Need a laptop

[TexasF355F1]

Well the time has come. I'm moving in January and will be on a wifi connection so a laptop makes a whole lot more sense for me to have. I had originally planned on building a new PC.

I've found out that LG makes laptops now. I think they make a terrific product, and the reviews I've read seem to follow that. Anyone have experience with one?

What others would you recommend? I like Dell. Always had good luck with them, but want to venture out. I don't like HP or Sony. It's gonna be used for the web and running office programs, with the occasional video.

Count apple out, thats way more than I want to spend.

[Polygon]

I tend to like Apple, IBM, and Toshiba.

[Toksin]

Could always just get a wifi card for the desktop

[TexasF355F1]

Originally Posted by Toksin

Could always just get a wifi card for the desktop

I know that. My PC has reached it's end for the most part. I had originally planned to build a new one, but decided to go the laptop route instead.

[Oz]

What are your usage patterns? Will you use this at work on a corporate network? Is it just for web surfing and email at home?

What sort of budget do you have in mind? What sort of warranty do you want? Do you already have the software to put on it, or will that be purchased with a portion of your laptop budget?

[TexasF355F1]

Originally Posted by Oz

What are your usage patterns? Will you use this at work on a corporate network? Is it just for web surfing and email at home?

What sort of budget do you have in mind? What sort of warranty do you want? Do you already have the software to put on it, or will that be purchased with a portion of your laptop budget?

Usage will simply be surfing, email, ms office progs, and the occasional video/dvd. All at home.

I want to try and keep it under $1800USD. I won't need to buy any software. Warranty at least a year.

[Oz]

If you're only going to use it at home, and it won't travel much, I would opt for a 17" multimedia laptop with all the bells and whistles. The battery life won't be particularly fantastic, but it'll do everything you want nicely.

Most laptops these days in that price range will come with 512mb or 1gb of RAM, factor into your budget another 1gb stick to put in the expansion slot. Make sure you get yourself a USB optical mouse too.

Brands I've had positive experiences with: Lenovo, Toshiba, Fujutsu but any major manufacturer should suffice - most laptops these days are pretty good. Make sure you read some reviews before you buy, and if you have the opportunity, use the laptop for a while at a retail store.

[TexasF355F1]

Originally Posted by Oz

If you're only going to use it at home, and it won't travel much, I would opt for a 17" multimedia laptop with all the bells and whistles. The battery life won't be particularly fantastic, but it'll do everything you want nicely.

Most laptops these days in that price range will come with 512mb or 1gb of RAM, factor into your budget another 1gb stick to put in the expansion slot. Make sure you get yourself a USB optical mouse too.

Brands I've had positive experiences with: Lenovo, Toshiba, Fujutsu but any major manufacturer should suffice - most laptops these days are pretty good. Make sure you read some reviews before you buy, and if you have the opportunity, use the laptop for a while at a retail store.

Thanks Oz.

I'm more of less planning to opt for a 17". There's about a 1% chance it would ever leave the house. Definately getting at least 1gb of RAM. I need it with all the multi-tasking I do. Plus I want to make sure my system will be compatable with Vista, once I decide to upgrade. And I've already got a USB optical I use on my PC.

Already started doing research. In this day and age, that's one of the greatest things about the net. Also emailed my tech-savy uncle for his opinion.

Thanks!

[Paul79UF]

Originally Posted by Polygon

I tend to like Apple, IBM, and Toshiba.

That's the way Consumer Reports ranks them.

I would avoid Dell like the plague. They take care of corporate accounts but 'home' users get the shaft when it comes to service and support.

My brother swears by IBM/Lenovo....when my mother wanted help choosing a laptop, I picked her out a nice 17" Toshiba since she's a realtor and needs to show pictures all the time.

I just got a 15.4" Toshiba A105 for myself and a 14.1" Toshiba M115 for my girlfriend. Hers had a bad hard drive. I went to the local service center (they have many across the USA) and they replaced the drive in a few days with no questions asked.

I vote for Toshiba. But buy it at a retailer so you don't have to wait for them to ship it from overseas.

[ericn1300]

I like the Toshibas also, and recommend them to my commercial customers. I have two at home that the kids fight over and beat up like another toy and they just keep going.

Wireless laptops are the way to go for most users, I'm on one now in the kitchen watching the news as I surf. I even got a power inverter for the car so the kids can watch DVDs on long road trips

[Cl0ak]

I have had toshiba laptops for years. Best in my opinion, I still have one from around 1994 and its still working, have it on the wireless network it'll surf the net and email just fine.

[Tony Stewart Fan]

I had a DELL Inspiron a while back and liked it...Then I got a DELL Latitude through my old job...It hasn't let me down yet. I would definitely recommend getting an extended warranty, though...definitely worth it if anything goes wrong.

[TexasF355F1]

I ended up going with the Dell E1705. I actually love it. I didn't realize how much bs I had to install, it's been a month and I still haven't gotten it all. I'd say it's definately worth the price. Found a 20% off coupon online and free shipping.