Computer Advice: Opinions Welcomed!

[RapidPad0]

Interesting. Especially since everyone, and I mean EVERYONE, that I've talked to when shopping has told me point blank to avoid HP, as they are basically inferior, despite their once proud history.

Well son of a gun. Haha. I bought an HP desktop back in 2003 that lasted me 6 years, put in upgrades and carted it back and forth from college 4 years. That thing was a tank. Never crashed on me. I sold it to someone 2-3 years ago as their starter PC when I bought this laptop, and it's still running pretty nice last I heard. Then I bought an HP laptop and sold it to my brother a few years back. It's still kickin'. I suppose it's luck of the draw.

I'm a heavy gamer so my laptop used to typically run at 100 million degrees. I was once sitting on the couch playing some Shaiya and getting completely in the zone, so much so that I neglected to realize the laptop was threatening to burst into flames. I bought a good laptop cooler the next day. Knocked about 10 degrees off the running temp.

I suggest buying a laptop cooler though, they can also double as a stand that tilts the laptop in a more ergonomic typing position.

[draggar]

Well son of a gun. Haha. I bought an HP desktop back in 2003 that lasted me 6 years, put in upgrades and carted it back and forth from college 4 years. That thing was a tank. Never crashed on me. I sold it to someone 2-3 years ago as their starter PC when I bought this laptop, and it's still running pretty nice last I heard. Then I bought an HP laptop and sold it to my brother a few years back. It's still kickin'. I suppose it's luck of the draw.

You also got it at the end of their good run. I've been a loyal follower of their printers since the 722 but I fear my J6480 may be my last HP printer. Th last 3 al had serious issues just as the warranty ran out, lines and blotches across the screens (even with new ink) and paper feeding issues. Heck I still have an old HP 4050TN and I don't even want to guess at how old this thing is but it is a workhorse and a half.

My company recently switched from Dell laptops to HP laptops and honestly, the specs are nice (but specs aren't the mfg) but you didn't see me run out to get an HP a month (or so?) ago, I got another Dell. Don't even get me started on their certification and IT-level support.

I'll just say this - Dell's certification concentrated on actual troubleshooting and part replacements. HP's concentrated on their website, their tools (a couple are useful, that's it), and sales. It's like HP expects you to already know the ins and outs of their laptops (even though you can't open one up unless certified).

Sony as been good recently but they're expensive. My wife got an Asus laptop and it's been good. The HDD went on it and we had to ship the whole laptop out to get it replaced, it took about a week.

[Rhion]

Ooooohhhh, tech thread!

I run both a Mac and a few PCs, plus between myself and my colleagues we have some nice cross-brand coverage.

I really like my MacBook pro. The build quality is superbly solid. It also doesn't rely on large vents for cooling, meaning it doesn't get gummed up. My father also has a standard MacBook, which is of a similar quality, but unfortunately not aluminium. You can pick up a refurbished MacBook for a decent price from Apple if you are keen on trying that out, or one second-hand from an Apple serial upgrader that absolutely must have the latest and greatest.

I find the advantages of Macs to be the build quality, support (if you pay for it), and it's great at performing basic tasks right out of the box, which makes app compatibility less of a big deal. (it's improved significantly since market share has risen)

On the other hand, my colleague at work has used an IBM Thinkpad... for the last 5 years! They are built to last! Their build quality is very solid, being designed for rugged environments on the road. So yeah, good build quality, good compatibility being windows out of the box... Oh, and they use it in friggin' SPACE!

With your requirements being fairly low, I'd consider build quality to be the deciding factor, hence suggesting these makes. It would be great if you could visit a store and play with a number of models.

[dalesys]

And then there is the new jobbing Stevie has perpetrated on his flock of shearlings:
'Upgraded' Apple iMacs lock out hard drive replacement.

[Gravekeeper]

And then there is the new jobbing Stevie has perpetrated on his flock of shearlings:
'Upgraded' Apple iMacs lock out hard drive replacement.

Yeah, there's the whole evil empire angle too. I'm technically a licensed Apple dev, and I feel somewhat unclean just by association some days. ;p

[Kogarashi]

Unfortunately I'm not too much help on the laptop front here. I'm a definite desktop person myself, and Hubby is running is (circa 2003) Dell laptop into the ground. I'm mostly reading this for ideas for what to get him as a PhD graduation gift, since his requirements are fairly similar to yours.

However this:

I don't work with numbers and I am no longer in school, but I often use my 10 key on my desktop for online banking, among other things, so I am thinking that, if possible, a 10 key on my laptop would be a nice addition, though of course it will not be the determining factor in my purchase.

My father does finances on his laptop, which doesn't have a separate 10-key pad on it. His solution was to get a wireless 10-key pad in combo with his wireless mouse (the two were a set). It gives him the 10-key functionality without having to get a wider laptop to avoid key-squishing.

As far as my family's laptops go, my dad and one sister have Dell laptops that have served them fairly well, and my mom's HP is still chugging along despite all the junk loaded on it. Its only real problem is that because of all that junk, it takes several minutes to boot up, whereas Dad's Dell is able to boot up and get going on web-surfing or video-watching or whatever. Mom's just has too much trying to load all from the get-go.

[BlaqueKatt]

I don't see why your wireless keyboard and mouse wouldn't be compatible, the interface is pretty standard especially if they are USB.

it isn't the interface, it's the device drivers that may very likely not be compatable, Apple is notorious for locking out non-apple software and accessories forcing you to buy the necessary items at a huge markup.

[AdminAssistant]

I had a Dell laptop for many years, and it worked wonderfully with no problems. I will second (third?) the recommendation for a laptop cooler. You'll also want to get a good sturdy case or at least a sleeve for it. If you plan on using it in public spaces, you may also want some headphones (I like to listen to music when I'm on the computer).

I have an HP desktop now and I really like it.

[Rhion]

My Toshiba laptop has a 10-key numerical bad - it was one of the selling points for me.

One more set of reasons to avoid Apple products - how their computers will generally only allow for Apple-branded peripherals. I really do not like one company having such a stranglehold over their customers like that. If I want to use an external keyboard and mouse for my laptop I'd like to be able to choose what I go with instead of having to buy a specific brand, especially at a higher price than a generic brand.

I haven't had this issue. I use a razer keyboard, logitech mouse, western digital and seagate external hard drives, a generic card reader and a Microsoft xbox controller on my MBP all the time. I only needed a third party driver for the controller.

[draggar]

it isn't the interface, it's the device drivers that may very likely not be compatable, Apple is notorious for locking out non-apple software and accessories forcing you to buy the necessary items at a huge markup.

I was referring to from an older PC to a newer PC.

[jnd4rusty]

The set up that I paid for was for the Geek Squad to make all my back up discs and basically make the computer ready so when I arrived home all I had to do was to set up my router and jump onto the internet. I am not very computer savvy so I opted for that service, I know I paid alot for it but I figured that it would be better having an expert do these type of things because with my luck I would have blown the darn thing up!! The price also gave me six months of Geek Squad services via phone. Since your roommate has knowledge you will not need to pay for such services and save yourself a bit of change.

[draggar]

Careful with Best Buy. They'll have a laptop with one price but the one they hand you will be about $90+ more. This is because they "optimized" the laptop and many times they will not have the non-optimized version in stock (hmm, bait and switch?).

When we got my wife's laptop we had to fight to NOT get an extra ton of crap we didn't want nor did we want to pay for. The $500 laptop could have easily become a $750-$800 laptop if we let them add all their crapware.

[Jester]

With your requirements being fairly low, I'd consider build quality to be the deciding factor, hence suggesting these makes. It would be great if you could visit a store and play with a number of models.

Build quality, i.e., durability is one of my main deciding factors, as the majority of laptops I've looked at seem to have the ability to meet all my technical needs.

As for visiting stores....well, here in Key West, we are very limited. How limited?

Sears, Radio Shack, Office Max, and the Apple Store. PERIOD.

And the folks at Office Max seem to be completely clueless about computers. (Haven't talked to the folks at Sears.)

I am considering taking a quick road trip up to Miami one of these weekends, as I have weekends off, but if I can find what I need without leaving the island, that would be optimal.

You'll also want to get a good sturdy case or at least a sleeve for it. If you plan on using it in public spaces, you may also want some headphones (I like to listen to music when I'm on the computer).

A case is definitely on my list. I plan on getting a backpack-style carrying case for when the computer travels with me. Since I usually have a backpack with me anyway, I am quite used to hauling one around. Also, I like the fact that it's not so obvious that you have a computer with you as it is with the regular case-style carrying cases.

As for music, I may do that or not, but headphones are something I can always get later on down the road. No biggie.

When we got my wife's laptop we had to fight to NOT get an extra ton of crap we didn't want nor did we want to pay for. The $500 laptop could have easily become a $750-$800 laptop if we let them add all their crapware.

Details, please? Especially since I may, as I said, be heading up to the mainland to visit Best Buy and similar places, I need to know what I need to avoid as far as add-ons, as I am a technological idiot.

One thing I am considering is that, since I do have the budget for an Apple, is getting a PC laptop and a new desktop. Just a thought, though. Not sure if I would actually do that. A lot would depend on pricing. And the fact that there's so much else I can do with the saved money other than buy another freakin' computer.

[protege]

And then there is the new jobbing Stevie has perpetrated on his flock of shearlings:
'Upgraded' Apple iMacs lock out hard drive replacement.

....and that is *exactly* why I will never own another Apple product. Yes, I do have an iPod, but even though mine is ancient, I'm not buying another one. I had the thing not long, and it suddenly wouldn't read from its hard drive. Took it to the store (had to go to the Apple store, since nobody else was selling them), and they wouldn't honor the warranty, since it was out by a day. They were actually telling me to buy another one. Sorry, but screw that.

I came home, described the problem (in the CS chat room, IIRC), and was quickly pointed to an FAQ about the device's innards. I had the iPod fixed in probably less time it took you to read this post. A simple matter of popping the cover off (with the same jeweler's screwdriver I use to fix model locomotives), and reattaching the hard drive connector.

What I'm trying to say, that is unless you *really* like the little apple logo, or need the graphics software capabilities...you'd be better off in ordering a PC. I got my Samsung laptop through Best Buy's website, and picked it up at the store. I had the option of getting it delivered, but since my front steps were nonexistent at the time...I felt the store delivery was best. So far, I've had the laptop just under a year, and no problems.

It's not top-of-the=line, but it works for me. I went with an i5-powered, 17-inch machine, and bought a case for it. Also, I too hate the touch pad 'mice.' They suck, so I bought a wireless mouse.

[AdminAssistant]

Off-topic, but last night Fiance and I got into an argument because he wants to switch from Zune to ITunes. I will NOT use ITunes or buy an IPod, tyvm. But Zune doesn't have enough of his obscure electronica so....