So I Need A Computer

[icoverbucks]

I am an independent contractor (according to my contract) and that means I have to supply my own computer, it seems. I have been using a company-issued Dell Latitude E 6400 with Vista. I like it well enough. But the display is starting to fritz out from time to time (I assume it's going to go bad over a period of time).

Part of my job entails editing photos for web use. The rest is writing, editing, Tweeting, etc.

Just curious if anybody has good suggestions on what computer I should look for. I don't want to spend more than $500-700. I was at Wal-Mart and it looks like you can get one with a 500 GB hard drive in that price range.

I don't want a tiny one. I figure that would be too hard to edit pics on. And I don't want a gigantic one either because I am constantly on the move from home to office to games to so on.

Any help appreciated from anybody who can give me any kind of meaningful suggestions!!!

 

[Ace]

To me, the biggest issue isn't the laptop so much as what software that comes with it.

If you have to pony up $200 more to get what you need, it's not such a bargain.

 

[Hank_Scorpio]

Memory and speed is more important than hard drive space (although that's important too), especially if you're going to be using photo editing software.

The lower price ones may not have the speed to be able to do that. I would guess you would want 6-8 GB of RAM, along with a dual-core processor, at the minimum.

 

[icoverbucks]

Thanks!! Is any manufacturer (Dell, Toshiba, IBM Think Pad, HP) any better than any other. I'm on this thing about 12 hours a day. I need something that is durable and performs.

 

[Stitch]

Get a Macbook. They cost more, but they last. I've bought HP and Dells that have crapped out a few months after the warranty expired. My Macbook has lasted almost five years.

Plus, word processing software (Pages) is ridiculously cheap through Apple's App Store at $19.99.

 

[Cubbiebum]

Do you have the photo editing software? If so you can get a very nice PC laptop for 500-700. If not you are looking at getting a 400-500 laptop and then buying the software for 150.

In terms of what you need, unlike previously stated you DO NOT need 6-8 GB RAM. If you are building pages in InDesign or Quark, editing photos and doing a little video work from time to time then yes you need that much. Outside of doing all of that you need a 4 GB computer if you want it to work quickly. That is putting you in the 450-500 range.

You also want to have at least 2.4 GHz and a dual core processor. 5400 RPM is enough but if you can find a laptop that is 7200 RPM you would be much better off.

if you have 700 to spend on just the laptop then you can get all of that. If you need to buy the software you can get the 4 GB and 2.4 GHz but likely not the 7200 RPM.

As for the brand of PC laptop, do not get a Lenovo. Their laptops are not very user friendly and are really only great for accountants. They are widely disliked in the computer sales industry. My brother is an accountant and even he hates them. Dell, HP would be the preferable ones but Toshiba is fine too.

And for the record I majored in telecommunications and worked as a technology sales associate right out of college. I also just wrote a column criticizing the school district for paying a ridiculous amount for its laptops so all this is fresh on my mind.

 

[Stitch]

And for the record I majored in telecommunications and worked as a technology sales associate right out of college. I also just wrote a column criticizing the school district for paying a ridiculous amount for its laptops so all this is fresh on my mind.

Do you mean the secretary doesn't need to have a $2,000 laptop to type Word docs from home? For the record, I did a similar story about a college's laptop purchases. I requested info on all laptops purchased for the past two years and what department or individual received the laptop. The university president's executive assistant had a $2,500 laptop for "Powerpoints", in his words.

 

[Cubbiebum]

And for the record I majored in telecommunications and worked as a technology sales associate right out of college. I also just wrote a column criticizing the school district for paying a ridiculous amount for its laptops so all this is fresh on my mind.

Do you mean the secretary doesn't need to have a $2,000 laptop to type Word docs from home? For the record, I did a similar story about a college's laptop purchases. I requested info on all laptops purchased for the past two years and what department or individual received the laptop. The university president's executive assistant had a $2,500 laptop for "Powerpoints", in his words.

Haha, this was for an elementary school. They spent nearly $37,000 on 30 laptops and they put it out to bid. State law requires any purchase of more than $25,000 to be put out to bid and they told me they just knew it would cost more than that. I got the bid specs and the winning bid. Did my research and got it all for $19,000. Again, these are laptops for elementary school kids.

 

[Stitch]

And for the record I majored in telecommunications and worked as a technology sales associate right out of college. I also just wrote a column criticizing the school district for paying a ridiculous amount for its laptops so all this is fresh on my mind.

Do you mean the secretary doesn't need to have a $2,000 laptop to type Word docs from home? For the record, I did a similar story about a college's laptop purchases. I requested info on all laptops purchased for the past two years and what department or individual received the laptop. The university president's executive assistant had a $2,500 laptop for "Powerpoints", in his words.

Haha, this was for an elementary school. They spent nearly $37,000 on 30 laptops and they put it out to bid. State law requires any purchase of more than $25,000 to be put out to bid and they told me they just knew it would cost more than that. I got the bid specs and the winning bid. Did my research and got it all for $19,000. Again, these are laptops for elementary school kids.

You should keep your eye out for bids so you can make one. Probably make a nice chunk of cash.

 

[Smash Williams]

Get a Macbook. They cost more, but they last. I've bought HP and Dells that have crapped out a few months after the warranty expired. My Macbook has lasted almost five years.

Plus, word processing software (Pages) is ridiculously cheap through Apple's App Store at $19.99.

Don't get a Macbook if you're on a budget. They cost much more for less processing power and, in my experience, are no more reliable than a well-treated PC. My current work Macbook is a piece of trash - it's on it's second body because the LCD screen on the first one went dead, it's been through four batteries (because Mac batteries apparently have a problem with overheating and swelling to the point of near bursting) and is slower than Shaq trying to get down the court.

Because budget seems to be an issue for you, Mac's aren't going to be the answer.

 

[flexmaster33]

If your work is expecting you to do the Photo work it can't hurt to ask if they'll at least cover the necessary software to do the job.

 

[2underpar]

i think you can deduct the cost of your computer on your taxes since it will be a work-related expense. somebody correct me if I'm wrong about that.

 

[flexmaster33]

That is for sure 2under...yes, keep receipts on all of this

 

[TheHacker]

Assuming you've got a steady amount of freelance (1099) income you can write off the cost of the computer. A tax expert will tell you that the computer needs to be used only for work purposes in order for you to write it off. How the IRS would prove otherwise if they questioned you on it, I don't know.

I had a good experience buying through HP's website. They let you customize it and add the stuff you want. You'll probably pay less that way than you would at Best Buy.

 

[Cubbiebum]

Assuming you've got a steady amount of freelance (1099) income you can write off the cost of the computer. A tax expert will tell you that the computer needs to be used only for work purposes in order for you to write it off. How the IRS would prove otherwise if they questioned you on it, I don't know.

I had a good experience buying through HP's website. They let you customize it and add the stuff you want. You'll probably pay less that way than you would at Best Buy.

That isn't true actually. Best Buy sells laptops at a near loss because they know many will buy other stuff with them. Office Depot and Staples don't do this as much but occasionally they will on a certain model. If you can find a laptop at Best Buy that meets what you need it is the cheapest you will find it. Going through HP's website, and Dell's for that matter, doesn't get you the big discount but does allow you to customize it to be exactly what you want.

That is the difference. Buying through a Best Buy gives you a hefty discount but in all likelihood you only get 70% of what you want.

 

[Stitch]

Assuming you've got a steady amount of freelance (1099) income you can write off the cost of the computer. A tax expert will tell you that the computer needs to be used only for work purposes in order for you to write it off. How the IRS would prove otherwise if they questioned you on it, I don't know.

I had a good experience buying through HP's website. They let you customize it and add the stuff you want. You'll probably pay less that way than you would at Best Buy.

That isn't true actually. Best Buy sells laptops at a near loss because they know many will buy other stuff with them. Office Depot and Staples don't do this as much but occasionally they will on a certain model. If you can find a laptop at Best Buy that meets what you need it is the cheapest you will find it. Going through HP's website, and Dell's for that matter, doesn't get you the big discount but does allow you to customize it to be exactly what you want.

That is the difference. Buying through a Best Buy gives you a hefty discount but in all likelihood you only get 70% of what you want.

The profit margin on the hardware in big-box stores is why your nagged to death about buying the store's extended warranty plan.

 

[FileNotFound]

I am a die-hard, dedicated Mac user. I would never buy one with my own money. Get a Dell, and don't spend more than $700.

 

[WTFünke]

Before you make a purchase, I'd recommend checking out TigerDirect.com. It's always worked for me, and their prices are much lower than Best Buy.

Bought my last two laptops from there ...

 

[TheHacker]

I was going to buy at Best Buy when I was in the market last year, but I found that I got more computer (more memory, faster processor) by going through HP. Best Buy wanted the same money for PCs with lesser specs. Same was true when I guided my parents through buying a new computer over the summer. Which was a nightmare. Working with retirees on any technology purchase requires much beer.

 

[Cubbiebum]

Assuming you've got a steady amount of freelance (1099) income you can write off the cost of the computer. A tax expert will tell you that the computer needs to be used only for work purposes in order for you to write it off. How the IRS would prove otherwise if they questioned you on it, I don't know.

I had a good experience buying through HP's website. They let you customize it and add the stuff you want. You'll probably pay less that way than you would at Best Buy.

That isn't true actually. Best Buy sells laptops at a near loss because they know many will buy other stuff with them. Office Depot and Staples don't do this as much but occasionally they will on a certain model. If you can find a laptop at Best Buy that meets what you need it is the cheapest you will find it. Going through HP's website, and Dell's for that matter, doesn't get you the big discount but does allow you to customize it to be exactly what you want.

That is the difference. Buying through a Best Buy gives you a hefty discount but in all likelihood you only get 70% of what you want.

The profit margin on the hardware in big-box stores is why your nagged to death about buying the store's extended warranty plan.

That is why I quit Office Depot after 4 months. If you sold a laptop but no printer or warranty that was seen as a major negative. I felt wrong pushing a vastly over priced warranty on people who were just looking for a cheap laptop for simple use at home.

Oh and never trust the salesman. They make commission off the warranties. It was 10 percent at Office Depot and often led to 300-400 a month for myself and my co-workers.