Laptop Info Please

[ConnerVT]

The $700-850 price range isn't really a very powerful machine.  The higher end Dell Inspirons (and not even the uber-geek models) will set you back $1500.  Some Dells sell for $3500+   

The thing that jumped the price up $150 or so was upgrading the service contracts (2 year accidental damage and "In-Home" service).  Accidental damage is good, as it gets fixed no matter who screwed up.  The alternative to the At-Home service is that she needs to box it up and send it off to be repaired -- not very convienent for a student on campus.  Much better/faster to make them come to you.

[Vaughn]

We went out browsing today, with all this advice in mind. My Elvira, ever the deal-seeker, recalls how Americans arise early on the day after Thanksgiving to capture phenomenal bargains if they're willing to stand on line freezing with a cuppa java in hand. That's not me.

I can appreciate the functionality advice. The theft and security
issues are well-taken also. BTW, there'll be no dorm situation as she's commuting, at least for the freshman year. That's why I brought up ISP's - she'll need one. We're going out again in a moment, and I won't forget to ask about memory sticks.

Groov, I haven't ruled out newegg.com, their prices beat what we've seen so far. Conner, my wife loved the looks of the Toshiba's we saw, but I'm preaching your reliability/repair sermon. Thanks again to all.

[Vaughn]

LMAO!~! I just googled "Dell Laptops" and this caught my attention:

http://www.theinquirer.net/default.aspx?article=32550

[Michelangelo]

Keep in mind if she is going to be taking notes in class, the smaller the better.  Those desks are tiny!

That's why I recommended the 13 inch MacBook over the 15 or 17 inch ones.

Also, be sure you get the built in wireless card.  All over campus she will be able to pick up wireless interet, free.

The ISP is for when she is at home.

[Michelangelo]

And no need to pay for an ISP.  The university most likely has free dial up for students from home.

[Vaughn]

Gotcha, Michelangelo, spasibo!

[Sohkay]

Vaughn,
Equal opportunity firestarters.

http://72.14.203.104/search?q=cache:PCdboRd_xR4J:www.gizmodo.com/gadgets/rss/macbook-magnetic-magsafe-connector-not-so-safe-after-all-161229.php+macbook+starts+fire&hl=en&gl=us&ct=clnk&cd=2

LOL!

[Durk]

      Vaughn,

          You can also get new open box or returned systems from
both Dell and Gateway. These systems are in new condition and
will have a full warranty. I was able to save about thirty percent
compared to new.
           I currently build all my systems now so I use Newegg and
no longer buy from Dell or Gateway.

[prince_alfie]

Also add in the fact that the Dell notebooks have exploded due to Sony batteries makes this rather hard to pass up on the MacBook.

[Sohkay]

And then of course there's the RSS (random system shutdown) where the macbooks would just shutdown, for no apparent reason, at any given time. This is such a problem, there is a website devoted to it.

http://www.macbookrandomshutdown.com/

Honestly, I would buy a mac but the after-purchase horror stories I've read steer me clearly away from their products. (Thousands of horror stories) Too bad, it's really nice looking stuff. But as with women, it isn't just the looks.

[Michelangelo]

From personal experience, having owed 10 window based notebooks, the windows based software and the hardware does not compare to the Powerbook I had for 2 years and the MacBook Pro I have now.  Mac is far superior.

And i use my computer 18 hours a day and it's always on.  I have NEVER had it lock up or shut down or display a blue screen, as windows frequently did.

Just my experience 

[Turboguy]

The exlpodiing dell article was interesting but the headline below was more interesting.

Not many killed.

[Sohkay]

I've been using Windows machines since 1994. (I just came across the old invoice for the first one, a Gateway. I upgraded to a whopping 16 megs of RAM. With the high end 17" Viewsonic monitor I got with it, the tab came to around $3500.00!) Actually started to do music audio recording on windows machines in the latter-90's. Had one difficult experience with a high-end sound card back in the 1997 time frame, but other than that, Windows machines have given me very few problems. And from Win 95 on, it's always been seamless for me...peripheral hook-ups, upgrades, no blue screens, etc.

But really, some of my best friends are Mac users.

[ConnerVT]

Sony has been Apple Computer's major suppier of batteries for quite a number of years.

The battery issue was so huge for Sony, it's hard to even get your hands around it.  I read somewhere that 90% of one of Sony's quarterly profits (in excess of $3 BILLION USD ) is Sony's loss just with this one issue.

[viking]

Another thing to keep in mind is weight. The bigger screens are great but only a few more pounds can make a big difference when lugging the thing from class to class or back to a dorm. A 15" screen is just fine. I was just visiting some colleges with my daughter and most of the kids seem to be using PCs with HP, Sony and Toshiba the main brands I saw. You also might want to take  look at Acer. I have one at home. Typing on it right now. No problems and a good value.

[Admin]

Toshiba?   :seething:

And it has nothing to do with their laptop performance or features or value or anything pedestrian like that. It has everything to do with their theft of US military secrets - admitted spying, and little, or no, consequence. It was some years ago now, but the one MAJOR incident had to do with theft of a super-silent submarine propeller design.

I have a few things that just get my goat - and that is one of them.

- Dan

[BillyB]

PC vs Mac

[ConnerVT]

Mac - Crash Different

This is a classic play on the Mac commercials of a few years ago.

(An occasion F-bomb is said, so you may not wish to play at full volume at work)



"Mac killed my inner child"   

[Vaughn]

  It's my worst nightmare: actually fighting my way into a mass
merchandise store like cattle on the Friday morn after one of my
favorite holidays - Thanksgiving. The savings are too much for her
to ignore - and I feel like I'm being forced to decide on a model
without all the homework completed. I hate buying under pressure.

  I've decided this: we're going PC, not Mac. Dan's comment about
submarine tech theft has ruled out Toshiba as I draw that line also.
Newegg is intriguing, solid deals. Dell seems to have the whole
package we're seeking but the add-ons damn near doubled the cost.
Our local BJ's has a Compaq V6101 (512mb, 80GB HD, 15.4 screen)
for $550 all weekend....

  Cattle call tomorrow, 5 AM... Last minute ideas?

[BillyB]

 
  Cattle call tomorrow, 5 AM... Last minute ideas?

Bring a cattle prod. Happy Thanksgiving!

[ConnerVT]

Compaq turned into a cheap quality brand a few years back, when it made alliances with Tandy (radio Shack).

As you admitted yourself, you nearly doubled the price of the Dell with the add ons.  If she's living at home, you don't need anywhere near that much warranty stuff.  The standard one year (included) will do.

The carry bag can be found for as much, or as little, as you like to spend.  She can pick out what she likes herself (it really is a personal preference, especially for a woman).

Antivirus, firewall, spyware can be had for free.  The XP firewall is a good incoming solution.  AVG and Avast make good antivirus solutions -- real time scanning, email scanning, automatic updates, and free of cost.

You can probably buy the Dell you were looking at for 1/2 of the cost the Dell rep talked you into...

[Vaughn]

Your expertise confirms my gut feelings - that Lenara
needs (pretty much) a basic notebook with few whistles.
Memory and a good OS, & wireless capability are really
all she needs right now...

Yeah, the backpack was totally uncalled for - but as I
PM'd you, I let her build the quote liberally - and to my
surprise, no one line was itemized. Thanks Conner!

Billy, I keep the prod under the front seat constantly.

[SANDRO43]

Antivirus, firewall, spyware can be had for free.  The XP firewall is a good incoming solution.  AVG and Avast make good antivirus solutions -- real time scanning, email scanning, automatic updates, and free of cost.

I'm running AVG and recently received notice it'll no longer be for free as of February, 2007. But Avast (and Zone Alarm) should still be so.

Just so that you do not waste time with an anti-virus you might want to drop in 2 month's time .

[Son of Clyde]

Vaughn,

You're in luck because the market for budget laptops has expanded greatly in the last few years. You can get a very fast machine for under $1000.

Sure, let me go to the ATM tomorrow and go right out and purchase one. Am I the only one who thinks $1,000.00 is a huge chunk of money?

Actually, I have seen laptops in a Dell catalog for about $499.00. This is strictly an intro model but maybe not bad for a teenager.

[DKMM]

Walmart usually has the best prices on laptops.  I found one recently with a good setup for only $400.  It doesn't seem to be on sale anymore, but it was on their website last week.  I'm going to buy one for a RW and bring it to her.