[jebartle]

We have a Thinkpad that has proven to be less than desirable, part of the problem, bought on ebay, I know, I know, what were we thinking!!!
Would love to find a laptop that is reliable and reasonable....I know that Wally-world occassionally has GREAT buys on laptops....Are there any DEALS out there or will we end up with another LEMON....Any help will be greatly appreciated..

[tony]

I had many laptops. They all got gummed up with one thing or another, and I maintained the software and security religiously.

Not wanting to start a religious war, I highly recommend a MacBook. My current laptop is a MacBook, and has not slowed in the three years I have had it. I did have to replace a hard drive, and even though I was extremely disappointed about it, it was hardware failure and that happens. The drive was a Seagate, by the way.

If you need a laptop for office functions, you will be happy with NeoOffice. It has more than Microsoft Office, and NeoOffice is free software. NeoOffice opens and saves Microsoft documents.

For images there is GIMP. It is more like Photoshop than you can imagine. It is free, also.

And if you are really sold on Windows, you can run it on a Mac.

[memason]

I have to agree with Tony.... I've had many Windows Based laptops and the Apple MacBook is the best laptop I have ever owned...hands down. My MacBook Pro is 4 years old and I've had nothing but hassle free usage. It's as fast today as the day I purchased it. The transition from Windows to Mac is amazing simple....it just seems to work, without having to tweak and configure constantly.

The cost will certainly be more that you might pay for a comparable sized "Windows" laptop at Best Buy or Walmart, but if you place any value on the time you spend fussing with Windows, it will be money well spent.

Sorry, another Apple bigot!

[jebartle]

sounds like you "GET what you pay for"....Thankis guys

[jebartle]

I could find something reasonable....Had a computer club member come to our house and fix last computer and he just bought a laptop for $100 as his backup that was one of those bargain basement sales at Walmart..,..

[zcaveman]

I bought a laptop at Circuit City (now defunct) four years ago and it is still running strong. Do a little research and get an Acer or an HP and you will be okay. BUT please research what you need and want so you don't overbuy.

[villages07]

If you want to buy from a real store, keep an eye on the weekly office depot ad. A friend recently bought a new HP laptop with 17" screen and 4gb ram and all other power and speed options for $449 after rebate.

[Xavier]

You really can't go wrong with DELL. You can buy it just the way you want it on-line at http://www.dell.com/home/laptops. I wouldn't pay extra for any of the security packages - Use Windows Securtity Essentials - it's free at http://www.microsoft.com/Security_Essentials/ . Don't buy Microsoft Office - Use OpenOffice - it's free at http://www.openoffice.org/ and compatible with Microsoft Office.

Xavier

[Jerseyboy2]

Amother good PC brand is Lenovo. If you are goping to buy online try www.newegg.com. They are always having specials and their regular prices are very good. I use them to buy a lot of my office computer needs.

[jebartle]

So many choices, so little time.....Thanks everyone

[zcaveman]

Originally Posted by jebartle

So many choices, so little time.....Thanks everyone

You always have time. Make sure you do your research. Visit Best Buy, etc and make a list of the potential desires and go home and check them out on the internet. You can window shop at Best Buy on the internet (www.bestbuy.com) and DELL. and go to Hewlett-Packard and check it out.

MMD and the shop in Spruce Creek Plaza also carry laptops and they will help you customize them and copy your old data over.

[downeaster]

Originally Posted by Jerseyboy2

Amother good PC brand is Lenovo. If you are goping to buy online try www.newegg.com. They are always having specials and their regular prices are very good. I use them to buy a lot of my office computer needs.

I have used Newegg many times and have always been pleased.

However, my laptop is Dell. A few years ago on their 23rd anniversary they offered a 23% discount on selected models including a "plain vanilla" model that fits my needs to a tee. I can even live with Vista which came with it.

[Jerseyboy2]

Originally Posted by downeaster

I have used Newegg many times and have always been pleased.

However, my laptop is Dell. A few years ago on their 23rd anniversary they offered a 23% discount on selected models including a "plain vanilla" model that fits my needs to a tee. I can even live with Vista which came with it.

downeaster - I also have a dell laptop, their equipment is also very good. I bought my son a Lenovo laptop from newegg just a few months ago.

[BritParrothead]

I bought a new laptop on Friday! It is an Acer Aspire 5732Z. Works like a dream. Very fast! I paid £387 or $600 give or take. Worth every penny.

[memason]

Originally Posted by BritParrothead

I bought a new laptop on Friday! It is an Acer Aspire 5732Z. Works like a dream. Very fast! I paid £387 or $600 give or take. Worth every penny.

Sent you a PM... Mike