New laptop suggestions

[Brandon04GT]

Alright, I need some help here guys. I've been meaning to make this thread weeks before but I procrastinated.

My current laptop (and only computer) is a Dell M1210 which I have used basically every day since January of 2007. It's basically at the end of it's life with lots of problems and I think it is time for something new. With school starting next week and 3 online hybrid classes (hate them but no choice), I am looking to buy immediately.

I am pretty behind technology and don't keep up with trends. I do however seem to use my electronics for the full extent of it's life so I'm looking for something good as I will be probably stuck with it for at least the next few years to come.

My budget is around $500-600. I am constantly on my laptop on and off daily so I need something with good usability.

Here are the requirements that I can think of so far:

- My current laptop has a 12" screen and I have determined that it is just too small. I am looking for a 14" preferably, MAYBE A 15.6" but that is a bit on the large size.

- I don't want a number pad on the right side.

- Something with good multimedia aspects (integrated webcam/mic, decent speakers, several earphone jacks, good screen, etc).

- I mainly using it for Youtubing, web browsing, Microsoft Office applications.

- I don't really play PC games but I wouldn't mind something with a respectable graphics card so I can play some non-demanding FPS games.

Again I am for the most part on my computer A LOT...so I need something that is very usable for essentially all day.

Any suggestions?


Thanks!

[geedavell]

save some money and buy a Mac Book Pro

[Brandon04GT]

save some money and buy a Mac Book Pro

Thanks but I don't like Mac's....way too expensive too. I'd like to stick to Windows.

[d4v0s]

Ibm y series. Pick the screen and your ram. Bam!

If you wanna go a lil cheaper, a ideapad w series with i5 4gb ram should only run in the 5-700 range.

Their 3 year warranty Is only $99. Best deals I have found as of late.

[Brandon04GT]

Is IBM the same as Lenovo? Cause I couldn't find the IBM Y series but found the Lenovo Y series and it starts off in the $770 range. I'm looking to spend a bit less.

Anyone got any ideas?

[the86d]

Does it have to be Windows?

If you took your old notebook, installed Pear Linux on it, you'd have a Mac-like Interface, at ZERO-price, but WAY more stable than Windows.

If you NEED Windows, and have to get one with Win8, then at least TRY Linux on the old rig (Pear seems to work with more hardware than *buntu does).

[d4v0s]

Is IBM the same as Lenovo? Cause I couldn't find the IBM Y series but found the Lenovo Y series and it starts off in the $770 range. I'm looking to spend a bit less.

Anyone got any ideas?

My mistake, they are now just Lenovo, used to be IBM ha ha ha

I will be completely honest, I would not trust most laptop makers these days, I have had problems lately with HP, Toshiba and dell.

The thinkpad edge E431 is an I3 (2.6ghz) 4gb of ram and 500GB hard drive (7200rpm) runs about $560.

My recommendation though would be adding 50 dollars for the 24GB microSSD. This will allow you to install windows to an SSD and then use the 500GB drive for storing user files. This means when you reinstall windows there are no worries about your data.

Also, Lenovo offers a 3 year depot warranty (mail into depot for repairs) for $99.

No I don't work for them, yes I think they are the best built laptop these days, not so much in the looks department, but they are rugged and are very sexy in a vintage way. When seeing one they look to be from the era of Celerons and Pentium 4s, then you see the I7 sticker and Nvidia Quadro sticker and be like "damn!"

[lolkopter]

used macbook pro, and dont look back to windows

[ebencikiv]

Mac

[Brianguy]

slickdeals.net & bensbargains.net
read reviews on newegg.com & amazon.com
There's usually an A6 or A8 on sale every other week for around $350-450

[glockman19]

I have had good luck with Dell. I'm running a older Inspiron with XP and a newer one bought last year running Windows 7. I'm taking a class at the local college and get a Student discount.

[rman]

dell outlet, add accident protection, and wait for a 20% coupon code.

Was about to drop $1500 on a top tier laptop, checked the outlet center and found one... added 1 year accident protection, a coupon code, and paid about $990 shipped w/ tax.

[NYT]

ASUS at costco....your best bet. gotta love the mac nuts though, too much money, not enough brains.

if you dont have them at your local store, check this one out on ebay.

http://www.ebay.com/itm/ASUS-Notebook-F75VD-NS51-17-3-Intel-Core-i5-3230M-2-60GHz-750GB-HDD-6GB-Memory/300944844065?customid=nalUlA7IEeOVwBIkcGOq0A0_YkXg3_0_0_0&pub=5574652453&afepn=5337259887&campid=5337259887&pt=Laptops_Nov05&hash=item4611b5e521&afepn=5337259887

[REVR]

used macbook pro, and dont look back to windows

+1

I used to be a die hard windows guy too. But I was converted. I'll never go back.

[Brianguy]

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?SID=aQIcvA-fEeOhoKpGMlI0_AC7N_Mqwg3_0_0_0&AID=10440897&PID=1225267&nm_mc=AFC-C8Junction&cm_mmc=AFC-C8Junction-_-cables-_-na-_-na&Item=N82E16834231083&cm_sp=

$380+tax