Help selecting a lap-top

PineRidge · Mar 19, 2006

My wife said she finally outgrew her present lap-top computer that I threw together for her some years back (see picture). BTW: The lemon is the flux capacitor....

Seriously, we have never owned a lap-top period so we really have nothing to compare to. I hate just walking in Best Buy and asking what would be best for our needs since they'll most probably sell us whatever it is that they make the most buck on.

Our needs are that the lap-top will be used so that we can access the Internet wireless. I don't see using it to do any heavy duty graphics but it should be relatively fast in processor speed and have a good size screen since my eyesight isn't as good as it was when I was 20. This computer will be used by the wife most of the time, however a pink puter is out of the question. /forums/images/graemlins/mad.gif

Please make some recommendations.

sneaky_pete · Mar 19, 2006

I'm no expert, but for the last six years I've used two different lap-tops as my only computer for my own business. They get used a lot, transported to client's offices regularly, and generally used heavily. They were both high-end models when purchased new. The first one was an HP, and the one I'm using now is a Dell. The HP is still in use as a home computer, but with an external monitor (the back light on the lap-top screen finally gave up the ghost). I definitely got my money's worth out of it (5+ years service life). Of the two, I like the Dell the best though.

For what you want, probably one of the lower-end models would do fine. Most new ones have the latest speed of processors anyway, and I'd be surprised if you couldn't get a wireless card for the cheapest one. If it was me, I'd check the Dell website every week; they run different sales all the time.

The displays on all lap-tops have improved over time. Pick the largest screen you can afford, or you can always buy an external flat-screen monitor as big as you want for a little extra money.

Good luck in any event.

RonR · Mar 19, 2006

Weight & keyboard size were important to me.

Yrs ago, I used a toshiba small one on biz trips. I found I couldn't type too goodly due to the size. A while later, I bought a toshiba that was larger sized.

Now son & I each have a 2-3 yr old toshiba. They're fast, and we've not had trouble with them. Great monitors.

If you are going to use it, check for keyboard size.

Some of the new ones don't have floppy drives, but you can use USB flash drives. I think most have touch mouse deals, which I don't like. I carry an optical mouse, so you can run it on any surface.

Enjoy!

ron

anojones · Mar 19, 2006

I agree with looking at Dell- keep an eye on their site and look at their offerings. I would purchase one with an internal wireless card since you know you are using it for that (frees up the pc card slot and nothing sticking out of the computer). The other thing to think about is weight- if you're going to be hauling it around a lot, lighter is of course better. I have a low end Dell laptop- if I were to do it again I would have purchased more at that time. I would have gotten away from the Celeron processor and gotten a bit more RAM. Keep in mind that a Pentium M with a lower clock speed is faster than a Celeron with higher clock speed- don't be fooled by numbers alone and get at least 512 MB of RAM.

ronjhall · Mar 19, 2006

Before I retired the company supplied me with a Dell computer. It was almost bullet proof. Considering I hauled it into Auto plants everyday. After retirement I purchased a Compaq from HP. It has a 15.4 wide screen. They now offer a 17" that is nice. These computer are large and heavy compared to a 14".
I bought it off the Internet. You get a lot more from the Internet sites than you will ever get at Best Buy and their competitors.
Here is HPs site. Click Here
Here is Dells site. Click Here
If I was doing it again I would get a 14.1 inch WXGA, Intel® Pentium® M Processor, Wireless built in, 1 gig memory, CD/DVD reader/Burner, 80 gig HD, at least 3 USB ports, and as big a battery as offered. If you are going to travel then get a charger/power supply that will work on more than 120 volt AC. I got a new MS laser wireless mouse for my notebook. It is nice. Some notebooks have them built in.
Good luck in your search. I'm sure others will have other suggestions.

EddieWalker · Mar 19, 2006

I was like you when it came to buying a laptop. I wanted one for the ability to transport it and have access to my files while on the road. I bought a Dell a few years ago and became a Dell fan after that. I also realized I hate lap tops!!!

The small keyboard hurts my wrists to type on. I like a nice large, angled keypad. Add a good keypad to it. Next the finger tip thingy to control the mouse really sucked. Add a regular mouse to it. Last, the monitor wasn't large, nor bright enough, so I used a normal 17 inch monitor.

Now the real kicker was that I never took it anywhere with me. Just left it there. So for me, it was a mistake. I gave it away and went back to a normal home machine.

If you don't have any experience using a laptop, I'd think you really should see if it's for you before buying one.

Good luck,
Eddie

Bird · Mar 19, 2006

Our daughter has once of those curved keyboards. I'm not sure I could ever get used to that. Maybe I'm too old to change, but I'll take my old fashioned keyboard over that thing anytime.

JDgreen227 · Mar 19, 2006

I'm composing this on my one year old Toshiba M35X laptop, it has the 1.5ghz Centrino processor, 15.4 inch screen, 512 mb Ram, 60gb hard drive. We love the large keyboard and 3 hour battery life, the only drawback is it's on the heavy side and the HD spins at only 4200 rpm.

Although both of my desktops are Dell, Toshiba has a better reliability record for laptops. Whatever brand one buys, get a minimum of 512 mb of Ram, and a minimum of 80gb for the hard drive. Better to buy more than you need in the beginning as it's cheaper that way than to upgrade later on.

I've had zero problems with my laptop, and the only thing I would like to add to it is a bigger battery, but that wasn't an option. The touchpad has been disabled and I use an external wired compact mouse. Circuit City is currently selling an identical model on closeout for $749.99 after all the rebates, and I think that's a bargain price for a great machine.

cp1969 · Mar 19, 2006

I bought a Mac iBook for my daughter last January. They are a little more than Windows based laptops (it cost $1199 with a multi-function printer) but is very nice.

texbaylea · Mar 19, 2006

I bought a Toshiba Satellite almost 3 years ago. It is the only thing I have purchased an extended warranty on but Laptops are generally handled rougher by their very nature. That was worth while; Had a juvenile failure of the system board within 2 months (not uncommon with electronics), called the service line. They sent me a box, with prepaid return, in and back in 10 days. Last month the AC adapter connection became erratic, same deal but this time it took 13 days because of the way the weekends fell.

Never the less I am satisfied with with this machine. Since I keep a parallel desk top it was no big deal to have it gone for those few days. I am running Windows 2000 Pro and I find that the 512mb of memory is really not enough the way I operate so I am going to double it.

Looking at the current ads I see a lot of practical machines for less than $1000. A note here, I have noticed that over the years that computers one step back from the top of the line were about $2000. Capabilites increased over the years but that price point has held.

Vernon

P.S. I started in microcomputers in the S-100/CPM days. How many TBNers know what those were? /forums/images/graemlins/cool.gif /forums/images/graemlins/confused.gif