Laptop recs?

NineTwentyOhEight · August 2011

I'm thinking of getting a new laptop or netbook...I'm using K's super old powerbook and it is dying a slow death...the battery is dead so the minute I unplug the laptop it dies...which defeats the purpose of a laptop! And now, the power cord has to be JUST SO or it disconnects...and it's already on a new hard drive from 2008. I think it's just time.

I am hoping to spend under $1,000...I could get a new macbook for $999 but I think that is overkill.

I want to check email, nest, and maybe use skype when the baby comes. And upload/send/maybe edit photos (minimally).

jaimebeth9 · August 2011

I'm on my second HP right now and I went back to them because I liked the previous one so well. I've also had a Toshiba (Pat currently has a toshiba) and a Dell. I'll be sticking with HP.

I have a large on (17" screen) because I don't travel with it, so I don't care if it's heavy and large. It's my main (only) computer at home so I wanted a good screen.

MrsC968 · August 2011

I have a Dell. It gets the job done. I've had it since Dec'04 but didn't start using it a lot until March'05, then used it a ton through '06. Now it is a backup to my desktop, but I've been using it more lately because it is hot in the office. The only thing I've had to replace was the power cord (it died). I've reinstalled windows at least once, but that's just good practice with any computer over time.

Mark has an HP (since 2005) and he hates it. In fact the computer's name is 'ho bag'.

SugarhillHnA · August 2011

For the purposes you want to use it for, I'd get a netbook. I'm not sure how well Skype would work, but if you have all other programs closed on it, it should be okay. I find on mine if I have too many programs open at once it runs a lot slower. I do everything you mentioned above on my netbook except edit photos and skype. The screen is smaller on a netbook, so editing on our iMac is just easier (and a lot quicker). If you go with a netbook make sure you get the longer lasting battery and upgrade the memory.

MrsT2008 · August 2011

Our next "family" laptop will be a MacBook - just waiting for Tim to finally bite the bullet.

If you don't want to spend the money on a Mac, definitely go with HP

xojo1 · August 2011

I'm glad you asked this! I gave the laptop I was using while in school back to my mom and now we just have out desktop. We would love to have another laptop, though, so recommendations would be great.

andreay82 · August 2011

I'll be of no help to you, but I got DH a MacBook Pro for Christmas, and it rocks. We use that as our main computer now but haven't transferred any of the stuff from the desktop yet.

But we wanted a new, fast, longer lasting computer since our desktop is a dinosaur. Seriously. I'm pretty sure it's almost 10 years old and it has all sorts of crap installed, added to, external drives....

Anyway, I'm hoping I can get a laptop in the next year or two, finally complete the info/photo/music transfers and get rid of the desktop.

marytini · August 2011

We have an hp laptop and netbook. We skype on both. Our laptop is a widescreen and has the number keys across the top and on the side like a regular laptop does. I love that.

jaimebeth9 · August 2011

marytini:
We have an hp laptop and netbook. We skype on both. Our laptop is a widescreen and has the number keys across the top and on the side like a regular laptop does. I love that.

Mary - the full keyboard with the numbers on the side is a MUST for me. I love it and can't imagine not having it!

Navi · August 2011

HP and Toshiba make good laptops now, especially for home use. If you're not doing too much then you don't have to worry about a beefy video card or anything that could run the cost up. Even the netbooks would work ok for what you;re looking to do.

jenndawnp · August 2011

I love my Mac's they last and do the job well. Have you thought about getting a Macbook Air or a Mac Mini? I've never disappointed and they outlast all other laptops, for me it's worth the extra money, especially when I consider how long the last between upgrades. I got over 7 years on my old laptop and it still works!

SugarhillHnA · August 2011

I have to add a P.S. to my netbook recommendation. I know you said you didn't want a Mac Book, but that is what I really wanted and it just wasn't in our budget at the time so we went with the netbook. Now that we have the iMac desktop, I won't settle again. When my netbook dies I'm getting a Mac Book for sure.

wrldtravler2525@yahoo.com · August 2011

I am another big Macbook promoter. I love ours, it seriously works like it did when it came out of the box 3 years ago. But if you want a PC model or cheaper version, my siblings all recommend their HPs.

reps14 · August 2011

I got an HP Pavillion dm1z a few months ago which is like a netbook and a laptop hybrid.

Here's the cnet review

I needed something to use microsoft office on for work, and internet, photos and skype. It has a camera built in. I wanted something powerful enough to do work on, but small and light enough that I could take it with me (for example, if I decide to commute by train). For what it is and the price, I really like it. I was replacing a laptop that my old job provided, but didn't want to spend more than $500. I got this for less than that. The only thing I don't like is that it doesn't have the page up and page down keys. It also doesn't have an internal CD or DVD drive, but has plenty of usb ports.

dafodils_lament · August 2011

I just bought a HP pavilion dv7 and I have had it about a month. I spent just over $800 on it and I upgraded the porcessor and video card for gaming on the ocassion that I get on and play WoW with the DH. I think mine base model was about$650-700. I got the 17" screen and love it. In fact I rarely turn on the desktop I just use "my" computer and not "his"(they are both ours but we've kind of gravitated toward his and mine)

NineTwentyOhEight · August 2011

ugh. see, I really want the macbook...I just was hoping to spend closer to $500.

my cousin has a Macbook from Nov, and he just bought the brand new one that came out. his "old" one is top of the line and he is asking $1,200 for it. I just really feel bad spending that much considering my income is about to disappear!

Laptop recs?

Re: Laptop recs?

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