Posted by Gerry Grummons on 3/18/12 3:45pm
Msg #415307
In your opinion Laptops
Looking for 17" Laptop w/WiFi and Web Cam. Suggestions?? Maintenance isssues?
| Reply by Bob_Chicago on 3/18/12 3:52pm
Msg #415309
Not enough knowledge to respond, BUT be advised, whatever
computer you buy, there will be a better one available , at a much lower cost, about a week after you buy it.
That said, my Acer is a few years old, and have never had a problem. Only use it when on the road, or as a backup for my tower computer.
| Reply by JanetK_CA on 3/18/12 6:13pm
Msg #415324
Re: Not enough knowledge to respond, BUT be advised, whatever
I can vouch for that, Bob, since I just ordered one last weekend!  Doesn't pay to look back, you just have to take the plunge at some point.
However, I did find it helpful to do enough research to get a good idea of what I wanted. A few pointers: newer software and operating systems continually require more resources, as memory gets cheaper and cheaper, so sufficient RAM will probably be one of the most important things you get. Most "experts" told me that 4GB RAM should be enough. When I bought my current laptop five years ago, everyone told me that 1 GB would be sufficient... so I ordered 6 GB this time.
If you look at enough different models, you'll get a good idea of what's available and what things are important to you. Everyone's needs are different. For example, the area where I keep my laptop is a little bit enclosed, so I decided to limit my search to Intel processors, since I heard they run a little cooler than AMDs. (That's just what I was told...)
Nearly all the rest is subjective and everyone has a different opinion about which suppliers make the best quality. Even people in the same store contradicted each other. I read lots of online reviews, as well, but unless you can find a large enough sample, most of those are meaningless, too. And if someone gives a positive review right after they brought it home, that doesn't tell you much, since most people want to believe they made a good decision. The negatives are probably more honest - but are they complaining about something that is unimportant to you?
BTW, almost all laptops I saw include a webcam and mic, unless perhaps you're looking at the very low end of the price ranges which I wasn't, so I don't know).
Good luck!
| Reply by JENNY/TX on 3/18/12 4:14pm
Msg #415312
I love my HP dv7-1 451nr. Have been using it for almost 3 years. I would say that I average 10 hours per day 7 days per week of use. Never needed any repairs. I am sure others have suggestions also.
Jenny
| Reply by BrendaTx on 3/18/12 5:32pm
Msg #415315
The laptop search
I never purchase the razor's cutting edge. Today, in a laptop I would purchase would have, in addition to your requirements:
6 gB RAM (or more--4 is the VERY least with Windows 7)
350+ gB hard drive
Window 7
Nice if you can: Battery with 9 volts rather than the usual 6--NEVER A 3.
Dell is a good solid product in my experience, but can be expensive. Buy a warranty if you go that route.
I have also been known to buy cheap, even 2nd hand and toss when it's no longer good.
Keep your stuff backed up and don't sweat over getting the Primo of computers. My sister wants to buy a computer that will last like eight years. I think you can buy off the shelf and buy the cheapest of the day and be as happy...unless you are a gamer or a super-duper-super-duper user.
I wag mine around, use it daily and expect to have it for 2-3 years. I'm on year #3 with my current Dell. I want enough power on my battery, enough RAM, and enough hard drive. I picked it up at Walmart and have been in love with it since then. I purchased a new one like it last year because I liked it that much. I have had two used Dells that were just as great and useful. My son (a guy who works in the big corporate world as a semi-geek) buys everything from Acers to e-Machines to Gateways to Toshibas. He buys Dell when it is for the company.
| Reply by Frank/NC on 3/18/12 9:21pm
Msg #415335
Re: The laptop search
My thoughts are essentially the same as Brenda. However, my first thought might be, "do I really need a 17" laptop". They are bigger and the only extra you get is the numerics on the right side plus a slightly bigger screen. I bought a 17" screen and brought it back a week later in that it was just too big and cumbersome. Remember that the screen size really doesn't matter in that generally, the screen is never more than a few feet away at most. I think I would place more importance in a better and faster processor and at least 6 gigs of Ram with 8 gigs even better. Many or most of the laptops today come with a camera and all with wi-fi. Hard drives with a lot of memory are pretty cheap so getting one with anywhere from 300 gigs up to one terrabyte will suit you fine.
I don't know how much use it will get on "battery only" but if it gets a lot, my preference would be to get two 6 volt batteries and use one as a spare. I have the 9 volt battery and it is bigger and heavier than I want or need.
If you are going to carry it around for e-signings, I probably would prefer the 15" screen and try not to get anything that is too cumbersome.
Personally, I buy my computers from Costco because of the return policy and they usually have a very competitive price. The other big issue is warranty. When purchasing new I buy at least a 3 year warranty. It's cheap insurance in that repairs tend to be expensive.
| Reply by JanetK_CA on 3/19/12 12:19am
Msg #415342
Re: The laptop search
I bought a 15" - and nearly all of them also have the separate numeric key pad these days. I ended up with a Toshiba, partly that's because the one I have that's five years old - and still operational - is a Toshiba.
I think going with Costco is a good idea. I didn't see anything there that fit what I thought I wanted when I looked there (I kept changing my mind...) but if I had a "do-over", that's one thing I might change.
| Reply by MW/VA on 3/18/12 7:33pm
Msg #415326
IMO prices on laptops are coming down due to tablets.
There are good deals out there if you shop around. Toshiba makes some good ones at decent prices.
I think some brands are now coming out as touch-screens also.
17" are considerably more expensive than the 15"s. Good luck.
| Reply by ReneeK_MI on 3/19/12 7:26am
Msg #415356
I recently went way outside my normal margins, picked up the little Acer Aspire at Costco for $350 (includes a 2 year warranty), and I'm quite impressed and glad I got it.
In the past, I'd always gone with Dell's - and a 'more is better' kind of attitude. There is some kind of force field in my home that renders any laptop I own into toast at the 5 year mark (coincidentally, technological advance has the same effect). I was effectively paying $500/year to lug around an albatross that I rarely used.
Having a smartphone really impacts how much actual need I have for a laptop out on the road anymore. This Acer is I think 3 lbs, totally conducive to a one-handed grab & go, doesn't come all junked-up with pre-installed *stuff* - and I notice this morning that it's no longer on Costco's website, but I did see it in the store still this weekend. I've had it about 2 mos, and have zero complaints. It has all the bells & whistles - W7, wifi/bluetooth (tether-able), blah blah blah.
| Reply by Barb25 on 3/19/12 8:56am
Msg #415364
I have a couple of HP laptops and got them with the same more is better attitude as you. I got an Acer Aspire for my daughter at Walmart for $299 a while back. It has everything one of my HPs has including a webcam and HDMI. 4 gb memory. Not intel processor but who cares. $299. Great. Not regrets. Certainly fast enough. Not gaming or doing graphic intensive applications.
| Reply by Marian_in_CA on 3/20/12 3:02am
Msg #415444
Well, I love my laptop... use it constantly... BUT...
I have a Dell Precision M6500. I've had it for almost 18 months now and it is a rockstar. It's a 17" system, and it's a bit heavy, especially because it has a metal case, but I would never go back to a smaller laptop now. I just can't.
It wasn't cheap, either... I added a few extras and it cost well over... well... it's embarrassing to admit how much it cost! But, it was worth every darn penny! I use my system for a lot of heavy duty stuff, though, because I work with a lot of image and document editing software (Adobe suite) and require the power. IT is meant to be a true desktop replacement. Seriously... this baby runs well over 15 hours a day for me, and I haven't had a single issue.
I have to carry it in a rolling briefcase most of the time, but I don't mind. When I pull it out, I get a lot o compliments and the geeky ones really drool over it. This baby has specs that are way better than most top line laptop now... and I've had mine for almost 18 mos! When I'm at home, I plug it in to a docking station and I have two standard monitors on my desk with a regular keyboard.
I don't suggest you go that route, though, unless you know you need that kind of power, otherwise it's a big waste of money.
| Reply by Gerry Grummons on 3/21/12 1:13am
Msg #415559
Appreciate all the comments. I'm just getting used to phones with buttons, converting from rotary dials!! All the bells and whistles could be a bit much as don't have a fifth grader to help. But going to take a stab at it.
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