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Laptop suggestions (not a computer guy)

Discussion in 'Technology' started by BuzzardsGottaEat, Jun 4, 2012.

  1. Jun 4, 2012 at 2:18 PM
    #1
    BuzzardsGottaEat

    BuzzardsGottaEat [OP] Well-Known Member

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    I am considering getting a new laptop for school use. My current one is old and barely works.

    I don't play games, don't watch movies or videos on it, I don't even have internet in my apartment. I am all about spending whatever it takes to get something quality and functional but don't like spending a penny on "extras" I don't need.

    My budget is pretty much based off the functionality of the laptop.
    I obviously don't need much so a simple $600 one will do, but have no problem dropping over a K IF there is good reason for it.

    I'm not Mac or PC biased all that much except that I have experience with old school stuff and would slightly prefer to stick with that over an Apple product.

    I just need something not huge, not tiny and preferably very thin and lightweight, no fancy movie or gaming packages.

    Only reason I've turned here for some input is 1.) I don't know jack about computers at all and 2.) Neither do the dbags at best buy apparently

    Thanks for any advice on what to get, I just need some leads to get me started.
     
  2. Jun 4, 2012 at 2:24 PM
    #2
    tuckdaddy

    tuckdaddy Well-Known Member

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    before i had my mac book pro or alienware m11 i had an hp that i really liked id recomend looking at those quality laptops at a decent price! hope this helps some!
     
  3. Jun 4, 2012 at 2:25 PM
    #3
    ruler

    ruler Well-Known Member

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    lenovo
     
  4. Jun 4, 2012 at 2:26 PM
    #4
    BuzzardsGottaEat

    BuzzardsGottaEat [OP] Well-Known Member

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    Alienware would be nice ha them again so would mid travel but I don't NEED either :(

    Thanks for the input. I'm headed to another store to see if there are any people more competent than the stickers on the display. . .
     
  5. Jun 4, 2012 at 2:29 PM
    #5
    2012 Tacoma

    2012 Tacoma Well-Known Member

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    Chaz, Take a look at Sunday's Best Buy add..There are a few HP's, Toshiba's for 400 to 600 that will give you wi-fi, dvd, have decent batteries, will run MS Office, etc...If you are not needing a gamer then these will do fine for you.
     
  6. Jun 4, 2012 at 2:35 PM
    #6
    jkulysses

    jkulysses Well-Known Member

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    I used to swear by HP but the last couple have been pieces of junk and their customer service has really went to crap. If I was looking at a PC right now I would be leaning more towards Toshiba, Samsung or Sony but honestly my next laptop will be an Apple. It's like the difference between a Ford Ranger and a Toyota Tacoma and yes I've had both of those too lol. Actually this is my 2nd Tacoma but my Ford Ranger would pretty much do everything a Tacoma could, but it's not nearly as refined as far as fit and finish, smoothness in motor/tranny etc etc. I'm sick of always messing with PC's and windows ticking me off and goofing up all the time or needing to be restarted. For school you could get a nice Apple for about a grand but I'd look at the cheapest pro version for the metal case and the back lit keyboard which is very nice in dark/dim lit areas.
     
  7. Jun 4, 2012 at 2:36 PM
    #7
    tuckdaddy

    tuckdaddy Well-Known Member

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    x2^!
     
  8. Jun 4, 2012 at 2:37 PM
    #8
    DeeKay21

    DeeKay21 Lieutenant Dan.

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    I was in your shoes about 1.5 years ago and I didnt need anything real fancy neither. I mostly use mine for e-mails and the internet. I do some GoPro video editing but thats about it. I went with a Dell Inspiron 17R but I'm sure they have different models now. Some people said that Dell wasnt a good company but I have yet to have any issues with it (knock on wood.) Its about a mid-grade computer so it might be what you are looking for. Here is a thread I made before I bought it that might help you a little bit.

    http://www.tacomaworld.com/forum/product-reviews/125829-help-me-buy-new-laptop-2.html
     
  9. Jun 4, 2012 at 2:40 PM
    #9
    theredofshaw

    theredofshaw Well-Known Member

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    Only had one problem with my Mac in the 3+ years I've had it...Went through 2 PC (HP for one and toshiba the other) laptops in less than a year due to the innerworkings overheating. Would have cost about half the price of the laptop to fix it. Plus, even with all the so called "top notch" anti-virus programs for PC, I was constantly getting them.
     
  10. Jun 4, 2012 at 2:45 PM
    #10
    ruler

    ruler Well-Known Member

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    most people that dont know how to use computers get mac, most people wanna get rid of their pc when they get a virus or malware and dont know how to fix it when theres nothing even wrong with the hardware, just clicked on two many ad's/pop ups, or being cheap and trying to download free music, etc
     
  11. Jun 4, 2012 at 2:51 PM
    #11
    tuckdaddy

    tuckdaddy Well-Known Member

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    a laptop with windows os has more software options and programs avaliable to them than macs. ive had both and really loved my mac(basic 13 inch pro) but when i upgraded the os to lion the thing became a dinosaur and took ages to open anything and would crash constantly. ive since moved on to an alienware and am very pleased i know thats a little over the top for what the op asked but i think apple is a little overrated and overpriced for what you get. jsut do your research as a computer is basically a small investment.
     
  12. Jun 4, 2012 at 2:51 PM
    #12
    Relik

    Relik Well-Known Member

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    Don't think it's in your range, but Apple is highly rumored to reveal the new Macbook Pros next week at WWDC....incase you wanna spend more :D
     
  13. Jun 4, 2012 at 2:52 PM
    #13
    AllMountainToy

    AllMountainToy Well-Known Member

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    I would suggest the macbook air. The smallest version is 999 but not sure if you are a big guy with big hands. If so then the 13" may be too small.

    They are great, light weight, long lasting batteries and very good graphics. The only draw back is that it does not have a cd/dvd player. But if you don't watch movies on it then that won't matter.
     
  14. Jun 4, 2012 at 2:53 PM
    #14
    ruler

    ruler Well-Known Member

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    and how many USB's does the mac book air have again?
     
  15. Jun 4, 2012 at 2:54 PM
    #15
    DeeKay21

    DeeKay21 Lieutenant Dan.

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    We use HP laptops at work and one of my Captains, his had issues with overheating but mine and the others are just fine. But the fan doesnt seem to blow a lot of air it feels like. My Dell has a really good fan and blows a lot of air when it cools off.
     
  16. Jun 4, 2012 at 2:55 PM
    #16
    tuckdaddy

    tuckdaddy Well-Known Member

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  17. Jun 4, 2012 at 2:58 PM
    #17
    NoSoup4You

    NoSoup4You Well-Known Member

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    this would apply to the 1st gen MacBook Air, but not the current models.
    More than half of these top ten issues are no longer an issue. Also a Mac review by PC Mag should be taken with a grain of salt.
     
  18. Jun 4, 2012 at 3:03 PM
    #18
    tuckdaddy

    tuckdaddy Well-Known Member

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    its a great laptop dont get me wrong but when i looked the usb, hard drive and prosessor pushed me away from it.
     
  19. Jun 4, 2012 at 3:07 PM
    #19
    rwhite188

    rwhite188 Well-Known Member

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    I had a couple of hp's that were good, but my best laptops has been the 2 dells I have had.. I have a Dell Inspiron 17R Laptop now and I love it.. My mother bought a cheap Toshiba and it has been by far the worse laptop I have ever seen.
     
  20. Jun 4, 2012 at 3:08 PM
    #20
    DeeKay21

    DeeKay21 Lieutenant Dan.

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    I got the same laptop as you right now and I love mine too!! If it lasts for a while I might stick with Dell laptops from now on.
     

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