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Computer recommendations?

Elle1036Elle1036 member
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I know we've had several threads like this in the past, but Hedwig (my 2 year old HP Pavilion) died just in time for us to have a new one.

I need a new laptop. Not a Mac. Must have a built-in webcam. $1000 is the absolute max, but I would prefer closer to $600 or $700.

I don't need a ton of memory or speed. It just needs to work. Also, if it could be white or blue or something other than black/silver, that's a plus.

Anyone have a recommendation?
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Re: Computer recommendations?

  • csousa1csousa1 member
    Knottie Warrior 1000 Comments 250 Love Its Name Dropper
    edited December 2011
    If you get another HP they will be super cheap due to HP's announcement last week that they are not continuing production of their PCs. The tablets are selling for $100-$150. Other than that, I can do some research (since computer sales is my job) and get back to you :)
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  • Elle1036Elle1036 member
    5000 Comments Fifth Anniversary 25 Love Its Name Dropper
    edited December 2011
    I don't really want to give HP anymore of my money. I'm a little mad at them right now. :)
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  • Hazel_BHazel_B member
    2500 Comments
    edited December 2011
    Yeah, they are getting rid of the computer part of their business.
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  • MLekathLEENMLekathLEEN member
    1000 Comments
    edited December 2011
    I have a Sony VAIO laptop that I love. I think it was around $700 from the Sony store and it's super slim and light weight. Plus, it comes in white, pink/white, black or purple/black (I got purple)
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  • motoLynmotoLyn member
    2500 Comments Fourth Anniversary 100 Love Its Name Dropper
    edited December 2011
    I have a Toshiba Laptop, well two of them actually.  Both of them lived for a very very long time.  I still have my Toshiba Satellite right now.  They come in the price range you are looking for and have a built in DVD and webcam.  Then with the money you saved buy a skin for your laptop.  Perhaps a HP one then. 

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  • Elle1036Elle1036 member
    5000 Comments Fifth Anniversary 25 Love Its Name Dropper
    edited December 2011
    Thanks, Yaga! My first laptop was a Dell and I loved it, so my first instinct was to go back. That's probably what I'll do. ETA: and thanks everyone else who responded while I was writing that post!
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  • leia1979leia1979 member
    2500 Comments Fifth Anniversary 100 Love Its Name Dropper
    edited December 2011
    I would not recommend HP due to them getting rid of their PC and mobile business (and laying off a lot of people I know). Not sure WTF they're thinking.

    I would also not recommend Dell. I've had several for work and they get super hot and one fried its USB ports.

    I do recommend Toshiba. My dad got a Toshiba Satellite and is quite happy with it so far.

    Do you want a 13", 14", or 15" model?

    Also, if it's a boring color, you can always by a case or skin for it. My MacBook has a turquoise polycarbonate case that makes it pretty and keeps it from getting scratched.

    ETA: Toshiba has a nice laptop finder: http://us.toshiba.com/computers/laptop-finder

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  • SilverLining1SilverLining1
    100 Comments
    edited December 2011
    Out of curiosity, why not a Mac? I've never had a good experience with a laptop that wasn't a Mac, so that's why I'm so skeptical :P
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  • leia1979leia1979 member
    2500 Comments Fifth Anniversary 100 Love Its Name Dropper
    edited December 2011
    I would normally recommend a Mac, too, but I respect Elle if she wants a PC. Macs are at the upper limit of her price range (and I wish they hadn't discontinued the good ol' plastic MacBooks--I still love mine and it was the only user-serviceable model).

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  • Elle1036Elle1036 member
    5000 Comments Fifth Anniversary 25 Love Its Name Dropper
    edited December 2011
    In Response to <a href="http://forums.theknot.com/Sites/theknot/Pages/Main.aspx/special-topic-wedding-boards_not-engaged-yet_computer-recommendations?plckFindPostKey=Cat:Special Topic Wedding BoardsForum:136Discussion:91601ae0-4b67-47e2-b609-257039808a06Post:6389234d-b69d-49a7-966d-3b88cd222198">Re: Computer recommendations?</a>:
    [QUOTE]Out of curiosity, why not a Mac? I've never had a good experience with a laptop that wasn't a Mac, so that's why I'm so skeptical :P
    Posted by SilverLining1[/QUOTE]



    Price is the biggest reason. I can get a lot more computer with my modest budget if I stick with a PC.

    I'm also just not sold on macs. I really like my iPhone and now I have an iPad, but even those aren't free from problems, and FI has had several problems with his MacBook. Could be a fluke, but I'm going stick with PCs for now.


    Leia, thanks! I'll look into Toshiba.
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  • NurseyKNurseyK
    1000 Comments Combo Breaker
    edited December 2011
    In Response to <a href="http://forums.theknot.com/Sites/theknot/Pages/Main.aspx/special-topic-wedding-boards_not-engaged-yet_computer-recommendations?plckFindPostKey=Cat:Special Topic Wedding BoardsForum:136Discussion:91601ae0-4b67-47e2-b609-257039808a06Post:9e506154-f971-4d02-8e94-b9db97b61f63">Re: Computer recommendations?</a>:
    [QUOTE]If you get another HP they will be super cheap due to HP's announcement last week that they are not continuing production of their PCs. <strong><em>The tablets are selling for $100-$150.</em></strong> Other than that, I can do some research (since computer sales is my job) and get back to you :)
    Posted by csousa1[/QUOTE]


    They sold out in 24 hours. :( I tried to get one.
    www.nurseyk.weebly.com
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  • SilverLining1SilverLining1
    100 Comments
    edited December 2011
    I gotcha. I think that as long as people do their research and know what they're getting, they generally end up pretty happy with their choice. I'm pretty much useless on information that's PC related, though. Good luck with your search :)
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  • GreenPepperBurgerGreenPepperBurger
    2500 Comments
    edited December 2011
    I'm a Mac girl, but if I wasn't, I'd go for a Sony VAIO.
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  • NurseyKNurseyK
    1000 Comments Combo Breaker
    edited December 2011
    In Response to <a href="http://forums.theknot.com/Sites/theknot/Pages/Main.aspx/special-topic-wedding-boards_not-engaged-yet_computer-recommendations?plckFindPostKey=Cat:Special Topic Wedding BoardsForum:136Discussion:91601ae0-4b67-47e2-b609-257039808a06Post:9e506154-f971-4d02-8e94-b9db97b61f63">Re: Computer recommendations?</a>:
    [QUOTE]If you get another HP they will be super cheap due to <strong>HP's announcement last week that they are not continuing production of their PCs</strong>. The tablets are selling for $100-$150. Other than that, I can do some research (since computer sales is my job) and get back to you :)
    Posted by csousa1[/QUOTE]

    Actually, not to be nitty gritty... but you are incorrect. They have stopped production of their tablets. They are still in the PC business - both desktop and laptop. The company is still profitable. They just cut down one aspect of their market because they couldn't compete with the iPad. IMO, it was a pretty smart business move.

    <a href="http://h30261.www3.hp.com/phoenix.zhtml?c=71087&p=irol-newsArticle&ID=1598003&highlight">http://h30261.www3.hp.com/phoenix.zhtml?c=71087&p=irol-newsArticle&ID=1598003&highlight</a>=
    www.nurseyk.weebly.com
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  • [Deleted User][Deleted User] member
    500 Comments Third Anniversary
    edited December 2011
    I love my mac, but I would recommend a Dell.  I have had my dell laptop for almost five years now and it's still alive, incredibly slow but still alive.
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  • peekaboo2011peekaboo2011 member
    Knottie Warrior 5000 Comments 250 Love Its Name Dropper
    edited December 2011
    I wouldn't go HP regardless of what they're doing.  A friend of mine had her motherboard or something fry randomly and when she took it to geeksquad, they basically told her it happens all the time.  Then why is it not covered in the warranty?! Or, why don't they fix the design flaw?!

    She's super happy with the Toshiba she has now.  She sprung for the basic model without the built in camera and it was like $400.  I'm a mac girl, so I'm pretty useless, but I'd probably go Sony or Toshiba if I had to.  I wouldn't go Dell - my mom had endless problems when she first got hers (4 years ago). And she still gets the blue screen of death on a pretty regular basis.
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  • NurseyKNurseyK
    1000 Comments Combo Breaker
    edited December 2011
    Being a mac nerd myself.... I forgot all about the blue screen of death? Say wha??? Macs never crash.
    www.nurseyk.weebly.com
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  • peekaboo2011peekaboo2011 member
    Knottie Warrior 5000 Comments 250 Love Its Name Dropper
    edited December 2011
    In Response to <a href="http://forums.theknot.com/Sites/theknot/Pages/Main.aspx/special-topic-wedding-boards_not-engaged-yet_computer-recommendations?plckFindPostKey=Cat:Special%20Topic%20Wedding%20BoardsForum:136Discussion:91601ae0-4b67-47e2-b609-257039808a06Post:1d3904b7-ce50-4ab2-8c31-6ff2e29775ba">Re: Computer recommendations?</a>:
    [QUOTE]Being a mac nerd myself.... I forgot all about the blue screen of death? Say wha??? Macs never crash.
    Posted by NurseyK[/QUOTE]

    <div>MIne did it right before I ran off to conference.  Hard drive had had enough of my late nights and was done.  It crashed and I tried to reinstall OSX, and it wouldn't load.  I sat at GeniusBar for like 2 hours practically in tears...they gave me a new hard drive and installed it for free because I was so distraught.  I love Apple customer service.</div><div>
    </div><div>But yeah, when your mac crashes, you'll get the gray screen and nothing else...not even the little swirly dots. :(</div>
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  • GreenPepperBurgerGreenPepperBurger
    2500 Comments
    edited December 2011
    In Response to <a href="http://forums.theknot.com/Sites/theknot/Pages/Main.aspx/special-topic-wedding-boards_not-engaged-yet_computer-recommendations?plckFindPostKey=Cat:Special%20Topic%20Wedding%20BoardsForum:136Discussion:91601ae0-4b67-47e2-b609-257039808a06Post:84e8966b-ef95-43c4-b8c2-fdcde6e1f801">Re: Computer recommendations?</a>:
    [QUOTE]In Response to Re: Computer recommendations? : MIne did it right before I ran off to conference.  Hard drive had had enough of my late nights and was done.  It crashed and I tried to reinstall OSX, and it wouldn't load.  I sat at GeniusBar for like 2 hours practically in tears...they gave me a new hard drive and installed it for free because I was so distraught.  I love Apple customer service. But yeah, when your mac crashes, you'll get the gray screen and nothing else...not even the little <strong>swirly dots. :(</strong>
    Posted by peekaboo2011[/QUOTE]

    You mean the spinning ball of death?
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  • peekaboo2011peekaboo2011 member
    Knottie Warrior 5000 Comments 250 Love Its Name Dropper
    edited December 2011
    In Response to <a href="http://forums.theknot.com/Sites/theknot/Pages/Main.aspx/special-topic-wedding-boards_not-engaged-yet_computer-recommendations?plckFindPostKey=Cat:Special%20Topic%20Wedding%20BoardsForum:136Discussion:91601ae0-4b67-47e2-b609-257039808a06Post:ec744a8c-f5fe-48a7-9e7a-d1056e11065b">Re: Computer recommendations?</a>:
    [QUOTE]In Response to Re: Computer recommendations? : You mean the spinning ball of death?
    Posted by GreenPepperBurger[/QUOTE]

    <div>No...I thought that was the blue one that pops up when you're trying to do too much.</div>
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  • Elle1036Elle1036 member
    5000 Comments Fifth Anniversary 25 Love Its Name Dropper
    edited December 2011
    In Response to <a href="http://forums.theknot.com/Sites/theknot/Pages/Main.aspx/special-topic-wedding-boards_not-engaged-yet_computer-recommendations?plckFindPostKey=Cat:Special Topic Wedding BoardsForum:136Discussion:91601ae0-4b67-47e2-b609-257039808a06Post:ec744a8c-f5fe-48a7-9e7a-d1056e11065b">Re: Computer recommendations?</a>:
    [QUOTE]In Response to Re: Computer recommendations? : You mean the spinning ball of death?
    Posted by GreenPepperBurger[/QUOTE]



    FI's MacBook gets that all the time. So frustrating.
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  • NurseyKNurseyK
    1000 Comments Combo Breaker
    edited December 2011
    In Response to <a href="http://forums.theknot.com/Sites/theknot/Pages/Main.aspx/special-topic-wedding-boards_not-engaged-yet_computer-recommendations?plckFindPostKey=Cat:Special Topic Wedding BoardsForum:136Discussion:91601ae0-4b67-47e2-b609-257039808a06Post:84e8966b-ef95-43c4-b8c2-fdcde6e1f801">Re: Computer recommendations?</a>:
    [QUOTE]In Response to Re: Computer recommendations? : MIne did it right before I ran off to conference.  Hard drive had had enough of my late nights and was done.  It crashed and I tried to reinstall OSX, and it wouldn't load.  I sat at GeniusBar for like 2 hours practically in tears...they gave me a new hard drive and installed it for free because I was so distraught.  I love Apple customer service. <strong><em>But yeah, when your mac crashes, you'll get the gray screen and nothing else...not even the little swirly dots</em></strong>. :(
    Posted by peekaboo2011[/QUOTE]


    "Dear Mac Gods,
    Please remind me to back up my hard drive if you choose to pick on me.
    Love, Devoted
    www.nurseyk.weebly.com
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  • [Deleted User][Deleted User] member
    500 Comments Third Anniversary
    edited December 2011
    In Response to <a href="http://forums.theknot.com/Sites/theknot/Pages/Main.aspx/special-topic-wedding-boards_not-engaged-yet_computer-recommendations?plckFindPostKey=Cat:Special%20Topic%20Wedding%20BoardsForum:136Discussion:91601ae0-4b67-47e2-b609-257039808a06Post:ec744a8c-f5fe-48a7-9e7a-d1056e11065b">Re: Computer recommendations?</a>:
    [QUOTE]In Response to Re: Computer recommendations? : You mean the spinning ball of death?
    Posted by GreenPepperBurger[/QUOTE]

    FMIL calls it the beach ball of death! HAHA.  Regardless of the beach ball of death, I love macs.  FI has had his mac for five years, one of the kind that you can't fix yourself.  He turned it into his little experiment, partitioned the hard drive, dropped it and cause it to bend, totally messed it up.  It died on him and the guys at the apple store told him they couldn't fix it.  He googled how to fix it and did it himself.  It now works perfectly!
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  • motoLynmotoLyn member
    2500 Comments Fourth Anniversary 100 Love Its Name Dropper
    edited December 2011
    In Response to <a href="http://forums.theknot.com/Sites/theknot/Pages/Main.aspx/special-topic-wedding-boards_not-engaged-yet_computer-recommendations?plckFindPostKey=Cat:Special%20Topic%20Wedding%20BoardsForum:136Discussion:91601ae0-4b67-47e2-b609-257039808a06Post:3108b34f-7048-47f3-ba29-db6aea4408ba">Re: Computer recommendations?</a>:
    [QUOTE]In Response to Re: Computer recommendations? : FMIL calls it the beach ball of death! HAHA.
    Posted by amsybot[/QUOTE]

    MY FI calls is that as well.  He used to work with Macs back at his old job and hated them with a vengeance.  I call it pinwheel of death.  But to-may-to, to-mah-to.  He's always been a PC person.  If you had the resources I go with Asus, those laptops rock.  I want a tablet made by them but I need to save up.  Bah humbug.  I have a macbook pro that was given to me by FI's dad.  It was one of the most awesome gifts from him.  So I'm straddling both worlds.  PC at work and at home I have a PC laptop and a Mac. 

    Side note Amysbot when are you coming out to Cali?  Do I hear a lunch date?

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  • anythinggoldanythinggold member
    100 Comments
    edited December 2011
    At home I'm a Mac girl, but I just got a new Dell Latitude E5420 as my work computer and I'm really liking it a lot. I don't know the pricing (although a non-profit bought it, so it can't be that bad). The one I have is running Windows 7, 32-bit, 2 GB RAM, I did have a problem with the screen that was a problem with the factory-installed LCD, but they fixed it and it's working like a charm now!
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  • leia1979leia1979 member
    2500 Comments Fifth Anniversary 100 Love Its Name Dropper
    edited December 2011
    In Response to <a href="http://forums.theknot.com/Sites/theknot/Pages/Main.aspx/special-topic-wedding-boards_not-engaged-yet_computer-recommendations?plckFindPostKey=Cat:Special%20Topic%20Wedding%20BoardsForum:136Discussion:91601ae0-4b67-47e2-b609-257039808a06Post:4d07ef4e-8398-4d7b-ab45-1454f5b78b84">Re: Computer recommendations?</a>:
    [QUOTE]In Response to Re: Computer recommendations? : Actually, not to be nitty gritty... but you are incorrect. They have stopped production of their tablets. They are still in the PC business - both desktop and laptop. The company is still profitable. They just cut down one aspect of their market because they couldn't compete with the iPad. IMO, it was a pretty smart business move. <a href="http://h30261.www3.hp.com/phoenix.zhtml?c=71087&p=irol-newsArticle&ID=1598003&highlight" rel="nofollow">http://h30261.www3.hp.com/phoenix.zhtml?c=71087&p=irol-newsArticle&ID=1598003&highlight</a> =
    Posted by NurseyK[/QUOTE]

    True, they're not stopping production yet, but they're most likely looking to do an IBM-Lenovo type deal. From the press release:
    <span class="ccbnTxt">"As part of the transformation, HP announced that its board of directors has authorized the exploration of strategic alternatives for the company's Personal Systems Group. HP will consider a broad range of options that may include, among others, a full or partial separation of PSG from HP through a spin-off or other transaction.</span>"

    I would still be concerned about future support of their PC products.

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  • alanna91alanna91 member
    500 Comments
    edited December 2011
    I'm going to second yaga's rec. I got my Dell Studio through the Dell Outlet. I bought it three years ago and it's still going strong!!!
    Mine is a really pretty "Spring Green" color, and honestly, there was no sign of it being pre-used. I don't know if they sell Studios anymore, but they have Inspirons I know, and they come in blue and white!
    Including shipping, it was only $600! That was a big deal since I was just 17 and definitely had no money. I justified my "expensive" purchase to myself by saying I "needed" it for college...which I guess was true more or less.
    So in conclusion...check out the outlet! There's no shame in buying refurb, especially since they're just as good as the new ones and about three hundred dollars cheaper.
    White Knot
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  • Elle1036Elle1036 member
    5000 Comments Fifth Anniversary 25 Love Its Name Dropper
    edited December 2011
    In Response to <a href="http://forums.theknot.com/Sites/theknot/Pages/Main.aspx/special-topic-wedding-boards_not-engaged-yet_computer-recommendations?plckFindPostKey=Cat:Special%20Topic%20Wedding%20BoardsForum:136Discussion:91601ae0-4b67-47e2-b609-257039808a06Post:9688997b-3611-4de3-a8fb-ba47cef36c3f">Re: Computer recommendations?</a>:
    [QUOTE]I'm going to second yaga's rec. I got my Dell Studio through the Dell Outlet. I bought it three years ago and it's still going strong!!! Mine is a really pretty "Spring Green" color, and honestly, there was no sign of it being pre-used. I don't know if they sell Studios anymore, but they have Inspirons I know, and they come in blue and white! Including shipping, it was only $600! That was a big deal since I was just 17 and definitely had no money. I justified my "expensive" purchase to myself by saying I "needed" it for college...which I guess was true more or less. So in conclusion...check out the outlet! There's no shame in buying refurb, especially since they're just as good as the new ones and about three hundred dollars cheaper.
    Posted by alanna91[/QUOTE]

    Great tip.  I didn't know about the outlet before.  Thanks!
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  • mrosenbmrosenb member
    10 Comments
    edited December 2011
    I had a Toshiba Satellite and loved it, but it died. The main component still works, but the monitor is bad. It was three years old. 

    Due to budget reasons, I bought a Lenovo from Best Buy for $300 and love it! I was hesitant at first but it seems to be a good choice.
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