Buying a Laptop

wyo_rose · 06-19-2003, 05:30 PM

We're gonna buy a new laptop. Anybody got a recommendation?? For the brand and type, that is.:p

06-19-2003, 05:37 PM

I don't care for Mac's, they are only good for graphics etc. Go with a flat screen monitor, a pentium process, and a nice sized hard drive. If you need any help, email my brother at richard567@hotmail. com, and he can answer any questions that you may have. Tell him Angie sent you ;)

Paul G · 06-19-2003, 05:47 PM

My personal favorite right now is the new Tablet from Compaq.

http://h18000.www1.hp.com/products/tabletpc/tc1000.html

06-19-2003, 06:07 PM

Minimun Requirements for 1 should be:

128 or 256 mb SDRam Memory
40 gig hard drive or bigger
CD Rom
Floopy Drive
1.2 or higher gHz clock Speed
Pentium 4 or AMD Processor
56K Fax Modem
Networking Adaptor Board

The Compaq or Toshiba are good laptops. Sometimes you can find
a manucatures reconditioned/refurbished unit at a good saving and still have a good warranty available.
If you plan to travel a lot, then you want to definately make sure you have the networking adaptor board preinstalled. tis way you go somewhere and can't get a phone line hookup, you may be able to hook into a network system.Have seen prices starting around $800 and up depending on what all above the minimum above you added.

**eap7** · 06-19-2003, 11:33 PM

I would check out www.tigerdirect.com. They seem to have the cheapest prices. I got my laptop for college from them.

**kneegrow_native** · 06-20-2003, 12:51 AM

Definately stick to Pentium processors with speeds of 2.0 GHz or higher. Where I work at it has proven out that Pentiums kick the snot out of AMD's.

As far as RAM goes, nothing less than 256MB.

It is standard for most laptops to come with intergrated network interfaces. Wireless network capabilities is a plus, especially if you are at a facility with a wirless internet service provider.

Look for a hard drive of 40GB on up.

CD-RW/DVD-Rom drive, 56k modem, etc.

You can find something like this for as low as $1500.00, depending on the size of screen you want.

A few of our employees use Sony Vaios and Compaqs, both are solid machines, pretty much with everything I described.

Okwataga · 06-20-2003, 07:46 AM

like tahemet - i go ask my brother too.
he ordered me a dell laptop - came to about 1100.00
but yeah i asked him the same things but made him order it, he says to go with dell. don't ask me why

superndngyrl · 06-20-2003, 11:20 AM

Quote:

Originally posted by Pettus
like tahemet - i go ask my brother too.
he ordered me a dell laptop - came to about 1100.00
but yeah i asked him the same things but made him order it, he says to go with dell. don't ask me why

dude! she's got a dell! ;)

wyo_rose · 06-20-2003, 11:53 AM

Thanks, all for the tips. My dream laptop would be the new Mac, the big widescreen one that would ROCK for dvds. But I can't afford it - over $3000!!!!

And the satellite internet doesn't work with Macs.

Sony Vaio's look good, but they're kinda pricey too. That Compaq tablet blows my mind - I don't know what I'd do with it!:Chatter I like Toshiba stuff. I had a Toshiba phone for years and it didn't have any trouble until my dog chewed it up. Now I have to get a new phone every 6 months.

They sell Compaqs locally, so I'll go check them out. But reconditioned or refurbished sounds too scary for me. I wonder if they'd still be under warranty.

**kneegrow_native** · 06-20-2003, 12:50 PM

The only time I take refurbished computer equipment, ususally is if I get it for free.

Lots of times, if it is recycled, it is old and has already been obsolete for a few years or more, or if it is newer, then the MoBo has problems.

wyo_rose · 06-20-2003, 12:59 PM

Well, forget the refurbished junk! :p

I also gots to find one with both a floppy and a CDRW. (Or CD-RW/DVD)

Are manufacturers trying to get away from floppies altogether? I know they're unreliable, but my Sony camera saves to floppies.

My ex bought a computer with the switchable floppy drive and CD drive. Then lost the CD drive. I think he just gave the laptop away after that.

06-20-2003, 08:16 PM

On refurbished/reconditioned you have to be careful who you buy thru. 1 place I deal with quite a bit get what they call refurbished, cause they been recalled for problems with maybe a CD ROM, Hard Drive, etc., computers that haven't been on the market over 2 years, they replace the defective whatever, classify them as refurbished and still get the original warranty.

Main rule is know who you buying from and that they reputable. Less chances of headaches down thre road if you need technical help.

wyo_rose · 06-20-2003, 11:33 PM

What's Pentium M? There's no speed listed for it. Is it a mystery chip? :p

The reputable place we deal with only sells ProStar laptops and I never heard of them. They got big screens but must be lined with lead!:Chatter

06-19-2003, 05:30 PM	#1 (permalink)
wyo_rose Teenah's Too Cool Join Date: Jun 2002 Location: Fort Washakie Posts: 7,856 Blog Entries: 2	Buying a Laptop We're gonna buy a new laptop. Anybody got a recommendation?? For the brand and type, that is.:p

06-19-2003, 05:47 PM	#3 (permalink)
Paul G Webmaster Join Date: Jan 2000 Location: Lexington, SC Posts: 12,948 Blog Entries: 1	My personal favorite right now is the new Tablet from Compaq. http://h18000.www1.hp.com/products/tabletpc/tc1000.html __________________ New to the site--Introduce Yourself Need Help--FAQ--Search Feedback--Post your suggestions MyTribalSpace.com \| NativeGatherings.com \| PowWows.com Podcast \| Indigitunes.com NativeSeek.com \| Pow Wow TV \| Pow Wow Radio \| NativeMusicSource.com Radio \| NDN411.com \| eSnag Online Dating Pow Wow TV - Find out how you could win a 42" Plasma TV!

06-20-2003, 12:51 AM	#6 (permalink)
kneegrow_native whip cream is better Join Date: Mar 2002 Location: In God's Country Posts: 1,395	Definately stick to Pentium processors with speeds of 2.0 GHz or higher. Where I work at it has proven out that Pentiums kick the snot out of AMD's. As far as RAM goes, nothing less than 256MB. It is standard for most laptops to come with intergrated network interfaces. Wireless network capabilities is a plus, especially if you are at a facility with a wirless internet service provider. Look for a hard drive of 40GB on up. CD-RW/DVD-Rom drive, 56k modem, etc. You can find something like this for as low as $1500.00, depending on the size of screen you want. A few of our employees use Sony Vaios and Compaqs, both are solid machines, pretty much with everything I described. __________________ It is so sad that a family can torn apart by something as simple as a wild pack of dogs.

06-20-2003, 07:46 AM	#7 (permalink)
Okwataga Senior Dancer Join Date: Oct 2000 Location: cherokee Posts: 932	like tahemet - i go ask my brother too. he ordered me a dell laptop - came to about 1100.00 but yeah i asked him the same things but made him order it, he says to go with dell. don't ask me why __________________ In life there are few things that are certain... me being sarcastic is one of them

06-20-2003, 12:50 PM	#10 (permalink)
kneegrow_native whip cream is better Join Date: Mar 2002 Location: In God's Country Posts: 1,395	The only time I take refurbished computer equipment, ususally is if I get it for free. Lots of times, if it is recycled, it is old and has already been obsolete for a few years or more, or if it is newer, then the MoBo has problems. __________________ It is so sad that a family can torn apart by something as simple as a wild pack of dogs.

06-19-2003, 05:37 PM	#2 (permalink)
Riverwoman Guest Posts: n/a	I don't care for Mac's, they are only good for graphics etc. Go with a flat screen monitor, a pentium process, and a nice sized hard drive. If you need any help, email my brother at richard567@hotmail. com, and he can answer any questions that you may have. Tell him Angie sent you ;)

06-19-2003, 06:07 PM	#4 (permalink)
ghostrider Guest Posts: n/a	Minimun Requirements for 1 should be: 128 or 256 mb SDRam Memory 40 gig hard drive or bigger CD Rom Floopy Drive 1.2 or higher gHz clock Speed Pentium 4 or AMD Processor 56K Fax Modem Networking Adaptor Board The Compaq or Toshiba are good laptops. Sometimes you can find a manucatures reconditioned/refurbished unit at a good saving and still have a good warranty available. If you plan to travel a lot, then you want to definately make sure you have the networking adaptor board preinstalled. tis way you go somewhere and can't get a phone line hookup, you may be able to hook into a network system.Have seen prices starting around $800 and up depending on what all above the minimum above you added.

06-19-2003, 11:33 PM	#5 (permalink)
eap7 ~Erica~ Join Date: Apr 2000 Posts: 1,225 Blog Entries: 5	I would check out www.tigerdirect.com. They seem to have the cheapest prices. I got my laptop for college from them.

06-20-2003, 11:53 AM	#9 (permalink)
wyo_rose Teenah's Too Cool Join Date: Jun 2002 Location: Fort Washakie Posts: 7,856 Blog Entries: 2	Thanks, all for the tips. My dream laptop would be the new Mac, the big widescreen one that would ROCK for dvds. But I can't afford it - over $3000!!!! And the satellite internet doesn't work with Macs. Sony Vaio's look good, but they're kinda pricey too. That Compaq tablet blows my mind - I don't know what I'd do with it!:Chatter I like Toshiba stuff. I had a Toshiba phone for years and it didn't have any trouble until my dog chewed it up. Now I have to get a new phone every 6 months. They sell Compaqs locally, so I'll go check them out. But reconditioned or refurbished sounds too scary for me. I wonder if they'd still be under warranty.

06-20-2003, 12:59 PM	#11 (permalink)
wyo_rose Teenah's Too Cool Join Date: Jun 2002 Location: Fort Washakie Posts: 7,856 Blog Entries: 2	Well, forget the refurbished junk! :p I also gots to find one with both a floppy and a CDRW. (Or CD-RW/DVD) Are manufacturers trying to get away from floppies altogether? I know they're unreliable, but my Sony camera saves to floppies. My ex bought a computer with the switchable floppy drive and CD drive. Then lost the CD drive. I think he just gave the laptop away after that.

06-20-2003, 08:16 PM	#12 (permalink)
ghostrider Guest Posts: n/a	On refurbished/reconditioned you have to be careful who you buy thru. 1 place I deal with quite a bit get what they call refurbished, cause they been recalled for problems with maybe a CD ROM, Hard Drive, etc., computers that haven't been on the market over 2 years, they replace the defective whatever, classify them as refurbished and still get the original warranty. Main rule is know who you buying from and that they reputable. Less chances of headaches down thre road if you need technical help.

06-20-2003, 11:33 PM	#13 (permalink)
wyo_rose Teenah's Too Cool Join Date: Jun 2002 Location: Fort Washakie Posts: 7,856 Blog Entries: 2	What's Pentium M? There's no speed listed for it. Is it a mystery chip? :p The reputable place we deal with only sells ProStar laptops and I never heard of them. They got big screens but must be lined with lead!:Chatter

06-24-2003, 03:48 PM	#14 (permalink)
wyo_rose Teenah's Too Cool Join Date: Jun 2002 Location: Fort Washakie Posts: 7,856