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Subject: help with buying a laptop computer
Posted by: wiggs
- Donor [04991311] Fri, Jan 12, 2007, 00:55
My wife and I are looking for a laptop computer. I have never had one so I am looking for a little help. Can someone tell me if this computer is worth buying? Also what will I need to buy for it to make it up to par. I know i want microsoft office for 1. Also we want to get a wireless internet system for it, is this equipted for it, or do i have to add it on?
Thanks for your help
wiggs |
| 1 | Boxman
ID: 211139621
Fri, Jan 12, 2007, 06:31
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I just purchased an HP laptop with built in wireless, MS Office 2003, and Windows Media Center (which is essentially the same as XP just with the added Media Center functionality) about a month ago. It's very reliable and gets done what I need to get done.
I went with HP because I have really good experience with them and they had a 0% promotion going on.
Since you've never had a laptop and because you're setting up a wireless network there are some things you'll want to remember.
Get wireless-g. There are different types of wireless connections. I believe there is a, b, and g. G is the fastest. It is possible for wireless hardware to support multiple formats like b & g, just read the box. Buy a laptop with built-in wireless-g just to save any potential installation headaches. Built-in wireless-g is a fairly common feature with new laptops, you shouldn't struggle finding an affordable one with that.
You will then need a wireless router to connect your internet connection, printer and laptop. Just make sure it supports wireless-g. Most do. Physically locate the router on top of a desk and away from anything that could cause interference. A strange thing happened to me. I kept my wireless access point under my printer stand and I always complained about my signal. I moved it about two feet to the top of my wife's desk and the signal throughout the whole house was a lot better.
Wireless network setups are pretty straightforward and simple. The most important thing I can tell you is to protect the network and use a WEP key which I'm sure they'll ask you to do during the install process. The WEP key is basically a very long password that anyone would need to access your wireless network. Otherwise anybody within range could access your stuff. When I use my laptop in the living room I can see two other wireless networks in the neighborhood. One is protected and the other is not. Unfortunatly I do not know whose is whose so I can't tell my neighbor to fix it.
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| 2 | GoatLocker
Sustainer
ID: 060151121
Fri, Jan 12, 2007, 08:44
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Wiggs,
Boxman gave you most of it.
Pretty straight forward and easy.
You will take the output from your cable modem to the input of the wifi router.
Make sure the wifi router has the ability to also run ethernet cable to your desktop.
If you have any questions or issues, give me a shout when you see me on AIM.
Take care Buddy.
Cliff
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| 3 | biliruben
ID: 4911361723
Fri, Jan 12, 2007, 10:15
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The innards:
I would try and get 2 gigs of ram, though 1 is sufficient, but the bare minimum.
Processor: I really like the intel core 2 duo, though it's a bit pricey. I like the AMD dual core chip as well, but intel finally made a better, more efficient chip than AMD.
Graphics card: This is important if you play any of the latest games. Read up on them if you do.
Laptaps these days vary pretty significantly in size and weight. You will pay extra for something that's only 2 lbs, and the screen will be smaller. If it's just going to sit on your desk at home, might as well get a nice big screen and a 10 lb laptop (or perhaps a desktop!).
A lot of this depends on what you are going to use if for.
If you are just going to email and surf the net, you can probably get a used machine that will meet your needs for a couple hundy.
If you play games and take it to work every day, look to spend a grand minimum.
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| 5 | wiggs
Donor
ID: 04991311
Fri, Jan 12, 2007, 12:45
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I will be using the computer for mostly rotoguru and wanting to use it from my living room to save myself the cost of an ugly divorce. :)
I have a Dell desktop right now, it is about 5 years old and very slow. It freezes alot in the middle of things so I know i need to get a new one. I wwas going to get another desktop, but then I figured why not try a laptop so I can do my fantasy sports drafts from the living room and spend time with the wife at the same time. You wouldnt believe the looks I get when I tell her I have a draft tonight and I will be in the office for the next 3 hours or so.
I will also be using it to type short Microsoft word documents (which i will have to print) for school. I dont really play any games except some yahoo spades and dominos so I doubt I will really need a great graphics card.
Anyways, thanks you all of you for your help. I do appriciate it. I learned a couple new things. Any thing else would be appriciated.
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| 6 | Farn
Leader
ID: 451044109
Mon, Jan 15, 2007, 00:51
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wiggs, if you end up wanting a dell let me know and I'll see if I can find you a coupon to save you money. there are all kinds of discount coupons online for dells.
I have the Inspiron E1505 and love it. I'd recommend getting at least a gig of ram incase you eventually want to get Windows Vista.
Oh, and do not get a Compaq. :)
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| 7 | wiggs
ID: 4101229
Wed, Jan 17, 2007, 08:53
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i do think i will be going with a Dell. Definately not a compaq because I dont think i can handle another on of them.
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| 8 | Great One
Sustainer
ID: 053272014
Wed, Jan 17, 2007, 09:24
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I am happy with my Dell laptop too. And if you aren't downloading tons of movies and music etc you'd be fine with the minimums on memory I'd say.
I got only 1 gig and have something like 1600 songs downloaded plus some ROH videos and it still runs just fine.
Definitely get the wireless card built in (its only like 25 bucks, so no big deal) and the Wireless G router. With the wireless card you can take it to places like Panera bread and be able to check your email etc. This was useful on vacation.
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| 9 | wiggs
ID: 4101229
Wed, Jan 17, 2007, 09:28
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very nice GO, did you have your built, or was it a stock computer?
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| 10 | Great One
Sustainer
ID: 053272014
Wed, Jan 17, 2007, 09:36
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I just went on the Dell website, and built it myself. Then I used one of those coupons Farn will likely be able to find. (or just google Dell laptop coupons).
The coupon was for 30% off any Inspiron over 1000 bucks... so I kept adding random stuff on til it got to 1001 dollars, applied the coupon and it pulled it right back down to 700. Tack on shipping and tax and i think it came out to about 750 for a pretty good machine.
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| 11 | wiggs
ID: 4101229
Wed, Jan 17, 2007, 09:55
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GO, if you can find that coupon again please send it to me. I am looking, but keep getting a message that nothing can be found with that criteria/
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| 12 | Great One
Sustainer
ID: 053272014
Wed, Jan 17, 2007, 10:03
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This one is a different kind of deal - and expires tonight - but looks like a pretty good one to me.
Gotapex
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| 13 | Farn
Leader
ID: 451044109
Wed, Jan 17, 2007, 10:17
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yeah, same exact type of coupon.
wiggs, if you want to get the best coupon for you you can go to ebay, pay 99 cents, and get one. most of those are set up to email you the code instantly after you pay.
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| 14 | Trip
Leader
ID: 13961611
Wed, Jan 17, 2007, 10:18
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Woot's got a pretty nice laptop up today.
link
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| 15 | biliruben
ID: 4911361723
Wed, Jan 17, 2007, 11:28
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Yeah, that's a nice machine. If it were me, I'd put a few extra bucks to upgrade the graphics card, but that's just me.
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| 16 | wiggs
ID: 4101229
Wed, Jan 17, 2007, 11:53
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GO, can you check your email from work?
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| 17 | MBT
ID: 3059178
Wed, Jan 17, 2007, 12:07
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If you're going with Dell check out their Outlet section. You can get new computers at a discount just because people order them and then cancel the order.
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| 18 | wiggs
ID: 4101229
Wed, Jan 17, 2007, 12:30
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where is that? on the dell site
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| 19 | Boxman
ID: 47922511
Wed, Jan 17, 2007, 13:40
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Here.
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| 20 | wiggs
Donor
ID: 04991311
Thu, Jan 18, 2007, 02:11
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unfortunately the computer that that coupon was for was small business and i was denied that one. I will need to take a look tomorrow. Any more coupons you find please send them again. Thanks
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| 21 | wiggs
ID: 550242023
Sun, Jan 21, 2007, 02:06
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This is what i am looking at getting, does anyone see anything that needs to be added or taken away? Any help would be appreciated and I thank you all for all you have already done.
HP Pavilion dv6000t customizable Notebook PC
EZ829AV
* – FREE Upgrade to Genuine Windows XP Media Center!!
* – Intel(R) Core(TM) Duo T2050 (1.60 GHz/2MB L2Cache)
* – 15.4" WXGA Widescreen (1280x800)
* – Intel(R) Graphics Media Accelerator 950 - Core
* – HP Imprint Finish + Microphone
* – 1024MB DDR2 System Memory (2 Dimm)
* – FREE Upgrade from 40GB 5400 RPM to 80GB 5400 RPM
* – Super Multi 8X DVD+/-R/RW w/Double Layer Support
* – Intel(R) PRO/Wireless 3945ABG Network Connection
* – No TV Tuner w/remote control
* – 12 Cell Lithium Ion Battery
* – Microsoft(R) Works/Money
* – Norton Internet Security(TM) 2007 - 15 Months
* – HP Home & Home Office Store in-box envelope
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| 22 | R9
ID: 3511512123
Sun, Jan 21, 2007, 02:59
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If possible, I'd try to upgrade the hard drive to a 7200 RPM. The difference is noticable in applications like office, outlook, etc.
The graphics card is the pits. I know you said you wont be playing any graphics-intense games, but I'd be 100% sure about that before buying. The graphics card is one of the only non-upgradable parts. If you're sure, then its a non-issue. The card will play movies (DVD's) just fine.
Otherwise, looks good wiggs!
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| 23 | Nerveclinic
ID: 49018212
Sun, Jan 21, 2007, 03:22
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I just bought my first Mac since the 80's and I am never going back. I just can't get over how much better it operates right out of the box. Now with the duel core processors it can run just like a PC including the Windows Office suite. You can even run windows on it although I haven't felt the need to do that yet.
The first time I turned it on it told me I had updates even though I hadn't connected it to the internet. (It logged itself into a neighbors wireless.)
The whole way the machine operates is so much more intuitive then a PC, and until you try it yourself it's hard to explain, but to me it feels like the difference between a VCR and a DVD.
I bought the Mac book with duel core 2.0 hz processors, one gig RAM and an 80 gig drive. Of course it plays and records DVDs out of the box.
A bit more expensive at $1,299 but there is a reason why.
If you know anyone who has one you should demo it before making a final decision. I firmly believe it's a superior operating system and this is coming from someone who has used PC's on a daily basis at home and at work for the last 20 years.
Also as a bonus, much less worry about viruses and spyware since they are a minimal concern for the MAC.
It's a whole different experience.
Nerve
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| 24 | Boxman
ID: 211139621
Sun, Jan 21, 2007, 06:48
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HP Pavilion dv6000t customizable Notebook PC
EZ829AV
* – FREE Upgrade to Genuine Windows XP Media Center!!
* – Intel(R) Core(TM) Duo T2050 (1.60 GHz/2MB L2Cache)
* – 15.4" WXGA Widescreen (1280x800)
* – Intel(R) Graphics Media Accelerator 950 - Core
* – HP Imprint Finish + Microphone
* – 1024MB DDR2 System Memory (2 Dimm)
* – FREE Upgrade from 40GB 5400 RPM to 80GB 5400 RPM
* – Super Multi 8X DVD+/-R/RW w/Double Layer Support
* – Intel(R) PRO/Wireless 3945ABG Network Connection
* – No TV Tuner w/remote control
* – 12 Cell Lithium Ion Battery
* – Microsoft(R) Works/Money
* – Norton Internet Security(TM) 2007 - 15 Months
* – HP Home & Home Office Store in-box envelope
HEY! Did you steal my laptop? :)
That config is really close to what I've got. I have an AMD Turon 2Ghz processor and my graphics card is an Nvidia something or another.
You're really going to like it. If you use the laptop for similar uses that I use mine for like net surfing and number crunching, the graphics card is just fine. No need to blow budget.
Since that's 99.9% the same model that I have, I would just recommend uninstalling some of the included software (like Vongo) to free up hard drive space.
I would ask HP if it's possible to have the 1 Gig of ram only take up 1 DIMM instead of 2. This way you have a free slot in case you want to upgrade the ram in the future and you don't have to discard something you've already got.
Good choice wiggs.
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| 25 | nerveclinic
ID: 00182112
Sun, Jan 21, 2007, 13:18
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If you go with the HP make sure you buy the additional warranty extension.
I had an HP desk top and while I did really like it a lot, I had to bring it in for major repairs twice, (Once after the first year of warranty was up that included replacing the mother board. The techy said if I didn't have the extended warranty I would of just replaced the whole computer)
I'm not just talking smack about the HP, I bought the extended warranty for my new Mac also since they have a bad track record of problems at times.
I've read the only piece of electronic equipment you should ever buy extended warranties for are computers. My friend installs networks for a major bank and he said he wouldn't ever buy a computer without the extended warranty.
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| 26 | GoatLocker
Sustainer
ID: 060151121
Sun, Jan 21, 2007, 13:23
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Ditto what nerve said about the extended warranty.
I also love my HP, but has been in the shop twice with power problems.
Cliff
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| 27 | wiggs
ID: 460232117
Sun, Jan 21, 2007, 18:23
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just bought the computer, got it with an extra year of warranty. Thanks to all who helped with this purchase.
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| 28 | Adam
ID: 5305788
Tue, Jan 08, 2008, 10:56
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Compare Laptops and Find Cheap Laptops.Read Reviews on Laptops and Find the Best Laptops at the Best Price at CheckCost.co.uk LAPTOPS
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| 29 | I found that connect
ID: 109313023
Fri, Oct 31, 2008, 01:54
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I found that connector you were looking for
Cindy, is this the thing you were looking for?
www.liangdianup.com/computeraccessories_1.htm
It's on the list of computer accessories and parts. They have the DVI video thing to convert that jap monitor to work with your other computer. Just about any other kind of wire adaptor, usb connectors, monitor extension wires, ps2 extention wires, and all kinds of female and male swap connectors and things that I think would help your shop. If that above link don't work then goto www.lducompany.com and click on computer accessories. Let me know if that is what you need and give me your email address again.
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