Laptops...

[killer cacti]

My fiance is going back to school in August after our wedding. She is in need of a new laptop, so I was thinking of getting her a new one for a wedding present. I am a Mac guy, and I have a Mac laptop, and she really wants one, but they are a good bit more expensive than a PC. She has mentioned before that I should just get a new desktop Mac, since I don't really need a laptop because I'm out of school, and give her the Macbook. My only concern is that my Macbook is almost 4 years old. I feel like I can get a new pc laptop that would be much better for her than my old 13" screen Mac.

So what PC laptops do you have and/or recommend? I've been looking at a Gateway, but since I've been using Macs for about 6 or 7 years now, I've fallen out of the PC loop.

 

[carlfense]

My fiance is going back to school in August after our wedding. She is in need of a new laptop, so I was thinking of getting her a new one for a wedding present. I am a Mac guy, and I have a Mac laptop, and she really wants one, but they are a good bit more expensive than a PC. She has mentioned before that I should just get a new desktop Mac, since I don't really need a laptop because I'm out of school, and give her the Macbook. My only concern is that my Macbook is almost 4 years old. I feel like I can get a new pc laptop that would be much better for her than my old 13" screen Mac.

So what PC laptops do you have and/or recommend? I've been looking at a Gateway, but since I've been using Macs for about 6 or 7 years now, I've fallen out of the PC loop.

Killer, if she is a student she will get a great discount on a Mac. The basic MacBook can be had for about $699 new. I'd go that route.

 

[killer cacti]

My fiance is going back to school in August after our wedding. She is in need of a new laptop, so I was thinking of getting her a new one for a wedding present. I am a Mac guy, and I have a Mac laptop, and she really wants one, but they are a good bit more expensive than a PC. She has mentioned before that I should just get a new desktop Mac, since I don't really need a laptop because I'm out of school, and give her the Macbook. My only concern is that my Macbook is almost 4 years old. I feel like I can get a new pc laptop that would be much better for her than my old 13" screen Mac.

So what PC laptops do you have and/or recommend? I've been looking at a Gateway, but since I've been using Macs for about 6 or 7 years now, I've fallen out of the PC loop.

Killer, if she is a student she will get a great discount on a Mac. The basic MacBook can be had for abou $699 new. I'd go that route.

Great point. I haven't thought about that. The only thing is she won't be a student until August, and we're getting married in July...

 

[NUance]

I've had great luck with Gateway. I used one everyday for nearly four years, and no problems. It was from several years back when Gateways were still assembled in South Dakota. But I don't know much about their quality now that Acer owns them. (Bought out the company a couple of years back.)

I bought a Toshiba a couple of years back. Worked fine for one year, almost to the week. Then it crapped out, completely dead. I don't think I'll ever buy Toshiba again.

 

[RockyMountainOySker]

1. I'm a Mac guy as well and will always point people in that direction. Can you wait to purchase the laptop in August or is she pushing for 1 asap? If she is pushing for 1 sooner, think about going the refurbished route. I bought a refurbished Macbook Pro off of Apple.com 2 years ago and I love the thing. I saved about $600. She probably doesn't need a pro so you can get a regular macbook for a good price this way.

2. IMO the desktop computer is 100% dead. Laptops are so advanced now that you can get everything you want. They are fast, have tons of memory, etc. Buy a docking station for you laptop if you really want a desktop computer. This way you can have a desktop station but be able to take your computer to the couch/chair in front of your TV or on any trips.

 

[carlfense]

My fiance is going back to school in August after our wedding. She is in need of a new laptop, so I was thinking of getting her a new one for a wedding present. I am a Mac guy, and I have a Mac laptop, and she really wants one, but they are a good bit more expensive than a PC. She has mentioned before that I should just get a new desktop Mac, since I don't really need a laptop because I'm out of school, and give her the Macbook. My only concern is that my Macbook is almost 4 years old. I feel like I can get a new pc laptop that would be much better for her than my old 13" screen Mac.

So what PC laptops do you have and/or recommend? I've been looking at a Gateway, but since I've been using Macs for about 6 or 7 years now, I've fallen out of the PC loop.

Killer, if she is a student she will get a great discount on a Mac. The basic MacBook can be had for abou $699 new. I'd go that route.

Great point. I haven't thought about that. The only thing is she won't be a student until August, and we're getting married in July...

You could find someone who is a student and pay them $20 to buy it for you. Otherwise, Apple runs a deal in the fall where students get a free iPod Touch with a Mac purchase. You can sell the unopened Touch on eBay and recover another ~$200 or so.

 

[bennychico11]

2. IMO the desktop computer is 100% dead. Laptops are so advanced now that you can get everything you want. They are fast, have tons of memory, etc.

maybe for the consumer looking for a home computer...but not in the workforce. I know I couldn't get away doing my work on a laptop.

That being said...I did just buy a Toshiba Satellite from Nebraska Furniture Mart. I've had it a little over a month now it's been running great.

 

[killer cacti]

1. I'm a Mac guy as well and will always point people in that direction. Can you wait to purchase the laptop in August or is she pushing for 1 asap? If she is pushing for 1 sooner, think about going the refurbished route. I bought a refurbished Macbook Pro off of Apple.com 2 years ago and I love the thing. I saved about $600. She probably doesn't need a pro so you can get a regular macbook for a good price this way.

2. IMO the desktop computer is 100% dead. Laptops are so advanced now that you can get everything you want. They are fast, have tons of memory, etc. Buy a docking station for you laptop if you really want a desktop computer. This way you can have a desktop station but be able to take your computer to the couch/chair in front of your TV or on any trips.

1. I'll talk with her, but I was trying for it to be a surprise for her for the wedding, and I really don't want to say, I'm gonna buy you a laptop but I don't have it right now.

2. I'm a graphic designer, and I do some freelance work at home, and am looking to get into doing a lot more, so that's why I want a desktop. I'm used to my 30 inch screen at work, and doing work on my 13" laptop just frusterates me.

 

[RockyMountainOySker]

1. I'll talk with her, but I was trying for it to be a surprise for her for the wedding, and I really don't want to say, I'm gonna buy you a laptop but I don't have it right now.

2. I'm a graphic designer, and I do some freelance work at home, and am looking to get into doing a lot more, so that's why I want a desktop. I'm used to my 30 inch screen at work, and doing work on my 13" laptop just frusterates me.

1- Yeah...not sure that would go over as well as you'd hope :laughpound

2- Completely agree then. I'd go nuts if I had to do what you do on a laptop. I'm in sales so I spend 99% in excel or online.....for me there is no reason to ever buy a desktop again.

 

[CornHOLIO]

Search on ebay:

labtop -laptop

(the - in front eliminates the auctions that also have the word "laptop" in the title or discription)

You'd be suprised how many sellers spell it with a "B". :facepalm: :laughpound

 

[zoogs]

I don't think the desktop is dead at all. In fact, I think it may be the high-end laptop that's dying. Smaller, cheaper, less powerful laptops and netbooks are seeming to become all the rage, allowing you to relatively cheaply by a pretty fully-functional portable machine, while (also cheaply) buy a much more powerful one for home use. I don't know, just my thought.

For laptops, if you aren't going to get a Mac, Lenovo has that legendary IBM quality behind it, as well as some crazy deals right now (41% off? or something like that). The only thing is, I can't get past the nipple. Too bizarre.

 

[HUSKER 37]

Search on ebay:

labtop -laptop

(the - in front eliminates the auctions that also have the word "laptop" in the title or discription)

You'd be surprised how many sellers spell it with a "B". :facepalm: :laughpound

Eliminates the other bidders?

I'd heard the same thing works for Dimonds (Diamonds).

I just got a refurbished TOSHIBA Tecra M5 (1.83GHz) for under $250 on ebay.. (About a tenth of the cost of my old one).

Supposedly, their laptops are off-lease and "considered Corporate or Business Class Laptops and are more durable and of a much better quality than those found at your local retail store".

The only problem I've had so far is a short battery life, so I'm watching ebay for new replacement batteries (~$30).

 

[AR Husker Fan]

I really like the Lenovos - very good quality. I've supported Dells, Toshibas, Acers - just about all of them, and it seems that the Lenovos are of better quality.

Will she be plugging into the school's network? If so, does it support multiple OSes? Some (smaller) schools limit students to a particular OS, so that could be a determing factor - at least it might narrow down to either a Windows or an Apple system. Also - will she require compatibility; i.e., document sharing? Will that lock her into a particular OS or office suite? Again, that can at least help you decide on a Mac v. a Windows PC.

 

[Bradr]

1. I'll talk with her, but I was trying for it to be a surprise for her for the wedding, and I really don't want to say, I'm gonna buy you a laptop but I don't have it right now.

2. I'm a graphic designer, and I do some freelance work at home, and am looking to get into doing a lot more, so that's why I want a desktop. I'm used to my 30 inch screen at work, and doing work on my 13" laptop just frusterates me.

A little off topic, but...

If you are going to be working with larger/multiple open files, then definitely go with a Mac Pro if you have the cash.

I have a book, imac, and a pro, and they absolutely go in that order for processing speed. I guess this is pretty obvious at the price difference, but I can't even express how satisfying it is to have multiple large files open on the pro, and have absolutely no lag whatsoever. The same files that would absolutely bog down my book and even the imac to an annoying amount (when you're used the unreal speed on the pro). When I have several files open in photoshop, illustrator, dreamweaver, and bridge, between multiple screens, the thing kicks butt.

So worth it.

 

[killer cacti]

1. I'll talk with her, but I was trying for it to be a surprise for her for the wedding, and I really don't want to say, I'm gonna buy you a laptop but I don't have it right now.

2. I'm a graphic designer, and I do some freelance work at home, and am looking to get into doing a lot more, so that's why I want a desktop. I'm used to my 30 inch screen at work, and doing work on my 13" laptop just frusterates me.

A little off topic, but...

If you are going to be working with larger/multiple open files, then definitely go with a Mac Pro if you have the cash.

I have a book, imac, and a pro, and they absolutely go in that order for processing speed. I guess this is pretty obvious at the price difference, but I can't even express how satisfying it is to have multiple large files open on the pro, and have absolutely no lag whatsoever. The same files that would absolutely bog down my book and even the imac to an annoying amount (when you're used the unreal speed on the pro). When I have several files open in photoshop, illustrator, dreamweaver, and bridge, between multiple screens, the thing kicks butt.

So worth it.

This isn't for me, it's for my fiance. When I get my desktop, I plan to get a iMac and up the RAM. I have a MacPro @ work.