matt1215 0 #1 October 12, 2006 My mom wants a laptop, so I'm doing some shopping. I bought a loaded XPS laptop last year and I've been really happy with it. I'm thinking something a bit less fancy, mostly for surfing the internet. Any bad experiences with lower-end Dell laptops? Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
StreetScooby 5 #2 October 12, 2006 If you're going to use Windows, Dell is the way to go. Just make sure the laptop has both a firewall and anti-virus protection (they're different things).We are all engines of karma Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Mostly_Harmless 0 #3 October 12, 2006 http://www.lenovo.com/us/en/ They build rock solid laptops. I have had my IBM for over 5 years and it is still going strong. When it comes to upgrade I will be buying from them._________________________________________ www.myspace.com/termvelocity Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
ExAFO 0 #4 October 12, 2006 Get a Mac. The PC I'm using right now will be my last one. I hate MSWINIllinois needs a CCW Law. NOW. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
livendive 8 #5 October 12, 2006 QuoteIf you're going to use Windows, Dell is the way to go. Just make sure the laptop has both a firewall and anti-virus protection (they're different things). How low-end is too low? I need to buy a laptop this winter, mostly for work-type stuff (word processing, spreadsheets, etc). I have a nice desktop for the more intensive stuff (video editing). Anyhow, I don't want to spend an arm and a leg on something that's more than I need, but also don't want to buy a piece of shit that won't do at least the basic laptop tasks. Blues, Dave"I AM A PROFESSIONAL EXTREME ATHLETE!" (drink Mountain Dew) Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
jcd11235 0 #6 October 12, 2006 These are hard to beat, especially when it comes to virus protection and less than computer savvy users.Math tutoring available. Only $6! per hour! First lesson: Factorials! Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Remster 30 #7 October 12, 2006 Go to Costco and get it from there. They have a 1 year warrantee replacement programRemster Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Fast 0 #8 October 12, 2006 Quotehttp://www.lenovo.com/us/en/ They build rock solid laptops. I have had my IBM for over 5 years and it is still going strong. When it comes to upgrade I will be buying from them. I can not recomend anything better. These laptops don't break easy and you can get pretty stripped down versions for cheap. Don't be afraid to look at refurbished / outlet. These laptops last forever. They have some X series laptops on outlet right now for around $1000. They are super light and have long battery life for the size. They have R series laptops for around $700. All of them come with a 1 year warantee standard. They are really good about it if something does actually break. If this laptop is only going to be used for web surfiing, email, basic word processing, and some dabling with the family photo album you don't need much at all to do it. People see flashy / fancy numbers and spend way more money than they need to.~D Where troubles melt like lemon drops Away above the chimney tops That's where you'll find me. Swooping is taking one last poke at the bear before escaping it's cave - davelepka Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
DJL 235 #9 October 12, 2006 Check out the Dell Inspiron. I got it because it's small and has a high resolution screen; I needed something to lug around to meetings and to bring to the DZ. I loaded it full of all the top end options so I kind of defeated the purpose of the price break...the only shortcoming is the keyboard size. If I'm using to do a substantial amount of work then I attach a USB keyboard."I encourage all awesome dangerous behavior." - Jeffro Fincher Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
ExAFO 0 #10 October 12, 2006 QuoteCheck out the Dell Inspiron... <--Using an Inspiron. Hate it. The thing that gets me about MS is that no matter how well you maintain it, it slows down over time inexplicably....Never understood why. Mac owners seldom report this difficulty...Illinois needs a CCW Law. NOW. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Gawain 0 #11 October 12, 2006 QuoteQuoteCheck out the Dell Inspiron... <--Using an Inspiron. Hate it. The thing that gets me about MS is that no matter how well you maintain it, it slows down over time inexplicably....Never understood why. Mac owners seldom report this difficulty... That doesn't happen only to Inspirons, it seems to happen to any PC using MSWin. Over time, it claims more and more overhead. Starts take longer and longer, shut downs take longer and longer. So I try and I scream and I beg and I sigh Just to prove I'm alive, and it's alright 'Cause tonight there's a way I'll make light of my treacherous life Make light! Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Shawndiver 0 #12 October 12, 2006 I have an IBM A21p and two A31p's. Heavy as bricks, but just as tough. One A31p goes with me camping, XC, dz (logging and GPS duties and other outdoor uses) Never an issue with any of them._________________ Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
DJL 235 #13 October 12, 2006 QuoteQuoteCheck out the Dell Inspiron... <--Using an Inspiron. Hate it. The thing that gets me about MS is that no matter how well you maintain it, it slows down over time inexplicably....Never understood why. Mac owners seldom report this difficulty... I'd never be able to do a lot of work on it. It's too cramped. I really only got it as a light media outlet. I have big hands so I have to keep an additional keyboad wherever I plan on doing a lot of writing."I encourage all awesome dangerous behavior." - Jeffro Fincher Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
matt1215 0 #14 October 12, 2006 I guess I should've specified what I meant by 'low-end'. I'm looking to spend about $700-800, $1000 is my limit. I know some of you swear by Apples, but they tend to really test my patience. Something about the single-button mouse really pisses me off . I'd totally be up for buying a Mac myself, but my mom's not real computer savvy. She calls me from 3000 miles away when she needs help and I need to be able to walk her thru her problems over the phone. QuoteIf you're going to use Windows, Dell is the way to go. Just make sure the laptop has both a firewall and anti-virus protection (they're different things). Check on the antivirus. I have the lastest Norton Corporate Edition for my personal systems, free through my employer. Any suggestions for firewall software, other than the built in MSWIN utilities? QuoteThe thing that gets me about MS is that no matter how well you maintain it, it slows down over time inexplicably....Never understood why. Mac owners seldom report this difficulty... Yeah, that kinda sucks. My laptop needs a wipe one of these days . I think I'll be configuring everything how I want on the new laptop, then making a Norton Ghost image of the drive. Set up a folder for her to put everything worth saving, then capture that folder later when I reghost. Kind of a pain in the ass, but a way to clear MSWIN w/o redoing everything. Thanks for the info, I'll give IBM some consideration. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites legorowbot 0 #15 October 12, 2006 You really should consider a Mac for her, for your own sake. If all she's going to use it for is surfing and email and stuff like that, you'll be a lot better off. I'm assuming that if you're picking it for her, you'll be her tech support as well... in which case if you go dell you'll be removing all the unwanted and/or trial software that's packed onto the system. Installing and updating anti-virus and anti-spyware. Cleaning off the spyware that gets on the system anyway. Reinstalling windows when it chokes... etc. etc. etc. Or get her a Mac, take 5 minutes to learn how to use it yourself and show her, and never have to bother with it againI'm not saying Macs are perfect... just better.Why does it say "Append signature to post" when I don't have a signature? Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites Shell666 0 #16 October 12, 2006 QuoteOr get her a Mac, take 5 minutes to learn how to use it yourself and show her, and never have to bother with it againI'm not saying Macs are perfect... just better. We have Dell's at work. I have a Mac at home (just got it in July). LOVE IT! WAY easy to use too. And so far, no problems at all. Way better than the Dell at work! 'Shell'Shell Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites SmilingPhoenix 0 #17 October 12, 2006 If you aren't in a hurry, wait until holiday season. Last year HP ran a promotion with Wal-mart and had these great $600 laptops with all of the bells - even QuickPlay (launches the DVD player WITHOUT Windows). I'm sure they'll have a similar sale again this year, so if you want more bang for your buck, wait for the holiday season. As for the Mac users - yeah, they are great - you get what you pay for - and you can get a PC for A LOT less.Because life is an adventure - it may not be the one you planned, but then it wouldn't be an adventure! Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites Shell666 0 #18 October 12, 2006 QuoteAs for the Mac users - yeah, they are great - you get what you pay for - and you can get a PC for A LOT less. Yep, you get what you pay for ... 'Shell'Shell Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites profallrate 0 #19 October 12, 2006 If you can catch mine before it goes over the balcony onto the pavement 6 floors down, you can have it. You have about 5 minutes. Sorry, Having a bad day!------------------------------------------------- Lord please help me to be the person that my dog thinks I am. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites Gawain 0 #20 October 13, 2006 QuoteCheck on the antivirus. I have the lastest Norton Corporate Edition for my personal systems, free through my employer. Any suggestions for firewall software, other than the built in MSWIN utilities? ZoneAlarm (it's free, and good, there's pay premium version too, doesn't use a lot of overhead) or BlackICE are good options. They're software based, not as good as a router.So I try and I scream and I beg and I sigh Just to prove I'm alive, and it's alright 'Cause tonight there's a way I'll make light of my treacherous life Make light! Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites RastaRicanAir 0 #21 October 13, 2006 QuoteCheck out the Dell Inspiron. BEWARE THE 9100!!! My brand new one is under some IT guy's desk at UGA after three months of daily unexplained Windows crashes. 45 minutes on the phone with "Customer Support" and a full system restore didn't help a damn. According to the forums on the Dell website I'm not the only one.OrFunV/LocoBoca Rodriguez/Sonic Grieco/Muff Brother #4411 -"and ladies....messin with Robbie is venturing into territory you cant even imagine!-cuz Robbie is Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites matt1215 0 #22 October 13, 2006 Thanks for the warning. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites matt1215 0 #23 October 13, 2006 QuoteIf you can catch mine before it goes over the balcony onto the pavement 6 floors down, you can have it. You have about 5 minutes. Sorry, Having a bad day! I'm too late, it's gone out the window by now . Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites matt1215 0 #24 October 13, 2006 QuoteQuoteAs for the Mac users - yeah, they are great - you get what you pay for - and you can get a PC for A LOT less. Yep, you get what you pay for ... 'Shell Indeed Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites Shell666 0 #25 October 13, 2006 QuoteQuoteYep, you get what you pay for ... 'Shell Indeed Ya know, you CAN get a different mouse for the Mac ... 'Shell'Shell Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites Prev 1 2 Next Page 1 of 2 Join the conversation You can post now and register later. If you have an account, sign in now to post with your account. Note: Your post will require moderator approval before it will be visible. Reply to this topic... × Pasted as rich text. Paste as plain text instead Only 75 emoji are allowed. × Your link has been automatically embedded. Display as a link instead × Your previous content has been restored. Clear editor × You cannot paste images directly. Upload or insert images from URL. Insert image from URL × Desktop Tablet Phone Submit Reply 0 Go To Topic Listing
legorowbot 0 #15 October 12, 2006 You really should consider a Mac for her, for your own sake. If all she's going to use it for is surfing and email and stuff like that, you'll be a lot better off. I'm assuming that if you're picking it for her, you'll be her tech support as well... in which case if you go dell you'll be removing all the unwanted and/or trial software that's packed onto the system. Installing and updating anti-virus and anti-spyware. Cleaning off the spyware that gets on the system anyway. Reinstalling windows when it chokes... etc. etc. etc. Or get her a Mac, take 5 minutes to learn how to use it yourself and show her, and never have to bother with it againI'm not saying Macs are perfect... just better.Why does it say "Append signature to post" when I don't have a signature? Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Shell666 0 #16 October 12, 2006 QuoteOr get her a Mac, take 5 minutes to learn how to use it yourself and show her, and never have to bother with it againI'm not saying Macs are perfect... just better. We have Dell's at work. I have a Mac at home (just got it in July). LOVE IT! WAY easy to use too. And so far, no problems at all. Way better than the Dell at work! 'Shell'Shell Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
SmilingPhoenix 0 #17 October 12, 2006 If you aren't in a hurry, wait until holiday season. Last year HP ran a promotion with Wal-mart and had these great $600 laptops with all of the bells - even QuickPlay (launches the DVD player WITHOUT Windows). I'm sure they'll have a similar sale again this year, so if you want more bang for your buck, wait for the holiday season. As for the Mac users - yeah, they are great - you get what you pay for - and you can get a PC for A LOT less.Because life is an adventure - it may not be the one you planned, but then it wouldn't be an adventure! Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Shell666 0 #18 October 12, 2006 QuoteAs for the Mac users - yeah, they are great - you get what you pay for - and you can get a PC for A LOT less. Yep, you get what you pay for ... 'Shell'Shell Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
profallrate 0 #19 October 12, 2006 If you can catch mine before it goes over the balcony onto the pavement 6 floors down, you can have it. You have about 5 minutes. Sorry, Having a bad day!------------------------------------------------- Lord please help me to be the person that my dog thinks I am. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Gawain 0 #20 October 13, 2006 QuoteCheck on the antivirus. I have the lastest Norton Corporate Edition for my personal systems, free through my employer. Any suggestions for firewall software, other than the built in MSWIN utilities? ZoneAlarm (it's free, and good, there's pay premium version too, doesn't use a lot of overhead) or BlackICE are good options. They're software based, not as good as a router.So I try and I scream and I beg and I sigh Just to prove I'm alive, and it's alright 'Cause tonight there's a way I'll make light of my treacherous life Make light! Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
RastaRicanAir 0 #21 October 13, 2006 QuoteCheck out the Dell Inspiron. BEWARE THE 9100!!! My brand new one is under some IT guy's desk at UGA after three months of daily unexplained Windows crashes. 45 minutes on the phone with "Customer Support" and a full system restore didn't help a damn. According to the forums on the Dell website I'm not the only one.OrFunV/LocoBoca Rodriguez/Sonic Grieco/Muff Brother #4411 -"and ladies....messin with Robbie is venturing into territory you cant even imagine!-cuz Robbie is Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
matt1215 0 #22 October 13, 2006 Thanks for the warning. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites matt1215 0 #23 October 13, 2006 QuoteIf you can catch mine before it goes over the balcony onto the pavement 6 floors down, you can have it. You have about 5 minutes. Sorry, Having a bad day! I'm too late, it's gone out the window by now . Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites matt1215 0 #24 October 13, 2006 QuoteQuoteAs for the Mac users - yeah, they are great - you get what you pay for - and you can get a PC for A LOT less. Yep, you get what you pay for ... 'Shell Indeed Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites Shell666 0 #25 October 13, 2006 QuoteQuoteYep, you get what you pay for ... 'Shell Indeed Ya know, you CAN get a different mouse for the Mac ... 'Shell'Shell Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites Prev 1 2 Next Page 1 of 2 Join the conversation You can post now and register later. If you have an account, sign in now to post with your account. Note: Your post will require moderator approval before it will be visible. Reply to this topic... × Pasted as rich text. Paste as plain text instead Only 75 emoji are allowed. × Your link has been automatically embedded. Display as a link instead × Your previous content has been restored. Clear editor × You cannot paste images directly. Upload or insert images from URL. Insert image from URL × Desktop Tablet Phone Submit Reply 0
matt1215 0 #23 October 13, 2006 QuoteIf you can catch mine before it goes over the balcony onto the pavement 6 floors down, you can have it. You have about 5 minutes. Sorry, Having a bad day! I'm too late, it's gone out the window by now . Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
matt1215 0 #24 October 13, 2006 QuoteQuoteAs for the Mac users - yeah, they are great - you get what you pay for - and you can get a PC for A LOT less. Yep, you get what you pay for ... 'Shell Indeed Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Shell666 0 #25 October 13, 2006 QuoteQuoteYep, you get what you pay for ... 'Shell Indeed Ya know, you CAN get a different mouse for the Mac ... 'Shell'Shell Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
