Info on Laptops

[jwillay]

My desktop died - and I need to get a laptop... I want the best deal for the buck (big shock!)... any suggestions... I am not very techno savvy on the verbage -but people tell me I need 2 gig memory... Please help - thanks! Jill

[mrsrudyjax]

I read on another board that Best Buy will have a Gateway laptop for $299 next week.

[TheWoman]

If you find one that is a really good price but not 2 gig of ram, you can go to fatwallet and watch the deals for ram (I have been as I am thinking of upgrading mine to 2 gig). You can likely get 2 gig for $50 after rebates, and it is really easy to change RAM in a computer. Just make sure you buy SO-DIMM (that is the laptop kind)

[computerguy923]

2 Gig of Ram is not needed. You need a minimum of 512 Meg or 1 Gig preferred to run Vista. But 2 Gig is an overkill. The $299 laptop at Best Buy is a Celeron which is a lower end Intel processor. It is supposed to have a DVD burner with 80 Gig hard drive and 15.4" widescreen. So if you are just looking something for basic word processing and internet that laptop will be fine. Also at $299 out the door with no rebates. If you want to get a jump you could go and buy it tonight so that you make sure you don't miss it and just go back and price match it tomorrow. Good luck looking. If you find any other deals though, post the specs here and I can help you make a good choice if you are stuck with the decision.

[jwillay]

thanks... now we are revisiting the desktop. my husband downloads a lot into his ipod - so that's why people were suggesting the extra gig (did i just say that...)

[computerguy923]

memory is for when you are doing something that would really require it such as video games or photo editing, etc... You definitely wouldn't need it for just downloading iPod music.

[meagansmom]

I have a toshiba and I don't really like it. I am not sure what I am doing wrong but when I would be working on an assignment for college the cursor would jump up and I would be typing in the wrong sentence. But it is not just me, my daughter says that is does it with her too. But just to surf the net and stuff like that it is ok. Just it is pain when you are doing something for a grade!!!

I am a home health nurse and we use Panasonic toughbooks and l love them. They are VERY light weight and really are tough. Dragging that thing around 8 or more hours a day, it has been dropped, fell out of my bag and let me tell you it takes a licking and keeps on ticking. I have no idea how much they costs but I have used the one I have for years. just recently I saw a commercial for them. My friend works for the state govt. and that is what they got for her too.

HTH,
Shelley

[computerguy923]

I have a toshiba and I don't really like it. I am not sure what I am doing wrong but when I would be working on an assignment for college the cursor would jump up and I would be typing in the wrong sentence. But it is not just me, my daughter says that is does it with her too.

Most of the time it is because you are bumping the touchpad. I have a toshiba with no problems. I can let my dad use the same laptop and he has issues. You could turn off clicking with the touchpad and this should help prevent this.

[annes]

2 Gig of Ram is not needed. You need a minimum of 512 Meg or 1 Gig preferred to run Vista.

with vista, their minimum recommendation of 512 is a JOKE. it's what i'm currently dealing with and my 6 month old laptop has been SLOWWWWW since the day i got it. but it has to wait until tax return time so i can afford to upgrade the ram. i'd definitely get at least 1 gig.

[Liz]

don't get a Dell at any price!

Agreed. Mine was sparking... and it had nothing to do with their battery recall. Mine ended up being lemon lawed. The customer service is horrible, but once I got to a higher up.... there are really fabulous people at Dell.

I have a Toshiba notebook laptop. Fabulous.

If you get a laptop and intend to move it/take it places, heck any reason, spring for the extended warranty from the manufacturer--it includes droppage, spilling, acts of God... it will pay for itself within the term and most likely even moreso. They run about $300-400, and cannot be bought at Best Buy/the like.