| 2/25/2008 3:03:53 PM |
looking for advice on buying a laptop |
|
mariposa97
Albuquerque, NM
age: 29
|
hi there,
i'm a total moron when it comes to computers. ok well not totally but when i need to buy one I am lost in the jargen and all the specs. Can anyone please tell me about the best brands, why they are good, why they would work for me. Keep in mind that I'm not wanting to spend a lot of money. I just want something to play around with (i.e. internet, games, maybe watch a dvd)
Any advice is great!
|
| 2/25/2008 10:53:43 PM |
looking for advice on buying a laptop |
|
robot690
Las Cruces, NM
age: 22
|
HI!
I saw your thread on the NM chatroom, so I was checkin out your webpage and came across this particular thread. After all of that here is my answer.
I personally like HP the best, their customer service has always been nice to me. their laptops and desktops are moderately priced and can be fully customized however you want. As always remember top of the line cost way more. middle of the road is the best way to go. The only problem is new computers ship with vista which is something I hate.(its a personal thing.) You didn't mention if you wanted a laptop of desktop but if you would like anymore help please let me know I hope this answers your question.
Oh yeahI forgot to mention why HP over dell and gateway. first off everyone I know that has a dell I land up havng to fix after th warranty expires. Gateway just does not make a durable computer in any sort. if looking at laptops you might want to try toshiba, asus, and Sony. I know they all sound like off brands but if you check out consumer reports you wll see that they always get high ratings and are usually moderatley priced as well. I hear good things about apple but they are in no way cheap. so there you go I hope this helps
Robot690
|
| 2/26/2008 9:17:46 AM |
looking for advice on buying a laptop |
|
mariposa97
Albuquerque, NM
age: 29
|
Thanks, I appreciate your help!
I have a couple of question if you don't mind. First off, I am wanting a laptop.
Nothing extravigant just something I can play around on but I would like it to connect to the internet.
What kind of ram is best?
What are the keywords I need to look for when comparing them?
Would you mind giving me a quick lesson on the jargon used and what it means?
Thanks again,
Rachael
|
| 2/26/2008 9:26:48 AM |
looking for advice on buying a laptop |
|
chuckyk
Portland, OR
age: 60
|
Hi Mariposa,
Unless you are planning on playing high end action games, playing some of online role playing games, or using Adobe Photoshop for photo editing, Robot is right, a middle of the road will fine.
Do not buy a machine that uses a Intel Celeron, AMD Sempron processor or VIA processor these are underpowered good only for email and web surfing.
Make sure that the processor is specifically a laptop processor. There are still laptops out there that use a desktop processor and they run very hot. Heat is a killer for computers.
Get 2 gigbytes of RAM, and the biggest hard drive you can afford, Vista operates better on 2 gb.
If you are planning on carrying the laptop around with you, I recommend you get the extended warranty. If it's just going to sit on a desk all the time, and you're going to be the only user, don't bother.
Just be aware that store bought computers do not come with Microsoft Office (Word, Excel, PowerPoint), if you buy direct from the manufacturer you can have these preloaded (of course it will cost you more).
Last, you will want to get a mouse, touchpads are totally annoying
Hope this helps
Chuck
edited for clarity
[Edited 2/26/2008 9:38:21 AM]
|
| 2/26/2008 9:39:19 AM |
looking for advice on buying a laptop |
|
robot690
Las Cruces, NM
age: 22
|
Sure!
here are some words:
RAM: random access memory, this is what makes your pc fast. The benchmark is 1GB (gigabyte) this is alot for XP but is recommended for Vista. I recommend 2GB its not much more and ensures your pc won't be obsolete in two years.
HD: Harddrive, this is where all of your information is stored. I recommend at least an 80GB harddrive to store things like movies and pictures and so on. speed here is a factor too. Most drives are 5800rpm but if you can a 7200rpm you'll be much happier.
Videocard: this is card that makes all the pretty pictures you like on computer possible, for someone like you this isn't a real concern because I highly doubt your gonna be playing World of Warcraft or call of duty 4 but if you are Nvidia 8800GTX is the only way to go.
Screen Resolution: this is important to watch things like movies and so on. basiclly screen resolution is how many pixels(dots) are in your monitor. 1024X768 is the absolute minimum. Personally I'm running 1680x1050 lets just say High def is a step dow for my computer.
Other things to consider are security features I have a fingerprint reader on mine. Is it needed no but its rally cool. DVD player. Bluray is the way of the future, something else to look at of course it will cost more. DVD writer vs. DVD rom do you want to make movies? then you need a writer, just going to watch and never make anything on DVD then a rom will be just fine.
A good laptop fromthe brands I recommended earlier should run anywhere from $700 to $1100. Remember that laptops should cost more. they are built different than desktops. if you want to save money a comprable desktop should cost $500 to $900.
I know this is alot of info for a first timer but I hope it helps. Remember there is software you going to need. Being online at all means the threat of virus' I recommend either Norton or Mcaffe. just make sure to use them once a week or more. does this help?
|
| 2/26/2008 9:43:41 AM |
looking for advice on buying a laptop |
|
robot690
Las Cruces, NM
age: 22
|
I totally spaced of processors. AMd and Intel have always been at war. I'm an intel guy so naturally I got to recommend intel. not that AMD doesn't make good processor they just cost more. in a laptop a core2 duo is a MUST if your work computer uses a pentium4 this will be twice as fast at least processors are measured in Giga hertz (GHZ) 2.0GHz might be a little much for you but if you can get close to that you will be pretty happy.
|
| 2/26/2008 9:45:12 AM |
looking for advice on buying a laptop |
|
mariposa97
Albuquerque, NM
age: 29
|
Wow!!! Thanks a bunch. That did help a ton!
Thanks again.
|
| 2/26/2008 5:28:10 PM |
looking for advice on buying a laptop |
|
weltel50
Mount Pocono, PA
age: 51
|
,m with robot i bbought a pv 6000 around $750 w tax free shipping 2gh from hp /////dell sucks gateway was sold off to some other company.
|
| 2/27/2008 10:36:24 AM |
looking for advice on buying a laptop |
|
winesong
Bend, OR
age: 60
|
I have owned 5 laptops, over the past 15 years, including a SONY.
My TOSHIBA 17" wide screen, is by far the clearest screen, that I have owned.
Sony and TOSHIBA use the same technology for the screen that looks like glass,
very clear resolutions. Some models have features that are viewed in sunlight, or bright light, better than other brands also.
Battery life is another consideration. Be sure to ask how much run time, and stand by time each battery/laptop offers. How do you PLAN to use your laptop...Travel? you need longer battery life...
on your deck, or in the kitchen or bedroom, you can use the AC plug in to wall power.
May I suggest that you go to a Circuit City, Best Buy, Costco or other large store and look at the screens in person. You will really see for yourself which screen presents the best picture to YOUR EYE. You will see if you want 15" or 17" wide screen.
(larger screen is heavier)
I (we) can help you with discount shopping, for the best price when you are ready, after you have shopped in person. You can find the same model on the internet at greatly reduced price, with price comparison charts, for the various brands.
Wine
[Edited 2/27/2008 10:37:12 AM]
|
| 2/27/2008 4:20:41 PM |
looking for advice on buying a laptop |
|
alex_192
Sarasota, FL
age: 55 online now!
|
winesong
I (we) can help you with discount shopping
are you using a dating site to promote your bussines?
|
| 2/28/2008 5:50:23 AM |
looking for advice on buying a laptop |
|
marc2b4
Michigan, ND
age: 46
|
I you want to be a hassle free computer, go to www.apple.com/store and buy a MacBook. It comes with all the software you need to be up and running in no time. It doesn't get the viruses or spyware that plague PCs, and best of all, it just works. I"ve used them all through the years, and nothing comes close to a Mac. This was done on a MacBook Pro. Best laptop I've ever owned.
M
|
| 2/28/2008 7:36:09 AM |
looking for advice on buying a laptop |
|
winesong
Bend, OR
age: 60
|
Alex,
THE *WE*, was the DH group,within this forum. We have many people on DH that
have expertise. WE have some technicians within this group that can get discounts.
I do not own a shopping business...however I am a savvy shopper...
saving money and purchasing a reliable item go hand in hand...
some of us have experience in shopping...and we have helped other people
obtain their product of choice, with resources.
Wine
[Edited 2/28/2008 7:38:20 AM]
|
| 2/28/2008 8:31:55 AM |
looking for advice on buying a laptop |
|
robot690
Las Cruces, NM
age: 22
|
NEVER buy a mac. yeah they look cool but they are overpriced and you need so much other stuff just to run office its a waste of money.
|
| 2/28/2008 2:31:02 PM |
looking for advice on buying a laptop |
|
marc2b4
Michigan, ND
age: 46
|
Son, I don't run Office, I don't have anything made by Microsoft, it's my personal choice. As to having to add things, what planet are you from?
|
| 2/28/2008 4:39:06 PM |
looking for advice on buying a laptop |
|
robot690
Las Cruces, NM
age: 22
|
I'm from the planet where PC's are made. If you read the orignal post from mariposa you would see that she asked for a cheap computer. so here is my question are macs cheap? and do you or don't you need an emulator to run office programs.
Look just because you feel like a non conformist for buying apple and sticking it to the "microsoft man" you are just buying a name and a linux based software package named after some exotic animal.
Top uses for a Mac:
Litter box
Doorstop
Paperweight
Anchor
Booster seat for the kids
Free-AOL-disk ruiner
Space heater (Drape some tinsel wire between the power supply and the case)
Window plant-box
use the hard drive to prop up that wobbly table leg
Newton's Law demonstrations
Assault weapon
Build an impermeable snow fort!
Lets people know you have a sense of humor
Fun with explosives
The sound the printer makes causes every dog in the neighborhood to start barking at once.
Good for throwing through windows
In case the bar stool breaks you have something hard to sit on
Garage sale week-Put a Mac in front of any competing neighbor's house. It will greatly reduce the number of people who stop at his sale
[Edited 2/28/2008 4:54:09 PM]
|