Which notebook for the money

[pinkytuscadero]

Hi,
I will be purchasing a new laptop/notebook in June when I turn in my free one from employer.

I can't spend more than around 1000.00 and want something that can hold my stuff. In looking at Sam's club website, most of the new ones are Vista capable and have it already installed. I guess my biggest concern is running slow and being able to hold programs. My puter now only has 25% hard drive left after some new school software.

Any thoughts or advice. (I muddle through technology so please don't use any supertech words on me, unless you explain what it means.:) )

Pinky

[aaron]

I price them all the time for different people and always come up picking Dell. With the coupons they send out from time to time, you can get a really good deal.

Here's their current one, you put it in after you add the notebook to your shopping cart.

$300 off Select Inspiron Notebooks $999+ (Excludes XPS)
Dell Coupon Code: 1H0BMD78L6?HF9 Exp 4/12/07 5:55am CT or after 4,000 uses


$450 off Select Inspiron Notebooks $1499+ (Excludes XPS)
Dell Coupon Code: XPGH$C57$L1$F5 Exp 4/12/07 5:55am or after 4,000 uses

[pinkytuscadero]

Aaron,

I just looked at the Dell website. Do you think their is a big difference in the XPS and the Inspiron? I had a hard time with the specs stuff. :)

Pinky

[ynotme297]

my new laptop came with vista and i HATE that sucker. not the laptop, VISTA. won't work with most printers.

[aaron]

Aaron,

I just looked at the Dell website. Do you think their is a big difference in the XPS and the Inspiron? I had a hard time with the specs stuff. :)

Pinky

I'd only buy an XPS notebook if I planned to play a lot of 3D games on it. Otherwise, go with the Inspirion, because they are a much better value.

[pinkytuscadero]

my new laptop came with vista and i HATE that sucker. not the laptop, VISTA. won't work with most printers.
Why? I can't afford any new printers.

Pinky

[aaron]

You can probably get a printer with your laptop for around $50. I might do that just to insure that I get one that has Vista drivers. Or, if you know how to go to the printer manufacturer's website and check now, that'd work too.

[pinkytuscadero]

You can probably get a printer with your laptop for around $50. I might do that just to insure that I get one that has Vista drivers. Or, if you know how to go to the printer manufacturer's website and check now, that'd work too.

R U SERIOUS? I assumed the new printers that have Vista drivers would be expensive.
Pinky

[aaron]

No, printers are actually getting less expensive for a better product. You just have to find one that has updated drivers for Vista, which is most likely the newest ones out.

[Conveyor Belt]

I got a used notebook from USAnotebooks... it was $450 while it was also retailing at $1400 at another website. Comes with almost zero software, other than the OS, but otherwise, I'm happy with it...

[aaron]

Well, one of the things about notebooks is the warranty. You don't really have to worry about this with desktops, since the parts are easily replaceable. Notebook parts are hit and miss though, so you'll most likely end up having to use the warranty or service agreement in the event of it breaking. When I bought my dad's Dell, I got everything, even if he spills coffee on it, they repair it. It actually came out cheaper because of the rebates they offered than if I didn't configure it with those items. Dell's web site is very weird and there's almost an art to configuring just the right computer and getting a good price.

[pinkytuscadero]

Dell's web site is very weird and there's almost an art to configuring just the right computer and getting a good price.

AMEN-I have bought a desktop-5 years ago, a new flatscreen monitor, 2 dj dittys, and some sort of clip on speaker (never got it to work) from DELL. It is confusing. I don't think I used the codes for coupons but I will definately think it out this time-I'm an impulse shopper but I am trying to be slow and deliberate.:)

[ynotme297]

i wound up buying a new printer that was compatible and still had to download a driver. the whole thing is SLOW. the vista that comes on them are in a trial mode for (i belive 90 days) then you can decide if you want it or not. i think that is what they told me. but alas, i may have had a senior moment and got it wrong. maybe Aaron can set you straight on that.

[carsalesguy]

i buy toshiba. i bought one from best buy for 799, had a 500 rebate. it has been dropped, slung, steped on, spilled water on, and pretty much abused. and never have had a single problem with it. the last time it was dropped, the little piece of plastic that transfers the LED lights to the outside came off, and it is still working-

definately the best machine that i have ever bought. and it was less than 1000, and that's after i upgraded it from 256mb to 512- 2 years ago

[TheKing]

do yourself a favor...save up an extra 100 bucks and get a MacBook

http://store.apple.com/1-800-MY-APPLE/WebObjects/AppleStore.woa/wa/RSLID?mco=A4791B5D&nclm=MacBook

[pinkytuscadero]

do yourself a favor...save up an extra 100 bucks and get a MAacBook

http://store.apple.com/1-800-MY-APPLE/WebObjects/AppleStore.woa/wa/RSLID?mco=A4791B5D&nclm=MacBook


Is it hard to learn to switch from mac to pc? All my stuff is for the other. What about for college stuff. We make presentations for class all the time, usually powerpoint, would that work?:confused:

Pinky

[TheKing]

yes there is powerpoint for the mac

the days of incompatibility between the two platoforms is nearly over

there is a bit of a learning curve going from the windows operating environment to the os x environment...but honestly once you make the switch...youll kick yourself for not doing it earlier

once you get finished with powerpoint for the mac...you could give keynote (http://www.apple.com/iwork/keynote/) a shot

i dont do many presentations but its actually really cool

[pinkytuscadero]

yes there is powerpoint for the mac

the days of incompatibility between the two platoforms is nearly over

there is a bit of a learning curve going from the windows operating environment to the os x environment...but honestly once you make the switch...youll kick yourself for not doing it earlier

once you get finished with powerpoint for the mac...you could give keynote (http://www.apple.com/iwork/keynote/) a shot

i dont do many presentations but its actually really cool

I would like to see one in person. - About compatibility, if I made my powerpoint and took it to school on my jumpdrive, then plugged my jumpdrive into the puter there; would it work? They use dell computers at WCU. These go to the smartboards so that Ss can use them for their presentations.
Pinky

[TheKing]

its not about what computer you use...its about the software

and MOSTLY its all compatible..with a few exceptions here and there...and even then you can get a plugin and make it compatible

youll have a hard time going from .ppx from the version of powerpoint that JUST released back to a mac...but there are plugins that will make it work...but you lose a bit of functionality here and there...mostly really advanced stuff

if you want to check out a mac in person in hattiesburg...the only place to buy them is burton computer that i know of

[carsalesguy]

compusa in jackson is closing- i'm sure you could find a good deal up here for a mac