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Stupid Computer Question 3.14

T

The Rube

Retired Due To User Interface
I need a computer, like yesterday. I plan on buying a portable external hard-drive, also, for the record.

I need something simple, that I can stream movies on, surf the net, is pretty fast, and burn DVDs. I think a 15.5" screen is good enough, as IIRC the 17"+ is too bulky for portability (I have a 19" flatscreen on my desktop right now, and I like it). No hardcore gaming or anything, that would require topnotch memory/graphics/etc.

Cost is a factor, as I can't blow two grand on a computer or anything. I'd really like to keep it under a grand, and the cheaper the better, without losing reliability. I plan for this new computer to last 4-5 years, minimum.
Any comments on these? Oh, and I will get a Dell.

http://www.bestbuy.com/site/Dell+-+...854342&skuId=9727302&st=dell laptop&cp=1&lp=1

http://www.bestbuy.com/site/Dell+-+...183860&skuId=9693173&st=dell laptop&cp=1&lp=5

http://www.bestbuy.com/site/Dell+-+...608785&skuId=9693473&st=dell laptop&cp=1&lp=6


Any slight variations are also welcomed. I used Sloe Gin's computer this past weekend, a Dell Inspiron, and I liked it a lot. Trouble is, I never asked what he exactly had for specs and such.
 
Re: Stupid Computer Question 3.14

If you go with a laptop, buy an Asus. That's what I have, and it's arguably the best laptop brand out there for the money. Toshiba and Sony are good too, but can get expensive. HP is hit or miss - I had one three years and didn't have any major problems with it. Dell is hit or miss. Avoid Gateway.

Check Newegg for good prices on them - a good Asus can be had in the $800 range.
 
Re: Stupid Computer Question 3.14

Twitch Boy said:
If you go with a laptop, buy an Asus. That's what I have, and it's arguably the best laptop brand out there for the money. Toshiba and Sony are good too, but can get expensive. HP is hit or miss - I had one three years and didn't have any major problems with it. Dell is hit or miss. Avoid Gateway.

Check Newegg for good prices on them - a good Asus can be had in the $800 range.
Click to expand...

Most of my friends have Dell, and my current comp is a Dell, and I only had two probs with it in the last 8-9 years or so, and one was a 1-D-10-T error. Hence my loyalty.
 
Re: Stupid Computer Question 3.14

Brenthoven said:
Most of my friends have Dell, and my current comp is a Dell, and I only had two probs with it in the last 8-9 years or so, and one was a 1-D-10-T error. Hence my loyalty.
Click to expand...

I have a Dell XPS, and it's been decent to me (though the hard drive failed once, early in my ownership, and Dell replaced it under warranty.) That's not to say that I wouldn't look elsewhere though - no reason you can't get a machine with comparable/better reliability for less.
 
Re: Stupid Computer Question 3.14

Brenthoven said:
Most of my friends have Dell, and my current comp is a Dell, and I only had two probs with it in the last 8-9 years or so, and one was a 1-D-10-T error. Hence my loyalty.
Click to expand...

I've heard two conflicting stories about Dell - the computers are great but the support is terrible, and the support is great but the computers are terrible.

Whatever works for you - they are reasonably priced.
 
Re: Stupid Computer Question 3.14

Twitch Boy said:
I've heard two conflicting stories about Dell - the computers are great but the support is terrible, and the support is great but the computers are terrible.

Whatever works for you - they are reasonably priced.
Click to expand...

Let's just say I'm really lucky, then. :o
 
Re: Stupid Computer Question 3.14

Twitch Boy said:
Goodness, someone's a fanboy...

I suppose I shouldn't mention a Mac...

*runs*
Click to expand...

If I knew Mac crap, and they weren't so darn expensive, I'd look at that. Gimme some credit: I know Gateway sucks, I've converted to Google Chrome (for now, may explore Firefox with the new comp) and I know enough to buy an external hard drive. I'm learnedening!:D
 
Re: Stupid Computer Question 3.14

Maybe check your employer's intranet site or ask HR (if it's a decent size company) if they have discount and/or purchase programs on computers for employees. Both my current and previous employer allow employees to buy Dell products at a discount and then have a monthly payment taken out of their paycheck with no interest.
 
Re: Stupid Computer Question 3.14

zamboni crash-test dummy said:
Maybe check your employer's intranet site or ask HR (if it's a decent size company) if they have discount and/or purchase programs on computers for employees. Both my current and previous employer allow employees to buy Dell products at a discount and then have a monthly payment taken out of their paycheck with no interest.
Click to expand...

Dang, never thought of that, and I think they might. Thanks!
 
Re: Stupid Computer Question 3.14

zamboni crash-test dummy said:
Maybe check your employer's intranet site or ask HR (if it's a decent size company) if they have discount and/or purchase programs on computers for employees. Both my current and previous employer allow employees to buy Dell products at a discount and then have a monthly payment taken out of their paycheck with no interest.
Click to expand...

You can get programs this way too.

The VA has a program where you can get Microsoft Office for your home computer for $10.
 
Re: Stupid Computer Question 3.14

When I was looking last yr the guy at BestBuy told me to look at the repair counter and see all the Dells behind it. The last few laptop models have been nightmares for them. My brother, the techno addict, had the same comment along with the impossibility of dealing with the customer service people.

I ended up with a Sony but that was because of the price. It is nice enough but a little slow. I can't figure out if it is the Vista slowing it down or the processor thingy.

Asus was really the highest rated when I was looking.

Cnet does a really good job of reviewing what is coming out/ what has come out and the BB site had customer rankings. They usually had some good comments about what to avoid if you want certain things.
 
Re: Stupid Computer Question 3.14

Twitch Boy said:
If you go with a laptop, buy an Asus. That's what I have, and it's arguably the best laptop brand out there for the money. Toshiba and Sony are good too, but can get expensive. HP is hit or miss - I had one three years and didn't have any major problems with it. Dell is hit or miss. Avoid Gateway.

Check Newegg for good prices on them - a good Asus can be had in the $800 range.
Click to expand...

Agree on the Asus -- Best Buy has one with the new i3 processor, 4gb of DDR3 ram and 500 gig HD for under $800.
 
Re: Stupid Computer Question 3.14

Maybe consider getting a Netbook
The displays are kind of small, but it doesn't sound like you need a bunch of apps like MS Office. I have an HP netbook with an external cd/dvd burner/player and an external storage drive. I bumped the RAM to 2g (came with 1g). Doing that plus adding a case, CD/DVD, and external storage drive it was around $700. Super easy to carry around and works like a champ for browsing, music and watching dvd's on planes and such. One of the best toys I've bought in recent years. I also use a Verizon USB modem for connecting in places without wifi, but that's a bit more expensive.
 
Re: Stupid Computer Question 3.14

leswp1 said:
When I was looking last yr the guy at BestBuy told me to look at the repair counter and see all the Dells behind it. The last few laptop models have been nightmares for them. My brother, the techno addict, had the same comment along with the impossibility of dealing with the customer service people.
Click to expand...

Of course, the only people who bring their computers to Best Buy for repair are a)people with no computer knowledge whatsoever or b)people with literally no other option. The Geek Squad sucks, anyone who really knows what they're doin would have a job elsewhere.

Your scenario says more about those users than the computer itself. That said, since Dell stopped being a mid-sized boutique and now sells through retail outlets rather than direct-only, their overall quality has diminished somewhat. Still better than HP/Compaq ever were, though.

I've never had a problem with Dell's technical service people - the trick though is to not do it by chat rather than phone (via another computer, if needed).

My laptop is still a Dell, though my gaming desktop is from a small shop where I picked the parts specifically to be upgradeable down the line. Next time I'll probably build it myself.
 
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Re: Stupid Computer Question 3.14

Thanks for all the input, and I might have to check out that Asus model that Steve mentioned (I think it's the same one, or similar, it's about $650, and has the specs he talked about).

Gonzo: I'd think about a Netbook, but I couldn't deal with a 12" screen.
 
Re: Stupid Computer Question 3.14

If you are going to buy Dell, I have a coupon for 20% off that I just got in email.

B622ZR5GGH1LLF
 
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