laptop...

[lightningstruk]

So, I have to have a laptop for school (yes, those of you that didn't know I am going back for my MBA). I have a laptop I *can* use, but I am seriously thinking of buying a new one. However, I not nothing about computers. I am lost at MB and GH. I also have no idea how much I should spend. I don't want to spend too much and end up kicking

Comments

[artiphant]

I'm not hugely computer savvy either, but when I was in tech school, I talked to a few of my professors about buying a PC. Of course, they all prefered Macs, but they also all said that the best PC as far as they were concerned was a Dell.

Since then, I have had Dells, and I've generally been happy with them. (Generally, because I have had them crash on me before, but I crash electronics in general, just by being alive near them.) They do have 24 hour customer service and will walk through setting one up according to your home and business needs. Dave likes his Dell, too.

[digital_avatar]

Though taking Ed shopping with you isn't a horrible suggestion, the laptop front is pretty easy for what you need.

If you are just going to need it for school, you won't need a gaming powerhouse. Call Dell direct. They will ask you what you need, and set you up with something nice for a good price. Get the full warranty coverage, and they'll replace it if you do one of a billion things to break it, including dumping an entire 2 liter of mountain dew in it. They'll set up payment plans for certain items as well, and you can continually extend the warranties.

Plus you can have the software you need preinstalled, but you'll have to learn to use Vista.

As a note, the low-end Laptop from Dell is "better" than my desktop computer, than can run most software without an issue.

[chaosmom]

Want us to go shopping with you? Rob took his mom for both of her laptops (first one was stolen...) and she ended up getting the same thing I've got. I don't think you want one that big, but we'd be glad to meet up with you at Microcenter or Fry's (which are both very near you) and shop.

[bad_grief]

Decide what kind of warranty and service plan you want ahead of time. A solid comprehensive plan is going to cost $300 and last 2 to 3 years. If you go that route Dell Direct, IBM, or Apple are probably your best bets. Apple has the advantage of actually having stores you can walk into. The disadvantage of course is that your grand total will be $1000 to $1500 at least