Is it time for a new Laptop?

Hello all, i've had my Dell laptop for about 4 years now(Since sophomore year of HS) and recently it's been giving me alot of trouble, It freezes quite often whenever im doing anything really, i tried to use firefox,safari,chrome; thinking it was the browser and the CPU usage but i dont think its the case.

It just acts really slow in general, when i click the menu, it delays, and overall its just a real sluggish machine at the moment and i dont think it was always like this

I've been eyeing getting a new laptop the last couple weeks, after getting through my finals and getting ready for the next semester of college kicking off in the next couple days.. If i can salvage it for continued use i would.

Im currently running Norton as my protection and the most i have open at the same time would be Itunes/Safari or Firefox/ and thats about it, i dont really need a super fast comp, just a computer i can just do projects, listen/download music/ maybe slight photo editing capabilities and get on TW/facebook ect.

Im thinking Macbook Pro but if i can save the coin by troubleshooting my current laptop that'd work too, but if it doesn't i'll just back everything up and make the purchase.

Thanks in advance.

Cam

 

love my macbook pro

I have the 13'' with the 750gb hard drive and 8gb ram. Gets the job done and I love it for school

 

In these cases, I recommend backing up all of the data to a thumb drive, or other removable media, and do a complete re-install of the operating system. Over time, Adware and malware just bring systems to their knees.

This is also a good time to add memory to the system, if it will support additional RAM.

If the operating system is Windows XP, keep in mind that Microsoft is ending support (and thus no more security patches and updates) in the next few months.

Good Luck!

 

First get rid of Norton and use Microsoft security essentials. I run in personally and in several business environments with very little trouble. Second your laptop may be need to be reloaded from scratch. That usually helps machines a lot. The third thing is if you want a MacBook go for but I will say this I used a MacBook for 6 years in middle and highschool. Schools provided them. The only advantage I ever saw was in the graphics department and video editing.

 

how much you lookin to spend and new or used?

 

^^This, and possibly look into upgrading your OS especially if your machine is running Vista but I'm guessing it's windows 7. Recently I upgraded my older laptop with a solid state drive, re-installed the OS (windows 8), and it made a HUGE difference in performance.

 

As far as RAM, i dont really want to add more, im running Windows 7.

I guess i need to back everything up and just restore it and see what happens from there.

Get rid of norton? I thought norton was pretty good.

As far as graphics, im not big on that sorta thing, as long as i can watch my anime and youtube and see the screen at an acceptable video quality im happy and i dont do too much video editing until i get my go pro.

Im prob gonna go new and with the education discount and military discount(hopefully they offer one) i should be able to get a capable mac with 500 GB and 8GB of Ram for under 1100$

 

I have seen several machines loaded with Norton that ran slow. I loaded my pc brand new from scratch and it was fast loaded Norton and It died. Uninstalled Norton and the pace was back up. Started running security essentials and I have no issues with it at all. Works just as well as catching viruses in my opinion. A virus is a piece of written code that can be unwritten for lack of a better word.

 

$1100 for a new macbook? Sorry, but no. They cost a lot and hold their value (kinda like a Tacoma!)

The cheapest air is $1k and only has a 128gb hard drive. The education discount isn't that much. I don't think they offer a military discount. The desktops you should be able to get for that price.

Sometimes you can find sales online.

As others have said wiping the drive and reinstalling the OS will help.

 

Hmm well im gonna back everything up(tomorrow) and give that a shot and see what happens. If this fixes everything, then i will keep on rocking this comp and see if i can make it through college with it and beyond.

 

I agree with some of the above posts. Back up your personal data, fresh install, ditch Norton.

 

Look on craigslist and find a used ASUS G74 or G75, I've owned both and can't say enough about them. Only downfall is poor battery life.

 

Federal Employees can get a discount from Apple. I bought my Mac Book Pro with 8gb of ram for right around 1200. Still spendy, but really worth it.

 

I bought a refurbed G75 Asus from Newegg and twice in the last year I've had to disassemble and re-solder pins on the motherboard that melted and caused a system crash.

I'm still a fan of Asus but be really careful getting used or refurbished crap.

 

Hmm, I guess refurb would be different than new. I'm on my 4th G series laptop and have had 0 issues, installed a new SSD last week and couldn't be happier now.

 

Big performance change for a few bucks...

1) Install a new solid state drive with a clean install of Windows
2) Dump Norton - uses too much memory/resources - The Microsoft's free one is fine
3) upgrade memory Dirt cheap

I've using my 5 year old Sony Vaio with an SSD and 8gb of Ram. Runs fine.

 

I have had one laptop (personal) for over 8 years now and make a habit of formatting the hard drive every year or so. You can make a backup disk in the windows system tools and after you use the boot disk to wipe it clean, just reload up the disk and she should run top notch. I also agree with getting rid of Norton. It is just an overpriced piece of lead that does no better job at stopping viruses than Microsoft Security Essentials.


Over time malware/spyware starts to strangle the performance and the only good way to deal with it is to start new. There are tons of videos on line that show how to perform a clean wipe and install.

 

Hmm. I suppose i can try this method before i drop 1K+ on a new laptop

Im a little meh on buying a used laptop.. unless it has a warranty.

The mac i made(1 TB Storage, 8GB RAM, 2.9 processor was right around 1200) as well, with the 3 year warranty, it was right around 1300$..

Im wary as well.

Hmm guess some people have better luck than others.

Im gonna try the clean install w/ backup first.

 

Also remember a new G series from ASUS comes with a 2 year accidental warranty.

 

Holy shit those comps are expensive... Thats what the G is for.