I Need a New Computer

[Chris M]

Several years ago, I would have recommended Dell. Not anymore. IMO, stay away from HP, Acer, and Gateway, too.

I happen to like Lenovo (IBM). Stable, no frills.

Personally, I think the best way to go is to build it yourself...that way, you know exactly what you're getting, and have a much better idea of how to troubleshoot problems. Sure, it may cost a bit more initially, but custom-build computers are typically far more scalable & upgradable than the brand-name machines.

[G1500]

Its really hard to build your own laptop.

So, what is your beef with Dell, HP, Acer, and Gateway?

My GF has a Lenovo business class laptop, Way overpriced, way too much crapware added on from Lenovo. Had to remove several programs from machine to get her a stable internet connection.

My HP laptop has been chugging away just fine for about 4-5 years, after I did a fresh install of Windows, of course.

[drunktank]

They're all crap quality wise compared to back in the day, albeit way fast now though.

We went with Dell cause the wife wanted a pink laptop. Costco had the best deal at the time. Pretty much everything you just spec'd for about 500-550 I can't remember. I agree with the fresh windows install. It will run a bit faster. If you line up all the laptops inthat price range they will be comparable for all practical purposes. Get what looks/feels best to you. Be patient if you can-Costco and others are always having good sales and or rebates

[Chris M]

Its really hard to build your own laptop.

So, what is your beef with Dell, HP, Acer, and Gateway?

My GF has a Lenovo business class laptop, Way overpriced, way too much crapware added on from Lenovo. Had to remove several programs from machine to get her a stable internet connection.

My HP laptop has been chugging away just fine for about 4-5 years, after I did a fresh install of Windows, of course.

I guess I missed the part about the OP wanting to buy a laptop. I happen to like Toshiba laptops. I picked up a cheap ($300) Fry's special about 6 months ago. Great laptop for the price...I certainly wouldn't want to use it as a desktop replacement, though.

My beef with certain manufacturers? Personal & Professional experience. I've been building computers since the late 80's. I've worked in I.T. for the past 10+ years. Every manufacturer has it's problems, and many have they're strengths, too. I've just seen way to many problems with HP desktops (their servers are outstanding, though). Of course, that's not to say that EVERY desktop they make is going to fail. You happened to get a good one. Gateway & Acer - cheap components - way too many failures, especially hard drive.

At my work we were using mostly Gateway computers for many years - the hard drive failures were becoming such a headache, we ended up switching completely to Dell. They were good, for a time - but quality has been on the decline for the past several years. We just E-Wasted about 150 Dell Optiplex computers that were 10 years old, that were still running perfectly fine - on Windows XP, but they wouldn't run Win7, so we had to toss them. I also have a 10 year old Dell Inspiron laptop that's a workhorse - I've reformatted the hard drive probably 2-3 times since I bought it, but it keeps on working - even the original battery still holds a charge, and gives me plenty of run time.

As far as Bloat-ware goes - every manufacturer includes it. I prefer to Format C: and reload a clean OS...but I want it to be on quality hardware. In my experience, IBM (Lenovo) has historically chosen quality hardware.

[Rhythm of Life]

http://www.costco.com/Browse/ProductSet.aspx?Prodid=11618916&whse=BC&Ne=5000001+4000000&eCat=BC|84|56670&N=4047229%204294967022&Mo=7&No=4&Nr=P_CatalogName:BC&Ns=P_Price|1||P_SignDesc1&lang=en-US&Sp=C&topnav=

I just got the same model with different specs and it kicks ***.

The good thing about Costco is you have a 2 year warranty.

[drunktank]

Use an Amex card an if adds a year as well

[Corbin Dallas]

+1 on Costco. Please don't shop at Bestbuy.

+1

Please don't give money to Best Buy.


BTW, what you want:

Budget is $600 for the unit
Atleast 15" monitor
I-Core prossesor or better, No AMD.
Minimum 4gigs Ram
500 HD
Keyboard with ten key

Is going to be REALLY hard to find.

Most (not all) laptops with 10 keys are going to be a minimum of 17" monitor. Many are 19" which will increase the price a LOT.

I-core's are VERY new to the market and unless you get an I3 or I5, the I7 and I9 only increase the price tag.

Since you want an Icore processor, you'll also need 1033 or 1333mhz ram which again, adds more money.

So either ditch the 10 key, or look for an Intel C2D in the used variety from HP or Dell.

Two models that come to mind right of the bat are the M6400 from Dell and the 8710W/8710P series from HP.

If you want to compare these to their newer iCore counterparts, search the M6500 from Dell and Elitebook 8740P from HP.

[nemisis1400]

besides being overpriced, what's wrong with best buy?

[hylander]

This seems to fit the Bill
Does it have ten key
Thanks
Sterling

http://www.costco.com/Browse/Product...S&Sp=C&topnav=

I just got the same model with different specs and it kicks ***.

The good thing about Costco is you have a 2 year warranty.

[Satex]

I would ignore the brand all together as long as its a known manufacturer (Dell, HP, Sony, Acer, etc...).
The reason being that they all manufacturer to the same consumer grade quality, and all have the same Indian script reading call centers, and all are designed to last 2 years'ish, and all provide nearly the same warranty. Find a unit with the specs you stated and buy it.

[IntoForever]

I've bought many Toshiba laptops. They are great, durable and have put up with some abuse. I'd still have the older ones except some enema nozzle decided he wanted them more than me. I've had several HP's, not by choice, and they all had major issues within a week. Boss wanted to be cheap and he paid for it.