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General discussion

Need help purchasing the right laptop for myself

Mar 23, 2005 11:28AM PST

I currently own a Dell Inspiron 8100 laptop which I have had for quite awhile, and it is solely used for home use. I am looking to buy an ultralight portable laptop, and I have a friend that owns a Sony Vaio T series which appears to be what I'm looking for, but before I make that large purchase I thought I should look into other laptops, as well. I guess I should really have prefaced this email by saying that I'm a student in the medical field, and I have really no clue when it comes to computers. Basically, I'm looking for a portable laptop with a long battery life, one I can play DVD's on, and one with wireless internet. I'll also be working on microsoft word, but I figured that's a given on most computers. If any of you can give me a little heads up...I'd really appreciate it!!!

Discussion is locked

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Forgot...Money is not an issue!
Mar 23, 2005 11:43AM PST

Forgot to mention that money is not an issue.

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Your help
Mar 23, 2005 3:00PM PST

I agree and thought Dell was bang for your buck until I heard about the following. Haven't yet read any previous posts so please give me this shot.

Dell apparently worked with some company for money of course inputting something in their products (don't know where how many, or how this works-perhaps only in canada) that automatically dials a long distance number therefor charging you with hundreds or thousands of dollars. I know it sounds crazy- but i heard it on news radio reecently. My sister has Dell laptop though, and has had no problems I beleive. I think there will be a big class action lawsuit against them. People attempt to contact Dell- the people being only online not stores- great customer service. But....they say- well it's not our fault it's your internet not our computers...etc.

I am in the same boat as you- getting a laptop purposely for school. This is what I've figured out so far. Nowadays though i think the technology is at a point where the laptop is cheaper and more equiped than my desktop payed the same for 4 years ago. Now you can get DVD-burner, 512 mb, a least 60GB, etc for like $1000 USD.

I say just go to the major retailers but dont get tricked into a extended warranty totally not worth it in my past. These are pre built ones. Stay away from HP/Compact = problems....terrible service (can expand if you like )

Toshiba is apparently great, gateway is good i think. Sony....well are at top for design "cool features", but top in consumers reports constantly for repairs. It's tempting cause prices are going down though.

Well for the battery life, i think you should just llook at laptops available on the online websites, then check the specs. Some say up to 5 hours. Think about those network cards coming with the laptop too.

Don't trust the sails people though- most are bad at it- make it too obvious they are lying and telling you want you want to hear. "oh ya- this one lasts for 8 hours"

Hope this helps

F_natic

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one more thing....
Mar 23, 2005 3:03PM PST

Ohh just read your follow up. In my case- gonna get it payed for by school - so my budget is limited. But you....of course you get what you pay for so the more the marrier. Get the $2000 ones. Dell offers great products I think at any price.

You should be sure to get the 17 inch widescreens..

Even consider the cool apples.....


That's it

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thanks
Mar 24, 2005 5:22AM PST

Thanks for the advice...I appreciate it!

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Panasonic

Noted your preferences, i'd reccommend the Panasonic ToughBook. Keep in mind that the ToughBook is quite pricy.

Microsoft Word may vary on productivity packages. Some notebooks come comfigerated with WordPerect instead.