Shopping Help

[etherial]

Thoughts on buying a new computer. What I need:

• a laptop model
• a full adult-sized keyboard
• a non-Vista operating system requiring one click or less to install
• the ability to run multiple web browsers at once (as well as a game or two)
• cheap (free) anti-virus protection
• DVD drive

I've only bought one computer before. That was easy: Go to apple.com, fill out the information for the educator's discount, buy a top-of-the-line model with all the upgrades. Unfortunately, I have not the budget for a top-of-the-line anything. So, any suggestions on sellers, manufacturers, and models?

Edit: I really do mean non-Vista. XP is a version of Windows I'd be willing to use. 7 seems to have all the usability of XP with all the pretty of Vista, but that's just my first impression. *nix is fine, and the one click is just a metaphor, but I remember the days when it took months to *nix working properly on a PC, and I want a guarantee that it'll be fully functional in half an hour.

Comments

[agthorr.livejournal.com]

You mention non-Vista... how do you feel about Windows 7?

Do you need a good 3D graphics card?

Is battery life important?

[purple-dj.livejournal.com]

I've been very pleased with Asus laptops recently. The brand has been around for years as a parts maker for PC builders, but they've recently been pushing into the laptop space with complete systems.

They are very competitively priced but generally come with Windows 7 installed, unfortunately. Newegg carries quite a few of them, and you can sometimes find a smaller selection on sale at Best Buy or the like.

Even the cheapest laptop listed on the Newegg link should meet all of your requirements except perhaps gaming. And if you find any of the ones with the "GeForce GT" or "ATI Radeon", they should be able to do gaming as well.

[purple-dj.livejournal.com]

Nothing against Windows 7. I like it more than Vista. I just wasn't sure if your "no windows vista" was a general "no windows" complaint.

[purple-dj.livejournal.com]

Okay. Knowing that "one click" is an exaggeration, I second the recommendation that Ubuntu is the easiest to use and most likely to "just work" of all the Linux types out there. I'm not going to guarantee everything will work right away in 30 minutes, but I'll say you have a 95% chance of it being that way.

Of course, if you finish the install and first round of system updates and something still isn't working, just stop and go back to Windows or something.

In other words, when Ubuntu is working, which it most often does, it's effing brilliant and is as easy or easier to use than Windows. But when something isn't working, it's just as hard as Linux has always been and leads to this sort of fiasco.

[shadowravyn.livejournal.com]

This. As shogunhb says below, I have an Asus. Widows 7, I run Firefox and Opera at the same time always, and don't have a problem playing Civ 4 while both are running in the background.

[shogunhb.livejournal.com]

Dual core, at least 3 Gb of ram.
Not sure what your budget is, but Nu's laptop was bought at Best Buy after comparison shopping on New Egg and finding a comparable system for a better price at an actual physical store. Hers is an Asus with windows 7, roughly $1000. Toph also has an Asus.

Nu's previous laptop was Toshiba, bought for like $600 at Walmart and worked great for many years.

[shogunhb.livejournal.com]

Oh, and stick with 15.6" or larger if you want an "adult sized" laptop.
Tiger Direct is also a decent online store:

http://www.tigerdirect.com/applications/SearchTools/item-details.asp?EdpNo=6272349&CatId=4938

[londo.livejournal.com]

First and most important: Newegg is superior. Seriously, these guys are better than everyone. Occasionally someone gets cheaper than Newegg, and every time I've been lured by that I've ended up regretting it.

Second: ...I don't know if you're going to get a one-click OS install. You might get some zero-click preinstalls, though.

Third: I'm very pleased with my Acer Timeline. The battery lasts for ages, it's light, and the keyboard is as big as any I've ever seen. There's a downside in that the processor is nerfed - it's a netbook-level CPU - but I don't do CPU-heavy gaming, which is the only thing that *really* taxes a modern CPU. If battery life is important to you, take a look at the Timeline series.

[daedaleandeus.livejournal.com]

Dell's outlet store sells refurbished / returned never used laptops for extremely cheap. I bought Alex a very very swank Win7 laptop with several bells and whistles there for around $800. I saw models as low as $400 and they all generally come with a year of worry-free.

[dirkcjelli.livejournal.com]

Lenovo does something similar, and I've had a good experience with their higher end stuff via work. (K/x)Ubuntu is easier to install than any other OS I've used.

[dirkcjelli.livejournal.com]

Note: Lenovo comes with windows. That was two suggestions.

[evan712.livejournal.com]

(K/x)Ubuntu is easier to install than any other OS I've used.

This. Ubuntu has really turned into a fantastic OS. It's easy to make a live cd/usb if you want to try it before you install it.

And you know it's true if dirk and I both agree 100% :-)

[stillking.livejournal.com]

Gotta be one of the larger HP Pavilion or Dell XPS/Studio models. The big-screen Lenovos are also nice (arguably better built), but I don't think you'll get as good a deal there. 2 GB memory and 100-to-160 GB disk should be enough; 3 GB memory will ensure you can play most games. I think you want something with at least a 15" screen, ideally 17" for biggest keyboard.

You really don't have to buy newest or fastest anymore; previous-generation stuff will be sufficient for your needs. Dell refurbished (www.dell.com/outlet) is good. I think most of their stuff comes with Windows 7 now. Alternately, fall back to www.accurateit.com, www.gearxs.com or www.kaileypc.com for the REALLY cheap (pre-owned) stuff, like I do, but be prepared to accept greatly reduced lifespan/reliability.

-- Sven

[ruggrat.livejournal.com]

My Asus X83V worked with Ubuntu in less than half an hour. I was astounded (since my past exploits with Ubuntu always left me partially-functional). There was one thing that needed a workaround (at least, the only thing I can remember being a problem) - when I suspended the system, and resumed, the webcam light stayed on. There's small configuration fix that made it completely perfect after that.

That said I'm still dual booting with Vista (but it would be just as easy to go with XP instead) so I can play VIDEO GAMES.

The X83V is hard to find, I got mine refurbed, because I think they were a Best Buy exclusive or something, that was sold off to other distributors after they got bored of it. Anyway, 14.1" screen. Keys are comfortable for me, but I have lady hands.

my .02$

[mpgalvin.livejournal.com]

I don't have specific model advice, as I haven't been shopping for one lately but:

buying used / refurb is rarely worth the price break, if there even is one. the market has had it's floor kicked out by netbooks; and old batteries are old. (prices / sales are starting to recover, but for desktops oddly enough)

buying online: newegg's customer service levels generally make them worth the slight price difference. i've used ecost / tiger occasionally, but if there's a rebate don't count on it, and if there's an issue ymmv. i've had no problem but ppl have. you may actually find superior deals w the big OEMs, (Dell/Hp/Gate) but expect to be gouged on RAM / HDD; and avoid all the "extra services" as possible. (and run Decrapifier first thing)

I actually am typing this on a gateway c140x. got it for an awesome price for a convertible. (old model) but i waited for a good deal and pounced, and added RAM myself.

buying off the shelf: be wary of geeksquad advice, i haven't been very impressed w the level of knowledge in recent years. you might try Microcenter if buying new. (not refurb) generally, avoid the business-oriented retailers (staples, officemax) as they tend to be behind the curve and higher priced.

"protection plans" are rarely worth it but check the terms: if it's through a 3rd party or requires shipping the thing out say No. if it's on-site or has a replacement after X calls then maybe.

as far as brands, the Thinkpad is still well-trusted business unit, despite minor missteps by Lenovo. generally, if you find a good deal, traveler / business class laptops are more likely to have a real frame and less crapware.

as far as video goes: nvidia or ati gfx, preferably as a discrete card but some integrated chips don't suck.