Buying a new laptop...Where should I buy it from?

[Aflute04]

Alrighty, I have been searching for a new laptop for a couple of months now. I currently own a dell Inspiron 5150 and I HATE it! It has never been a fast computer. I remember when I turned it on for the first time, it took forever for it to just load. And its gotten worse as I've added more programs onto it. I've had it sent to dell and they've 'fixed' it and it's still slow as crap!

So, I am looking for a new laptop and I've been looking at getting a MacBook PRO. They are quite spendy. I don't know how much this computer cost, my grandparents bought it for me as a graduation gift. But, Im sure it wasn't 2200 bucks like the new one I am looking at costs!

Where is a good place to find a quality MacBook PRO? Would you trust ebay? I've seen a couple there that have good prices but I am not so sure what (if anything) is wrong with them and why they are so low.

Any advice?!

 

[Sk8ter_Boy]

I actually just built one for my boyfriend online at Dell because ive always had really good computers from them and while I always build my desktops myself I would never try to build a laptop.
Honestly all laptops are basically the same no matter where you get them from its just a matter of finding the best deal. A laptop will never be as fast as a desktop its going to take longer to load programs and the OS because most laptop harddrives are still 5400rpm, 7200rpm if your lucky. Id look for these things in a laptop right now
Intel Core 2 Duo© higher than 2.0ghz
1GB of Ram
256 Mb Video Card
and if you can a 7200 Rpm Harddrive
Pay no more than $1500 for this stuff or your getting ripped off
Get Accidental Damage warranties if you can because laptops even if taken good care of tend to break after a year or two

Word of advice DONT GO MAC
its nothing but a headache, they are awsome machines but software is a pain to find and upgrades can usually only be done through Apple.

 

[Aflute04]

I guess one of my main reasons for going Mac is just the luck i've had with my dell. But also, I am not ready for vista yet... Too many bugs. Could I customize a laptop with xp that could be upgraded to vista when its not so new? And I guess I wouldn't be too opposed to buying a desktop. I could easily wipe this laptop and use it to take to class and whatnot and use my desktop as my 'primary' computer.

 

[prfplum]

Depending on what you plan to do with it, the MacBook is actually a great machine. It is a 2 ghz Core2Duo processor with easily upgraded ram and HD. You just lift out the battery and loosen 2 screws, takes less than 30 seconds. HD and Ram just slide in. I have both a MBP 17" and a MacBook, in addition to several Acer CoreDuo PCs. The MacBook is definately my favorite. I am also running Apple's BootCamp with Vista Home Premium. For me, it is great. Good battery life, super portable, great design, and the best of both worlds.

Again, it all depends on what you use them for. I have no problem finding all the software I need for the Mac. Once you get into the groove of it, it is all out there, you just need to know where to look.

 

[jft245]

I have a Dell Inspiron 6500 and I love it. Your slow loading may have something to do with the memory and the speed of the processor. I upgraded mine to 1 gigabite of memory, I'm not sure of the processor speed but it opens and runs almost as fast as my desktop. If you look at Dell, check out the Outlet Center. They sell pre ordered or refurbished machines. I just picked up a desktop for about half the price of what I would have paid if I had configured it myself. You just have to search to find something that is close to what you want. If I had configured it myself my desktop would have cost $997(US dollars). I found it under the "scratched and dented" section for $449, and it comes with the full warrenty and you can extend it just like a self configured model.

 

[provenlogic]

Go with a Dell. Your bad luck was a fluke, or operator error .

 

[tiptoer]

DONT GO DELL!

A friend of mine is on her FOURTH machine!! They told her after they sent the first two, they dont "send out third machines", they have now sued twice. I knew someone that worked for dell and he bought a gateway... having a dell that works properly is a fluke!

I'm a designer, so I work MAC all the way... and I'll tell ya... upgrades are easier to find than ever! No viruses, EVER! And you can even get simulated windows so that you dont have to buy all new software! Macs are so easy to use AND when you delete a file, it only takes THAT file, unlike windows wich can delete other componants. I've been working with computers and design for almost 15 years now...and have used both! Once you go MAC, you never go BACK!

Purchasing... find out if there is a mac store near you...(apple.com will help you) Otherwise... I have ordered macs from Apple.com before.. totally safe.. and actually you'll pay the same as in the store! Hope this helps!

 

[provenlogic]

Apple's aren't computers g*ddamnit! They're f*cking fruit! Macs suck huge melon sized donkey balls and are worth their weight in old grey horse sh*t.

From your post about deleting files you obviosly know nothing about REAL computer operation.
[/OUTRAGE]

Again, get a Dell, getting a bad one is a fluke, getting 4 bad ones in a row is a b*tchy customer who's never pleased with anything.
[/MEANESS]

Bad day? You bet.

 

[januaryguy]

Go with a Dell. Your bad luck was a fluke, or operator error .

I'll second that...my first pc was a Dell and it served me well for 8 years. Good after sales service too..

 

[Kuja]

Get a Mac. You wont regret it. You might want to hold off a bit, though. Apple's whole line is in dire need of a refresh, and they'll probably all get it before the year is over. MacBook Pros are usually the first to get the updates. They're going to announce a few things (feature complete Leopard, wide-screen iPod(?), more iPhone details(?), etc.) at this year's WWDC (June 11th). They should refresh at least one of their computers (Either iMac or MacBook Pro) then.

Good luck!

 

[andysayshi]

Another vote for Mac here. You'll never look back. You can still use Windows if you need to, you just won't want to.

 

[trawler69]

Hmmm Nah not worth it!

 

[Aflute04]

I will check into the refurbished thing with concern to dell. And I will keep looking for the perfect Macbook Pro at the perfect price.

Thanks guys!!!!

 

[provenlogic]

Hope you don't play computer games... you certainly won't with a peice of fruit (mac).

 

[tiptoer]

I LOVE playing games with my MAC! My Mother is a computer specialist by the way.. and my friend who is a picky customer... yeah... id be picky too if... #1 Moniter didn't work after 2 weeks... #2 her cd tray stopped working...#3 ACTUAL SMOKE... no lie I was there... came out the back! ha ha and I dunno why the 4th... but yeah... to say I don't know much about computers is laughable. I don't want to be pushy, I just don't think calling MACs "Fruits" is a good enough cause to get a Hell Dell! And besides... If I AM a fruit... why not get the PC to match

 

[Aflute04]

No, I don't play computer games. I want it basically for basic computing. But I would am interested in a more media based computer. Im musician and I have tons of music to store on my computer. Itunes is horribly slow on my computer and it slows down EVERYTHING when I run it!

My laptop also doesn't have a dvd burner and I want one... Even though I'm sure it would be a while before I actually got around to using it...

I really have nothing against Dell, and if I can find a desktop that is at a resonable price with everything I want on it, then I will go for it. If not, then I will go with a Macbook pro or whatever they have out at the moment.

What are good specs to look at if I am looking for a computer to be an 'ultimate' media center?!

 

[tiptoer]

A lot of MACS come PACKED with media software already installed... out of the box you can make music, make movies, keep photos organized... the list goes on. Apple.com has some great testimonies on their music software. Keep in mind RAM and not just Internal memory when you're looking for a PC. Most new computers now will be more than enough to hold all the music you want and run the programs adequitely(sp?).
Even though I research things I am interested in to DEATH! I still ask tons of questions. Especially if you're going to a store that specializes in computers, you can get tons of help.... I'd be afraid of going to like a circuit city...

 

[andysayshi]

Hope you don't play computer games... you certainly won't with a peice of fruit (mac).

That shows a complete lack of understanding of current Mac technology. If you want to play a Windows-only game on your Mac, you just boot Windows up and play it.

If media and music are your thing, you'd be crazy NOT to buy a Mac. The worldwide industry standard for music and audio post-production is ProTools, which is available for both platforms but is invariably run on Macs in most post production facilities. You also get Garage band for free on a Mac, which is a very respectable music production tool if you're just getting started.

 

[tiptoer]

There's no such thing as a woman being a computer specialist!

CD Tray stopped working? Was that after they stopped using if as a coffee cup holder?

Monitor stopped working? They probably thought it was touch screen and cracked it while using the mouse as a foot pedal.

so... hmm... you're 40...interesting!

 

[badboy]

Intel's new chipset and mobile CPU range was just released, so if you want the latest hardware, I'd advise waiting a few weeks with this purchase.

Regarding Macs, they're quite expensive compared to comparable hardware by other manufacturers, so that's something to keep in mind. Vista + Media Center + Media Player will probably provide everything you're looking for media-wise without you having to spend an arm and a leg.