[PatrioticRose]

Every five years or so I have to go through this. I have always just called Dell and asked them to spec out a computer for my needs. This time I need to be a bit more thrifty if possible.

[dhs12345]

Have you tried installing Linux on the laptop? Ubuntu?

My Dell e1505 “died” three years ago. It appeared to be hardware issues. I figured I had nothing to lose since Linux is free and installed Ubuntu on it and it has been running great ever since.

I even replaced the keyboard after I spilled water on it.

It is my tried and true road warrior.

It depends on what you use it for, but Ubuntu works great for surfing the net and even has a compatible version of Office. Best of all, it is free!

[Gay State Conservative]

The only advice I’d give is...make sure it has Windows 7.

[zadox]

I had an old Dell Latitude too- picked it up at the dump- the HD was bad and needed replacing and after that I added a some memory, and a Linux compatible wifi card- Belkin I think. Anyway, after I put Puppy Linux on it it was blazing fast and I used it for another two years. Total upgrade cost about $200.00. Just something to think about even if you get a new machine.

[Slump Tester]

I'm a total cheapskate. My notebook is an oldie but goodie that you can still get on Ebay for under $150 - a Dell Inspiron 9400.

Mine has a 2.1 ghz dual core, 2gb ram, a 17" screen that does 1920 x 1200, and killer sound with a built in sub woofer. It takes a SATA drive, so I have an SSD in it. (Also cheap.) It runs Windows 7 just fine, although I had to use a Vista driver to get the subwoofer working with 7.

All-in-all, it's still got a lot of bang for the buck, even if it is from 2007 or so!

[upchuck]

Lenovo ThinkPad. Built like a tank. Runs forever. Excellent customer service from native English language speakers. Does not have a shiny, mirror-like screen that reflects everything making it hard to see.

Deals at: http://outlet.lenovo.com/outlet_us/

[Wyrd bið ful aræd]

I've never had an alienware, but as you've discovered they're pretty expensive, and like all Dells, your chances of getting a lemon are high (Dells, in my experience, are especially prone to overheating). And I don't usually get involved with the operating system wars, but there is no denying Windows 8.1 is a pretty despicable OS. For that kind of money you could probably get a Falcon NorthWest, or custom build your own laptop.

If your needs are essentially ceorl-esque, I suppose any mid-range laptop from a "reputable" maker would do the job and 1.5K for an alienware is probably unnecessary.

Just my 2 cents, adjusted for inflation.

[TomGuy]

Avoid Samsung laptops. I bought a Samsung Win7 i7. It died just one month after the warranty. I took it to a local repair shop. They tried to be a replacement motherboard. Apparently, Samsung doesn’t make those. Thus, I have an $800 doorstop.

I replace the Samsungjunk with a Dell 17” with Win7 and an i7 Intel processor. I got the Dell on a special sell for about $700. It is fast enough to process videos. The Dell is much heavier than the ole Acer XP 17” and the Samsungjunk. I did have to replace the hard drive on the Dell. The original one got slow and files got corrupted. The replacement loads Windows much faster.

For video processing, you have to consider the processor and memory.

[TurboZamboni]

bump for later review

[gaijin]

Video editing = memory intensive. U need a fast processor.

If you go super cheap you’ll simply later have to spend MUUUUUCH more time editing your videos.

I’ve done it both ways and it’s MUCH cheaper to go more expensive.

[Inyo-Mono]

I also do photo and video editing (HD). I bought one from these folks three years ago. Fantastic computer and lifetime service and help, in English. Plus they offer Windows 7. Not cheap, but one of the best.

http://www.adkvideoediting.com/

[catnipman]

Dell Latitude would be a good choice. Stay away from HP and other Best Buy junk. Avoid Windows 8 like the plague. (I sent you some additional information privately).

[Randy Larsen]

Look into an Acer. Cheap as dirt(Not that dirt is cheap anymore), my brother has one and likes it.

[Sherman Logan]

I also need a mobile computer but do quite a bit of graphic editing.

So I got a fast notebook with a 14” screen, and hook it up to a 24” monitor when I do editing. Works great for me. Large notebook screens make them too big and heavy, and then they still aren’t big enough.

YMMV

[minnesota_bound]

Get either a better hard drive that runs at 7200rpm or a solid state drive. Go with the 7200 drive as it is cheaper.
The standard laptop drive is just 5400rpm and upgrading to 7200 makes a big difference.

[waynesa98]

win 8.x is not really any different then 7 and not that different then xp. most issues revolve around the user not wanting to learn the new short cuts. The start=> programs is different (metro tiles) and the small tiles are grouped differently, but once you think about it its fine. One downside is a mouse curser issue that can mostly be solved by changing settings(notice mostly). Its also lighter and faster then 7 or vista.

If you want to make your current rig feel faster and get better battery life don’t use a traditional hard drive a SSD will make your rig much faster. see if the sd card slot can take the new 128gb or 256gb cards, If so you can reduce the size of the SSD to the os and programs and use the sd card as storage and a usb dive for backup and longer term storage.

[Terry L Smith]

Since when did Alienware take over Dell???
That is the red-headed stepchild, there.

Toshibas are nice. I had one. I havve woned this lenovo for a while now, but it still runs quite nicely, sys7.

[eyeamok]

Try to find one with Windows 7, I go to Frys, and buy one of the $400-$600 range laptops with Win7 and install Linux immediately. If it has Windows8, it will also have secure boot and you cannot install ANY other operating system, regardless of what they say about bios settings. I took 2 back for that reason. Got a Gateway $500 at FRYS.