Laptop?

GroomzMcFinehiney

Jimmy and I are in the market for a laptop.  Currently we share a desktop computer, and we know very little about laptops.We're basically looking for something for your usual homework, knotting, googling stuff.  We're not going to be playing WOW on it or anything that requires ridiculous memory.  The only thing I'm looking for is a video out port so I can wire it to my TV and watch netflix. Any recommendations?

melissainabq

Do you have an ideal price range? Will you travel with it where weight would be an issue, or is it more of just an around-the-house type thing?

Knottie_22382080

I really like my Dell XPS, and I have a good video card so I can watch my hulu and netflix.  Dell will have great deals and I used their financing, but paid it off within a month just to get extra discounts bells and whistles.

wingedbride

I have an HP Pavillion and my H has the same one. We love them. He has the 17 inch monitor which I would recommend if you are going to watch TV on it.

FallinAgain

I have what Winged has and am pleased.  It's fairly heavy though.  I wouldn't want to really take it anywhere.

wingedbride

We take ours out of town, but i can see not wanting to carry itaround regularly as just a daily thing.

notquiteblushing

I love my HP but it is a little too heavy.  I got it for the price and for the big keypad.  I would reccomend playing with a few in the store to get a feeling of the keyboards and weight you are comfortable with.  And, if at all posssible, get something without Windows Vista.

GroomzMcFinehiney

Probably not much travelling with it.  Maybe the occasional overnight, but nothing overboard.  Jimmy may take it on the occasional business trip, but not more that. Really, he'll use it more than me.  It's mostly for schoolwork and some business.  I'm fine with the desktop except for the wanting netflix to TV capability instead of buying the $100 reciever.

wingedbride

I have no problems with Vista. But they are coming out with Windows 7. I wonder what that will be like.

ChristinS

Get the black one. I got the black one and I'm really happy with it. Sorry if that's confusing. I'm a bit of a techie.

heatherkj

We have an HP Pavilion laptop as well. The 17-incher. And yes, it's heavy as hell, but we're happy with it.

jbloom

www.newegg.comYou can sort by price and other requirements until you marrow down to a few options.

wingedbride

Get the black one. I got the black one and I'm really happy with it. That's what she said.

jbloom

I still have the laptop I bought in 2003 because I am too wussy to switch to Vista.  I am considering a Mac for my next one so I can run dual platform.

noisy_penguin

I have a Dell Inspiron 1525. I like it, but I think I'd love it if it was running on something other than Vista. It's light, the screen is 15.5", which is big enough for me for Netflix movies and Hulu. Lorne has a giant Dell laptop that he takes with him to the lab. I think it's giving him back problems.

turtlecrawl

I also have the HP pavilion, but mine isn't the 17 incher though.  I think it's 15?  The battery life on it sucks, but I usually only use it at home plugged in so it's no biggie.  I like it well enough.this is a great resource.  (sorry if not clicky)http://reviews.cnet.com/laptops/?tag=TOCleftColumn.0

GroomzMcFinehiney

I thought about an apple one, but I know nothing about dual platforms.  Here's what I've learned so far: Vista is badHP is good but heavyBears who give financial advice are prone to jungle fever

FallinAgain

I must agree that the HP battery life is poor.  Not a problem if you use it mostly at home, but something to consider.

HappyTummy613

I have a Mac.  I like its size, and I like it for using the internet and iPhoto and stuff, but I don't enjoy using Word and Excel on it.  All the icons are small and not in the places I'm used to on a PC.

jens_a_ten

I wouldn't recommend an Apple for you. We just got one a while ago, and we like it-- but we got it more so for my husband to play around on. The best features are the fun things like garage band and iphoto and all of that extra stuff. I prefer my old PC though for the usual word document, web browsing, practical type junk.

GroomzMcFinehiney

The only thing that appeals to me about the apple is the no virus thing.

jens_a_ten

Yeah that's what really sold me on agreeing with Heith to get one too Groomz. No viruses is nice.I might be prematurely judging the Mac for practical applications-- because I don't know my way around the apple ways of doing things, so I find it tedious and clumsy to do anything involving word documents and whatnot.

HappyTummy613

My laptop is white, so it fails Christin's test, anyway.

_Fenton

I am going through the same process right now and having the exact same thoughts as groomz.  In addition to the single Mac advantage of No Viruses, there is the "Techie People Will Approve and Not Judge Me" factor.  I have heard more sneering at PCs in the last few months of my life than ever before.

jens_a_ten

The sneering and judging of others was the biggest factor keeping me from agreeing to buy a mac Fent. I hate the idea of those jillianashleys looking upon me with approval. I was like "I already drive a honda, I can't become THAT person. I CAN'T."

CaliopeSpidrman

With the increasing popularity of Macs, there are starting to be more and more Mac-based viruses.  So don't buy one thinking you're invincible.  Mac viruses are on the rise.

jens_a_ten

Cali looked with a solemn expression at the wide eyed faces around her, letting her sobering message sink in. "She's right" they thought, "none of us are invincible. We've been so foolish."And indeed, they had been.

ChristinS

::pets Jens:: I'ma just put you right here in my pocket. You're too cute to just be out walking around. C'mere you. Get in this pocket!

CaliopeSpidrman

I'm glad I could save your lives from impending doom.

jens_a_ten

There's tots and poofs in this here pocket! I'll settle right in. I think we should start adding dramatic narration on to threads. Then it's like we're in a movie. A MOVIE Cali!

GroomzMcFinehiney

Jens, you complete me.  Well, I was already complete, but you go well with my shoes. Your narration was superb and has forever turned Cali into the BFF of the Hope=AIDS chick. Thank god for camping.