Need to buy a new laptop computer... Help please ;-)

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[quote author="tenmagnet" date=1232586727][quote author="Girl In the OC" date=1232551637]

I have a desktop here at home, and I'm just sick of the thing taking up so much space. With a laptop and the memory the have now, it just makes sense to me to switch to a laptop... plus the added benefit of being able to surf the web on my 52" LCD!!! :cheese:</blockquote>




So, you like to travel, eat sushi, and surf the web with a 52? LCD?

What a coincidence, me too!</blockquote>


Uhh OH... he's startin the moves on The Girl.... I feel for tenmagnet... he's aiming high though.
 
[quote author="biscuitninja" date=1232587108][quote author="tenmagnet" date=1232586727][quote author="Girl In the OC" date=1232551637]

I have a desktop here at home, and I'm just sick of the thing taking up so much space. With a laptop and the memory the have now, it just makes sense to me to switch to a laptop... plus the added benefit of being able to surf the web on my 52" LCD!!! :cheese:</blockquote>




So, you like to travel, eat sushi, and surf the web with a 52? LCD?

What a coincidence, me too!</blockquote>


Uhh OH... he's startin the moves on The Girl.... I feel for tenmagnet... he's aiming high though.</blockquote>


He shoots, he scores!!!
 
If Ten's offer for the laptop is genuine, that's really very kind of him!



But... something keeps making me think I may need to be careful of something like this...



(Please note: Don't play video clip if your kids are with you!)



Family Guy YouTube Video:



<object width="325" height="250"><embed src="http://www.youtube.com/v/youtube" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" width="325" height="250"></embed></object>
 
[quote author="Girl In the OC" date=1232593117]If Ten's offer for the laptop is genuine, that's really very kind of him!



But... something keeps making me think I may need to be careful of something like this...



(Please note: Don't play video clip if your kids are with you!)



Family Guy YouTube Video:

</blockquote>


Family Guy?

Wow!

You and I enjoy the same show??I think it?s a sign.
 
Whats your budget on this? thats a good starting point



So you want to plug it into your monitor and your LCD TV or are they one in the same? Sounds like you need both an HDMI and a DVI (the white not blue port) connection







I actually just had to buy a new computer this weekend but I went with a desktop for a little more power. Since you want to plug it into an external monitor I don't think you need a 17inch laptop. A 15 inch might fit you better. You may get tired of carrying a 17incher around. And there are plenty of PC's out there you can get with XP already on it.



Unless you are buying low end get an Intel CPU. Best bang for your buck unless you are buying something cheaper.



I'm kinda picky on specs so i would want the latest CPU/Chipset. I would look for anything P8400 or higher. Or maybe a T8300

here is a great guide:



<a href="http://www.anandtech.com/guides/showdoc.aspx?i=3351">http://www.anandtech.com/guides/showdoc.aspx?i=3351</a>



Its a little old, so some of the models may have changed but the information is great.
 
[quote author="Girl In the OC" date=1232522373]Ok, so I am in the market for a new laptop computer... I usually shop at Frys for this kind of stuff, but the IHB crowd was so incredibly helpful in my new TV pursuit... that I thought I would throw it out there for all of you!



So, I prefer a large screen. Mostly work in word, powerpoint and excel. Listen to music, movies, edit pics... but no gaming. Would like Windows XP, NOT VISTA!



Would like to be able to dock the laptop at my desk to use with my monitor, etc. And, also to be able to use it with my LCD TV for web surfing too!



HP, Dell, Sony? Can anyone help me out with best, for the price and where I would look to find the best deal???



Thanks again to all my awesome IHB'rs!



GITOC</blockquote>


My previous laptop (finally) died in December, so I went through this selection process just a month ago. My old computer was a Sony Vaio laptop, and I had it for six years of pretty hard use. A couple of months ago, it developed an overheating problem that caused it to stop working after about a half-hour of use. I suspect the problem was caused by my leaving it running while sitting on a soft carpeted surface -- no air ventilation and it clearly overheaded. After that it was always very heat sensitive. It was time for a replacement, anyway, so I didn't even attempt for a repair. For my new machine, I selected a new Sony, since I was happy with the old one. It is a Sony Vaio, Model SR240 and I purchased it from Fry's. I found that their store off the 91 Freeway @ ~Tustin Ave. has better stock than their store in Fountain Valley. It came with the Vista operating system installed, but an option to install XP over the top of that, if I had wanted to. I use it for Microsoft Office applications, some VB and SQL applications development, and some number-crunching analytical and engineering applications. I don't use it for any music, video, or picture editing purposes. You may wish to get a different model that has a larger screen, if your focus is on video or pictures. Sony has LOTS of different laptop models to choose from.



A suggestion... DON'T buy ANY laptop without first trying out the keyboard extensively. Some of these things just don't have the right feel, and you will make many more typos that need correcting. I've noticed, too, that the quality of the keyboard impacts how quickly my hands tire.
 
I purchased one of these used compact laptops from Micro Center. Has worked great and I even upgraded the chip for relatively little cost. But i'm that way... i LOVE a sleeper!



-bix
 
depends on cost but if you have a wider budget get the macbook. It may only be a 13 in screen but its worth it. For me I do not mind paying extra for less hassle and with a PC laptop its more likely to he hassled. Also if you have a friend who works at Apple you can use their 15% friend/family discount or if not get a student id and you can get I believe 100 dollars off and if that fails you can always look into refurbished ons for mac. They are essentially new. I have a friend that works at an apple store and he says a lot of time when they refresh a model a lot of the new older models are put in the refurbished section and they are brand new
 
[quote author="Girl In the OC" date=1232593117]If Ten's offer for the laptop is genuine, that's really very kind of him!



But... something keeps making me think I may need to be careful of something like this...



(Please note: Don't play video clip if your kids are with you!)



Family Guy YouTube Video:



<object width="325" height="250"><embed src="http://www.youtube.com/v/youtube" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" width="325" height="250"></embed></object></blockquote>


You're in the clear GITOC... You look nothing like Peter Griffin.
 
[quote author="GoIllini" date=1232605118][quote author="Girl In the OC" date=1232522373]Ok, so I am in the market for a new laptop computer... I usually shop at Frys for this kind of stuff, but the IHB crowd was so incredibly helpful in my new TV pursuit... that I thought I would throw it out there for all of you!



So, I prefer a large screen. Mostly work in word, powerpoint and excel. Listen to music, movies, edit pics... but no gaming. Would like Windows XP, NOT VISTA!



Would like to be able to dock the laptop at my desk to use with my monitor, etc. And, also to be able to use it with my LCD TV for web surfing too!



HP, Dell, Sony? Can anyone help me out with best, for the price and where I would look to find the best deal???



Thanks again to all my awesome IHB'rs!



GITOC</blockquote>


My previous laptop (finally) died in December, so I went through this selection process just a month ago. My old computer was a Sony Vaio laptop, and I had it for six years of pretty hard use. A couple of months ago, it developed an overheating problem that caused it to stop working after about a half-hour of use. I suspect the problem was caused by my leaving it running while sitting on a soft carpeted surface -- no air ventilation and it clearly overheaded. After that it was always very heat sensitive. It was time for a replacement, anyway, so I didn't even attempt for a repair. For my new machine, I selected a new Sony, since I was happy with the old one. It is a Sony Vaio, Model SR240 and I purchased it from Fry's. I found that their store off the 91 Freeway @ ~Tustin Ave. has better stock than their store in Fountain Valley. It came with the Vista operating system installed, but an option to install XP over the top of that, if I had wanted to. I use it for Microsoft Office applications, some VB and SQL applications development, and some number-crunching analytical and engineering applications. I don't use it for any music, video, or picture editing purposes. You may wish to get a different model that has a larger screen, if your focus is on video or pictures. Sony has LOTS of different laptop models to choose from.



A suggestion... DON'T buy ANY laptop without first trying out the keyboard extensively. Some of these things just don't have the right feel, and you will make many more typos that need correcting. I've noticed, too, that the quality of the keyboard impacts how quickly my hands tire.</blockquote>






Great advise! Thanks Goillini, I am very picky when it comes to keyboards... If I order a laptop online, I will definately track one down locally to test the keyboard now for sure... I hadn't even thought about that part!
 
[quote author="Girl In the OC" date=1232679613]<blockquote>You?re in the clear GITOC? You look nothing like Peter Griffin.</blockquote>


LOL! :lol:</blockquote>


That means we?re still on for Pilates and Jamba Juice!
 
[quote author="Battie4" date=1232621670]depends on cost but if you have a wider budget get the macbook. It may only be a 13 in screen but its worth it. For me I do not mind paying extra for less hassle and with a PC laptop its more likely to he hassled. Also if you have a friend who works at Apple you can use their 15% friend/family discount or if not get a student id and you can get I believe 100 dollars off and if that fails you can always look into refurbished ons for mac. They are essentially new. I have a friend that works at an apple store and he says a lot of time when they refresh a model a lot of the new older models are put in the refurbished section and they are brand new</blockquote>


Wow! Thanks Battie! And welcome to IHB... very cool info on discounts! Awesome! :cheese:
 
<blockquote>That means we?re still on for Pilates and Jamba Juice!</blockquote>






Jamba Juice sucks! It's mostly just juice... I make my own... I freeze sliced up fruit (usually Banana, Mango and Blueberries), add some protein, and I'm good to go! If anyone out there does not have a "Magic Bullet Blender" BUY ONE! It's soooo worth it!
 
Go to Costco Online. Look under Refurbished.

Bought a 17" HP Reman for $ 699.00 for my GF. Normally about $ 1500.00 New.

She loves it. I did all the Vista upgrades and its been stable for almost 6 months.

And as always with Costco. If it has issues. Take it back. 1 Year warranty.
 
[quote author="Girl In the OC" date=1232679856][quote author="Battie4" date=1232621670]depends on cost but if you have a wider budget get the macbook. It may only be a 13 in screen but its worth it. For me I do not mind paying extra for less hassle and with a PC laptop its more likely to he hassled. Also if you have a friend who works at Apple you can use their 15% friend/family discount or if not get a student id and you can get I believe 100 dollars off and if that fails you can always look into refurbished ons for mac. They are essentially new. I have a friend that works at an apple store and he says a lot of time when they refresh a model a lot of the new older models are put in the refurbished section and they are brand new</blockquote>


Wow! Thanks Battie! And welcome to IHB... very cool info on discounts! Awesome! :cheese:</blockquote>


last discount. There is a program that apple runs like apple students or something like that ( I forget what it is called exactly) but it cost $99 to join. You get like fre upgrades on programs and such like when Snow Leopard comes out and you are a member you can get an upgrade to that programf or free which in itself is a pretty good deal. THe one major perk though is they have a 20% off 1 time only purchase. So the first mac you buy from apple under that program is 20 percent off. So towards a macbook pro it would take off I believe around 400. Granted you spend 100 so you only save 300 but its better than nothing.
 
I went to Costco yesterday, and they had some really nice HP's that I may be happy with. They all had Vista though... and I have never even once heard anyone who liked Vista. It was mentioned that Vista is going away this summer, and Microsoft will have a new operating system???



Anyone know anything about it???
 
There is no release date but speculation is that its coming out this fall. I wouldn't be surprised if it gets delayed though like most Windows products.



I know plenty of people that are fine with Vista (includiing myself). Its really not that bad.



And like IPO mentioned above, you can always buy any of those computers and just install XP over it. Its simple, just boot from the cd and the installation process will do the rest. However, I think you should give Vista a try before that. The people that I know who have hated Vista are mainly people that don't have the hardware to run it smoothly.



also herss a list of microcenter laptops online with xp



<a href="http://www.microcenter.com/search/search_results.phtml?search_within=xp&web_group=pc_notebooks&category=ED1&sortby=match">http://www.microcenter.com/search/search_results.phtml?search_within=xp&web_group=pc_notebooks&category=ED1&sortby=match</a>



I don't really know much about lenovo as a brand but the specs arent bad.
 
Lenovo made IBM Thinkpads. When IBM left the laptop business... Lenovo rebranded trying to capitalize on the mostly positive business user experience for IBM notebooks.



In order I would rank the following:



1. Dell/HP-Compaq

2. Sony

3. Toshiba/Lenovo

4. Acer

5. The rest.
 
[quote author="Girl In the OC" date=1232768067]It was mentioned that Vista is going away this summer, and Microsoft will have a new operating system???



Anyone know anything about it???</blockquote>


Yeah, it is Windows 7. You can <a href="http://www.microsoft.com/windows/windows-7/beta-download.aspx">download the beta</a> today.
 
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