Computer Question

Joshua949

Joshua949

New Member
I know I have worried you guys & gals about some computer questions months ago. It seemed that I was a bit confused on the type of computer that I was purchasing at the time. I'm planning on having somebody build me a computer in a local area near by. It's basically down to 3 people right now that I have to choose between on who is going to build my desktop computer.

Anyways, what I came on here to ask was a question about laptop computers. Now, after I purchase my desktop computer, hopefully before summertime I will buy a laptop computer. Basically what I want the laptop computer for is to watch DVD movies and to surf the web and email. From what I've checked, it seems to run around about $1,500.00. Do any of you recommend buying a computer like this from a computer company such as DELL or IBM or just do the same as I am doing now and have some in my local area build one?
 
Why not just get a portable DVD player for half that price, and use a cell phone if you need to check emails?
 
That is an awful lot of money for watching movies and web surfing. Here is one from dell for a grand, and even that can be beat when sales come up. I would spend no more than $850 at most for a system like this one Dell Notebook by waiting for a sale.
 
I used to build systems for a living, even paid for some college doing it. These days I just don't advise doing it-the heavyweights like Dell have brought prices down and build quality products, with decent support. I still get requests to build systems, but most of the time my cost for parts exceeds what Dell charges for a complete system.
 
[ QUOTE ]
. . .but most of the time my cost for parts exceeds what Dell charges for a complete system.

[/ QUOTE ]

Yeah, but with an off-the-shelf machine, you're usually not going to get as good a machine. They're going to give you a crappy video card, a crappy sound card, and a POS MOBO. You probably won't get a real copy of Windows, and you're going to have 900 pieces of crap software installed that you'll never use. The stuff that you do use will be time-limited, with an option to buy!!!

I still build my own machines. If you're just going to surf, do a little office work and burn a few CD's, go with a Dell (or other OTS system). If you're going to work it, though.....get a custom machine!!!!
 
Okay, thanks for everybodies input. I'll consider these ideas when I'm making my decision. Once again, thanks.

Josh
wink.gif
 
[ QUOTE ]
Basically what I want the laptop computer for is to watch DVD movies and to surf the web and email.

[/ QUOTE ]I've built my last two desktops. But if all you want it for is to surf the web, check email, and watch DVDs. your needs are incredibly small and =any= decent laptop would do. Basically, unless you're a heavy gamer or an architecht with heavy CAD needs, there's just about nothing on the market that won't do. A custom machine is a complete waste of money. Heck, if that's all I wanted, I'd hit ebay.

One tip, though. Aim for a =consumer= oriented machine rather than a =business= oriented one. I have a Dell business laptop and, while it's optimized for business applications, it's at the expense of consumer tweaks like decent speakers, something you want for those DVDs.
 
At my last job, we had servers, desktops, and notebooks to support a company of about 30 people. Dell was OUTSTANDING. Like said above, you cant beat the price, either. They assemble PC's with mass-purchased parts and hardware coordination and testing is a big part of their systems packaging.

when you have service problems, do you want to deal with Dell or the local acne-addled PC whiz at the computer store?

I must admit, I have a personal bias against local PC shops. Theyre usually snooty and (by their account) ALWAYS the experts. If Bill Gates, Steve Jobs and whoever the dude at Sun all walked in together, the jerk behind the counter would do his best to make them realize that he is the computer pro.... UGH. Oops, I forgot the linnux guy
frown.gif
 
[ QUOTE ]
when you have service problems, do you want to deal with Dell or the local acne-addled PC whiz at the computer store?


[/ QUOTE ]

Ummm, the acne kid, usually...at least he's in this country, and he can see my problem first hand, instead of reading through a "tech support flowchart"...
mad.gif
 
I like to build my own desktops, but I don't think you can build your own laptop. I've never seen a place where you can buy a laptop case or major parts such as motherboards. Anybody know if/where you can get this kind of stuff to build a laptop?
 
[ QUOTE ]
I like to build my own desktops, but I don't think you can build your own laptop. I've never seen a place where you can buy a laptop case or major parts such as motherboards. Anybody know if/where you can get this kind of stuff to build a laptop?

[/ QUOTE ]

I don't know of anyplace...they probably don't exist.

I imagine that geeks like you and I have forced the computer manufacturers to drop their prices really close to the profit margin, and the laptops are probably keeping the industry afloat!!!
 
I was on DELL's website and was looking at the Inspiron 5150 & I noticed that that the processor was Mobile Intel® Pentium 4 Processor 2.66GHz & I was wondering would it be worth it to pay an additional $100 to have it upgraded to Mobile Intel® Pentium 4 Processor with HT, 3.06GHz.
 
[ QUOTE ]
I was on DELL's website and was looking at the Inspiron 5150 & I noticed that that the processor was Mobile Intel® Pentium 4 Processor 2.66GHz & I was wondering would it be worth it to pay an additional $100 to have it upgraded to Mobile Intel® Pentium 4 Processor with HT, 3.06GHz.

[/ QUOTE ]

Earlier you said:[ QUOTE ]
Basically what I want the laptop computer for is to watch DVD movies and to surf the web and email.

[/ QUOTE ]
I think that should answer your question...
 
[ QUOTE ]

I think that should answer your question...

[/ QUOTE ]On top of that, you can also figure out that, on average, for every $100 extra you spend, you'll probably get a whole extra week before the system become obsolete.
 
So, I'm better off w/o HT technology on this type of laptop I'm planning on getting. That's good. Now I ain't gotta pay an extra $100.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top