Computer Advice: Opinions Welcomed!

[telecom_goddess]

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'.)

HAHA I didn't mean to throw you but now that I have I am happy

But yes looking at what you're intending to use it for it would fit perfectly. I use mine for much the same stuff. It also handles netflix streaming well if you are into that.

[Geek King]

Late to the party, but I'll throw in my two bits.

I like http://www.cyberpowerpc.com/ for my computers, as they have good customer service and reliability, as well as customization options for just about everything they sell. On the other hand, you may need your techie roommate to figure out all the customization options. They do kinda lean to the heavy-gamer market, but a little digging will show some nice mid-level laptops without all the gaming goodness.

I will jump in with the Toshiba Satallite line, also. I bought one for myself (17" gaming laptop) and helped my roommate buy one for himself. They are a nice, sturdy line. I'd recommend Windows 7 with at least four Gig of RAM (more is better, but not as needed for what you're wanting it for) and as much hard drive as you are comfortable with. Movies can be space hogs depending on how they are stored and HD/Blu-Ray/whatnot. Worst case, you can always get an exterior drive for more storage later. They also have nice, big keyboards for large handed folk, like me.

Also, for AV, you may want to stay away from McAffee and Symantec. They are the ones serious virus writers mainly program around. Surprisingly, Microsoft has has a really good free AV you can download right off their site called Microsoft Security Essentials. Make sure you get it off their site, as there are some fakes running under knock-off names. I've been running it on my desktop for a bit, and it is very unobtrusive, but effective so far.

I'll also second looking into a monitor setup for home since you'll be using it there quite a bit. You may be able to use the monitor you already have, though. Good Luck!

[Jester]

If you don't mind a computer that sometimes boots up, and sometimes doesn't, I could make you a heck of a deal.

Actually, I do mind. I want something reliable, and nothing personal, something that may or may not boot up doesn't sound like what I think of as reliable.

This is going to be a brand spanking new computer, not someone's throwaway after they've gotten a brand spanking new computer, thank you very much!

It also handles netflix streaming well if you are into that.

I don't normally watch movies on my computer, but a large reason why is, well, my current computer isn't that great, as I've mentioned. It gets the job done, but even your basic youtube videos often don't run smoothly, which I would hope on a new laptop would not be an issue.

So we'll see.

Movies can be space hogs depending on how they are stored and HD/Blu-Ray/whatnot.

My general philosophy about movies on my soon-to-be-new computer is that I am either going to get them, watch them, and get rid of them (or watching them streaming a la Netflix), or else I will, in fact, store them on am external drive. That is down the road, and not something that is a big deal to me, as right now I watch all my movies on my wonderful, lovely flat screen, either through On Demand, DVRing them from Encore or HBO (I hate watching movies that are edited for content or commercials), or on my DVD player. But I could definitely see watching movies I got through my computer either on my comp or linked into my tv.

I'll also second looking into a monitor setup for home since you'll be using it there quite a bit. You may be able to use the monitor you already have, though. Good Luck!

Okay, for movies I can see it, but why would I use this clunky old tube monitor for normal computing from my laptop when it is almost a certainty that my laptop will have a far superior screen to this? I don't get it. I really, really don't.

[Eisa]

I have an Acer Aspire that I quite like. Got it at Costco when my other laptop decided to die epically [turned out the hard drive had died it now has a new hard drive, so must decide what to do with it. Unfortunately, it's 3 years old and shows some wear, so it's not like I can pawn it off on you. ]

But yeah. I like this laptop. It has a built-in webcam, which you may or may not want.

[Geek King]

Okay, for movies I can see it, but why would I use this clunky old tube monitor for normal computing from my laptop when it is almost a certainty that my laptop will have a far superior screen to this? I don't get it. I really, really don't.

Size, usually. If you have a small monitor right now, then go ahead and use the laptop screen. If your monitor is more than 17", then it may be better for those times you have to read quite a bit, or would just like things a bit bigger to see detail. It is easier on the eyes, plus a bit easier to show things to other people, since many laptop screens have a narrow viewing zone due to glare or how the screen's made.

Keep in mind, the size of your screen will affect the resolution you can use practically, and screens size adds cost and wieght to your laptop really quickly. Seperate monitors are signifiantly cheaper, in comparison. If you don't need that, no big deal. These are just things to think of before you buy.

[Jester]

So today I went laptop shopping with my roommate, Mr. Anti-Social, who happens to be a computer tech and knows far more about computers than I do. Which is like saying Enzo Ferrari knew more about making cars than, say, Julia Child.

He went despite his stated opinion that anything we find in a shop in town is going to be, and I quote, "overpriced crap," and that I could find something better and cheaper online. Probably all true, but if nothing else, he could advise me on various brands and models we saw, and perhaps give me some guidance. Hell, if we saw something good and it was cheaper online, I could always buy it online, right?

So, ignoring the Apple Store (I have decided to get a PC, for several reasons, including--but not limited to--Mr. Anti-Social's opinion on the matter) and K-Mart (I'll but socks there, but electronics? Hell no!), we went to Radio Shack, Office Max, and Sears.

Radio Shack: Last time I really checked out computers there, the guy helping me told me that, in his opinion, several brands were good, but I should definitely avoid Hewlett-Packard. They had several other brands available at the time. Today, just about every laptop they had was an HP.

Office Max: Decent selection, some decent prices, Mr. Anti-Social took some notes about some of the models, and we moved on. Although an associate did show up to ask us if we needed help, we politely declined, as my roommate knows far more than they do on the matter, and my experience has been that, at this location at least, the staff is almost as clueless as I am when it comes to computers.

Sears: Shockingly (to me), they had three netbooks, but no full-sized laptops, although the associate there said they DO have more available on Sears' website.

Mr. Anti-Social says he'll do a little scouting online and see what he comes up with, but he is convinced that, financially, I would do much better to buy online than in a store.

Feel free to tell me what y'all think about this....I tend to believe him, as he does know what the hell he's talking about. Problem is, I still don't know what the hell to buy.

[Eisa]

You could always try the random point-and-click. Write down all the computer brands, throw the papers up in the air, grab one...

[telecom_goddess]

I would have to agree with the avoidance of HP...my last laptop was HP and was a pain in the ass from the beginning.

The Toshiba one, on the other hand, hasn't messed up once in the several months I've had it. Two of my daughters have Toshibas and they haven't messed up either. So far reliable, and yeah you could probably get one online pretty cheap, like 500 bucks or under.

[Mytical]

Some people love HP (I personally have not had an issue with them), some by Dell (never had an issue with Dell either.), etc. I think like most things it all depends on their own experience with things. I personally would never buy a Gateway (do they even make them any more?!), because of my personal experience with them.

I have not really kept up with the thread (sorry), so not sure what specifications you want, and what you mostly want it for. Send me a PM if you want, with as much info as you have, and I will also look around for a good deal.

[Jester]

Alrighty, kids, y'all have been very helpful over the last month or so. I haven't always understood what the hell you were talking about, but I still appreciate the help.

That being said, it seems we are down to two potential candidates. I've come to these through using what y'all have advised me on, and my roommate doing his own independent searches. And the two finalists are these:

Acer AS5751-6634 15.6-Inch Laptop

Asus K53E-B1 15.6-Inch Versatile Entertainment Laptop

By Mr. Anti-Social's estimate, these are just about the same machine, give or take a couple minor variations that I wouldn't even notice, and it's just a matter of finding the best deal on one. At the moment, without hunting too much yet, I have found the Acer for $609, the Asus for $700. The Asus I found, however, has the better warranty.

So, can anyone tell me anything about either machine that would and should sway my opinion? And can anyone find a better price (from a reputable online dealer) for either machine? Keep in mind that both of the above prices are through Amazon and include free shipping.

So, my computer-savvy friends.....whatchya got for me?

[RichS]

The Asus looks like a pretty good system for what you're going to use it for. I have has some good experiences with the brand. Only thing is the hard drive - at 5400 RPM, it might impact performance.

The Acer I could not find, either on a Web search or through Amazon. I do have some experience with the brand, and it's the same as Asus.

[Mytical]

So I am not the only one who couldn't find that Acer? Good. Check out tigerdirect.com. Might have a decent deal for you.

[Eisa]

The Acer is quite similar to the one I have, I believe. I have a 5750-6677. It's quite lovely.

If it's not similar, however, I have no idea at all.

[Jester]

The Acer I could not find, either on a Web search or through Amazon.

So I am not the only one who couldn't find that Acer?

That's odd. I found it right here.

And the Asus I found is right here.

[Mytical]

Ah, there was a small typo then . I will look again. AS5751-6634 was what I was looking for, and AS 5750 is what is in the link...not sure it will change things, however..