Please recommend a good laptop
 

I am driving myself crazy with comparisons and reviews.

This is what I'll be using it for:

web-surfing
mild gaming (RCT, Sims)
taking notes in school
photo editing
burning CDs
wireless internet connections


I'd like:

fast
fast
fast
something that could in theory replace my desktop

I do not want:
An Apple.

My budget is around $1k. I've been looking at Dells but they are getting a lot of mixed CNet reviews. I'd love a Viao but I think that's out of my budget.

I have no useful computer advice, but I love that this thread title reads:

Please recommend a good laptop BarTopDancer

FLEX-ible.

I buy all of our laptops for our designers. I always buy them from costco because for 6 months, if there are ANY problems, you simply bring it back and get a refund. Problems we've had include the system having no sound, no CD burner, and a designer simply screwing it up.

I've bought Toshibas and Gateways. Both have worked well for our purpose - using them with a 3D design program (cad based) to design custom cabinets and similar. All have been over $1000 - usually around $1200.

I recommend making a list of those things it must have... like a CD burner, serial port (we MUST have one - and they are being phased out it seems), a certain speed of processor, a graphic card that's the minimum you'll settle for, and then going to costco and seeing what they have to offer. Sometimes it's only 2 or 3, sometimes it's 10. Ask someone if all the laptops they have available are on display as they sometimes have some in the back and now out yet.

Find one with what you need - or several - and then pick.

Also keep in mind wide screen vs. regular, size of screen and weight of laptop.

And look for one with wireless built in instead of having to buy a seperate card.

My lap top will work just fine for you baby....c'mon over. ;) :eek: :blush:

Hmmm Sounds like a bad case of "toaster regret" to me.

Ah yes. Costco. With the fast and pretty computers. I looked briefly there on Saturday, I'll have to go back. I'm hesitant to buy anything but a Dell or Sony because I have heard so many negative things about Compaq and Gateway. Now HP owns Compaq and Gateway owns E-Machines that really narrows the choices down.

I'll have to go shop this weekend. ooo Shopping!

I love my Compaq.

Never! It's a mighty fine toaster. MBC spared no expense.

And if you'd listened to me, you'd have real estate

I love my Compaq too.

Presario 2100 Got it at Best Buy for about $980 after rebate, if I remember correctly.