Shopping for laptops

gkitching · Post by **gkitching** » Tue Sep 23, 2008 9:49 am

My daughter has been buggin me for a laptop for x-mas. Looking for advise on what to get and/or not get. She doesn't do alot with the computer aside from internet and her I-pod. (80Gig)

Not looking for anything special because in a year or two when she really needs something decent we'll see what's current then. I've seen some on the bay going for $200-$300. Comments? Suggestions?

Thanks

Post by **Rold Gold** » Tue Sep 23, 2008 9:53 am

Ask Wakeup (Steve) cus he may have a good direction to look...

Post by **fuzzysnuggleduck** » Tue Sep 23, 2008 10:59 am

How much music does she have? The full 80GB? Make sure the laptop she gets can either hold all her music for syncing or get an external drive to hold it. $200-300 laptops will probably top out around 80GB and you have to factor in the OS and Applications as well.

For her iPod, you at the least need to make sure whatever laptop you get has USB 2.0. That shouldn't be a problem today unless you're looking at a fairly ancient rig.

Another fairly standard feature is wireless. If she plans on using the laptop out and about, having a wireless card is very nice. I'd say look for a laptop that supports 802.11g. The newest, yet-to-be-finalized 802.11n is available but it's going to be included in the newer laptops only.

Does she plan on actually taking this thing with her? If not, a laptop ends up being not so attractive.

bretti_kivi · Post by **bretti_kivi** » Tue Sep 23, 2008 11:02 am

... one of those Asus EEE thingies? I think they're also in Pink....

gkitching · Post by **gkitching** » Tue Sep 23, 2008 11:30 am

Ya .. I don't think she's got more than 1/4 of the I-pod full. But of coarse we had to have the 80gig

What I've seen in that price range have been Dells, Toshibas, a couple IBMs. All seem to have wireless, 1-1.5 gig ram, 14 - 18 inch monitors some with xp pro some with 2000 pro found 1 with vista.

The Asus seems to be going for around $500. A little more then I wanted to spend for her first one. And pink is totally out of the question! lol She is anti anything 'girly'!

Any warnings .. things to stay away from?

joyride · Post by **joyride** » Tue Sep 23, 2008 11:37 am

Typically Best Buy will have one on sale a week for fairly cheap. however, you usually have to be there at 11 am on sunday morning before they run out. I got an Acer for really cheap (around 400) and I am surprised at how well it has held up. I am not light on it either, running full scale renders and modeling programs (cpu 100% for 16 hours straight).

Heres one that could work:
http://www.bestbuy.com/site/olspage.jsp ... 1587727715

Post by **VW337** » Tue Sep 23, 2008 9:26 pm

Dell for Support purposes, their website and service have been good from my prospective, the equipment has been reliable (in regard to notebooks but avoid the D600 model)

I have to say I have no idea what support on IBM/Lenovo is as I have never needed to contact them.

Avoid HP their entry level items are junk and their service is far from expectations.

Post by **Wakeup** » Tue Sep 23, 2008 10:54 pm

Sorry been distracted and havent been around. If you are looking for used....be careful. Used can be of the devil!

Especially when it comes to laptops.
If you are looking for a used one...I have a few....but just all depends on what you are looking for.

something that would be in your price range:
http://www.amazon.com/Pavilion-DV1321US ... B000FNYIAU
I have that particular model notebook...decent shape...near mint!

Pics:
http://s200.photobucket.com/albums/aa63 ... 04%20sale/

Look at the HP DV1320 pictures...the actual model number is DV1321US tho...dont know why I put 1320...

looks like this one and similar specs...
http://cgi.ebay.com/HP-Pavilion-dv1000- ... 286.c0.m14

Gimmie an offer if you are interested!

gkitching · Post by **gkitching** » Wed Sep 24, 2008 5:38 am

Thanks for the responses!

Steve, I am interested as long as your 'used' one isn't the devil

Erin, I've come close to getting the D600. Thanks for the heads-up! What about them makes you say that? and is the D610 any better?

Post by **Francious70** » Wed Sep 24, 2008 8:08 am

www.woot.com
www.sellout.woot.com
www.consumerist.com

Check those site. They have many good deals on computers every day.

Post by **VW337** » Wed Sep 24, 2008 9:15 am

The d610/620/630 etc are cool. Dhe D600 has a flimsy metal cage in the chassis that the hinges are bolted to, the metal cage likes to disintegrate. This means the monitor will flop and crap shorts out, the later models revised the cage design and material used.

Thumper88 · Post by **Thumper88** » Wed Sep 24, 2008 12:15 pm

I just bought a Lenovo T400...very nice laptop, love it...might be out of the price range though...