laptop/desk top computers, in the market

Status
Not open for further replies.
O

OtisBlkR1

Joined
Jun 3, 2009
Messages
3,258
Location
Indiana
My wifes going back to school and i want to get her a laptop for schoolwork, it will also be used for

maybee downloading some music..
internet surfing/shopping
maybee playing some dvd/blu-rays when on the go..

also

Im also considering purchasing a new desk top computer,

mostly web browsing and online shopping, will most likely add a much bigger monitor than stock like a 20 inch plus.

I have NEVER purchased a new computer.. Ive always had used systems, im not sure what to shop for or whats a good deal. I dont want to pay for features i dont need or wont use. I dont want to get taken to the cleaners either.
 
I personally tend to drift toward ASUS-branded stuff; but almost everything made today is terribly cheap. Get something cheap, but has a decent warranty and put whatever money you can into backing up and protecting the *real* value: your data. The hardware is a cheap, poorly-made commodity. Find something that has the features you need, and temper the warranty against the price tag and run with it. When it fails, move your backed-up data onto a new cheap commodity piece of hardware!
 
like to stay at or under $500.00 each as there not for profesional use, just online surfing and schoolwork.. Im on newegg, is the ACER ok ? and i too see ASUS. the ASUS looks to be more expensive equipment.

backup ? i can buy a external and store everything there correct ? i know ive seen friends do this..

Again, im not tech savy at all..
 
Should be lots of deals coming up with Back to School sales. 3 weeks ago I bought a HP 17.3" with everything except a fast processor for $379+ tax. It works great and is fast enough for me. Comes with BluRay player HDMI output(bye bye cable) that works great. It has a AMD dual core and has handled everything great. It hooked up to wireless in less than 5 minutes, with Linksys' new setup software. Happy camper here.
 
Originally Posted By: Hermann
Should be lots of deals coming up with Back to School sales. 3 weeks ago I bought a HP 17.3" with everything except a fast processor for $379+ tax. It works great and is fast enough for me. Comes with BluRay player HDMI output(bye bye cable) that works great. It has a AMD dual core and has handled everything great. It hooked up to wireless in less than 5 minutes, with Linksys' new setup software. Happy camper here.


like the sound of that !
 
I recommend Dell or HP laptops to my customers. Least problems, last the longest. Cooling is the biggest problem I see with laptops. Make sure its an Intel processor, they tend to run cooler. Like the Dell desk tops too. Easy to upgrade, work on, etc. Best Buy, Walmart, Dell online.
 
Originally Posted By: LeakySeals
Cooling is the biggest problem I see with laptops. Make sure its an Intel processor, they tend to run cooler.

Definitely agree on this.
 
I just bought an asus laptop from bjs and I am very happy! 3rd gen I7 for less than I thought possible. Just a little more than you said you want to spend. 500 was what I said when I started looking also. I spent a little more because i figured it would take awhile for it to be outdated and I will need to go back to school at some point.
 
Originally Posted By: LeakySeals
I recommend Dell or HP laptops to my customers. Least problems, last the longest. Cooling is the biggest problem I see with laptops. Make sure its an Intel processor, they tend to run cooler.


MY GF the same day, also bought a HP laptop, hers has a Intel i3 and it runs much warmer than the AMD in mine. Running the weekly full scan mine is much cooler, although hers is faster by about 30 minutes. But folks, it takes 2 to 3 hours to do a full scan on a basically new computers, using MSE. Can't wait till they get loaded with junk. Even got rid of all the HP bloatware and Wild Tangent HP game pack. Plus the same battery in mine lasts twice as long, even with the bigger screen.
 
I'd suggest a refurb Macbook Pro 13 inch for you wife and a imac 21.5 inch desktop from the Apple store. Build quality and reliability makes the competition look like flimsy toys. Viruses and malware, say what?

A little out of your price range, but you get pay for and although the upfront cost are higher it probably works out less expensive over the long term.

We went through this recently when my girlfriend was in the market to replace her old Macbook. After months of shopping around for a PC we finally bit the bullet and got her a great deal on Macbook Pro refurb and have no regrets.

http://store.apple.com/us/browse/home/specialdeals/mac/macbook_pro
 
As others have stated, this is a very good time of the year to be buying a laptop due to the back to school deals. If I were in your shoes, I would look for the following.

-Blu-ray drive per your request (this will be the biggest issue when trying to stay under $500, though you should be able to find something)

-At least a 6 cell battery, some budget laptops come with a smaller 4 cell battery.

-At least 4gb of ram as stated earlier

-If you plan to watch movies, a 17" screen would be nice, but of course a bigger screen will also use more battery power. Personally I prefer 15" laptops, but that's just me.

-I would suggest trying out the laptop in store before you buy it, or if you see a deal online try to find a similar model in store before you buy online. This way you can check out the screen, try out the speakers (generally bad in laptops, with some exceptions), test the keyboard and touchpad (huge for me, very picky about keyboard and touchpad), pick up the laptop and see if you like the way it feels (build quality, does the palmrest and keyboard flex a lot when you type, does the lid behind the screen flex a lot, this could help narrow down the choices if you see multiple that you like).

I would also suggest checking the following sites daily for good deals

http://www.slickdeals.net
http://www.techbargains.com


Be very careful if you buy online, make sure to check out the company return policy for restrictions and restocking fees. Last time I bought a laptop online I stupidly didn't check the return policy, and tigerdirect gave me a very very hard time about returning. I got lucky and they eventually agreed to let me return, but it was (surprisingly) one of the most difficult returns I've tried to do (I typically shop at places like amazon which are very easy to return to).
 
If you do some online research for laptop reliability you will find Toshiba and Asus at the top for the past several years. The least reliable have been HP, Dell, and Acer. I just retired a 12 year old HP desktop that still works as it should. It was supplemented with another HP that is up to current standards and it has had nary a problem in three years. My old outdated Toshiba laptop has had one repair in over ten years and that was the cord. We stick with what works for us which is (obviously) Toshiba for laptops and HP for desktops. Including the old timer we have four Toshiba laptops...you couldn't give me another brand.
 
Depending on which series you go with, the most reliable are probably Dell and Lenovo.

HP and Toshiba are the last brands I would buy, I fix this [censored] at work all the time, there are next to no issues with Dell, and if you're talking a Lenovo T-series, literally no issues. However, the higher end ones are out of your price range. Something used is probably what I'd do for $500. Year or 2 old can get you some seriously nice machine if you're looking for a better built unit.

Everyone has differing opinions on this but I refuse to buy cheapo brands of laptops, I like metal chassis, good cooling, quality units. Not something I have to replace in a year or 2.
 
Originally Posted By: LeakySeals
I recommend Dell or HP laptops to my customers. Least problems, last the longest.


Aren't those like the 2 least reliable laptop manufacturers on the market?
 
Dell gets bashed a lot, but their products have always been very good to me. I've owned many dell laptops and desktops without any issues.
 
All I've owned was Dell, and an IBM PS1 back in the day. I had a problem late last year with a new LT I bought from Dell, they ended up making it right. I'd buy from them again.
 
Last winter I bought a new ASUS 17" laptop for my work/business. It has served me well. It's slightly heavy to lug around every day, but the large screen is necessary due to the number of apps I run.

We also recently bought a new HP AIO Touchsmart for home use. We love it thus far.
 
Status
Not open for further replies.

Similar threads

dogememe
Project BedroomGPT
Replies
5
Views
240
Vil_Riker
sloinker
Best option for CD transferring and burning....
2
Replies
24
Views
4K
Nick1994
JHZR2
iPhone to USB C transfer Speed?
2 3
Replies
47
Views
7K
jkasch
C
5W30 HM ipo Euro 5W40 - want a high mileage oil but no 5W40
2
Replies
34
Views
598
corvetteboy6988
OVERKILL
Building a home firewall - guide
2 3
Replies
50
Views
4K
BornSlippy
Back
Top Bottom