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02-15-2011, 11:27 PM
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#1 | | Wanna have a threesome?
Join Date: Oct 2010 Location: Squamish
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| Advice on buying a laptop.
Hey everyone, I treat my Sony Vaio with a great deal of care, but for the 4th time in three years it's broken; this time I don't think it's going to be repairable. I'm on a tight student budget so I've been thinking about buying something new in the $400-600 price range, all I use it for is email, forums and school work so I don't need anything fancy. Is there a specific brand or model that someone could suggest would be more reliable and fit in my budget? Would buying a used Apple computer off craigslist be an option I should consider? I'm computer literate, but only just barely, so go easy on me haha. Posted via RS Mobile | 
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02-16-2011, 04:46 AM
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#2 | | Diagonally parked in a parallel universe
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I find there's always an Acer laptop price pointed around $550 that's a really good bang for your buck. They're not the prettiest brand but I've had 4 acer desktops/laptops and never ever had a problem with them.
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~ Just another noob looking for a clue
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02-16-2011, 09:18 AM
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#3 | | I am grateful grapefruit
Join Date: Mar 2005 Location: Vancouver
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I think a survey was done a year back about how often a computer breaks down - and the brands that came out on top were Asus, Toshiba and Sony.
That said, Acer has really turned themselves around - but only time will tell how good their build is. Funnily enough, Apple didn't do well in the survey - but they do have one of the better warranties and customer service - but you're also paying a big premium for that. If you're looking to spend $400-600, stay away from macs.
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02-16-2011, 09:43 AM
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#4 | | Wanna have a threesome?
Join Date: Oct 2010 Location: Squamish
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Thanks, I'll look into Acer. In the past I've purchased my computers from Best Buy but their service has never been very good, has anyone here had better experiences with NCIX? Posted via RS Mobile | |
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02-16-2011, 10:22 AM
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#5 | | Banned (ABWS)
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Don't buy an HP.
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02-16-2011, 10:47 AM
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#6 | | I answer every Emotion with an emoticon
Join Date: Feb 2005 Location: somewhere
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Acers are good budget laptops...
you want something light since your going to be taking to school.. having a big laptop can get heavy if you do lots of walking... http://www.memoryexpress.com/Product...30927(ME).aspx
This one seems like a good one for you, only $599.99 Quote:
Windows 7 Home Premium 64-bit
Intel® Core™ i3 processor i3-370M
4GB DDR3 SDRAM
500GB hard drive
Integrated Super-Multi drive (DVD+R, DVD-R, DVD-RAM)
Intel HD Graphics
15.6" HD (1366 x 768) LED backlight
802.11b/g/n, 10/100
Integrated webcam
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02-16-2011, 01:29 PM
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#7 | | OMGWTFBBQ is a common word I say everyday
Join Date: Jan 2004 Location: Van/Bur
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If you want you can go Dell you get to choose your options and add more warranty if you want. Plus you have the option for accidental warranty.
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Cash Rules Everything Around Me!
Current:
2006 Honda Fourtrax Rancher 400cc ATV (Offroad trails + Winter Snow Plow)
1995 Toyota Tacoma (Toy Hauler)
2003 Honda Civic SIR (Daily Beater)
2018 KTM 390 Duke (Gas Saver)
2017 Subaru WRX Sport-Tech + STI 6MT (Weekend Track)
2022 Yamaha MT09(Faster Gas Saver)
Past:
2014 Honda Grom
1971 MG MGB Tourer
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2001 Honda Odyssey
2009 Toyota Corolla CE
2007 Honda Ruckus
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2001 Honda S2000
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02-16-2011, 01:51 PM
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#8 | | Wanna have a threesome?
Join Date: Oct 2010 Location: Squamish
Posts: 4,889
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^The cost of extended warranties is generally equal to a complete replacement in my experience, since laptops are a lot less expensive now I don't see a point. I'm going to stop by NCIX this afternoon.. Posted via RS Mobile | |
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02-16-2011, 02:11 PM
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#9 | | OMGWTFBBQ is a common word I say everyday
Join Date: Jan 2004 Location: Van/Bur
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| Quote:
Originally Posted by MindBomber  ^The cost of extended warranties is generally equal to a complete replacement in my experience, since laptops are a lot less expensive now I don't see a point. I'm going to stop by NCIX this afternoon.. Posted via RS Mobile | Depends on the brand, dell is roughly $50-$100/year on extended warranty depending on model.. So for an additional $150 you get 3 year warranty next day replacement parts.. Cant go wrong with that.. or you could buy your FS BB, 1 year lasting notebooks and if any problems occure you would have to send it back to a repair depot (mostly in TO) then ship it 3-5 days, have them fix it 1-3 days and ship it back 3-5 days. Not only are you paying $25 to ship the unit to them but you have a whole week without your unit. So there are some pro's and con's.. And with the number of systems I see in a year I always recommend warranty..
__________________
Cash Rules Everything Around Me!
Current:
2006 Honda Fourtrax Rancher 400cc ATV (Offroad trails + Winter Snow Plow)
1995 Toyota Tacoma (Toy Hauler)
2003 Honda Civic SIR (Daily Beater)
2018 KTM 390 Duke (Gas Saver)
2017 Subaru WRX Sport-Tech + STI 6MT (Weekend Track)
2022 Yamaha MT09(Faster Gas Saver)
Past:
2014 Honda Grom
1971 MG MGB Tourer
Kayo MR125 Race Bike
2001 Honda Odyssey
2009 Toyota Corolla CE
2007 Honda Ruckus
2007 Husqvarna SM610 SuperMoto
2001 Honda S2000
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02-16-2011, 02:35 PM
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#10 | | 14 dolla balla aint got nothing on me!
Join Date: Feb 2009 Location: Richmond
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I bought an Acer Aspire with i3-350m processor for around $500 last summer. It is a lot better than I thought it would be. Also, the battery life is pretty good.
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02-16-2011, 04:24 PM
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#11 | | Wanna have a threesome?
Join Date: Oct 2010 Location: Squamish
Posts: 4,889
Thanked 5,054 Times in 1,657 Posts
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It sounds like you really know what your talking about, one of the things I've noticed is that when something does break it never seems to be covered by the warranty. It's always physical damage, software etcetera and it always takes at least 3 weeks to repair. It took 8 weeks once.. Quote:
Originally Posted by Dragon-88 Depends on the brand, dell is roughly $50-$100/year on extended warranty depending on model.. So for an additional $150 you get 3 year warranty next day replacement parts.. Cant go wrong with that.. or you could buy your FS BB, 1 year lasting notebooks and if any problems occure you would have to send it back to a repair depot (mostly in TO) then ship it 3-5 days, have them fix it 1-3 days and ship it back 3-5 days. Not only are you paying $25 to ship the unit to them but you have a whole week without your unit. So there are some pro's and con's.. And with the number of systems I see in a year I always recommend warranty.. | Posted via RS Mobile | |
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02-16-2011, 06:50 PM
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#12 | | reads most threads with his pants around his ankles, especially in the Forced Induction forum.
Join Date: Mar 2004 Location: Vancouver
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MSI isn't too bad either. I bought a MSI laptop around Jan. Really great laptop. It was form staples too. Fits your price range well.
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02-16-2011, 10:33 PM
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#13 | | Willing to sell body for a few minutes on RS
Join Date: Aug 2004 Location: Duncan, BC
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We have the Acer AS5742-6798 at Staples on clearance for $547 ...
It's no longer on our website and I'm not sure what the stock situation is like in Vancouver, but the specs off the top of my head:
2.26 GHz Intel Core i5
4GB DDR3
640GB Hard Drive
Wireless N
Intel Mobile HD integrated graphics
DVD Burner
15.6" Screen
Windows 7 Home Premium
Pretty decent bang for the buck ...
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02-17-2011, 02:47 PM
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#14 | | OMGWTFBBQ is a common word I say everyday
Join Date: Jan 2004 Location: Van/Bur
Posts: 5,032
Thanked 1,564 Times in 516 Posts
Failed 60 Times in 33 Posts
| Quote:
Originally Posted by MindBomber It sounds like you really know what your talking about, one of the things I've noticed is that when something does break it never seems to be covered by the warranty. It's always physical damage, software etcetera and it always takes at least 3 weeks to repair. It took 8 weeks once.. Posted via RS Mobile | Yeah i deal with alot of broken notebooks, so i know the ropes.. Since where i work we are dell authorized.
So say you have a dead hard drive. You then call us we contact dell and get a new hard drive sent to our location next day 9am. Then you come in we replace the hard drive load system back to factory default and you get your system back in 1-2days depending on how busy we are. As you can see the downtime is much less and we get paid by Dell so we are happy to do this.
__________________
Cash Rules Everything Around Me!
Current:
2006 Honda Fourtrax Rancher 400cc ATV (Offroad trails + Winter Snow Plow)
1995 Toyota Tacoma (Toy Hauler)
2003 Honda Civic SIR (Daily Beater)
2018 KTM 390 Duke (Gas Saver)
2017 Subaru WRX Sport-Tech + STI 6MT (Weekend Track)
2022 Yamaha MT09(Faster Gas Saver)
Past:
2014 Honda Grom
1971 MG MGB Tourer
Kayo MR125 Race Bike
2001 Honda Odyssey
2009 Toyota Corolla CE
2007 Honda Ruckus
2007 Husqvarna SM610 SuperMoto
2001 Honda S2000
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02-17-2011, 03:10 PM
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#15 | | OMGWTFBBQ is a common word I say everyday
Join Date: Jan 2004 Location: Van/Bur
Posts: 5,032
Thanked 1,564 Times in 516 Posts
Failed 60 Times in 33 Posts
|
Just do me a favor and dont buy a Toshiba satellite, or else I will be seeing you in a year. 
__________________
Cash Rules Everything Around Me!
Current:
2006 Honda Fourtrax Rancher 400cc ATV (Offroad trails + Winter Snow Plow)
1995 Toyota Tacoma (Toy Hauler)
2003 Honda Civic SIR (Daily Beater)
2018 KTM 390 Duke (Gas Saver)
2017 Subaru WRX Sport-Tech + STI 6MT (Weekend Track)
2022 Yamaha MT09(Faster Gas Saver)
Past:
2014 Honda Grom
1971 MG MGB Tourer
Kayo MR125 Race Bike
2001 Honda Odyssey
2009 Toyota Corolla CE
2007 Honda Ruckus
2007 Husqvarna SM610 SuperMoto
2001 Honda S2000
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