Laptop computer. I need help choosing one.

I am mostly going to use this laptop for school, work, and checking email.

I want a laptop that is durable and long lasting.

Someone recommended this laptop to me.

http://www.tigerdirect.com/applicat...kwCjCV1-CjCE&gclid=CKWT09OnqK4CFQ5ahwodFTNhSA

It's a little too much for me.

 

get a mac...i have had my macbook for close to 5 years now and havent had a single problem with it other than the charger going bad...and apple replaced it for me for free even though i was OUT of warranty

 

yep. MacBook Pro is the way to go!

 

MAC's are great computers, but can be pricy. I guess it all depends on how much you wanna spend. I have a Toshiba Satellite and it does great for me. Best Buy has them for $350-$400

 

I just bought a brand new $500 HP laptop for $330 yesterday through Staples. Check out Slickdeals.net for the deal (they tell you how to get the best deal at certain websites. On paper, the specs are pretty good for the price. I needed a cheap, reliable laptop and this one fit the bill.

 

I don't want something cheap though. I need a long lasting durable computer. I plan on using it to edit videos and download CAD software.

 

That's quite a powerful computer if that's all you need it for (quad core, 8gb ram, 1tb drive). It's nice to be sure but there are much cheaper options. Look into the one that Pugga recommended.

 

x3

 

I guess I don't know what you mean then by "it's a little bit much for me." Do you mean horsepower or cost?

I'd still keep an eye out on Slickdeals.net. That was just a one-day deal. They come up all the time.

I bought my dell about 5 years ago for 1/2 off the listed price. They had a coupon code for 50% off any laptop $1500 or higher. Still going strong with 0 problems.

Here's the computer he was talking about for $330:
http://slickdeals.net/permadeal/691...-dvdrw-webcam-bluetooth-hdmi-6cell-win-7-prem

Specs:
AMD Dual-Core A4-3305M (1.9GHz)
15.6" LED-backlit (1366x768)
4GB DDR3 Memory
640GB Hard Drive
AMD Radeon HD 6480G
HDMI
VGA
SuperMulti DVD Burner
Webcam
WiFi N
Bluetooth
6-Cell Battery
Windows 7 Home Premium 64-Bit

 

Mine should get here on Monday missed the delivery yesterday...

 

Dell &Asus is the way to go if your searching an long lasting laptop. Never go with ACER, HP and Toshiba their HDD are shits

 

Acer's actually seems to have pretty good reviews... I looked into them and was in a toss up between an Acer and an HP. I wouldn't touch Toshiba though, everyone I know that has one hated them in a couple years.

 

Get a Mac. I have 6 macs. They have all been flawless. If you get really desperate, you can run windows on it as well. I just upgraded and my wife is using my 4 year old MacBook Pro. She loves it and it's faster and has a better screen than her 2 year old Acer laptop. The Acer is sitting in the closet.

 

get a Macbook pro 13” i have one and love it. had it about a year and half and still runs like the day i got it. some say it’s to small but it’s really not. and it’s the cheaper macbook pro. somehow it has a little dent in the side i think someone dropped and it hit the bed frame at a party. if it was plastic it would have broke in pieces! i got mine of tax free weekend.

 

I've been in the computer business since before I graduated college. Not that it was that long ago, but I'm no novice.

Just because it is an expensive computer, doesn't mean that it is going to last. Just because it is inexpensive doesn't mean that it will be crap.

Are you most familiar with Windows or Mac? I have always been a PC guy, so I am a little biased against Macintosh. However, the line separating them is getting narrower and narrower by the minute. Whichever you are more comfortable with is the way you should go.

Based on the link you posted, I assume that you are looking to get a PC. I highly recommend this route, as MOST businesses use Windows. It is also a lot less expensive to have a PC repaired in the event that you need something done.

If you are going to be doing any CAD, video editing, or even some gaming, you want to pay attention to the video card. Many laptops do not have a dedicated video card, or even dedicated video memory for that matter. When it comes to graphics, you want to have at least dedicated memory if not a dedicated video card. Trust me on that one.

Next, the more memory the better. Get as much memory as you can afford. However, this is the most easily changeable part on the laptop, so as long as your computer supports more memory than you have, you can always upgrade in the future for very little money. Sometimes it is cheaper to buy a computer with less memory and then swap it out from the get go.

Processor is important, but it's not the end-all-be-all. It can be upgraded, but it's difficult and not recommended. Most motherboards are designed for a specific processor. Check your curriculum at school. Honestly, any dual core processor (and many of the latest single core) *should* be able to run whatever software you will need. However, sometimes you get into the cutting edge stuff (especially at accredited universities) where you just need to fork out the extra money to get the higher end processor. You will be happy you did in the long run.

If it comes down to awesome processor/little memory or decent processor/max memory, get the better processor. Memory (RAM) is easy to swap. (newegg is your friend ).

Hard drive space to me is a joke. A TB of HDD space is absolutely unnecessary unless you plan to store a ton of HD movies on there. 500GB is still a LOT of hard drive space. A lot of people don't realize what a drain on the battery a hard drive can be. If battery life is less important, get a 7200RPM drive. You WILL notice the speed difference. Otherwise, 5400RPM is the standard speed. It's not bad, it just isn't as fast (but also doesn't drain the battery as much).

Get an external hard drive for storing information. I can't tell you how many times people would leave the store crying (mostly girls, but some guys too) that they lost ALL of their data. Movies, music, school projects....EVERYTHING. Keep a backup of everything important.

Battery can be important. If you can get a 9-cell for a few bucks more than a 6, get it. You will be happy.

With all that being said, I tend to stay away from tigerdirect, newegg, frys, etc. for purchase of a new computer. They are awesome for parts, but not for the whole system. Also, stay away from Walmart, Sam's, Target or anywhere else that isn't specifically a computer/electronic store. Stay away from discount stores too. As much as I hate Best Buy, you can get some really good deals on quality computers. I honestly recommend buying direct from the manufacturer. I have had really good luck with Dell and HP. I know there are horror stories out there, but I've had my HP Pavilion dv8000 since February of 2005. I upgraded the RAM on it and it is just as fast if not faster than most of my friends with brand new systems. I recently got my wife a Dell from BB, and we couldn't be happier with it (or the deal i got on it).

i know this is getting long winded, but you asked. So I'll try to sum it up:
get a dedicated video card
get a good processor, but don't break the bank and do check your curriculum
RAM is important, get as much as you can afford
hard drive size is not important, but RPM is
get an external drive and backup everything important
more cells is better when it comes to battery life

let me know if you have any questions, or want my opinion on a specific setup.

 

yes!

I had one of the original black macbooks from like 2006 i think. Not a single problem, my brother uses it now.

MacBooks are great laptops, very portable, long battery life and I've never had a single problem with my current Pro and my old MacBook.

And I believe there is an educational discount from apple if you're in college, its not much but hey its still something.

 

also, whatever you end up with, make the backup disks before you do anything else. Most manufacturers are saving money by not providing you with the OS disk. It'll take anywhere from 1-3 DVDs to make the backup disks, but you will be glad you have them if you ever have to reformat.

 

If you plan to use Auto CAD then don't get a mac

 

I'd look at Dell or Lenovo. Asus makes some goos stuff as well, that what i currently have. My work laptop is a Lenovo.

Some people have issues with Toshiba. I had one and FWIW had no issues. Bought it back in 2007 and recently sold it to someone at work and its still going strong.

 

Macbook Pro