I need to acquire a computer. Also: RobB ruins a thread!

Lysander · Post by **Lysander** » Sat Aug 14, 2004 9:14 pm

Specifically, a laptop. I've got a relatively good desktop, so that isn't a problem, but this laptop is just pissing me right the hell off because it is Toshiba and it sucks so fuck it, I'm getting a new one.

Here's what I need. I need it to be able to run whatever operating system which will almost assuredly be XP home, and that's about it, really. Resource-wise, about the most heavy-duty thing I'll need it to do is sound editing. I'll want it to be able to run the OS, my screen-access program, my instant messengers, antivirus applications, spyware blockers, my chat stuff, the internet, email and music editing all at once without buckling and crying for an ambulence. EDIT: Also! Considering as how this is the main reason I am getting a new computer in the first place, the ability to run on AC current for ridiculously extended periods of time without just breaking would also, you know, be keen.

The point I'm trying to get across here is that I do not need an uber l33t graphics accellerator, because I do not plan on using it for teh game GAME GAEME, unless you count interactive fiction. So. Price range. Really, I don't see any reason why I should have to play more than a thousand dollars for this relatively low-end system, although I am somewhat unfamiliar with what shit is supposed to cost in this business so I may be wishing for too much on that score. However, this is the catch, as there always is: I can't build it, and the only people in town who would know how to build it charge (at least) $20 an hour or some equally ridiculously-nflated amount of coin for their time. Which means that I'm probably gonna end up going with a name-brand computer of some sort to save me that hastle. So! Suggestions PLZ?!/!?!?

chris · Post by **chris** » Sun Aug 15, 2004 5:28 pm

$1000 is going to buy you a base-model laptop...you'll be lucky to find a good one that comes with something better than a Celeron processor.

I recommend to my users (PC users that is) that they buy either an IBM ThinkPad or a Dell. Both companies sell models in the ~$1000 range that aren't bad units, so see what they offer and go from there. Keep an eye on warranty period though....at this price point, you're probably going to get a 1 year warranty. However, if you can score a model with a 3 year warranty for a small upcharge, it's MORE than worth it.

Yes, there are off-brand companies who sell laptops....stay far away from them. There's nothing that sucks more than buying one of these things, then finding that the warranty service sucks, or they go out of business and you can't get replacement parts, or whatnot. When it comes to laptops, DEFINITELY stick with the big name-brands.

And if you want me to tell you what's the best sub-$1000 laptop on the market, that's actually an easy question to answer: the Apple iBook.

Jack Straw · Post by **Jack Straw** » Sun Aug 15, 2004 6:02 pm

chris wrote: And if you want me to tell you what's the best sub-$1000 laptop on the market, that's actually an easy question to answer: the Apple iBook.

Sub-$1000... or starting at $1099.
When Aldi's opened in Henrietta they had some notebooks for like 4 or 5 hundred. No idea what they were though, but the specs were good. Being that I hate computers even more than I hate Worm, I passed.

Lysander · Post by **Lysander** » Mon Aug 16, 2004 8:19 pm

Okay. So, how does this look:

Link!

A couple things to keep in mind: I, personally, would prefer a system with XP home and 20 gigs for a hard drive if I could get a smaller pricetag on it. Also note that the 384 megabytes of RAM c cost only $50 more than 256. Finally, note that I could get a computer for the same price with only 2.6GHZ on the processor but with an included wireless card. (I chose the former because I, so far, have had no use for wireless communications and considering how you need a wireless hub before you could use it I don't particularly expect that I will ever be using it.)

Finally, the most evil of evil questoins: which is better, McaFee or Norton? Norton is $11 cheaper and comes with a year subscription to live update, but I have also heard that NOrton sucks.

chris · Post by **chris** » Tue Aug 17, 2004 11:25 am

Jack Straw wrote:Sub-$1000... or starting at $1099.

Actually they start at $949....you just need to know where to look.

chris · Post by **chris** » Tue Aug 17, 2004 11:30 am

Lysander wrote:Okay. So, how does this look:

Looks pretty reasonable to me. I would suggest (if you haven't done it already) to compare this setup with a Dell and see if it might be a bit cheaper.

Finally, the most evil of evil questoins: which is better, McaFee or Norton? Norton is $11 cheaper and comes with a year subscription to live update, but I have also heard that NOrton sucks.

Norton is the standard AV software I recommend here at work, and I have absolutely no complaints with it. It works well, and Symantec gets updates out quickly.

Lysander · Post by **Lysander** » Tue Aug 17, 2004 12:24 pm

Yeah, I did check with Dell. Theirs was for $1500. Mainly that's because it came with a whole bunch of software I didn't want, but still, ouch. So, okay. I do believe that 128 megabytes of ram for $50 is a ridiculously good deal, so I'm goign with 384 megs of RAM and the higher processor, and I'll bite the bullet and go all-out with Norton system works. Good. Good.

Ice Cream Jonsey · Post by **Ice Cream Jonsey** » Tue Aug 17, 2004 12:41 pm

I'd enjoy this thread more if there were any way it could stretch out to about 30,000x20,000 pixels. Any chance? Any chance of that?

Jack Straw · Post by **Jack Straw** » Tue Aug 17, 2004 1:17 pm

chris wrote:Actually they start at $949....you just need to know where to look.

As soon as I have an extra G laying around I'll give you a call.

Seriously though, I would probably get an ibook if I was to purchase a notebook. That way I wouldn't try and play games on it and be disappointed. It's all about lowered expectations

Ice Cream Jonsey · Post by **Ice Cream Jonsey** » Tue Aug 17, 2004 2:14 pm

My expectations have been lowered: who's going to make this thread BIGGER and BETTER but mostly BIGGER?

Length-wise, I mean!!?!?!

Lysander · Post by **Lysander** » Tue Aug 17, 2004 3:05 pm

I dunno. You might wanna give it a try.

Ice Cream Jonsey · Post by **Ice Cream Jonsey** » Tue Aug 17, 2004 3:20 pm

^______^

KEKE!

Wide Base Fairy · Post by **Wide Base Fairy** » Tue Aug 17, 2004 7:10 pm

Jonsey's wish is my command.

[img-http://us.f2.yahoofs.com/users/406b4259 ... BBAXvj25lo ]

Guest · Post by **Guest** » Tue Aug 17, 2004 7:26 pm

Wow, 30,000 pixels wide exactly.

Ice Cream Jonsey · Post by **Ice Cream Jonsey** » Wed Aug 18, 2004 9:31 pm

Sorry I ruined this thread... I don't know what the hell came over me. It'd be nice if phpBB had some sort of table-breaking component to it (and maybe it does in a later version) but whattayagonnado. Last time I upgraded the site was riddled with Invalid Session errors.

Fake edit: I really don't have any advice for a laptop though, that part wasn't BS.

check it bro · Post by **check it bro** » Thu Aug 19, 2004 8:19 pm

http://shop4.outpost.com/product/4044772

Lysander · Post by **Lysander** » Fri Aug 20, 2004 2:36 am

Fuck you, HP sucks. It's almost as bad as Toshiba, for God's sake, and that's pretty fuckin' bad.

chris · Post by **chris** » Fri Aug 20, 2004 6:22 pm

Lysander wrote:Fuck you, HP sucks. It's almost as bad as Toshiba, for God's sake, and that's pretty fuckin' bad.

HP makes great laser printers, but their computers and inkjets certainly leave something to be desired.

We had an HP Photosmart 130 photo printer....it was the biggest piece of shit printer I've ever come across. After it pissed me off for the 4 billionth time on Wednesday, we fixed the problem by doing an "Office Space" on it. Didn't use a baseball bat though....just the dogwood tree in the backyard: