Helpful answers only please.
2006-08-31 02:13:48 · 9 answers · asked by trykindness 5 in Computers & Internet ➔ Other - Computers
Look at the ad circulars for stores like CompUSA and Circuit City. They often have great prices on big sales (Back to School, Christmas, End of Summer etc). If you are not a careful person consider buying the insurance policy that covers breakage and other abuse problems (otherwise skip that since it is pricey).
Take a look at Toshiba for low prices. I have had good luck with them in terms of features, quality, and price
2006-08-31 02:20:22 · answer #1 · answered by Rich Z 7 · 1⤊ 0⤋
As with all computer purchases, first make a list of what you need it for.
Unless you have special needs, such as graphic design work -- or for some gamers, the fastest games -- at the professional level, most folks don't need an extremely powerful machine.
If your needs are basically word processing, college or school homework, surf the Web, e-mail, look at photos, the cheapest machines will suit your purposes.
I mean, if you can afford any machine, go for it. But, I see all the time families of ordinary incomes spending $2,000 for a computer and doing no more with it than I do on my $750 machine.
A lot of people will try to steer you to the most expensive machines, and as I said, unless you have really special needs, this is disgusting.
Dell is definitely a reasonable choice, and you can easily customize them.
You might make sure you get one with USB port v. 2.0 since that lets you add stuff that a very cheap one with USB 1.0 might not handle.
Oh, do spend the $10 for reinstall disks, since a bad HD means your hidden reinstall partition is also gone.
As far as spending lots for the MS office packages, don't. Download Openoffice.org for Windows, and it gives the same thing free except for really tough macros, which most amateurs won't use. I just wrote an answer, and the user did this, and was very happy with OO.
One warning: with OO, be careful to select .doc when you save, the default format is something no one else can open. It may be possible to change the default, if you can figure it out make that change.
2006-08-31 09:32:43 · answer #2 · answered by retiredslashescaped1 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋
I have a lot of experience with laptops and I recommend an old Sony PCG 505 computer because they are less than 3 pounds (10.4 in screen), relatively cheap and use the pentium 233-300 MHZ chip which do not require a cooling fan and they are fast and are excellent for travel and getting on the internet. They are about 7 years old in technology but they are just as fast for the internet as any other computer and very portable and durable. The small Sony picturebook is cute but you will not be able to see the whole page, unless you scroll, and the price for the sony picture book is very high. By the way you can put Windows XP on these machines as long as they have 64 MB ram. by the way you can buy them on Ebay. good luck
2006-08-31 09:54:13 · answer #3 · answered by intheskeye 2 · 0⤊ 1⤋
No offense to intheskeye but recommending an ancient machine is nuts! " It has a Pentium 300MHz ! " WOW!
What is your price range? You can now get a Centrino DUO machine at Best Buy, Circuit City, etc. for under $800. Look at the Sunday Ads for these stores. 2 weeks ago Best Buy had a Toshiba Centrino DUO laptop on sale for $599! Regurlarly $949.
2006-08-31 10:02:15 · answer #4 · answered by smartbox02 1 · 1⤊ 0⤋
Get one with at least 1GB of RAM, a separate video card pref 256MB, 80GB or larger 5400rpm or better HD, a wireless card and a 15" or better screen.
A DVD burner is nice but at least get a CD burner.
As for brands, Systemax(Tiger Direct) is very good, Acer, HP........too.
Toshiba and Sony are expensive POS.
Dell and Gateway tend to have lots of breakdowns.
2006-08-31 09:22:51 · answer #5 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 0⤋
1. Select The smallest size and less weight.
2. Select the best battery operation time.
3. Select the one with Wireless/Lan/Bluetooth/Infrared.(all of them)
4. Better TO have Compo Drive(ie: DVD Reader/CDrom Writer)
2006-08-31 09:21:32 · answer #6 · answered by Wish Master 5 · 1⤊ 0⤋
Dell is OK until you want something done. . some of the keys stopped working on a friend of mine's Dell so she sent it back for repairs.She is still waiting for it to come back 3 months later.
I love my Sony Vaio.
2006-08-31 09:25:46 · answer #7 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
If you want a good deal... Dell
If you want a good product... IBM/Lenovo Thinkpad
I just bought a Toshiba tablet for a pretty good price- its great so far!
2006-08-31 09:19:46 · answer #8 · answered by Dan 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
that's up to u
Dell products.........Dell is the best
2006-08-31 09:16:48 · answer #9 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 3⤋