have enough of those already! lol

And it's so true that technology changes so quickly that new is most likely the best way to go.

Thanks

pk · 07-13-2007, 11:38 AM

Guess we are on to the question of what's the best to buy? I hate to spend 2,000 for a student so will be looking for the most for her needs with a lower end computer. What are the most dependable but reasonable ones out there? There are so many choices.

**j10asen** · 07-13-2007, 01:23 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by pk

Guess we are on to the question of what's the best to buy? I hate to spend 2,000 for a student so will be looking for the most for her needs with a lower end computer. What are the most dependable but reasonable ones out there? There are so many choices.

You need to understand needs of the student. text editing,spreadsheets,powerpoint presentation. graphical and photographic use.

I would start there.
I have heard horror stories about Compaq/Hewlit Packared when it comes to tech assit. They may have changed but I heard a while back that they use offshore resources for telephone help and that language can be an issue.

I heard Toshiba,Sony(very pricey),Acer or Leveno( a little pricey) are ones to look at.
I have looked online and at the big box WallyWorld and seen as good of a deal on Acer at WalleyWorld.

If you have a student who is computer literate you do not need to buy M$ Office just get www.OpenOffice.org and www.gimp.com for free versions of office and photo editing tools.

oh yea I have NOT heard any good with Vista but hey you never do in the begining, I just gotta think a new Opperating system will be better in the long run. They must have improved something dramatically to release a new version.

The more RAM you can afford the better off you are. I heard it is best to go with 2 gigs. I use 4 at work.

Oh yes and one more thing I heard Vista Home Premium is way better thatn the basic version.

**keith** · 07-16-2007, 10:02 PM

Since you hang out with Stoney, consider a MAC ~ great for music and video. Pricey, except when you look at the software and peripherals you'd have to buy to make a PC match it, you're actually $$$ ahead...and with a better machine.

For PCs, I've had good luck with Fujitsu - two laptops that I used for about 3 to 4 years each, successively. Toshiba machines I bought were OK except for heatsink prob on one. Happy with my current hp zd8000 as a DTR (desk top replacement). Not terribly portable.

Looking at Dells...no probs reported by associates who use them.

1 Gb MINIMUM RAM
100 Gb Min Hard Drive
Docking station excellent for work/home/school/etc.
AVOID VISTA
XP PRO, WAY TO GO

DUAL CORE if you go PC
Screen size up to you; small if portability important; LARGE IF MAIN MACHINE

Separate video card if strong graphics / high resolution important

My reward for a big project I'm completing will be a MAC !!!

Regards,
Keith

**keith** · 07-16-2007, 10:08 PM

Buy on Black Friday!

I've picked up many laptops for under $500 by standing in line on Thanksgiving night for 12 hours to be among the first 17 into the store the next morning!

Regards,
Keith

**j10asen** · 07-19-2007, 12:03 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by keith

Since you hang out with Stoney, consider a MAC ~ great for music and video. Pricey, except when you look at the software and peripherals you'd have to buy to make a PC match it, you're actually $$$ ahead...and with a better machine.
Keith

stoney may like macs but he doe not have a real clue about computers!

Thank you Keith for the tips tho.
I did compare the least costly Mac as found on NewEgg.com and compare with what I called a comprarable pc(Acer) did you know Acer at onetime built Macs?

here are the spec comparisons I looked at.

************************************************** ***********
Brand Apple $1,094.00
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16834100019
Model MB061LL/A
Operation System Mac OS X v10.4 Tiger
Processor Intel Core 2 Duo T7200(2.0GHz)
Memory 1GB DDR2
Display 13.3" WXGA
Resolution 1280 x 800
Hard Drive 80GB
Ports
USB Two USB 2.0 ports (up to 480 Mbps)
FireWire One FireWire 400 port (up to 400 Mbps)
Video Port 1 x Mini-DVI port
Audio Port Combined optical digital audio input/audio line in (minijack)
Combined optical digital audio output/headphone out (minijack)
Optical Drive Type DVD-ROM/CD-RW Combo
************************************************** *********
^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^
Brand Acer $699.99
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16834115361
Model AS5100-3825
Operating System Windows Vista Home Premium
Processor AMD Turion 64 MK-36(2.0GHz)
Memory Size 1GB DDR2
Screen 15.4" WXGA
Resolution 1280 x 800
Hard Drive 120GB

Ports
Card Slot 1 x Type I/II PC Card Slot
USB 3
Video Port 1 x VGA
Audio Ports Headphones/speakers/line-out, microphone-in and line-in ports

Optical Drive
Spec Read - 24X CD-ROM, 24X CD-R, 24X CD-RW, 8X DVD-ROM, 8X DVD-R, 8X DVD+R, 6X DVD-R DL (double-layer), 6X DVD+R DL (double-layer), 6X DVD-RW, 6X DVD+RW, 5X DVD-RAM
Write - 24X CD-R, 16X CD-RW, 8X DVD-R, 8X DVD+R, 8X DVD+RW, 6X DVD-RW, 5X DVD-RAM, 4X DVD-R DL (double-layer), 4X DVD+R DL (double-layer)

^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^

Oh yea buy software? do you buy software?

**j10asen** · 07-24-2007, 05:51 AM

Laptop memory and other issues
I stopped at that old big box best buy yesterday and found most lower end laptops that have 1 gig a memory use (2) 512meg memeory sticks.
So this means if you want to upgrade to 2 gigs ( what really works for Vista) you need to discard the 512 and buy 92) 1 gig sticks. Now that is NOT very economical to me. The alternatives get you in the 1000$ range or more.
I also have been told that all laptop makers use off shore telephone support. I have heard nightmares about that.

This all is making me put-off a decision.
As I get more info I will post it here.

**keith** · 07-29-2007, 05:34 PM

Not a bad comparison...

Cool factor wasn't listed - that goes to Macs.

Software mentioned after; that goes to Mac with all the built in stuff. Possible $79 add-on of iLife. If you need the MickeySoft (Word, Excel, etc.) you can get a student edition (good for up to four computers, either PC /OR/ Mac) for about $110 from most big box, office supply and online stores. Maybe even cheaper at eBay. Search for ACAD, or 'Academic' license.

Good luck!

Regards,
Keith