Laptop Recommendations For Someone Who...

[Camu Mahubah]

Hey yall I got a 17 inch screen on this dv8000. I don't see how I could hardly go any smaller. That might take the Mac out of the running. Dang if I were rich I would just buy the Mac with the biggest screen and be done with it.

I cain't do Dell unless they sell them at BestBuy preloaded with Ubuntu. Well actually I could I would just have to wait awhile.

I did not know that the Mac does not require anti-spyware and anti-virus. That is so cool. I thought that was just Linux systems.

As for my budget the Toshibas ain't looking to bad.

Question: If I buy a new laptob do I need to call my internet provider and get them to send me software to make it compatible with my internet? Somehow, I don't know how they do it, but my internet provider has Macaffee downloaded to my computer. I don't rememeber how I setup this thing. Will I need to buy anti-virus if I don't go Mac?

And what about Mac changing OS systems in October? Would this affect me in a dramatic way if I bought one now?

Still on the fence...Mac or PC?????

 

[Quattro Pete]

Originally Posted By: Camu Mahubah
Question: If I buy a new laptob do I need to call my internet provider and get them to send me software to make it compatible with my internet?

Usually, no. Who is your ISP? Is it a broadband or dial-up connection?

Quote:
Will I need to buy anti-virus if I don't go Mac?

No. There are plenty of free anti-virus options out there. Avira, AVG, etc.

 

[firemachine69]

All systems (Mac, Linux, or Windows) should require anti-virus if you are not computer-savvy. And don't pick up Linux if you aren't in the least-bit computer-inclined. You'll forever regret your decision (shall I go on to how I got Flash - a necessity - to work on my Ubuntu system?)

Macs "work", but carry a huge, unnecessary premium. Microsoft works, and ignoring the haters, following the Golden Internet Rules posted below, is an extremely secure system.

Golden Rules to the Internet


1) Don't surf porn. Ever. Even seemingly 'safe' sites occasionally get attacked by 'click-throughs'.

2) Want (somewhat) safe porn online? PAY FOR IT from MAJOR sites only. As is with rest of life, you get what you pay for.

3) No 'free' software without the open-source being available. Don't know what open-source is? DON'T DOWNLOAD IT.

4) No 'ROMS' or 'hacking tools'. 99% of the time, these are nothing but re-packaged viruses and trojans, and probably 99% of the reasons viruses spread so badly.

5) No illegal content. Ever. That means ***NO*** Limewire, no Bearshare, no Kazaa. End. Of. Story. Not even MP3's. At best, you'll only have a virus knocking on your system. At worst, you'll have a peace officer knocking on your front door.

6) Last but not least, if it's too good to be true, it probably is.

 

[ZZman]

To tell you the truth I have always thought Best Buy to be a little high on prices. I would check the Sunday ads also for Staples/Office etc for sales.

If it is a desk top replacement or being used like one I would go the PC with a 17" screen. For the same money as the Apple you could have a really nice 17" HP or Compaq. If carried around like a true lap top the smaller screen/lighter weight would be better.

Don't buy software. There is too much good free stuff out there.

Antivirus: Avira, Avast, AVG

Antispyware: SUPERantispyware, A-Squared, Malwarebytes

Firewalls: ZoneAlarm, Comodo, PcTools Personal firewall

Office Suite: Open Office.

and on.....and on.....

 

[ZZman]

Originally Posted By: firemachine69



Golden Rules to the Internet


Also:

Keep Operating system updated
Keep Java updated
Don't be tricked into downloading something with a pop up message

 

[firemachine69]

Originally Posted By: ZZman
Originally Posted By: firemachine69



Golden Rules to the Internet


Also:

Keep Operating system updated
Keep Java updated
Don't be tricked into downloading something with a pop up message



Yes, an updated system is also essential.

Open Office is just that... open-source software.

However I'm still a staunch believer in "you get what you pay for".

 

[rg200amp]

I have had a few laptops and I use many from friends and work.

I bought a year old Sony Vio laptop and its been the best computer I have used.

 

[Cutehumor]

Originally Posted By: JHZR2
Originally Posted By: Cutehumor
that's the only thing about buying a mac, it's more expensive and it's not as powerful. 1 GB of ram for $1500? what a rip. you could get a 4 GB laptop for half that much. Don't put all your money in buying a laptop now, the rapid city may fix your pc ports.


Maybe macos does not need more than 1gb to operate properly... ever think of that?

XP and vista 32 bit dont even make full use of 4GB RAM, so what is the point? To feel good?

For routine use, Ive seen no benefit to running 1GB vs. 4GB of ram in XP pro - and I have laptops set up both ways. Vista is still too iffy for my liking, though I have a Vista lapop too. It needs 4GB +.


$1000 for a laptop is real high end, if it's windows or a mac. The premium price for mac is what I don't really like. If macs were the comparable in price with windows. They would have a larger market share. I know that windows is a resource hog. someday, I'll jump ship to ubuntu full time if need be.

 

[Camu Mahubah]

Question:

Two laptops walk into a bar. One has a Intel Celeron Processor 585 2GB memory and 160GB hardrive. The other has an AMD Athlon X2 QL-62 Dual Core 2GB memory and 250GB hardrive. They decide to see who print a document, surf to a website, and burn a cd in least amount of time!

Of course the second laptop will win right? By how much is what I am trying to guess.

I'm looking at these two because they appear to be stellar values. The top two...

http://www.bestbuy.com/site/olspage.jsp?...agetype=listing

We are snowed in this weekend(my days off are Monday Tuesday) so I guess if we really wanna use our printer this week we are gonna have to order it online. Might wait until next week to go to Rapid City if the weather allows it.

 

[tropic]

I'd go with the first laptop. The second laptop should have ducked.

 

[Camu Mahubah]

Originally Posted By: tropic
I'd go with the first laptop. The second laptop should have ducked.


Huh? I figured the first laptop would be the slowest. Okay, another question. Will a Mac run my HP printer? Are Macs plug and play?

 

[uc50ic4more]

Originally Posted By: Camu Mahubah
Originally Posted By: tropic
I'd go with the first laptop. The second laptop should have ducked.


Huh? I figured the first laptop would be the slowest.


Me, too.

Originally Posted By: Camu Mahubah
Okay, another question. Will a Mac run my HP printer? Are Macs plug and play?


Yes and yes! *They are ridiculously easy to operate*.

 

[Virtuoso]

After our oldest accidentally filled my wife's Fujitsu tablet with milk - and it still functions perfectly - we'll probalby buy another one when this one dies.

Edit: woot 1000 posts..only took me almost 6 years!

 

[ZZman]

The second is best. By how much is hard to say. For most people it wouldn't make much difference.