Computer People?

ZombieNates

So our main laptop (the one we use for everyday computer stuff--pictures, internet, sometimes school work) crashed and finally is dead. We need a new, everyday laptop to replace it. I know nothing about computers, so I need help.

First, we want something that's fast and reliable.  Our last laptop was a Gateway that had a ton of problems with overheating.  We both have HPs now (he has a regular laptop and I have a MIni) and we love HP.

The computer would have to be able to handle just day to day stuff, no gaming or anything like that.  I basically want something that can stay at our home (so portability isn't an issue, really), hooked up to our printer and ready to go for work and school. 

Any help? P&R so I can pick up some food, but I'll be back in a little. TIA!

OutOfTheBlue612

I've decided that my favorite brand for laptops is Lenovo. If probably need a fairly base model for what you are describing. Don't buy the absolute cheapest, because in a year a 2 you might want something different than you do now. You don't want something that is already almost obsolete.

Blueyed228

Whatever you do, dont buy a Sony, lol

number55

Mac? Always my choice. 

K Byte

I've always had good luck with Dells. Lenovo is a good brand too. I recently bought this laptop: http://www.amazon.com/Dell-Inspiron-1181MRB-14-Inch-Laptop/dp/B004EWEZME/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&s=electronics&qid=1305763779&sr=1-1 and I like it pretty well. Not sure what your budget is but I thought this was better than the absolute bargain-basement models, I'll be able to keep it for more than a year or two.

DodgersBride

I prefer MAC but from what you descrided of what you need and don't need I think a MAC would be too expensive.

kd.joseph

I'm with Kbyte, we have always had Dells. And even if we had a problem they took care of it immediately. I think ours is just old, we may have to get another soon. Plus we fight over this one.

vegasgroom

Dell's sales are down 8% and their stock is likely to follow; they'll probably have some good sales in the next few weeks. :-)

ZombieNates

Thanks for the input so far.  Dell is always on my shortlist, as well. 

I was considering this one: http://www.bestbuy.com/site/HP+-+Laptop+/+AMD+Athlon&%23153%3B+II+Processor+/+14%22+Display+/+3GB+Memory+-+Pewter/2284864.p?id=1218317762845&skuId=2284864&cmp=RMX&ky=1sVcNEQUypz4wWbzawyGOesETar5V5iCh&cmp=RMX&ky=8s4tzpe9qawwk23ed47n89g5

I agree--a Mac is nice, but I think too much for what we'll be using. 

OOTB, what do you like about Lenovo? How does it stack up to other brands?

ZombieNates

When N was buying his laptop, the guy at Best Buy said don't go Dell also, but I figured he was trying to make the sale :P

Brandiewine11

I really like Dell, but the last time I had a personal one (mine now is from work), the tech support stank after they moved it overseas. I have no experience with it recently. I know people complained, so maybe it got better?

My FI has gone through 3 Lenovo's in 2 years so I wouldn't go that route personally. (Those used to be IBM.)

HP is a good brand. Mac is always good, but like you said, too much for you probably. 

ETA: I also recommend an external HD for your backup/storage. Then you wont take up all the space on your internal HD or have to spend more for a bigger one. 

Night_Sprite

How big do you want it to be in inches?  How much music and storage do you already have?

K Byte

My desktop is also a Dell, and I've had it since summer of 2008 and not had any problems aside from a virus a few months ago that I managed to clean up on my own without too many problems. I've had good luck with them overall I'd say, and I think they are a good value, I don't feel like I'm paying out the ass for a less powerful computer.

ZombieNates

Okay, thanks for the head's up, Brandie.

NS, it's mainly going to be sitting on our desk (but a desktop will take up too much room).  I'm effed in terms of how much storage I'd need, because i have no idea.  Let's put it this way--my old laptop had about 1-2K pictures on it, my iTunes library (decent, but not way large), and a bunch of work documents. That's it. Let's be honest.  I mainly want to video TC with you guys again

Night_Sprite

I vote pre-fab system for you, then.  Dell would probably be a good option.  They have consistent post-purchase support for people who need it.

OutOfTheBlue612

I hate my Dell laptop. About 2 weeks after the warranty expired the motherboard died. It was a nightmare dealing with customer service, but I expect that would be the case for any major computer company. After being insulted by various people (all related to being a woman) I got to talk to the call centre manager. While voicing my frustrations it was explained to me that the model I had typically experienced motherboard crashes at 12-15 months. So Dell knew that there was a problem, knew that it would screw people because of the warranty, and they just kept selling the computers anyway. It cost $600 to fix the damn thing. It was a $1600 laptop (top of the line, designed to last for all of college, yeah right) so it was sort of worth the cost to fix it. Also, the service center in the states lost my laptop and tried to claim that I'd never sent it. I had the signed receipt from the courier service showing that Dell had received the shipment. Even after they saw it, they refused to believe they had it. The courier service had to call and threaten legal action (they were so helpful) for someone to go look. The person who went and looked found it in about 5 minutes. Now these are all issues that you might find with any computer company, they've just ensured that personally I'll never buy a Dell. Oh, also, the power supplies basically die every 6 months to a year, so you have to buy a new one.

I love my Lenovo. Also, at my school you are required to have a laptop. The school provides them to students who need them and sells them to other students that want to buy from the school. The school only deals with Lenovo. So pretty much everyone I know had a Lenovo. Very, very few complaints.

Also, when I hold my Lenovo and when I hold my Dell, the Lenovo just feels like better quality. The materials feel sturdier. My Dell is missing a few keys. They just fell off. I am super easy on my stuff and keys just came off. Also, the plastic around the hinge broke after 2 years of just opening and closing the laptop once or twice a day. The Lenovo doesn't seem to have these issues.

ZombieNates

Okay, good to know.  We're looking into reviews for everything and I see a mid-range HP and Lenovo, so I'll ask my mom's computer friend about them.

Thanks, everyone!

Anysunrise

I have a Toshiba and it's done well by me so far. My best friend has a Dell and frequently curses it. So I'd avoid Dell. I like Macs too, but only for a laptop.

jemmini6

HP, Toshiba, Dell, Lenovo, etc are all decent brands.

If this is just a daily laptop and it doesn't need to do anything special, you don't need to get anything that's really expensive (everything is going to be outdated in 3 years anyways, regardless of price).

I'd suggest getting at least 4 GB of RAM, I prefer Intel processors to AMD, but it really doesn't matter that much for a daily computer, so whatever you find the best price on will probably work just fine.  You can get whatever size harddrive you think you'd need, I generally get a small-mid size and then back up all my stuff on a larger external.

Other than that, just do a lot of comparrison shopping and check reviews on the particular laptop.