I guy I work with has asked me for help in selecting a personal laptop for his home. He sent me the following message in an email:

Quote :

"I hope to buy one soon. It'll be my home computer until I have the office built in the garage next year... QUESTION: Any helpful hints on selecting one? Necessary features, Best brands, etc???"

I think the guy just basically wants something low cost but effective. Probably a few of the "extras" (cd burner,wireless etc) but not a highly customized machine that runs 3K. Some suggestions please? I ask because I use macs and I doubt the guy will want to switch operating systems

3/7/2007 7:47:58 AM

you can run windows on a mac. plus anything new from dell or gateway will probably ship with Vista on it, though not completely new it will be different.

Why don't you just tell him that you're not familiar with PCs and that he should seek advice elsewhere instead of giving him info you can't really vouch for?

if he is just going to use at home I would ask him if he has seriously considered his need for a laptop. He'll get more from a desktop for less and it will be easier to upgrade in the future. A lot of people just want a laptop even though they don't really have the need for it nor plan to utilize their benefits. Not to say that's necessarily the case in this situation.

that being said; any standard, run of the mill gateway or dell (inspiron) would probably be fine for him.

the features you mentioned are pretty standard these days

[Edited on March 7, 2007 at 8:43 AM. Reason : .]

3/7/2007 8:24:31 AM

I like all the HP laptops that I've used/bought. I always had nightmares with reinstalling windows/drivers on the dells due to some weird shit they use. HP was always streamlined.

3/7/2007 9:55:34 AM

i boycott dell due to their adware policies

3/7/2007 10:18:54 AM

Get a thinkpad t60p

3/7/2007 5:33:50 PM

cheap dell or thinkpad (cost or quality)

3/7/2007 5:51:46 PM

^^2k dollar laptop

i work on both dells and gateway almost daily at work and don't have any problems with their drivers.

[Edited on March 7, 2007 at 6:03 PM. Reason : ^]

3/7/2007 5:55:00 PM

Dell Inspiron E1705

where else can you get a gaming rig for about $1k?

[Edited on March 7, 2007 at 6:00 PM. Reason : .]

3/7/2007 5:59:48 PM

Thinkpad if you want durability. Very well built, rugged, and reliable. They're not cheap, but you can probably get out the door for a reasonable amount of money if you don't load up on extra features.

3/7/2007 7:29:29 PM

Dell/Gateway are lowest cost and most customizable. Customer service ranges from terrible to OK.
HP/Sony/etc. are mid-range cost. I don't know much about these.
Thinkpad is highest cost and best quality (except for maybe the HDs). Customer service is excellent.

As with any merchandise, you get what you pay for. You pay $6 for a toaster, expect $6 of quality from a toaster. You pay $1000 for a Dell, or $1500 or an equivalent ThinkPad ... get what you pay for.

3/7/2007 7:47:03 PM

Quote :

"Get a thinkpad t60p"

I have a $6 toaster, it sucks

3/7/2007 8:26:35 PM

get a starter mac

3/7/2007 11:51:20 PM

Thinkpad or Mac....the rest is junk !!

[Edited on March 8, 2007 at 11:07 AM. Reason : .]

3/8/2007 11:06:21 AM

^ agreed.

3/8/2007 12:25:09 PM

Thinkpad but you'll pay for it. I'm not too happy with the new lenovo line however.

3/8/2007 1:32:58 PM

DON'T!!! recommend a laptop, you'll just end up getting blame if they don't like it, or you'll be doing "customer support" because you "know all about the laptop". You'll hate yourself after the 10000's time he comes to you to fix something or to explain a feature or some other bullshit.

3/8/2007 1:46:45 PM

Hey, I run BF 2142 perfectly on high settings on my Dell E1705. Its well made, durable (I've dropped it three times on its own and it rides shotgun in my backpack with books). Ive owned 5 laptops and I can honestly say this is the best quality laptop I've ever had. Dell has earned my business.

3/8/2007 4:27:28 PM