buying a new computer--help!

[silkiechicken]

I love my custom lenovo T500... however, it ran stock for all of 30 minutes before it was wiped clean and redone as planned.

I would have to say that for the dollar, you'll have more power with a PC, but, if you are not tech savy, doesn't matter what the power is if you don't know how to use it. Pick the OS you like the best.

 

[eaganchickens]

Quote:
Windows 7 professional and ultimate have an "XP mode" that let's you run XP only programs.

 

[NancyDz]

Go somewhere that has a lot of laptops and put your hand on the keyboard and type.... it's important for it to "feel" right for you too. I just bought a laptop in November and did tons of research. Best Buy had the best selection and prices when I was looking. I was torn between a Toshiba and a Sony and just liked the feel of the Sony better, other than that they were basically the same machine. I ended up with the Sony laptop and have been very happy with it. It really depends on what you are doing with it too... if you are a gamer you'll need higher processing speed than just email and internet surfing. There are a lot of package deals that come with a laptop and printer that you might want to look into. Definitely go with a Dual processor though like someone else mentioned. I've been happy with Windows 7 so far.. but I dont use Outlook Express so I cant help you there. I use regular Outlook and it works fine.

Happy Shopping!

 

[Whitehouse Quail]

You also could build your own!

Easy site for beginners: http://www.mysuperpc.com/

 

[Brunty_Farms]

I have a Mac.... I love it. It's well worth the money in my opinion. Plus the wireless keyboard is sweet... the touch mouse is pretty cool.... nice big screen.... with ONE cord coming out of it, that's right... just one. Hook it up to wireless internet and you can easily move it anywhere in the house like a laptop.

Once you get past the switch it's easy.... but I'm still learning new things on my computer. One of my favorite things is when you save a picture... all you have to do is drag it to the desktop and bam... it's saved!! Plus building websites is way easy, and making pretty much anything is super easy once you learn how to use it. It's like the computer reads your mind and it just does it... like if you want to put a picture on a page, you just drag it over drop it in and it's done... it resizes it for you, centers it, it will even automatically wrap the words around the picture if you drop the pic in the middle of a text box. Pretty cool...

As far as data goes... they have many different models... the more expensive...the more they hold. But the 28 inch one holds a crazy ton of data... too much for me so I went with the next one down. I'm happy with mine, they last too. They don't make the new Dells like they used too. I still have a dell that is probably 5 years old that is still as nice as the first day I bought it... however the new ones are not as good..... so I've read. Which is why I transitioned to a Mac.

 

[thereseiam]

Hi all,

Thanks so much for chiming in with thoughts and experiences, it is much appreciated.

For those of you with Macs, I understand how nice they are (I'm using hubby's right now to type this) but they are out of my price range. I want to get a bag, printer, and laptop, and have to come in not a penny over $1000. Since the Mac alone without the other things starts at $999 it's not doable for me.

I think I'm going to go with this Toshiba package from Best Buy:

http://www.bestbuy.com/site/Toshiba...?id=pcmprd125600050001&skuId=9999125600050001

It has the printer, the bag, and the laptop, is wireless, has lots of room for pictures and such, and has gotten good reviews from everyone except the gamers (not enough memory for them--but I'm not a gamer, so for me that's a non-issue).

Any thoughts? I'm going to head into town tomorrow to actually lay hands on one and see if I like the feel--if I don't, back to the search.

Therese

 

[eaganchickens]

Quote:
That is a great deal!

If I had the choice between that and a Macbook I'd get the Toshiba package.

 

[Chickerdoodle13]

I would recommend an HP as my first choice, and a Toshiba as my second. I currently have a toshiba and I've been very happy with it. I've had a few issues, but nothing compared to what my friends with a dell have had! My two room mates have had a lot of issues with their HPs, but honestly its because they load so much crud onto the darn things!

When I need a new laptop, I will go with an HP. There are all different types depending on how fast you want it or how much space you need on it. I mostly use mine for internet surfing and school work, so I choose a toshiba that was in the middle between best and simplest.

ETA: I would recommend shopping at best buy. You can use their computers and the people are always very helpful! Also, some of the HPs come with a printer if you order directly from the company. However, you should not have any problem getting all you want for under $1000.