Laptops?

[Ramrod]

Ya I wanna buy one but dont really no anything about computers.  What should I be looking for and who has that too offer?  Mainly just for school work and doing this kind of stuff but also like to make cds and would like to do some video editing sometime.  Was looking at dells and they seem to cost a shitload but i didnt really have anything to compare to

[nobrokebirfs]

i dont know much about comp either but i have a dell inspiron and an hp and the hp seems to function a little better

[BigMike]

Get a used one from eBay. Anything around 2 Ghz is more than enough for school, internet, music. For those requirements, I bet you could get a really good one for around $500.

Now, if you are talking about VIDEO EDITING................................ ON A LAPTOP.......... wow. I hope you have a LOT more patience than I do when it comes to slow systems! Or I hope you have 2-grand to drop on a brand new laptop.

[oddball]

Check C-net, consumer reports, or just google laptop ratings and youll get so much info youll go nuts

[*FFC*]

Get a used one from eBay. Anything around 2 Ghz is more than enough for school, internet, music. For those requirements, I bet you could get a really good one for around $500.

Now, if you are talking about VIDEO EDITING................................ ON A LAPTOP.......... wow. I hope you have a LOT more patience than I do when it comes to slow systems! Or I hope you have 2-grand to drop on a brand new laptop.

That's what I was going to say.  2Ghz, 512 MB or more.  I've been Ebaying a lot lately.  Just don't be afraid to ask questions... and try to order from U.S. only... or you may get frustrated with the communication barriers.

[oddball]

Or you might get scammed like my friend did dont buy anything from out of the US

[Ramrod]

im not going to buy a used one no matter what thats just not my style and dont mind spending good money on a good computer. so 2ghz and 512mb thats the kinda tech im looking for.  What other things should I be looking for? What are good brands?

[*FFC*]

Depending on what you're gonna be doing with it, get a good sized hard drive (100GB).  It'll run you a bit more, but if you don't want to have to worry bout it later, doing it right the first time will pay off.  Ummm... have you used Vista yet? You may even have a preference of Windows XP vs Vista.  That's something you'll want to ask about before purchase as well. 

[lilbuddy]

Hey pat I have a Dell Inspiron E1505. This computer kicks major ass for the price. I got it for graduation and its the lowest model laptop that dell makes I think and it does way better then my parents HP Desktop wichi is something like 2.2Ghz. Its only like 1.8GHz, 1GB ram, 15.4 inch screen, 160GB hard drive, i think a 256MB video card. Its got a wireless internet card in it too that works good.

I have over 3500 songs on here and quite a bit of programs and it runs great. I thought it was going to be a pile of crap at first cause it was Dell but its way better then buying a computer from a store like Worst Buy, Circuit city or Fry's.

My parents got it "custom made" and it has an upgraded soundcard in it also. I wouldnt be suprised if it was under 800. Great compuiter though and they have good customer service.

I say go Dell. I do everything on this computer that you want to do like surf the net, do hw for classes and download music. I have no complaints with this computer at all.

[Ramrod]

savage, Im thinking im gonna go with a dell just because of the good financing they do.  How about this- any good?
http://www.bestbuy.com/site/olspage.jsp?skuId=8525802&type=product&id=1186007525140

[lilbuddy]

savage, Im thinking im gonna go with a dell just because of the good financing they do.  How about this- any good?
http://www.bestbuy.com/site/olspage.jsp?skuId=8525802&type=product&id=1186007525140

Yeah thats a sick computer. Its like double everything that mine has. It costs a lot more then mine did.

After this laptop I dont think I will ever buy a computer from best buy or anything though. Just because they load so many programs on them from the factory and dell pretty much just has the basics. Like I said the desktop we bought from Best Buy is a lot slower then this computer and has a faster processor then mine does and is still slow.

[Ramrod]

hmm.... thats true.  im looking into all this more right now

[Ramrod]

whats the difference between vista and xp? 

[lilbuddy]

whats the difference between vista and xp? 

Vista is just the new Operating system then XP. Its like how theres windows 95 ME XP..... Its just the newest one. Some people dont like it. My comptuer has it and I like it a lot. TOok me a little bit to get used to it compared to XP but i think its good.

[Ramrod]

how does this computer look, just "customized" it on dell.com but havent ordered it yet.  turned out a little pricey but $50 a month isnt anything---
http://configure.us.dell.com/dellstore/config.aspx?c=us&cs=19&l=en&oc=DNCWKSB&s=dhs

[BigMike]

Pat,

How much video editing do you plan on doing?

[Ramrod]

probably not very much.  ive never done it before but would like to give it a try just to clean up some stuff ive filmed on the trail and maybe add some music

[93tonkatoy]

Two years ago, i had put some money away and was planning to purchase a custom built HP for $1500. Fast, P4 3.06 GHz, 1 gig ram..... But, I got impatient and went to wally world and found a toshiba satellite. It is a Pentium M, 1.73 GHz, 512 Mb ram (800 MHz), 80 Gb Hard drive, CD R/RW DVD R/RW+/-/DL/RAM, wireless networking, Bluetooth ready, 4 in 1 memory card reader (SD, SM, xD, and I think Memory stick), 3 USB ports, 1 1394 Firewire port, built in ethernet and modem, with the 15.4" lcd (1280x800 pixels). I also, at the time bought a power adapter for the cig. lighter for 80 bucks. Full total out the door was just under $1100. I can capture video and edit it (thru 1394 Firewire port) and can burn to cd's or any type of DVD. I have been able to play numerous graphics intensive games with no problems, and can also run dual monitors. I was skeptical at first, but was pleasantly surprised when I saw what all it could do. Also, the battery, if you turn off the wireless when you're not using it, will last about 1 to 1 1/2 hours of constant use.

[jimbo74]

there is actually a walmart laptop they are advertising on tv right now for like $350

[BLACKDOG]

I just picked up a laptop at the end of aug because my desktop fried.  there is a company out there called Acer that has just started selling computers in the US I guess.  They've got a lot of the same components as HP, Dell, and other bigger names.  I really like mine, and I picked it up at circuit city for $699 on sale ($799)

Its got
Intel Core 2 Duo T5500
1.66 ghz, 667mhz, FSB, 2MB L2 cache)
15.4" LCD screen
Intel graphics media accelerator 950
160GB HD
DVD-R
2GB DDR2
802.11a/b/g wireless lan

[Trunkz]

acer not new... they just stopped selling in the us for a few years because they were crap and no one would buy thier sheet anymore

[unclejpl4x4]

i get all my stuff from this guys they have every kind you could want

http://www.tigerdirect.com/applications/Category/category_tlc.asp?CatId=17&name=Laptops-Notebooks

[unclejpl4x4]

this might help you
http://w3.guidester.com/notebook.aspx?s=40615957

[unclejpl4x4]

i like this http://www.tigerdirect.com/applications/searchtools/item-details.asp?EdpNo=3231188&Sku=T24-AV680&SRCCODE=&CMP=ILC-GUIDE&GSID=40615957&GSESID=wevxxj55lryq0l45wlyboryi&GSCID=10

[roadcrawler]

bought a brand new gateway at best buy in austin texas for under $400. its sweet, this is the list from the box

well i dont have the box anymore, cant find it, but

8ogig harddrive
intel celeron
windows vista
cd/rw
dvd player
i forget the processer speed
3usb ports
2 memory ports
built in wifi
sound card
graphics card

pretty good for the price

my freind told me about a website that you can download video editing software for free. he said its good ill be downloading it soon.

my laptop has worked wellan i download everything, music, videos, porn, programs, but i got real good restoration features on my security so my comp isnt fazed at all.

i got 2 firewalls on it, one free an one a i downloaded for free, but it slows my comp so i switch to one when i need speed


model number
ml3109

[germ]

Software these days is extremly memory intensive. I would make sure you get at least 1 gig of RAM, and have the ability to add more later. Processor speed is neat, but its the RAM that will sink you if you don't have enough. If your going to do video editing, make sure there is at least 512mb of video RAM as well, or it will suck it out of your system memory. Very few programs use all the processor capablity, but will quicly gobble up the RAM.

For example, I'm sitting here with a duo-core something or other with 3 gig of ram. With one instance of MS internet exploder running with 3 tabs, I'm currently using 2% of one processor, 4% of the second, and 33% of my 3 gigs of RAM, which means I'm using 1 gig of RAM with almost nothing running. Granted, I have Vista (Which by the way, I hate...more later), which is a memory PIG. If your going to run Vista, I would have at the very minimum 1gig and your going to be happier with at least 2. It's worth the extra $$.

Hope that helps, if you want to know more about Vista, I'll add more later.

Erik

[NT-OUTBACK]

I disagree with the advice of buying a used laptop, having owned a few that I ran into the ground. Buying a used laptop is like buying a used condom you don't know when its going to break or what is inside. Make sure that you buy an extended warranty from the manufacturer and not a third party warranty from a retailer. Both my Dell and HP warranties paid for themselves many times over.

BTW I no longer own laptops anymore as I go through them like toilet paper.

[Doof]

i bought a mac over the summer

http://www.apple.com/macbook/macbook.html

it took a while to get used to mac and not the windows. i really like it. the airport (wireless) pics up that is pretty far away. at my moms i pick up one of the same wireless networks that i do at my dads which is just over a mile away. kinda weird. but theres a lot i love about it and a few things i dont like...the dont like: no microsoft word. there is a 30 day test trial and after that if you cant download it off limewire or something like that you have to drop some big $$ for the program. but if you go through a college they give you student discounts. at the chico state bookstore which is where i bought mine i could have paid for a printer and an ipod nano, then send in the rebate of the printer and nano, and get a check in the mail for the FULL price of both so they turn out to be free. then you can turn around and sell both of those online and still make money off it. i picked up the 13" black for i think around 1200 at the bookstore. if you want i when im down there for class on tues or thurs ill check it out and get more info on it for you. the apple site has a ton of info there with all the features. its pretty coo

edit: and if you like HD movies you can watch them on here also. i havent yet but im gunna be buying some HD movies and seeing the difference...i hear its like night and day but thats just word on the street

[Caboose]

not a mac fan.  never really used one tho so i ain't gonna go there.  i do video editing as a side hobby.  my desktop is running 1gb right now instead of 2gb of ram.  trust me.  if you plan on making a good dvd.  you need that extra gig.

You had it right the first time with that Sony VAIO.  although, my experience with dell has been great.  they have excellent customer service, although it seems they are getting harder to understand, they will fix your computer if it is under warranty with out making you b end over backwards.  although they charge you more for it.  If i were in your shoes id buy the vaio.  In fact, i need a new laptop pretty soon and that one isn't looking bad.  I've heard a lot of the problems with vista have been worked out.  Just looked at best buy selections.  and i recommend the 17" screen for any picture and video editing.  Look at this one.

http://www.bestbuy.com/site/olspage.jsp?skuId=8388684&type=product&id=1181831776749

Thats my opinion.  on my desktop when i edit media im using both of my 19" monitors.  i love having a big workspace and that is second important next to speed and power.

[46&2]

i bought a mac over the summer

http://www.apple.com/macbook/macbook.html

it took a while to get used to mac and not the windows. i really like it. the airport (wireless) pics up that is pretty far away. at my moms i pick up one of the same wireless networks that i do at my dads which is just over a mile away. kinda weird. but theres a lot i love about it and a few things i dont like...the dont like: no microsoft word. there is a 30 day test trial and after that if you cant download it off limewire or something like that you have to drop some big $$ for the program. but if you go through a college they give you student discounts. at the chico state bookstore which is where i bought mine i could have paid for a printer and an ipod nano, then send in the rebate of the printer and nano, and get a check in the mail for the FULL price of both so they turn out to be free. then you can turn around and sell both of those online and still make money off it. i picked up the 13" black for i think around 1200 at the bookstore. if you want i when im down there for class on tues or thurs ill check it out and get more info on it for you. the apple site has a ton of info there with all the features. its pretty coo

edit: and if you like HD movies you can watch them on here also. i havent yet but im gunna be buying some HD movies and seeing the difference...i hear its like night and day but thats just word on the street

X2.

If you are used to a windows computer it can take a little getting used to but IMO macs are the way to go. Especially the Macbook pros which have dual processors. That means you can run both Mac os X and Windows XP on the SAME computer. You have to pay for windows but nonetheless you can run both operating systems on one computer which is pretty useful. A lot of PC users will try and argue this point, but the fact is there are very few viruses that can affect a mac. I have owned macs for a decade now and I have never gotten a virus. Ever. Macs very rarely freeze and OSX makes it so they basicaly dont crash. If a program freezes, you just close that program and everything else remains unchanged.

You can get any program for mac that you can get for PC now a days with the exception of video games. Otherwise, if you pay for Windows then you can run anything. I recommend a mac because I have used them for 10 years and the only reason I ever had to get a new computer was because the one I had was too old to run new software. Macs are awesome for graphics and video work too. Most people in the tv, music and movie industry use macs. Go somewhere like Best Buy or CompUSA and just play with the computers and see what you like best.