Laptop/Netbook Questions.....What to buy?

[bockey]

ebay has some iBook g4 for under $200.00 will most have the combo drive, will write CDs and play DVDs.

[Guest c.a.s.]

Funny enough, I've never had any of those bullchit problems on any of my Windows machines, Windows ME aside (it WAS a virus itself!).

Even an early-generation VISTA.

Everything has worked as it should, no driver issues, and no malware issues. Fixed that right up with free Avast! Antivirus, which (against all that bullchit "you get what you pay for ,especially with computers) has worked better than both Norton and McAfee. There are tons of free antivirus/antimalware that use little in the way of resources, and work better than the pay products.

And you can save money by not putting that apple-shaped sticker on the side. For that $1200, I can build a monster of a machine, or buy a monster of a machine.

[Guest bkelm18]

I would look into a used Mac as well. My laptop is an old iBook G4. Bought it new in 2004. It sees at least 3 or 4 hours of use everyday and it's still rocking along after all that time. Even spilled a drink on it once. Thought it had died but once it dried out it worked fine. Though now, 6 years later, it's really starting to shows it's age. I've definitely gotten my money out of it.

Edited May 16, 2010 by bkelm18

[Guest clownsdd]

I use a ThinkPad for work and have a HP TouchSmart for personal. I would probably wait and save up a little more $$$ and get a small laptop.

[PackinMama]

Thanks to everyone for the input. I appreciate all of it.

So......if I do decide to go with a Windows laptop, which processor is best?

I've heard from some that AMD is the best and runs cooler than Pentiums. Is that true?

[Il Duce]

I would seriously look around more before buying a laptop from Wal-Mart. Checkout TigerDirect.com - Computers, Computer Parts, Computer Components, Netbooks & Electronics and Newegg.com - Computer Parts, PC Components, Laptop Computers, LED LCD TV, Digital Cameras and more! as you can get better products than what Wal-Mart offers for the same price and sometimes cheaper as well.

[TripleDigitRide]

+1 Tigerdirect and Newegg .com's.

That's where I've purchased all the parts for my custom built computers. The only drawback has been dealing with the rebates, but in the end, it has been well worth the savings.

I've had zero issues.

http://www.tigerdirect.com/applications/category/category_tlc.asp?CatId=2814&srkey=netbook

http://www.newegg.com/Store/SubCategory.aspx?SubCategory=772&name=Netbooks&Tpk=netbook

Edited May 16, 2010 by TripleDigitRide

[TGO David]

David, I sent you a pm.

Sent you a reply. Sorry for the delay!

[kb4ns]

I would seriously look around more before buying a laptop from Wal-Mart. Checkout TigerDirect.com - Computers, Computer Parts, Computer Components, Netbooks & Electronics and Newegg.com - Computer Parts, PC Components, Laptop Computers, LED LCD TV, Digital Cameras and more! as you can get better products than what Wal-Mart offers for the same price and sometimes cheaper as well.

I've never dealt with newegg, but I can vouch for TigerDirect.com - they rock!

[Guest HvyMtl]

IMHO: The big issue with Dell is their (lack of) customer support. They have it, but a fellow claiming to be from "Alabama, Georgia" reading via his 3rd language off a card is not tech support...

FYI: Most laptops no longer have 56k telephone modems, as a cost savings measure...

Compaq usually has an system 15.6 inch screen $400 or less on sale. It is generally a good system, and will meet your requirements.

example:

Compaq Presario CQ61 410US 156 Widescreen Notebook Computer With AMD Sempron Processor M120 by Office Depot

Concerned with the battery? bring your power supply. Most places with free wifi have plugs available.

Netbooks are another possibility. However, fair warning, the keyboards are smaller, and more difficult to use, and the screen can be a bit too small as well. However, you can get a netbook with long battery life. I have an ASuS EEE HA1005 - the 10 inch screen you will have to scroll up as it is only 1024x600 instead of 1024x768. But it is plenty fast and reasonably priced.

I would look at the 11-12 inch screen netbook, as it will be plenty for what you need and well under the price.

[kb4ns]

However, fair warning, the keyboards are smaller, and more difficult to use, and the screen can be a bit too small as well.

My wife hinted and hinted that she realllly wanted a netbook. I bought her one and she rarely uses it. She complains about the small keyboard / screen and the fact that the netbook is slow compared to the laptop and desktop.

IMHO: The big issue with Dell is their (lack of) customer support. They have it, but a fellow claiming to be from "Alabama, Georgia" reading via his 3rd language off a card is not tech support...

Ever notice that their names are always Fred or George or Bob? Right...

[Guest db99wj]

My wife hinted and hinted that she realllly wanted a netbook. I bought her one and she rarely uses it. She complains about the small keyboard / screen and the fact that the netbook is slow compared to the laptop and desktop.

Ever notice that their names are always Fred or George or Bob? Right...

Just because they have the letters F R E D G E O R G E B O B in their name doesn't mean that that's there name!!

[Guest Verbal Kint]

Just listed a 3 month old Dell i1545 in the classifieds. Not sure if you bought one or not already, but this one's a steal at $200 under what I paid for it and what they're going for. (Only asking $400). Also comes with additional software.