Alright guys, just wondering if someone could help me out. I am looking for recommendations on what type of computers to look at for a relativly cheap, but good quality laptop. I am also looking around at desktops, so if someone has a good one feel free to post that too.
It won't need to do much fancy stuff, just the basics. A friend of mine is going to be going to grad school in the fall and she needs a new comp but its technologically inept so I figured I would help her find a good one for pretty cheap.
Danny
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Well I'm a huge fan of Dell. They have an entry level laptop for $637. It's a Celeron processor, but it would be fine for basic use. I'd upgrade the memory though.
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Dell... But if you can, Danny, check around at the hewlett packard website too. Their computers aren't as good, but there prices are sometimes cheaper. I found the same computer i wanted from Dell on HP for $150 less. I called up Dell, told them, and they knocked $200 of the price for me.
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If you're just looking for something to do word processing, internet surfing and such, you'd be better off getting a used one -- as opposed to gaming, graphic design, etc.
Unlike desktop computers, where entry level bargains are easy to find, with laptops you really get what you pay for. The low-end laptops are usually hot, noisy and/or have a lousy screen. You'll get more bang for your buck used.
Dell, IBM, Apple or Toshiba make durable, quality laptops. IBM being legendary for their durability. Check Craig's List for local deals.
I hate to suggest eBay for something this pricey, but I did manage to get one helluva steal--a $2500 Dell Latitude D800 for $1300. Of course, this was after I got screwed out of $1000 on an similar purchase attempt, but hey, low-interest student loans rock. I agree with all of the above. Go Dell. The parts aren't as proprietary as some other manufacturers, so future upgrades won't be as costly.
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I would highly suggest a Dell, and if you buy in the right week you may be able to find some good coupons online (I found one for $500 off any laptop $1499 as well as another $750 off of any laptop $1699). Just do a Google search for dell coupons I think the website is xpbargains.com. If you want I also get e-mails from Dell about coupons so you can PM me with your e-mail address and I can forward you the coupons.
Originally posted by UpNorth: If you're just looking for something to do word processing, internet surfing and such, you'd be better off getting a used one -- as opposed to gaming, graphic design, etc.
Unlike desktop computers, where entry level bargains are easy to find, with laptops you really get what you pay for. The low-end laptops are usually hot, noisy and/or have a lousy screen. You'll get more bang for your buck used.
Dell, IBM, Apple or Toshiba make durable, quality laptops. IBM being legendary for their durability. Check Craig's List for local deals.
In my market your looking at about $600cad for a used laptop with no warranty and around $1000 for a new one with a warranty. Unless I was going super low end for a laptop I wouldn't touch used right now. Your market could be different, take a look around and see.
Make sure you get a frickin' copy of the operating system or recovery disks with a used one if you go that route though.
I hear alot of good things about Dell laptops.
Og.
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I'm not a huge fan of warrenties. Unless it's a freak occurance it shouldn't break, by the time it does (2-3 years) it will be so obsolite that it's not worth messing around with anyway.
Just as an oppinion...if your laptop doesn't have dedicated video memory ESPECIALLY if you're running XP upgrade your system RAM. Shoot for at least 768.
Oh yeah, forgot to mention gotapex.com. Great all-around for discounts, and occasionally the Dell ones are great, but usually just good [img]smile.gif[/img]
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Awesome. Thanks a lot guys. I have had pretty good experience with Dell, and love there stuff, but didn't know if it was the best stuff for someone on a budget.
Keith - that site is great.
Danny
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Danny, if none of those options look good, check out a used comp outlet in your area. They refurbish PCs and sell them at a huge discount.
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Originally posted by gobbla: I'm not a huge fan of warrenties. Unless it's a freak occurance it shouldn't break, by the time it does (2-3 years) it will be so obsolite that it's not worth messing around with anyway.
Just as an oppinion...if your laptop doesn't have dedicated video memory ESPECIALLY if you're running XP upgrade your system RAM. Shoot for at least 768.
Also buy an extra battery.
Nice sentiment, especially on used equipment.
Not necesarily realistic though.
Og.
__________________ 2009: No races, No times. Slow year. So, now you're 96 cals short. You're now in starvation mode. Doomed. - LostDog
Blog entry: November 1, 2009, Pancakes LiveSTRONG daily plate log
quote:Originally posted by gobbla: I'm not a huge fan of warrenties. Unless it's a freak occurance it shouldn't break, by the time it does (2-3 years) it will be so obsolite that it's not worth messing around with anyway.
Just as an oppinion...if your laptop doesn't have dedicated video memory ESPECIALLY if you're running XP upgrade your system RAM. Shoot for at least 768.
Also buy an extra battery.
Nice sentiment, especially on used equipment.
Not necesarily realistic though.
Og. [/quote]I only maintain a 20 million dollar network for a living...what do I know?
Yeah unfortunately, sometimes things go wrong, I'm not saying to shell out for an extended waranty here, I'm saying if your choice is to buy a used laptop with no warranty for $600 or a brand new one for $1000 with a 1 year warranty, I say the new one wins hands down.
Nice to see you maintain the entire network yourself. Must be a thankless job.
Og.
__________________ 2009: No races, No times. Slow year. So, now you're 96 cals short. You're now in starvation mode. Doomed. - LostDog
Blog entry: November 1, 2009, Pancakes LiveSTRONG daily plate log
I *personally* wouldn't recommend a used laptop. Warranty or no. They're cheap enough that you can get a new one for a very reasonible price ($500). Why go for something that you don't *know* what condition it's in?
I don't see any point in buying a cheap laptop and adding another 25% to the cost for a warranty.
I don't maintain the entire network by myself, there's 25 or so other people. It IS a thankless job though.
I think we pretty much agree to go with a new laptop.
I just happen to think the 1 year warranty you will get with it is one more reason to go that way, over and above similar pricing and alot more bang for the buck.
My company sells a fair amount of it stuff, computers, laptops, servers, whatever. For me in this line of work, the majority of customers get good working functional computers. But hey, even if that number was 99%, would you want to be the 1% who buys a machine without a warranty? [img]smile.gif[/img]
Either way, again not suggesting you drop the extra for an extended warranty, I believe if your going to have problems with a unit, it's going to be pretty quick.
Og.
__________________ 2009: No races, No times. Slow year. So, now you're 96 cals short. You're now in starvation mode. Doomed. - LostDog
Blog entry: November 1, 2009, Pancakes LiveSTRONG daily plate log
Originally posted by Ogedei: I think we pretty much agree to go with a new laptop.
I just happen to think the 1 year warranty you will get with it is one more reason to go that way, over and above similar pricing and alot more bang for the buck.
My company sells a fair amount of it stuff, computers, laptops, servers, whatever. For me in this line of work, the majority of customers get good working functional computers. But hey, even if that number was 99%, would you want to be the 1% who buys a machine without a warranty? [img]smile.gif[/img]
Either way, again not suggesting you drop the extra for an extended warranty, I believe if your going to have problems with a unit, it's going to be pretty quick.
I had noticed it getting hotter and hotter, and the last few weeks it had started randomly shutting off. It would shut off anytime after Windows was loaded, and normally while the fan was on (or the computer was doing something).
I ran a test from the boot menu with the diagnostics and drivers cd, and one of the error messages was "CPU Internal Temp Critical." I told Dell I thought that was it, and they agreed.
I don't know if the fan was the culprit because they didn't mention replacing it, but I guess I'll ask the tech when he calls me.
The computer was purchased approximately a year ago, and has been used for only about 9 1/2 months.
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hi guys,
I'm pretty clueless on computers, i have a sony vaio and i've had it for about 2 years. it's dead and i want a new laptop.
i went to dell.com and designed my computer- this is what it is:
Dell Inspiron 600m
Pentium M Processor 725 (1.60 GHz/400 MHz FSB) 14.1-IN XGA, 32 MD Video
Microsoft Windows XP Home
512 MB DDR SDRAM 2 Dimms (memory)
60GB Hard Drive
8x CD/DVD burner (DVD+/-RW)
Productivity Pack including Wordperfect
Dell Jukebox-easy-to-use music player and cd burning software
dell media experience
INTEL PRO/Wireless 2200 Internal Wireless (802.11 b/g, 54 mbps)
1 year warranty and 1 year technical support
Detto Intellimover (to help me move some of my junk from the other computer to this one)
60.00 worth of software preloaded (i went to bestbuy.com and compared the prices - i know bestbuy might not be the cheapest but it's where i'll buy software0 and i save 40.00 by having dell do it- which is great cause i'm not really sure how to load software)
My real dad sent me a HP Pavilion ze4900. I have no idea what it is, other than it's not the dell that i designed.(i sent the specs to him) He sent it to me for my birthday even though I just asked for money or gift certificates towards a dell.
One of my friends who helped me decide what to get for my dell said i should just sell the HP on ebay and then use the money to buy the Dell that I want.
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