Laptop advice

[KootenayFlamesFan]

I know a lot of CPers own laptops, and I'm interested in buying my first. I don't need anything too fancy.......my desktop is a nice Dell that has everything we need........the laptop will be mainly for surfing the net.

I'm looking at the Toshiba Satellite or Dell Inspirion lines........15.4 screens..........both sell for around $600 bucks and look like they are pretty decent. I've checked some review sites and most seemed fairly pleased with both.

Does anyone have either of these laptops (or had if you hated them), and if so can you help steer me in the right direction? I'm leaning towards the Dell as I can get a bit more for about the same price.

Or is there another model out there I should look at that is in the same price range?

Thanks in advance for any help.

[CubicleGeek]

Have you checked out some of the offering's from HP? They've really come into their own and you can get standard built-in web cam and media remote with some of their entry offerings. I was really impressed with the model I got my dad for around $700.

[KootenayFlamesFan]

I hadn't really..........but just looking real quick it seems there could be some nice deals there in the same range.........maybe even slightly cheaper.

Configured the C700T model real quick and it came out to about $550. Not bad. Thanks for the heads-up.

[rbochan]

Four questions:
1. Budget?
2. Intended usage?
3. Preferred operating system?
4. Hopeful lifespan?

If you're just going to be be basic usage with Windows, I'd go for a Dell Vostro. They're inexpensive, and damn decent. To top it off, you can still get them with Windows XP if you prefer.

[Traditional_Ale]

Get an LG. Hopefully with XP Pro.

Anything else is second rate right now for anything under $1400

[MickMcGeough]

I've had two of the newer model (last 2-3 yrs) Inspirons and they were fine. Not outstanding but ok. Never had any serious problems with them but I didn't care for the case design and it costed far too much for a high-res monitor (1680x1050) upgrade. If the base model is what you're looking for, they're a decent bang for the buck, IMO.

I'm on an HP DV9000 right now which is quite good for what I wanted. It's closer to a desktop-replacement than a super-portable. 17" screen, full size keyboard with number bad. It's not bad but if you are planning to go with XP, don't bother. Getting XP set up on this took far too many hours and finding drivers was a nightmare. If you want XP, make sure that the manufacturer supports it and provides drivers.

[Traditional_Ale]

Originally Posted by MickMcGeough

I've had two of the newer model (last 2-3 yrs) Inspirons and they were fine. Not outstanding but ok. Never had any serious problems with them but I didn't care for the case design and it costed far too much for a high-res monitor (1680x1050) upgrade. If the base model is what you're looking for, they're a decent bang for the buck, IMO.

I'm on an HP DV9000 right now which is quite good for what I wanted. It's closer to a desktop-replacement than a super-portable. 17" screen, full size keyboard with number bad. It's not bad but if you are planning to go with XP, don't bother. Getting XP set up on this took far too many hours and finding drivers was a nightmare. If you want XP, make sure that the manufacturer supports it and provides drivers.

If this happens again, PM me. I'll have it turned around in 90 minutes.

[KootenayFlamesFan]

Originally Posted by rbochan

Four questions:
1. Budget?
2. Intended usage?
3. Preferred operating system?
4. Hopeful lifespan?

1. Under a grand....I guess around 500-700 bucks, a little more if it's worth it.
2. Mostly just surfing.....nothing too crazy. I already have a desktop that we use for pictures, movies and all our important stuff. I see most come a DVD/CD burner too, so that's cool.......but mostly just for surfing.
3. I like XP, never tried out Vista.......just heard it uses up a lot of memory to run, which is one reason I was looking for 2 gigs of RAM.. But I'm not too fussy that way.....whatever works.
4. Not too long......just like everything else in the electronics world, it seems like something else comes out better and cheaper every year. As long as I get a few years out of it, I'll be ok. I don't intend for it to last too long, but I don't want to get a new one every year, either. I guess somewhere around the 3-5 year mark?

If you're just going to be be basic usage with Windows, I'd go for a Dell Vostro. They're inexpensive, and damn decent. To top it off, you can still get them with Windows XP if you prefer.

I've heard of the Vostro but haven't checked them out yet. I'll look at them tonight, thanks.

[KootenayFlamesFan]

Originally Posted by Traditional_Ale

Get an LG. Hopefully with XP Pro.

Anything else is second rate right now for anything under $1400

LG eh? Haven't checked them out at all...........will tonight. Thanks!

[KootenayFlamesFan]

Originally Posted by MickMcGeough

I'm on an HP DV9000 right now which is quite good for what I wanted. It's closer to a desktop-replacement than a super-portable. 17" screen, full size keyboard with number bad. It's not bad but if you are planning to go with XP, don't bother. Getting XP set up on this took far too many hours and finding drivers was a nightmare. If you want XP, make sure that the manufacturer supports it and provides drivers.

I'd like a 17'' screen, but generally it looks like you're paying around 200 bucks more to upgrade from a 15.4". I'd like to, though.......

Looked at some HPs last night and they look pretty nice, and affordable. A couple of review sites I looked at gave them decent ratings, as well.