Laptop Help (PC, Mac, ETC)

[Bayou_Brawler]

Hey all,

First off I apologize because I know there are many topics like this. I did a search got some info....but as technology and prices change monthly I wanted to get some current help if possible.

So I'm looking to buy a laptop within these specs.

$1,000 - $1,500

2.0GHz or 2.2GHz Intel Core 2 Duo (or equivilent)
at least 2GB memory
250GB hard drive

This will be used for day to day stuff.....nothing out of the ordinary.

I was looking at Macbooks....which I like. It looks like you can get more bang for your buck with a PC though..of course I don't know much about computers.

As far as PCs go HP seems to make some nice laptops.

[MJ5150]

I have had zero problems with my Toshiba Satellite for going on six years now. For about four of those years, it was used daily. I still fire it up three or fours times a week.

In a professional environment, I have worked with loads and loads of Dell and IBM laptops. The IBM's were the least reliable in my experience. The Dell's did a good job of putting up with....umm....less than intelligent users.

-Mike

[Bob Clayton]

just a word of advice.... if you buy mac, do NOT buy the memory from them.

you can get it way cheaper elsewhere.

that said, i am a mac fan.

i have a G4 iBook that i bought (9/06) used (from a TBer actually)
and never have had any problems with it. and still use it almost every day.
even upgrading the OS was no problem.

i recently bough a 20" iMac and absolutely love it.
i'll never buy anything but a mac again.

[Bayou_Brawler]

Originally Posted by Bob Clayton

just a word of advice.... if you buy mac, do NOT buy the memory from them.

you can get it way cheaper elsewhere.

that said, i am a mac fan.

i have a G4 iBook that i bought (9/06) used (from a TBer actually)
and never have had any problems with it. and still use it almost every day.
even upgrading the OS was no problem.

i recently bough a 20" iMac and absolutely love it.
i'll never buy anything but a mac again.

as i said i'm no computer expert.

so you are saying i should buy the 1 gig models (smallest they have).....buy 2 or 4 gigs of memory somewhere else.....pop open the mac and pop in the new memory?

[CrazyArcher]

Originally Posted by MJ5150

In a professional environment, I have worked with loads and loads of Dell and IBM laptops. The IBM's were the least reliable in my experience

That's odd... I use IBM T42 and the only issue with it I had was the 3rd-party DVD-combo drive failure, which got replaced with warranty.

[Bayou_Brawler]

Originally Posted by Bayou_Brawler

as i said i'm no computer expert.

so you are saying i should buy the 1 gig models (smallest they have).....buy 2 or 4 gigs of memory somewhere else.....pop open the mac and pop in the new memory?

[Geoff St. Germaine]

If you're going to buy a Mac get it with the stock RAM. Don't buy the upgrade to more RAM from Apple because you can generally do it yourself for 1/2 to 1/3 the cost.

[mjolnir]

Originally Posted by Bayou_Brawler

Essentially, yes. It's a simple process upgrading RAM as long as you do the proper research. As far as actual installation goes, there's usually a panel on the bottom marked with some label that signifies RAM, pop out one screw, click in the new RAM, and yer done.

EDIT: I however would suggest going somewhere other than the Mac route, like an XP laptop with a Linux dual boot, or if you don't feel like dealing with Linux, just the XP.

But that's me.

[santucci218]

i just bought a refurbished dell off their website and its great bang for the buck!

for 749 dollars i got

2.2 ghz processor
160 gb hard drive
512 video dibs
2 gb ram
windows vista premium
microsoft works 8.5
9 cell battery
other good things.

[mjolnir]

Originally Posted by santucci218

i just bought a refurbished dell off their website and its great bang for the buck!

for 749 dollars i got

2.2 ghz processor
160 gb hard drive
512 video dibs
2 gb ram
windows vista premium
microsoft works 8.5
9 cell battery
other good things.

Aside from the Vista I completely agree. Dell ain't half bad. Keep in mind, the hard drive is upgradeable as well, so don't worry about those specs if you want a bigger one.

[Bayou_Brawler]

Originally Posted by mjolnir

Essentially, yes. It's a simple process upgrading RAM as long as you do the proper research. As far as actual installation goes, there's usually a panel on the bottom marked with some label that signifies RAM, pop out one screw, click in the new RAM, and yer done.

EDIT: I however would suggest going somewhere other than the Mac route, like an XP laptop with a Linux dual boot, or if you don't feel like dealing with Linux, just the XP.

But that's me.

i've done this before and my desktop.....

is it as easy with an apple? a laptop? i have no experience with both.

what about the hardrive? would eat be easy to upgrade to a 250gig?

could i buy the lowest end on here (1099$) and upgrade it to 2 gig / 250 gig?

http://store.apple.com/1-800-MY-APPL...family=MacBook

thanks for the help. i'm pretty clueless.

[mjolnir]

Originally Posted by Bayou_Brawler

i've done this before and my desktop.....

is it as easy with an apple? a laptop? i have no experience with both.

what about the hardrive? would eat be easy to upgrade to a 250gig?

could i buy the lowest end on here (1099$) and upgrade it to 2 gig / 250 gig?

http://store.apple.com/1-800-MY-APPL...family=MacBook

thanks for the help. i'm pretty clueless.

Actually, I'd say it's easier to swap out RAM on a laptop because there's less options where to put it. There's going to be a very small number of panels you can remove on the bottom easily and they're all labeled in some way, so it's pretty painless unscrewing the RAM panel and snapping the new memory in.

The hard drive can be trickier depending on the model of laptop. Some make it just as simple as it is to swap RAM: unscrew panel, pop out old HD, pop in new one. Some brands however do not put an access panel on the outside of the "shell" for the hard drive.

[Bayou_Brawler]

Originally Posted by mjolnir

Actually, I'd say it's easier to swap out RAM on a laptop because there's less options where to put it. There's going to be a very small number of panels you can remove on the bottom easily and they're all labeled in some way, so it's pretty painless unscrewing the RAM panel and snapping the new memory in.

The hard drive can be trickier depending on the model of laptop. Some make it just as simple as it is to swap RAM: unscrew panel, pop out old HD, pop in new one. Some brands however do not put an access panel on the outside of the "shell" for the hard drive.

any idea how the mac is layed out?

[mjolnir]

Originally Posted by Bayou_Brawler

any idea how the mac is layed out?

I've been checking for pics of the bottom... Give me a couple minutes.

[Bayou_Brawler]

Originally Posted by mjolnir

I've been checking for pics of the bottom... Give me a couple minutes.

so it sounds like upgrading the ram would be a breeze...

the hardrive harder....

i have 320gigs of external space....but i like the idea of having it all in the laptop...

seems like buying the $1099 version and just upgrading the ram might make the most sense....just using my external space..

[mjolnir]

Originally Posted by Bayou_Brawler

so it sounds like upgrading the ram would be a breeze...

the hardrive harder....

i have 320gigs of external space....but i like the idea of having it all in the laptop...

seems like buying the $1099 version and just upgrading the ram might make the most sense....just using my external space..

Found it. Turns out both are pretty easy. Both seem to be housed under the same access panel so there's no confusion.

[mjolnir]

Here's a good site to buy the parts you may be looking for:

newegg.com

Here's a warning, though... Buying an upgraded hard drive means you will have to start from scratch, reload the OS and everything else. This can turn out to be a very painful process.

Also, be very careful which RAM chips you buy. There's a lot out there, and you have to make absolutely sure of 3 things:

1. The RAM is laptop RAM (it's the little sticks)
2. The RAM is supported by Mac hardware
3. The RAM is the right speed (PC2100, PC2700, that kind of thing)

[Bayou_Brawler]

Originally Posted by mjolnir

Found it. Turns out both are pretty easy. Both seem to be housed under the same access panel so there's no confusion.

any idea how many ram "slots" there are?

like if it already has 1 gig in there can i throw another 1 gig stick in and have two?

or do i have to take out the 1 gig stick and add a 2 gig stick?

i buy a lot of stuff off new egg.....

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...=%2425+-+%2450

thanks for the help dood

[Bayou_Brawler]

Originally Posted by mjolnir

Here's a good site to buy the parts you may be looking for:

newegg.com

Here's a warning, though... Buying an upgraded hard drive means you will have to start from scratch, reload the OS and everything else. This can turn out to be a very painful process.

Also, be very careful which RAM chips you buy. There's a lot out there, and you have to make absolutely sure of 3 things:

1. The RAM is laptop RAM (it's the little sticks)
2. The RAM is supported by Mac hardware
3. The RAM is the right speed (PC2100, PC2700, that kind of thing)

your reading my mind

[mjolnir]

Originally Posted by Bayou_Brawler

any idea how many ram "slots" there are?

like if it already has 1 gig in there can i throw another 1 gig stick in and have two?

or do i have to take out the 1 gig stick and add a 2 gig stick?

i buy a lot of stuff off new egg.....

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...=%2425+-+%2450

thanks for the help dood

Apparently it has 2, so you'd only need to buy 1 more stick if you just want 2 gigs of RAM.

UNLESS! certain companies like to trick you on this (coughHPcough) and put 2 512 chips into the slots so you have to buy 2 new chips to upgrade to 2 gigs.

EDIT: ...Looks like Mac pulls this too... You'll have to get 2 1 gig chips to upgrade to 2 gigs.