Trying to pick a laptop, help please.
 

Anyone know any good places to check out some laptops? I'm looking for something that will most likely be a desktop replacement, at least until I can get everything this virus left off my desktop. I do a little bit of video editing for my youtube videos and I have lots of pictures and music so I know I need plenty of space for that. I spent a lot of time online. I'm not a really a computer gamer, never have been, but I just dowloaded Rigs of Rods and I like playing it, when my desktop decides to run fast enough for it. Any pointers or hints on what I should watch for? I want either an HP or a Compaq. I've had really good luck with them and not so much with Dells so I won't even consider one.

I found an HP factory refurb on best buys website for $520. Here's a link if ya want to check it out:
http://www.bestbuy.com/site/HP+-+Fac...&skuId=1535414

I really don't know a whole lot about computers :s: but it seems to have enough capacity and capabilities for me. Plus its got the number pad on the right side like a desktop keyboard that I like. I'm just so used to using it that whenever I use a laptop I always forget its not there.

I know I'll definitely be buying some virus/malware protection for it. Possibly that Webroot or maybe something a little cheaper.

Big sales this Black Friday. Go shopping and walk off that turkey. :tu:

too bad you wont consider a dell I've got a xps m1530 that runs as good if not better than any desktop my dad or I have had

My day job is being an IT guy, and I don't mind helping.

Look at the HP Pavilion DV5 and DV7 series. Decent video cards for playing games, but the hard drive sizes can be a bit small and/or slow. Mine is a DV5 I've had for 2 years and it has an ESATA port so I can plug in an external hard drive for backups. Price for these can be around $1200 new or less if you buy a refurb. My only complaint with it is the hard drive is a 5400 RPM, so accessing data is slow.

For a little more you can get one of the new Asus G series. These run about $1400 or so and have better features than a stock HP does. Check out Newegg.com for the best prices for these.

You could also look at Sager Notebooks. You can get Dell and HP features for less, or if you want to get into outside the box customization (more RAM, more/bigger/faster hard drives, dual video cards, etc.) you have alot more options.

I don't recommend Toshiba .... horrible warranty and even worse customer service.

And please make sure you buy a backup drive. Most laptops are now coming with ESATA and/or USB 3.0, so for an extra $150 you can get lots of extra space to backup critical files like family pictures or tax information.

If you want to take it one step further and make sure no one can access your private information, look at getting a copy of TrueCrypt. It uses some fantastic encryption so that prying eyes can't see it.



Kris

I've heard of lots of people that have had good luck with them but I'm not one of those people, unfortunately.

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Everything you mentioned is WAY out of my budget for a computer of any sort. But I didn't really say what I was looking to spend either...which is about $500 give or take a bit.

Re: Trying to pick a laptop, help please.
 

Dell is Junk.

Sent from my Droid2 @ 1.4ghz

i've got a gateway back in july, a little over $500 from best buy, does everything i want and i have had no problems at all with it.

Then look at the refurbished laptops and try to buy an extended warranty. You can get something really nice for half price or less but the only problem is you have to look and buy it as soon as you see it. They have a tendancy to go quickly.



Kris

get in line at 3am and you could get a good deal:w2:

are you crazy between me and my dad we have both had probably 6 dells and the only reason we get newer ones is because the older ones become so outdated so fast now..

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oh im sorry to hear that i've been fortunate enough to be one of the people that never has any problems with them besides the ones i make and thankfully i know how to fix them

oh yeah it just hit me there is a virus program out called vipre and it is supposed to be some of the best stuff i know my buddies dad who is a big time IT guy says it's the best thing he's ever used so you may want to give that a try on your computer if you can before buying a new one