New Laptop Suggestions [Archive] - Front Office Football Central

MJ4H

01-17-2009, 02:20 PM

Well, my 5 year old laptop finally pooped out on me last night. Looks like a graphics card problem, but it won't boot, and before its final crash I was getting weird graphical artifacts, so that is my guess.

Anyway, I don't have a whole lot of money right now, but I need a new laptop. I'd really like to keep it as close to $500 as possible, but I know that will be difficult.

Looking at this $500 guy at bestbuy.com, for instance:

http://www.bestbuy.com/site/olspage.jsp?skuId=9180236&type=product&id=1218046802791

What I'd ideally like is widescreen, at least 15 inch screen, memory and CPU speed are prime factors.

Anyone have any tips? Selling an amazing machine cheaply? Something? I don't know enough about this to trust myself without at least asking first.

MizzouRah

01-17-2009, 03:04 PM

Check out the Dell outlet store.

http://www.dell.com/content/products/compare.aspx/notebooks_15?c=us&cs=22&l=en&s=dfh

Many good deals on what you are looking for.

http://outlet.us.dell.com/ARBOnlineSales/topics/global.aspx/arb/online/en/InventoryDetails?systemId=EEC2P62Z&~lt=popup&c=us&l=en&s=dfh&cs=22

http://outlet.us.dell.com/ARBOnlineSales/topics/global.aspx/arb/online/en/InventoryDetails?systemId=FXED74VT&~lt=popup&c=us&l=en&s=dfh&cs=22

There are pages from like $429 all the way up... many for $499.

Danny

01-17-2009, 03:10 PM

Dell outlet is great. I recently bought a e6400 latitude and it was like new. I ended up returning it because my wife and I ended up needing the money for other things (I timed the purchase right when we had to pay for our school semesters). The return service was great as well. They arranged a ups guy to come pick it up and I needed to do nothing. I'll almost certainly buy from them again later when I really need the laptop.

Edward64

01-17-2009, 04:16 PM

Here's where I go to read reviews and forum on notebooks.

Notebook and Laptop Reviews (http://www.notebookreview.com/)

Your $500 is limiting. My preference are the 'business models' and I tend away from retail stores and the consumer laptops.

I've used Dell laptops and they are pretty good. Their most recent line of Latitudes (from 2006?) are much better than the pre-2006. However, I do prefer the Lenovo Thinkpads.

Lenovo has a low end SL model (Thinkpad) starting at $499.

Lenovo - Notebook computers - ThinkPad SL Series (http://shop.lenovo.com/SEUILibrary/controller/e/web/LenovoPortal/en_US/catalog.workflow:category.details?current-catalog-id=12F0696583E04D86B9B79B0FEC01C087&current-category-id=393651299AA2442B937039C5DECF1DBF)

Oh, I don't mind outlet sales for desktops but keep away from outlet sales for laptops. There are alot of people that return laptops because of dead pixels (I'm one of them) which means the outlet laptops have a higher chance of lcd defect.

Danny

01-17-2009, 04:19 PM

Keep in mind Lenovo has a mandatory restocking fee on all purchases and dell outlet comes with a 3 year warranty compared to the 1 year Lenovo. The Lenovo looked good, but was more money and I didn't like the fact I would have to pay a restocking fee no matter what if I wanted to return.

Edward64

01-17-2009, 04:43 PM

Oh, if you have a little time, check out these sites daily for possible deals.

Dell Coupons, Cheap Laptops, Discount Computer Sale, Cheap Digital Cameras, Best Buy Coupons (http://www.techbargains.com/)

Hot Deals - SlickDeals.net Forums (http://forums.slickdeals.net/forumdisplay.php?sduid=0&f=9)

GotApex? Deals & Coupon Codes (http://www.gotapex.com/)

Pumpy Tudors

01-17-2009, 06:17 PM

make sure you get one that can play fm09 ok thanks

dervack

01-17-2009, 09:04 PM

Next week, Walmart will have an ACER for 348. Not sure what the specs are other than its a 14", 3 GB and I want to say either 120GB or 160GB hard drive with a DVD writer.

RedHawk00

01-18-2009, 08:03 AM

I am on my Inspiron 1420 right now (only 14" screen) that I bought from DellOutlet. I really like the outlet for computers that wont be doing uber gaming the prices are very good.

Other notes on laptops, watch weight, lighter the better, carrying a heavy laptop around sucks.

MJ4H

01-18-2009, 08:39 AM

Alright, talk me out of this one:

http://configure.us.dell.com/dellstore/config.aspx?c=us&cs=19&l=en&oc=DNCWUA1&s=dhs

Comey

01-18-2009, 09:49 AM

I would upgrade the HD to a 7200 RPM one.

MizzouRah

01-18-2009, 09:55 AM

For $25 I would go with the 7200rpm HD as well.

Your next upgrade down the line is to head over to crucial.com and replace that 2GB of ram with 4GB for around $40.. granted, Windows 32 bit will only see about 3 - 3.5 GB, but it does make a difference imo...

MJ4H

01-18-2009, 10:20 AM

Will definitely do the RAM thing down the road. The Hard drive thing, though is one of the places I'm cutting corners a little right now. What I have there now isn't a disaster is it?

MizzouRah

01-18-2009, 11:33 AM

No, it's not a disaster.. it all depends what you are going to use it for. For normal day to day web surfing and using apps like office, that pc will be fine.

MJ4H

01-18-2009, 04:54 PM

Unfortunately that link I put earlier doesn't include any customizations I made, but I think I only made one, and that is to change the display to WLED 1440x900. Makes the price $744. Pretty sure I'm going with that. Ordering tomorrow. Thanks everyone. And thanks sovereignstar, too.

Edward64

01-24-2009, 02:36 PM

MJ4H, if you haven't ordered already and want to try the Dell outlet, some pretty good sales are going on right now ...

Dell Outlet 20% Off Refurbished Inspiron & Studio Desktop & Laptops: Studio 15 Laptop Core 2 Duo 2Ghz, 2GB DDR2, 320GB HDD, DVDRW, Webcam, LED WXGA Screen, Vista Premium $431, Stud - Page 46 - SlickDeals.net Forums (http://forums.slickdeals.net/showthread.php?sduid=0&t=1145155&page=46)

I picked up a nice desktop (no monitor) for $250 shipped.

If you have ordered, you may be able to stop/cancel the shipment if it hasn't already left.

MJ4H

01-24-2009, 02:42 PM

Ordered already. No way I'm stopping now. Besides I got a really good payment plan ($25 payroll deduction, no interest) deal, so I'm good. Appreciate the info, though.

MJ4H

02-10-2009, 01:21 PM

After numerous delays, my laptop is scheduled to arrive tomorrow! I'm excited.

MJ4H

02-11-2009, 11:40 AM

Delivered!

MJ4H

02-13-2009, 04:40 PM

Verdict: I love this laptop. It's a Dell Studio 1535 with upgrade to 1440x900 capable screen. The only negative is the built-in speaker is terrible. Don't care much about that, though. Thanks to everyone that helped out.

Galaril

09-06-2009, 05:33 PM

Danny

09-06-2009, 06:28 PM

Dell outlet!

I got a Latitude E6400 business model, WXGA+. Nvidia 256MB video card, 128GB solid slate drive, 4 GB ram, P8600 processor, bluetooth, mic, webcam, 9 cell battery for $830

Honolulu_Blue

09-06-2009, 06:34 PM

I am looking to get a new laptop that will be a gaming laptop and want a 17 inch screen and a fairly fast processor and graphics card but that is not going to have any over heating problems . I also want to keep it under $1200. I just got my wife a HP DV7 that is pretty nice but maynot be up to snuff on the graphics card being it was under $750.
Here is one from Dell I have priced and configured but am not too happy I cannot get a drive that is 7200RPM.

http://configure.us.dell.com/dellstore/config.aspx?oc=dncwda1&c=us&l=en&s=dhs&cs=19&kc=laptop-inspiron-17

I would take a look at Sager laptops. Back in November, I was in the market for a new laptop or desktop. I decided to go laptop simply because I would use it a lot more. I wanted something that could handle the newest games, so I did a ton of research on gaming laptops.

It turns out that Sager laptops (I'd never heard of them before) get excellent reviews. I bought one in December and have been thrilled with it so far. I haven't had any issues with it. I am not sure what you can get at the price range you're looking for, but I'd recommend poking around.

Here are some websites that sell them (I bought mine from powernotebooks):

http://www.powernotebooks.com/

http://www.xoticpc.com/

I'd never heard of either dealer, but they are both incredibly reputable.

I also consulted this site (A LOT) during my research. These people are crazy about their laptops and very responsive. You can post a thread saying what you're looking for, specs, price range, etc. and will get a number of good responses quickly.

Here it is:

Notebook and Laptop Reviews (http://www.notebookreview.com/)

Cringer

09-07-2009, 01:51 AM

Dell outlet!

I got a Latitude E6400 business model, WXGA+. Nvidia 256MB video card, 128GB solid slate drive, 4 GB ram, P8600 processor, bluetooth, mic, webcam, 9 cell battery for $830

Slate has a lot of uses, but I never knew they made hard drives out of them. Must be new.

fantom1979

09-07-2009, 02:46 AM

http://www.empr.gov.bc.ca/Mining/Geoscience/PublicationsCatalogue/InformationCirculars/PublishingImages/slate.jpg

Danny

09-07-2009, 11:32 AM

Yeah, the only downside is the weight

Solid-state :P

DaddyTorgo

09-07-2009, 01:33 PM

interesting about the sager's HB

Comey

09-07-2009, 02:31 PM

I would take a look at Sager laptops. Back in November, I was in the market for a new laptop or desktop. I decided to go laptop simply because I would use it a lot more. I wanted something that could handle the newest games, so I did a ton of research on gaming laptops.

It turns out that Sager laptops (I'd never heard of them before) get excellent reviews. I bought one in December and have been thrilled with it so far. I haven't had any issues with it. I am not sure what you can get at the price range you're looking for, but I'd recommend poking around.

Here are some websites that sell them (I bought mine from powernotebooks):

http://www.powernotebooks.com/

http://www.xoticpc.com/

I'd never heard of either dealer, but they are both incredibly reputable.

I also consulted this site (A LOT) during my research. These people are crazy about their laptops and very responsive. You can post a thread saying what you're looking for, specs, price range, etc. and will get a number of good responses quickly.

Here it is:

Notebook and Laptop Reviews (http://www.notebookreview.com/)

I recommend NotebookReview too. I used that when researching my new laptop (Dell Studio XPS 16), and have stayed because the information you can find is wonderful and functional. It's been a big help, not just in buying a new machine, but on upkeep, too.

Honolulu_Blue

09-07-2009, 02:37 PM

interesting about the sager's HB

I really couldn't recommend them enough, at least based on my purchase so far and what I read. I had never heard of the brand before and, therefore, was super suspicious about it, but it's as advertised. They are solid, powerful gaming machines with good components and absolutely zero bloatware.

The dealer that I bought it from was great too. I emailed the guy back and forth a few times asking questions and he was very responsive. All in all a positive experience.

Honolulu_Blue

09-07-2009, 02:38 PM

I recommend NotebookReview too. I used that when researching my new laptop (Dell Studio XPS 16), and have stayed because the information you can find is wonderful and functional. It's been a big help, not just in buying a new machine, but on upkeep, too.

Yeah. The people there really know their stuff and it's a very well-organized forum, so it's easy to find things. Most of what they talk about is a bit over my head, but it's a great resource.

Comey

09-08-2009, 06:05 AM

I really couldn't recommend them enough, at least based on my purchase so far and what I read. I had never heard of the brand before and, therefore, was super suspicious about it, but it's as advertised. They are solid, powerful gaming machines with good components and absolutely zero bloatware.

The dealer that I bought it from was great too. I emailed the guy back and forth a few times asking questions and he was very responsive. All in all a positive experience.

They've been around for years. They took out full-page or sometimes three-or-four page ads in Laptop Magazine, or some of the other computing magazines. Their stuff always looked impressive, but I had always assumed there was a catch (like faulty hardware).

Turns out that is not the case. Great, great stuff.

sovereignstar

11-10-2009, 03:51 PM

Ordered a Dell Studio XPS 1645 the first week of October. It was what I wanted at the time, but after being too well aware of the fiasco going on behind the scenes in getting the things shipped out, I pretty much decided fuck Dell. When you spend ~2000 USD on a laptop, you don't expect to see your order getting systematically delayed, then cancelled and "re-ordered" with an estimated shipping date close to two months after you originally ordered the thing. I say systematically delayed because the orders of every single person that ordered a 1645 were following that same ridiculous pattern. And fuck you if you tried to get any answers about your order, because there wasn't a single person in the god damn world that knew anything about your order. In short, see you later Dell. Also, fuck you once again.

I stumbled upon this thread after doing a board search of 'Sager'. Yes, I'm 99.9% certain that I'll be ordering a Sager from XoticPC within a day or two.

Honolulu_Blue

11-10-2009, 04:04 PM

I stumbled upon this thread after doing a board search of 'Sager'. Yes, I'm 99.9% certain that I'll be ordering a Sager from XoticPC within a day or two.

Awesome! I hope your experience turns out to be as positive as mine has been so far.

MikeVic

11-24-2009, 06:46 PM

So my current laptop is basically dead. I've formatted and still get random BSODs, and now my wireless is acting up. It's about four years old, so time to upgrade.

However, I don't need something crazy good, just regular stuff and maybe a game here or there, but no games is fine too. I'm thinking boxing day maybe? But is there a brand or model I should be looking for? I've never actually shopped for a laptop before, so I'm lost with them and any help/insight would be appreciated, thanks!

Comey

11-24-2009, 07:38 PM

Dell Studio XPS 16 - tons of deals, Quad-Core processor (now) and everything top-of-the-line. The outlet has fantastic deals right now, or at least they did recently. I love my machine. Incredibly fast and smooth.

DaddyTorgo

11-24-2009, 07:47 PM

funny - i just went through staples to buy some other stuff and i saw a laptop and i was going to come in here and ask what the problem was with it -why it's on sale for $1400.

i'd love a new laptop - this one is like 3+ years old and there's been just so many leaps since then...

DaddyTorgo

11-24-2009, 07:49 PM

that's right...sager's *nods*

cougarfreak

11-24-2009, 08:32 PM

DaddyTorgo

11-24-2009, 08:42 PM

I just bought this last night:

http://www.bestbuy.com/site/HP+-+Pavilion+Laptop+with+AMD+Turion%26%23153%3B+II+Ultra+Dual-Core+Mobile+Processor/9556296.p?id=1218123847586&skuId=9556296

Great price for the power, blu ray player, huge screen. It's a little short on software, but I've got most of what I need on CD, so I'm good to go there.

that's basically what i saw at staples i think - same basic configuration, probably had a tiny bit different that added a hundred bucks - the fingerprint reader or something i guess...but the same basic configuration.

wondering what the downside to it is?

cougarfreak

11-24-2009, 08:47 PM

that's basically what i saw at staples i think - same basic configuration, probably had a tiny bit different that added a hundred bucks - the fingerprint reader or something i guess...but the same basic configuration.

wondering what the downside to it is?

Everything I've read online about it is very positive. I've had 2 toshiba's in the past 5 years or so, and the HP is faster, bigger, and has some dedicated memory to graphics. Plus, it has a ton more battery power. There is more plastic in the configuration, but it stays very, very cool as well. Comes with blu ray software that played "Planet Earth" just fine right out of the box. From the first 24 hours I've had it, I'd say it's a go, I'm very pleased, especially considering I paid only $729.