My POS laptop finally threw in the towel so I need a new one. I prefer the 15.4 inch because of ease of travel. Not looking for the cheapest one, just a good one at a decent price. The ONLY things I do are surf, school work (word, powerpoint, etc), and store photos. Point is I dont need anything fancy, just something basic that can stand the test of time. I have looked and for the difference in prices and what they offer I cant tell what the hell it all means. Any help from the resident computer gurus would be much appreciated.
Help, need a new laptop!
- Thread starter UGA12
- Start date
Joker and Kickserv haven't come in here to say "Get a MAC!" yet? :shrug:
In all seriousness, I don't know of a specific model but you can always get Dells for pretty cheap. They aren't the best brand by any means, but they offer a good value for what you pay. You can usually find the Inspirons for $500 or less.
Personally, I don't like HPs at all. I've owned 2 of them and neither one held up very well, and they seem a bit overpriced. My GF has a Toshiba laptop that she loves, but I don't really have any experience with that brand.
If you don't need anything fancy, I wouldn't overpay for a laptop that has a bunch of "bells and whistles" that you won't even need.
GL
In all seriousness, I don't know of a specific model but you can always get Dells for pretty cheap. They aren't the best brand by any means, but they offer a good value for what you pay. You can usually find the Inspirons for $500 or less.
Personally, I don't like HPs at all. I've owned 2 of them and neither one held up very well, and they seem a bit overpriced. My GF has a Toshiba laptop that she loves, but I don't really have any experience with that brand.
If you don't need anything fancy, I wouldn't overpay for a laptop that has a bunch of "bells and whistles" that you won't even need.
GL
Exactly, my problem is I dont know what the beels and whistles are. I understand from a software standpoint, but from a hardware standpoint I am lost. Processors, ram, and all that other shit is kinda lost on me:facepalm:
Which one:shrug:
Why do you feel macs are better. Dont mind getting a mac if its better.
Sorry for my ignorance guys, but I dont want to pay 500 for another piece of shit that I have to replace in 2 years, but I dont want to pay 1500 for way to much laptop. I guess what I should have asked is what is most important in a laptop from a hardware standpoint, processor, ram, or all the other shit I dont understand.
we have both mac & PC computers & laptops never had an issue with the mac's (EVER)to me a mac is just hands down the best computer out there in every way & I'm a PC guy:mj07:
dell will give u the most bang for ur buck but they are cheap ass computer
my first laptop was a toshiba I liked it
dell will give u the most bang for ur buck but they are cheap ass computer
my first laptop was a toshiba I liked it
UGA,
I'm far from a computer expert, so I'm sure there are others on here who will be able to explain the "bells and whistles" better than I can. I just meant don't overspend for all the "upgrades" that they have on computers (as far as RAM, processor speed, etc.) because it sounds like you won't need them. And it seems like a lot of the companies have packages like "Media Package" or some other marketing phrase they put on a certain model, which will undoubtedly cost more and not be something that you need based on your usage.
My Dell laptop was $500 and I've had it for 4 years. I have a friend who has had her Dell for 5 years, and it was probably similarly priced. Like I said before, there are better brands out there than Dell, but if you're looking for a "no frills" type of laptop I think they are cost-effective.
EDIT -- I forgot to add that I use my computer pretty much the exact same way you use yours. I use the Internet, Excel and Word, and that's it.
I'm far from a computer expert, so I'm sure there are others on here who will be able to explain the "bells and whistles" better than I can. I just meant don't overspend for all the "upgrades" that they have on computers (as far as RAM, processor speed, etc.) because it sounds like you won't need them. And it seems like a lot of the companies have packages like "Media Package" or some other marketing phrase they put on a certain model, which will undoubtedly cost more and not be something that you need based on your usage.
My Dell laptop was $500 and I've had it for 4 years. I have a friend who has had her Dell for 5 years, and it was probably similarly priced. Like I said before, there are better brands out there than Dell, but if you're looking for a "no frills" type of laptop I think they are cost-effective.
EDIT -- I forgot to add that I use my computer pretty much the exact same way you use yours. I use the Internet, Excel and Word, and that's it.
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One other thing UGA... a lot of people prefer Macs because they are definitely more secure than PCs. Most viruses are written for PCs because a lot more people own PCs than Macs. So viruses are very rare for Macs, but they aren't unheard of.
I've considered buying a Mac in the past but, based on what I use my laptop for, I just can't rationalize spending 2-3x the money on a Mac when I can get the same thing from a PC. The added security of a Mac is a benefit, no doubt, but it's not worth that much extra cost for me.
I've considered buying a Mac in the past but, based on what I use my laptop for, I just can't rationalize spending 2-3x the money on a Mac when I can get the same thing from a PC. The added security of a Mac is a benefit, no doubt, but it's not worth that much extra cost for me.
Shit - I am late on this one -
Get a MAC
Yeah - but seriously - get one and forget about viruses and shitty operating systems.
It doesn't get easier or simpler than a MAC - PLEASE GET ONE!
Get a MAC
Yeah - but seriously - get one and forget about viruses and shitty operating systems.
It doesn't get easier or simpler than a MAC - PLEASE GET ONE!
I hear ya, and I believe you when say they are better but unless I am missing something the 15 inch starts around $1800:shrug: I cant justify paying that for what I use the computer for. From what I have seen and read I guess I will look for a one with an intel core i3 with about 3 gb of memory.
Does anyone see anything wrong with these specs for $650?
Inspiron 17R
Date 7/18/2010 8:14:45 PM Central Standard Time
Catalog Number 29 Retail 19
Catalog Number / Description Product Code Qty SKU Id
System Color:
Mars Black BLACK 1 [313-9519] 10
Processor:
New 2010 Intel? Core? i3-350M 2.26Gh (4 Threads, 3M Cache) ARN350 1 [317-3882] 2
Operating System:
Genuine Windows? 7 Home Premium, 64bit W7HP64E 1 [330-6222][330-8107][420-3279][420-6436][420-6576][420-7938][420-9100][420-9352][420-9691][420-9876][421-0092][421-0187][421-0356][421-0427][421-0757][421-1193][421-2086][463-2282] 11
Inspiron 17:
Inspiron 17R AN7FT10 1 [224-9013] 1
Memory:
4GB Shared Dual Channel DDR3 4GB2D 1 [317-3888] 3
Hard Drive:
320G 5400RPM 320GB54 1 [342-1096] 8
CD ROM/DVD ROM:
8X CD/DVD Burner (Dual Layer DVD+/-R Drive) - w/ Roxio Burn 1.0 8XDVDRW 1 [313-9524][420-8183] 16
Battery:
Lithium Ion Battery (6-Cell) ? Up to 3 hours, 37 minutes of battery life* 6BAT 1 [312-0246] 27
Video Card:
Intel? HD Graphics UMAUS 1 [320-1365] 6
LCD Panel:
17.3" HD+ (1600 x 900) WLED Display with TrueLife? WLED17 1 [320-1361] 5
Sound:
HD Audio 2.0 Support SRS? Premium Sound with Subwoofer IS 1 [313-4783] 17
Wireless:
Dell Wireless DW1501, 802.11 g/n 1x1 Half Mini Card DW1501U 1 [430-0761] 19
Camera:
Integrated 1.3M Pixel Webcam DCAM 1 [313-9523][421-1009] 21
Network Card:
Integrated 10/100 Network Card INTNIC 1 [430-3605] 13
Adobe Reader:
Adobe? Acrobat? Reader 9.0 ADOBER 1 [410-1883] 15
Bluetooth:
Dell Wireless 365 Internal Bluetooth (V2.1 + EDR) DW365 1 [430-3879] 606
Service:
1 Year Basic Service Plan S1OS 1 [412-0360][909-1043][909-1583][950-3337][950-9797][960-2780] 29
Bundle:
Microsoft? Office Starter 2010 ISTART 1 [410-0487] 22
Anti-Virus Software:
McAfee SecurityCenter, 15-Months FTM1115 1 [410-2488] 25
Service 1:
Dell Online Backup 2GB for 1 year DOB2GB 1 [420-9518][988-0099][988-7707] 34
Support:
1Yr LoJack for Laptops Theft Protection DHSLJ1 1 [420-8655][467-7771][991-1179] 33
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I have had HP and Dell and my HP is a lot better machine and I got if for like $298.......Reg $549
Unbelievable to me how good of a Pc its been for that price........at $298 I didnt care if it blew up after a yr and a half:00hour
I got it when Wal-Mart was running a special.....
Unbelievable to me how good of a Pc its been for that price........at $298 I didnt care if it blew up after a yr and a half:00hour
I got it when Wal-Mart was running a special.....
HP is the shit had mine for a while and will have it much longer :00hour :0074
