Basically I’ll be looking for something within the 700 dollar range,14-16 inch screen. I’ll mostly be using it for internet surfing, music downloading, and ecu tuning. I was looking at the Toshiba and the HP models lately they seem like pretty solid laptops.
What do you guys think? I want to have a decent processor aswell as memory for music storage.
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Also must be reliable.
HP and Toshiba are probably your best bet. You’ll want to look for the i Series processors from intel at least an i3, i5 or i7 are even better. Most hard drives are 320GB or better now-a-days, so it really shouldn’t be a problem. If you need more for your music I’d reccomend an external hard drive like the Seagate FreeAgent (LINK) or a Western Digital My Passport (LINK) since their small and easy to move around. Also, memory ≠ storage…Memory refers to the RAM of the computer. Anything under 4GB is a waste of time, if you have 4GB or above make sure it comes with a 64-bit OS (which is should) also labeled x64. Memory can also be added at a later time if needed. The $500-$700 range should steer you away from Windows 7 Starter, but if not avoid that OS. You’ll want at least Windows 7 Home Premium or better (Professional, Enterprise, Ultimate). Please stay away from the netbooks…they may be cheap, cute, w/e but they suck ass.
Don’t bother with the warranties with any big box store, but if you can get an extended warranty through the actual manufacturer (3-5 years) I’d suggest it. Also no need for their setup services or Anti-virus…YOU DON’T NEED THESE. Microsoft Security Essentials is free, and is highly rated among the IT community for anti-virus (LINK). If your computer comes with a trial of an anti-virus usually it’s Norton make sure you uninstall it before installing MSE. If it is Norton, simply run their removal tool to completely wipe it off your system (CLICK TO DOWNLOAD IT). Make sure your automatic updates are turned ON as well. For basic programs go to www.ninite.com and select all the products you intended to use. After you do so, click Get Installer and SAVE the file to a location on your computer, just run it and the program will do the rest. Every so often you can re-run the Ninite downloaded file and it will grab the latest updates if any are available.
Great stuff right there. I have been running MSE on my Acer Aspire since November when I bought it and it’s been solid. But just make sure like ProgRocker said to remove any anti-virus protection that may be on the laptop when you buy it before installing MSE. I bought my Aspire in your price range with 4GB RAM and 500GB HD and Core-i5 processor which is excellent! I know what people say about quality and Acers but they’ve been around long enough for me and I only use my laptop at home for web surfing and music. I did purchase a 3 year warranty for dirt cheap through Square Trade which includes accidental damage. I would highly recommend them. They haven’t let me down on a warranty yet.
Sounds like a good warranty…accidental damage is a big plus. Most average user’s problems with laptops are that they don’t take care of them and then wonder why they don’t work.
I’ve been looking for a laptop for my wife for around $750. For a new unit, the best bet seems to be the HP ProBook line. I’ve had an EliteBook at work and been happy with it, and the people with the ProBooks seem to like them as well. The stuff below that is garbage though. Stay out of the bottom of the barrel price stuff, its junk. If you really want a great unit, the Lenovo 410/510 series laptops are getting much cheaper with the 420/520 coming out now.
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woah, never heard of ninite.com … awesome.
Thinkpad
/thread
We have both the ProBooks and Elitebooks in various sizes at work, both have been working very well. They are much more durable than their dv(x) series stuff. I think I’ve had to have the motherboard replaced on one, which was covered under warranty, and a technician came out to do the work for us.
Ninite is great for those relatives that never seem to update anything. Supposedly you can grab the installer, and make it a scheduled task through Windows. I haven’t had any luck with that yet. It sure beats going site to site or program to program updating everything.
For the money these can’t really be beat. Acer bought Gateway so you know they are made pretty decently. Core i5, 4 GB of ram, 500GB hard drive and it looks pretty good and is lightweight.
So this is what I’m looking for ? I’m also planning on taking an image of my old laptop so I need room for that and music.
LOL Gateways are pieces of shit, their support site is a joke, and their customer service is awful…especially their Business side. I’ve had a lot of problems with Acers in the past. Weird one off hardware problems, a netbook 10GB drive partitioned in half (definitely wasn’t the user). Acer and Gateway would be on the bottom of my list for laptops/desktops…Right above Sony.
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Need to post a link that’s not for the mobile site.
If You currently have Vista/7 then you can use the Windows Easy Transfer to transfer files and settings to a external drive. Capturing a whole image and dropping it onto the new laptop won’t work because it’s different hardware.
m.bestbuy.com/m/e/product/detail.jsp?skuId=1824276&pid=1218294459670&catId=abcat0502000&ev=prodView
Or this I like the fact it has hdmi out.
Uhhh they work fine. We have 5 of them in the office and none of them have had any problems. Acer’s quality is fine.
I’d also like to add that HP’s quality control is garbage. Also what company’s support isn’t a joke these days? Everything is outsourced…
Both Laptops have HDMI out (almost all do now), The HP 17" laptop has the full keyboard with the keypad and a faster hard drive 7200RPM vs the Toshiba’s 5400 RPM drive. The HP seems like a better choice ATM.
sorry guys
Dell or HP have the best support sites IMO.
The third computer, the Toshiba is your best bet atm. 7200 RPM drive, i5 Processor which is slightly better than the HPs i3 Processor.
Thanks alot for the help I guess I’ll look into getting the Toshiba.
over all the ones you posted
edit: just realized it’s only a 12" screen though
That is a pretty ballin’ laptop if you don’t mind the smaller screen.
I’m not familar with that brand… are they a decent company?
Lenovo is the company that bought the thinkpad line from IBM. The Thinkpad lineup is, in my opinion, the best laptop out there.
Mine gets 9 hours per day use of mixed docked/undocked use. Never skips a beat.