Getting a lap(top) dance

[Bella]

I'm looking at getting a laptop, and I need advice on either what to buy, or what to look for while I'm looking to buy. Originally I was going to buy an iBook simply because I like Macs beter than PCs, but the cheapest Mac is about $1000+ and I've been told I could find a PC for half that price, if I knew what to look for.

Here's a list of my uses and needs:

Microsoft Office (or something comparable)
Internet access (preferably with wireless capabilities)
Decent memory (I have chef-related software to install on it)
Sturdy (I have a tendency to drop things)



I'm not a gamer, so I don't need a big screen, and I don't really need to watch DVDs, so I don't need a DVD drive. What would you suggest?

[livius drusus]

How much do you intend to carry it around? Weight is a big issue with laptop pricing.

[ceptimus]

I advise going to a big retail store that sells laptops, but don't take any money or plastic with you. Try the laptops out, write down the prices, decide which ones you like. Remember you'll probably want to buy a carrying case too, so price those up as well.

Then look on-line for the laptops you liked. You'll get one cheaper that way (probably).

[livius drusus]

Excellent suggestion, cep. I'd add to look at refurbished laptops from reputable sites. Even buying an extended warranty the savings can be dramatic.

[inland wave]

Bree,

I have been looking at laptops myself and have my eye on this one from dell.
It is an Inspiron 2200 regular price 1369.00 it is on sale for 849.00.
Intel Pentuim M Processor 725 (1.6 GHz/2MB Cache/400MHz FSB), 512MV Shared DDR SD RAM, @DIMMS, Hard drive 60GB Ultra ATA HardDrive, 24xCD burner/DVDcombo drive, internal wireless connection. I will probably order it tonight. the screen size is 15.0. The family wants to be on the computer at home at the same time. So I think this will help with that situtation. So what do you guys think?

[livius drusus]

That sounds like a good buy, inland wave, a great buy for an internet/standard office applications laptop. Do you play any games?

[inland wave]

I just play little stuff on line, I don't download anything. That is usually with my work computer though, while I am waiting between processes. On the one I am thinking about purchasing, if I don't download games, would I still need more power?

[inland wave]

I guess it would be more hard drive and memory, not so much needing processing power. I have looked into refurbished computers and I found them to be higher in price than actually buying a new one.

[livius drusus]

Oh, I think you're fine processor and RAMwise. If you were going to play 3D games, then I'd ask what kind of graphics card is in the laptop, but assuming you stick with your standard usage then whatever card comes with it will be more than fine, I'm sure.

[inland wave]

Thanks, for the headsup, Liv.
Bree good-luck with your computer shopping!

[Bella]

How much do you intend to carry it around? Weight is a big issue with laptop pricing.
It's not that big of an issue; I intend on carrying it around about 50% of the time (especially to go use the Internet at places where wireless access is free) but I don't mind it being a bit heavy. 5-7 pounds is no big deal to me.

[livius drusus]

There are a number of heavy (8-11 lb) laptops out there right now marketed as desktop replacements. They're way too hefty for your needs, though. I just wanted to be sure.

I think your best bet is to hit the Dell Outlet. There are a bunch of Inspiron 600m models (http://outlet.us.dell.com/Dispatcher?target=InventoryPage&action=filter&lob=INSP&unique=1112237461078&sessionID=CLbw8EJF!-589512951!-921357046!1112234928580&tgtSeg=I) for under a thousand (System Identifier DDB8ZMHX for $858 would be my choice as it covers everything on your wish list and is a really nice system) and a small army of other Inspiron models (http://outlet.us.dell.com/Dispatcher?target=InventoryPage&action=page&pageNo=1&lob=INSP&sessionID=CLbw8EJF!-589512951!-921357046!1112234928580&tgtSeg=I) under $750 if you need to compromise a little (the Inspiron 5160 System Identifier E679YVA7 for $714 is as close to perfect for you as it gets at that price range).

Whatever you pick, I would suggest you stick with 512 RAM; if you have the choice of a 40GB hard drive at 5400 RPM, and a 60GB at 4200 RPM, take the smaller but faster one; Pentium is better than Celeron.

[seebs]

I am not a huge Dell fan after watching a few friends get shafted.

Also... Cheap laptops aren't worth it. :) I'm using a two and a half year old laptop that I spent $4k on as my primary workstation for nearly everything. But then, I'm crazy.

[Celsus]

I've been on laptops for 6 years now. I just bought my third, a Fujitsu S6230 (http://asia.cnet.com/reviews/hardware/notebooks/0,39001743,39079944p,00.htm) at about SGD1000 under the market price (got it for about SGD 2600 using my brother's university-student discount, upgraded its RAM, weighs 1.7 kg), and it came bundled with Studio MX, which I would have to buy for another SGD 400 since I'm heavily web-oriented these days. I don't know how well-known Fujitsu is in the US (or their support), but their Lifebooks are really reliable. My dad's 4 or 5 year-old lifebook is still going strong (PIII500 I think) last I saw, and has seen action in Thailand, Ghana, Niger, and England. They're a bit more expensive though. If you were in Asia, the cheap brands (Asus, particularly--they actually make motherboards for many mainstream computer brands) actually have decent support, and are quite reliable. I don't trust Dell because where the various ports are located actually makes a difference to me, and I don't trust a computer I can't see personally before buying. Even then, my one gripe with my new laptop is that I have to press Fn+PgDn to get End, which is extremely annoying to me for some reason. The other keyboard layout changes I can get used to.

You really should get a Centrino 1GHz processor at a minimum (Centrino processors are faster than their equivalent clock speeds on normal Pentiums, plus they don't drain the batteries as quickly), plus new ones with wireless connectivity should all be Centrinos. It should definitely have a possibility for upgrading the RAM, as this extends your laptop life considerably (I've gone through both my old laptops in 3 years, but most would last longer than that if I weren't such a heavy user). Bundling with Windows XP Pro also appears to make a visible difference with regards to networking, but the extra ease may not be worth the extra cost (Windows XP home will probably do). Most laptops come with an integrated graphics chip (usually 64MB) that will suit most gaming needs, though you may have difficulties playing Doom 3 or other heavily 3D games (I can play Counter-strike just fine, even on my old laptop, which is all that matters). Getting a proper graphics card will rule out the very light/small laptops. Assuming the American city you are living in is not decades behind on the technology front, you might actually be able to log on to other people's wireless connections in your own block if they don't password-protect their service--I can: there are 2 different wireless networks I can get access to from my bedroom, and 2 more elsewhere in the apartment, it's great. Tough luck if you live in a house). If I actually intend heavy usage, I just plug into my actual broadband. Plus, I get to sit at Starbucks, surf web forums, and look bourgeois. :P

Joel

[livius drusus]

I am not a huge Dell fan after watching a few friends get shafted.

I've heard shaft stories and I've heard glowing reviews. It's just the breaks, I suspect.

Also... Cheap laptops aren't worth it. :) I'm using a two and a half year old laptop that I spent $4k on as my primary workstation for nearly everything. But then, I'm crazy.

Yes, yes you are. :yup: Bree needs a laptop and she doesn't have 4K to spend, so that means cheap is the only way to go.