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Author Topic: Need suggestions on purchase of laptop computer.  (Read 3782 times)

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Offline JohnnyReb

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Need suggestions on purchase of laptop computer.
« on: September 06, 2012, 03:52:41 PM »
Son needs a good computer. He's a senior in high school taking advanced classes and will get some college credits for them. He wants a laptop that is WiFi compatible. Needs to have MS word and powerpoint hopefully already installed.
....and powerful enough and good enough to use for 4 years of college.

Suggestions and approximate cost ranges please.
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Offline Chris_

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Re: Need suggestions on purchase of laptop computer.
« Reply #1 on: September 06, 2012, 04:09:28 PM »
I would definitely buy something with enough memory... at least 4GB and maybe look at upgrading to a solid-state HDD (you would have to invest in an external drive if you didn't want to spend the money on a larger SSD).  A co-worker bought an Acer -- the keyboard is really crappy.  I would not like typing on it for a long period of time.  Also, his came with an enormous (17-inch) screen.  Another coworker has a newer Dell Inspiron.  It's pretty slick and very fast but I'm not sure what the price is.

The ThinkPad is a nice computer despite the abuse they get where I work.  The keyboard and display are comfortable, they're easy to work on, and parts are not expensive.

ThinkPad Edge E530
Intel Core i3 2350M(2.30GHz)
15.6" display
4GB Memory DDR3 1600
500GB HDD
7200rpm DVD±R/RW
Intel HD Graphics 3000
$559
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Offline CactusCarlos

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Re: Need suggestions on purchase of laptop computer.
« Reply #2 on: September 06, 2012, 09:09:36 PM »
I've been using a (work-issued) ThinkPad for a little over a year - I'd buy one.

Stay the hell away from Dell and ASUS.  In the early 90s, I supported Dell's and they were great.  Lately I've heard horror stories about Dell's tech support, and my wife and daughter have ASUS' that didn't last as long as they should have.
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Offline Kyle Ricky

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Re: Need suggestions on purchase of laptop computer.
« Reply #3 on: September 06, 2012, 09:13:03 PM »
For Windows, Toshiba Satellites are really good. Dell used to be one of the best, but in recent years, they went down hill.
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Offline Wineslob

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Re: Need suggestions on purchase of laptop computer.
« Reply #4 on: September 07, 2012, 02:15:57 PM »
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Offline J P Sousa

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Re: Need suggestions on purchase of laptop computer.
« Reply #5 on: September 07, 2012, 03:30:59 PM »
I'm using a Sony laptop and it's working pretty well.

I purposely made sure to get 6 GIG memory. Software companies are always expanding their stuff and computers accumulate a lot of extra files.

MEMORY.  :-)

.
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Offline Kyle Ricky

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Re: Need suggestions on purchase of laptop computer.
« Reply #6 on: September 07, 2012, 03:35:17 PM »
My wife has a Vaio, it is junk. I can't wait to get rid of it and get her a MAC.
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Offline BigTex

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Re: Need suggestions on purchase of laptop computer.
« Reply #7 on: September 07, 2012, 03:47:45 PM »
Quote from: Kyle Ricky on September 07, 2012, 03:35:17 PM
My wife has a Vaio, it is junk. I can't wait to get rid of it and get her a MAC.

well theres your problem
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Offline Zeus

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Re: Need suggestions on purchase of laptop computer.
« Reply #8 on: September 07, 2012, 03:48:36 PM »
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Offline Chris_

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Re: Need suggestions on purchase of laptop computer.
« Reply #9 on: September 07, 2012, 03:56:21 PM »
The Thinkpad T420 I'm using comes with 4GB and should support another 2GB (It currently has two 1GB and a single 2GB chip).  It also comes with a quad-core 2.5Ghz Intel and probably costs less than the previous Thinkpad I mentioned (I didn't notice that one was only a dual-core).

Do a search for lease-return units for used items.  They might have some wear, but they're dirt cheap.
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Offline Chris_

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Re: Need suggestions on purchase of laptop computer.
« Reply #10 on: September 07, 2012, 03:58:01 PM »
Quote from: Zeus on September 07, 2012, 03:48:36 PM
Tiger Direct another good site for computers and such.
I bought my current desktop as a kit from TD.  I'm happy with it and wil probably be upgrading to a new one soon.
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Offline Thor

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Re: Need suggestions on purchase of laptop computer.
« Reply #11 on: September 07, 2012, 08:12:06 PM »
I like Toshiba Satellites. That said, whatever you get, load it up with a good sized hard drive, the best processor you can afford and also as much RAM as you can afford. It will last a long time. I have a Toshiba Satellite that's still alive & kicking, after being 13 years old, albeit slow as molasses nowadays.
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Offline Kyle Ricky

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Re: Need suggestions on purchase of laptop computer.
« Reply #12 on: September 08, 2012, 12:41:04 AM »
Tiger Direct, CompUSA (which is owned by Tiger Direct), and Newegg are the best online stores to get systems and hardware from.
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Offline Thor

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Re: Need suggestions on purchase of laptop computer.
« Reply #13 on: September 08, 2012, 09:38:24 AM »
Another good online store is 3BTech. They're very competitive on their prices, great service, etc. Between them & Newegg is where I get most of my computer stuff. I don't care for Tiger  Direct (Comp USA) as much. TD's shipping & taxes make them a lot more expensive for me.
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"The state must declare the child to be the most precious treasure of the people. As long as the government is perceived as working for the benefit of the children, the people will happily endure almost any curtailment of liberty and almost any deprivation."- IBID

I AM your General Ne'er Do Well, Troublemaker & All Around Meanie!!

"Congress has not unlimited powers to provide for the general welfare, but only those specifically enumerated."-Thomas Jefferson

Offline Kyle Ricky

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Re: Need suggestions on purchase of laptop computer.
« Reply #14 on: September 08, 2012, 12:42:59 PM »
Something else you could do is go to http://www.Fatwallet.com and check out the hot deals section for computers. They usually have some pretty good things happening there.

Here, I gave you a head start:

http://www.fatwallet.com/laptop-deals/

http://www.fatwallet.com/forums/hot-deals/laptop/

:) :) :)
« Last Edit: September 08, 2012, 12:49:01 PM by Kyle Ricky »
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