we have a beat up pentium pc that is just about dead
want to buy a laptop that we can use anywhere in the house - so understand the need for a wireless router
basic needs are for surfing the net, watching DVDs, copying DVDs, storing photos (lots) and playing and storing music (lots) - basic word processing so the kids can do homework assignments etc etc
i am attracted to Apple (really cannot say why, just that friends whose opnion I value swear by them) thing is they are pricey
went to local computer shop and was quickly overwhealmed, the difference in processors confuses me
i have a hard time talking to the kids that work in these stores as they all quickly work out i have no clue and lots of credit and try to sell me $ 2000 worth of laptop/software
any advice
Things to think about:
Apple is not compatible with PC in the sense that if you have any good software that you want to keep using you will be out of luck if you buy apple.
Apple doesn't cheap out so when you buy apple it's always expensive but remember that PC is just as good and often better. If you are willing to spend the same money you would spend on mac, trust me, you will get a pretty damn good PC.
2K DOES sound a bit high but in reality it's about a mid to high not super pricey. I can however tell you that you WILL be able to get a really great PC laptop for $1200 (about) mine costed just a tad over $1300 and it has 16.5" screen with HDMI, 3 usb ports, 300Gig HDD, 4 gig ram, and wifi and bluetooth
pretty much everything you could think of and it's very attractive.
For what you said you need, I would recommend doing this. Don't just drop by some computer store.
First go online and check out a few manufacturers' sites because their websites allows you to customize a system to your need before you buy. You don't have to buy anything. Just use their site to customize and get an estimate of price and specs you want.
Sony is good with having important ports like HDMI, usb, memory card slots and builtin webcams,
Toshiba is good hard reliable computers that won't die if you sneeze on it or drop it a few times by accident and will last for years.
Dells are a bit cheaper in my opinion and won't take long to get it delivered if you order online.
When you have purchased a new system here's what to do with the old laptop.
If you are keeping it, try cleaning it up so you can use it as a backup in case of Evil Monkey attacks
by using softwares like
Ccleaner, IObit Advanced System Care, Revounistaller, Spybot Search & Destory, Adaware, IObit 360
If you are dumping it or giving it away as donation, make sure you do a secure wipe
DBAN - if you are wiping the entire drive including the OS
Heidi Eraser - if you are leaving the OS intact and only removing personal data.
So final note. - aim for a PC (cause it's better and because parts are cheaper and software compatibility with your old system.
- you can get a great system that does exactly what you are lookingg to do for less than $1400
- DO NOT EVER GET A NETBOOK because if you do you are basically going to get a very very basic system and will NOT get a internal DVD/Blueray Drive. Plus screens are always tiny on those.
