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Looking to buy Laptop... what do you recommend?

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  #1  
Old 01-19-2008
Newcomer, in training
 
Member since: Jan 2008, 8 posts
Looking to buy Laptop... what do you recommend?

Hi Kids!

Help!

I not looking to do fancy things on it, just the basics. I want something that is durable and lightweight and with good virus protection.

My friends have recommend the Toshiba, Vaio ... hey have you seen the new Macbook air?!? It looks real nice ... anyone know if it's good and worth the price?

Thanks!

S
  #2  
Old 01-19-2008
Blind Dragon's Avatar
TechSpot Evangelist
 
Location: Tampa FL
Member since: Oct 2007, 4,048 posts
System specs
What is your budget?
  #3  
Old 01-19-2008
Newcomer, in training
 
Member since: Jan 2008, 8 posts
1000 to 1500ish ...
  #4  
Old 01-19-2008
Blind Dragon's Avatar
TechSpot Evangelist
 
Location: Tampa FL
Member since: Oct 2007, 4,048 posts
System specs
The macbook may be just out of your price range, I have seen them for around $1700 on sales.

http://www.tigerdirect.com/applicati...938&CatId=2511

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...ame=1440+x+900
  #5  
Old 01-19-2008
Newcomer, in training
 
Location: UK
Member since: Dec 2007, 16 posts
System specs
It's like asking what car should I buy - all depends on what you intend using it for, ie. what software, etc. will you be running & where, ie. more mobile usage or only occasional mobile usage.

If you give a bit more meat to your question then I'm sure you'll get some meaningful responses.

Virus protection has nothing to do with spec of PC. Don't buy on looks alone - many novices fall for the marketing tricks of so called 'looks' when the machines often are expensive & poorly spec'd!

If you are only going to be doing 'basics' on the laptop you should get change from 1000 bucks (£500 in UK) - budget laptops are selling at under £300 (600 bucks) in the UK

Last edited by sallyduk; 01-19-2008 at 03:57 PM..
  #6  
Old 01-19-2008
Newcomer, in training
 
Member since: Jan 2008, 15 posts
Sony Vaio, awesome and reliable.
  #7  
Old 01-19-2008
Tedster's Avatar
Techspot old timer.....
 
Location: Petersburg, VA
Member since: Feb 2005, 10,005 posts
System specs
um, I wouldn't consider myself a kid. I am 38, but you need to determine your needs before shopping. whatever you get ensure it is maxed out on ram and has a fast hard drive. Also ensure you have wifi and plenty of usb and a PCMCIA/PCI express slot.
  #8  
Old 01-20-2008
Newcomer, in training
 
Location: UK
Member since: Dec 2007, 16 posts
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Your more than a kid than me Tedster - I'm more of a geriatric at 54!
  #9  
Old 01-20-2008
Newcomer, in training
 
Member since: Jan 2008, 8 posts
Come on ... we are all Kids ... no matter what age!

If the new Macbook Air is worth $1700, I'd splurge for the extra ... but is it really worth it? There doesn't seem to be a lot of people out there with Macs. Speaking of being suckered in by the looks of the thing ... this one is real good looking, you have to see it!

What kind of laptops do you have and how do you like yours?
  #10  
Old 01-20-2008
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Member since: Jan 2008, 8 posts
Thanks for the links Blind Dragon ... very informative ...
  #11  
Old 01-20-2008
Blind Dragon's Avatar
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Location: Tampa FL
Member since: Oct 2007, 4,048 posts
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  #12  
Old 01-20-2008
Newcomer, in training
 
Member since: Jan 2008, 8 posts
See! Isn't it good looking?!?

Is it true that thinner ones don't have good air circulation hence cooling problems?
  #13  
Old 01-20-2008
nathanskywalker's Avatar
TechSpot Enthusiast
 
Member since: Nov 2005, 230 posts
Personally....
  #14  
Old 01-20-2008
Newcomer, in training
 
Location: UK
Member since: Dec 2007, 16 posts
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Flatery will get you everywhere!

I agree re Macs & compatibility issues. I accept Macs are good machines but you'll be restricted by what software you can run.

I have a Dell Inspiron 6400 1.8GHZ Dual Core (= 3.2GHZ total) with 2mb L2 Cache, 100gb HDD, 1.5GB RAM, 15.4WXGA LCD panel..... - purchased on-line in the UK from ITCSales for £340 (under 700 bucks).

You still haven't told us what you want to run on the laptop - this is the KEY unanswered question - shelling out 1700 bucks for wordprocessing, spreadsheets, surfing the net, etc. is simply throwing your money away! If you're intending to render/convert videos, play high end 3D graphic games or run CAD software then it could be justified.
  #15  
Old 01-20-2008
Newcomer, in training
 
Member since: Jan 2008, 8 posts
ahhhh...i see...i'm not particularly compute savvy, so my main use really is just to surf the net, maybe burn some cd's, and the odd letter but that's about it....no games, no movies...

what's the life to one of these things anyways?
  #16  
Old 01-23-2008
Banned
 
Member since: Oct 2007, 65 posts
Quote:
Originally Posted by Ferris68
Sony Vaio, awesome and reliable.
Yes I agree that you can have a look at the [URL="http://www.amazon.com/review/product/B000VCHII4/ref=dp_top_cm_cr_acr_txt?%5Fencoding=UTF8&showViewpoints=1"]Sony VAIO VGN-CR220E/L[/URL], it is lightweighed and with reliable quality and the price is quite good now, a recent deal on it is [URL="http://www.dealstudio.com/viewtopic.php?t=35499&ru=282"]$1000[/URL].

Last edited by fairytale00; 01-23-2008 at 12:06 AM..
  #17  
Old 01-28-2008
TechSpot Member
 
Member since: Jan 2008, 67 posts
alienware ftw!
Closed Thread

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