<p>I’m hoping that my moonlighting job will scare up enough money to buy a laptop (because the 4 computers we have for 2 people aren’t enough!). I want one for (mainly) sitting on the kitchen desk and being the virtual encyclopedia when we need to know something fast, but also to take into another room (wireless) and write lesson plans or email.
Any suggestions? One caveat - my tech support guy doesn’t do Macs. I’d get a new tech support guy but after 32 years sharing a bedroom that seems a bit extreme.</p>
<p>a dell with Windows XP</p>
<p>We have a C400 and a D600 and D820 in our house now. All are fine. Whatever you can get a good deal on. Just don’t buy a new computer with Vista at this point in time.</p>
<p>I’m very happy with my Dell latitude. We piggy-backed on D’s order through her school—we got the same set-up, etc. (H and I got “his” and “hers”). No Macs here. Prior to these, we had good luck w/ Compac laptops…</p>
<p>edit: I cross-posted…and agree on the “skip the Vista” tip.</p>
<p>My D just bought a Dell Vostro laptop. It’s a new line from them (in addition to Latitude, Inspiron, XPS). It has a metal case rather than the typical plastic and is geared toward small business and is supposed to be fairly rugged but is relatively low cost. She got a pretty lightweight 14 inch model. It’s worth taking a look at.</p>
<p>She has Vista, my other D has Vista (on a Dell Inspiron laptop), and I recently purchased a desktop (Gateway) with Vista. Vista hasn’t been a problem for us. Note that Vista SP1 comes out in on the update site a couple of weeks. I wouldn’t get a new laptop with the old OS - go for the gusto. If it has a few problems, it’ll give your tech support guy a chance to shine.</p>
<p>Echo the Del laptop sentiment. Sounds like for what you need a Dell will do you fine. They often have one day or other such specials that make them very reasonable.</p>
<p>Forgot to say that I got an email today offering a good one day deal on the Vostro laptop. I’m not sure it is open to the public as I have a small business account with Dell. The email allows me to forward to 5 email addresses but the offer ends tomorrow am. Shows the Vostro 1500 at $549. if you want me to forward, PM me your email.</p>
<p>If you are buying a Dell make sure you google ‘Dell Coupons’ first. There are usually good coupons out there and they are usually better than what Dell shows on their web site (the coupon works on the price before any Dell specials and will replace the dell special if it is better).</p>
<p>We got a $1499 laptop for $999 before Christmas using an online coupon. Right now there are 30% coupons for a laptop of $999 or more so you can get a $999 inspiron for $699.</p>
<p>And you can get Dells with XP still.</p>
<p>Agree, you should get a Dell and skip the Vista if you can.</p>
<p>I have an HP laptop with XP. It’s been running for 3 years or so with no problems.</p>
<p>I just can’t stand dell. For me, an apple is worth the extra $…what can i say?</p>
<p>I have an HP Pavilion I bought a little over a year ago, and I love it. I have taken it on business trips and have had no problems at all with it. HP also has sales and special deals from time to time. I think mine came with a free printer and $100 rebate or something like that.</p>
<p>I should add that my sons have both had Dell laptops and were happy with them.</p>
<p>The cool thing about Dells is that you can get insurance so that if anything happens to your computer besides theft, you can get a new one. That sounds like potentially useful insurance for a kitchen computer.</p>
<p>corranged has a good point - I paid for the damage insurance for my D in a dorm due to the possibility of spills and drops. It seems that a kitchen might be a hazardous environment - no offense intended :)</p>
<p>Just a note–we have the Dell complete care package that was offered thru son’s school when we bought him his laptop. He dropped his laptop repacking it in a rush after going through security at an airport and shattered the screen–Dell came to his apartment the next day and replaced the screen for free and ran some diagnostics as well to speed it up, no questions asked. Younger son’s Dell laptop doesn’t seem to be running quite right–they are coming out today to our home.</p>
<p>The complete care package covers everything–part, labor and they come to your home so it’s convenient for sure. </p>
<p>I know some people have horror stories about Dell but our family has not had any problems at all.</p>
<p>We also have had Dell’s forever with the in home service. My daughter’s laptop has had the motherboard replaced twice, as her charger wasn’t connecting correctly, two new chargers (although it wasn’t the charger that was the problem,) a new screen because her hinges for the top were wobbly, a new keyboard because a letter broke off, and a new hard drive. Yes, I paid a good bit for this service, but what I paid is way less that what these repairs would have cost. Plus, the tech comes to your home within a day or two and if you get a nice tech, he will clean the computer or run a check for you!</p>
<p>I must say though, the parts are not new, they are reconditioned or parts from a returned computer. This has never been a problem and the parts look brand new.</p>
<p>Now that I said all of that, when I got a laptop last year, I went with an Mac as I wanted a lighter and cuter laptop!!! Everyone else in the family still has Dell and I don’t see them switching anytime soon.</p>
<p>Another vote for Dell/ XP operating system. I’ve had multiple Dell laptops over the years and have had few problems. Do not get a computer with Vista!</p>
<p>I don’t like Dell. Their stuff breaks too easily, and their customer service is a joke. I’d go with Asus or IBM (Lenovo) if I were you.</p>
<p>I had a Fujitsu which I loved. </p>
<p>But seriously, you may never need a tech support guy with a Mac. That is the reason people buy Macs in the first place.</p>
<p>Vyse:</p>
<p>My company recently switched from Dell to Lenovo as the corporate laptop. Yesterday I was speaking to a couple of colleagues in the hall with one complaining about problems with their Lenovo and the other complaining aout problems with his Dell. Our laptop support guy seems to think the Lenovos are a bit more problematic than the Dells we used to have. My guess is they’re probably about the same.</p>
<p>Since the major laptop components are from the same handful of suppliers (Dell, Lenovo, Apple, and most of the rest don’t make hard drives, DVD drives, memory, displays, processors, batteries- except Sony, etc.), I don’t think there’s a huge variance in reliability of those components. Some of the mechanical design components can be problematic though - like poorly designed hinges, buttons, ruggedness, etc.</p>