[FredyFluke]

I am far from being a computer geek, and struggle with basic functions. But would like a laptop that has good resolution screen and performs good with pictures, videos, and on the internet.

Anyone have any suggestions?

 

[gverb1219]

............in the $600 to $800 dollar range...............NONE that will be any good for anything other than the most basic of functions......

 

[gverb1219]

For a fairly decent one, you should look to spend 2wice that amount.

Unless your looking for a used or refurbished............maybe you can find one at that price..........

 

[654999]

FredyFluke wrote:
I am far from being a computer geek, and struggle with basic functions. But would like a laptop that has good resolution screen and performs good with pictures, videos, and on the internet.

Anyone have any suggestions?

http://store.apple.com/1-800-MY-APP...co=7B723646&node=home/shop_mac/family/macbook

 

[jpd]

Depends a lot on your needs...and cost is definitely relative to the screen size, battery life and heat output (battery killer).

MSN

This post edited by jpd 06:21 PM 03/17/2008

 

[MakoMike]

Best bet is probably to go to one of the computer shows and look at used high end (for their time) machines.

 

[Gaucho]

Fredy.........shhhhhhhh you didnt hear this from me....Take a look at the acer's...they make the best bang for under 700bucks.........shhhhh

 

[636943]

I'm on an Acer right now.

Spent $550 for the thing and it is used just for internet purposes. Thing is perfect for what I need it to do. I don't do anything nuts, no programming, not much picture editing, just a lot of reading and watching fishing vids.



I'm saving up for a Mac right now to do video editing and the such. Thats gonna run around $2Gs...

 

[gverb1219]

Gaucho wrote:
Fredy.........shhhhhhhh you didnt hear this from me....Take a look at the acer's...they make the best bang for under 700bucks.........shhhhh

Hmmmmmmmmmm.........considering Acer owns most of Packard Bell, and that they bought up Gateway, and that........Acer Incorporated is a Taiwanese multinational electronics manufacturer. It owns the largest franchised computer retail chain in Taipei, Taiwan.[1] Acer is the second largest computer manufacturer in the world (by sales after HP. [2] and its product lineup includes desktop and mobile PCs (laptops),as well as personal digital assistants (PDAs), servers and storage, displays, peripherals, and e-business solutions for business, government, education, and home users.

BUt, their prices are climbing fast too..................

 

[Musella]

I purchsed my last computer from costco. They have a great return policy, and they have a special tech support hotline with english speaking people who come on the line quickly..

They also sell refurbished computers in your price range on costco.com

 

[Blazetoy]

HP Pavilion dv9700z series

 

[wader]

you can pick up a decent HP for around $800

that's what we bought me daugther during the summer & it fits all the needs.......

I'm running off of an IBM Think Pad (right now actually) T42. Good wireless capabilities & plenty of power.

Very dependable - only problem is IBM no longer markets machines for residential use. They only sell to business these days.

Bit pricey as I understand if you can get one.

lucky for me the company pays for it

 

[bonsiguy]

i picked up two new toshibas with the service plans from best buy for a lil more for each than ya want to spend.service plan is good when it craps the bed ya can get a new one out of them .ive gotten 5 new
upgredes from the geek squad over the past few years.

 

[wader]

freddy wrote:
performs good with pictures, videos, and on the internet.

Thing you need to keep in mind with a laptop if you are going to be downloading a lot of video - their storage capabilities are a lot smaller then a desktop (can't keep as much stuff stored on 'em).

If you plan on holding a lot of pictures, videos, music files or any other large files that require a lot of space you maybe better off with a desktop.

We have two desktops (1 old/1new) & two laptops in the house.
We keep all of the video & picture stuff on the desktops.

You can definately pick up a nice HP laptop in your price range depending on what Peripherals (monitor, etc) you want to link to it.

Both Best Buy & Circuit City are pretty good at making recommendations based on what you want to use it for.
I know Best Buy has got the Geek Squad - but - Circuit City has their own brand of geeks.

For home use I would tend to lean toward HP for no other reason then that's all I've owned for home & have been happy with them.

This post edited by wader 10:02 PM 03/17/2008

 

[blackdiamond296]

For the basics: web browsing, email, music, video, etc- a Mac is definitely the way to go. I switched about 2 years ago and haven't looked back.

As far as your price range goes- i would look into a refurbished MacBook - they're usually just units that were in-store displays, they replace all the pieces that had wear and put 'em up for sale

 

[MakoMike]

Try Ubid.com. They often have refurb direct from the mFgs, that come with a new warranty and that are about 60% of the price of the new units that you see in stores.

 

[FredyFluke]

thanks guys.

I really want it for the mobility. So Desktop will not work.
Besides I have a crappy desktop already. Don't need another one.

Main functions will be wireless internet access for mobile email & web browsing (NE.com, SATBLMAO, and chat ), watching web cams

(link to the security system in my house ) and videos (no not porn). Also basic photo edit stuff like editing out pictures of guys with whip cream on their chests, or putting edvac's head on a fish. That sort of thing.

Do not need tons of storage because I can dump it out on the desktop or back it up on a stand alone hard drive. But because my eyes are getting worse and I refuse to wear glasses all the time, I need on with the largest best resolution screen I can afford.

Also I see most of them are Vista now and have these basic software bundles...what is the best options there? Get one with a good bundle or load that stuff later, myself.

Will start to take a look at some of the suggested models here. Thanks for the help guys and keep it coming.

 

[Gaucho]

Fredy...
I was gonna add this to the PM but wanted to share this with others.
Scroll down and watch the video on this link...acer 5920

Now Staples has it on sale for 699 then mail in a rebate and get 50 back.

It has 3gb ram which you will need because of Vista.

You can not BEAT THIS laptop in its class

Staples acer deal

 

[FredyFluke]

Gaucho wrote:
Fredy...
I was gonna add this to the PM but wanted to share this with others.
Scroll down and watch the video on this link...acer 5920

Now Staples has it on sale for 699 then mail in a rebate and get 50 back.

It has 3gb ram which you will need because of Vista.

You can not BEAT THIS laptop in its class

Staples acer deal

how is this processor? Intel® Core 2 Duo T5450 (1.66GHz) processor
what about this Network Card 802.11 a/b/g/draft N?
and Video Graphics Intel Graphics Media Accelerator (GMA) X3100

They all good?

 

[Musella]

wader wrote:

Both Best Buy & Circuit City are pretty good at making recommendations based on what you want to use it for.
I know Best Buy has got the Geek Squad - but - Circuit City has their own brand of geeks.


I would avoid Circuit City... I usually don't buy the extended "no hassle" warranty, but when I picked up a dvd recorder, I figured they are relatively flaky devices, so I bought the plan.. it says they will fix it, or if they can't fix it, replace it.
The problem is there is no limit to how much time they can take or how many tries. I took it in 3 times.. they had it a total of 4 months and then finally admitted they couldn't fix it so they gave me a newer model which is now working perfectly.. but I wasted about 6 hours of my time at the store and on the phone arguing with them.. not to mention not having the device for 4 months.
I never had that type of experiance with any other electronics place..