What laptop should I buy?

Rob S · 12-19-2009, 03:33 PM

SWDC, I ask you, what laptop should I buy? I am starting an internship and need a laptop. I am pretty sure I want a PC because I am used to them and I have heard from most sources you get way more for your money. That said, if you think a Mac is worth it, let me know why.

Ideally I would want to spend around $600 to $800, but I could go higher if it was clearly worth it. The main things I want are good battery life, speed, a fairly large hard drive that wont burn out on me, and a decent sized screen with a nice display for watching movies. If you have any questions that would help you make a better recommendation, let me know.

Thanks guys.

ImBrotherCain · 12-19-2009, 03:42 PM

Well I work at Best Buy in the computer department... for just knowing what we have this one is my personal favorite. http://www.bestbuy.com/site/Asus+-+Laptop+with+Intel%26%23174%3B+Core%26%23153%3B2+D uo+Processor+-+Black+Aluminum/9556143.p?id=1218124207441&skuId=9556143

Most people don't know about Asus but they are one of the best computer manufacturers out there today

The computer has :
Roughly an 8 hour battery life
4GB of Ram
500 GB Hard Drive
15.6" Screen

Its extremely portable because it weighs roughly 4 pounds and is roughly an inch thick.

Matthew Jones · 12-19-2009, 03:48 PM

As someone whose family has both a Mac and PC, let me tell you that a Mac is not worth it, especially if you don't know what the benefit to having one is. If you think it looks "cool" and want to mess around in Garage Band, you have to really consider if that's worth an extra $500-1000 compared to an equivalent PC. Macs might be more user-friendly if you're just starting out on computers, but if you are feeling pretty good about PC, there's no reason to switch, because you already know how to use one of them. As for PC, I'm not entirely sure which brand is the best. I have a Gateway laptop and it's not what I'd hoped it'd be when I got it, it overheats way too much. Most of the tech-savvy people I know use Dell laptops, so that would probably be a pretty good choice.

A Perfect Score · 12-19-2009, 03:54 PM

I know when I was researching laptops, I had decided on Lenovo before I decided to build myself a desktop instead. They may not be the flashiest, but Ive heard they are next to indestructible and are very well put together computers. When I do end up upgrading my laptop, thats probably what Ill be getting. The ThinkPad and the IdeaPad are models to check out. Very affordable as well.

thefalconer · 12-19-2009, 04:29 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ImBrotherCain

Well I work at Best Buy in the computer department... for just knowing what we have this one is my personal favorite. http://www.bestbuy.com/site/Asus+-+Laptop+with+Intel%26%23174%3B+Core%26%23153%3B2+D uo+Processor+-+Black+Aluminum/9556143.p?id=1218124207441&skuId=9556143

Most people don't know about Asus but they are one of the best computer manufacturers out there today

The computer has :
Roughly an 8 hour battery life
4GB of Ram
500 GB Hard Drive
15.6" Screen

Its extremely portable because it weighs roughly 4 pounds and is roughly an inch thick.

very good specs for $680 but the processor speed is a weak 1.3 GHz. you should get a laptop with at least a 2.0 GHz processor. a lot of RAM doesn't really matter with a weak processor. like aps said, lenovos offer a lot of bang for your buck. HPs tend to be a bit overpriced. and Dells are decent and you should take a look at them.

if you can post more of what you're looking to do with the laptop and what size then i can recommend something for you.

thefalconer · 12-19-2009, 04:35 PM

i re-read the OP and see what you want and this looks really good.

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16834117958

Crickett · 12-19-2009, 04:47 PM

Get an Osborne 1.

Rob S · 12-19-2009, 06:20 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by thefalconer

i re-read the OP and see what you want and this looks really good.

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16834117958

That looks pretty good. I will do some more research, but that and a lenovo are def. in the running.

ImBrotherCain · 12-19-2009, 06:22 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by thefalconer

very good specs for $680 but the processor speed is a weak 1.3 GHz. you should get a laptop with at least a 2.0 GHz processor. a lot of RAM doesn't really matter with a weak processor. like aps said, lenovos offer a lot of bang for your buck. HPs tend to be a bit overpriced. and Dells are decent and you should take a look at them.

if you can post more of what you're looking to do with the laptop and what size then i can recommend something for you.

Its a 1.3 because its a low voltage processor... hence the 8 hour battery life and not having the whole laptop way 10 pounds. 1.3 is going to be fine for every day use any gaming, video editing or anything resource exhausting isn't what that Laptop is designed for.

Rob S · 12-19-2009, 06:29 PM

I dont know much about that brother cain, but i am researching the one you mentioned as well

TimD · 12-19-2009, 06:37 PM

im not any sort of a computer genius but after buying a mac, i'll never go back to pc. i recommend a mac

MiWolves · 12-19-2009, 06:40 PM

Get an Lenovo or Asus labtop, I have a Lenovo for like 2 years and it hasn't broken down yet. I use to have a dell labtop and I called for tech support and they said if I wanted to renew my warranty incase of my screen breaking and once my warranty was up guess what! my screen broke. Concidence? I think not.

thefalconer · 12-19-2009, 07:14 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ImBrotherCain

Its a 1.3 because its a low voltage processor... hence the 8 hour battery life and not having the whole laptop way 10 pounds. 1.3 is going to be fine for every day use any gaming, video editing or anything resource exhausting isn't what that Laptop is designed for.

yeah, i realized he wanted a long battery life so your recommendation might suit his needs better. i just always instinctively look for the most power in laptops.

Rob S · 12-19-2009, 07:19 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by thefalconer

yeah, i realized he wanted a long battery life so your recommendation might suit his needs better. i just always instinctively look for the most power in laptops.

Yeah......8 hours is insane. I think 4 is more than enough for my needs. Only time I wont have access to my charger would likely be class and classes are 3 hrs. at the longest

Rob S · 12-19-2009, 07:21 PM

I am liking the vaio, falconer. One question, do you think it would have any problems with freezing up when running multiple apps at the same time, that would be important in the office.

SickwithIt1010 · 12-19-2009, 07:23 PM

Dell XPS is the way to go, its definitely a little on the spendy side but its a good as they come.

El Peefs????? · 12-19-2009, 07:26 PM

Make sure to do some looking around on tigerdirect.com. They typically beat out not only computer stores on prices, but usually the other online stores too. Even if you don't get a machine off of there, they have a lot of user reviews on all of the items that they offer. Great place to do some research at the very least, I built my computer entirely off of there.

Rob S · 12-19-2009, 07:28 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by SickwithIt1010

Dell XPS is the way to go, its definitely a little on the spendy side but its a good as they come.

I dont know technology, so I dont know this answer. Ignoring the aesthetics, what makes this for around 1000 bucks a better computer than the vaio falconer posted for around 700? It seems most of the specs are similar.

El Peefs????? · 12-19-2009, 07:35 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Rob S

I dont know technology, so I dont know this answer. Ignoring the aesthetics, what makes this for around 1000 bucks a better computer than the vaio falconer posted for around 700? It seems most of the specs are similar.

So Im not sure what youre looking into or anything about these laptops (desktop guy) but I would absolutely not settle for anything below a Core 2 Duo processor wise. Its only a matter of time before quad core & (more down the line) i7 processors become more affordable in laptops. I certainly wouldnt spend more than 600 on a laptop that only had a single processor.

Caddy · 12-19-2009, 07:36 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Rob S

I dont know technology, so I dont know this answer. Ignoring the aesthetics, what makes this for around 1000 bucks a better computer than the vaio falconer posted for around 700? It seems most of the specs are similar.

I love my Dell XPS, but then again mine is a little on the older side now so maybe things have changed with it.

stephenson86 · 12-19-2009, 07:53 PM

DELL XPS got a 1920x1200 screen all you need

Halsey · 12-19-2009, 07:58 PM

My wife and I have a Toshiba laptop and it's been good so far. I recommend looking at them.

thefalconer · 12-19-2009, 08:31 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Rob S

I am liking the vaio, falconer. One question, do you think it would have any problems with freezing up when running multiple apps at the same time, that would be important in the office.

the 2.2 GHz should be plenty to run multiple programs at one time and not have the laptop freeze.

Quote:

Originally Posted by The Peefs

So Im not sure what youre looking into or anything about these laptops (desktop guy) but I would absolutely not settle for anything below a Core 2 Duo processor wise. Its only a matter of time before quad core & (more down the line) i7 processors become more affordable in laptops. I certainly wouldnt spend more than 600 on a laptop that only had a single processor.

the vaio is a Intel Core 2 Duo T6600, so you're good.

this laptop is 15.5", i bought a lenovo over the summer that is 15.6" and it is a good compromise between the portability and multimedia purposes. it's a widescreen so vids and movies should be comfortable to the eye.

one last thing.. i'm not completely sure about this but waiting til after christmas to make your purchase might lead to a better deal. you could bookmark the newegg page for the vaio and check back on it in a week and a half. but it's still a good laptop for $729.99. the vaio is the most aesthetically appealing pc and are usually the priciest brand but this looks good. and you get the sexy mac style keyboard.

DiG · 12-19-2009, 08:41 PM

i just got a new toshiba two weeks ago and am a big fan.

http://www.bestbuy.com/site/Toshiba+...&skuId=9549054

only complaint is that it picks up fingerprints easily on the keys otherwise i love it. its fast as balls, sleek, very impressive so far.

ImBrotherCain · 12-19-2009, 09:31 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by SickwithIt1010

Dell XPS is the way to go, its definitely a little on the spendy side but its a good as they come.

Quote:

Originally Posted by stephenson86

DELL XPS got a 1920x1200 screen all you need

Honestly Dells suck... They care nothing for the customers. They have the worst tech support in the business, they use gimmicky schemes like the different colors or patterns to get knowledgeable customers to buy them and they jack up the prices to support their bloated marketing department.

Working in the Computer department (and owning one before) i hear more complaints about dell than any other brand.

Quote:

Originally Posted by Dirty Thirty

i just got a new toshiba two weeks ago and am a big fan.

http://www.bestbuy.com/site/Toshiba+...&skuId=9549054

only complaint is that it picks up fingerprints easily on the keys otherwise i love it. its fast as balls, sleek, very impressive so far.

Toshiba's are very solid laptops. They have one of the lowest failure rates.

The machine above is a great laptop, good battery life, 2.2 Ghz processor, 4gb ram, 500gb hard drive and the best speakers in a laptop ive ever heard