School me on Laptops: New Purchase
 

I have had my current Dell Inspiron laptop for a little over 2 years now and I am begginning to have quite a few problems. I started looking around Best Buys website but really dont have any idea as to what should be standard when purchasing a new laptop these days.

I only really use the computer for work, video, music, and internet. I have no intention of playing any video games.

Does Windows 7 come standard now? A few basic specs would be appreciated that I should look for.

TIA.

Stick with Dell

stick with an intel cpu core 2 / centrino 2
avoid acer.

dell studio xps line is very good :D


but if its just internet... then the inspiron line

Get one of those CULV laptops (Acer Timeline, Dell 11z, ASUS UL series). They're cheap, light, and have insane battery life. Since you don't really need CPU power, they should be more than enough for internet and MS Word.

Don't buy HP. You'll be wasting your money.

QFT... I've had the worst experiences with HP laptops, not to mention many of my friends who've made the same mistake going HP as their first laptop.

Try a lenovo (IBM) thinkpad, those things last a long time and are built sturdy.

I currently use an ASUS laptop. It has 1 year free ACCIDENTAL warranty + 2 year warranty.

I broke my screen the 2nd week I got it and they replaced it no questions asked, very little hassle too. My next laptop will most likely also be an ASUS because it has had absolutely no problems and I've been using this thing back and from school and chucking it around everywhere.

I've had my HP for almost 4 years and it has served me well. Although its getting older, it is still holding up.

The good thing about dell, is that you can customize the laptop to your liking.
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lenovo would be too pricy, for something that he wants to do.

asus is good but still comparing to a insiprion, which is at 599...

If you're looking for something cheap ($500 - $750), look for an AMD Athlon II-based laptop. They're much better than AMD's older laptop chipsets and generally better than an equally-priced Pentium Dual Core. Faster, lighter, better graphics, supports virtualization (If you want to run XP Mode in 7 Pro/Ultimate), runs about as cool, and similar battery life.

There are some decent Lenovos at that price range:

http://www.redflagdeals.com/forums/l...no-min-777107/

running an inspirion 1318. bought in april 09.
had to replace hd, and it was a breeze.

customer/tech support from dell = SUPERB

upgraded to windows 7 enterprise as well. significant performance increase compared to vista home premium.

First off what kind of problems? Don't be one of those people that gets a new computer when really all they need is a reformat.

Is it true that AMD's run alot hotter than intel?

dell.ca you best friend.. Dont buy dells from BB or FS they are pre built shits...

Aren't the upgrades on the Dell site more expensive than they should be tho? Or has that changed?

Ive been shopping for a laptop recently (if u guys recall my broken monitor)

and when i priced the same components.. Dells actually came out to be more expensive than the Vaio i got!

and the other day (a little late i guess) i priced a Lenovo on their (god awful) website and they seem to be cheaper than both (their extra warranty fees are nice too)

You might want to order from the states, there are no extra duties for importing computers/computer equipment from the states, so you could save a couple hundred bucks (u could ship to a Montana shipping outlet and have them forward the item to you or to the border, that way you save on washington state sales tax)

Sony, the extra dough is worth it.

using a Sony VAIO Z + intel X25-E SSD + Windows 7 pro 64 bit and it just flies

-no matter what u get, get something a bit cheaper to budget enough for a SSD, you won't regret it (increase performance and battery life, it dont get any better than that; sacrifices storage though)

-faster cpus are nice but take battery life into account

-led-backlit lcds have better colour accuracy and save on power too (one of the most power draining component)

-~4lbs is the boundary between portablility and non-portability

-more laptops come with HDMI output (its even better when paired with a bluray drive and an external mon.)

-reviews, reviews, reviews

Try get it from NCIX, they have good prices, just avoid getting Acer, their batteries are crap...

Does anyone think the Dell sale is worth it?
http://www1.ca.dell.com/content/topi...&s=dhs&ref=hbn

I was thinking of getting the Studio 17 for the bigger screen. I'm not going to upgrade anything except for maybe the keyboard back lit for $20 because it looks cool :haha:

I would suggesting getting an ASUS. Reliable, built tough and a bit cheaper too (I think).

I've been using mine for around 3 years now, it still does Crysis on Medium with ~20fps.

Oh yeah, their warranty is suberb too.

Vaio but don't get the cheap bulky entry model.

weird, i just picked up an asus g51vx-a1 for 1299 before taxes:haha:

I know I should of opt. for the higher model g51j-a1 for the iCore processor and DDR3 ram but that's another 300 bucks up.

This is the first laptop that I bought outside of Dell.