COMPUTER HELP-Looking to buy a laptop computer. (VANITY)

09/07/06 | MotleyGirl70

[MotleyGirl70]

My niece is a nursing student in Tucson, AZ and I need help guiding her as to which laptop she needs to buy.

She needs the basics for now; MS Word and Excel to do her homework on.

A computer that is very resonably priced and of good quality is the goal.

[MotleyGirl70]

Any suggestions or comments are much appreciated.

Thank you techie FReepers :)

[theDentist]

Dell.

[MotleyGirl70]

Can you please ping your list for me.

[guitar4jesus]

My only advice is DON'T BUY LENOVO!

Lenovo = Communist China.

[ShadowAce]

[The_Victor]

I've been really please with my Dell desktops, both from a quality and service perspective. Dell laptop prices are good, but the recent battery recall might make you think twice. OTH, Dell thought enough of it's customers to issue the recall.

Dell Notebooks start at < $500.

You might consider a refurbished HP, Gateway, or Toshiba model. Good laptops, but a bit expensive if purchased new.

[ShadowAce]

Rivenwood Computers.

I know this company well. They use quality parts and have a good warranty. Very honest. Tell him I sent you. He knows my screen name.

[antiRepublicrat]

Price range? Is Windows a given, or just the ability to use MS Office?

[stainlessbanner]

Check here, too

VANITY: Any (constructive) Advice on a new laptop

[texan75010]

Get a cheap Dell that has a wireless network card so she can go to hot spots and surf for free or for the fee they charge.

Also, laptop theft on campuses are rampant so don't go nuts on a pricey machine.

A dvd player would be nice to watch movies in the dorm room.

I would also buy a warranty when dealing with a college student. 528 RAM should suffice.

[MotleyGirl70]

Around $500 or less.

I'd like for her to have Windows XP.

[HuntsvilleTxVeteran]

How do you get 528 RAM?

[ShadowAce]

How do you get 528 RAM?

Easy. Two 256MB modules and Two 7MB modules.

:)

[Publius6961]

Lenovo is the successor to IBM.
Their laptops, designed in the USA are still the most ruggedly built and almost bulletproof.
Until Lenovo redesign their laptop line, they are the most reliable.

[ShadowAce]

Then add in two 1MB modules

[ThePythonicCow]

I'd recommend first choosing the retailer, not the laptop. In particular, I recommend DiscountLaptops.com. They have consistently had extremely high ratings from ResellerRatings.com over the years.

The brand that DiscountLaptops sells the most of is Sager, which is little known. They are a major manufacturer of high end gaming laptops under other brand names, such as Alienware.

So I'd go to the DiscountLaptops site and choose based on features and price.

[antiRepublicrat]

I'd like for her to have Windows XP.

For that price you can discount a Mac, which would have gotten you OS X plus the ability to run MS Office, and not have her worry so much about viruses, etc., and the need to run so many memory-hogging programs to keep her protected.

I don't know systems down in that range, but one important thing to think about is memory. The system will have an integrated graphics chipset which will suck up your main memory. In addition, she'll have her antivirus, spyware and other utilities running, and they take up memory. So make sure it has at least 512 MB RAM (preferably more), and skimp in other areas if necessary to get that memory.

[Quix]

Sorry . . . but . . .

NO!!!
TOSHIBAS!
They gave
ADVANCED SILENT
SUB PROPELLER TECHNOLOGY
TO RUSSIA.

There are sufficient quality other brands.

[MotleyGirl70]

Also, laptop theft on campuses are rampant so don't go nuts on a pricey machine.

Great advice.

[ShadowAce]

The brand that DiscountLaptops sells the most of is Sager, which is little known.

I happen to have a Sager as my main computer. It's currently 3 years old, but still faster than most machines on the market.