Calling all geeks and the computer savvy

[flying_octopus]

I need a new computer. Mine is dying. It freezes quite randomly and can't seem to establish secure connections anymore... or run heavy programs... or open some internet sites....or function in general

Comments

[shysylph]

I have a Dell Inspiron 600m, and I LOVE it. Not too heavy, and I got extra RAM so it could run heavier applications. I'm not sure what the newest model is, but make sure you get a screen that's at least 14" so you don't go blind (the 700m had a 12" screen...gah!) If you want more computing power and don't mind the extra weight, Dan seems to like his Inspiron 5150. For artistic/graphics applications, though, the last I heard (a couple years ago) Macs were the way to go.

I hear the IBM Thinkpads are also excellent computers. I almost got one of those, but then I found my lighter-weight m-series.

Whatever you do, get AT LEAST 512 MB of RAM, and get a wireless card because it comes in really handy :)

[ladysusan118]

People always say that Macs are more expensive and not really as good--their selling point is style and user-friendliness. Then again, someone else told me that what Mac does is lag behind PCs in terms of up-to-dateness, take a sudden leap ahead, and then lag behind again for a while. And I guess the classic account people give is that Macs are simpler to deal with but you can't tinker with them, so if something goes wrong you're forced to hire an expert.
I don't know how accurate these things are, having never owned a Mac--I just go with the cheaper option. My Dell Inspiron laptop lasted for four years, with fairly heavy use, and lots of run-ins with nasty adware and viruses. (I definitely would recommend buying Norton Internet Security, browsing with Mozilla Firefox, and downloading AdAware.) I think Jess's Inspiron is still kicking after five years.

[ladysusan118]

P.S.--I have an IBM ThinkPad right now. So far I really love it--it's only a year old, though, so we'll have to see how long it lives.

[flying_octopus]

Thanks. I think I'll check out think pads...

[master_cobweb]

Thinkpads are pretty much the best, but pretty much the most expensive, and unless you plan to do loads of graphics-intensive stuff with it (i.e. playing MMORPGs) I wouldn't recommend it. My new one is the newish Sony Vaio with an intel centrino duo processor, which is really good and wasn't TOO expensive. It's a bit bigger than average, but I like that. My laptop can totally beat up a Thinkpad. Plus the bigger it is, the cheaper it is! And it isn't too heavy either. It just has a MASSIVE screen. It's like carrying around an IMAX theatre! :) But yeah, Sonys are good. The computer scientest boyfriend doesn't recommend Dells.

[flying_octopus]

What does computer scientist boyfriend have against Dells out of curiousity? Drat. I was almost certain of Dells by gum.

[master_cobweb]

I think they use a less-good processor, so they will be slightly slower at some things, but they aren't by any means an old dinosaur of a computer. Dad just got a Dell laptop, and he hasn't had any problems, but he doesn't play games or watch films on it or anything.

[flying_octopus]

Oh ok. I want to run video editing programs and what not... so all of this is important.

[lizzabette]

I love Toshiba's Satellite series --- they're not as expensive, so depending on what speciality needs you have, you can probably get one (after rebates and all) for less than $700. And they're pretty sturdy. I spilled water on mine and did something to my keyboard, but basic functionality is still most excellent!

[master_cobweb]

In less than a month of ownership, I have spilled multiple glasses of water, juice, an entire bowl of cereal, and several crisps worth of crumbs on mine and it is still in perfect condition. Somehow it's not even dirty... :P

[flying_octopus]

Thanks. Goodness...so many options.