Laptop Died... Fix? or Replace?

[bonefish101]

Good luck with the repair, keep us posted...

 

[dmccarty]

My wife and I have iphones, I was referring to the ipad which I don't think will fit in your pocket. The iphone is cute, but doesn't come close to the functionality of a laptop, is not really a very good cell phone, and is way too expensive. The 3G internet speed (when its even available) is not very fast either. Having said all of that it does work as a cell phone and you can do email and very crude internet browsing and that makes it worth it, barely. But to pay upwards of $600+ for a bigger one (ipad) that is about as easy to carry around as a laptop with not even close to the usefulness, I'll pass. Just my opinion, heck until a couple of years ago I would not have considered a smart phone at all or one with even a camera in it.

Your post I quoted previously was comparing a iPhone to a new system and that both cost around $400-500. My point was that one can get really good smart phones for $50 if you research and shop around. And maybe get lucky.

Yes $400-800 smart phone or iPad is not going to out process a laptop or desktop PC. But the smart phones fit in a pocket. Which is a different kind of performance. Especially if the price is $50.

Later,
Dan

 

[Iplayfarmer]

...But the smart phones fit in a pocket...

I was actually considering the iPad to replace my old palm. I realized pretty quick that it would never work for the very reason you mentioned. The reason I use my palm so much is because I ALWAYS have it with me. I may look into an iPod touch, though.

 

[buckeyefarmer]

You don't have to have everything put on the IPAD at once. It's so easy to sync what you want on and what you don't want on it from your computer. and it also converts easily. If you don't want to convert there are 3rd party apps that you can install on the IPAD and play them in the format there in.

I do want all the pics on at once, that's the problem.

 

[dcyrilc]

Just found your thread tonight. I was at the Microsoft store on Wednesday and they have an interesting touch pad out. Windows 7 based. It will run anything you can run on a laptop with windows. It also has several USB ports and will support anything which works via USB. I'll see if I can find a link.

Found it: EXOPC Slate - Pre-order from Microsoft Store

 

[cjstiltz]

Good perspective. Thanks for the opinion. Of course the flip side is that the longer I can wait to get a new laptop, the newer the technology will be when I can get it.

Like I said you can not buy ahead. If you look at the depreciation schedules for most laptops they loose 50% at purchase. You must balance immediate needs and cost reduction. Laptops are going down in price and have more functionality everyday, waiting might get you more, but you must weigh in the lost time.:thumbsup:

 

[Iplayfarmer]

I got the phone call today. My laptop is toast. The guy said that it would cost more to fix it that it would be worth. I guess that answers the question of whether to fix or replace.

I just spent most of my disposable cash on another frivolous purchase, but I'm saving up for a new laptop. I think that's the way to go for me right now vs. an iPad.

 

[dcyrilc]

I got the phone call today. My laptop is toast. The guy said that it would cost more to fix it that it would be worth. I guess that answers the question of whether to fix or replace.

I just spent most of my disposable cash on another frivolous purchase, but I'm saving up for a new laptop. I think that's the way to go for me right now vs. an iPad.

Have you considered looking at used laptops? I found a really nice one a couple of years old for a decent price back around Christmas.

 

[IslandTractor]

Have you considered looking at used laptops? I found a really nice one a couple of years old for a decent price back around Christmas.

I agree. Craigslist is a good place to look. I would want one that had all the original documentation and systems disks so you can essentially wipe the hard drive clean and reinstall everything.

I see IBM/Lenovo T41 or X60 or similar very good quality machines going for $100-200 just because someone got a new machine just to be upgraded to Windows 7.

 

[bonefish101]

I would buy a new machine with win7 for under $500, it will last you a good few yrs and when it dies just fix or replace again. As long as you salvage data they are pretty much disposable these days. I would still recommend circuitcity.com for killer specials. Overstock.com has reasonably priced refurb machines or if you want to bid on one check out propertyroom.com
Good luck with your search, it's nowhere near as tough as choosing a new tractor! (imho)

 

[inveresk]

I don't think you'll be disappointed with the iPad but if you wait until April the ipad 2 should have launched.

 

[sodamo]

I got the phone call today. My laptop is toast. The guy said that it would cost more to fix it that it would be worth. I guess that answers the question of whether to fix or replace.

I just spent most of my disposable cash on another frivolous purchase, but I'm saving up for a new laptop. I think that's the way to go for me right now vs. an iPad.

Maybe this guy can sell you an inexpensive replacement?

 

[dmccarty]

I used this Firefox add on over the holiday season to buy stuff. https://addons.mozilla.org/en-US/firefox/addon/the-camelizer-price-history-ch/

The add on tracks the price of items on Best Buy, Amazon, and Newegg. It only goes back a year or so but for the things I was shopping it was very accurate. It can be helpful deciding on when to buy as well as the best price.

I also noticed prices at Dell, Best Buy, Amazon, and Newegg would often change. Usually prices would rise on Friday and drop on Monday. Cheapest prices, like airline tickets, were in the middle of the week with highest prices on the weekend.

EDIT: Once installed the browser has to be restarted. You will see a little Camel in the bottom right of the browser frame. Click on the Camel while viewing a product on Amazon, Newegg or Best Buy. The browser will split in half and show a price history of the item at the three stores.

Later,
Dan

 

[cdaigle430]

My wife and I have iphones, I was referring to the ipad which I don't think will fit in your pocket. The iphone is cute, but doesn't come close to the functionality of a laptop, is not really a very good cell phone, and is way too expensive. The 3G internet speed (when its even available) is not very fast either. Having said all of that it does work as a cell phone and you can do email and very crude internet browsing and that makes it worth it, barely. But to pay upwards of $600+ for a bigger one (ipad) that is about as easy to carry around as a laptop with not even close to the usefulness, I'll pass. Just my opinion, heck until a couple of years ago I would not have considered a smart phone at all or one with even a camera in it.

I 100% disagree, the IPAD is so much more usefull than a laptop, there is an app and an accessory for everything now. There is even a Catholic church approved confession app now.

Are you using your iphone touch to it's full potential? I think not.....

 

[Iplayfarmer]

I need some advice on laptop buying. I've decided that for now I want a laptop. I know that I want a full size (15") and I want a ten key. What I don't know is how the processors compare nowadays. With the multi-core processors how much does the processor speed really tell me about how the computer is going to perform?

Again, the primary uses for this computer will be internet, netflix, and occasional office software use... Word and Excel. I'll also do Google Sketchup some.

Another question... Has anyone used a multi-touch mouse touchpad like Toshiba now offers? Is it really as cool as it sounds?

 

[deereman10]

why is this on a tractor website? city slickers

 

[sodamo]

Because....

 

[IslandTractor]

For the uses listed by Iplayfarmer, virtually any laptop on the market will do fine. You may want to consider maxing RAM immediately as that is a bigger limitation than processors these days. Check that whatever computer you buy has easily upgraded RAM and vuy some via Amazon or similar site.

If I were in your shoes I'd just test the look of screens and feel of keyboard to make a decision. The box stores carry most of the desirable brands and unless you have a need for weather proof or rough duty most any will do. $600-900 is all I would spend Consider a Mac while you are at it though it would cost a bit more

 

[Iplayfarmer]

why is this on a tractor website? city slickers

It's the WEBSITE part that qualifies discussion of a laptop. Besides, I've spent a lot of time on my laptop looking up parts for my tractor, shopping for implements, learning how to weld, and many other tractor related activities. As a thank you to all those who have contributed to this thread (deereman included) I have not been disappointed at the level of laptop expertise and opinions that abound on this tractor website. Thanks to all.

I'm still seeking advice. I need someone to confirm Island's comment about "Any laptop will do".

I'm finding a lot of laptops in the $350 to $450 range with dual core 2 GB processors, 3+ MB of RAM and 64 bit operating systems. I'd love for one of those to meet my needs, but I'd also hate to find I'm obsolete before my time.

 

[bonefish101]

Buy a cheap machine, it should have about a 5yr lifespan and it will be adequate for the needs you stated. Maximize ram for sketch-up but otherwise pretty much any laptop with wireless will be fine. I would highly recommend windows 7 but most new machines should have it pre-loaded. Stay in that price range you quoted, you are right on target for cost vs needs.
Happy shopping...