Laptop

[TCH-Rob]

Hey guys,

 

I am starting back to school in a few weeks and was thinking about getting a laptop to be able to do school work on. I do not need anything that has a great amount of memory and whatnot. Just something for email, notes and regular course work.

 

Anyone know of a good brand that does not cost an arm and a leg?

[abinidi]

What are you willing to give up in terms of quality/features in order to get a lower price? My mom has an e-machines laptop that she really likes, but AFAIK, e-machines isn't known for putting the highest-quality hardware into computers.

 

And I'm guessing you are asking about a Windows machine, and not a mac? B/c my next personal computer will be a mac (my first mac, I might add).

 

Maybe if you tell us more about what you are specifically looking for, we'd be better able to help.

 

Or are you only looking at brands at this point? Are there any brands you simply won't consider?

[cajunman4life]

I picked up my Toshiba brand new on sale for $700. Only had 256MB RAM though, but that was an easy problem to fix

[TCH-Rob]

OK, no MAC needed. Too pricey for me at the moment. Windows based machine is what I am looking for. Bottom of the line is ok for me as e-mail and taking notes is about all I will be doing. My desktop will be my main machine that handles my real work. I just need something inexpensive that I can do school work on, I am not taking courses that require real computing power.

 

With that I will not need much RAM nor hard disk space. As long as it is fast enough to run an office suite of some kind I will be happy. Scalability is not a big issue either because I will donate it to my daughter after I get through school.

[abinidi]

With that I will not need much RAM nor hard disk space.  As long as it is fast enough to run an office suite of some kind I will be happy.  Scalability is not a big issue either because I will donate it to my daughter after I get through school.

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

With that in mind, I'd recommend an eMachines laptop or an Averatec laptop. I was seriously considering a laptop purchase a couple of months ago, and if I'd had the cash at the time, I'd have probably purchased an Averatec (found on Amazon).

 

You might also try to go to your electronics store and see if they have any close outs or floor models that they are wanting to sell.

[TCH-Bruce]

We picked up a Compaq brand new for my folks for $800 after rebates.

[Madmanmcp]

If you have the time look for the model closeouts which occur from time to time. I work down the street from Best Buy and Office Depot and I would make a point to stop by several times a week on my way home. I got my HP zv5000 series for $579. Now the store I found it at was out of stock, but I had them check other stores in the area and found it 7 miles away.

 

These closeouts are not always advertised, so thats why I would stop by to check the sales of the day. They like to clear out inventory before new models arrive.

 

The ones I look for are HP, Compaq, and Emachines...you may find others, I just have had good luck with these brands and everyone may have other opinions. Get what meets your specs and your pocketbook and good luck

[stevevan]

You might want to check out Dell. They have some low-end models without all the bells and whistles for a reasonable price.

[TCH-Rob]

I might look into that Steve, might be good as I will be Dell certified in a few weeks. I have much looking to do. Of course I can always click one of those banner ads you see that gives a free laptop away as I am not getting enough SPAM.

[Madmanmcp]

*TCH-Dick reminds self to watch the Dell bashing

 

Sorry Rob, I've just heard and seen too many problems with Dell lately to recommend them. But I guess its good for job security

[TCH-Bruce]

I have a Dell and had a problem originally to which they wanted to replace the HD but it started working again after I reseated the DVD and I've not had a problem since. That's been over 10 months ago.

[stevevan]

I've had two in the 3-1/2 years I've been with the FAA and haven't had a problem yet. (I'm probably one of the worst abusers of them, too!)

[TCH-Rob]

Bad mouth them all you want. I just know I can fix it without having to call it in is all. Heck, if Yugo made a laptop and it was cheap I would probably get one.

[stevevan]

NOW you're talking MY price range!

[TCH-Don]

All brands have their lemons.

At work we have more than 700 Dells

and only 2-3 had problems.

 

I have my first emachine (cough gateway cough)

 

An am impressed by the quality and performance.

[TCH-Rick]

I've owned three Toshibas and all worked well. Once I had the itch for a new one I passed them down to my daughter and she used them for a while longer with no problems.

 

I also had a Compaq that worked OK but the power connector came unsoldered after the warranty was up. I was able to get it resoldered and it worked fine.

 

I now have an HP ad7000 that I love. I've had it a year and a half or so and never have had a problem with it running XP or Linux.

 

Our school has a contract with Dell and I will get a laptop for use there either in the Fall or when we move into our new school in January. I'm hoping they are reliable since I am the tech contact at school and will have to contact Dell if there are any problems.

[boxturt]

I'm reminded of something else about Dell perhaps worth investigating They offer some pretty decent discounts to students (depending on model and what time of day you hit the site, etc..). Or if you know a school teacher that has a school account that discount can be even better.

 

I've had 2 Dell laptops. One Inspiron 1100 which met with an untimely demise - death by vase water. I replaced that with a 2200 with all the bells and whistles and a nice 3yr warranty for under $800. I think it's base price was$539.

 

Had it 2 months and I'm happy with it.

[marie b.]

I'd recommend Dell, too.

 

I have an Inspiron 6000 that we picked up for less than $700 last year (after discounts) and it seems to be faster than my 3.2 desktop.

[Lisety]

Any recommendations for a work horse laptop? I need one to handle Dreamweaver, Photoshop, Paint Shop Pro, and have about 5 URL's open at the same time...and I HATE slow

Lise

[TCH-Dick]

Go for the Dell you can pick them up for a fair price. I just bought a Inspiron 9300 a couple of months ago and its been great. Of course you will want a smaller model, I got this one for around the house.