Need help deciding on Laptop purchase

[Ruined Adventures]

We are tired of our old & tired laptop and have decided to invest in one more suited for our needs. I'm not very tech savy (neither is she) so here is what we want in a laptop:

*Entertainment: We don't have cable (greatest decision ever) but every once in a while we'll catch the Office or Modern Family on Hulu. We also like to stream video's on Netflix on occasion. We're not HD snobs, so we don't need insane picture quality for this, but we just want a laptop that won't have problems playing uninterrupted video. No choppiness or getting interrupted while the computer has to "think". Also DVD capabilities is a must for the same reasons.

*Surfing: This is mainly what we currently use our laptop for...News, research, social networks, and shopping. So something that's quick is desirable.

*Music: I like to hook up the laptop to our stereo and listen to Pandora or iTunes while working in the shop.

*Travel Resource: We bought Rosetta Stone, levels 1-5 for Spanish. We haven't used it yet because we feel like it'll kill our old laptop. We'd like the new laptop to handle this, or maybe we can clean up the old laptop and dedicate it to strictly Rosetta Stone use. The new laptop will be an important resource for a trip to Tierra del Fuego in about 1-2 years. We have a Seagate 500GB external hard drive for general backup and to store service manuals, travel books, and medical textbooks in PDF. It'd be nice to have space to store the PDF's on the laptop for redundancy. I'd also like to be able to set up a mapping program to load onto my GPS. I have an old Garmin Streetpilot C340 with an external card slot, so I'd like to load maps from http://www.smellybiker.com/ but I'm still not sure how I'll do all this. I'll cross that bridge when I get to it. I suppose a webcam would be nice to Skype, but it's definitely not a dealbreaker.

Price: If we could stay under $800 that would be awesome. Of course if we could meet all these demands for less I'd be open to that too :sombrero:

I know everyone loves Toughbooks, but I don't need something that heavy duty. For our trip I'll either throw the laptop in a Pelican case or do something like this:
http://www.popularmechanics.com/technology/how-to/tips/4327743

Also, I DON'T want a notebook...I like the idea of netbooks since they're so small and ultralight...but for this laptop I'm okay with the extra weight and size since we will be overlanding.

So there's our "list of demands" :Wow1: Let me know if any of you know of a solid option out there for us. Thanks!

 

[evldave]

ok, I'll throw some ideas out there...

#1 - Don't get a netbook if you are going to be streaming movies/video. Even dual-core with dedicated graphics will 'stutter' from time to time. At your price range, you can afford better.

#2 - In our house, we currently have laptops from Lenovo (both a work and a netbook), Samsung, HP (x2), and a Dell. The Lenovo T410 is the most well-built, but I think at your price, the Samsung provides the best quality, it was a Core i5, w/dedicated graphics, 15.4" screen and was around $800 at Best Buy a few months ago.

#3 - Wait until the holidays...can't say this enough...prices for last years laptops will be hundreds and hundreds of dollars cheaper for basically the exact same laptop. Black Friday is usually worth it on the electronics front

My recommendation at your full price point

Core i5
Dedicated graphics card (512 MB)
500GB Hard Drive
15.4" screen (or 14" ... 16+ gets big for travel use)
DVD/Blu-ray

Cheaper:

Core i3, with integrated graphics
500GB hard drive
14" display
DVD

Or the WOW factor (what I would do w/$800)

HP tm2t tablet
Core i3
4GB RAM
500GB HD
Blue-ray
12" touchscreen!

Now on sale w/$200 coupon code NBG683166 at the HP store for $759

http://www.shopping.hp.com/webapp/s...stination=review&config_id=5478060&aoid=35252

Plus to can tinker with the options to add more (add bluetooth etc)

This will do everything you want, plus has touchscreen, and is reasonably well-reviewed.

 

[alosix]

I just picked up a HP dv6 from Costco this weekend that about matches the specs posted earlier and is right in your price point. Currently $799 with blu-ray and a i5M450 in it.

It has been working darn well (considering that its replacing a Dell 390n workstation).

Its been encoding my DVD's well (we barely use cable either and don't have any storage space in the house for the DVDs, so the go on my 2tb network disk).

It also has an HDMI out on it, which would be handy if you wanted it on a TV without having to work too hard.

Jason

 

[Ruined Adventures]

Sorry, my first post was misleading. I meant to say I like how small notebooks are but I DO NOT want one. Good advice though. After loading up the Lenovo with the options that seemed important, it'd be about $2G...I think we'll pass.

Or the WOW factor (what I would do w/$800)

HP tm2t tablet
Core i3
4GB RAM
500GB HD
Blue-ray
12" touchscreen!

Now on sale w/$200 coupon code NBG683166 at the HP store for $759

http://www.shopping.hp.com/webapp/s...stination=review&config_id=5478060&aoid=35252

Plus to can tinker with the options to add more (add bluetooth etc)

This will do everything you want, plus has touchscreen, and is reasonably well-reviewed.

After messing with the options on that HP tm2t tablet we're starting to think we need to adjust the budget :drool: added up to $1475 after the $200 coupon...Apparently my girlfriend was thinking of a higher budget than me (she makes more $$$ so I'll go with it :ylsmoke I've always avoided Black Friday, I hate shopping enough as it is. I'm guessing you can only get the deals if you're there in person? I suppose it could be worth it...it seems this is one area where you get what you paid for.
Here's the options we picked:
• Genuine Windows 7 Home Premium 64-bit
2-year HP Care Pack House Call Service with Accidental Damage Protection
• Intel(R) Core(TM) i3-330UM (1.20 GHz, 3MB L3 Cache) + Intel(R) HD Graphics [HDMI, VGA]
• 6GB DDR3 System Memory (2 Dimm)
• 640GB 5400RPM Hard Drive with HP ProtectSmart Hard Drive Protection
• Microsoft(R) Office Starter 2010
• FREE Upgrade to Norton Internet Security(TM) 2010 - 3 Year from 2 Year (activation required)
• 6 Cell Lithium Ion Battery (standard) - Up to 6 hours of battery life +++
• HP 90W Smart Auto Adapter
• 12.1" diagonal High Definition HP BrightView LED Touchscreen (1280 x 800)
• External Tray LightScribe Super Multi 8X DVD+/-RW w/Double Layer
• HP TrueVision Webcam and FingerPrint Reader (on the display)
• Intel Wireless-N Card
• Standard Keyboard

It also has an HDMI out on it, which would be handy if you wanted it on a TV without having to work too hard.

will HDMI work on my 27" Hitashi from 1995? :coffeedrink:

Thanks for the good advice...keep it coming. We want to be armed and ready to purchase when Black Friday arrives

 

[MotoDave]

I'm a big fan of business grade laptops, versus consumer stuff. I've found if you shop around and take advantage of sales or student/teacher discounts you can get them for not much more than the consumer level laptops. They tend to be less flashy, have less junk pre-loaded onto them, and constructed more durably internally. For example the IBM/Lenovo thinkpads and Dell Latitude series have cast magnesium framework, where the consumer variants have sheet metal. I've been using an IBM T60P for the last 5 years, with no issues other than replacing a cooling fan because it started getting noisy.

 

[Ruined Adventures]

I'm a big fan of business grade laptops, versus consumer stuff. I've found if you shop around and take advantage of sales or student/teacher discounts you can get them for not much more than the consumer level laptops. They tend to be less flashy, have less junk pre-loaded onto them, and constructed more durably internally. For example the IBM/Lenovo thinkpads and Dell Latitude series have cast magnesium framework, where the consumer variants have sheet metal. I've been using an IBM T60P for the last 5 years, with no issues other than replacing a cooling fan because it started getting noisy.

I have noticed that every computer I've owned is loaded up with unnecessary junk pre-loaded on them. How would I go about finding a "business grade" laptop? Would I just ask for that option at Best Buy or what?

 

[Fireman78]

http://www.dell.com/content/products/productdetails.aspx/laptop-latitude-xfr-e6400?c=us&l=en&s=fed

Oh, wait, was there a budget on this?....
Nevermind. I though you said 8 THOUSAND

 

[aires35]

The Lenovo X200 series are built to mil-spec like the toughbooks (without the love it or hate magnesium case), this means they stand up to heat, dust, moisture. They offer them in tablet (touch-screen) which is very nice when on the road, and most of them come with aircards. We use them in our shops for the mechanics and they are very durable and if you search around very affordable.

 

[MotoDave]

I have noticed that every computer I've owned is loaded up with unnecessary junk pre-loaded on them. How would I go about finding a "business grade" laptop? Would I just ask for that option at Best Buy or what?

The only brands I've got personal experience with are the Lenovo Thinkpad T, R and X series, and the Dell Latitude. They are pretty equivalent in my opinion, my wife has the dell and I have a Lenovo. I'm sure other manufacturers have equivalent offerings.

Here's the example of what the inside cast magnesium framework of the Thinkpad looks like: http://pics.livejournal.com/laptop_mechanic/pic/000s2fgd

 

[nwoods]

I'd reccommend a previous generation Apple MacBook Pro, 15". Instant on, real world 5+ hour battery. Awesome screen with better color and bit depth than my high end Dell 27" monitor that cost more than the whole MBP did. Comes with everything you're likely to need, and not a lot of extra crap. Any Apple remote will drive it, which makes it nice for streaming audio or video, and did I mention the Instant on!!!

You can buy returns from Apple directly for $400-$500 off list

 

[Ruined Adventures]

http://www.dell.com/content/products/productdetails.aspx/laptop-latitude-xfr-e6400?c=us&l=en&s=fed

Oh, wait, was there a budget on this?....
Nevermind. I though you said 8 THOUSAND

That ballistic armor could come in handy if we run into any cartel on our trip:sombrero:

These are all great recommendations, thanks to everyone! I have between now and Thanksgiving to decide what I'm gonna go with...decisions, decisions...

 

[elmo_4_vt]

Not sure this is quite up to your specs, but it would suit most of the needs you mention and it's quite a bit cheaper, and the multi-touch tablet is a great idea for an around the house/garage computer in my opinion.

Eee PC 101T at [ame="http://www.amazon.com/T101MT-EU17-BK-10-1-Inch-Convertible-Tablet-Netbook/dp/B003D1DZBY/ref=wl_it_dp_o?ie=UTF8&coliid=IZ8KWWC6K5F6I&colid=3I80S1626HAHX"]Amazon[/ame]

 

[alosix]

I'd reccommend a previous generation Apple MacBook Pro, 15". Instant on, real world 5+ hour battery. Awesome screen with better color and bit depth than my high end Dell 27" monitor that cost more than the whole MBP did. Comes with everything you're likely to need, and not a lot of extra crap. Any Apple remote will drive it, which makes it nice for streaming audio or video, and did I mention the Instant on!!!

You can buy returns from Apple directly for $400-$500 off list

My only real dislike for the apples is how fragile they are. The prev gen aluminum ones look and feel nice and strong.. until you drop one.

I haven't dropped a new unibody one yet. Trying to avoid is as they look harder to take apart to bend back into shape.

 

[Ruined Adventures]

I keep hearing good things about Lenovo from som tech guys I know...The girlfriend and I played around on the Lenovo site for a few hours and we're both impressed. I really like how their website makes the shopping process simpler by recommending options based on your needs and desires. I think we're leaning this route.

There's just so many options to choose from! It sounds like we want the best processor & the most memory we can feasibly upgrade to...I don't understand too much beyone that :drool:.

What other specific features should I look for? I really want touch screen, but she doesn't understand the benefits...we might go to best buy just to get our hands on some laptops so she can understand :coffeedrink:

 

[huskyfargo]

Ummmm...Apples aren't fragile. I've used and abused mine for 3+ years, the longest I've ever kept ANY computer. I have two HUGE labs that have knocked it off of tables and chairs, they've drooled on it, I've spilled coffee on it, and it has been in dry and humid conditions. I've had ZERO problems with it, and it's just as fast now as it was the day I bought it, even loaded with thousands of songs, videos, movies, and pictures. I'll NEVER buy anything but a Mac!!!
:coffeedrink: