I am looking @ buying a laptop computer in the next month or so. I know nearly nothing about them. I want to keep it at/under $1,000. What should I look for and avoid?
I'm no expert, but I've had plenty of Dells in the past and love them. I just spent $3000 on a new desktop. It all depends.....what do you want to do with it?
I would definetly stay away from Dell. I work for a technology company and I sell computers everyday and Dell has been nothing but a pain the last several months. I will look tomorrow to see if any great deals are around that I might be able to help you out with!
Pretty much the big thing, is make sure you get at least 2gb of ram. There are a lot of programs that are requiring more to run and if you don't get it, you're already behind the curve. Also, AMD processors are the way to go. If this is for home use only, a Dell will suit you wonderfully.
I am FAR from an expert at computers. But I did recenly get a laptop for my college venture in the near future. I got a Dell Inspriron 1520. I really like it so far. I haven't used it a ton, but so far, not a single complaint. And I got mine loaded with plenty of extras right in your price range ($1050)
The problem that we have been having isn't as much with the Dell equipment but the support is ****. If you ever need to get it worked on under warranty it will never happen. Not sure why they changed the service but it is horrible lately. I sell ton's of computers everyday and have the ability to sell Dell if a client is set on it but I won't do it if not. I prefer to sell Hp if I had the choice. The prices are every bit as good as Dell but the service is 10 times better.
Ok, what are some things to look for/avoid? I'm wanting this mostly for personal use, for internet, some sort of daily organizer, and there's a possiblility of running a website w/ a shopping cart in the future. I want to be able to do that from the comforts of home. I know just enough about computers to get myself in trouble. I don't know what's out there, I don't know what I can do with one....Don't know what I can't.
Go apply for an HP Credit card and you can buy one right away as long as your under or at your budget on you cc card through them, you can also put other cool stuff on it through HP
I have a Brother that works in IT and says to avoid DELL, of course my mother never listens and has been through 2 DELLS in the time my Toshiba has been around. My wife and I both use Toshiba and have had no issues, mine has even taken a few falls. HP is also pretty reliable from what some friends say. You can get Toshiba's through Tiger Direct, Best Buy or Circuit City for under 1000 bucks with 4GB DDR2 SDRAM; DL DVD±RW/CD-RW drive; Labelflash support; 14.1" 250GB hard drives etc. My Toshiba is going strong after 2.5 hard years
Go to the online Apple store. Left side of the page there is a refurbished mac link. Click on it and scroll down to macbook! You get a excellent machine for right around $1000 and save a on of money. These machines are just like brand new with the warranties and you can buy apple care as well within a years time to extend your warranty! Best part is you don't have to go and buy expensive virus software to protect your mac like you do PC's. Once ya go mac you'll never go back! http://store.apple.com/1-800-MY-APPLE/WebObjects/AppleStore.woa/wa/RSLID?sf=wHF2F2PHCCCX72KDY&nclm=CertifiedMac
http://www.bestbuy.com/site/olspage.jsp?skuId=8897633&type=product&id=1212192350239 Should do you fine, most try to sell you more then you really need.
That looks like a good one...I don't know much about modems, either.....Is that as fast as they get? How fast would that be w/ a wireless card? And, can I plug my home DSL into it?
I have a ACER 5100, got it last year, so they probably have the next big thing out now, Im not sure how much it was, (grad. present) I know it was over 600, but im not sure exactly how much. It has been pretty good, typical little bugs but nothing to affect the way you play. and I really like the Vista.
I bought this Compaq from HP last fall through Radio Shack while it was being discontinued for $600. It has everything I need, but I hate windows vista. I sure do miss microsoft 2000! Shop around, stay away from Dell's and Gateway.
