Any ideas on relative reliabilty? (IBM was recommended by Geek...but think most problems related to WinXP. Money an issue but can do a lower-end MAC. To be used for writing articles, doing community newsletters (MSPublisher), I-pod, some photo editing (very basic), E-mail, PDA sync. Definitely not a techie despite years of PC use -- but can learn fast from VERY specific, English instructions. Husband no help, he had in-office tech support...knows less than I do about computers.
Is Mac worth extra $$$? Will it be obsolete tomorrow or do .
I have a couple of years to amortize?
2006-08-01 04:54:25 · 9 answers · asked by Little Old Lady 1 in Computers & Internet ➔ Hardware ➔ Laptops & Notebooks
1. Do NOT get a SONY. Their warranty and service/support sucks, at least the last time I checked.
2. Dell is ok - Reasonable quality with REASONABLE odds of having a good, reliable computer (might not, anyone's laptop could fail, but Dell is REASONABLY good. And the support (despite the struggles with india-based reps is usually decent compared to others (repairs often within 2-4 days if you don't get a next day on site warranty)
3. IBM (now lenovo) is arguably the most reliable laptop short of a Panasonic Toughbook - but they tend to be very expensive compared to other laptops.
4. DO NOT buy a laptop with less than a 3 year warranty - they are expensive to fix and they are subject to considerably more abuse than a desktop (you don't lug your desktop with you on a daily, weekly, or even monthly basis). Most companies will repair a laptop as long as it wasn't OBVIOUSLY damaged due to negligence (like spilling coffee on it or a screen that was cracked because you clearly dropped it). The extra $200-350 for a warranty now will save you double or triple that (most likely) on your first repair (it's really insurance).
Mac or PC? They both use the same chips (intel x86) now so a Mac (as long as it has intel inside) will run Windows, though you'll need to buy windows and Apple won't necessarily help you install it.
It's true, Macs USED to last longer, in terms of a productive life, not quality, than PCs - but that hasn't been true for years. And the Mac of 2 years ago is rapidly being outdated because of the switch to intel from PowerPC chips. I still use 7 year old PCs quite effectively. My Dell Inspiron 8200 with a 1.9 GHz P4 and 768 MB of RAM is still quite effective for me - and it's now 4 years old.
Macs will cost you more... And will be flexible to run MacOS (I *THINK* Apple will release MacOS for non-Apple systems in a couple of years - when they wake up and realize they could instantly grab 20% of the market compared to their 3-4% now by letting ANY PC user run their system). If you have used a Mac before and like it, get it. If not, save yourself the money and get a PC laptop from Dell. (Not a fan of HP either - support issues, though not as bad as Sony).
2006-08-01 05:30:44 · answer #1 · answered by lwcomputing 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Macs have a much longer life than PCs do, yes they keep coming out with new versions but it doesn't make the previous versions obsolite it just improves on what is already there. Some people don't like Macs but that is liekly because they don't know how to use them, I use macs at work and at home and I've found them easy to use, you don't have to worry about viruses or spyware. I think they are great and worth every penny. You will probably end up spending more in the long run on your PC getting it fixed and buying the most updated version of virus protection. Many of the programs are designed for non techie people who want to do photo editing, or using their iPod everything is very functional and easy to use. I would recomend getting the applecare just in case, you never know when the person putting together the computer has had a bad day.
2006-08-01 05:04:31 · answer #2 · answered by Lady 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋
MS Publisher will not run on a Mac. I'd think long and hard about moving to a different platform (Mac vs. PC) because it will mean replacing pretty much ALL your software and learning a brand-new system. All the time and effort you've invested in learning how to use your PC will be pretty much useless on a Mac.
Macs tend to be somewhat easier for non-techies to figure out, but only you can decide if that ease-of-use is worth the hassle of changing platforms. With the chip war currently raging between Intel and AMD, you'll get a lot more bang for your buck with a Windows machine.
2006-08-01 05:02:41 · answer #3 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
In your situation, I would advise against a Mac. You will have to buy every piece of software again, since Windows software does not run on Macs. Also, working with a Mac requires a different set of habits (windows behave differently than they do in Windows), which can be frustrating for a new user.
If money is an issue, I'd recommend you take a look at Acer products. They are probably the biggest bang for a buck out there. Alternatively, look for special offers from retailers.
2006-08-01 05:47:20 · answer #4 · answered by NC 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Every cell has DNA and it is consisted of two strands tightly woven around each other. The thing that prevents the two strands from breaking apart is called a telomeric cap (which is random nucleotide sequences called nonsense codons. Codon is a 3 sequence of nucleotides that codes for amino acids eg. CUU is a amino acid called proline . A nonsense codon is one that doesnt code for any amino acid production) Every time your cells divide a small sequence is lost there by reducing the stability of the cell's DNA (in layman's terms). This will eventually lead do most of Ur cells' DNA becoming unstable. And usually when a mistake occurs in DNA the cell will perform auto cytolysis (cell suicide) to prevent problems. So when you are old most of ur cells telomeric caps will be low and they are prone to die when they try to divide.. Whats really interesting about this theory is the impact it has on evolution (because this happens on both meiotic as well as mitotic divisions. which means that a species grows old too before it mutates.. but thats a different story)
2016-03-16 10:27:48 · answer #5 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
EVERY PC is obsolete tomorrow, especially now where the brandnew Intel processors Core 2 Duo have been realeased (July 27). technology progresses very fast.
the only advise i can give, get any midrange laptop in the price range of $1100 - 1500, it will do the job. look for a laptop with a dedicated graphics card (ATI X1300/X1400 or GeForce 7300 xx) so you can do your photo editing.
Macbooks are pretty expensive IMO and technically they hardly differ from other laptops.
2006-08-01 07:01:07 · answer #6 · answered by frime 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Sony, it costs more
but on laptops, sony kicks butt
if you are ready
buy a sony that cost $1000-$2000
those ones are the best
2006-08-01 05:01:10 · answer #7 · answered by austin_penguin 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
my advice would be not to get a mac, sorry
2006-08-01 04:58:36 · answer #8 · answered by quikboy 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
HP way to go.
You want a laptop? Here's your link...
http://www.shopping.hp.com/webapp/shopping/computer_series.do?series_name=dv5000t_series&catLevel=3&category=notebooks/hp_pavilion/dv5000_series&storeName=computer_store
Click on [CUSTOMIZE]
Here are your upgrades & specifications...
FREE Upgrade to Genuine Windows XP Media Center
Intel(R) Core(TM) Solo processor T1350 (1.86 GHz)
FREE Upgrade to 15.4" WXGA BrightView Widescreen!
128MB NVIDIA(R) GeForce(R) Go 7400
FREE Upgrade to 1.0GB DDR2 SDRAM (2x512MB)!!
80GB 5400 RPM SATA Hard Drive
FREE Upgrade: 8X DVD+/-R/RW w/Double Layer Support
Premium CD/DVD Burner Software - none
Intel(R) PRO/Wireless 3945ABG Network Connection
No TV Tuner w/remote control
12 Cell Lithium Ion Battery
Microsoft(R) Office 2003 Basic
Norton Internet Security 2006 - 24 Mo Subscription
Premium Photography Software - none
Genuine Windows XP Media Center Edition Backup CD
1-year HP Accidental Damage Protection with Express Repair extended service plan
price $1,396.98 *
instant savings -$100.00
mail-in rebate -$50.00
price $1,246.98
you saved 10.7%
as low as $39 /mo+
[CONTINUE]
[CONTINUE]
HP Deskjet F380 All-in-One (Free After Rebate)
price $1,476.97 *
instant savings -$100.00
mail-in rebate -$130.00
price $1,246.97
you saved 15.6%
as low as $41 /mo+
[REVIEW]
[ADD TO CART]
You want a desktop? Here's your link...
http://www.shopping.hp.com/webapp/shopping/computer_series.do?series_name=a1520y_series&catLevel=3&category=desktops/hp_pavilion/a1500_series&storeName=computer_store
Click on [CUSTOMIZE]
Here are your upgrades & specifications...
Genuine Windows XP Media Center Edition 2005
Intel(R) Pentium(R) D 805 (2.6GHz, 2MB,533MHz FSB)
1GB DDR2-533MHz SDRAM (2x512)
80GB 7200 rpm SATA Hard Drive
HP Personal Media Drives - none
Double Layer 16X max. DVD +/-R/RW drive
Secondary CD/DVD Drive - none
Premium CD/DVD Burner Software - none
9-in-1 memory card reader, 3 USB, 1 1394, audio
Removable Storage - none
HP vs17x 17-inch Flat-Panel LCD Monitor
HP stereo speakers
No TV Tuner w/remote control
Integrated ATI Radeon Xpress HyperMemory
Integrated 7.1 channel sound w/front audio ports
HP Keyboard, HP Scroller Mouse
Microsoft(R) Office Basic Edition
Norton Internet Security 2006 w/AntiSpyware -24 Mo
Finance & Accounting Software - none
Premium Photography Software - none
Back-Up & Utilities Software - none
2-year HP House Call Extended Service Plan
price $1,467.98 *
instant savings -$265.00
mail-in rebate -$100.00
price $1,102.98
you saved 24.9%
as low as $36 /mo+
[CONTINUE]
[CONTINUE]
HP Deskjet F380 All-in-One
price $1,547.97 *
instant savings -$265.00
mail-in rebate -$180.00
price $1,102.97
you saved 28.7%
as low as $38 /mo+
[REVIEW]
[ADD TO CART]
If you simply want the cheapest computer you can find. Here's your link...
http://www.tigerdirect.com/applications/searchtools/item-Details.asp?EdpNo=1699351&Sku=A180-2026&CMP=ILC-FPM01
You'll need a monitor...
http://www.tigerdirect.com/applications/SearchTools/item-details.asp?EdpNo=710881&CatId=0
price $429.96
mail-in rebate -$100.00
price $329.96
Of course feel free to go higher on any warranty or other option. just trying to keep it cost effective for you. Good luck.
2006-08-01 05:55:43 · answer #9 · answered by technical_13 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋