Buying a Laptop

[austintx05]

Looking for a solid laptop to buy in the next couple of months...I have heard from several that ibm thinkpad/dell/toshiba/compaq/mac are all good...seems to me that it is more about the internal components that the name brand...

I am looking for a fast processor preferably 1.7 ghz or higher...40-60gb..assuming this is enough...not really sure about anything else...looking for a laptop that is fast. downloads are a minimum with me and I use Excel for some of my tracking purposes as well...

If anyone could steer me in the right direction I would appreciate it...

 

[audude]

i have had a gateway and ibm have the ibm love it but u can't go wrong with a dell,ibm, or a mac and with mac you have alot less headaches such as viruses and such

 

[austintx05]

Now...the purpose of having a laptop for me is to have internet access wherever I go...with the Mac Book Line...can you use a wireless broadband card with them...such as the ones Verizon offers?

 

[Tchocky]

You probably want something that is very light and has a long lasting battery if you plan to have it with you at all times. Really depends on how much you want to spend.

 

[gbogo]

Inspiron Coupon $400 off purchases $1499 or more
Use this Dell coupon code 9C12FJVBKTKPV$ during checkout to save $400 off Inspiron purchases of $1499 or above
Dell Coupon Code: 9C12FJVBKTKPV$
Dell Coupon Expiration: 03/28/2007



this is the coupon i used when i bought my dell laptop and it depends how much you want to spend

but recommend looking at coupon mountain for discounts like this. you could really get a nice system with this one - as it will work with their other sale right now.

 

[gbogo]

should be this is not the coupon i used

i had a 30 % off - but they dont have that one at present

 

[austintx05]

Now...the purpose of having a laptop for me is to have internet access wherever I go...with the Mac Book Line...can you use a wireless broadband card with them...such as the ones Verizon offers?

Anyone??

 

[xpanda]

Anyone??

I can't speak directly about Verizon (I have no access to them) but I have a Mac iBook. Your built-in internal wireless is called 'Airport' and you just have to configure it to join whatever network you sign up to. You shouldn't need to add any physical components to the system.

One small word of advice about Macs. They are a thousand times better than a PC, especially for surfing. Once you use one, you'll hate pcs forevermore.

 

[greenmonster]

i got a dell a few months back and have been very happy. i recommend it.

 

[austintx05]

i honestly cant come to grips to want a vista machine, I just don't like what Microsoft is doing...I'm gonna try my luck with a MacBook

 

[Labeeb]

How has the Macbook purchase gone?

As a DOS/Windows user for 20+ years, I'm SERIOUSLY considering making the switch this summer.

 

[austintx05]

How has the Macbook purchase gone?

As a DOS/Windows user for 20+ years, I'm SERIOUSLY considering making the switch this summer.

I am still in the deciding phase. I am eyeing a MacBook with a 2.0 proc/1gb ram/80 gb hard drive/cd-dvd-r drive as well for $1266 or I can get a Dell 1.8/1gb/80 gb hard drive for $900.

I am leaning to Mac just solely based the great things I have heard, but I am not sure it is in my budget just yet, Still trying to get a grasp for the Mac.

 

[austintx05]

I can't speak directly about Verizon (I have no access to them) but I have a Mac iBook. Your built-in internal wireless is called 'Airport' and you just have to configure it to join whatever network you sign up to. You shouldn't need to add any physical components to the system.

One small word of advice about Macs. They are a thousand times better than a PC, especially for surfing. Once you use one, you'll hate pcs forevermore.

xpanda - can you elaborate as to why a Mac is better to surf the web on?

 

[Dr.Pepper]

For the guys who do not like Vista - have you tried it yet? It seems that perception is that it sucks. Let me be the first Mac fanboy to tell you it does not. It is a very powerful system with some incredible features. I would suggest trying before avoiding.

Xpanda's quote is very one sided. They are not a thousand times better. They are more reliable and currently more powerful - but that does not make them better. Mac's are very limited in programs compared to PCs. It just depends what your needs are and who you speak to about what you need. Make the choice off of your own perceptions - not because someone tells you this or that is better.

I have no problem surfing the internet on a PC. I have a Mac and have used that for surfing too. I enjoy the PC because it is more familiar to me with the years of use I have put on it. I know other's who think opposite. To each their own. Go and test drive some of these computers and operating systems before you take the general consensus amongst a small sampling of peers.

 

[Dr.Pepper]

You need to contact Verizon about this card working with a Mac. I'm sure a website could answer it - or google. You are referring to the portable internet service Verizon offers to customers. It sits in the PCI slot of a PC laptop and has a little antenna that shoots up into the air to grab signal. I have not seen these on Macs yet - but they could be compatible.

 

[austintx05]

thanks for the responses Pepper.

I have no first hand experience using Vista, just have an old XP machine and it is time to upgrade. Just open to other options.