Help me choose a laptop

Stuck.in.ohio

Stuck.in.ohio

Member
First off I don't want a mac so don't even suggest one.

I'm going to college next year and would like to get one mainly for that reason. I'll be in business so I don't need a gaming laptop, just one that will do ordinary functions and perform them fast. I'm looking to spend between $500-$700

The main brand I'm looking at is Dell and want to know what you guys think about getting one that is refurbished from their online outlet. Other than Dell what is a good brand to go with

The main things I want to be in it is:

4GB RAM

At least 250GB hard drive

Dual Core Processor

Windows 7

13"-15" screen

I'm looking at this one from Best Buy but a similar one that is refurbished at Dell's Outlet is about $100 less but I'm unsure of the warranty, reliability, etc.

http://www.bestbuy.com/site/Dell+-+Studio+Laptop+with+Intel%26%23174%3B+Core%26%23153%3B2+Duo+Processor+-+Midnight+Blue/9539154.p?id=1218120538238&skuId=9539154

Any help would be much appreciated
 
Even though I want to recommend a mac, i'll refrain.

If you're not looking to do any sort of gaming, media rendering etc, I personally think 4gigs of ram is way overkill. And as far as buying refurbished, I looked at the Dell site, and from what I understand you get the same warranty as you do with buying a new computer. This is awesome, because not only are you getting a computer for less, but it's been through more testing than one that just rolled off the assembly line, so much less chance of getting one DOA, having dead pixels etc...

I bought my macbook from the refurbished apple page, and couldn't be happier. It saved me a ton of money in the long run, and I couldn't tell it had been used when I got it.

So I vote for a refurb one to save the $$$, but I really dont think you need 4gigs of ram for your computer needs. that being said, it's up to you, get what makes you happy.
 
if ur getting 4gb of ram, ur gonna want a 64bit computer, otherwise it will only recognize 3gb of it

and ive always been happy with hp
 
Thanks for advice, I was just assuming that I'd need 4 GB of RAM but I've researched a little more and was wondering if 2 or 3 GBs would work I'm thinking 2

And the Dell Outlet is looking pretty good, but I was wondering if I could find a better deal with the day after Thanksgiving sale I dont know if any of you have gotten laptops there

thanks
 
drop down to 3gb and stay 32 bit. New laptops running windows 7 are light speeds faster than vista and you don't need as much ram to keep it running smooth.

Also, I would recommend getting an external harddrive. That way if your laptop goes down you don't have everything on it.
 
Yeah I was definitely going to pick up an external to back it all up

I looked at the Dell Outlet and it seems that none of the ones I want have Windows 7 so I'm probably just getting the Inspiron 15 off their site and customizing it a little

Thanks for the help
 
dells are the worst computers ever. you will need something fixed within the first month. if your stuck with pc i would suggest Toshiba or hp... but seriously, try a mac
 
sony vaio fw

i have a fw450j and it is perfect. 4gb ram, 320 hd, ati4650 hd card with 512mb, 16.4 inch screen(16 by 9 resolution), blueray player and dvd+-rw, 2.1ghz(choose higher if you prefer), windows 7 obviiiii, firewire, bluetooth.... the list goes on.
 
dell does suck to some extent but keep in mind when you go to college the tech help may be specific to the more generic brands. At my school its dell hp and lenovo for pc that they will service, everything else there is only a slight chance. So check with your universities tech policy.
 
wait until you have enough money to buy a mac and in the meantime this will do about as much as a PC will and its way cheaper

calculator.gif

 
i got the dell studio xps and im getting windows 7 but save yourself a ton of headachs and get the 13in mac book, the number of problems that you wont have to deal with will make you love it
 
For those who said mac thanks for the advice but I just can't justify spending that much when I still have to buy skis.

And does anyone know whether I need 4GB of ram or 3 if I want to run Windows 7 on 64 bit
 
searously u guys need to stop bitching about pcs we all have our opinions but this isnt the place. he said he doesnt want a mac, so give some helpful advice or gtfo
 
awww did I hurt your feelings? Its all in good fun, macs have to talk shit, its like if skiers and snowboarders just got along... it'd be wrong
 
Well even if he pulls the trigger, there will be an error message about the bullet not being able to fire. He'll ctrl+alt+delete, try to end the process, but accidentally mess up something else, and before long he'll just be pointing a blue screen of death at the mac guy.
 
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