Question About LapTop Computers

[seemore]

Seemore and I have finally decided to purchase a lap top so that we can take it with us next camping season in order to stay current on everything:  news, the Forum, emails, etc....
What do you recommend?  We don't need a lot of bells and whistles.  We have our home computer, but this would be useful as I said when camping, when on vacation, or when Seemore is bogarting the home computer....  ;)
Dell?  HP?  McIntosh?
Thanks,
Mrs

[Tiny Tim]

Well, I'm certainly no expert, but I'm using a bottom of the barrel Compaq that I got at Best Buy last year for around either $250 or $350.

[Habanero Smoker]

I haven't purchased a computer in awhile, but if you don't need all the bells and whistles, then I would focus on the companies that provide the best customer service and warranty. Also make sure that it is Wi-Fi supported. Most laptops are these days, but some are not.

[BuyLowSellHigh]

Have 2 HP laptops that I bought as deals from Best Buy.  Both have been flawless. not a single problem, and HP has good support if you ever need it.  Just be sure and add a good antivirus program from the start.  These days I like Kaspersky Antivirus.  That with windows built in firewall pretty much does the job.

[FLBentRider]

Tigerdirect.com often has some good deals.

I bought my last 2 from there, 1 an HP that died a month after the warranty expired.

[squirtthecat]

Ditto on the HP/Compaq choices.  Stay away from a refurbed model, though.  They'll have a very limited warranty.

MrsSTC has an HP Mini that she uses for all her school work, but it is pretty small.  Takes a little getting used to w/ the 80% smaller keyboard.  But talk about portable...   It fits easily in a gallon ziplock bag.

I have a beat up old Compaq that refuses to die.  That's the one that goes with us when we travel.  (actually they both go with us)

WiFi is a must, and a built-in card reader (to read your camera pics) is a nice touch.


Stay away from the Macs...    You can pick up a used car for what one of those costs.
(not that they don't have their place in life - but they are overkill if you aren't a graphic artist, etc.)

[hal4uk]

Like TT said, you can usually find a cheap Compaq at Best Buy, and that will do fine for what you need.  I've got two old Compaq laptops that are still running fine.   Squirt has the exact same model and his is still running fine as well.  Also, I second what BLSH said about Kaspersky - I develop software for a living, and I use Kaspersky on all my PCs.

[Caribou]

I have a Dell Inspiron 1720 which I just love.
I use it as a desktop so it's a little on the heavy side if you want to carry it around.
Carolyn

[squirtthecat]

MrsS, here is a nice Compaq for just north of $400.

http://www.amazon.com/Compaq-Presario-CQ62-210US-Laptop-PC/dp/B003LY3IHO/ref=sr_1_2?s=pc&ie=UTF8&qid=1286033985&sr=1-2


It's got everything you need for an 'all around' daily use computer.  Nothing whiz-bang, just the solid basics.

[smoker pete]

When we travel I use my HP laptop and DW has a Netbook.  The Netbook takes a little getting used to cause of the 10.1" screen size.  Nowadays you can buy an entry level laptop for just a little more than a Netbook and you get a 15.6" monitor.  HP, Dell, Toshiba, Compaq, Gateway, Asus, Acer, etc all provide a nice entry level product and it should do everything that you want MrsS.

Your new laptop should have Windows 7 Home Premium 64-bit Operating System
AMD or Intel Processors are about the same at this level.  Dual-core processor would be preferable
The displays are basically all 15.6"
Make sure you get at least 2GB of Memory and check what it can expand to.  Memory is cheap these days
250GB Hard Drive should probably be plenty for what you want to do
Built-in wireless LAN (802.11b/g and n is the newest) and Built-in 10/100 Ethernet LAN
DVD+-RW/CD-RW drive.  This allows you to read and/or write DVDs and CDs

It all boils down to what brand name you feel comfortable with.  Just do your homework and get the most for your buck$.
Maximize your Memory and you'll be a lot happier with your new laptop.

[seemore]

Thanks for the input, everyone!  We will start looking seriously after our next - and final - two week outing that begins tomorrow.
We looked at some models today while at Best Buy.
So many choices, so many options......talk about indecision!
Mrs

[hal4uk]

Smoker Pete brings up something else to be sure about:  MAKE SURE IT HAS WINDOWS 7
You don't want a Vista leftover.  Vista is crap.

[FLBentRider]

Vista is crap.

Roger that!

[pensrock]

Got my Acer from tigerdirect.com They have many great deals there, I am happy with anything I buy there. I agree with the others, get Win7

[Kummok]

....Stay away from the Macs...    You can pick up a used car for what one of those costs.
(not that they don't have their place in life - but they are overkill if you aren't a graphic artist, etc.)

Although posting this question is like asking, "Which is better, Ford/GM/Mopar?", I certainly can't dispute Squirt's advice regarding cost. I have to say though, that I've bought/used Mac since they came out in the 80s and haven't had 1% of the problems I hear about with PCs. I am very comfortable in either Mac or PC environment with all the stuff I do (and don't do much graphic stuff  ;)  ), I but always buy Mac for personal use for many reasons, not the least of which is the "no problems" part. If you can afford it, you won't regret it....that being said, there's a LOT of other good things to spend money on than 'puters and Squirt and others are correct that you can get a lot of decent PC stuff for a lot less than a Mac.....you can buy a PC "that'll do" and still have money left over for a Treager, CharBroil, AND a new digital Bradley when compared to the Macs I buy!  ;)