In search of a laptop...

[danibbler]

I have a MacBook Pro and I can't see anyone not being able to do 90% of the things that they can on either the Windows or Linux side. The only issue is with games. And I did not buy it to make some sort of "politco/social statement", I bought it for a number of reasons but the most impt being OS X. Frankly, if Apple decided to slap OS X into Thinkpads, I'm there!

As for compatibility, I work with Word a LOT and virtually all of my docs are shared. No problemo. If you're using OpenOffice on the Linux side then you will probably have issues. There was a thread about a couple of months back where everyone said stick with MS Office and not OO. Wait, the lone exception was someone who probably never used OO and just drank the Linux kool-aid.

 

[Powershot]

DONT GO WITH MAC. I have a macbook pro and I effing hate it. I cant wait to go back to windows. I cant do 90% of the things that I want to because the programs arent compatible. I have used maybe 10/30 icons that come with it.

If you don't like it, why not sell it? They tend to have better resale than other brands.

 

[Powershot]

I need the laptop for part time on the go studies ( upgrading) just need the Internet and word. Doesn't need bells and whistles but the more the better if the price is right. I would like it to last as long as possible so I'll stay away from low end. Thanks for all the advice, still undecided for now though

If you don't need anything mid or high end, then focus on obvious things like keyboard and screen quality (gloss vs matte and resolution). Get something with 3gb RAM or more preferably.

 

[WoodPeckr]

Here's an excellent high end laptop for $600 that shows how far prices have dropped in the States. It was in todays paper. It's pretty loaded.

Toshiba - Satellite Laptop / Intel® Core™ i3 Processor / 16" Display / 4GB DDR3 Memory / 500GB Hard Drive - $599.99

Office Depot has two Toshiba laptops on page 3 of their ad circular today for $429.99 & $499.99 with more features and better specs than the Toshiba laptop I paid $600 for 2½ years ago. BTW my 2½ yr old Toshiba laptop has run flawlessly to date....knock on wood...

 

[djk]

DONT GO WITH MAC. I have a macbook pro and I effing hate it. I cant wait to go back to windows. I cant do 90% of the things that I want to because the programs arent compatible. I have used maybe 10/30 icons that come with it.

Why not use Boot Camp and devote as much of the HD to Windows?

 

[djk]

Here's an excellent high end laptop for $600 that shows how far prices have dropped in the States. It was in todays paper. It's pretty loaded.

Toshiba - Satellite Laptop / Intel® Core™ i3 Processor / 16" Display / 4GB DDR3 Memory / 500GB Hard Drive - $599.99

Office Depot has two Toshiba laptops on page 3 of their ad circular today for $429.99 & $499.99 with more features and better specs than the Toshiba laptop I paid $600 for 2½ years ago. BTW my 2½ yr old Toshiba laptop has run flawlessly to date....knock on wood...

Woody,

The vast majority of us are in Canada. Don't get their hopes up posting American prices.

When I check out electronics and computers on Amazon.com then look at the prices we pay, especially with the loonie almost at par again, I feel like retailers here are robbing us.

 

[WoodPeckr]

Agree completely Canadian retail prices are outrageous!

Just thought of posting USA prices for comparative purposes and because many Canadians living close by, do shop regularly in the States. Our Malls are loaded with vehicles bearing Canadian plates, especially on weekends....

 

[eeeer]

I've been using an Asus for about half a year and have zero complaints about it. I got the M50VM-B2 series and it is a very powerful laptop
Intel Core 2 Duo T9400 processor (2.53GHz, 6MB L2, 1066MHz FSB, 35W TDP)
Windows Vista Home Premium w/ SP1
Intel PM45 + ICH-9 chipset
4GB DDR2-800 RAM
Nvidia GeForce 9600M-GS with 1024MB of DDR2 video memory
500GB 5400RPM Hitachi hard drive
8X DVD-RW Super Multi drive
8-in-1 card reader
Built-in 1.3 MP megapixel camera
Intel Wireless WiFi Link 5100AGN, built-in Bluetooth

goes for about 1400 right now ... the reason i got it was cause of a deal i got from a relative of mine ($800) and that was in december
but i highly recommend it...compared to my old dell...this thing was 10x better, most dells are too heavy imo

 

[larry]

If you don't need anything mid or high end, then focus on obvious things like keyboard and screen quality (gloss vs matte and resolution). Get something with 3gb RAM or more preferably.

you're serious? focus on the keyboard? the screen? c'mon.

 

[Powershot]

you're serious? focus on the keyboard? the screen? c'mon.

Yes, what is your point? Since all it is generally going to be used for surfing the net and MS word, what would you have him focus on, the graphics card and hard drive size? Any $600 laptop will have sufficient specs, they're all pretty similar when you look at "special of the week" bargain basement 15" laptops, but if the keyboard quality (flex and layout) or the gloss or quality of the screen, then more $$ should be spent. Those are obvious indicators of laptop quality.

 

[larry]

Yes, what is your point? Since all it is generally going to be used for surfing the net and MS word,...

First, I never take someone's idea of what they will do at face value. They don't know. I bet somewhere along the way, he'll want to play a dvd. Or even copy one. He might eventually need super-long battery run-time. So yeah, the keyboard and screen can always be replaced at home with external. Probably should be. On the road, most anything will be ok. Here's my criteria in order of importance: cpu, battery, # usb ports, video card, keyboard and screen. hard drive doesn't matter as you can use an external for big data like mp3s and videos.

 

[Starsearcher]

Hey Larry, definetly not buying for show I just want a quality reliable machine that I don't have to worry about cleaning up all the time. I think macs are a waste of money almost, toshiba may get the job done for a lot cheaper!Thanks for replies from all.

 

[Starsearcher]

Now mac mini has entered the sweepstakes! Decisions decisions!!!

 

[WoodPeckr]

LOL!
Thought you were looking for a laptop?

A mac mini is a desktop.....

 

[djk]

Now mac mini has entered the sweepstakes! Decisions decisions!!!

I have to echo Woody's comment. Are you looking for a desktop or a laptop?

 

[enyaw]

The new mac mini is nice, and priced right. I guess he's between two posts. And by nice I mean they just released a new one. But Starsearcher your going to need a Monitor and a few other things for that and the price will go up by at least $200. And if you want to go that route, your close enough to the imac price. So spend a little more and get alot more computing power all built in. A decent/comparible laptop to a macbook will cost you the same if not more. The only setback to the macbook is the screen size. And I'm not talking about the more expensive ones. Apple should drop the 13.3 fucking bullshit screen size and start at 15' and up. Then they would really kick some ass. Nothing wrong with the machine but $1100 for 13' is bullshit

 

[larry]

Here.
http://www.tigerdirect.ca/applications/SearchTools/item-details.asp?EdpNo=6017032&CatId=2510
That took 10 seconds to find. Go get it. It's not the fastest but your needs are slim. You'll love it. Forget this silly mac fanboi talk. Get something that you can use. and if there's problems, it's easy to get help. for goodness sake. mac is niche for a reason.

 

[Starsearcher]

Yes laptop! thanks Larry don't think quality wise acer cuts it. Could just go to Walmart for that lol.
Appreciate it guys

 

[Powershot]

The new mac mini is nice, and priced right. I guess he's between two posts. And by nice I mean they just released a new one. But Starsearcher your going to need a Monitor and a few other things for that and the price will go up by at least $200. And if you want to go that route, your close enough to the imac price. So spend a little more and get alot more computing power all built in. A decent/comparible laptop to a macbook will cost you the same if not more. The only setback to the macbook is the screen size. And I'm not talking about the more expensive ones. Apple should drop the 13.3 fucking bullshit screen size and start at 15' and up. Then they would really kick some ass. Nothing wrong with the machine but $1100 for 13' is bullshit

15" laptops for the most part are more entry level than 13"... because 90% of them are no better resolution and are built with heavier, cheaper parts (don't have to be as compact in a 15" chasis). Obviously the MBP are an exception though, they have a higher resolution 15" screen.
I would probably never buy a laptop bigger than 13.3" because that defeats the purpose of a laptop (portability). After having one with SSD I would never build any system without an SSD boot drive at this point either. Conventional ones are slow as molasses.

 

[enyaw]

Powershot I was referring to real estate no resolution. I mean nowadays the standard is 15'6. Why don't they start at that screen size? Apple that is and it can go the other way. Why have a 17' if you want portability? Not to take away fromt he thread. Starsearcher I would go with a Toshiba.