HELP me! I'm buying a new laptop!

[gogreenspartans]

Hi all! Hope everyone had a great week...

So my home computer is broken I'm actually thinking of replacing it with a laptop, although I don't know much about buying a computer!! I would just use it basically to surf the internet and upload the pics from my digital camera. I want something nice and fast, but also don't want to spend more than $1,000.

What brands do you like? Where should I get it from? Etc.!

HELP!

[tlspiegel]

I really like my Emachine. I don't use it that often, because I'm a dedicated PC user... but if needed it's fast, it's reliable, and it's got a nice wide screen. I got it for $999 at J&R online. Not sure what the costs are now. I bought it about 3 years ago.

[YorkieLover]

My DS (who has a computer/software related business) told me recently:

For a laptop, get a Toshiba ... but wait a little while and Microsoft Vista operating system will be out on them.

If you want to spend the extra money, you can get a seperate flat LCD screen (for easier viewing) and cordless keyboard and mouse. I got mine from Costco.

And, FYI, he told me to get an HP laser printer - the cartridge seems to last a long time, and the newer ones don't have a warm-up period.

He told me to go to Circuit City when I'm ready to get a laptop. When I am ready, I'm going to get a laptop with mega memory and hard drive, otherwise you're outdated too fast.

[runner100]

Go Apple! Once you do, and you get used to it, you will be glad you did. I am, and that was a good 6 years ago.

[firetiger888]

If your home computer is broken and not too old (more than 5 years is old), you should obiously find out how it is broken. Some computer parts for old computers are really cheap and you might be able to use your old computer again by investing only few dollars. If you don't know much about computers, ask some of your relatives or friends to look at it.

When you are buying a new computer/laptop, don't blindly trust in the brand. The thing that really matters are the parts that the computer holds inside (processor, RAM-memory, graphic-prosessor, motherboard, etc). Even the so called "best brand computers" have bad cheap models made with bad parts. If you don't have a clue of what to get, I suggest you visit a computer store and tell the seller what kind of computer you are looking for. For 1000$ you get atleast average laptop, so there is plenty to choce from.

[katlnhats]

Hi,
Have you (if money is a concern..), considered a refurbished computer? Mark and I both have refurbished Dells and though I just had the hard drive replaced in mine, it was done with no cost to me and they're laptops and we paid about 300+ for each. Just a thought...

Kat

[myscript22]

I just got a sony vaio for christmas...its so nice, it has a duo processer and a 13.1" screen, and is sooo light weight. it was a little more than you want to spend, i think we got it on sale for 1249.00. But i love it, sony is such a great product

[cheryllynn0472]

Ok, I have A LOT to say on this subject. My 1st suggestion is to wait until after Christmas sales start, take this time to educate yourself on the vocab. of computers. I was a dedicated Dell user for years, then I spent about $1300 on a very high speed laptop less than a year ago, and had to send it back after about three months of haggling w/Dell 1st and I had a warranty. I still stand behind Dell for their desktops, I have one that is over 5 years old and we have had to replace the hard drive (average life is 2-3 yrs) it ran and still runs like a top.
Dell customer service was recently allocated approx. 15 billion dollars to improve their customer service and so I hope it will get better, because the truth for me at least, is it could not get much worse. I have to hold forever only to reach someone in India who is very difficult to understand, then takes even more of my time to diagnose the problem I already diagnosed myself before calling in, and they are very quick to blame your anti-virus program (whatever it may be) and not very good at follow up.
I wish I had not bought a laptop, or at least not gone wireless, it has it's own set of issues, but that choice is up to you. If you don't NEED to take your computer with you, get a desktop-they are less expensive, they last longer, replacement parts are less expensive and they run faster (pretty much).
Here is an article from the Tech. reporter for the Baltimore Sun Newspaper, he really explains what all the language means so you can be an educated consumer.

*****my best advice no matter what you buy, is to purchase as complete and long of a warranty as possible, and the same for your antivirus and keep it up to date****


Good Luck, happy holidays

Mike Himowitz
published Dec 7, 2006

Mike Himowitz

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------


If Christmas were six weeks later this year, my annual how-to-buy-a-computer column would be a lot easier to write.

That's because every PC on the shelves right now uses a version of Microsoft Windows that will be gone by Jan. 30, when Microsoft releases Vista - the latest update to its flagship operating system.

Normally, I'd advise readers to wait till the new version of Windows comes out. But 'tis the season, and some shoppers need a PC right now. Still others think this is a great time to pick up a bargain computer as retailers sell off their inventory of perfectly good machines running Windows XP or Media Center Edition - both of which are debugged and reliable.

And prices are down. During the week after Thanksgiving, the average laptop sold for $708, down 17.3 percent from last year, according to Current Analysis Inc. The average desktop sold for $464, down 5.9 percent.

With those figures in mind, here's my annual, component-by-component guide to buying a PC.

Vista compatibility: Many manufacturers are offering free or low-cost Vista upgrades to holiday season buyers. If you think there's a chance of upgrading to Windows Vista, make sure the PC is labeled as Vista-ready. And make sure it's ready for the version of Vista (basic or premium) that you expect to buy.

Processor: Also known as the central processing unit, or CPU, this is the heart of any PC - the chip that does the real computing. Intel is the biggest supplier, but many consumer PCs use chips from Advanced Micro Devices (AMD). They'll all run the same software. Within a brand, the main differences involve the model designator and speed, measured in billions of cycles per second, or gigahertz (GHz). Faster is better.

You find more than normal variation this year as Intel shifts to a new line of chips called Core 2 Duo and manufacturers dump older models. Dual core machines split processing chores between two processor cores - a tactic that accelerates multitasking.

Older Intel desktop models may still use the Pentium 4, while laptops use the Pentium M, or first-generation Core Duo chips. Low- end machines will have Intel Celeron chips - a bargain-basement version of the P4.

At the top of the line for AMD are the company's Turion and Athlon 64 X2 processors, which also have dual cores. For the time being, Intel's fastest are a little faster than AMD's fastest, which matters if you're calculating hyperspace travel routes or playing high-end shoot'em-ups.

For high-end gaming, video editing and Vista Premium upgrade capability, stick with an Intel Core 2 Duo or high-end AMD chip. For basic computing under Windows XP, virtually any processor will do.

Internal memory: Also known as Random Access Memory, or RAM, these chips store programs and data when the PC is running. The more RAM, the faster and more reliably your PC will run. In fact, adding memory is often better than buying a slightly faster processor. The store can install additional memory before you leave - often for the cost of the chips alone.

Memory is measured in megabytes (millions of bytes or MB) and gigabytes (GB). For Windows XP, 512 megabytes of memory will usually suffice, although a gigabyte is better. For Vista, Microsoft has upped the ante to at least a gigabyte, and the wise guys I know are urging 2 GB for Vista Premium. This will bump up PC prices.

Hard drive storage: Your hard drive stores programs and data permanently and shuttles information back and forth from your computer's memory when it is needed. Capacity is measured in gigabytes, or billions of bytes.

Hard disks are so cheap that it hardly pays to economize here. In fact, few consumer desktop machines come with less than 80 GB, with most in the 160 to 200 GB range. Laptop makers are a bit stingier, typically providing 60 to 100 GB.

The only reason you'll ever need more than 150 GB is if you want to store lots of video. In that case, buy a computer with a drive in the 200 to 400 GB range. If you want still more space, external hard drives that attach to a USB port start at $150 for 300 gigs. They're good buys.

Video: This is where future Vista capability may require a decision now. The video adapter determines what you see on the screen. For basic, pre-Vista computing - which means anything less arduous than high-end gaming - the Intel-based video adapters in most entry and mid- level PCs are just fine.

However, to enjoy gaming or savor the fancy graphics of Vista Premium, you'll need a dedicated graphics adapter with its own video memory. Most of these have graphic chip sets from nVidia or ATI, and that will be noted on the sticker.

Vista premium requires at least 128 MB of video memory, but gamers will need even more power and twice that much video RAM. If the desktop machine you like doesn't have enough video horsepower, you can buy a plug-in video card after the fact. But with laptops, shop carefully now - you're pretty much stuck with what you get.

Optical disk: With the exception of lightweight laptops, all PCs have some form of CD or DVD drive. If nothing else, you'll need one to load commercially sold programs and back up your data. If you can, get a machine with a DVD-RW drive, which can play and record DVD movies as well as music and data. If you don't care about making DVDs, look for a computer that plays DVD movies but only records on standard CDs.

Monitor/laptop screen: For desktops, a 17-inch, flat-panel liquid crystal display (LCD) will do fine, although aging eyes will appreciate a 19-inch model.

If you're looking at laptops, choose a 14-inch or smaller screen only if weight and portability are paramount. A 15-inch screen is much more comfortable. Widescreen laptops are good for movies but I don't think they're worth the additional bulk.

Be wary of high-gloss, super-high contrast screens. They display movies well but produce too much glare for workday applications.

Audio: The PC is now the entertainment center of choice for many young people, so most have acceptable audio playback circuitry built in.

Musicians and gamers who want better control of 3D sound and superior recording power should look for a high-end sound card from Creative Labs or Voyetra Turtle Beach. You won't find these on most off-the-shelf, entry-level machines, but most PCs can easily be upgraded with a new sound card.

Whatever the computer's capabilities, the speakers bundled with most PCs are awful. A decent set of speakers will turn the system into a joy for music lovers - money well spent.

Good three-piece systems (two desktop satellite speakers and a bass subwoofer) will satisfy most musical tastes for $100 to $150. Hard-core gamers and movie buffs may want five- or seven-piece systems that envelop you in sound. Performance varies widely - listen in at the store.

TV: Television tuners are popular accessories, particularly on computers running Windows Media Center Edition. MCE players already have software that will turn a tuner-equipped computer into a Digital Video Recorder, just like a TiVo.

Tuner-equipped PCs running regular Windows XP

[originalthechad]

Go an Acer because most of there machines around $1000 are good specs for what you want to do and most stores carry them. Also warranty is usually 3 year next day pickup

[jezebelus]

I would not recommend apple because the most software companies are making applications for Windows so I would recommend Toshiba Satelite or Fujitsu Siemens.