Please recommend your (non-Mac) laptop

thegastons

I really want to purchase a new laptop. I don't need anything fancy - I usually just surf the web, keep our budget, email and store pictures - don't really do any kind of editing since I don't know how.

I'm thinking I want to go with something inexpensive, but don't really know which brands are good or which you need to stay away from. My desktop and old laptop are both Dell, but I'm not attached to the brand.

TIA!

FireChiefsBride

I can't find it on the BB website, but I have a 17" HP laptop w/ a dual core processor.  It works great for DH and I.  Sometimes I feel like it's a lot of laptop, but with going back to school it will be great to have so I can run multiple apps.

Pros: super fast. Doesn't lag w/ graphic games. Tons of memory. Full PC capabilities.

Cons: Kind of heavy, which makes it noticable to pack around an airport. Also, it's a bit harder to find cute bags for a 17" laptop.

You should check out the netbooks.  They're super cute.  I told DH I want a pink one like SIL's.

Leigha12

HP! I have an HP Pavilion DV series and love it. I bought it in February 2008 and haven't had any problems. Dells may be less expensive, but you have to spend the extra $300 or so on the warranty because Dell laptops always break!

Mrs.Purdue

we just bought a new Sony VAIO and love it.  our old one (which still worked, but was getting a bit slow) was a Dell Inspiron 17'' and it weighed a TON.  I couldn't actually lift it with one hand off the arm of the couch to hand it to someone.  I recommend heading to best buy/office depot/etc and trying some out, specifically for the size/weight and the feel of the keyboard & mouse.  once you feel comfortable with a couple, then I'd head home and start looking online for the best price.  don't forget to check Bing for cashback!

MrsRedRaiderGirl

I have a Dell XPS, which is awesome, but probably its definitely overkill for what you want to use it for. I got an employee discount + EOQ sale, so it was cheaper than buying a high end inspiron.  My sis and BIL both have higher end inspirons and haven't had any issues in the past year.  I'm partial to Dell, but they sign my paycheck every week .

thegastons

FireChiefsBride:

You should check out the netbooks.  They're super cute.  I told DH I want a pink one like SIL's.

I have actually thought about one of these! They are really cute. My only concern is that it might not be able to keep up if I'm using more than one program at a time since I do that sometimes.

GuavaGal

+1 for the HP recommendation.  I've had mine since January '08, and love it.

One of my close friends has a VAIO, and I've tried it out.  It works great!  I know she really likes it, and recommends it often. It's really small and cute, too. 

sozay23

I love my Dell Inspiron!

TX-Bride

I have Acer Aspire, I do exactly what you mentioned, email, surf the web and office apps for home use, like excel and word. I bought it from Staples exactly a year ago. It was a weekly special for under $300. It's great and light for what I use it for.