Laptop. Any recommendations.

[Gaijin]

I know didly about computers. I am planning to replace my desktop to a laptop finally.

Any recommendations? I am not very computer literate, so simplicity with a normal range of applications at a reasonable price are my criteria.

Thanks all.

[jasonbellevue]

Tom, personally, I use a Dell and an IBM Lenovo laptop. We're a multi platform household, PC, Mac and Unix. To help you in your search, here's a link that will show you what comes recommended by the Editors of PC World magazine.

http://www.pcworld.com/giftguides/ho...notebooks.html

Best of luck in your selection.

[Obsession]

I ll just say HP if you want to use a laptop for long years.

[SLRdude]

Originally Posted by KansaiVet

I am not very computer literate, so simplicity with a normal range of applications at a reasonable price are my criteria.

Thanks all.

That right there points to one computer: Apple MacBook.

[bran]

I would second the nomination of an Apple MacBook. I have been using a Mac for 12 years. My wife finally took the plunge in September and wishes she had before. It is the most user friendly machine out there.

[SPACE-DWELLER]

Acer Aspire is a good laptop!

[Lol-x]

Mac is fine.
But I like Windows for a laptop, just more compatable if you are travelling.
Get a Toshiba Satellite, they come with Harmon/Kardon speakers, remote control so you can play DVD's they are just a great package for about $1,000 or so. You will need to upgrade the memory, get at least 2gig of memory. Get the latest processor to insure against immediate obsolesence.

[Paulie]

Originally Posted by Lol-x

Mac is fine.
But I like Windows for a laptop, just more compatable if you are travelling.
Get a Toshiba Satellite, they come with Harmon/Kardon speakers, remote control so you can play DVD's they are just a great package for about $1,000 or so. You will need to upgrade the memory, get at least 2gig of memory. Get the latest processor to insure against immediate obsolesence.

New Mac's can run both, just need to spend money for a copy of Win Vista.

Not sure what's compatible when traveling though. I'd much rather support a Mac traveler than a Windows one. At least when the Mac misbehaves, it's consistent.

[MotoLiam]

Macbook for the win!

[CPTL]

I bought my last notebook from the Dell Outlet website. Refurbished notebook with specs matching the latest and greatest new stuff for about 60% of the cost, including 3-year in home service plans.

Biggest thing in my (limited knowledge) opinion is not to talk yourself into thinking you need all the fancy wizbang stuff if you're not heavily into multimedia, graphics, and gaming. If all you do is surf the net, e-mail, produce word/powerpoint documents, and download photos/video from your digital camera you can get a compact, mobile platform that will meet all of your needs for around $1000.

[CPTL]

Just read your "desktop replacement" need. I bought a desktop replacement notebook when I first entered law school. It was a 15-in hi def screen dell inspiron with everything you think you need, and I paid about $2500. It lasted a year and a half before it was junk. The big "desktop replacement" notebooks are not really intended to be carted around. It was heavy as anything, and because it was so bulky and heavy it ended up knocking into everything when I carried it around. Within 16 months the power board and mother board (usually permanently affixed to one another) became separated, and it was no longer portable--had to leave it sitting on the desk. Cost to fix it was nearly the cost of the new mini-sized refurb that I bought instead.

Don't know if the above anecdote applies to your situation, but it's my lesson learned.

I will not buy a large "desktop replacement" notebook again. For the same money, you can get a very small, sleek portable notebook with all the functions you need on the go, and a desktop computer to leave at home. You can do all your media downloads, gaming, etc. at home on the desktop. You can also easily network the two together so you can quickly share files between the two systems if you need something "to go."

Like I said, this might not apply to your situaiton, but I learned the above lesson the hard way.

[shoppy]

A macbook pro, no competition, can use both windows and mac and great whilst travelling. Mine is going with me to new york. Being in teh army I travel a fair bit and it works fine. Also reliable

[Ed Rooney]

I work in IT, and the notebooks I buy for work are Latittude D630's. They are the right combo of size an capability. You can get them with completecare, which means you can drop it, throw it, dunk it and they will fix it. The 630 series honestly doesn't have many warts. One of the things I love about it is I can get over 10+ hours of battery life by getting a 9-cell primary battery and a smaller media bay battery. Whatever you do, avoid Sony. I am typing this message on 13-month old Vaio that my CEO bought at Best Buy. The battery does not charge, so it has to be plugged in or it will die IMMEDIATELY. It is out of warranty. I brought it home for my wife to use since she always plugs in anyway.

If I HAD to buy a notebook for strictly pesonal productivity and home/cafe/freelancing type use, it would be either a Dell D630 or a Macbook Pro. Macs are great. If it gets screwy take it to the Apple store and get free support.

So there it is. Dells are better for a structured corporate scene. Macbooks are better for home and freelancers. Just buy XP for the Mac, not Vista.

[Downing]

Love my MacBook Pro. Bought it before the advent of the MacBook; otherwise, that's what I would have as it's cheaper and does all I need.

Unless you're into video games, I'd recommend a Mac Book. If you need to run Windows, you can do that via Boot Camp, a program that comes included with Mac.

Ed, why not Vista instead of XP? My wife uses it on her Mac Book via Boot Camp with no issues.

[Prince]

Originally Posted by SLRdude

That right there points to one computer: Apple MacBook.

Yes indeed!!! Agreed 100% And if you can go a little higher in price, the MacBook Pro is the "cat's meow"!!!

[Gaijin]

Originally Posted by Prince

Yes indeed!!! Agreed 100% And if you can go a little higher in price, the MacBook Pro is the "cat's meow"!!!

If you have never used an Apple Mac is it a hard transition learning wise to go from a standard PC to that?

[Prince]

Originally Posted by KansaiVet

If you have never used an Apple Mac is it a hard transition learning wise to go from a standard PC to that?

No, not at all, Tom. In fact, it is a much easier operating system and hardware platform to work with (IMHO). On top of that, the Macs are now powered by Intel processors that let you run both the Macintosh OS (10.5.1 currently) as well as either Windows XP or VISTA. It is literally the best of both worlds!

[bran]

Originally Posted by KansaiVet

If you have never used an Apple Mac is it a hard transition learning wise to go from a standard PC to that?

I was worried about that myself when I made the transition, but I had no problems at all. You can get MS Office ($149 if you buy the student pak at Compusa.com). It is just a easier machine to use. I have no capatability issues.

I run a program (VM Ware Fusion) which allows me to open a window of any other operating system (I use XP) and drag and drop from it. It automatically recognizes your internet connection as well as all peripheral devices.

I cannot more strongly suggest a Mac. My wife and I both use them (me a MacBook Pro, she use a MacBook). My wifes machine developed a problem with the logic board. Apple paid for overnight shipping both ways. We sent the machine in on Monday afternoon and had it back Wednesday before lunch. The machine is great , service and support is great , but they are a little more expensive .

[ohsixx]

I was just looking at the MacBook today. It comes loaded!

[EvEr34]

Macbook nothin else matters.

[Downing]

Originally Posted by KansaiVet

If you have never used an Apple Mac is it a hard transition learning wise to go from a standard PC to that?

Tom, let's think this through together.

1. Tom knows Downing
2. Tom knows Downing is not as computer savvy as Tom
3. Tom knows Downing knows how to use a PC and a Mac

Therefore, Tom will have no absolutely no trouble learning how to use a Mac and in fact will soon be running circles around Downing with his new Apple laptop.

Tom---><-----Downing

[unclesallie]

i would gladly settle for a picture of your milgauss.

[Alex Stylianou]

Mac Book , but if you want a windows based laptop - get a compaq presario.

[Gaijin]

I went to the Apple store yesterday. I think I am going to pull the trigger on a Mac Book. Thanks for all the help and advice!

[Thurnau]

I have both. Mac is good for fun and home use. While PC remains better for work stuff.

Software companies that build more unique things like FedEx and UPS may build for PC. And many other companies build software around internet explorer. If you are buying for work mainly I would consider a PC. Most games do not come out for mac, if you are a gamer type.

If you want something more pleasing to look at, and typically has less operation software problems, then mac is the way to go.

[Prince]

Originally Posted by KansaiVet

I went to the Apple store yesterday. I think I am going to pull the trigger on a Mac Book. Thanks for all the help and advice!

[Gaijin]

Got the Mac. Macbook. Hated it. I mean really hated it. Wanted to launch it out the window. I sent it back for a refund.

I am an old dog. I cannot be taught new tricks.


I am back to the PC.

[jasonbellevue]

Originally Posted by KansaiVet

Got the Mac. Macbook. Hated it. I mean really hated it. Wanted to launch it out the window.

I am an old dog. I cannot be taught new tricks.


I am back to the PC.

Sorry to hear that Tom. I guess some of us are pretty set in our ways. Nevertheless, it's whatever makes you happy and works for you that counts.

[Arturo]

I have a Macbook for home and an Acer for work. Acer seems to be the Asian Dell so to speak, is well priced, and I have never had a lick of trouble with them. I buy them for our office with Dell products for the office and I see little or no difference. I actcually prefer the Acer for my job travels, but love the Mac at home.

[pilapandet]

I never own a mac before. But, I wish to have one now instead of lousy window operating system laptop that I am using right now.