What is best laptop for the money
 

My desktop is so slooooooooow!....Ready for another one...Basic needs, e-mail, downloads, skype, blue-tooth for printer

laptops
 

go to dealnews.com

pc
 

woot.com has a factory refurbished hp 17inch laptop for $ 350

I love Apple products. My husband uses the MacBook Pro and I use an IPad connected over WIFI. Much faster than any other computer that I've tried, but more costly.
Here's a good comparison chart of 13 top rated laptops. If you scroll down, you can compare features side by side. MacBook Pro came in second but it has a larger screen and better resolution than the laptop that placed first. Just look for the features that you need...like speed and bluetooth.

Laptop Computer 2013 | Best Laptop Computers | Compare Laptop Prices - TopTenREVIEWS

Been through a variety of Dell, HP, Gateway, Fujitsu, Panasonic and Toshiba! Finally got an iPad and its hands above all the others. I'd recommend anything Apple!

Best Buy usually has some good deals.

Z

I bought my first Toshiba laptop in 2008, and replaced it with another Toshiba laptop 4 months ago. I have been happy with both machines. My computer needs are fairly basic -- web surfing, e-mail, Word, Excel and Powerpoint.

Last year I also bought (second hand) an original iPad from 2010. While I enjoy the iPad, I would not be without my laptop as I occasionally use my laptop for real work when I take work home with me (reports and spreadsheets). I could not imagine trying to write a lengthy report or work on a spreadsheet using an iPad, but that's just me.

My sister in Cincinnati swears by her Apple MacBook Pro which she bought in February, but I didn't want to spend $1,100 on a laptop.

open box at best buy

also meant to ask
 

What is the average life of a laptop vs. desktop?

MacBook Pro, I love it! Had others, but none compare. All of the kids, nieces and nephews have Apple products and love them too.

We have a 27" self contained 3.4 Ghz iMac desktop, a 13" MacBook Pro, my wife has an iPad Mini and I have an iPad and an iPhone.

I wouldn't buy anything other than an Apple product.

If you have a Mac, it's nice to not ever worry about a virus or any sort of malware...just doesn't exist.

Apple costs more, but [I believe], still a better value.

I had my first Toshiba laptop for 5 years, but it was running Windows Vista, and I don't want to get too many operating systems behind, so I replaced that laptop 4 months ago. My new laptop has the dreaded Windows 8 on it, which I got used to using pretty quickly.

My previous desktop computers all lasted about 5 to 6 years. I bought my first home computer in 1997 with a 28K dial up modem. I think that cost about $2,000.00.

A decent laptop or desktop should each last for at least five years. The difference between the two is that laptops are portable and more vulnerable to abuse. The machines keep running but up till now they have become obsolete in about five years and often their software is no longer supported by the manufacturer. Apple seems to be slowing down this obsolescence schedule, making older machines useful longer.

You can figure 3 years for a lap top and 4 for a desktop. This is what the company that I worked for used as a refresh period for over 1500 lap tops and over 2000 desktops. Now the lap tops will also depend a lot on the usage. Using an external keyboard will add life. Things like how often the unit is opened and closed will also have an impact. Parts for lap tops start to get harder to find even from the manufacturer at about the 3 year mark. The technology changes and the companies want you to buy new.

Also with Windows 8 if you want touch screen you are looking at about $200.00 added to the cost but that is starting to come down.

Another thing to ask yourself is do you really need a lap top? Do you travel and take the computer with you? Lap tops have their place but in my opinion will never totally replace the desktop. Also with a desktop you can get a much larger screen or even two or more screens.

What people do with computers today is far different from just a few years ago. Many people just surf the net and do some e-mails and a tablet will suite them just fine. Gone are the days when everyone had to have a word processing program, spreadsheet program etc.

VG

Virtual Geezer is correct about the replacement time for work laptops and desktops. In the company I work for, if it is time to replace your computer, you are automatically given a laptop unless you specifically request a desktop computer. I received a laptop last year at work, so assuming I still am employed by this company in 2015, I am due for a new laptop then. But of course I am on my work laptop close to 40 hours a week, Monday through Friday, so it gets heavier usage than my personal laptop at home. We have Lenovo laptops at work; the battery life is not great on the Lenovos (2 hours max.) unless you get an extended life battery. The battery on my personal Toshiba laptop lasts close to 5 hours.

Thanks
 

TOTV members are the best!

I would make a must have and don't like list before I go shopping. It really is different strokes for different folks.

I love my Dell laptop but the battery life is not great I have it plugged in most of the time.
However I had an odd thing on my I want list which is why I got it I like a large screen because I am a big user of spreadsheets, I also watch movies with it and have a lot of movies stored on it because it has a large memory. And I also wanted a lot of ports so I could plug in extra thumb drives, my mouse (I can't stand that little pad on the laptop or touch navigating) etc.

If you already use HDMI cables to attach a device to a tv be advised a lot of new computers etc are using micro hdmi ports you may need an adapter or new cable.
A tablet like an Ipad or Surface has very little storage and I really didn't like the Ipad tried a friends and no place to plug a usb. We now also have a surface (Microsoft pad) which has a usb port, but I still could not deal without the ability to run the programs I want and I like it to run fast so I still drag my big laptop around.

John Chumbler is a computer expert who lives in The Villages. He comes to the house and helps you set up the new computer. He recommended Acer and we have been extremely happy with it. We purchased it at Staples.
We have called John several times for assistance with issues we did not understand. If you want, I can give you his phone number.

If you believe that, you my in for a VERY rude awakening someday. Lots of Mac related viruses and trojan horses..

Of course, you could be right "someday", but as I sit here writing this post, there is no known animal in existence. There simply are no active viruses or malware for the Apple...

Perhaps reading this article will help with the misconception regarding OSX.

5 More Mac Malware Myths and Misconceptions | The Mac Security Blog

Seriously???? You cite an article written by a company SELLING virus software for the Mac?

Yes - the facts are true and are confirmed by many researchers. Research Charlie Miller he has written a lot regarding malware on OSX.

Apple is good stuff, expensive but good. I love my iPad and use it exclusively but the more popular OSX gets then the more malware and virus's will appear.

Lots of interesting articles on TheSafeMac website. Might want to check out this one specifically:

The Safe Mac » “There are no Mac viruses”

I don't believe they're selling anything.

Apple is the best. There IOS is top notch and I have never had any virus issues with any Apple product I have owned. I recently had to by a Windows based system for work and it is OK but it ain't an Apple.

what do you need?
 

I am a simple girl and my computer needs are simple too.

I bought a Toshiba laptop last year. We replaced our desktop. Would not go back to a desk top. I use it everywhere. Very happy with my choice.

Now having said that all my kids have at least one I-pad and love them. It is more cost and more technology than I need. For example, I don't have a smart phone either too much technology for me.

I guess I am saying this cause one must know who they are and what their needs/wants are. Definitley the I-pad is the standard that is changing the industry.

Tablets are definitely changing the face of the computer world. Google now is heavily promoting the Nexus 7 16GB for $229, and it has gotten several good reviews. Everyone in my immediate family (except for my dad :( ) now has a tablet of one kind (iPad, iPad mini, or Samsung) in addition to their laptops. I would not discard my laptop for anything, but I do enjoy using my first generation iPad.

If I purchase a mac book pro can I transfer my photos, files, etc., to the mac book? I have a a lenovo T500 with windows 7. Thank you, it's all a mystery to me.

Thanks for posting. Tat's what is holding me back too. Will my quicken and picture files transfer over from Windows 7?

Here is your answer from an ex firedog.
 

Jbart:

As a former firedog at circuit city I was asked this question alot. Here yis the best answer I can give you.

It all depends on what your doing with it. In most cases, here in the villages, it's about Internet, email, and photos. Some worry about skype or FaceTime app to talk to grand kids with too.

In these case any i3 processor laptop will do. I recommend one with the following minimum requirements to meet basic needs.

Processor i3 or better (lower one will bog down after awhile)
Ram 4gigs
Hard drive 500 gigabytes (larger if you get lots of video form the kids and such)

Really that's all that really matters the rest is fluff added to attract buyers. a good price range is about 350.00 for that setup.

Hope this helps.

Bill