i need to upgrade my computer, what brand do you recommend?

Question

my husband and i have a desktop computer and would like to upgrade to a laptop. we just need the basics. any suggestions for newbies to laptops wanting to spend a moderate amount?

Answer 1

If you want a quality Windows laptop , Sony Vaio. A friend bought a Dell and after a few weeks some of the keys stopped working. They told her to send it back to them for repairs. 6 weeks later she still has not got had it returned.

Answer 2

This is not an "Upgrade" but a new purchase of hardware and software, seperate from your desktop computer.

Upgrading is when you add new stuff to your existing computer, like a new hard drive or more memory, or a new monitor, or a new graphics card, a new sound card, a new keyboard, etc.

You could call this an upgrade if you are upgrading your Network to network the laptop and desktop together.

Now, I suggest you find a laptop with at least one gig of duel channel memory, a minimum of 80 gigs of Hard drive, with 200 better yet, a good graphics and sound card, a great processer chip. Go to intel to look at the different chipsets for laptops, this will give you an opportunity to gain knowlege for yourself which will enable you to make a better decision when finally making the purchase.

You see, you will get a lot of different specs from different people, but if you don't know even the basics you won't know one spec from another. Plus, you need to get what works for your own personal needs, not what works for me or someone else, thought they will be all to happy to share what they like best.

Look into graphic and sound cards, chipsets, memory, hard drive monitors, and what type of OS you want to have. Do you want a 32 0r 64 bit machine? What will you be doing with the laptop? Work, video or photo editing, burning music, sending files or downloading files, transferring files, playing games, etc.

Don't over buy. If you are not looking to play games why pay extra for the Windows Media Edition 2005 OS? What is the OS version on your desktop? If you wish to hook up an entertainment system, the Media Edition should be in the desktop not the laptop. If you are not using video you won't need a top of the line graphic card, so why pay for one? They cost more.

I suggest you decide exactly what it is you wish to do with the laptop, research the various features and then make a decision. This is your laptop, it needs to fit in with your needs and life.

Do you wish to network the two together? If so you need an Ethernet NIC card, and for Wireless needs a Wireless Adapter.

Do you have items which require FireWire Ports or will USB 2.0 fit your needs alone? If so then you don't need to purchase the extra FireWire PCI card. If you are thinking you may need to upgrade this laptop in the future you need to ensure it has PCI expansion slots, extra memory modules slots.

There are so many different specs to fit vastly different needs. Nobody can really tell you what would work best for your needs. Only you can determine what those needs are and then purchase accordenally. If you are not sure if you need more, just make sure there are expansion slots. Buy the least amount you need to fit you needs and prepare for future upgrades by having the expansion capabilities mentioned a moment ago.

Do yourself a favor and don't just blindly trust people here to know what is best for your situation. Research this stuff and then make a decision on what you require and don't over buy.

Oh, do buy a really good DVD/CD Drive for your laptop. Don't skimp on that. Get a double layer light scribe. Or a model with these capabilites.

Good luck on finding what you need. Have a nice day.

I agree about not buying a Dell, While they are good machines they are over priced and customer service sucks big time. I have owned two Dells, and have had only bad customer service so I will never buy a Dell again. HP and Compaq are both good companies, but so is Sony.

Answer 3

For sure the way to go is with Intel's dual core technology, make sure it is a Centrino and then you will be able to connect wireless, the last thing you want is to have wires when you have a laptop, kind of defeats the object. Dual Core is the newest technology out there and believe the hype, we are talking twice the processing power of anything Intel has produced before and it blows AMD way out of the water. As for brand I would suggest Dell, I believe you can get the a really good dual core centrino for around £600. You can't buy Dell from the shops so you will have to order online. Good luck!

Answer 4

always choose a recognised brand, HP, Dell, IBM, they all do excellent products and more importantly support them. HP are probably the best, however, the main thing is do you really need a laptop? desktops are better options as they can easily be upgraded, laptops tend to be one trick ponies, and tend to suffer most from being dropped, stolen, lost and breakdowns. If you don't need portability then go desktop, if you do then by from any of the brands above with confidence, but buy the highest spec you can afford.

Answer 5

I would suggest HP-Compaq, Acer, Toshiba or Sony VAIO, as, in my opinion would be the best for laptops. It also depends on how much you want to spend, would you want one >£1000 which has a dual core Intel Centrino? Or one which gets Internet TV via your broadband? The choice is up to you but some shopping websites I would recommend, which detail each computer for you would be:
MSN Shopping,
Kelkoo,
PCWorld.co.uk
Froogle.

Answer 6

depends on your needs but laptops are made for mobility and you would get a better desktop PC for the same price, if your not going to take it anywhere. Also if you're like me and leave you're PC on all day then you're better off with a desktop because they have better cooling. BUT if you're sure you want a laptop then dell are pretty good, not apple, you're better off with a proper PC

Answer 7

Simply Apple...
If you buy a mac, you will have the best and most advanced operating system in the world. Mac OS X can do things that windows users only dream of.

Remember that Macs can run Windows too... so a mac would be the only computer you will ever need

Answer 8

ask your self, a million. what's your funds? 2. what's going to you assume your pc can do for you? as quickly as desperate, 3. evaluate your configuration to different pc distributors. If cost is so close, why hardship to construct one? it rather is okay once you're finding for relaxing, yet immediately you may save some funds provided which you build intense-end pc. in case you having issues and not that experienced then you definately gets caught. generally tech help do not help a lot by using fact they gained't know what you probably did incorrect. in case you endurance in making plans and learn extra then you definately can save limitless hours for diagnosis later. I in simple terms geared up 2 computers, and record one on your reference: AMD 64x x2 4200+ 2.2 GHz Manchester (OC to 2.seventy 5 GHZ) DFI UR SLI-DR expert MoBo (in case you employ DFI, notice that it rather is totally choosy for the aspects -- RAM & PSU...) Mushkin DDR500 black sequence 1Gb x 2 FPS 600W PSU Thermalright si-one hundred twenty w/ Panaflo one hundred twenty mm Fan (inventory heatsink will not be able to OC) Maxtor SATA a hundred and fifty 300GB 16Mb 7200rpm eVGA 7600GT CO Superclocked video card Thermaltake SWA3000 case Sony DVD-RW DRU-810A ViewSonic 2025wm liquid crystal demonstrate demonstrate screen fee approximately $2000 to construct, not low priced, would not save me a lot in any respect. I play OC so build-my-very own is a thank you to pass, no distributors help OC different than some $5000+ machines. good luck Suprabuy

Answer 9

i recommend you buying the computer that fits your needs (and budget) without regard for make and model. they all have the same parts in them. Or the equivilent. i would look for the specs you desire and get a good deal. if the good deal happens to be a compaq or dell so be it...if not..who cares.

they outdate too quickly to really be concerned with make and model.

Answer 10

Dell & Compaq are crap, they are huge and bulky not the latest technology.So i will suggest
1.Apple (Its cool with slim look and better performance)
2.Sony Vaio(its good but expensive and again worth for money & if you are buying for long term then go for it)