Need Laptop Advice

[george7]

I bought my HP G60 notebook computer for $500 at best buy.

2.0 Ghz Dual Core
3GB Ram
1024MB Video Memory (512kB Shared)
Built in webcam
Windows Vista Home Premium

Very good price for a pretty good computer.

[Kilt_Em_All]

As someone that used to work in PC support/network administration, I've had more than my share of experience with various PC's. When I went back to school and needed a new laptop, I decided to give the Mac a try. It was effectively the same price when equipped with comparable hardware, and, unlike a desktop, I wouldn't be able to appreciably upgrade the hardware either way. I got one of the very last PowerPC PowerBooks they made. It's annoying that I didn't wait a few months for an Intel powered MacBook, but other than that, there's not a laptop made that I'd rather have. Make mine a Mac!

[Dan R Porter]

I am a Apple fan, but here is a bit of advice not given yet. We spent a large amount of money on external memory, and buy a cheap throw away computer every couple years. the last couple years we bought a TOshiba Sattelite for under 500$ and we get a update every couple of years to keep up with the times so to speak!

I hate to say it but this is, in my opinion, the smartest mopve we have ever made. There is nothing worse then when we bought a $1800 dollar computer and a year later it was surpassed by Technology and we are still stuck with it almost 6 years later! BAH!

So we look at a computer as a "Cheap Portal" to our external memory.

[Devlyn]

I am a graphic designer by trade. I use a Mac at work but I use a PC at home. I have loved, crashed, and cussed both. In my opinion, there is not a big difference between a good Mac and a good PC. So my advise is to find the most Processing power and memory for your money, whether it be a Mac or a PC, and get a name brand. If you go with a PC, I recommend and HP, Toshiba, Sony or ACEr. Stay away from Dells.

[Coinneach]

I use a PC at home (HP Pavilion dv9000) running Windows XP. At work I use a MacBook Pro (Mac OS X 10.4 and 10.5 and Parallels/Windows XP) and a Compaq 6510b (Vista). I've brought them all to their knees at one time or another, even though I was told and I'm still assured that it's almost impossible on a Mac in spite of my experience.

Vista is a complete mistake; I have nothing good whatsoever to say about it. If you can't get XP installed on your next computer natively, I would go with the Mac. You will probably need new software for those favorite programs of yours on the PC. If you get Parallels, you will need to have Windows installation disks to install the Windows OS in the Parallels environment.

[Pleater]

The Dell Inspiron we have is so old it is running Windows 98, and has been no trouble - but we seem to have been lucky with computers,

The oldest laptop is teenager, running Windows 95!!

There has been no trouble using XP or Vista, though we always do a clean installation each time we get a new OS, rather than an update.

This pc has got partitions for the old XP and the new Vista, and doesn't seem to have developed indigestion.

I ask my husband to set up each new OS in classic mode, and he puts Windows explorer on the tool bar, so that I can find it, and really I scarcely notice any difference in the before and after computer.

My daughter is trying out Windows 7, and it seems to be cooperating in a satisfactory manner, at least I have not heard any screams of rage and expensive crashing sounds...

Whenever we need/want a new computer or accessory we resort to the internet, as it seems that there are more bargains there than in the bricks and mortar stores and using mail order has enabled us to find higher spec machines within our budget.

Anne the Pleater :ootd:

[Rob Wright]

If you are still considering a Mac, Apple just upgraded their notebook line AND included price drops. Watch Apple and resellers for deals on previous models.


Rob

[IrishGodfather]

I really like the look and features of the new Macbook Pro 13 and 15 inch.

I've looked at Dell again, and they are a little bit cheaper for all of he same features as the macbook pros, but again, I don't trust the quality. A friend of mine who works in the IT Department at the University I attend (Clemson) told me jus this weekend that Apple uses better quality parts in their computers and I think that's worth the slightly bigger price tag. I'd rather have a quality product with a few ess bels and whitles than a cheaper lemon.

Decisions, decisions.....

[pdcorlis]

I've run Macs since they first showed up on the scene. I've suffered only one serious computer crash since then - that was twenty years ago. I've owned laptops and desktops, Newtons, iPods, and will some day own an iPhone. I use them at work and at home and when you price out PCs and Macs to equal specs they all cost about the same. Over time Macs will be more reliable.

I have friends that really enjoy PCs but I will never own one. Period.

One piece of advice, whatever you buy - be sure to invest in an external hard drive and back up your stuff. Some day you'll be happy you did.

[Kilt_Em_All]

One piece of advice, whatever you buy - be sure to invest in an external hard drive and back up your stuff. Some day you'll be happy you did.

This is the key right here. Take this advice regardless of what you decide to buy.

-Elliott