Computer Advice: Opinions Welcomed!

[Gravekeeper]

Best Buy is fine if you know what you want and just say no when they talk ;p

I grabbed a nice dirt cheap laptop from Best Buy for just under $500 last year. Did everything you could possibly want short of major gaming ( but I still got it to run a fair number of games ) and had a nice healthy sized screen ( 15.6 inch ). You could easily get the same thing now for under $400 I imagine.

You don't have to worry much about build quality unless you drop into Netbooks, but those are likely too small for your purposes. I had this laptop in my backback, with no case to speak of, for months. Hauling it too and from work. Never got so much as a scratch, and it was even an HP, the worst of the worst.

Seriously though, a solid 15.6 inch laptop with a good OS ( look for Windows 7 Home Premium if you can ) and solid specs should only run you around $400ish. A comparable Apple laptop would literally be twice as much and be much more of a pain in the ass if something goes wrong with it as you can only deal with Apple.

If you have a Radio Shack there you can probably score a Toshiba pretty easy for a decent price. Though really just as long as you avoid anything with the prefix "HP" you should be fine. ;p

[draggar]

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.

I would say uneducated, not an idiot. You're trying to learn. An idiot would stay ignorant then complain that they were taken advantage of.

First, they tried to sell us on the "optimized' option for the laptop we bought. first, this meant we'd have to wait a few days. Second, it means they would have uninstalled "the demos that are installed on it and slow down your system". While uninstalling demos is fairly simple, we found out when we got home there were no pre-installed demos on it. So what were they going to charge us for?

Second, they tried to sell us on extra software ("Best Buy" bonuses) including stuff we didn't need (McCrappy antivirus, etc..).

Third, they tried to sell us on training, Geek squad protection, etc.. and when you look at the fine print a lot of it is actually covered under the normal warranty. We would have paid only for an extra year protection (it really wasn't worth it).

In total it was over $250 in "bonuses" (really, if it is a "bonus" then why are you charging for it?) and software (this isn't including the protection plan). They were very pushy.

Best Buy is fine if you know what you want and just say no when they talk ;p

QFT - just say no when they offer extra crap.

But, while you're there pick up some games. You aren't a hard core gamer (self admitted) but they usually have a selection of cheap games (in CD-jewel cases) for around $10 each and some can be very fun and have great reply value).

Right now Dell has laptops w/ i5, Windows 7 (make sure it is 64 bit), 4GB RAM, and a 17" screen starting at $500. (I wouldn't recommend an i3, they're cheaper but low end processors).

[tropicsgoddess]

I would recommend a Toshiba Satellite series laptop with Windows 7 and a logitech wireless mouse. Windows 7 has the beauty of Vista but the awesome functionality of Windows XP, in short, the best of both worlds. Are you looking for something basic in terms of memory, hard drive space or something with more "torque"? Asus is awesome for gamers, the memory and graphics on Asus laptops are badass! I'm a fan of Logitech's products and so is my guy. We each have Logitech headsets, wireless mice and keyboards. They've been trucking along and working beautifully and worth the money. Toshiba laptops are great, they last long and are worth the buy. Stay the hell away from Dell. Dell is nothing but cheap shitty parts and re-installing the drivers after re-installing Windows on Dells are a nightmare. HP or Gateway is good if you're looking for a good but less expensive laptop.

[Jester]

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.

I wouldn't feel comfortable having it delivered to my house, but I could always have it delivered to my bar. Staff does stuff like that all the time, and management has no issue with it.

Best Buy is fine if you know what you want and just say no when they talk.

I kind of know what I want, but I have NO problem saying no. I am the son of a salesman, and am quite adept at identifying bullshit, ignoring bullshit, and resisting bullshit.

If you have a Radio Shack there you can probably score a Toshiba pretty easy for a decent price.

We do, and they do have decent-seeming Toshibas, as well as Asus and Acers.

I would say uneducated, not an idiot.

No, when it comes to technology (and several other things), I am clearly quite an idiot.

In total it was over $250 in "bonuses" (really, if it is a "bonus" then why are you charging for it?) and software (this isn't including the protection plan). They were very pushy.

I can deal with pushy. After all, I can be quite the asshole myself.

But, while you're there pick up some games. You aren't a hard core gamer (self admitted) but they usually have a selection of cheap games (in CD-jewel cases) for around $10 each and some can be very fun and have great reply value).

Hell, I'm not even really a soft-core gamer. Honest, I can't see myself spending any actual money on games, though I appreciate the heads up.

Are you looking for something basic in terms of memory, hard drive space or something with more "torque"?

I have no idea what you mean. But I thought I explained what I was looking for pretty well in my OP. So....you tell me?

I'm a fan of Logitech's products and so is my guy. We each have Logitech headsets, wireless mice and keyboards.

I currently have a Logitech wireless keyboard and wireless mouse for my desktop, and I have exactly zero complaints about either one of them. Pretty awesome, really.

[tropicsgoddess]

I have no idea what you mean. But I thought I explained what I was looking for pretty well in my OP. So....you tell me?

The standard amount of memory is around 2GB, which is what I have on my laptop (Toshiba Satellite L305) which is good. So for simply surfing, resumes, etc. a 2GB of RAM/Memory is good. As for hard drive space, anywhere from the 200GB range is good for simple use. Though higher is good for memory and RAM. Just sayin.

[Sapphire Silk]

I say no apple because they use the exact same hardware as pc's but charge a premium for it, as well as their proprietary accessories.(seriously, now that they use intel chips that extra $500 is for the name and the shiny packaging) Which is why they're so "stable and durable". PC operating systems(windows, linux, and such) have to work on any computer with any configuration of components, Mac OS only has to work with the specific number of permutations they allow. As such they attempt to keep the system "locked down" as it were and only allow the use of peripherals such as keyboard, mouse, speakers etc. manufactured by Apple. Use of any accessories not made by Apple voids your warranty....if it even works, as device drivers for Apple products must be written by Apple or the OS may not install them.

Apple uses Intel to make their processors. Not everything in there is PC compatible, though with the Intel chipsets it can run Windows very well.

Apple was stable and durable when they were using the Motorola chips in the original iMacs (I still have one, 10 years and going strong).

I have had no trouble using all kinds of non-Apple peripherals on my Macs. Keyboards, tablets, external hard drive, floppy, drive, CD-ROM, you name it. Mice of course; I have several PC mice that work just fine (have a couple of travel mice, none were Apple products or bought at the Apple store). I've never plugged anything into my Mac and had it not work unless the packaging specifically said it was not Mac compatible (had a switcher that was like that; didn't read the box. took it to work for my PC there and it still didn't work).

PCs are cheaper, no question there. And there are some good quality PC laptops out there; the better ones get into the Mac price range.

Yes, Apple does lock its OS down and is very demanding of developers. That's a downside; I miss the wide variety of shareware and freeware I used to have available for my PC (don't dare put it on my state owned work computer). But then again, I also miss out on a lot of poorly written software, too.

Whatever you end up with Jester, I think you'll be happy with it because you've been doing your homework. Happy hunting! Let us know what you end up with so we can all go green with envy

[Jester]

Okay, I still haven't gotten myself a laptop. We are kind of limited in what we have here, but if any of you want to take a look at the Radio Shack or Sears websites and give me some advice on what there looks like it is quality and would fit my needs, I would appreciate it.

We have a K-Mart here, but I wouldn't purchase anything more complex than a food processor from them. We also have an Office Max, but the people there seem completely clueless about their computers. And I do mean completely clueless.

Suggestions?

[draggar]

I wouldn't go though either of those channels. When I was an HP rep I had Sears and Radio Shack - they were the WORST of all the channels I had to go to.

Hell, even Best Buy would be better - just don't pay for the switch and bait tactic called "optomized" (which costs an extra $90).

I'm on DelLOutlet now and I see laptops starting at $500 (Intel i5 processor, 4GB RAM, 500 GB HDD).

[Jester]

Well, what I have in town is the following:

Radio Shack
Sears
K-Mart
Office Max
Apple Store

And I'm pretty sure I'm not going to be getting an Apple.

The closest Best Buy is 125 miles away in Homestead. A very slow 125 miles (about a 3 hour drive each way through the Keys).

Now many of the laptops that have been recommended to me here are available at Radio Shack here in Key West. Unless there's a good reason why I should make a big road trip (or wait till my next sojourn to the mainland to make this purchase), I don't see what the difference is between getting it at one of the big chains like Best Buy or buying it at Radio Shack. Please....enlighten me.

[Mytical]

Well, of course it all depends. Every store is different, but I know Radio Shack doesn't have the best reputation around here. Does Toshiba have a website that lets you design your own? Might be a little more expensive, but at least you would get everything you wanted.

[draggar]

The models can be slightly different and you need to pay attention to those differences. Like with BrandSmart - yeah, they brag about 1080P 50" TV FOR ONLY $1088!!! But when the refresh rate is 30Hz, it's really a crappy TV.

The same goes with PCs - a small difference in RAM speed can make a big difference. 5400RpM drive vs. 7200RpM. Processors, video, etc..

Office Max might be your best bet for a walk-in place. But, don't discount Dell Outlet.

[Jester]

Every store is different, but I know Radio Shack doesn't have the best reputation around here. Does Toshiba have a website that lets you design your own? Might be a little more expensive, but at least you would get everything you wanted.

I have never had any problems with the Radio Shack down here. Of course, I've never bought a computer from them, but they have helped me out a lot with my various phones, and I the only complaints I've had about my experience there is the semi-inconvenient parking situation.

I have not heard the best things about Toshibas for computers.

Also, designing my own? I am a computer retard. I wouldn't have the faintest idea how to do that. Which is why I've been coming here for advice.

Office Max might be your best bet for a walk-in place. But, don't discount Dell Outlet.

My roommate, who is a computer tech, is not overly enamored with Dell. When it comes to computers, I take his word as if it were gospel in most things. (Other than the fact that he can't wrap his mind around the fact that my needs for a computer are not at all like his needs, as he is a gamer and I am not.)

And, again, the people who deal with the computers here at the local Office Max are, to be blunt, morons.

[telecom_goddess]

First off yes Ellen Page is sexy as hell

Secondly I am writing this on my Toshiba Satellite L655-S5150 and I love it. Have had no problems so far and it's been about 5 months or so of pretty heavy use. I got mine at best buy....but I am sure you could even order it online if you wanted to. There would be shipping yeah but...as far as I know they have similar ones at Radio Shack. I have not bought a computer at RS so I have no opinion on that, but Toshiba as a brand has kicked ass thus far.

My

[Jester]

But do you think your particular model of Toshiba would fit the bill for what I need a computer for as I've outlined it in this thread?

(And I had to go back and look through this thread, because while I remembered making the Ellen Page comment, didn't realize I did it here. You threw me there for a second, darlin'.)

[Sonoma]

If you don't mind a computer that sometimes boots up, and sometimes doesn't, I could make you a heck of a deal. Turns out my Toshiba doesn't like lemonade (long story, friend owes me a computer repair). Once I get a repair estimate, I may just decide to replace my current machine w/ a newer version.

The new one will be a Toshiba as well. This one's served me well for 2 years....if it wasn't for the lemonade, I wouldn't be replacing it.