Laptop Brand recommendations?

[raybia]

I'm looking to purchase a new laptop soon. Probably within the $600 to $800 range.

Mainly for practical use, school (on-line classes), DVD, CD, browsing some occasional gaming.

Any suggestions?

 

[Alistair]

Raynia,

It depends, really. All have their strength and weaknesses.

The question is, do you wanna get a refurb or brand new? Refurb can give you a pretty good machine for a lot less money for a dent or a scratch or what not (They are going to get marked up, so it is silly to be naive in this way) but it's your choice.

Also, what kinda of gaming? I mean, dedicated is going to be better overall, but more heat, and price tag too. Integrated isn't bad, but it will keep your notebook a lot cooler too. Battery life, how long do you want it to last? If your going to classes back and forth, this is very important along with that most batteries only last about a year before they really start to degrade in quality.

This will help me out a little bit more,
Ali

 

[Kable24]

If you go the pc route I always like HP's, Toshiba's and Sony VAIO. Just remember ram, hard drive size and processor speeds are important.

 

[raybia]

If you go the pc route I always like HP's, Toshiba's and Sony VAIO. Just remember ram, hard drive size and processor speeds are important.

So the brand of laptop doesn't really matter as long as I focus on the proper amount of RAM, the hard drive size and processor speeds, right?

 

[Kable24]

basically. I will avoid certain brands because they may use inferior parts inside. I find dell uses real cheap plastics for the laptop shells.

 

[raybia]

basically. I will avoid certain brands because they may use inferior parts inside. I find dell uses real cheap plastics for the laptop shells.

So what brands should I avoid for laptops?

 

[raybia]

I've done a little research and I'm serious considering buying a Macbook. Can someone who is a Macbook owner tell about the pros and cons of owning one?

Also which one should I get. Macbook or Macbook Pro?

 

[Paradoxium]

Macbook is made by ASUS, and Macbook Pro is made by Quanta. The latter make higher quality stuff, with real metal alloy chassis and so forth.

Business books tend to have superior warranties, services and components (internally and externally). My suggestion at your price range is maybe a refurbished HP Elitebook from HP directly. The other HP consumer lines are inferior: made and serviced by entirely different set of people. If you want to splurge, HP Envy is sweet as hell.

 

[spidermilk]

My macbook pro has lasted me for 3 plus years so far, its amazing.

 

[raybia]

My macbook pro has lasted me for 3 plus years so far, its amazing.

If I'm going to purchase a Macbook would it be wiser for me to just wait and save the extra money and get a Macbook Pro instead?

 

[BAH HUMBBUG!]

If I'm going to purchase a Macbook would it be wiser for me to just wait and save the extra money and get a Macbook Pro instead?

I am not sure if you're still in the market, but if you are I will try to help.

Any Mac is great and should fulfill all of your needs. They are higher priced but you don't necessarily have to worry about the constant usual complaints that come with PCs. Spyware, adware, viruses and so on.

Not that you won't have issues, Macs aren't bullet proof but their ease of use and simple maintenance make them very user friendly.

The simple Macbook line in all honesty, if you can, stay way from them. Their build quality is no where near as high as the MBPs. Unless you can pick up a used Macbook Unibody for a good price.

I have a 17" MBP previous Gen an Early 09 MB (which I am selling) and a 13.3" MBP brand new. I used to own a Dell, Gateway both desktops an IBM and Toshiba laptop. The Toshiba was above and beyond much better than the desktops.

Personally for portable PCs I like Toshiba.

Unless you are doing heavy graphic editing, video editing, gaming, design or anything similar you don't need the power or dedicated video card that the higher end MBPs come with.

Look around on Ebay and Craig's List you might be able to find a used MB for as low as $400-$500 or so, but it will probably be out of warranty or not in very good shape.

I highly recommend getting one still in warranty then add apple care to it or getting one that has at least a year of Apple Care remaining, which means it would only be about two years old at this point.

Hope that helps.

 

[raybia]

I am not sure if you're still in the market, but if you are I will try to help.

Any Mac is great and should fulfill all of your needs. They are higher priced but you don't necessarily have to worry about the constant usual complaints that come with PCs. Spyware, adware, viruses and so on.

Not that you won't have issues, Macs aren't bullet proof but their ease of use and simple maintenance make them very user friendly.

The simple Macbook line in all honesty, if you can, stay way from them. Their build quality is no where near as high as the MBPs. Unless you can pick up a used Macbook Unibody for a good price.

I have a 17" MBP previous Gen an Early 09 MB (which I am selling) and a 13.3" MBP brand new. I used to own a Dell, Gateway both desktops an IBM and Toshiba laptop. The Toshiba was above and beyond much better than the desktops.

Personally for portable PCs I like Toshiba.

Unless you are doing heavy graphic editing, video editing, gaming, design or anything similar you don't need the power or dedicated video card that the higher end MBPs come with.

Look around on Ebay and Craig's List you might be able to find a used MB for as low as $400-$500 or so, but it will probably be out of warranty or not in very good shape.

I highly recommend getting one still in warranty then add apple care to it or getting one that has at least a year of Apple Care remaining, which means it would only be about two years old at this point.

Hope that helps.

So maybe I should just get a Toshiba laptop. I have a feeling I just would never fully utilize the power of a MBP regardless of how nice it would be to own one, especially considering its higher price because if I did get one I would rather it be new(just a personal hang up.)

Thanks for the advice!