Looking for laptop computer buying advice

[Diesel-ME]

Robert,

One other thing to keep in mind is the warrantee offered. IMO it's always a good idea to buy a 3 or 4 year plan with a laptop. Parts are significantly more expensive for laptops than desktops. I personally prefer direct purchase systems with "in home" warrantee service - as opposed to "mail in" or depot services. HP, Dell and several others offer this. Probably Apple does too if you go that route..??...

If you go with a system from BB or CC, you can buy their in-store plans. One of the nice features of those plans is that they cover batteries. In 2-3 years you WILL need a new battery regardless of what brand and model you choose. BB and CC are running very nice "back to school" deals now. So is Dell and other direct order outfits.

~paul

 

[Soundguy]

At work we have a few Dell laptops and a toshiba that live in the field. the dell's do great.. and the toshiba does ok.. but early on we had trouble with the LCD screen.. etc. i have an HP.. but it is like lugging around a concrete block...

Soundguy

Roy, I do want something that will hold up for a while and be able to take some abuse while still working hard. I can see myself using the laptop more then the desktop if it works like I hope. Then I can have it in the barn while working or take it with me to the field and be able to update records right on the spot instead of remembering to do it later.

Right now I am looking at this Toshiba from Best Buy Toshiba - Satellite T2080 Notebook - Mist Gray - A135-S4527

It looks like a system that will do what I want and the price is very attractive compared to a lot of other Laptop systems. Does anyone have any thoughts on this model?

Also, how does the wireless WiFi work? I see my local McDonalds has a "hotspot". Does this require you to have your own service or does McDonalds have the service and you use their system like a wireless router in your own home?

Also, I am thinking of going to Verizon for a wireless card. I have been with Verizion for cell phones for a while now and have the internet on my phone thru them and I can't complain. They have a great network here which is a big plus. But I have no idea how these cards work or what the service cost yet as I have not even started to look into it yet. Does anyone have much experience with the wireless cards to help give me some basic information before I start going around talking to the Verizion people?

 

[Soundguy]

A 4yr ext warranty on a laptop? it hink that's being extremly optimistic.. In 4ys an average laptop purchased today probably won't even be able to boot up the windows ?? operating system... I'd rather put that extra money into a new laptop a couple years down the line..

Soundguy

Robert,

One other thing to keep in mind is the warrantee offered. IMO it's always a good idea to buy a 3 or 4 year plan with a laptop. Parts are significantly more expensive for laptops than desktops. I personally prefer direct purchase systems with "in home" warrantee service - as opposed to "mail in" or depot services. HP, Dell and several others offer this. Probably Apple does too if you go that route..??...

If you go with a system from BB or CC, you can buy their in-store plans. One of the nice features of those plans is that they cover batteries. In 2-3 years you WILL need a new battery regardless of what brand and model you choose. BB and CC are running very nice "back to school" deals now. So is Dell and other direct order outfits.

~paul

 

[RoyJackson]

At work we have a few Dell laptops and a toshiba that live in the field. the dell's do great.. and the toshiba does ok.. but early on we had trouble with the LCD screen.. etc. i have an HP.. but it is like lugging around a concrete block...

Soundguy

There was a recall on Toshibas with display problems, Soundguy. I had my old Toshiba (which was purchased used on eBay) repaired free of charge.

 

[Robert_in_NY]

A 4yr ext warranty on a laptop? it hink that's being extremly optimistic.. In 4ys an average laptop purchased today probably won't even be able to boot up the windows ?? operating system... I'd rather put that extra money into a new laptop a couple years down the line..

Soundguy

Chris, I don't upgrade or buy new programs very often. And if I do it is only if I need to run a newer program but for the most part I like the programs I have now and this system is 4-5 years old and is doing fine with no updates over that time. The reason I had this system built was because of the high res picture work and broadband internet. I still have the system this replaced and I use that for design work and internet surfing also. The system was able to handle the work but was a little slow and couldn't be upgraded to speed it up anymore then it was.

So I figure if I get a laptop more powerful then this computer it will last me for a while unless it dies.

 

[Robert_in_NY]

Robert,

One other thing to keep in mind is the warrantee offered. IMO it's always a good idea to buy a 3 or 4 year plan with a laptop. Parts are significantly more expensive for laptops than desktops. I personally prefer direct purchase systems with "in home" warrantee service - as opposed to "mail in" or depot services. HP, Dell and several others offer this. Probably Apple does too if you go that route..??...

If you go with a system from BB or CC, you can buy their in-store plans. One of the nice features of those plans is that they cover batteries. In 2-3 years you WILL need a new battery regardless of what brand and model you choose. BB and CC are running very nice "back to school" deals now. So is Dell and other direct order outfits.

~paul

Paul, I will look at the warranty and the extended plans offered but as was mentioned earlier, it all depends on how much the EP cost compared to the computer. I pay for the insurance on my phone, have paid $140 so far and have not needed to use it on this phone yet. Now it isn't worth having so I am probably going to cancel the insurance as if my phone dies I can get a new one by updating my plan.

 

[Robert_in_NY]

I know Macs have been mentioned a few times and I did grow up using Macs in high school but since I graduated I have never seen a Mac again. Who sells them? I don't go to stores very often but I don't recall even seeing a Mac for sale locally. So I have nothing against them but they don't push them in this area very well other then for the TV commercials.

 

[terbear1963]

Robert,

Just from looking at the Toshiba laptop that you posted from Best Buy may I make a suggestion regarding some info on the specifics you may want to have in any brand that you purchase.. All the new laptops are going to be installed with Windows Vista. When running Vista you will want to purchase with Vista Home Premium or Vista Ultimate for your uses and also preferrably with 2GB RAM memory vs 1GB. Vista is a memory user and while 1 GB will be sufficient, the 2GB will be much faster and do the type work in your photo editing with ease. You also want good integrated graphics as well.

We have a 4yo HP laptop that is 2.66 Ghz processor speed but is maxed out with 1 GB memory and we have Vista Ultimate loaded and it is pretty fast and will do whatever we want but is is still slow at doing some things and unfortunately we cant add any more memory...Our newly custom built desktop is lightning fast, but, it is loaded with 4gb memory with Ultimate on an AMD Athlon 64x 6000+ dual core processor (3Ghz x2) and runs circles around our 2.66Ghz laptop.

This is just my suggestions with what we have observed using Vista. We personally prefer HP products and here is one at BB that is just a little more than the Toshiba but has the items I indicated above--
Hewlett-Packard - Pavilion Notebook with AMD Turion™ 64 X2 - dv6436nr

Hope that this helps with what ever you purchase.

 

[Diesel-ME]

A 4yr ext warranty on a laptop? it hink that's being extremly optimistic.. In 4ys an average laptop purchased today probably won't even be able to boot up the windows ?? operating system... I'd rather put that extra money into a new laptop a couple years down the line..

Soundguy

I make my tractor payments based on a direct correlation on keeping 4 year old laptops running

But I agree, if you have the $$ buy a new one every two-three years

~paul

 

[Soundguy]

I was thinking more for businees use when i made that comment. Seems like most of the software we use at work gets a new verion at least 1 per year.. and with MS really only supporting 1 operating system.. or moving to do so.. Long term computer purchases just don't seem like something I'd want to do.. especially since technology gains that occur every 18 months pretty much obsolete previous hardware.. and add that to the fact that by the time new tech reaches consumer level.. it's just a few months away from being updated again.

In your case of a dedicated software suite, and a set of tasks.. it probably works out good.

Soundguy

Chris, I don't upgrade or buy new programs very often. And if I do it is only if I need to run a newer program but for the most part I like the programs I have now and this system is 4-5 years old and is doing fine with no updates over that time. The reason I had this system built was because of the high res picture work and broadband internet. I still have the system this replaced and I use that for design work and internet surfing also. The system was able to handle the work but was a little slow and couldn't be upgraded to speed it up anymore then it was.

So I figure if I get a laptop more powerful then this computer it will last me for a while unless it dies.

 

[Soundguy]

I make my tractor payments based on a direct correlation on keeping 4 year old laptops running

But I agree, if you have the $$ buy a new one every two-three years

~paul

I think there's a huge difference in compairing tractor lifespan to laptop lifespan.

I have tractors that were around when they were still making advances in vacume tube technology..

I'm not advocating running out and buying a new laptop every 'x' years for the average user. My comments rwere more directed at a business user that has to keep a machine updated to run current software and operating systems.

The main software suite our office runs on is updated quarterly.. each update comes with new system requirements.. We literally have to buy a computer system with about 2ys worth of 'upgrade', or 'update' cushion available or built in.. Unfortunately I don't see this software enhancement issue stopping untill a hardware 'roadblock' is hit.

Using past history as a predictor... computer technology is going to evolve faster and faster as time passes untill we hit some theoretical limt of our present manufacturing process's. Software will be on that leading edge either taking advantage of new hardware, or driving the hardware expansion by taxing the capabilities of current machines.. ( IE.. software programmers will ALWAYS write programs that use all available ram.. no matter how much manufacturers keep adding.. )

Soundguy

 

[Diesel-ME]

I think there's a huge difference in compairing tractor lifespan to laptop lifespan.

I have tractors that were around when they were still making advances in vacume tube technology..

I'm not advocating running out and buying a new laptop every 'x' years for the average user. My comments rwere more directed at a business user that has to keep a machine updated to run current software and operating systems.

The main software suite our office runs on is updated quarterly.. each update comes with new system requirements.. We literally have to buy a computer system with about 2ys worth of 'upgrade', or 'update' cushion available or built in.. Unfortunately I don't see this software enhancement issue stopping untill a hardware 'roadblock' is hit.

Using past history as a predictor... computer technology is going to evolve faster and faster as time passes untill we hit some theoretical limt of our present manufacturing process's. Software will be on that leading edge either taking advantage of new hardware, or driving the hardware expansion by taxing the capabilities of current machines.. ( IE.. software programmers will ALWAYS write programs that use all available ram.. no matter how much manufacturers keep adding.. )

Soundguy

You mean to say that I can expect my tractor to last more than 4 years?

hehe (just kidding?)

I agree that for larger businesses, IT gear like this should be capitalized over 3 years and replaced as soon after that as possible. Those darn programmers ALWAYS write their new versions of SW to consume way more resources than the last - drives me crazy.

When I worked for (then) the worlds 2nd largest computer company we always refreshed equipment like that. Then during the dot-com boom most fast growing companies did the same. Now my day job is with a non-profit - I must say that the current reality bites. We actually still have some 8 year old laptops out there with (and it pains me the even type this) Windows 98 installed and running. (phew.... that was hard).

When the kids went off to college they each got a new laptop - w/ a 4 year warrantee. Dad only provides one laptop so it HAS to last 4 years! Then I expect them to return the favor when they make more $$ than Dad

OK, having said all that - am I tempted to go buy a shiny new laptop for home use that has no extended warrantee just because I can get one for $600? You bet. But I always tell folks who ask - to buy the warrantee. You likely to use it if you keep the system more than a few years.

So, Robert - is our advice at least as clear as mud by now?
Let us know what you go with.

~paul

 

[Soundguy]

Now see.. all that makes sense.. The uses you are describing are not the same as the ones i was. For the average school kid or homeowner.. the lifespan should be decent.

I still have 1 PC at the house running win98.. It's a dedicated work station using an old AMD K6-2 500 processor and? 64 meg ram. i keep it around as it has a parallelport scanner that won't work on any of our new pc's 9 no parallel ports anymore... ) and it has a midi interface i use for some of my wifes music gear. past that everything else is win xp.. and one win 2000 unit we bought from her shool when it sold it's pc's last year for 50$ each with 17 or 21" monitors... i bouhgt it just for the monitor..(wink)

Soundguy

 

[Robert_in_NY]

Paul, every bit is helpful. Somethings I just don't think about on a regular basis so when I come on here it jars my memory and puts me in the correct state of mind for when I start looking and comparing specs.

I am leaning towards a Toshiba but 8 years ago I was leaning towards a John Deere. Now I run almost all CNH equipment

 

[Diesel-ME]

Interestingly enough Toshiba has a direct channel that competes directly with the big box stores: Laptop Computers, Projectors and Accessories - Toshiba

And you can look up the extended service plan pricing (the direct one as opposed to in-store plan) on that site too.

~paul

 

[riptides]

How come the buy USA crowd never visits the consumer electronics discussions like they do the field equipment discussions?

-Mike Z.

 

[frank_f15]

Robert: i had to buy a laptop this past memorial day as my desktop took a doo doo, I just went ot one of the big box stores and bout one of the last ones they had that had xp on it (sony) no burner but it is stricly a back up and for when i travel paid $550 for it and it appears to fit MY needs, yours are bit different. i had it a few days and dropped it, no problem as good as new. also i have a lot of stuff on floppys so purchased a USB floopy drive for $29. i am going to start o thread on LCD MONITOR AS i need a new one, and don'[t know much about them.

 

[RoyJackson]

How come the buy USA crowd never visits the consumer electronics discussions like they do the field equipment discussions?

-Mike Z.

Sadly, the US has given up on the consumer electronics industry (with rare exceptions) years ago.
Another disaster in the making when China shows it's true colors. Just remember what happens to collaborators, once we clean up this mess.

 

[Robert_in_NY]

Robert: i had to buy a laptop this past memorial day as my desktop took a doo doo, I just went ot one of the big box stores and bout one of the last ones they had that had xp on it (sony) no burner but it is stricly a back up and for when i travel paid $550 for it and it appears to fit MY needs, yours are bit different. i had it a few days and dropped it, no problem as good as new. also i have a lot of stuff on floppys so purchased a USB floopy drive for $29. i am going to start o thread on LCD MONITOR AS i need a new one, and don'[t know much about them.

I was talking to my friend yesterday and he just bought an Acer from Walmart. He couldn't get Vista to load properly so he got fed up and put XP pro on. I guess Vista kept asking for his log on info and would reboot every time he put it in.

I figure I would try Vista but if I don't like it I always have XP pro to fall back on.