Buying a Laptop

[MileHigh]

OK, my five-year-plus Sony is nearing the end, so I'm in the market for a new laptop. Been a while since I shopped for one, and I've done some digging. Looking to spend $600-$800, could push it to close to $1,000 (yes, I still have some severance money left over). So ... suggestions. Recommendations. What to look for? I'm waiting until next week when Windows 7 hits, hoping the laptop survives until then (it will, I'm sure). But any help/direction is greatly appreciated.

 

[imjustagirl]

I'm making a bet in my head. I'll check when I get back from the gym.

 

[Boom_70]

looking to do the same. want to also get rid of my desk top and get one computer that I can use everywhere with portable hardrive.

 

[JakeandElwood]

Hm. I'm guessing IJAG just won or lost her bet.

 

[Drip]

Serious question on this. Is it wise to purchase one from a pawn shop?

 

[Frank_Ridgeway]

Serious question on this. Is it wise to purchase one from a pawn shop?

Did you say pawn shop or porn shop?

 

[farmerjerome]

Honestly, I got the $449 Compaq at BestBuy last January and haven't had a problem. It has enough storage for my photos and my iTunes, so I'm set.

 

[Drip]

Serious question on this. Is it wise to purchase one from a pawn shop?

Did you say pawn shop or porn shop?

P-A-W-N shop

 

[MileHigh]

GET A MAC [/peoplewhodon'tmakejournalismsalaries]

I'm a mostly unemployed journalist so ...

 

[Gomer]

Depends what you use it for. Windows 7 is lovely, but if all you want the computer for is word processing, email and Internet you could get by with a cheap netbook and save a few hundred bucks.

If you want to do much more, consider buying another Sony. I've heard differing opinions on other brands but with Sony and Apple the consensus seems to be positive.

 

[buckweaver]

Honestly, I got the $449 Compaq at BestBuy last January and haven't had a problem. It has enough storage for my photos and my iTunes, so I'm set.

This was me, except change the date and place to "October 2007" and "Office Depot."

Until this week, when Windows Vista -- yeah, yeah, I know -- decided it didn't want to load anymore. I get the black screen of death every time I restart in normal mode. (Although for some reason it loads fine in "safe mode with networking.") Tried a System Restore today and that didn't work. Trying a few more fixes first before I take it to the Geek Squad or something.

And add me to the chorus of "I'm getting a Mac next" here. However, when budget's your biggest concern, and you can get three PCs for the price of a Mac ... you do what you have to.

 

[RickStain]

OK, my five-year-plus Sony is nearing the end, so I'm in the market for a new laptop. Been a while since I shopped for one, and I've done some digging. Looking to spend $600-$800, could push it to close to $1,000 (yes, I still have some severance money left over). So ... suggestions. Recommendations. What to look for? I'm waiting until next week when Windows 7 hits, hoping the laptop survives until then (it will, I'm sure). But any help/direction is greatly appreciated.

What do you plan on doing with this laptop?

I can't think of many personal uses that would justify a $1,000 laptop these days. They've become so much more powerful than they were even a few years ago.

In 2007, I had a desktop PC custom-built to some very nice specs that I researched very thoroughly. It was pretty top of the line in terms of performance.

In 2009, I bought the second-cheapest laptop at Wal-Mart. It blows my desktop away.

 

[Cadet]

I'd spend $1,000 to not have to bother with Windows. Vista is a gigantic pain in the ass, and they're advertising 7 using a toddler and unicorn clip art. I'll pass, thanks.

Yes, Macs are expensive. Yes, you can get PCs cheaper. But you get what you pay for.

 

[RickStain]

In the case of Macs, you get what you pay for means a better OS, the same or worse hardware specs, and a style statement. Whether that's worth hundreds of dollars more is up to each person, and I won't poopoo anyone's choices.

But that's all irrelevant anyway, because you can't get any mac laptop for $1,000. The very cheapest model is listed at $999 before any extras or shipping and handling.

 

[Gomer]

Actually, Windows 7 is getting a lot of good press. It doesn't freeze nearly as often and works light years better than Vista according to the tech journalists I've read.

Consequently I'd suggest anyone in the market should think twice about going the Mac route purely because they believe Windows sucks.

 

[Smasher_Sloan]

Your laptop lasted more than five years? My record is barely over two.

 

[Moderator1]

I've always had Compaq desk tops and Dell laptops and can't complain with either. Dell has some major deals right now on pretty good machines for 700 or so bucks.
Interesting, though, that they will now "upgrade' you to Windows XP for 150 bucks.

My brother just bought a massive and cool MAC all-in-one desktop for less than 1,500. He's in position to spend what he wants on a computer. He says MAC prices have come down quite a bit.

We have three Dells in this house and a Gateway (the wife's work computer).

 

[JackReacher]

I've had my Dell laptop for something like 3 years now, might be close to 4. Couldn't be happier with it, knock on wood. No major problems so far. From the way some of you talk, I should feel pretty fortunate for having one last so long.

For those whose laptops have lasted only a year or two, what happened?

And we upgraded to Vista here at work earlier this summer. I don't mind it so much, but the new version of Microsoft Word isn't exactly ideal.

 

[Boom_70]

Can someone explain the finer points of portable hardrives and the benefits.

 

[Sneed]

http://store.apple.com/us/browse/home/shop_mac/family/macbook?aid=AIC-NAUS-K2-BUYNOW-MACBOOK-INDEX&cp=BUYNOW-MACBOOK-INDEX

Starts at $999, yeah, but free shipping. Taxes will kick your butt, though.

Honestly though, I bought a Macbook Pro a year and a half ago, and that Macbook has virtually the same performance specs. Great little machine for a grand. Mine cost $2K.