Looking For A New Laptop

[Jamie76]

Hello everyone,
 
I am searching for a new laptop.  I currently have a Dell XPS which has been a royal POS since I bought it (constantly over heats and shuts down, screen is cracked, etc).  While I am not adverse to a new Dell (I bought this XPS in 2009), I hightly doubt Dell has turned around that much from the crap they were peddling in the recent past.
 
Any ideas/opinions?  I was at the Apple store this weekend and the Macs look really nice.  They are also really expensive.  My budget would be between $1000 and maybe $1600.

 

[Rod]

I went all Mac a few years ago, and don't regret it.  I love OS X even more every time M$ releases a new version of Windows.  With that budget you can get a nice Macbook Pro.  Check out the refurbished section on Apple's website and you'll save about 15% or so (sometimes more).  They're actually brand new computers, and not what you think of when you hear refurbished.
 
Good luck!

 

[BlindedByScience]

I've had Lenovo laptops for years, thanks to my employer.  They are solid, dependable machines.  My current one isn't a 'current' model, but my T520 with the nice wide screen, running Windows 7 has been solid a rock and performs fantastically.  If I were going to take money out of my pocket and buy one, that's the one I'd buy.
 
Might check into the cost of replacement batteries and chargers for Apple machines.  I've definitely known some folks that got amazingly gouged by Apple over those parts and service.  Compare and make your own choice, there is some very good hardware out there for both 'flavors' of machine.

 

[Kid Montana]

I'd avoid HP and Dell. Their consumer grade laptops have had a lot of reliability issues, failures right out of warranty, terrible warranty service, sending back unrepaired laptops after warranty repairs... lots of bad traffic.  Take a look at Lenovo (Thinkpad), Asus and Samsung for really well engineered Windows laptops.  Then there are always Macs which are fairly bullet proof and if not, the warranty service is great.. 

 

[JHolmes763]

I'd recommend Lenovo as well. Thinkpad lines are still solid, but they offer a lot of options.

-John

 

[kann]

I love our Macs, but I concur that they gouge the hell out of the consumer with any replacement parts you may need.  The charger for the laptop is $70.00.  I need a new wire to connect my iPod, and I'm afraid to think how much that's going to cost me.  Other than that, I have no complaints.  For $1000-$1600 you can get almost any Mac laptop you want.  
 
If I were to get another non-Mac laptop, I'd probably get another Toshiba.  

 

[2K6TBSS]

I have a Lenovo laptop for work, and a Dell laptop at home.  The Dell was purchased about 2 years ago, and I have had no problems with it at all.  The Lenovo laptop seems to be a rock solid setup too, it isn't the fastest on the planet (as it's about 4 years old), but it still works pretty good.
 
When I'm in the market for a new personal laptop, I think I will be getting a Lenovo.

 

[Rod]

If you have an Apple store nearby, go swap out the charger there.  Oftentimes they'll replace it free of charge, or at least give you a significant discount.  That's my experience anyways.
 
if you go PC, then I agree with going Lenovo - they're solid laptops.  The OS just sucks.

 

[BlindedByScience]

If you have an Apple store nearby, go swap out the charger there.  Oftentimes they'll replace it free of charge, or at least give you a significant discount.  That's my experience anyways.
 
if you go PC, then I agree with going Lenovo - they're solid laptops.  The OS just sucks.

 
Hey now, you know discussions about politics and religion aren't allowed here....... :laugh:

 

[ironpeddler]

If you have an Apple store nearby, go swap out the charger there.  Oftentimes they'll replace it free of charge, or at least give you a significant discount.  That's my experience anyways.
 
if you go PC, then I agree with going Lenovo - they're solid laptops.  The OS just sucks.

 
Pay Rod no mind, he's just a bit prejudice evidenced by his latest haircut....
 
 

 
I've had an HP ProBook with a second gen i5 processor and 8GB of ram and it's been problem free for 1 1/2 years at one third the cost of an Apple laptop.

 

[Jonesy]

 

If you have an Apple store nearby, go swap out the charger there.  Oftentimes they'll replace it free of charge, or at least give you a significant discount.  That's my experience anyways.
 
if you go PC, then I agree with going Lenovo - they're solid laptops.  The OS just sucks.

 
Pay Rod no mind, he's just a bit prejudice evidenced by his latest haircut....
 
 

 
I've had an HP ProBook with a second gen i5 processor and 8GB of ram and it's been problem free for 1 1/2 years at one third the cost of an Apple laptop.

 

Of course....when all you do with it is browse CP and look at porn!

 

[JHolmes763]

Lenovo has really good Linux support. I've never had issues running it and Windows. Win8 is pretty nice, too, but i seem to be the only person on earth at thinks that. If you go Win8 with anything, you should have downgrade rights to Win7. Not sure how it works, exactly, but check it out.

 

[BigBear]

I've been in IT for over 20 years... I switched to MAC about 3 years ago, I won't be switching back!!

 

[ironpeddler]

 

 


If you have an Apple store nearby, go swap out the charger there.  Oftentimes they'll replace it free of charge, or at least give you a significant discount.  That's my experience anyways.
 
if you go PC, then I agree with going Lenovo - they're solid laptops.  The OS just sucks.

 
 I've had an HP ProBook with a second gen i5 processor and 8GB of ram and it's been problem free for 1 1/2 years at one third the cost of an Apple laptop.

 

Of course....when all you do with it is browse CP and look at porn!
 
Porn?....unbridled, filthy sex with a endless supply of women of all ages...the greatest byproduct of getting fleeced in a divorce. 
 
 
You think I needed 2 new hips because I played professional basketball?
 
 
Now stop hijacking the guys thread Jonesy!
 
 
All kidding aside, go Mac as your budget allows you to make the jump...you truly will never miss Windows again. Especially that abomination called 'Windows 8'....

 

[Jamie76]

Thanks everyone...
 
I am going to look a little closer at Lenovo.  That is, if I go PC.  At least I've narrowed it down between Lenovo and a Mac.

 

[bfisher88]

I've been debating this as well and have pretty much settled on a mac since Win 8 came out. Wife gets a student discount making it slightly more attractive as well. 

 

[Rod]

I've been debating this as well and have pretty much settled on a mac since Win 8 came out. Wife gets a student discount making it slightly more attractive as well. 

 
 
Go refurbished and it's even more attractive. Apple's definition of refurbished is not the same as a PC manufacturer.

 

[CMontoya79]

Lenovo.

 

[JHolmes763]

Apple's definition of refurbished is not the same as a PC manufacturer.

LOL... the koolaid is strong with this one.

FYI, you can get new, redistributed, refurbished or scratch&dent Lenovo through their outlet here. I've never bought this way, though, so you're on your own. I doubt the come with the free reacharound that a Mac refurbished does, but maybe you can save enough to afford one?

 

[NorcalMark]

I love the toshiba we have at the house, I just hate that POS Window 8.