BlackAdder7 said:

XxAxX said:

get a pink one!

now you're stereoptying..literally!

SupaFunkyOrgangrinderSexy said:

Is there any brand I should absolutely avoid? Any honorable mentions?

Looking for something around $500, which looks doable. This will be my first one and I want to avoid drama!

I currently have an HP laptop and a Samsung netbook and I'm happy with both (although the max-2GB RAM on the netbook can make it a little annoying, at times). My advice: go for as much RAM as possible.

What are your priorities? Battery life? Hard drive size? Other?

EmeraldSkies said:

1) What is your budget?

2) What size notebook would you prefer?

a. Netbook; 10” screen or less
b. Ultraportable; 11" - 12” screen
c. Thin and Light; 13" - 14" screen
d. Mainstream; 15" - 16" screen
e. Desktop Replacement; 17"+ screen

3) Where will you buying this notebook?

4) Are there any brands that you prefer or any you really don't like?

a. Like:
b. Dislike:

5) Would you consider laptops that are refurbished/redistributed?

6) What are the primary tasks will you be performing with this notebook?

7) Will you be taking the notebook with you to different places, leaving it on your desk or both?

8) Will you be playing games on your notebook? If so, please state which games or types of games?

9) How many hours of battery life do you need?

10) Would you prefer to see the notebooks you're considering before purchasing it or buying a notebook on-line without seeing it is OK?

11) What OS do you prefer? Windows (XP or Vista or Windows 7), Mac OS, Linux, etc.

Screen Specifics

12) From the choices below, what screen resolution(s) would you prefer? Keep in mind screen size in conjunction with resolution will play a large role in overall viewing comfort level. Everyone is different. Some like really small text, while others like their text big and easy to read. If you are unsure of what to purchase, we would highly recommend you check some notebook screens before you buy to see what you like. You may also wish to take a look at the notebook screen guide for more information.

• Netbook resolution: WSVGA
• Actual resolutions: 1024x600 and 1024x576
• Offered on Netbooks 10" and smaller
• Netbook standard resolution. This is the lowest resolution available, and is designed to easily read text and icons on smaller-sized netbook screens. However, this leads to a somewhat “crowded” display that can generally only handle one visible window at a time. Typically not available on larger machines.
• Standard Resolutions: WXGA, HD, 720p
• Actual resolutions: 1280x800 and 1366x768
• Offered on larger Netbooks and Notebooks up to 16"
• Lower resolution screens offer big text and icons that are easy to read. Less stuff fits on the screen, which translates into more scrolling. Multiple windows can be worked with, though they may have to overlap some.
• Midrange Resolutions: WXGA+, HD+, 900p
• Actual resolutions: 1440x900 and 1600x900
• Offered on all Notebooks. Keep in mind text will be very small on a 12" WXGA+ notebook.
• A set of in-between resolution options that are found on some machines. Considered base resolution on 17" inch and higher laptops. Text and icons are smaller than standard resolution screens, and more windows fit onto the screen. These resolutions are very good for working with multiple windows side-by-side, without having to overlap them.
• Maximum Resolutions: WSXGA+, WUXGA, FHD, 1080p
• Actual resolutions: 1680x1050, 1920x1200 and 1920x1080
• Offered on Notebook 15" and larger
• On these screens text and icons will be very small. Text can often be hard to read, though some do like it. A very large number of windows fit on the screen, and there will be little need to overlap any of them. Max resolution screens are good for applications that require high detail (CAD, graphics editing, etc.)

13) Do you want a glossy/reflective screen or a matte/non-glossy screen?

Build Quality and Design

14) Are the notebook's looks and stylishness important to you?

15) When are you buying this laptop?

16) How long do you want this laptop to last?

Notebook Components

17) How much hard drive space do you need; 80GB to 640GB? Do you want a SSD drive?

18) Do you need an optical drive? If yes, a CDRW/DVD-ROM, DVD Burner or Blu-Ray drive?

Now that's a reply. Great work, EmeraldSkies!

SupaFunkyOrgangrinderSexy said:

Is there any brand I should absolutely avoid? Any honorable mentions?

Looking for something around $500, which looks doable. This will be my first one and I want to avoid drama!

What are you posting on now!?! Are you magic???

All kidding aside, get a Mac if you can. If for no other reason than you won't have to worry about viruses (although there are lots of other reasons why Macs are better, IMHO).

I bought a Dell Inspiron in 2003 (for grad school) and it's still working, although quite a bit slower than when I bought it. I've also outgrown the space on the hd. I used it mostly for typing up notes for my museum tours and making spreadsheets. I don't download a ton of music, in fact I had to remove all the flac file convertors and stuff because it was taking up too much space. Overall I like it a lot, which is one reason why I'm still clinging to it.

Edit: Their customer service used to be much better, but then they outsourced to India so it takes forever if you need to call them for help.

[Edited 12/22/10 9:40am]

shorttrini said:

One needs to plan for the future. While I agree that one should buy a computer for what you need it to do, I always say, the more the better. I am willing to shell out the on a computer, so I will not have to upgrade it for years to come. Give me all the bells and whistles now, I don't have to spend the money getting those things, that I needed, later.

Sure, I agree with that. But I was thinking more of things like, do you need a Beats by Dre set up? Is a "built in subwoofer" really high on your list of laptop needs? Is there something an iPad does that you need? Do you really need a blu-ray burner? Are you a high end gamer? If so, then you may actually want ridiculous ram and this months fancy shmancy processor. But if none of that (and possibly some other stuff) applies you CAN get a laptop right now for $300-500 that will last you a couple years, at least.

Cerebus said:

shorttrini said:

One needs to plan for the future. While I agree that one should buy a computer for what you need it to do, I always say, the more the better. I am willing to shell out the on a computer, so I will not have to upgrade it for years to come. Give me all the bells and whistles now, I don't have to spend the money getting those things, that I needed, later.

Sure, I agree with that. But I was thinking more of things like, do you need a Beats by Dre set up? Is a "built in subwoofer" really high on your list of laptop needs? Is there something an iPad does that you need? Do you really need a blu-ray burner? Are you a high end gamer? If so, then you may actually want ridiculous ram and this months fancy shmancy processor. But if none of that (and possibly some other stuff) applies you CAN get a laptop right now for $300-500 that will last you a couple years, at least.

I hear ya. I am the type of person that does not like to upgrade anything after a or two of buying it and more than liking, those $300-500 laptops, will need to be upgraded within a year and a half or not upgradeable at all. When I got my laptop and desktop, I made sure that I would not have to do any work on them, for the next 2-3 years. Yes, they were expensive, but, it saves me money in the long run. The money than I save, can be put towards other things.

Cerebus said:

Don't buy a really expensive anything unless it actually does something that you NEED. $300 laptops that do everything a normal person does on a computer are easily found. If you need something with 3 or 4 gigs of memory instead of 2, or a 500 GB hd instead of 250 or 320, it may run you $400-500. And if you get one of those you should be able to do pretty much anything other than the highest of high end gaming. So my only advice is to not over pay for a fashion statement laptop - just get what you need.

I take the bus so I'm not so conerned about impressing the Jones's

thanks!

don't get an HP. I'm on my fifth one in five years. I'll be replacing the one I have now with an Asus or Sony Vaio. Macs cost too much but if I could, that is what I would get.

SupaFunkyOrgangrinderSexy said:

Cerebus said:

Don't buy a really expensive anything unless it actually does something that you NEED. $300 laptops that do everything a normal person does on a computer are easily found. If you need something with 3 or 4 gigs of memory instead of 2, or a 500 GB hd instead of 250 or 320, it may run you $400-500. And if you get one of those you should be able to do pretty much anything other than the highest of high end gaming. So my only advice is to not over pay for a fashion statement laptop - just get what you need.

I take the bus so I'm not so conerned about impressing the Jones's

thanks!

Most welcome.

So if you ride the bus you probably need to be sure it has built in Wi-Fi. I posted this in another thread somewhere around here, but this is what I bough...this year. I bought them for $299, but even at $349 it's a great deal for what you get. They aren't super fancy top of the line, but they aren't trying to be that, either. You get 2GB ram, a 250GB HD, 2.2 GHZ processor, built in high speed wi-fi, dvd burner and Windows 7. I've taken both of them out of the box, set them up and tested them extensively. They run quiet and cool, burn a full data DVD is just over six minutes and the internet was as fast as my wired desktop when they were connected to a wireless network. Their only supposed shortcoming is that they only have two USB ports. But I'm not really sure why most people would need more than two USB ports at one time. Even if you did need more it's doubtful it would be at the same time, so you could just plug and unplug as needed. Anyway, really nice machine for the price.

[Edited 12/22/10 22:28pm]

You could always have this guy build you one...

[img:$uid]http://www.marvelousmanboobs.com/img/mmb/boobs/linux.jpg[/img:$uid]

My laptop is an Acer. I beat the shit out of that thing but it lasted me 2 years. I would buy one again.

Vendetta1 said:

don't get an HP. I'm on my fifth one in five years. I'll be replacing the one I have now with an Asus or Sony Vaio. Macs cost too much but if I could, that is what I would get.

5 pc's in 5 years? U just purchased 2 macs............while only one would have lasted that same 5 years.

Graycap23 said:

Vendetta1 said:

don't get an HP. I'm on my fifth one in five years. I'll be replacing the one I have now with an Asus or Sony Vaio. Macs cost too much but if I could, that is what I would get.

5 pc's in 5 years? U just purchased 2 macs............while only one would have lasted that same 5 years.

Her porn habbits must be corrupting her PCs... or something. I've never had a PC last less than five years. In fact they've all still been working when I've gotten rid of them.

And one more thing, because I haven't said it in this thread yet. It is NOT that hard to avoid getting viruses on a PC. It really, really isn't.

Cerebus said:

Graycap23 said:

5 pc's in 5 years? U just purchased 2 macs............while only one would have lasted that same 5 years.

Her porn habbits must be corrupting her PCs... or something. I've never had a PC last less than five years. In fact they've all still been working when I've gotten rid of them.

Graycap23 said:

Vendetta1 said:

don't get an HP. I'm on my fifth one in five years. I'll be replacing the one I have now with an Asus or Sony Vaio. Macs cost too much but if I could, that is what I would get.

5 pc's in 5 years? U just purchased 2 macs............while only one would have lasted that same 5 years.

Yes I know Mike.

Vendetta1 said:

Cerebus said:

Her porn habbits must be corrupting her PCs... or something. I've never had a PC last less than five years. In fact they've all still been working when I've gotten rid of them.

It's funny cuz it's true.

Genesia said:

Vendetta1 said:

It's funny cuz it's true.

Uh-huh.

Genesia said:

Vendetta1 said:

It's funny cuz it's true.

Cerebus said:

Genesia said:

It's funny cuz it's true.

Uh-huh.

And you know hobbitch porn is just full of viruses.

Genesia said:

Cerebus said:

Uh-huh.

And you know hobbitch porn is just full of viruses.

Vendetta1 said:

Genesia said:

And you know hobbitch porn is just full of viruses.

Always there when you least expect it!

Genesia said:

Vendetta1 said:

Always there when you least expect it!

And when it's needed.

I'm a little torn between a smaller laptop for portability or a larger one for the display size

NDRU said:

I'm a little torn between a smaller laptop for portability or a larger one for the display size

No WAY would I get one of those notebooks. I can barely see the screen as it is!

I went with a Dell. 3 Gig of Ram, 320 Gig of memory. Wi-Fi compatible. $449. out the door with warranty, windows (excel, word) antivirus and a couple of freebies for $726.

Setting it up today!

SupaFunkyOrgangrinderSexy said:

I went with a Dell. 3 Gig of Ram, 320 Gig of memory. Wi-Fi compatible. $449. out the door with warranty, windows (excel, word) antivirus and a couple of freebies for $726.

Setting it up today!

sweet! But $726? That's a big step up from $449!

What model did you get?

NDRU said:

SupaFunkyOrgangrinderSexy said:

I went with a Dell. 3 Gig of Ram, 320 Gig of memory. Wi-Fi compatible. $449. out the door with warranty, windows (excel, word) antivirus and a couple of freebies for $726.

Setting it up today!

sweet! But $726? That's a big step up from $449!

What model did you get?

Excel, word, power-point and whatever else is on there was $100

2 year Warranty $129

Plus taxes?

It adds up quickly and before you know it

NDRU said:

SupaFunkyOrgangrinderSexy said:

I went with a Dell. 3 Gig of Ram, 320 Gig of memory. Wi-Fi compatible. $449. out the door with warranty, windows (excel, word) antivirus and a couple of freebies for $726.

Setting it up today!

sweet! But $726? That's a big step up from $449!

What model did you get?

I'll have to get back to you on the model #