Previous Thread
Next Thread
Print Thread
Rate Thread
Page 1 of 2 1 2
Need a cheap laptop
#350405 06/17/11 04:55 AM
Joined: Jun 2003
Posts: 8,488
T
axiomite
OP Offline
axiomite
T
Joined: Jun 2003
Posts: 8,488
Coincidentally, 2 of our 4 desktop computers are in pieces at the moment.

My daughter wants a laptop for her birthday.

I haven't really shopped for laptops. I don't want to spend more than $400-500.

Help?


bibere usque ad hilaritatem
Re: Need a cheap laptop
tomtuttle #350409 06/17/11 04:59 AM
Joined: Mar 2005
Posts: 7,463
Likes: 1
axiomite
Offline
axiomite
Joined: Mar 2005
Posts: 7,463
Likes: 1
Tom, what does she plan to use the laptop for?

It seems like Best Buy is always running ads for laptops. Costco, I think has pretty good prices.

Unfortunately, I'm not up to par on how good they are.


***********
"Nothin' up my sleeve. . ." --Bullwinkle J. Moose
Re: Need a cheap laptop
tomtuttle #350419 06/17/11 07:05 AM
Joined: May 2002
Posts: 10,654
shareholder in the making
Offline
shareholder in the making
Joined: May 2002
Posts: 10,654
Tom, consider this one .


-----------------------------------

Enjoy the music, not the equipment.


Re: Need a cheap laptop
JohnK #350424 06/17/11 10:33 AM
Joined: Sep 2004
Posts: 11,458
shareholder in the making
Offline
shareholder in the making
Joined: Sep 2004
Posts: 11,458
John, your link went to a generic Dell page.

I just purchased two Dell computers, an XPS 9100 for the office and an XPS 17 for remote shooting, and have been comparing and eying the field for months waiting till I was ready.

Two points which may or may not be of held:
- One, is that I often saw computers in Best Buy's flyer that weren't even on sale... there was no mention of "$X" off

- Two is that when I was ready to purchase, I Googled "Dell Coupons" and found my way to check out codes that saved a total of $350 off the two computers.

I don't have enough first-hand knowledge to make specific recommendations in that price range, but hopefully will save you some $$ with the above comments! smile


::::::: No disrespect to Axiom, but my favorite woofer is my yellow lab :::::::
Re: Need a cheap laptop
tomtuttle #350432 06/17/11 12:20 PM
Joined: Dec 2008
Posts: 6,928
axiomite
Offline
axiomite
Joined: Dec 2008
Posts: 6,928
Originally Posted By: tomtuttle

I haven't really shopped for laptops. I don't want to spend more than $400-500.

Help?


I need a new laptop in the same $$ range, too. Any eggheads have some recommendations? wink


Half of communication is listening. You can't listen with your mouth.
Re: Need a cheap laptop
Adrian #350435 06/17/11 01:48 PM
Joined: Aug 2009
Posts: 6,015
axiomite
Offline
axiomite
Joined: Aug 2009
Posts: 6,015
I'd take a look at newegg.com they might have something that will work for you.

Re: Need a cheap laptop
CatBrat #350450 06/17/11 03:47 PM
Joined: Jun 2003
Posts: 8,488
T
axiomite
OP Offline
axiomite
T
Joined: Jun 2003
Posts: 8,488
Thank you for the conversation and recommendations, guys.

John, I had already identified the Core i3 as a good processor choice, and I think 15" is the current sweet-spot for size and value.

I had checked at Newegg; I just don't know which of the many brands might be better reliability-wise. HP, Lenovo, Asus, etc.

I won't have a chance to check at Costco until next week (swim meet the next few days). Our 10% sales tax rate sometimes dampens my enthusiasm for local v. internet purchasing.

Techbargains often has good coupon deals, especially on Dell.

I hate those bastards at BestBuy. I suppose it's not entirely their fault, but I'd just rather not give them business.

Sean, she's not a gamer. So, it's basically academic/business applications (Word, Excel, Powerpoint, etc.), web browsing, streaming, iPod integration, etc. If I could find one WITHOUT a web cam, that would probably satisfy my parental inclinations.


bibere usque ad hilaritatem
Re: Need a cheap laptop
tomtuttle #350460 06/17/11 06:15 PM
Joined: May 2002
Posts: 1,177
connoisseur
Offline
connoisseur
Joined: May 2002
Posts: 1,177
Hey Tom,

This article looks at reliability. I bought a 16" Toshiba about 2 to 3 years ago, that gets a consistant 8 hours of use per day. Except for the battery being pooched, it has been ROCK solid.


Shawn

Epic 80/600 + M3's + M3 Algonquins + M2 Computer + EP125
I think I'm developing an addiction.
Re: Need a cheap laptop
real80sman #350461 06/17/11 06:21 PM
Joined: May 2002
Posts: 1,177
connoisseur
Offline
connoisseur
Joined: May 2002
Posts: 1,177
Within that same article, was this even better one.

As a side note, I had a ThinkPad before the Toshiba that was a tank as well. The only problem was that the new ones were crazy expensive - hence the Toshiba to replace it.


Shawn

Epic 80/600 + M3's + M3 Algonquins + M2 Computer + EP125
I think I'm developing an addiction.
Re: Need a cheap laptop
tomtuttle #350469 06/17/11 07:57 PM
Joined: Apr 2003
Posts: 16,441
shareholder in the making
Offline
shareholder in the making
Joined: Apr 2003
Posts: 16,441
If you wait long enough, Microsoft may invade your home and turn your dining room into a laptop store.

Page 1 of 2 1 2

Moderated by  alan, Amie, Andrew, axiomadmin, Brent, Debbie, Ian, Jc 

Link Copied to Clipboard

Need Help Graphic

Forum Statistics
Forums16
Topics24,940
Posts442,457
Members15,616
Most Online2,082
Jan 22nd, 2020
Top Posters
Ken.C 18,044
pmbuko 16,441
SirQuack 13,840
CV 12,077
MarkSJohnson 11,458
Who's Online Now
0 members (), 145 guests, and 4 robots.
Key: Admin, Global Mod, Mod
Newsletter Signup
Powered by UBB.threads™ PHP Forum Software 7.7.4