What kind of computer do you have?

By lovehoneybee Oct 7, 2013

My poor Dell is almost 5 years old and is on her last leg (when I bought her the built-in webcam and wireless card were big perks!)

She could really do with a tune-up (she freezes a lot), but she's had a lot of physical damage in the past year or two. She's missing two keys, the cover to the DVD drive, and the screen casing is cracked on two sides. And the battery life sucks...she'll last MAYBE 10 minutes when unplugged.

So I'm cautiously stepping into the market for a new laptop, and lord how the market has changed since I last shopped for one! Did you know they make 2-in-1 laptops where the screen can pop off and function as a tablet? I'm a little bit overwhelmed, but my tech brother has agreed to help me make sure I'm not getting screwed over when I'm ready to buy.

Anyway, what kind of laptop do you have? Would you recommend it? What do you like about it?

(Unlimited funds I'd probably look at getting a Mac book of some kind, but it's not in the budget )

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40 comments

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pui
bananas / 9899 posts

Oct 7, 2013

I have a custom built PC.

Are you looking for a laptop or a desktop? What do you usually use your computer for?
Reese
pomegranate / 3521 posts

Oct 7, 2013

I have a macbook pro .. so I am no help They have some cheaper refurbished options, I believe (at the store), that come with a warranty!
yellowbird
honeydew / 7303 posts

Oct 7, 2013

@lovehoneybee: my dh has a dell laptop. My toshiba died

I'm getting a macbook next time... after I save up for a long time!
AmandaB8
clementine / 849 posts

Oct 7, 2013

I'm not much help, as I have a MacBook Pro. But I do love the combo laptop/tablets.

There's also the option to get a Nexus 7 and a keyboard that's detachable, and an external harddrive if you need more space.

I think the biggest question you need to ask yourself is "What do I need this for?" - Your usage will greatly affect what you should get!
Lindsay05
pomegranate / 3759 posts

Oct 7, 2013

We have two gateway laptops and a Lenovo laptop. We have had great success with all of them! I got my Lenovo for my at-home work laptop and it was only 400 bucks from Costco. I would love a MacBook too but yeah... I cannot afford 2000 bucks for one.
loveisstrange
pineapple / 12526 posts

Oct 7, 2013

I have a 27" iMac. Lol.

I use a Toshiba Satellite laptop though and it's been pretty reliable. It's a super low end one and is still going strong 2 years later. DH has a much higher end one (also a Satellite) and his is still running great.

If you're interested in a MacBook, I'd keep an eye out. They should be set to announce the new model year soon, which means they'll discount the existing 2013 models to clear them. They just did the iMacs and they reduced them $192. I would guess the reduction on the MacBooks will be similar. They'll also sell off display models.

Macs are worth the money, if you can hold out and save up a bit.
lovehoneybee
GOLD / wonderful pea / 17697 posts

Oct 7, 2013

@pui: Laptop, because I don't have a desk and need to be able to move out of E's reach (did I mention the recent damage to the body, lol?), but otherwise if functions as a stationary desktop i.e I only ever take it out of the house when we travel, and since I have a smart phone now rarely then, so I don't need something with a long battery life since it can always be on the power cord.

I don't use it for anything important...mostly web browsing, some writing, and a lot of photo editing (I'm willing to bet that's where most of my space goes). I'm not a gamer, except for the Sims 3. I sometimes stream Netflix, but I can do that through my TV so it's rare.

@Reese: Hmm maybe I'll check that out!

@yellowbird: Della has been good to me, but I don't have a particular brand loyalty.
sunny
coconut / 8430 posts

Oct 7, 2013

Which do you prioritize: screen size or weight?
What's your budget?
pui
bananas / 9899 posts

Oct 7, 2013

@lovehoneybee: Hmm so I would say you don't need a super compact laptop then, since you don't often travel with it. That can save you a lot of money while beefing up the hardware!!

Since you do not use it for anything super intensive, you don't need to go overboard on the power, which will also save you money. You should probably focus on getting a decent video card (try to aim for something non-integrated) and ram for the Sims 3 and other games like that you may play (Sims 4 comes out soon!!)

As for brands... I've had Acers, Vaios and Lenovos in the past and all have been kind to me. Vaios are usually prettier on the outside, but more expensive. I have seen some really nice looking Samsung laptops lately that look really nice and have decent power.

Since you have an computer savvy brother who can help you out with the detailed specs, you'll probably be able to get a good deal. I think you should be able to get a computer that has everything you need and more for less than $600 (CAD, sorry not familiar with US prices on average. )
lovehoneybee
GOLD / wonderful pea / 17697 posts

Oct 7, 2013

@sunny: Screen size, because it won't be something I take out and about on a regular basis. Ideally I'd like to keep it under $600 (I'm hoping I can find some good after Thanksgiving deals...), but could probably push to $750-$800.
lemondrop
bananas / 9118 posts

Oct 7, 2013

A standard size/screen HP laptop- I love it I don't need any special bells and whistles, it does exactly what I need for work and photos, and was less than $500.
Ash
honeydew / 7909 posts

Oct 7, 2013

I have a Toshiba Satellite. It's a few years old and still kickin'!
loveisstrange
pineapple / 12526 posts

Oct 7, 2013

@lovehoneybee: We paid like $450 for my Toshiba. It's been plugging along for 2 years!
hellocupcake
persimmon / 1171 posts

Oct 7, 2013

@loveisstrange: ditto.

Depending in your budget or how you feel about credit cards...
We bought our iMac on a Best Buy credit card. It was interest free for 18months and we just made sure to put what we could towards the total up front and paid the rest off before the interest started (: It is definitely worth the investment.

Side note, I have an iBook, apple laptop, from 2005 that STILL works. Husband has never has a Dell/Toshiba to last longer than 2 years.
yoursilverlining
eggplant / 11824 posts

Oct 7, 2013

We have 2 MacBooks and 1 MacBook Pro. Both the MacBooks are several years old and still working great - we haven't had any issues with them at all!
BSB
hostess / wonderful apple seed / 16729 posts

Oct 7, 2013

I have a Mac mini and an old MacBook that's 6 years old and still kicking. Not that happy with my Mac mini. I want an iMac!
loveisstrange
pineapple / 12526 posts

Oct 7, 2013

@bluestriped bee: the 2014 iMacs are going to be friggin awesome!! I can't wait until we sell out of 13s and can out out the display of the 14 so I can play with it.
Pepper
pomelo / 5820 posts

Oct 7, 2013

I have a custom built PC and a HP laptop. The laptop is old though, I'm hoping to get a MacBook one of these days. I had an iMac in college and I loved it!
chopsuey
hostess / wonderful honeydew / 32460 posts

Oct 7, 2013

I have a MacBook Air.
Marfi
clementine / 794 posts

Oct 7, 2013

DH and I are techies (he's an engineer and I work in technical support) so between the two of us we have, two custom built desktops, a MacBook Air, an old MacBook (7 years old practically dead so it doesn't really count), a hp laptop with windows 7 and a hp laptop with Windows 8 (love it).
yin
honeydew / 7917 posts

Oct 7, 2013

We have a custom built desktop that DH recently upgraded, 3 Lenovo Thinkpads (love them!), super old MacBook, and a new Dell business laptop from DH's work. It's so nice to be married to a techie who can fix my computer problems with ease.
matador84
papaya / 10560 posts

Oct 7, 2013

I have a regular macbook, it wasn't too expensive and has been worth every cent!
BSB
hostess / wonderful apple seed / 16729 posts

Oct 7, 2013

@loveisstrange: They reduced iMacs to $192!!!!! I need to get one of those!
sunny
coconut / 8430 posts

Oct 7, 2013

@lovehoneybee: there are tons of choices under < $600. If you are going with a PC platform (as opposed to Mac), I would recommend going with a laptop with an Intel Core I-series chip. An i3 would probably suit your needs just fine -- i5 would provide some extra performance. You don't need an i7.

Personally, I really like Dell computers. I had a Dell laptop I purchased in 2003 and used it regularly until 2009. DH has a Dell laptop purchased in 2010 and used it until earlier this year. We both have Dell desktops that we work on. That being said, I also have a Mac Book Air and love it. The hardware quality is top notch, though the price premium is much higher for a similarly spec-ed PC based laptop.

If you are open to ordering online, I would recommend subscribing to both Dell and Dell Outlet newsletters so that you get their coupons around Black Friday. We bought a desktop around that time last year and it was at a great price (we actually regretted not buying a 2nd one for hubs and had to wait months and months before the prices even approached that level again).

Dell Outlet won't allow you to customize your laptop but does provide some great discounts and many times the computers are brand new or nearly brand new. Let me know if you have any questions!
heartonastring
pomegranate / 3895 posts

Oct 7, 2013

Another Toshiba Satellite user here. It's three years old and (knock on wood) we haven't had any problems with it. We mostly use our iPads now though.
ShootingStar
coconut / 8472 posts

Oct 7, 2013

I love love love our MacBook Air. The lightness and portability are amazing.
lavender
grapefruit / 4554 posts

Oct 7, 2013

I got an iMac this past spring after being a PC user, still getting used to it.... So I'm no help either way
mrs. bird
bananas / 9628 posts

Oct 7, 2013

a macbook pro and an older imac and DH has a chrome book thing (meh, not a fan, i can't print coupons from it and the colors always seem off, it's not bad, but it's not great).
lovehoneybee
GOLD / wonderful pea / 17697 posts

Oct 7, 2013

@sunny: Oh thanks for the spec suggestions, and I'll definitely check out the Dell subscriptions. My girl is a Dell Inspiron and she's been for the most part great for the better part of 5 years.
mrs. bird
bananas / 9628 posts

Oct 7, 2013

@ShootingStar: do you find the edge of it cuts into you wrists? my parents have a couple macbook airs and i don't like using them because they're too sharp against my wrists when i'm typing. haha. first world problems!
MrsF
honeydew / 7283 posts

Oct 7, 2013

We're an apple family! I have a macbook pro and DH has a macbook air.
ShootingStar
coconut / 8472 posts

Oct 7, 2013

@mrs. bird: No, never have a problem!
LovelyPlum
eggplant / 11408 posts

Oct 7, 2013

Our six year old dinosaur died, so after some savings, I just got a Macbook Air. I was almost sick over spending that much, but I haven't looked back once!!! So when you do think it's in the budget, highly recommend

Good luck-computer searching is the worst.
Sapphiresun
nectarine / 2220 posts

Oct 7, 2013

We have a Macbook Air and an older Toshiba.
Emsmems
persimmon / 1331 posts

Oct 7, 2013

If you're sticking with PCs (DH has a MacBook, it's very nice!!): After talking to my cousin who works at Best Buy and an IT guy at my old job who dealt with all kinds of computers, it was recommended to me to get an Asus. I did about 4 years ago, and it's still going strong. I wouldn't say I am a heavy user of my laptop, but regular enough and I don't feel like it has slowed down too much and still works with newer technology (works fine with new wireless printer and digital camera). I like it and would recommend it!!
loveisstrange
pineapple / 12526 posts

Oct 8, 2013

@bluestriped bee: hahaha, no, they're $192 off.
deerylou
pomegranate / 3003 posts

Oct 8, 2013

I have a Macbook Pro, and think they're absolutely worth the investment. A friend of mine has the Samsung Chromebook, and digs it. If I wasn't a total fangirl for Apple when it comes to computers, I would look into Samsung. I love their droids, and other tech products.
BSB
hostess / wonderful apple seed / 16729 posts

Oct 8, 2013

@loveisstrange: Oh, haha. Yeah, $192 off sounds much more realistic.
SugarplumsMom
bananas / 9227 posts

Oct 8, 2013

An Asus desktop with a large LG monitor we got 2 years ago and an ancient Dell laptop. I prefer the laptop whenever I'm not on the iPad, but it's on it's last leg.

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