Hey computer geniuses, may have to buy a new computer soon. My computer of 8 years has died on me. DS has tried the easiest things to test but has had no time to try anything else so far. Considering the computer was free almost 8 years ago from winning the 4042 contest, i cannot complain. My question is... would it be wiser to just buy a laptop and hook it to my printer when necessary so that it would be mobile or is there an advantage to having another desktop? On both thought, what brands would you recommend?
I have a Dell laptop with a wireless card so it can go with me everywhere, and I wouldn't trade it for anything. less bulky and non obtrusive in the space it takes up at the house. I have a printer I hook up to it when necessary. Good Luck.
Kaci, We are moving away from desktops, as our laptops are faster, more mobile, and don't require the space for a desktop. Understand that you're going to face an additinoal challenge...moving from your old OS, probably Windows 2000 or hopefully XP, to Vista. And Vista, IMO, is a PITA. (Ken would recommend Linux, here) and some of your programming is not supported by Vista. Doesn't mean it won;t work, it just may not function as well, and there is little support for it. I say go for the laptops...
You can still get a desktop or a laptop from Dell with Windows XP loaded instead of Vista. In laptops, they have the Inspiron 1520with XP. In desktops, you have a few more options with XP. (If you keep using your current monitor and went with the Inspiron 530s, you could pick it up for about $349.) Happy shopping!
It all depends on your budget?? I ask my customers 2 questions before I recommend a new PC. How much are you planning to spend, and, list at least 3 functions or uses you'll require from the machine? More if you know what you want. Desktops are still cheaper than laptops. Unless you catch a great sale! Laptops within desktop price ranges will have a slower CPU speed. First, if your PC is 8 years old, any new desktop or laptop is going to impress you on speed. The desktops will be faster. The laptop will give you the freedom to take your computer with you. To connect it to your monitor and keyboard at home you will either plug all the cords to the back of the laptop, or, get a single cord docking port. Some ports are expensive, with the lowest at around $80. I suggest the port for ease of use. Laptop pricing: Low budget - Best bang for your buck = Acer Top of the line quality = Sony Good average all around = HP & Toshiba Good units but cheap cases = Dell PS: Try not to get “Vista”
What about durability? Can a laptop last 8 years? From all I've seen with friends and family I'd say no way. Plus its harder to replace parts and upgrade. I have a laptop, but I'd be scared to rely on it completely without my good old reliable desktop.
I'm still using the same laptop (daily!) that I bought in 2000. I've had very good luck with laptops - but I also treat them well, so that has to be factored in. I've serviced some laptops that were brand new when they went into service and 3 months later they look like they've been dragged behind a car and the user has eaten every meal hanging their head over the keyboard!
Bingo!!! Give that man a cupey doll. I can't tell you how many times I've seen $3000 laptops less than a few months old come to me for service and they look exactly as you said. The part that phases me the most is the 1/2" of grime I have to clean off the screen to work on them!!! How do they see through all that dirt?? I tell people to treat a laptop like it was a brand new car that you just bought. Service it every 3000 miles by cleaning up the unit both physically and software. Don't disregard it's fragile nature and think before you do something like tossing it in the back of your car in the middle of summer. And most of all don't let the kids play with it before explaining it's value and the care required in using it. Just like Appcomm I have an old Toshiba with a 650 Mhz processor that looks brand new. And I use it quite a bit. I have to, it gets jealous when it sees me using the new one.:lol::lol: I also have 3 older units with under 350 Mhz processors that work great.
ohhh, so someone else does eak-spay ig-pay atin-lay? I wish BG would hunt me down, I would tell him what a pile of poop the Vista is. Sure would.
Like most mothers, mine thought a child could never figure it out, I let her continue to think that! :mrgreen:
Thanks to everyone for all your help - i think we are gonna go with a laptop for the portability (and i won't have to keep borrowing my son's). i have been looking at some Dells but have set the budget at no more than $1,000. i see you believe Sony is the highest quality - where would you suggest shopping for a Sony? This is a big venture for me and i want whatever i get to last and last. i do have Windows XP now and Linux (thanks to DS). He said he is going to be able to save most of what i need that is on the hard drive he believes. He actually said he would be able to build me a new desktop with the parts and all he has sitting around but since he will be graduating the end of this year, i would rather go ahead and get something new with a warranty. Also, with working full time and going to school full time, i cannot wait that long for him to have time to do it.
Best Buy, Circuit City are 2 good choices for Sony products. Circuit City has a bunch of free stuff if you buy a laptop right now. The down point to Sony, "Vista" only on the newer models. They may deal with you at best buy to convert to XP, maybe??? Vista is bad, but not bad enough to make you change a model that you may like.
Take a look at Tiger Direct also. They have a store in Raleigh on Capital Blvd. or you can go to their website www.tigerdirect.com
