Having some trouble finding a laptop

Message

moonie · #1 Post by **moonie** » Thu Dec 20, 2007 10:05 pm

Was hoping to snag a nice, inexpensive laptop for Christmas. All the great buys at Best Buy and Circuit City seem to be sold out.

What brand do you all have?

I'd like to get one without 'Vista", which people seem to not be fond of. Seems like you need another 1 GB added onto the machine to have it run well with Vista.

I've seen a cheap Gateway, and some bad reviews on Acer and Toshiba models.

I dont want to spend more than $700 if possible, as this is not for gaming, but for a 'second' computer for the house for light surfing, email, school papers, etc.

Any suggestions?

silvercamaro · #2 Post by **silvercamaro** » Thu Dec 20, 2007 10:14 pm

Annie has a relatively inexpensive Gateway laptop. Her needs are fairly simple, and she likes it. No problems of any description have arisen at any time.

Adventure Boy got a Dell laptop delivered this morning. He opted for the media package, because he does a lot of photography and likes the idea of making movies someday, too. He is thrilled with it, and couldn't believe how easy it was to set up and use. (He has never been a big computer person, largely because of lack of finances.) He said, "The hardest part was getting the wireless password so I could use it at the firehouse, too."

Do you intend to put it under the Christmas tree? If not, Best Buy and similar outfits usually have their best deals right after the first of the year. (Editing: I see now that you said "for Christmas.")

Bob Juch · #3 Post by **Bob Juch** » Thu Dec 20, 2007 10:18 pm

Dell, of course.

silvercamaro · #4 Post by **silvercamaro** » Thu Dec 20, 2007 10:22 pm

Bob Juch wrote:Dell, of course.

I'm happy with my Dell desktop, too. IMO, the best place to buy it is from the Dell web site, so you can get exactly what you want (and sometimes some sweet enhancements for little or no cost.) This won't get it in your hands before Christmas, though.

andrewjackson · #5 Post by **andrewjackson** » Fri Dec 21, 2007 7:45 am

I will say that Vista works fine for me. I've been running it on my home computer since this summer.

I'm not a heavy duty user but it does everything I've asked it to do since the day I opened the box. I did have some problems setting up the wireless network at my place but that was due to running two firewalls at the same time. Once I figured that out, no problems.

Others may differ.

traininvain · #6 Post by **traininvain** » Fri Dec 21, 2007 8:18 am

silvercamaro wrote:
Bob Juch wrote:Dell, of course.
I'm happy with my Dell desktop, too. IMO, the best place to buy it is from the Dell web site, so you can get exactly what you want (and sometimes some sweet enhancements for little or no cost.) This won't get it in your hands before Christmas, though.

I have a HP laptop that we've had for about 4 years now, it still runs fairly well. We have Dell computers otherwise, check out their Outlet stuff, you might be able to get a good deal on a refurbished computer.

I have Vista on one of my computers, I haven't had any problems with it.

moonie · #7 Post by **moonie** » Fri Dec 21, 2007 1:31 pm

Thanks for the responses. Interesting how all of you are happy with your various models and makes.

Mine is s'posed to go under the tree. If it's not there, yours truly will be under there looking for pieces of his cranium.

BackInTex · #8 Post by **BackInTex** » Fri Dec 21, 2007 2:55 pm

How 'bout this?

http://shop1.outpost.com/ShopCartServle ... se=5452849

Only 1 GB, and is a refurb, but is onlyg $549

About $25 to overnight ship.

What part of the country do you live in.?

TheCalvinator24 · #9 Post by **TheCalvinator24** » Fri Dec 21, 2007 5:00 pm

MacBook

Okay, so it's not inexpensive, but it sure is nice.

Posted mainly for pea's benefit.

peacock2121 · #10 Post by **peacock2121** » Fri Dec 21, 2007 5:28 pm

TheCalvinator24 wrote:MacBook

Okay, so it's not inexpensive, but it sure is nice.

Posted mainly for pea's benefit.

LOL

Cal is part of the cult.

Cal is part of the cult.

Cal is part of the cult.

Cal is part of the cult.

TheCalvinator24 · #11 Post by **TheCalvinator24** » Fri Dec 21, 2007 5:49 pm

peacock2121 wrote:Cal is part of the cult.

And proud of it!

peacock2121 · #12 Post by **peacock2121** » Fri Dec 21, 2007 5:51 pm

TheCalvinator24 wrote:
peacock2121 wrote:Cal is part of the cult.
And proud of it!

see....... another sign that it's a cult.

TheCalvinator24 · #13 Post by **TheCalvinator24** » Fri Dec 21, 2007 5:59 pm

peacock2121 wrote:
TheCalvinator24 wrote:
peacock2121 wrote:Cal is part of the cult.
And proud of it!
see....... another sign that it's a cult.

The pride?

Or the evil smiley?

Catfish · #14 Post by **Catfish** » Fri Dec 21, 2007 6:11 pm

Dell fan here. PC and laptop. Can't tell you about tech support, though, because in several years of having Dells
:
:
:
:
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I have never had to call for support. And I am far from computer savvy.

Dell is really fast. I've ordered on Saturday and had my computer by Wednesday. That may not work in your case because of the intervening holiday, but you could try the old it-fell-off-Santa's-sleigh ruse whereby the UPS guy finds the stuff that falls off the sleigh and delivers it one or two days after Christmas.

Hope you find what you want.

Love,

moonie · #15 Post by **moonie** » Sat Dec 22, 2007 7:55 am

Thanks for all the responses. It looks like many folks have had good success with their equipment, unlike some of the replies you read on the sites, etc.

I'd like a MacBook.. Didnt think it was possible.

Off into the breach!

cindy.wellman · #16 Post by **cindy.wellman** » Sat Dec 22, 2007 12:14 pm

MOON!

The Moonlettes are gorgeous!! What a fabulous photo. Papa Moon must be very proud!

That is all.

Cindy

PS - OK, we're a Dell family. Even with a few issues we had over the years with them, I really appreciate the service they provide for any problems with the computers. We were even able to temporarily transfer our warranty to Italy while there. Some nice little man came out on a service call from Udine!
I especially like DHL when it comes to computers. In August, when DHL lost my computer when it was being sent back to Dell for some additional warranty work, they bought me a NEW one!