Laptop recommendations?

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bighammer

bighammer

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My 9-10 year do Dell laptop bit the dust. I am not savvy on computer technology.

Any recommendations from others? I'm only using a few basic programs, such as Quickbooks, so I don't need much power for that. And I don't want or need a gaming computer. I just want a little more memory / storage. Mostly reliability.

My old computer ran XP, which is now gone.. 8.1 is the current operating system, but I've read lots of people hate it. 7 is still available, but will only be supported by Microsoft for a few more years.
 
Macbook, needs updates only a couple times a year, almost instant on and instant shut down, no security problems. My spouse has her various windows system computers wacking out frequently. In 5 years, I have only spent $110.00 to replace the battery, and that was recently. Never needed any repair whatsoever, never a virus either. And if anyone needs a tire recommendation Michelin is the Apple of the tire industry, always way ahead of the pack.
 
I have a Toshiba Satellite. Been good for the few years I've had it. I would personally stay away from Apple products. For what you need, you can get a better laptop for less money. I would also stay away from HP products. Quality has gone down. Toshiba makes good laptops. You could look into tablets also, with an external hard drive for space. Cheap, and easy to navigate. Windows 8 has its issues, but by the time Windows 7 isn't supported, all the bugs with Windows 8 should be worked out.

Hope this helps.
 
dibbons said:
Macbook, needs updates only a couple times a year, almost instant on and instant shut down, no security problems. My spouse has her various windows system computers wacking out frequently. In 5 years, I have only spent $110.00 to replace the battery, and that was recently. Never needed any repair whatsoever, never a virus either. And if anyone needs a tire recommendation Michelin is the Apple of the tire industry, always way ahead of the pack.
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hmm that exactly the opposite of my experience with my macbook. I have in the last 2 years replaced the LCD with the glass, the top cover(tech ruined the top cover so it might not count as a repair) the motherboard, a new hard drive and the charger (twice) . my 5 year old Hp junker(I upgraded to the macbook cause it was just getting old and the wife liked the macbook) has had 0, yup ZERO repairs and the battery is still kicking. I hit the sleep button and it's off just like my macbook is supposed to do too! no security issues and no lockups. So your results may vary mine certainly did, I will not buy another macbook due to this bad experience! and yeah I worked as a tech for 9 years doing repairs on all types of computers/servers and Hughes-Net satellite setups so it wasn't from abuse, I just got an expensive lemon. Sony Vio products are NOT a laptop of choice for me since that was my major product I always had to repair in Gainesville fl. college campuses.
 
I get 3 years out of a laptop on my tool truck regardless of brand or price. (hostile environment) I have spent $300 up to $3000 and get the same results. My last 2 (and present) are Toshiba's and have had good luck so far. The $350 one I am using now I modified with a better and larger Seagate hard drive which I have found is a weak link with cheaper laptops. Good luck. tmm
 
my HP is 8 yrs old..still going strong...dumped Windows....now running Linux Mint 17...
 
Hmmm, Mac or PC?

Lol I expected a lot of different opinions here! As far as my opinion, I like Apple products, after all, I have an iPhone and an iPad, they're great. But I think they have priced themselves out of reach as far as my search for a laptop. Like I said, most of the time I spend in front of any type of screen is on my iPad, and I'm happy with that.

I guess I need to do a little research on what it is I'm looking for, the best choice for photo storage and a small need to run a program or two (Quickbooks)

Thanks guys, it's great to hear from all of you, car guys, giving computer help!
 
HP laptops have there design flaws but I suppose all brands have faults. For HP it was the charge port breaking away from MoBo. Then to clean its heat sink and fan will require a new dose of heat sink compound. That added trip to the store is enough to tick me off.
My Toshiba L455 held up and performed so well for so long, I bought a second used one just like it. The plastic limbs that support and spring its mouse buttons may break eventually but most of us have a dab of super glue on hand.
It's fan will develop a high pitched ringing sound too. Replacements are available.
Will looking for the fan I found a hard drive caddy that replaces the dvd drive. There's the added storage.
It's a older, windows 7, product though. I cant speak about new retail products.
 
I go with HP or dell .....usually HP because a lot of their products are assembled in the USA

http://www.cnet.com/news/hp-to-apple-hey-we-already-make-pcs-in-the-u-s/

I like the flexibility of Dell because you can custom order whatever you want or don't want on your computer. When I order a new laptop I always make sure it has a web camera delete. and I get rid of a lot items that will slow it down that I don't use anyways. I always option out the smaller harddrive and use an external for storage. Keeping a hard drive simple and empty really keeps it fast. Small hard drive and max amount of RAM that can be ordered. Last time I even went cd rom delete. I used to spend 6-700 on computers and they lasted a long time but now I think simple is the way to go.
 
I have had great luck with this guy in NY. He refurbishes laptops to your specs. Give him a shout and tell him what you want. The one I am on now was less than 300 with the shipping and some upgrades. It is a Lattitude d630 and if I did not know it I would think it was new. 2nd one I bought from him and do not be afraid to send him a reasonable offer either.
Ray

http://www.ebay.com/usr/laptopupgrade22?_trksid=p2059210.m2749.l2754
 
Toshiba... Windows 8 is fine but you need a touch screen to really use it.. I run an IT department for my local school district and we have 33,000 desktops/laptops and tablets.

I eliminated all apple products from our district 6 years ago and we are very happy...

Go 64bit with the most ram available..
 
RaniDart70 said:
I go with HP or dell .....usually HP because a lot of their products are assembled in the USA

http://www.cnet.com/news/hp-to-apple-hey-we-already-make-pcs-in-the-u-s/

I like the flexibility of Dell because you can custom order whatever you want or don't want on your computer. When I order a new laptop I always make sure it has a web camera delete. and I get rid of a lot items that will slow it down that I don't use anyways. I always option out the smaller harddrive and use an external for storage. Keeping a hard drive simple and empty really keeps it fast. Small hard drive and max amount of RAM that can be ordered. Last time I even went cd rom delete. I used to spend 6-700 on computers and they lasted a long time but now I think simple is the way to go.
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I have to agree with this.
Been getting some pretty nice Win7 HP 17" widescreen from Sams Club for right at $450 out the door (with manufacturers warantee, as well as extended if wanted)
Walmart online has a wide variety also, and the Acer and Emachine laptops are pretty decent machines for a few hundred.
It's getting where computers are being used and built as throw aways, so why spend a bunch of money on one.
Get a decent amount of RAM (8-12 gig) and an external drive to keep your stuff on, and always have two copies on separate storage devices. (Laptop and external, or external and USB thumb drives.)

And a program called Classic Shell works well for making Win8 a lot more friendly, so the touch screen part isn't a big deal.
After this they look and work like Win7. (menu's and all)
 
I HAIGHT Winhozed Ha-eight. That is all.

Lenovo Thinkpad T520, dual boot Winhozed sleven (use it very rarely) and Linux Ubuntu (formerly Mint) "Mate" desktop

I have two of them "used" and paid about 150 each. I put an SSD in the one I use daily and it REALLY REALLY REALLY sped the thing up. Takes seconds to boot. SECONDS

Frankly, I doubt that the support for Winhoard sleven will run out before your laptop dies. Also "there are ways" to get support after this, even lots of stuff for Xtra Putrid can still be had. The "big" problem with old OS's is support for new hardware.

I've thought about buying a Mac. It would be used if I did. Frankly, I think the used ones I've seen are incredibly over-priced. I hate Steve Jobs, may he rot, even more than I hate Gates and his buddy runs the company.
 
Linux is fantastic for what it is but I usually don't recommend it because eventually the person want to add something that Linux doesn't do (and probably shouldn't anyway) and then they start whining "I could do that with Windows"

They just don't get the point that for very basic computer use for the basic user it's frikin bulletproof, dead reliable and FREE.
But noooooo.



67Dart273 said:
I HAIGHT Winhozed Ha-eight. That is all.

Lenovo Thinkpad T520, dual boot Winhozed sleven (use it very rarely) and Linux Ubuntu (formerly Mint) "Mate" desktop

I have two of them "used" and paid about 150 each. I put an SSD in the one I use daily and it REALLY REALLY REALLY sped the thing up. Takes seconds to boot. SECONDS

Frankly, I doubt that the support for Winhoard sleven will run out before your laptop dies. Also "there are ways" to get support after this, even lots of stuff for Xtra Putrid can still be had. The "big" problem with old OS's is support for new hardware.

I've thought about buying a Mac. It would be used if I did. Frankly, I think the used ones I've seen are incredibly over-priced. I hate Steve Jobs, may he rot, even more than I hate Gates and his buddy runs the company.
Click to expand...
 
OS is up to the individual. But, this is important, GET SSD DRIVE. Solid state, no moving parts, no stylus to break if it falls. And they are much cheaper these days.
 
An SSD is MUCH faster. I have a (actually 3 in different machines) 1TB mechanical drive for backups. This laptop is "swapped out" so the mechanical backup drive is never in there unless I need to copy a bunch of stuff, back up stuff, or access something "old."

So for day to day and week to week, it's an SSD

So far as Linux, that's the reason for dual boot. With linux, you can FORGET worries about virus protection. There ARE occasional problems directed at Linux. I've never "fallen victim" to any of them.

Also you can run "some" Windoz programs in Linux.

Some people claim the new "built in" protection for WinGates is "enough" but research on the www suggests otherwise.

"Anytime" you see me on here I'm using Linux.
 
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