laptop recommendations?

[1sttimelongtime]

Hi

I will soon be in the market for a new laptop. I know next to nothing about computers. Are there any brands of laptop to avoid? I have heard good things about Dell and Toshiba. I have heard that HP's service department is less than stellar.

I am interested in all opinions. For once in my life I want to make a well thought out decision.

[mylittledemon]

Get a Macbook

[GoS]

Originally Posted by mylittledemon

Get a Macbook

A Macbook is actually not too bad for those who are unfamiliar with computers, but they may be a little expensive. I have no experience with anyone's service department, but I have been satisfied with HP/Compaq laptops in terms of hardware. Toshiba's computers have always seemed a little cheesy/cheap to me, but I haven't really spent too much time with those. So my recommendations are the Macbook, if it is in your price rage, or an HP, unless their service is really bad.

[1sttimelongtime]

I'd love a macbook, but I have around an $800 budget.

Keep the recommendations coming!

[mylittledemon]

Originally Posted by 1sttimelongtime

I'd love a macbook, but I have around an $800 budget.

Keep the recommendations coming!

yeah you could go with an HP then. I had one at work for a little over a year, and always had problems with the wireless cards.

[GypsyGirl15]

I would say MacBook too. They are darned expensive, but maybe you can get a used one for a much cheaper price? This is what I did and it's really the best decision Ive ever made, computer-wise. Oher than that I heard Dell or HP are pretty good.

[Sahara]

HP get my thumbs up, the hardware is good and even when it fails, they'll look after you.

Stay away from Fujitsu Siemens, though. Mine was emitting smoke by the time I was done with it (srsly )

I'd love a MacBook! I've always been wary of Macs generally but since I've started using them at college, they've really grown on me.

[DeeGeMe]

Sony. I've had two and never, ever had a problem with either of them. The only reason I replaced the first one (it's kept as a standby) is that I got a fat gift card from my boss and could get a much faster one, with a bigger screen. Anyway, I can't recommend them highly enough. I got some cheapo version the first time I brought it and it lasted exactly 2 months before it had to be shipped out for repairs. Never again will I take the cheap way out when it comes to laptops--I buy what I can afford of course, but stick with the big names. And do your homework. Find a model you like and then Google it and look for reviews about that particular model. Good luck!

[BTFLCHLD]

Check this page ...DELL laptops ...they always have top to bottom deals. I am very pleased with my XPS1530. I haven't had experience with DELL service as I haven't had any issues; based on their customer-service during the sale, I wouldn't suspect they are worthless. heh.

enjoy!

I went with a DELL laptop as I have forever used their desktops at work.
So, this is my experience with DELL.
No doubt there are other systems as worthy

[louielouie2000]

Originally Posted by mylittledemon

Get a Macbook

Agreed. After battling viruses and the short lifespan of PCs for the past 10 years, I decided to go with a 13" Macbook in December. The Macbook may cost you more to initially, but it pays for itself over time. It's very user friendly and intuitive (no more installing drivers, crap like that), but I still need to go take some free classes at my Apple store to really learn all the computer is capable of doing. I'm pretty technoligically helpless too for what it's worth.

I really like the fact my Macbook is made of aluminum... I'm accident prone, and it's sure nice to know it's tough. The fact the power cord is magnetic is good for my clumsy self too... if you trip on it, it just comes out without damaging anything. The battery life of the Mac is superior too. Most PCs are only about 2 hours... I regularly get 5 hours+ out of my battery (the newest Macbook Pros have 8 HOUR batteries). I like the fact the trackpad also doubles as the mouse button too... just double click on the trackpad instead of having to go back and forth between the mouse buttons and track pad. I love how quickly the Mac starts up too... far superior to any PC I've ever used. And it's so easy to access wireless signals vs PCs. Mac's are just extremely well built, and will run the same way 5 years from now as they do today. Odds are, a PC will have been dead after about 3 years lol.

Regarding the cost difference... just go to Best Buy and play with PC and Mac laptops. You'll see and FEEL the difference buy just using the computers. I often make the analogy of comparing the Mac to a PC the way I'd compare a BMW to a Pontiac. Yeah, the BMW and Pontiac may do basically the same thing: they both have 4 doors, are roughly the same size, etc... but the experience of DRIVING the two cars couldn't be more different. It's much the same with a Mac vs a PC. Go "drive" one and see what I mean... you'll be hooked!

[Zombie]

Acers, y'all, if you're on a budget. With AMD chips, no Intel. Budget-friendly and run like little tanks. Just avoid the Aspire 51** series, they dropped the ball on those big-time.

I don't work with Macs, though many of my friends swear by them, because I can't get the kind of hardware I like in them.

[BTFLCHLD]

dell currently sucks ass

my new LT network card shot...motherboard has to be replaced

I just bought the f'in thing a month ago!