We need one for school and when I deploy so a built in web cam would be nice. Whats a good deal or bang for the buck. I have no idea what most of the stuff means when looking at different ones. any help appreciated.
Looking to buy a laptop, which one?
496malibu
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22,967 Posts
Not sure if it will have enough storage capacity for your specific intention but as far as mobility and ease of travel ...I love my Dell Mini 9.
I carry it on all my trips...usually just slid in a back pack.
Doesn't even have to be removed from it's sleeve when passing thru TSA airport checkpoints.
Reasonable priced, wireless, blue tooth, and it also has a built in web cam.
I carry it on all my trips...usually just slid in a back pack.
Doesn't even have to be removed from it's sleeve when passing thru TSA airport checkpoints.
Reasonable priced, wireless, blue tooth, and it also has a built in web cam.
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2,612 Posts
I like my work-issued HP laptop. Been using the same model (nc6230) since 2005. A little behind on the times, but I'd rather have a bonus instead of a trick laptop for work. Never had a hardware problem. Software is a different story (but you won't have the problems I'm having). The newer HP laptop seem to be real nice as well (coming from friends that use them everyday).
What's your budget? Any needs other than webcam?
What's your budget? Any needs other than webcam?
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4,588 Posts
I used to travel a LOT and my Dell D610 is pretty much indestructable! Whatever the current model is, it's put up with a LOT!
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714 Posts
I have a HP Dv6000 built in webcam and mic no problems with it. Mac has the same issues as a PC. If you are looking for a small computer ASUS makes one for under $400 load with xp or linux. One thing I see with the ASUS is there is no cd rom so you have to buy an external drive.
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2,774 Posts
Lots of good stuff out there to really confuse the shopping process.
Also like the idea of the "note-book" mini-computers for all the reasons mentioned, but I would recommend that you decide what you want to do with it first, then find the one that ACTUALLY does that stuff best.
I say ACTUALLY because the commercials and most "descriptions" make them all sound like super computers, super fast, super performance, super compact, etc.
Very few will "deliver" as "suggested".
I do not agree with the comment "Macs have the same issues as PC's". That is very untrue based on my experience.
Don't buy on price alone, but get the best price for what you want/need. Remember the age old saying..."Anything that looks too good to be true, is usually too good to be true."
Don't be afraid to get a model that has been superseded a month ago. Many times a top of line model will be aggressively discounted and other than 1 or 2 minor tweaks, $100's less with virtually all of the same features.
There are numerous "aggregator" websites that will list computer prices and the best deals on a DAILY basis.
I just took advantage of one of them to buy a laptop for my college bound son and saved $400+ because of a 1-day special.
Here are a few to get you started:
PC's-
http://dealnews.com/categories/Computer/39.html
(also has a link to a Mac specific section)
http://www.dealstop.com/deals/laptops
Mac only
http://www.appleinsider.com/mac_price_guide/
Also like the idea of the "note-book" mini-computers for all the reasons mentioned, but I would recommend that you decide what you want to do with it first, then find the one that ACTUALLY does that stuff best.
I say ACTUALLY because the commercials and most "descriptions" make them all sound like super computers, super fast, super performance, super compact, etc.
Very few will "deliver" as "suggested".
I do not agree with the comment "Macs have the same issues as PC's". That is very untrue based on my experience.
Don't buy on price alone, but get the best price for what you want/need. Remember the age old saying..."Anything that looks too good to be true, is usually too good to be true."
Don't be afraid to get a model that has been superseded a month ago. Many times a top of line model will be aggressively discounted and other than 1 or 2 minor tweaks, $100's less with virtually all of the same features.
There are numerous "aggregator" websites that will list computer prices and the best deals on a DAILY basis.
I just took advantage of one of them to buy a laptop for my college bound son and saved $400+ because of a 1-day special.
Here are a few to get you started:
PC's-
http://dealnews.com/categories/Computer/39.html
(also has a link to a Mac specific section)
http://www.dealstop.com/deals/laptops
Mac only
http://www.appleinsider.com/mac_price_guide/
Daughter started college 4yrs ago with a new Toshiba, lasted 3wks, ordered her a new Toshiba while the first was getting repaired under warranty. It lasted 6months and broke, then the first one broke again. She has had multiple failures, hard drive, cd drive, software, never the same problem but the two we got are a pile of junk!
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2,774 Posts
Had the same problem with everything I ever bought with that brand name on it.
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714 Posts
My Toshiba is still going strong,. I just recent gave it to my niece for her first laptop. Did she need it no because she has a HP desktop, did i need another computer nope(desktop and HP laptop) could not see giving it away. I think it all comes down to where you buy laptops at. I know with Mac you get a discount if your a student its not much I think it's $50.
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8,690 Posts
HP home computers come pre-infected with tons of useless crap that is nearly impossible to remove. Vongo, Vonage, AOHell, all kinds of worthless programs and "trial offers".
HP does not supply a "Windows" operating system disc; so when the computer dies and has to have the hard drive wiped and re-loaded--the fukking "Recovery Disc" re-installs all the useless crap that you've spent hours trying to disable.
NEVER AGAIN will I buy an HP computer.
My Mother-in-law (who is somewhat disabled due to spinal nerve damage) paid extra for "In-Home" warranty service from Dell. Her monitor died; the moron at Dell insisted we test the computer for functionality. The Dell Dumbass could not understand why it was impossible to test the computer using the Official Dell Procedure; we kept telling her THE MONITOR DOES NOT WORK, so NOTHING SHOWS UP ON THE SCREEN. When we swapped the monitor from another computer it, everything worked fine. The Dell Dumbass still wasn't convinced the monitor was the problem until I came unglued on her.
The "In-Home Service" meant that I had to drive out to the FedEx terminal at the airport, collect the replacement monitor, haul it up to my M-I-L's apartment, install it, box the old monitor for return...and then I had to drive IT to the airport FedEx terminal. I guess Dell's idea of "In-Home Service" means the CUSTOMER still has to do ALL the work...in their own home.
NEVER AGAIN will I (or she) buy a Dell computer.
HP does not supply a "Windows" operating system disc; so when the computer dies and has to have the hard drive wiped and re-loaded--the fukking "Recovery Disc" re-installs all the useless crap that you've spent hours trying to disable.
NEVER AGAIN will I buy an HP computer.
My Mother-in-law (who is somewhat disabled due to spinal nerve damage) paid extra for "In-Home" warranty service from Dell. Her monitor died; the moron at Dell insisted we test the computer for functionality. The Dell Dumbass could not understand why it was impossible to test the computer using the Official Dell Procedure; we kept telling her THE MONITOR DOES NOT WORK, so NOTHING SHOWS UP ON THE SCREEN. When we swapped the monitor from another computer it, everything worked fine. The Dell Dumbass still wasn't convinced the monitor was the problem until I came unglued on her.
The "In-Home Service" meant that I had to drive out to the FedEx terminal at the airport, collect the replacement monitor, haul it up to my M-I-L's apartment, install it, box the old monitor for return...and then I had to drive IT to the airport FedEx terminal. I guess Dell's idea of "In-Home Service" means the CUSTOMER still has to do ALL the work...in their own home.
NEVER AGAIN will I (or she) buy a Dell computer.
I bought a Sony Vaio several years ago and never had any issues with it. When the time came to update to a new computer, I bought a Dell. That computer died after a year and Dell customer service is the worst I've ever had to deal with. I bought another Sony Vaio and it has been trouble-free three years now. I'd recommend a Sony to anyone considering a laptop. My daughter has an HP, and the motherboard was replaced under warranty. She likes it, but side-by-side with the Sony, the Sony wins hands down. Check out the deal on this Sony Vaio:
http://www.bestbuy.com/site/olspage.jsp?skuId=9370165&type=product&id=1218093001336
Dave
http://www.bestbuy.com/site/olspage.jsp?skuId=9370165&type=product&id=1218093001336
Dave
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2,612 Posts
I delete all the junk put on new computers.
Do other computer brands include a Windows Operating system disc? I don't think my wife's 2006 model Dell has one. Just a full recovery disc.
I don't see this being a big problem for the average computer buyer. Especially someone who doesn't know a whole lot about computers.
I don't evaluate a computer based on service. I evaluate a computer based on reliability and durability. Never known anyone who bought in-home service or any type of service package to be happy with the service. Probably have better luck going to a small computer shop.
The crapware companies pay to have all that stuff installed. They end up making money when people by the full versions of antivirus programs, etc. When Dell started shipping computers with Ubuntu, people were wondering why they were only slightly cheaper than Windows machines. It was the crapware subsidies.
Anyway, stuff like this is why Mac's are so popular these days. No crapware and you can just take it to the Mac store to get it fixed. You pay more though, but you always know you're getting good machine at least.
Mmmm. No, they dont.
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952 Posts
THey came to my home and fixed mine. No problems. They send a repair buseness not a Dell service tech.
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714 Posts
I've taken a scripting and programing class and currently taken a security class. Their are programs out there that can cause a Mac to have issue. But how can you justify spending over $1,000 for a computer that you might use once and a while?
As for HP I built my laptop online with everything I needed for school and then a little more. The only thing I wished i did differently when I built it last spring was stay with a 32 byte os instead of going with the 64. HP's idea of a quick restore is you buy the disk online when you build the computer or make your own, same goes with the newer Compaq's that HP is selling as baseline models. For the same price maybe a little more you can get a HP.
As for Dell and Gateway(sh!@way is what some call them) many years ago I though about getting one of theirs. You can build your own system which is a plus but the price is higher then a HP.
If you like to play games on the computer Alien ware makes a killer system but again the price is high.
Now most place take trade-in's I know first hand HP does as i traded-in a older then dirt Compaq which had issue on the power port. I got $450 back as a trade in.
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