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Need laptop suggestions

lmccandless

lmccandless

The Force is strong with this one.
Joined
Mar 9, 2009
Messages
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I think I've finally decided to get a new laptop as my big Christmas item. Part of me really wants to get a MacBook but I have so many Adobe programs that I wouldn't be able to re-license because DH uses them too. I have no idea if they would work on boot camp/virtual machine...or if that's even a good idea. So, unless you Apple fans can convince me otherwise, I am in the market for a new PC laptop. Anyone have a Lenovo? Or something else you really like?
 
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i have a sony vaio....and minus the problem we just had, i haven't had a problem in 2 years.
 
laura i just got a new asus. quad core i7 processor. super rocks. it only has one little quirk. it has a pretty big touch pad area, so you really have to lock the key pad if you're gonna do much typing or it'll drive you buggy. but that's an easy altF9 on/off so it's really no big deal at all. besides that little tiny quirk, i LOVE it.
 
I bought an HP about a year ago with a i7 processor and 6GB and it really screams! The only thing I don't like is that I upgraded to a bluray player and it conked out about two months in. I didn't really care enough to return it. Isn't that sad? It still plays DVDs and everything else, but not blurays. Which I don't even have any, so I didn't really care until I rented one to see the quality. Hmph. The price was unbelievable too... just watch for coupon codes before you buy any new laptop. I checked dealnews and they always have coupons for hundreds of dollars off. And sometimes they are stackable!
 
I forgot to add... my touch pad drove me nutso too, so make sure if you like to use a mouse that your touch pad can be easily turned off. I just double tap the upper left corner to disable mine. OH and make sure you have at least 4 USBs... and that you like the location of them all. :)
 
I just (this weekend) bought my second HP through Costco. I downsized from a 17" to a 15" because of the weight issue. I was actually having to shut down early because I was having pain and other issues in my legs. Anyway, it's an i7 processor, 8 GB memory and 1 TB of hard disk space for $799. They have a 17" for the same price, same configuration, going on sale December 1. Costco also gives you an extra year of warranty after HPs runs out.
 
paperboutique said:
I have a 17" Dell (in pretty green). It's a little heavy, but I love it.
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This sounds just like mine! Mine is a 17" Dell (also green). I've liked it. It's been giving me fits the last couple weeks (I think the wireless card might be going out or something), but I've had it a few years. I think I need to clean it up, but it still runs pretty good.
 
17" Dell here too - not quite a year old. I like it. I have always gone with Sony Viaos up until this laptop, but Dell was cheaper, and my computer geek brother told me to go for the Dell. So far, so good. It seems as though I go thru laptops every two - three years though, but it's the only computer I use, and it gets used DAILY and I feel like i get my money's worth even if I have to get a new one every few years.
 
i'm still a dell fan. 17" w/ 4g etc. i've had two inspirons and haven't really had any problems with either.
 
Rebecca - I've heard really good things about Asus.
Julie - I looked up the specs on the 17" HP. I really like it - loaded up!

Dell peeps - no problems with them running hot? Everyone I know IRL with a Dell has had major cooling issues and has either burnt out their fan or had to use a cooling mat/stand.
 
I had a dell for my first laptop and it did run hot. My other issue with Dell was that I had to order anything I needed (like the power cord Roxy chewed) and couldn't just go out and buy it at Best Buy or whereever
 
i had a dell for my 1st laptop also. i had SEVERAL issues with it. ended up buying an extended warranty before my original warranty ran out because i had so many issues... memory issues, harddrive issues, wiring getting kinked in mfg and shorting out. just all kinds of stuff. i had to have the power supply replaced twice. once under warranty, once on my dime. my last issue was that the fan shorted out and overheated the graphics card, so the whole thing went blank. we replaced both and it works okay enough for the kids to use it occassionally, but not to use regularly. the fan will no longer automatically turn on and off. you have to tell it to turn off (aka trick it). PITA really.

i loved my dell when it worked. my biggest issue with them is that all of their replacement stuff (like power supplies, learned that the hard way) is proprietary, so you HAVE to buy from them. no aftermarket stuff. because of that, i will never buy a dell again.
 
I haven't had any issues with my Dell running hot. I've also never had to order any new cords or anything, but I can see where that would be a pain to have to order directly from Dell and not just go to Best Buy or something.

As good as my Dell as been for me, I am tempted to try out a Mac when I do decide to get something new. My husband doesn't use the same Adobe programs I do, so I don't think it would be a big deal for me to switch platforms.
 
I'm in the market for something too...and really soon!

I have a 17" Dell XPS and Laura...mine runs HOT and always has. I've always had to use a cooling pad. My husbands is ok though. I have Vista on mine and my computer guy thinks that's why it's lagging so badly. It's probably 4 years old...not sure if it's still in warranty...I should check! I can barely scrap or do anything. It lags, freezes up...it's a total pain. My guy has done everything and can't find any reason (other than it's running Vista) that it would be doing this.

I'm thinking about going Mac. I know it's going to be more expensive, but I've never heard anything negative from Mac owners.

Rebecca...we had a battery store near us and I could buy any power supplies from them for my Dell. It was much cheaper and always worked better than the ones Dell sold me. They are available....just not at stores like Best Buy though.

My youngest just got an Alienware laptop (from Dell) and the webcam didn't work from the get go. He had a tech come out and he couldn't fix it. They wanted to send it in but Eric told them he needed it for school and to send him a brand new one. After 2 months and him calling them every week, they finally sent it out. What a pain...but at least this new one works.
 
4noisyboys said:
Rebecca...we had a battery store near us and I could buy any power supplies from them for my Dell. It was much cheaper and always worked better than the ones Dell sold me. They are available....just not at stores like Best Buy though.
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that surprises me... we gave up on the box stores, but we did a pretty extensive internet search on specialty sites with no luck. good to know something is out there finally. i WAS able to find power supplies that would work if they were used as plug-ins. but they would not charge the battery, so i could never unplug and use the laptop, which kind of defeats the purpose of a laptopt at times. :shrug anyway, the dell is behind us. i am a big fan of my new laptop. :beat
 
RebeccaH said:
laura i just got a new asus. quad core i7 processor. super rocks. it only has one little quirk. it has a pretty big touch pad area, so you really have to lock the key pad if you're gonna do much typing or it'll drive you buggy. but that's an easy altF9 on/off so it's really no big deal at all. besides that little tiny quirk, i LOVE it.
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I just mentioned to my son that I thought I'm going to get myself a new laptop. He said..."oh, get an Asus"! He then went on to tell me how fab they are, especially for the price! I'll definitely look into one...maybe tonight after work!
 
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