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New laptop

Posted on 6/10/12 at 10:49 am
Posted by raw dog
Baton Rouge
Member since Nov 2011
483 posts
Posted on 6/10/12 at 10:49 am
Money Talkers are wise, and I don't know a whole lot about computers. Any suggestions? No apple.
Posted by blades8088
Covington
Member since Nov 2008
4295 posts
Posted on 6/10/12 at 11:22 am to
Only apple
Posted by LSURussian
Member since Feb 2005
133555 posts
Posted on 6/10/12 at 11:32 am to
quote:

No apple.

Paging Scoop.....
Posted by Will Cover
Davidson, NC
Member since Mar 2007
39888 posts
Posted on 6/10/12 at 11:48 am to
quote:

Any suggestions? No apple.


Like you, I was completely against Apple. This was as of 6 months ago.

Today, I own 2 iPads, iPod Touch, iMac 27" and a Macbook Air 13" computer.

Simplicity, tremendous start up and shut down time and no system hang ups have sold me.

Is it overpriced? Debatable. I can't tell you how many thousands of dollars I have been on laptops that seem to always get outdated in a matter of months or break.

Posted by foshizzle
Washington DC metro
Member since Mar 2008
40599 posts
Posted on 6/10/12 at 11:48 am to
Unless you have unusually specific needs you will do fine with pretty much any machine.

Whatever you buy, I strongly recommend the following:

1) Download and install Microsoft Security Essentials. It's totally free, good, and doesn't consume as much resources as many other brands.
2) Get something like Acronis Backup and set it up to back up your machine every day.
3) Assuming you do #2, get a spare hard drive and practice a disaster recovery a couple of times. Literally buy a blank drive, unplug your main drive and try to recover it. Here's why:
3a) It's better to work the kinks out when it isn't an emergency.
3b) It's amazing how many computer problems can be solved just by doing a clean Windows installation and then restoring your data from the backup. This doesn't take much time at all if you plan it correctly.
Posted by Ryno_Kill
Member since Jan 2004
2408 posts
Posted on 6/10/12 at 11:55 am to
Sorry for the but my computer bit the dust yesterday and gives a corrupted drive message on start up. Are the odds good that my hard drive is trashed?
Posted by Bayou Tiger
Member since Nov 2003
3701 posts
Posted on 6/10/12 at 11:56 am to
My Norton software is expired. Will Microsoft Security Essentials cover virus scan, firewall, etc to where I don't have to buy Norton or any of the software packages?
Posted by Tigah in the ATL
Atlanta
Member since Feb 2005
27539 posts
Posted on 6/10/12 at 12:48 pm to
quote:

Any suggestions
what are you doing?

Dell or Lenovo if you're traveling with it - the business ones, like Dell Latitudes.

Sony is fine for at-home use. At home, most laptops are just for surfing.
Posted by foshizzle
Washington DC metro
Member since Mar 2008
40599 posts
Posted on 6/10/12 at 12:57 pm to
quote:

my computer bit the dust yesterday and gives a corrupted drive message on start up. Are the odds good that my hard drive is trashed?


Dunno without looking over your computer for more details. But it's certainly possible. Or it could be that the MBR is hosed but your data is fine. Or a couple hundred other things.

This is exactly one of the scenarios I have in mind where just doing a clean reinstall and restoring the data from backup works wonders.
Posted by foshizzle
Washington DC metro
Member since Mar 2008
40599 posts
Posted on 6/10/12 at 12:58 pm to
quote:

Will Microsoft Security Essentials cover virus scan, firewall, etc to where I don't have to buy Norton or any of the software packages?


Yes.

If you want to be extra careful you can also install the free version of Malwarebytes.
Posted by 756
Member since Sep 2004
15766 posts
Posted on 6/10/12 at 5:39 pm to
buy business grade and stay away from box stores

Hp Probook or Elitebook is an example

Dell latitude is another
Posted by nolanola
Member since Nov 2010
7635 posts
Posted on 6/10/12 at 6:56 pm to
quote:

Apple


quote:

Simplicity, tremendous start up and shut down time and no system hang ups have sold me.



This.
Posted by wegotdatwood
Member since Aug 2009
17094 posts
Posted on 6/10/12 at 7:16 pm to
I'm a firm believer that anti virus shite causes viruses.


I used to buy it, I don't anymore.
Posted by Costanza
Member since May 2011
3263 posts
Posted on 6/10/12 at 8:03 pm to
After three hp desktops in the last 2.5 years crapping out, my folks finally pulled the trigger on a Mac. Think of the money they would have saved if they had bought one to begin with.

I've had a MacBook for 5 years now without issue. Worth the extra $$
Posted by TigerAlum1982
Member since Sep 2011
1553 posts
Posted on 6/10/12 at 8:56 pm to
MacBook. I've had numerous Dell's, including laptops and would never go back to them after having my MacBook. It just doesn't have all the "issues" I had with the pc's.
Posted by GregYoureMyBoyBlue
Member since Apr 2011
2964 posts
Posted on 6/11/12 at 9:16 am to
I love Apples, but they just aren't as practical if you're using them for excel. I recently bought this laptop LINK and so far it has been running smooth and is perfect for what i bought it for (Microsoft suite of apps for B-school).

Best suggestion is to find out what you are going to use it for and go do your own research on various tech forums/money talk. Then go buy on Amazon because that will have much cheaper prices than anything on newegg, bestbuy, Dell, etc.
Posted by Catman88
Baton Rouge, LA
Member since Dec 2004
49125 posts
Posted on 6/11/12 at 9:42 am to
How can anyone give advice unless you state what you need to use it for?

(Makes the fact that people are blindly recommeding apple even more hilarious)

yes lets go out and spend 1500+ to surf the web. That makes a whole lot of fiscal sense money board.
This post was edited on 6/11/12 at 9:46 am
Posted by Queen
Member since Nov 2009
3034 posts
Posted on 6/11/12 at 9:49 am to
My dad is anti-Apple, but he now has an iPad and iPhone, and as soon as his Dell goes will probably take the plunge on a laptop as well.

It is more expensive, but not nearly as many problems. I went through three HPs in four years of college and didn't even take it to class every day. I now have a Macbook that is my sole work and home computer and gets toted everywhere. It's lasted twice as long as any of the HPs and gets worked twice as hard. I have the Microsoft Office Suite for Mac also, and it has zero problems communicating with the PCs my co-workers use.

If you're worried about price, consider buying a refurb. The Apple Store has them, of course, but if there's an Apple Specialist store near you, try talking to them. They're local, and will keep an eye out if there is a certain price or computer spec you need. In Lafayette The Orchard is an Apple Specialist.

If you do go PC...make sure to do what other posters said and back up frequently. Also stay away from HP. Suckers get hotter than anything and crap out after a year or two.
Posted by Tryk
Baton Rouge
Member since Dec 2009
91 posts
Posted on 6/11/12 at 10:30 am to
Try this one from Dell... LINK Alot of people hate on Dell, but if you get the waranty and something happens they will either come to your house/place of business and fix it for you or send you a new one.

I got my inspiron in 2004 and im still using it today.
Posted by nolanola
Member since Nov 2010
7635 posts
Posted on 6/11/12 at 3:09 pm to
quote:

I love Apples, but they just aren't as practical if you're using them for excel.


Apple's Numbers FTW
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