i don't know much at all about laptops, or computers at all for that matter. i am looking into laptops and need help. something in the $7-900 would be best. i don't need anything special because i will just be using it for normal stuff like checking email, surfing internet, writing papers, etc. any suggestions, advice, or information would be great. feel free to let us know what you have (or have had) and what you are using, and what you like/dislike about it. a few laptops i have caught my eye while looking are: Lenovo IdeaPad Y510, Acer Aspire 5920-6954, and the Fujitsu Lifebook A6120. thanks for any help you can offer!
Point me towards a new laptop.
- Thread starter tbini87
- Start date
stormholloway
Legend
I bought an HP that is right in your price range. It's nice. I like it a lot.
Polaris
Hall of Fame
$800 at this time of the year should buy you a decent laptop in the back-to-school sales. From the examples that you have given, it looks like you are a Windows user with basic to moderate needs. I think that a Lenovo Thinkpad T61 or R61 with 1-2 GB RAM, Intel Core 2 Duo and at least 120 GB Hard Drive should be within your reach.
You might choose to load yourself with much more memory and fancy graphics cards in return for a computer from some of the other brands (Dell, Acer, etc.), but if there was only one Windows laptop I had to recommend, I would choose a Thinkpad. My current setup is a 3-year old Thinkpad T43 with Windows XP and Ubuntu Linux dual boot. Thinkpads are known to be extremely sturdy and are backed up by very good service.
(Toshiba also makes great laptops. HP is decent but not great IMO. Sony makes good-looking laptops but they have a few proprietary drivers which can get troublesome with software such as Matlab. I don't like the build quality of Dell.)
You have just one problem. Almost any PC laptop you buy will come preloaded with Windows Vista. Vista is an unmitigated disaster and an object lesson in how not to design an operating system. If you have an old CD of XP, I would suggest wiping off Vista and doing a clean installation of XP. Or, if you are adventurous, you can install Linux
.If you are willing to add $100 to your budget, you may want to consider a refurbished Macbook. OS X is the easiest operating system to use, and in the long run, a Macbook's features make it an excellent value for the money.
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timsims
Rookie
Take some time to browse around www.powernotebooks.com. The Sager NP6790 is a high quality notebook and you are still able to choose the operating system you'd like to use without any of the added "crapware" that is preloaded onto the other "name brand" notebooks. I'd pay extra for more memory and built-in bluetooth. The Sager brand is not as well known in the mass market but they are known as a quality manufacturer.
crazytennis
Semi-Pro
You have just one problem. Almost any PC laptop you buy will come preloaded with Windows Vista. Vista is an unmitigated disaster and an object lesson in how not to design an operating system. If you have an old CD of XP, I would suggest wiping off Vista and doing a clean installation of XP. Or, if you are adventurous, you can install Linux
Why do you say this ? Is this from your experience ?
Polaris
Hall of Fame
Yes. Naturally.
Just to elaborate, I'm not saying that XP is any better than Vista security-wise. However, Vista has all sorts of issues with peripherals not working on some new computers. Its "secure mode" is completely ridiculous, asking all sorts of ludicrous questions in the interest of security. If you switch off the secure options, then it is just like using XP with new clothes. Besides, if one has used Linux or OSX over a significant length of time, many straightforward user interface issues seem very convoluted in Vista.
Microsoft even decided to dupe customers by imposing on Acer to put "Vista Capable" on their machines (Some say that this is Acer's fault, not Microsoft, and they might be right). Note that "Vista Capable" is not the same as "Vista Ready". Sure, if all the drivers were installed (which they are not) then any computer is Vista Capable.
Ideally, an OS should get out of the way and let the user do his thing. OS X does that. A properly configured Linux system does that too, besides being open source geek heaven. However, Vista refuses to let go of the user's attention. XP is not any better in terms of security, but over the years, many of its deficiencies have been patched up and that has made XP relatively stable and unobtrusive.
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crazytennis
Semi-Pro
Well, I run XP on 3 and Vista on one machine and the Vista machine gives me less trouble than the other 3.
I'm really interested, what about vista did you think was the unmitigated disaster and lesson about how to not use an operating system ?
p.s. I totally second the point about Thinkpads. They are built well and hold up well. If only all the new laptops only came with trackpoints.
Polaris
Hall of Fame
Sorry, I took longer to edit my previous post. Please see the added explanation above.
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stormholloway
Legend
My Vista was semi-whack from the start. It's just not a stable platform, but it's not a total mess either.
My HP laptop has 4 gigs of ram 2.0 ghz duo, and a 250 gb drive. I got it for 800 bucks at Best Buy.
My HP laptop has 4 gigs of ram 2.0 ghz duo, and a 250 gb drive. I got it for 800 bucks at Best Buy.
thanks guys for the input. i will be honest and let polaris know that some of what he said went right over my head since i know very little about computers. i did look at macs a little but they seem to be out of my price range. maybe looking into a refurbished one would be an option. more input would be appreciated! thanks.
Feña14
G.O.A.T.
Yeah you should look into a refurbished Mac. Very often they are actually better than brand new ones as they go through serious testing at the refurbishment place. Also, i've known people get more for their money.. such as an extra gig of RAM.
I switched to a Macbook in January and it did take me a month to get used to the different system, but now I can't imagine using anything else. The little touches of class they have never fails to make you smile to yourself (the glowing mac sign at the back of the screen, the magnetic charger lead etc..)
If you can find one in your price range then you should really look into it.
kairosntx
Professional
http://www.bestbuy.com/site/olspage...PGR&srccode=cii_5784816&cpncode=18-15859175-2
Not sure if the link works. Not sure if its the same as Storm's but Best Buy has an HP with the same specs for $650.
Not sure if the link works. Not sure if its the same as Storm's but Best Buy has an HP with the same specs for $650.
tom_asdelonge182
Semi-Pro
okay word of advise. Asus should be the laptops you should look for. They are cheap and powerful and worth the buck.
sony - all style and too expensive
hp - less style but hugely over price
Toshiba - same as hp
fujistue (how you spell it?) - not reliable
acer - cheap but not that good in terms of quality
Dell - cheap and quite good!!
ASUS - the best choice really!! its cheap but yet the parts are all quality
Apple - might **** you off if you're a pc user. Also some software still won't work
btw Vista aint that bad. You will get used to it
sony - all style and too expensive
hp - less style but hugely over price
Toshiba - same as hp
fujistue (how you spell it?) - not reliable
acer - cheap but not that good in terms of quality
Dell - cheap and quite good!!
ASUS - the best choice really!! its cheap but yet the parts are all quality
Apple - might **** you off if you're a pc user. Also some software still won't work
btw Vista aint that bad. You will get used to it
get a macbook they'll b about 1000 and plus you cant go wrong, anything a pc can do a mac can do it plus do it better. All you have to do buy microsoft office for powerpoint and word ect.., but when you think about it you'll spend that much money tryin to buy virus protection on a pc.
But, it's been a workhorse for me.
G
Gugafan_Redux
Guest
I don't know if you're in the US, but I just my wife a Compaq Presario C700 (or is it C770?). $429 at CircuitCity. Plus two year protection after tax, it'll be $580. It's a great deal. Vista home basic, two gigs of memory, 160 gig drive, built in Wireless G, DVD writer with Lightscribe, nVidea graphics, multi card reader slot.
That's quite an upgade from basically the same deal I bought at CompUSA in 2004, for $399 after rebates on a basic Presario which at teh time had a smaller drive, less memory, no DVD writer, etc. But mine is still growing strong, never had any problems, it performs great and is indestructible.
If you really don't need a built-in web cam, Vista premium stuff, etc. you cannot go wrong with this. You pick up a nice case and peripherals and still be under your stated budget.
That's quite an upgade from basically the same deal I bought at CompUSA in 2004, for $399 after rebates on a basic Presario which at teh time had a smaller drive, less memory, no DVD writer, etc. But mine is still growing strong, never had any problems, it performs great and is indestructible.
If you really don't need a built-in web cam, Vista premium stuff, etc. you cannot go wrong with this. You pick up a nice case and peripherals and still be under your stated budget.
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crazytennis
Semi-Pro
You can get the basic one for 1099 and I think it will (like the last couple of years) will have a 100 dollar rebate and a free Ipod , if you buy it from the apple store.
PROTENNIS63
Hall of Fame
HP's are great. Excellent valued laptops.
fed_the_savior
Banned
another vote for HP pavilion. bought 2 this year.
Dude trust me in the long run a mac will own, you'll eventually have to replace a PC but, Ive know people who have owned their macbook for more than 10years, one has even owned his for 16!!!and STILL COUNTING. How many people do you know that have had the same PC for more than even 7 years. There has only been like 3 viruses known in the history of macs since they have an awesom built in virus protecter and they got taken care of super quick.
You dont have to take my word, but you can take these peoples
http://www.helium.com/knowledge/9279-why-mac-is-better-than-pc
You dont have to take my word, but you can take these peoples
http://www.helium.com/knowledge/9279-why-mac-is-better-than-pc
crazytennis
Semi-Pro
:shock: where do i begin ?
, haha
35ft6
Legend
I see some for much less. You can get Office Student Edition for about $120. When you get more money, max out the RAM. Learning the OS is trivial. When I switched from PC to Mac, I was amazed by how there's an underlying logic to Mac, and after a while, you kind of know how things will work and where they'll be. Not so much with Windows.
Polaris
Hall of Fame
This thread is going to hell really fast. No one ever buys a computer to last 16 years. Do you even remember what computers were like 16 years ago? The bulk of today's software would not run on those machines.
If a laptop lasts 5 years, it has served its purpose.
Ya but in those 4 years do yu want to payin for the good virus protection each year, and worring about your computer crashing, and worring about it slowing down, you can use limewire to its full potential when you have a mac and im barely scratin the surface. Plus now that you can run windows on a mac theres only one thing it cant do, FAIL YOU
AND THANKYU 36 AND PHOTOSHOP 4 AGREEING WITH ME, finally some smart people
Polaris
Hall of Fame
Please read the thread in its entirety. I recommended Macs and OSX in my first post of the thread. And please lay off the capitals. It is the online equivalent of shouting.
thanks for the info. i didn't even have mac on my mind before i started looking... but i am now considering one despite the higher initial cost.
now that i am looking at more laptops i am seeing a lot of 2GB, 150-200 HD. i am guessing that should be plenty if i am not doing much on it. should that be enough for what i am planning on doing (writing papers, surfing internet) or should i look for more? seems fairly expensive to get more than that.
also it sounds like you can upgrade the macs later. does that apply to pcs too? thanks.
also it sounds like you can upgrade the macs later. does that apply to pcs too? thanks.
I own a Macbook and unlike the majority of Apple users, I'm not slavishly devoted to it and giving blow careers to Steve Jobs. The major peeve I have with them is the lack of available mainstream software. If you couldn't run Windows on a Mac, I wouldn't have gotten one.
This is not their fault, per se, but Apple's marketing dept has got to do a lot better on attracting developers to their OS. Almost all the popular programs are cheaper on Windows than they are for their Mac counterpart, keep that cost in mind as well. Microsoft Office is an example. Windows $50 to Macs $150
However, the software that Apple develops on their own is solid. If you are in the photo/video industry, Apple blows away PCs by far in their available software.
This is not their fault, per se, but Apple's marketing dept has got to do a lot better on attracting developers to their OS. Almost all the popular programs are cheaper on Windows than they are for their Mac counterpart, keep that cost in mind as well. Microsoft Office is an example. Windows $50 to Macs $150
However, the software that Apple develops on their own is solid. If you are in the photo/video industry, Apple blows away PCs by far in their available software.
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crazytennis
Semi-Pro
You can upgrade PCs as well and 2gigs and 150-200 is plenty if you're browsing the internet and writing papers. If you're pretty strapped for cash, buy the bare minimum as in(sometimes upgrading from 1gb ram to 2gb is like 20additional dollars, but from 2-3 is like 120, so just choose 2 gb....this is just an example) in things like RAM and harddrive and upgrade it later. Also, check out deals2buy.com, dealsea.com and search "[whatever company] coupons" on google it'll pull sites with handy 10-15% discount coupons. Lenovo gives a lot of the coupons with the maximum I've seen was a 20% and a 15% on top of that 20%".
35ft6
Legend
There are two kinds of people who should really consider Apple computers: 1) people like you, who want it for the email, web, and writing papers, and 2) people in the creative field (music, video, photography). I endorse Apple wholeheartedly. I know they're so "cool" right now there's a backlash, but I use Windows and Mac every day, and there's just no comparison really. Read reviews for XP compared to the latest Mac OS, it's not just Mac publications and those "slavishly devoted" to Mac admitting Apple's overall superiority. Yeah, this is just my opinion. Not sure if this is still true, but if you're a hardcore gamer, than you might want a PC.
Not, it might be enough. But RAM is cheap. My approach is to get a slower chip and max out the RAM. Macsales.com sells RAM that meets and sometimes exceeds Apple specifications for much less. Don't buy extra memory or hard drive space from Apple unless you're loaded and completely afraid of technology. It literally took me about 3 minutes to install the full 4 gigs of RAM into my Macbook.
It's also great for music and photos. Two things that maybe you're not really concerned with but might become pleasantly inevitable especially considering how user friendly Apple makes their software.
Then why did you get one?
It's not slavish devotion any more than it's slavish devotion, IMO, for a person to say when it comes to digging holes in the ground they love shovels. Mac OS is far superior. For me, it's mostly about the OS, the fact that Mac computers look beautiful is just a bonus. I'm amazed by how freakin' ugly PC's are. The fit and finish is superior on Mac, too. My dad's PC and the ones at work look like they were snapped together and they creak and make noises when you touch them. I'm in the arts so this kind of stuff matters to me. I appreciate when form and function are in harmony. But with all that said, if I could install Mac OS and all its software, like FCP Pro Studio 2, into a Wintel computer, I would consider it. I might not do it, but it wouldn't be out of the question.
You're right about the backlash. I honestly don't get the cult following Apple, it's a computer company that sells overpriced equipment (highest profit margins in the industry).....not a religion.
All I'm trying to do is point out that Apple isn't infallible. Macbooks had many faults in its 1st generation, poor displays--overtightened screws, and plastic that left permanent blemishes. And they aren't the most consumer-friendly company if you're turning something in for warranty. If it was Dell or Microsoft that went thru this phase, the public would hammer them--call them out for corporate greed and start spreading poor word of mouth. Having a scientology like cult on your side usually ends up silencing the naysayers.
Mac OS is great as Windows 98 was in the past but at least Windows had its fair share of critics.
I got a Macbook to see what the fuss was about since I had an extra copy of XP anyway. The hardware is solid so no complaints there. I use Mac OS for mostly email, internet, and ITunes. I like their mail program much more than MS Outlook and I imagine most of Apple's homegrown software is a lot better than their MS counterpart.
But you cannot discount the available software, the cheaper price tag of said software and the developer support that is available for XP. The same reason why gamers can't use Macs is the same reason for a lot of other software categories. Database software is almost non-existent for Macs. Finance software is basic and mediocre. Many research programs in academia are also more intuitive for XP.
Mac OS itself is not the problem, Apple needs to garner much more support so Apple applications are more than just Windows ports. Apple had to bribe Microsoft a long time ago to get their MS Office on their systems. You also see Apple making ports to Windows (ITunes/Safari), not the other way around.
Until Apple gets more mainstream, I'm sticking mostly with XP if I want more flexibility with the type of programs I want to use.
35ft6
Legend
Again, the difference between liking a Mac and believing in talking snakes is pretty vast. I don't belong to any Mac clubs or have any Mac clothes or have an Apple bumper sticker. I simply think they offer by far the most intuitive and pleasant home computing experience around.
Which one of these problems plagued you? I haven't had a problem with any of this.
I've worked with Windows 98 and it wasn't nearly as good as Mac OS. Uglier and less intuitive.
I really don't think this is a problem for 99% of the users out there. Can't even remember the last time I said to myself "if only this software was available for OS X!!!! Why must you mock me, Jobs!!!???" My suggestion is that if a particular software or money is an issue, get what you can afford. Or just install it on an Apple computer, in at least one test Mac ran Windows faster than the Wintel computers they tested it against.
Whatever, not saying that you don't have a point, but would just like to say that enthusiasm for Mac is warranted, it's not blind religious zeal. For me anyways.
xtremerunnerars
Hall of Fame
If you don't feel like dropping over $1,000 on a Mac or you want a solid pc laptop, Newegg has some great deals today:
http://promotions.newegg.com/NEemai...8&cm_mmc=EMC-IGNEFL081408-_-email-_-E0-_-PEEK
http://promotions.newegg.com/NEemai...8&cm_mmc=EMC-IGNEFL081408-_-email-_-E0-_-PEEK
tarheels2323
Semi-Pro
I've heard that the Macbooks and the Macbooks Pros are getting revisions, and the price point for the entry level Macbook will drop to $999. Just something that I heard.
I'm going into my senior year and my Dell is in drastic need of an upgrade, so I'm going with a new MBP when they come out (hopefully mid September). Freshman year almost all of the guys on my floor bought the same laptop (Inspiron 6000) and now almost all of us are in need of a new one. So, I'd say don't go with Dell whatever you do.
I'm going into my senior year and my Dell is in drastic need of an upgrade, so I'm going with a new MBP when they come out (hopefully mid September). Freshman year almost all of the guys on my floor bought the same laptop (Inspiron 6000) and now almost all of us are in need of a new one. So, I'd say don't go with Dell whatever you do.
S
swimntennis
Guest
If you do decide to look further into a Mac, definitely wait until the end of September. For the last few years, Apple has done revisions to their consumer lines (mainly the iMac, Macbook, and iPod) in mid-September. Even if you do not want one of the new revisions, the price point of the Macbooks available today will surely go down. I'm not going to rehash what is said better on this site, so please go here and read about any possible revisions and other Mac related topics. You may also want to sign up for their forums. The forums there are filled with many, many people that are willing to help you set up your new Mac and help with any issues or questions you may have. I became a member there before I bought my first Mac and they gave quick, helpful responses to everything I asked.
Now, about the Mac itself. The main reason many buy a Mac is because of the operating system, Mac OS X. This was the selling point to me. Click here to learn more about the Mac. And here's a FAQ. I also recommend watching this guided tour to see Mac OS X hands on.
My experience with my iMac has been flawless. I bought the computer in December of 2006. It was a refurb, and I bought it for about $1000. Today, nearly two years later, it runs as fast as the day I bought it and shows no signs of slowing down. In fact, I've constantly done more with my Mac (adding applications, torrenting, etc.) and it's kept up wonderfully. On the other hand, the previous PC I had slowed to a crawl every so often and needed the OS reinstalled multiple times. I'm positive that this iMac will last the rest of the rest of the time I'm in high school, and then will continue to work for my parents.
And remember, you won't have to deal with this.
Now, about the Mac itself. The main reason many buy a Mac is because of the operating system, Mac OS X. This was the selling point to me. Click here to learn more about the Mac. And here's a FAQ. I also recommend watching this guided tour to see Mac OS X hands on.
My experience with my iMac has been flawless. I bought the computer in December of 2006. It was a refurb, and I bought it for about $1000. Today, nearly two years later, it runs as fast as the day I bought it and shows no signs of slowing down. In fact, I've constantly done more with my Mac (adding applications, torrenting, etc.) and it's kept up wonderfully. On the other hand, the previous PC I had slowed to a crawl every so often and needed the OS reinstalled multiple times. I'm positive that this iMac will last the rest of the rest of the time I'm in high school, and then will continue to work for my parents.
And remember, you won't have to deal with this.
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thanks for all the info guys. it has been a real help. i am leaning towards a mac now, but probably won't decide real soon. sounds like i still have plenty of learning to do about macs and pcs!
i am actually on a mac right now (desktop) and it is ok. seems very simple and easy to use, even though it is different than what i am used to...
i am actually on a mac right now (desktop) and it is ok. seems very simple and easy to use, even though it is different than what i am used to...
Sleepstream
Semi-Pro
From what I've gathered from many Mac vs Windows/PC debates is that the Mac OS is idiot proof.
Though the points made about Windows being bad I've never seemingly had problems of the sort. No virus, no spyware, no slow down, and no BSODs on my current laptop. My old laptop suffered a BSOD due to a faulty HD, but any computer is going to crash due to such a problem.
For people who know what they are doing, either is fine.
Though the points made about Windows being bad I've never seemingly had problems of the sort. No virus, no spyware, no slow down, and no BSODs on my current laptop. My old laptop suffered a BSOD due to a faulty HD, but any computer is going to crash due to such a problem.
For people who know what they are doing, either is fine.
jmverdugo
Hall of Fame
Try to find the HHD... as if you were using a PC.
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