i am getting a laptop for christmas but i really dont know much about the different brands of computers. i would like some info on the best ones with the most reasonable prices....preferably from your own experience..(please dont post any links to other websites b/c i cant figure out what all that info is..i'd just rather have someone explain from thier personal experience with the computer) thanks!
2006-11-17 18:03:07 · 5 answers · asked by Amy N 4 in Computers & Internet ➔ Hardware ➔ Laptops & Notebooks
When it comes to computers, brands really don't matter. What matters are the features.
If money is no object you should get a laptop that's top of the line. This is what you should look for (and what I look for when shopping for a new computer):
RAM: it goes as low as 256MB to 2MB. Most modern computers come with 1GB. That should be more than enough for someone who uses computers for common tasks like surf the Web, make documents, play video games, watch movies, etc.)
Hard drive: The bigger the better. Most laptops come with 40GB though can go as high as 120GB. Large hard drives also allow the computer to be faster. The less congested a hard drive is the better it'll run. My current laptop is a lowly 40GB and it lags, but my desktop computer with 250GB is very fast.
Monitor screen material and size: LCD is the best. Anything else is not worth it. A laptop screen size is very important. Anything below 15" isn't worth it. If you can get a 17" or bigger that'd be great. Also a widescreen would be killer, but standard is just fine for all cases.
Connections: A laptop should have a good WiFi adaptor that accepts all forms (g and b)
2006-11-17 18:24:47 · answer #1 · answered by three714 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Dells used to be decent computers, overpriced, but with great customer support, that's what people payed for. Dells were great for businesses because they would fully support the system, and also good for individuals who didn't know much about computers. However, Dell's service has since declined to a sad state, and the computers are now made poorly, but at least they are constant in one area: they are still overpriced.
True, there are no known viruses for Macs, because hardly anyone uses them, so hackers don't waste time making viruses for them. FYI, Mac now has computers that run windows, but they will be affected by any virus that would affect windows. Generally, Macs are not as flexible as other systems because they are not as compatible with other software.
Gateways aren't bad for the money, but they tend to overheat. If you don't mind using a cooling pad, they're all right.
Depending on what you're doing, I'd recommend an HP or Toshiba. The HP's tend to have better graphics processing ability, so if you're doing games, video, or video editing, I'd go with this. Otherwise, the Toshiba's tend to be good computers at a good price.
Stay away from Compaqs, they're just HP's low end product and aren't made as well as the HP branded computers.
2006-11-18 13:13:25 · answer #2 · answered by Jeff B 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
I second the MAC Ibook. I have been using an Ibook G4 for about a year now. It is my 5th laptop. I have owned Dells, and other brands. Got tired of virus's, freeze-ups, errors and all the problems with Windows OS. My MAC runs like a champ and I never have had any problems. It is fast and the quality I would put better than a dell, better than the one I had anyway. There are so many laptops out there.... just buy a good name brand with good components. If you go the PC route stay away from the slow Celeron and Sempron processors, also check out the integrated graphics too. If its ATI or Nvidia your good, anything elso is a no-go. Have fun!
2006-11-18 07:48:32 · answer #3 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
dell inspirion e1405
http://www.dell.com/content/products/productdetails.aspx/inspn_e1405?c=us&cs=19&l=en&s=dhs
Intel® Core⢠Duo T2050 (1.60GHz, 2MB L2 Cache, 533 MHz FSB)
Genuine Windows® XP Media Center Edition 2005
Express Upgrade to Windows Vista Home Premium from XP Media Center Edition
14.1 inch WXGA+ UltraSharp⢠TFT Display with TrueLifeâ¢
512MB DDR2 SDRAM 533MHZ, 1 DIMM
80GB Sata Hard Drive
24X CD Burner/DVD Combo Drive
Intel® Graphics Media Accelerator 950
Integrated Audio
53 WHr 6-cell Lithium Ion Primary Battery
Dell Wireless 1390b/g (54Mbps)
Includes Microsoft Works 8. DOES NOT INCLUDE MS WORD
Basic and trial products from Corel and Yahoo
1Yr Ltd Warranty and Mail-In Service
6 Months EarthLink Internet Access Included
Integrated 10/100 Network Card and Modem
Adobe® Acrobat® Reader 7.0
Windows Vista⢠Capable
Intel Core Duo Processor
>> $ 669
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i've chosen a midrange laptop, which u can cherish & enjoy !
(the inspirion b130 is cheaper, but performance is lacking)
i've chosen dell cause they offer most value for money
the size is 14.1" which means screen size is just about adequate
besides i've added truelife widescreen so viewing aspect & contrast ratio are better. any bigger it looses mobility & becomes tuff to carry & lug around
the t2050 is a good processor, dual core & should be ample for most applications
ram or memory is 512 mb in single slot, which is more than adequate & yet leaves one slot free for future expansion
hard drive or storage space is 80 gb whih is huge & sata type means faster data flow
u can read or play cd's & dvd's + write cd's
(if u also want to write dvd's, it will cost u extra $30)
operating system is win xp media centre 2005, which is great, allowing u play music, view snaps, dvd flicks without booting laptop, notice external console
battery life is approx 4 hrs of normal work
(bigger 9 cell battery carries more charge, but makes laptop heavier, so u got to compromise)
... rest plz feel free 2 ask ... i'll try best ... happy computing !
2006-11-18 08:59:20 · answer #4 · answered by sεαη 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Buy an Mac iBook.Small,fast and there are no known viruses for a Mac .
2006-11-18 07:42:30 · answer #5 · answered by Phil 3 · 1⤊ 0⤋