Laptop advice

[GreenMeany]

My family has been fighting the computer wars for the last couple of years (four people fighting over two desktops), but tomorrow we are going to go spend year-end bonus money on a couple of laptops to give everybody their own computer. We don't need top of the line. My daughter is a junior in high school, so presumably she'll be taking hers to college in a couple of years. I just need to be able to load my Grade Book program and a couple of other programs on mine. We are hoping to keep things CHEAP. What's the best way to go? Dell? HP? Lenova?

[spartyms2]

If you're looking for the best bang for your buck you can't beat Dell.

I just bought a Lenovo Thinkpad T60 and R-something and am very, very, very satisfied with both. The T60 was about $1400 and is fairly loaded, but that was also with around $300 off for their holiday sales. The R series was around $900, also under the holiday sale, and does just about everything that you'd want it to do and more.

I've had experience with Dell, HP, Toshiba, and IBM/Lenovo laptops. As I mentioned above for the price Dell's are the best. The IBM/Lenovo's are the best build quality but you definitely pay for it. The Toshiba's and HP's fall somewhere in the middle.

[worm]

eff dell. they suck major ass. i have first hand experience dealing with their stupid tech support and customer service.

in a nutshell...i had to send my puter in for repairs since dell wouldn't ship me the replacement parts.

they ship me the packing materials to my current address. i then send the puter to them. they fix the stuff, then ship it back to my old address in effing ferndale. mind you i live in arizona. the person living in my old house accepts the package. mind you this person is a hot female. why dhl would accept her signature is beyond me.

so now dell is trying to figure out how to get the puter back to me. it's an effing circus.

eff dell

effing buttholes.

i'm never dealing with those effers again

[AgerisGod]

dell is overrated and overpriced i wish my mom wouldnt have bought me onefor school.

your better off with something like HP, Compaq, etc Dell is just atrocious.

[AgerisGod]

or even consider a Mac if your into that kinda thing

[GreenMeany]

Sounds like your biggest beef with Dell is the service. I might have to take that risk, simply looking at their prices. They've been advertising a laptop for $599 for weeks (Inspiron 1501 Notebook), but the sale only goes through today (12-27). After today, they jump to $699. Guess when bonus is available? 12-29. Am I sheeoot out of luck, or are there more equally good sales to come in next week or so?

[GRR Spartan]

Toshiba Satellite series.

[Todd Farkman]

If u want cheap and u r computer savy: Dell.

If ur a computer moron and need constant assistance on how to work your computer: Avoid Dell.

Good thing about Dell is they do price very well for decent hardware. I've NEVER had a problem with my Dell computer (I have 4) that I didn't resolve myself. But if u need hand-holding, Dell is notorious for having Indians up the yahoo.

I like Dell, mucho. And I'm a cheap-ass bastard, fwiw.

[GreenMeany]

Thanks for all the advice. Have to admit, I'm a little wary of extended warranties. Always seemed like a way companies padded prices. I mean, how long do most people keep computers anyway? Isn't there a basic warranty for the first couple of years or so?

[bulldogg]

Originally Posted by GreenMeany

Thanks for all the advice. Have to admit, I'm a little wary of extended warranties. Always seemed like a way companies padded prices. I mean, how long do most people keep computers anyway? Isn't there a basic warranty for the first couple of years or so?

Would they offer extended warranties if they didn't make money off them?

[GreenMeany]

To me, it's like buying beverages at a restaurant. The profit margin on most entrees is under 5% (I think), but on a soda pop? That's where they rake it in. For that matter, there was a point, I think, where the automakers were hardly marking any money on the actual sales of cars. They made all their money on financing and extras. My fear is that that is the case with most extended warranties. It's a small gamble, I suppose.

[Todd Farkman]

Originally Posted by bulldogg

Would they offer extended warranties if they didn't make money off them?

I figure if the product is worth any salt, if it lasts the year warranty it will go much longer than that. And that's held true for the most part.

If the product is going to fail, typically it will fail right away or in the first year. Unless u never use it.

[gameday]

I can give you a thousand and one reasons to choose Apple over any PC based machine. I am a father of four and a principal in the Lansing suburbs and can tell you that if you want the best of both worlds go to Comp USA and check out the latest iMac's and iBooks. Apple computers can now do any pc based program and the new operating system and inside info. says that within the next six months you will be able to run any pc program on a mac. In addition, the iPhoto and iMovie features are second to none when doing multi-media stuff at home. I could speak hours about the advantage of macs and if you need more info. just let me know and I will be happy to fill you in!

[EMSP]

Originally Posted by gameday

I can give you a thousand and one reasons to choose Apple over any PC based machine. I am a father of four and a principal in the Lansing suburbs and can tell you that if you want the best of both worlds go to Comp USA and check out the latest iMac's and iBooks. Apple computers can now do any pc based program and the new operating system and inside info. says that within the next six months you will be able to run any pc program on a mac. In addition, the iPhoto and iMovie features are second to none when doing multi-media stuff at home. I could speak hours about the advantage of macs and if you need more info. just let me know and I will be happy to fill you in!

In the original post, he wanted to keep things cheap. Comparing the same hardware components, Apple is usually the most expensive laptop you can buy.

[Todd Farkman]

Originally Posted by gameday

I can give you a thousand and one reasons to choose Apple over any PC based machine. I am a father of four and a principal in the Lansing suburbs and can tell you that if you want the best of both worlds go to Comp USA and check out the latest iMac's and iBooks. Apple computers can now do any pc based program and the new operating system and inside info. says that within the next six months you will be able to run any pc program on a mac. In addition, the iPhoto and iMovie features are second to none when doing multi-media stuff at home. I could speak hours about the advantage of macs and if you need more info. just let me know and I will be happy to fill you in!

He said cheap tho.

[GreenMeany]

Yeah, gameday, you're a principal. I'm a teacher. Like the guys said, CHEAP. Notice that the dells I'm looking at are between $600 and $700. Seriously, though, we bought a $3,000 computer a couple of years ago, and it's so buggy now, that I promised to never buy another expensive computer, ever.

PS: Why IS that machine so buggy? Is it because my youngest uses Limewire?

[Redwingenator]

I had a Dell inspiron laptop that lasted 5 years, then the hard-drive took a dump. It would have cost about $175 to replace it myself, and a comparable computer would run about $350. I upgraded my desktop instead.

I liked my Dell, it ran great once I took Windows Millennium off it. Realistically you can't ask for more than 5 years out of the hardware in a laptop.

Don't get a Mac unless you have lots of Mac software. They are very sturdy machines that run great, but good luck using them for gaming and M$ office. If cost is not a barrier, go Mac.

[EMSP]

Originally Posted by GreenMeany

Seriously, though, we bought a $3,000 computer a couple of years ago, and it's so buggy now, that I promised to never buy another expensive computer, ever.

PS: Why IS that machine so buggy? Is it because my youngest uses Limewire?

Spyware, Adware, Viruses.... If you're not using multiple programs for all 3, then your Windows will be toast.

Oh, and if your kids install a bunch of stuff all the time, you'll want to format your HD and reinstall Windows on an annual basis.

[bulldogg]

Originally Posted by Jiggy Spartan

average cost to replace a LCD screen or case is $800-$1,000. thats again, up to you on what you consider a small gamble if you are comfortable risking buying a new laptop after a year. i expect to get at least 3 years use out of my laptop, but to each his own

All the power to you if you like to buy extended warranties. I'm glad there are people out there that do. The companies make more money, therefore - hopefully - charge less for the actual product.

Again, they wouldn't be offering you these extended warranties unless they were making a ton of $$$ of them. While it may help you if you have a problem, the majority of those that buy the warranties end up wasting their money.

[bulldogg]

Originally Posted by Top Dog

Microsoft has been supporting the latest Office for Mac OS since it came out in the 80s. They just reupped their commitment for the new intel macs. Install Windows on a mac and it's a great game machine too.

Didn't they announce that they aren't making any more versions of Office for the Mac OS?

If you are going to put Windows on a Mac, why not just get a Mac? Unless you really want the Raspberry color.

[SpartanButter]

I have had great luck with Dell.

The computers that I have bought from them have been so well priced and performed so well that I probably won't be buying anything else for future purchases.

The Dell's that I have purchased have all been much cheaper then the sum of their components from tigerdirect.com and newegg.com.

The two things that I would say are that you need to wait for the right deal, as they can fluctuate a lot, and buying the upgraded customer service package can save you the pain of talking to someone in India that struggles with their English.

I have also had good luck with MPCcorp.com computers.

I have had bad luck with eMachines, Gateway, and Hewlett Packard.

[bulldogg]

Originally Posted by Top Dog

Also not true in the laptop category. Similarly equipped Dells cost more than Mac. Severely limited and underequipped Dells may cost less but it's not really worth it since they're basically obsolete and shouldn't be shipped in the first place. Apple doesn't ship junk.

Hmmm ... just went to Dell and Apple. Similar systems:

Dell E1505 Dual Core = $1,208.16
Apple MacBook Pro = $1,999.00

[bulldogg]

Originally Posted by Top Dog

Not according to this year's Worldwide Developer's Conference.

I'd rather run osx because it's bulletproof, doesn't crash, runs faster and no viruses. But some people like windows and can run that pos os on the best hardware platform on the market if they like.

There have been plenty of threads by windows/mac switchers and they all love the Apple hardware.

Yeah, it might not have been Office ... I think that it was IE.

Saying that OSX is bulletproof and doesn't crash is completely false.

[FrontRow]

Originally Posted by GreenMeany

Sounds like your biggest beef with Dell is the service. I might have to take that risk, simply looking at their prices. They've been advertising a laptop for $599 for weeks (Inspiron 1501 Notebook), but the sale only goes through today (12-27). After today, they jump to $699. Guess when bonus is available? 12-29. Am I sheeoot out of luck, or are there more equally good sales to come in next week or so?

I've purchased Dell 1501's for both my daughter and myself within the past 6 weeks. With a few upgrades, total price was about $700 each. I'm no computer expert, but I think I got a good basic laptop at a fair price.

FWIW..... A few years ago, I decided I'd never purchase an extended warranty for anything (cars, electronics, etc.). So far, I've been lucky and have saved lots of cash. I hope my luck continues with the laptops.

[bulldogg]

Originally Posted by Jiggy Spartan

ur turn topdog

What's the for? Are you saying that they weren't similar? I had to dig a little more for the specs on Apples site, but I believe they were similar.