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Laptops--advice?
Posted: Sun May 02, 2004 5:31 pm
by OtherHD
Ok, I was informed by my dad today that I could get a laptop as a graduation present. He didn't place a limit on how much I could spend (yet), so right now I'm just looking for what brand is the best to go with. Right now, I've heard Dell and Gateway are the 2 best, with HP also being an okay brand to go with. What do you all think?
Posted: Sun May 02, 2004 5:32 pm
by cycloneye
Dell hands down all the way.
Posted: Sun May 02, 2004 5:33 pm
by mf_dolphin
We use the Dell 5150 series at work. They're heavy but rock solid! With any laptop get the extended warranty. Dell offers "CompleteCare" which even covers your laptop if you drop it. The screen alone on a laptop can run 1,500+ to repair.
Posted: Sun May 02, 2004 5:33 pm
by wx247
Hey Lyle... I love my Dell Laptop I got for XMas. I got to pick mine out and I spent about $650. The only thing I dislike is that it came with Word Perfect instead of Microsoft Office Suite.
Also, if you plan on playing DVD-Rs in your machine, make sure to get one with a +/- DVD drive or else some won't play.
Posted: Sun May 02, 2004 5:39 pm
by rainstorm
try BRITNEY!! for a laptop!! we may never see you online again!!
Posted: Sun May 02, 2004 5:45 pm
by OtherHD
rainstorm wrote:try BRITNEY!! for a laptop!! we may never see you online again!!
omg roflmao
Posted: Sun May 02, 2004 5:48 pm
by Stephanie
What a wonderful gift!
I would go with the Dell as well. I don't have one, but I believe that they have the same quality reputation for both PC's and laptops.
Posted: Sun May 02, 2004 7:04 pm
by OtherHD
wx247 wrote:Also, if you plan on playing DVD-Rs in your machine, make sure to get one with a +/- DVD drive or else some won't play.
Garrett, is that the same as a DVD Combo drive?
Posted: Sun May 02, 2004 7:12 pm
by Stormsfury
rainstorm wrote:try BRITNEY!! for a laptop!! we may never see you online again!!
LOL!!!!!
Yep ... only two function keys to play with ...
Posted: Sun May 02, 2004 7:14 pm
by rainstorm
Stormsfury wrote:rainstorm wrote:try BRITNEY!! for a laptop!! we may never see you online again!!
LOL!!!!!
Yep ... only two function keys to play with ...
yea, only 2 keys necessary. "insert" and "pause". dude may need frequent breaks from his laptop
Posted: Sun May 02, 2004 7:25 pm
by Stormsfury
rainstorm wrote:Stormsfury wrote:rainstorm wrote:try BRITNEY!! for a laptop!! we may never see you online again!!
LOL!!!!!
Yep ... only two function keys to play with ...
yea, only 2 keys necessary. "insert" and "pause". dude may need frequent breaks from his laptop
ROTFLMAO
Posted: Sun May 02, 2004 7:26 pm
by DROliver
Did I hear graduation lap dance, I mean laptop?
Lol
I agree with Marshall. But my HP has been awesome.
Steve O.
Posted: Mon May 03, 2004 5:00 am
by deb_in_nc
Great thread. I'm thinking that my next comp. will be a laptop. Is it true that the hard drive has less space than a desk top?
Debbie
Posted: Mon May 03, 2004 5:35 am
by mf_dolphin
Deb you can get pretty big hard drives even in laptops. We order 60GB ones for our office laptops.
Posted: Mon May 03, 2004 5:47 am
by Suzi Q
Dude, you gotta get a Dell.
Seriously, I have loved my home one, will definitely get a dell laptop as next purchase. Well after the scanner, another one for the house since hubby and I fight over it, digital cam..............the list goes on and on.
Posted: Mon May 03, 2004 5:54 am
by vbhoutex
My advice? Whichever laptop you get-GIVE IT TO ME!!!!!!! I promise to keep it safe for you!!!!!
All kidding aside, well most of it, I would get a Dell too. My Dell, not a laptop, has been great!!
Posted: Mon May 03, 2004 6:23 am
by wx247
OtherHD wrote:wx247 wrote:Also, if you plan on playing DVD-Rs in your machine, make sure to get one with a +/- DVD drive or else some won't play.
Garrett, is that the same as a DVD Combo drive?
I am not sure. You would have to ask someone who has more computer knowledge than myself.
Posted: Mon May 03, 2004 8:19 am
by mf_dolphin
The DVD +/- is for the two competing standards of DVD recordables. All current DVD drives should be able to read either format. The DVD combo drive will usually read/write CD's and read DVD's.
A couple of points to look for:
15 inch monitor - 1 inch doesn't sound like much but it makes a big difference! A 15" LCD is roughly the same as a 17" regular monitor.
Memory - Don't scrimp here. 256MB is the absolute minimum for WinXP. 512MB highly recommended.
O/S - Stay away from XP Home
The upgrade to XP Pro usually runs about $80.00. Well worth the extra money....
Processor - Stay away from the Celeron processor series. Stick with the regular Pentium 4. The Celeron does not have the on-board cache and the performance really suffers.
Again, get the extended warranty and "CompleteCare" coverage if you buy a Dell. With those two as long as you don't drop it in water you're covered. Also make sure and see what the college offers. You can probably get a great deal through the school. I know here at USF students and by Microsoft software for pennins. WindowsXP Pro is $15.00.....
Posted: Mon May 03, 2004 9:33 am
by Amanzi
On the subject of Lap-tops. Due to my complete ignorance on the subject, I was wondering if anyone could explain how the whole wireless networking thing works? Do you have to have a mobile phone account, and do they charge you per minute that your online???
Posted: Mon May 03, 2004 10:00 am
by wx247
mf_dolphin wrote:The DVD +/- is for the two competing standards of DVD recordables. All current DVD drives should be able to read either format. The DVD combo drive will usually read/write CD's and read DVD's.
My Dell laptop did not.