Best Place To Get A New Or Good Quality Used Laptop?

[webgyrl]

Hi All,

 

I will be in need of purchasing a laptop much later in the year (towards the end), but I'm starting my search now. I went over to Dell and the one I configured was about $900. Basically I need a laptop that can handle the following:

Photopshop

Dreamweaver

TopStyle

Fireworks

MS Office

 

 

Those won't all be running at the same time, but there is a high chance that 3 or 4 will.

 

I also...

Need wireless card so I can get online

Windows XP Home (VISTA sucketh as of this date!)

 

I am not wanting to spend a ton as I have a decent home system, but I'll be going on the road and I need something reliable that will let me do what I need to do while I'm out there.

 

Do you think it's worth it to look into a used laptop, or is that just asking for trouble? I was perusing Overstock and I saw some systems in the $600 range. I'm just a bit wary of buying something used. Are refurbished systems generally pretty good?

 

Any advice would be super appreciated!

 

Merci!

Edited February 1, 2008 by webgyrl

[Madmanmcp]

What I do is buy new but I look for the ones on sale. I stop by Best Buys or Office Depot 2 or 3 times a week on my way home from work and check. Every once in a while they will lower the prices to get rid of the older models so they can make room for the newer ones coming in.

 

Now this is just my opinion but I stay away from used or refurbished computers, especially Laptops. You never know what you are getting and if it breaks it will probably be when you need it the most.

 

Wireless is usually built right in and you probably don't need to worry about that. XP on the other hand is a problem. MS has stopped supplying manufacturers with OEM versions and require them to only sell Vista. You will probably only find XP on used Laptop. You could buy Vista and buy XP and load XP onto the Laptop...but that opens another bag of worms which could make your life unbearable.

[TCH-Dick]

MS has stopped supplying manufacturers with OEM versions and require them to only sell Vista. You will probably only find XP on used Laptop. You could buy Vista and buy XP and load XP onto the Laptop...but that opens another bag of worms which could make your life unbearable.

 

Bob is mostly right about XP but a few manufactures do still offer XP on a limited number of products, including Dell. I only know this because I buy mostly Dell equipment and spend more time on their site than I should.

 

As far as refurbished goes, I try to avoid them as well but I have purchased a few items from the Dell Outlet. All of these were in the "previously ordered new category" which are usually custom orders that were cancelled.

 

Now I'm not saying run out and buy a Dell, just sharing my opinion as I have had good luck with them. The best advise when looking for a deal is as Bob said, check out the older models which really are not that old any way.

[webgyrl]

Hi Guys!

 

Ok so my instinct to stay away from used/refurbished is right. That's good to know.

 

My boyfriend just got a super Dell laptop, but it was up there! I did configure a Dell w/ XP, but my fear is that by the time I get one (end of yearish), XP won't be available. I'm crossing my fingers that Vista will be more stable and run with more apps. by then. Right now it's just a nightmare to deal with. Esp. if you have older programs.

 

Bob- I did read quite a bit that getting a Vista box and then downgrading to XP is a nightmare... I'd like to stay away from nightmares if at all possible.

 

What speed of processor would be good to say run 3 or 4 of those apps. I listed above and do you think I can get away with 1GB RAM?

 

Thanks all!

[Madmanmcp]

Bob is mostly right about XP but a few manufactures do still offer XP on a limited number of products, including Dell.

 

I've heard that but I have issues with Dell so I left it out on purpose

[TCH-Bruce]

my fear is that by the time I get one (end of yearish), XP won't be available

 

If you aren't going to purchase until the end of the year then it's pointless to look now. They are releasing new laptop configurations everyday.

 

Just my .02 cents.

[Madmanmcp]

I don't think the speed of the processor will matter, most processors now are plenty fast. I would worry about the Ram, 1 GB is ok but 2GB is WAY better especially if you are going to be running those memory hogs. And as Bruce says if you are not going to purchase till the end of the year you are just wasting your time. They will come out with better models several times in the 11 months left in the year.

 

But you could keep watch over the coming months by looking at the top of the line, expensive models. In a couple months they will be your low-end sales because the newer faster ones will be coming out and taking their place.

[webgyrl]

Hi Guys!

 

OK, well I'm going to have to see what's going on when I have my pennies saved. I really just wanted to get a feel for the price and it looks like I can get what I need for 600-900. I am really hoping Vista gets better by the time I purchase as I am sure that by then there won't be any OEM XP Home OS's available.

 

I think it will be good to keep an eye out for stuff to see what's going on. I just have no clue about laptops as I've never researched them to know what to look for. But it seems pretty straightforward.

 

I am not so up on brands of laptop.... I am assuming the same as boxes: Dell, Gateway, HP, Compaq, Sony Vaio... are there any others I should look for? Perhaps lesser well known brands that are good?

 

So basically any laptop is going to give me the ability to hook in at a wireless spot to check mail etc? Or do I need to get some kind of service? I'm a bit clueless about the wireless stuff.

 

Thanks so much for the pointers, as always, you are so helpful.

 

Edited February 3, 2008 by webgyrl

[Jeter2Fan93]

You could always buy an OEM version of XP SP2 from NewEgg and then when you get the laptop, wipe it clean then install XP. Just my 2¢.

[stevesh]

I just received my new Dell Vostro yesterday. AMD Athlon 64 X2, 1Gb RAM, 120Gb Harddrive, built-in wireless, XP Home - 475.94 w/free shipping.

 

Add another Gig of RAM to be sure for 50.00 or so, and it would easily run all the software you listed.