I need help buying a new PC laptop
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TV ClubHouse: Archive: I need help buying a new PC laptop

Fluff

Thursday, October 24, 2002 - 10:19 am EditMoveDeleteIP
This is the deal. I want to buy a new laptop. Here I was thinking that I had a good deal, and then along comes somebody and they asked me what was I doing.

Person: What are you doing?

Fluff: Searching online for a new laptop to buy. This one looks nice.

Person: You want a NEW laptop???

Fluff: Yes.

Person: A NEW laptop???

Fluff: Yes!!!!

Person: Well, those aren't new!

Fluff: Yes they are!! They aren't used or refurbished!

Person: I know, but those are old because they are Pentium 3s! The new ones are Pentium 4s.

Fluff: (shakes head in frustration) And here I was thinking I had a good deal!!


Mind you, these Pentium 4s are EXTREMELY COSTLY! Between $1,100 and up to the sky. Can somebody please help me. I do have an old laptop at home, but I bought it used, and I had no idea what I was doing. I realized later that the thing was old, and came with a fake Windows office program!

Is anyone computer savvy and now the technology of all of this stuff, and if possible, where I could get a REALLY good deal. If so, please help me.

Draheid

Thursday, October 24, 2002 - 10:37 am EditMoveDeleteIP
Fluff: I can try to help, however, I would like to offer this bit of advice first.

Do not discount 'refurbished'. Often times, the term is used on items that simply can not be sold as new. It could be that the unit was specifically configured for a customer who then cancelled for whatever reason. It could also mean that it was returned as defective, in which case it will have been repaired and certified as functional. Most vendors will have specific warranty/return policies regarding such equipment.

One suggestion I would make, though, is to purchase an extended warranty, just as a precaution. This can insure you a worry free purchase, even though it will add to the final purchase price.

One site that is good to search for these products, IMO, is Dell's Factory Outlet. They often have great deals on all their products. There are currently Inspirion models using the P4 ranging from $900-$1200 depending on the configuration. The inventory on this page is constantly changing so you have to decide what you want, how much you want to spend, and then keep watching for your desired machine to become available.

Most manufacturers have these type of sites. If you prefer a different brand, you should check out their websites. For example, Compaq (Now a part of HP) still runs a site called Compaqworks.com.

I have purchased many things from outlet stores, most of which are refurbished. I have had very little problem with anything I have purchased as refurbished. I'm sure there are probably other's with different stories, but my own expreience has been very good.

I hope this helps. If you need help navigating the Dell site. I've spent a considerable time on there and would be happy to help if I can.

Crossfire

Thursday, October 24, 2002 - 10:40 am EditMoveDeleteIP
Hmmm, interesting question.

I'm not sure where you get a REALLY good deal on a laptop, but what I would say, is that when buying a laptop as opposed to a desktop, I would be more worried about who I got it from than how much I paid.

If ANYTHING goes wrong with a laptop you want to be able to fall back on the manufacturer for a couple of years since repairs under any other circumstances can be painfully expensive and in some cases exceed the purchase price.

Personally, I'd go to the websites of the big boys like Dell, IBM, HP, SONY, or even Apple and see what they are offering in your price range.

Also...depending on what you want to do, I would not discount the P3 from consideration, I personally believe that in a laptop, a P3 with a good amount of memory, and decent size HD still has a lot of life left in it.

Fluff

Thursday, October 24, 2002 - 10:45 am EditMoveDeleteIP
Great thanks!

I was trying to get something new, but I'm in college, and from the way the prices look............hmmmmm........that's enough money to cover one class at my school

Anyways, I appreciate your help! I will definitely consider a refurbished laptop now.

Weinermr

Thursday, October 24, 2002 - 12:43 pm EditMoveDeleteIP
Fluff,

Many months ago I started a thread exactly like this one, soliciting advice on the purchase of a laptop PC.

After much great advice, I ended up purchasing online a refurbished HP XH485, which has an AMD Athlon processor (not Pentium), and have been completely happy with it. I got a wonderful price, and have never had a problem with it.

Good luck with your search!

Car54

Thursday, October 24, 2002 - 12:58 pm EditMoveDeleteIP
Fluff, my work just bought me a new Dell Inspiron 8200, and it is wonderful. Fast, sturdy!

If you can afford it, go for a 15" screen no matter what brand. I have had 3 laptops, and my eyes would always get very tired by the end of the day...since I went to the bigger screen, no more tired achey eyes.

Also...listen to DraHeid...buy the extended warranty. You will be so grateful if you do have a problem, and you probably will!

Fluff

Thursday, October 24, 2002 - 01:13 pm EditMoveDeleteIP
Extended warranty. Gotcha.
15" screen. Gotcha.
Refurbished. Gotcha.

Meggieprice

Thursday, October 24, 2002 - 02:25 pm EditMoveDeleteIP
I love my Mac T-Book...and the powerbooks are not that expensive....

Macs Rule!

Fluff

Thursday, October 24, 2002 - 03:53 pm EditMoveDeleteIP
Macs, well, let's just say that I'm sick of them.

When I was majoring in Graphic Design (1 month ago), we always used them. Unfortunately, they wore me out terribly. They were forever freezing, which is HIGHLY annoying if you are in the middle of an assigment. Also, I think I am more comfortable with PCs. But thanks for the advice!

Sherbabe

Thursday, October 24, 2002 - 06:30 pm EditMoveDeleteIP
do not, do not, do not, buy a Gateway.

Juju2bigdog

Thursday, October 24, 2002 - 10:37 pm EditMoveDeleteIP
I bought a refurbished low end Gateway two years ago and was bitterly disappointed at first. It took me quite a while to figure out I had a bad modem, and then a couple of the keys quit working. But it had a one year warranty. I took it in to Gateway, and they fixed it, and I have not had any trouble since.

At the same time I got the Gateway, a friend of mine got the equivalent Dell model, also low end, refurbished. She had a bunch of problems with hers too.

Wendo

Friday, October 25, 2002 - 01:47 am EditMoveDeleteIP
I'm with Meggieprice, I love my Ti-Book G4 (the Titanium.) It's been the best laptop I've ever had. A perfect screen, light, portable, and everything just works, both in OS 9 and OS X.

Also, as someone above posted, don't discount buying factory refurbished products. I never did before either, but recently I picked up a factory refurb PowerMac G4. It's great and was $1400 cheaper than when it sold new. (Meggie - Love my new Mac!) Plus, it has the Apple one year warranty and I can purchase AppleCare for it as well. (I won't buy used unless I know the person. Factory refurb means it's fixed up and checks out by the manufacturer.)

Many PC manufacturers have deal, discount, and refurbs for sale. Check them out.

Schoolmarm

Friday, October 25, 2002 - 04:53 am EditMoveDeleteIP
Fluff,

If you are in college, buy a computer through the educator/student buy program. Your campus should have information about this. If not, go to the Apple website and click away.

I'm guessing that you were using an older mac in your graphics class. I have a Titanium Powerbook, and after I added additional memory have not had a freeze up. The Titanium (G4) is a bit pricey, but has come down quite a bit since I bought mine (I got it hot off the press a year and a half ago).

Check out MacWarehouse and PCWarehouse for other discounts.

My Mac is very fast and has WAY more technology than I really need.

Good luck with your search.

Fluff

Friday, October 25, 2002 - 05:31 am EditMoveDeleteIP
Ya'll wanna know what's funny?

Yep, we have the stupid student discount thing, but I don't see any real discount! Everything is over $1,000 (laptops that is) and anything over $1,000 is just too much for my taste at this moment. Maybe during tax time, I'll have enough to buy what I want, which I may probably end up doing anyway. But I want to get advice now, though, since that time isn't too far away.

I appreciate this help!

PS- I have heard some things about Gateway computers, and they don't sound like anything that I want.