Seeking Recommendations for Laptop Computer

[IngridN]

I'm going to buy a new laptop computer in the next month and would like some recommendations on good reliable brand(s).

I currently have an old desktop that I want to get rid of. I don't need anything fancy as I use it mainly for household finances, e-mail, TUGing, and the like. Also download photos from various cameras. Wireless hookup to the printer.

Through work, I currently have a year old (or so) Lenovo T410i laptop which is a piece of c**p and I'm concerned about buying a piece of c**p for home use. At least at work I have an IT dept. that spends hours every couple of months getting it to work properly again.

DH and I looked at PCs at Costco last night and are totally lost as to which brands are the most reliable.

Any thoughts?

Edited to add: While I don't need anything fancy, I'm open to spending a bit more if it makes sense.

Ingrid

 

[LUVourMarriotts]

I've been a Windows user since the early days. At the end of last year, my employer sent all customer facing employees Macbook Pro's. I was very skeptical and figured I would mostly just use Fusion to run a Windows virtual machine on top of the Mac. Well, I was pleasantly surprised with how fantastic the operating system and hardware really is. I am 95% sure that I am a converter to Mac. The remaining 5% is whether my wife will go for a Mac when we need to replace the Dell that she uses at home.

So I would recommend a Mac. If you want something super light, go with a Macbook Air. Or go with a Macbook Pro. I have a Macbook Pro 15 for work and love it. I hope to get a Macbook Air 13 when we replace the Dell.

All of the tasks that you have mentioned will be simple with the Mac. If you are dead-set on a specific home finance app, just make sure it is Mac compliant. Otherwise, there are plenty to choose from.

 

[tompalm]

If you look at Consumer Reports, they give Toshiba the best rating. Also, HP is good. I like to buy at Costco because they give a two year warranty and if you use your American Express card, you get an extra year, so a total of three years. You can get a pretty good notebook, 14" or bigger for $600, but if you want to spend a little more, you will get a faster processor and more memory.

Yes, Mac is better, but it cost a lot more.

 

[linsj]

I've been a Toshiba fan since my first laptop eons ago. Tecra models are a little more expensive but last longer than Satellites. I particularly like the keyboard better than other brands, which is important to me since most of my work involves a computer and I gave up my desktop years ago.

 

[NWL]

I'm going to buy a new laptop computer in the next month and would like some recommendations on good reliable brand(s).

I currently have an old desktop that I want to get rid of. I don't need anything fancy as I use it mainly for household finances, e-mail, TUGing, and the like. Also download photos from various cameras. Wireless hookup to the printer.

Through work, I currently have a year old (or so) Lenovo T410i laptop which is a piece of c**p and I'm concerned about buying a piece of c**p for home use. At least at work I have an IT dept. that spends hours every couple of months getting it to work properly again.

DH and I looked at PCs at Costco last night and are totally lost as to which brands are the most reliable.

Any thoughts?

Edited to add: While I don't need anything fancy, I'm open to spending a bit more if it makes sense.

Ingrid

You will get plenty of opinions on this subject!

I am on the Mac side of the fence. I was very frustrated with always having to reboot my PC to get it to work. I've had some form of a Mac for the past 8 years. Very easy to use and you don't need to be a computer expert to make it do what you want. As part of your research, take a trip to your local Apple store and try out the various models.

Happy hunting!

Cheers!

 

[bogey21]

What I have done for over 10 years now is buy a cheap laptop. I try to get 2 years or so out it, then trash it when it becomes a problem. I have had them last any where from 2 to 5 years. Cheap used to be $250-$300. My last one (Compaq Presario CQ56) cost me around $375. I've had it since last November with no problems.

George

 

[Talent312]

I spent the day researching laptops for my DW. Her criteria: an internal blu-ray player.
From personal experience and research at www.consumersearch.com and www.bestcovery.com, I concentrated my search on units from:
-- Dell (XPS)
-- Lenovo (G or Z series)
-- Sony Vario
-- Toshiba Satellite

I found that a reasonably priced, yet well-equipped unit typically included these specs:
-- a 15.6" or 17.3" Screen
-- an Intel i3 or i5 (or AMD Phenom II) Chip
-- 4 - 6 MB RAM
-- a 500 MB Hard Disk Drive

For price comparisons, I looked at manufacturer's websites, and...
-- www.tigerdirect.com
-- www.buy.com
-- www.pricegrabber.com

HP was less expensive for similar specs, but not recommended by any of my sources,
and anecdotally, had build-quality issues and poor customer service.

Ultimately, I ordered a -- Toshiba Satellite L675 17.3" at a total cost of $570 from
www.buydig.com with whom I've done business before and trust.

 

[Nancy]

We've had good luck with HPs. Currently have 3. Before that had Compaqs with no major problems.

Nancy

 

[Ken555]

Ultimately, I ordered a -- Toshiba Satellite L675 17.3" at a total cost of $570 from
www.buydig.com with whom I've done business before and trust.

17" laptops are great, but if you plan on moving it often you may find the weight of the unit a concern. I know lots of people who prefer this size for their home instead of a desktop, and don't move it much at all. For those of us who carry a laptop often, I know for myself I keep trying to buy lighter and lighter each time, since weight is a primary issue when traveling.

 

[Ken555]

Yes, Mac is better, but it cost a lot more.

Yup, it's more. And, many of us who prefer Mac think its well worth the extra investment. It's the price you pay for quality.

In any case, keep in mind you can always find Mac refurbished laptops on the Apple website for less, which include a full warranty.

 

[tompalm]

Yup, it's more. And, many of us who prefer Mac think its well worth the extra investment. It's the price you pay for quality.

In any case, keep in mind you can always find Mac refurbished laptops on the Apple website for less, which include a full warranty.

My son is the Apple rep at the local Best Buy. He has been hounding me to get a Mac. I will do it for my wife's next computer. I need a PC for MS Flight Simulator, Schwab's Street Smart Edge and a few others that don't work on a Mac. I love my iPad and plan to get another iPhone when my contract is up on this one. I do like Mac computers, but it really depends on what you need to do on your computer. I will stick to recommending Toshiba for PC notebooks, and if you don't mind spending more, or run programs that are made for PC, go for MAC.

 

[Ken555]

My son is the Apple rep at the local Best Buy. He has been hounding me to get a Mac. I will do it for my wife's next computer. I need a PC for MS Flight Simulator, Schwab's Street Smart Edge and a few others that don't work on a Mac. I love my iPad and plan to get another iPhone when my contract is up on this one. I do like Mac computers, but it really depends on what you need to do on your computer. I will stick to recommending Toshiba for PC notebooks, and if you don't mind spending more, or run programs that are made for PC, go for MAC.

Ask your son about boot camp, and other ways of using Windows apps on a Mac.

 

[tompalm]

Ask your son about boot camp, and other ways of using Windows apps on a Mac.

He said that it is expensive. The Schwab guys say that SSE will work, but not too good. I don't know about Flight Sim. My friends that have Macs, said that they couldn't use Flight Sim, but maybe they never bought boot camp. It is just not worth it to own a Mac if your primary use for a computer is with PC programs.

All the video, photo, music stuff that Mac does well, I never use. I just don't need to pay extra for a Mac.

 

[glypnirsgirl]

I use a desktop at home and a laptop to carry with me. Because my eyesight was bad (pre-cataract surgery), my husband bought me the largest laptop he could find. It is a HUGE HP which has worked great for me -- and I carry and use it alot. The weight is a major issue. It would be great for home, but that is not what I use it for.

My husband works for a high tech company and they supply him with a really nice, small, light Toshiba. He loves his.

elaine

 

[Passepartout]

Looking back at the OP's post and choosing NOT to join in the cheering/bashing of Apple, I would recommend whatever computer meets the OP's needs from Costco. I say this not so much to support one brand over another, but because of Costco's generous support, return policy, and extended warranty.

If the OP aims for a mid-priced or above in Costco's line-up they will find a computer with plenty of features and quality to easily outlast the guarantee.

These days with computer hardware prices steady to slowly falling, that's about the best you can hope for.

Jim Ricks

 

[Kal]

Think small for a new machine. Laptops seem to be fading away because of their relative large size. A notebook might be a better choice, especially if you are travelling. Go here for some of the better rated laptop machines:

http://reviews.cnet.com/best-laptops/

 

[m61376]

Switched over to Mac over the winter and despite being a die-hard PC user couldn't believe how easy the transition was. Using a Mac is such a pleasure!! I like desktops, so bought an Imac, and hubbie has a Macbook Pro. Rarely need to reboot, even when working with photos, etc.. The cost may be more, but aggravation is a whole lot less.

Subsequently bought an Ipad2 and just got an iphone, so I guess our conversion is complete. s they say- try it, you'll like it

 

[Ken555]

He said that it is expensive. The Schwab guys say that SSE will work, but not too good. I don't know about Flight Sim. My friends that have Macs, said that they couldn't use Flight Sim, but maybe they never bought boot camp. It is just not worth it to own a Mac if your primary use for a computer is with PC programs.

All the video, photo, music stuff that Mac does well, I never use. I just don't need to pay extra for a Mac.

This speaks volumes about the training at Best Buy, which is what I've experienced first hand, and which lots of our clients have as well.

Boot camp is Apple's free program for using Windows on a Mac. Again, it's no charge. What does cost is that you need a license of Windows. It turns the Mac into a full Windows system without the Mac operating system. To use Mac, you simply restart the computer into the Mac OS and the same when switching back to Windows. For those who need more power for apps, this is the way to go, though it may be inconvenient at times if you need to switch back and forth constantly.

The other options include VMware Fusion or Parallels Desktop apps (less than $100 each, tho you also need a license for Windows). These apps permit you to run Windows simultaneously with the Mac, and it's appropriate for most applications (not so much for games). I use it, and know lots of people who use it successfully.

Still, if you don't have a Windows license, this will raise the overall solution cost. However, if you do...then it won't at all, by using Apple's Boot Camp.

 

[Ken555]

Looking back at the OP's post and choosing NOT to join in the cheering/bashing of Apple[...]

I'm amazed you resisted this time, Jim.

 

[IngridN]

Thank you all so much for you input. You've given me some views I hadn't considered. I hadn't considered a Mac because I'm so used to Windows, however, many of your comments have really caused me to pause and re-think my future computer use.

What I didn't mention is that this new computer is a retirement present to myself...yes, I'm outta there at the end of Sept. I've simply had it with my job and it made the decision on when to retire so much easier. It's always been my goal to retire early, however, I had planned to retire this time next year, but decided I'd have a meltdown if I waited that long.

I like the option of being able to sit on the couch and 'compute' while watching TV and I wouldn't take it travelling, so definitely a laptop, however, not concerned about weight. Also, I used to be really interested in photography before the job demands cut into my spare time. I have a blank hall wall that is just waiting for me to photoshop, frame and display some of the gorgeous photos we took over the years in all parts of the world and as I understand your comments, the Mac is the way to go there. I also want to get back into scrapbooking...so many things on my to do list after I declutter and really clean the house!

My boss and I are also discussing my consulting for the company after retirement during those times the dept. may need additional help. And as they are Windows based, I was concerned about also needing a Windows based PC. There recently were issues with one of our contractors completing some external forms on his Mac and I had to redo the work on our PC, so I assumed I would need a PC for that. If I get Boot Camp, I assume that would solve my problem?

Decisions, decisions, decisions...

Again, thank you all for your great input. Oh, on the PC side, Toshiba is on the short list.

Ingrid

 

[lvhmbh]

Our 14 year old needed a laptop for school and the school recommended the Mac which made him very happy as he loves his old one. I just got an Ipad as I don't like to lug around a laptop when I travel.

 

[bjones9942]

I just bought this Lenovo laptop from Best Buy. So far I like it. Big screen, hefty hard drive, decent memory. Has a fingerprint reader and built-in webcam. Best feature was that it was only $300.

Took it to Mazatlan with me and had absolutely no problems. Connected to the resorts wi-fi just fine, although the face recognition wouldn't recognize me (too much tan?)

I've been a big thinkpad person previously, which is why I went with Lenovo this time. Just remember, you can get a lemon from any of the manafacturers (I had to return a refurb laptop I bought from geeks.com because it kept giving me a bsod at power-on).

 

[Ridewithme38]

I've lost 3 hard drives in laptops/netbooks over the last few years, spinning platters just aren't made for laptops...recently i switch to an SSD drive and have had NO problems...

If you are just doing easy tasks like bill paying and surfing online, you don't need much in the way of memory...but i'd still recommend you go with ATLEAST 2gbs of ram

honestly...if your buying a new laptop, any processor will be fine


It doesn't matter what brand of laptop or OS you use, if the parts inside it are junk...

 

[pjrose]

Another Mac fan here. Windoze is a copy of the Mac operating system, crashes more, and is not as intuitive. Yes, there is a short learning curve to change, and yes it is more expensive, but most people who switch are very happy about it.

For many of us, it's also more fun, and then there's the cool factor.....

As far as your contractor and the forms that weren't right when done on a Mac, that may have been the way they were done rather than a Mac issue. All the major stuff, such as MS Office, is available on both platforms and files easily move from one to another. If these forms were absolutely specific to a PC environment, well, then maybe BootCamp will help you. I'd go to an Apple Store to discuss it, and take those files with you.

Unless you absolutely have to use the Windows environment for a specific app, go for a Mac if you can swing the extra cost!

 

[Passepartout]

I'm amazed you resisted this time, Jim.

Occasionally I amaze even myself. Don't get used to it. J