Laptop/netbook?

[Panacea]

I see the Netbooks thread on here from last year, and was going to just comment at the end, but I thought I'd just start a new thread. I need help selecting a computer, I've never owned a laptop before and only one PC and my Blackberry. I am completely :crazy:

I'm also an incredibly poor grad student, therefore I want value, and I have no interest in Macs at this time.
We have cable internet, I will be requesting a supposedly free router from the cable company and hopefully they will be of some help in setting up the internet with whatever I select.

What I want to use this for:
Gmail and basic internet browsing (I need to find research articles)
Skype (video not necessary really)
Youtube (I won't cry if I can't watch HD)
Microsoft OS I guess, I have no preference, would a new laptop have Windows 7? I'd need Office too?

That's honestly it. I don't want a piece of shit jumpy thing that dies in one year just to save money, but I can't shell out a ton.

Thank you in advance for any help! I figure I will be swindled at Best Buy if I'm not prepared, I am a shy chick with big boobs and a nervous smile after all lol.

 

[Alien Allen]

do your shopping online to find pricing

last laptop I bought was under $500 from Office Max as i recall

I would not get a netbook. They are cheaper but are more limited

As to the brand I don't know what is best at this time. It seems to change every year. Maybe check out consumer reports. For a while Dell sucked then they were good. Toshiba was supposed to be good a year ago and that is what I went with.

And I believe all you will find is Windows 7 now

 

[darkcgi]

First off netbooks dont have cd or dvd drives just keep that in mind
everthing will have to be on hard drive or cable transfer or memory chips
or online storage
they are only 100 to 150 dollars less for a lot less
but they are small convenient

 

[darkcgi]

i BOUGHT A LAPTOP FOR 350 LAST YEAR

 

[Panacea]

Thanks, both. I do know they don't have the drives...I guess I can't predict if I will be ok with that lol. I mostly need to talk to my boyfriend (we do so on email and need skype to call) and run the internet and type papers.

On the other thread I saw people saying they often scream at their netbook, I would not enjoy being frustrated LOL

 

[itsmeJonB]

I scream at my computer but only cause it's hard of hearing

 

[Natasha]

I bought a Toshiba last February for about $400. I was like you, I couldn't decide if I wanted a Netbook or a Laptop. I looked around and I just could NOT find a Netbook that I cared anything about having. They're entirely too small (may be a plus for some people, I guess) and just don't seem very sturdy. I'm sure there are tons of people who just LOVE their Netbook, but I'll stick w/ my laptop.

And just an FYI, I went to Best Buy and had the computer I wanted picked out. The people working the floor back there were huddled up conversing and not a single one of them came over to help me. I walked out, went across the street to Office Depot, and found a better laptop for less money. PLUS Office Depot has a warranty you can buy where if you drop your laptop (i.e. totally YOUR fault) they'll replace it.

 

[Panacea]

I bought a Toshiba last February for about $400. I was like you, I couldn't decide if I wanted a Netbook or a Laptop. I looked around and I just could NOT find a Netbook that I cared anything about having. They're entirely too small (may be a plus for some people, I guess) and just don't seem very sturdy. I'm sure there are tons of people who just LOVE their Netbook, but I'll stick w/ my laptop.

And just an FYI, I went to Best Buy and had the computer I wanted picked out. The people working the floor back there were huddled up conversing and not a single one of them came over to help me. I walked out, went across the street to Office Depot, and found a better laptop for less money. PLUS Office Depot has a warranty you can buy where if you drop your laptop (i.e. totally YOUR fault) they'll replace it.

The size....eh idk, I watch youtube on a blackberry lol but I worry about it being junky. I think a smallish cheaper laptop will be better.

Thanks for the tip, will do! There's an Office Depot across from the Best Buy here too lol is that a conspiracy?
I can totally picture that scenario, they're kind of dicks there.

 

[Natasha]

LOL, maybe Office Depot knows that Best Buy's customer service in the computer department is shit so they set up across the street to get all their frustrated customers, LOL Seriously, there were at least 2 other couples in there looking around that day and the 4 employees didn't acknowledge a single one of us...they just kept talking. I went over to Office Depot and told them they could thank Best Buy for this sale.

 

[itsmeJonB]

There's an office depot right next to the best buy in my area, is it a conspiracy"

 

[Natasha]

LOL, too funny!!!

 

[BadBoy]

For what you want it for I'd just buy an Android phone with the largest screen I could find and call it a day.

 

[itsmeJonB]

For what you want it for I'd just buy an Android phone with the largest screen I could find and call it a day.

They have tablets with the android os. We have a few at my store, I want one! Lol

 

[Panacea]

I'm not typing a 15 page graduate school paper on a smart phone

 

[BadBoy]

I'm not typing a 15 page graduate school paper on a smart phone

You lie, you know you text like a mo fo on that thing already. 15 pages would be a breeze.

Oh, and they have one now you can dock into a "laptop" type contraption that gives you a monitor and keyboard, but the phone is the computer. You can get that thru AT&T I think.

 

[Panacea]

I do type fast on the blackberry, but it's not what I'm looking for my hands and eyes hurt just thinking of it.

 

[BadBoy]

All kidding aside, you can't really go wrong with any of these cheap net books really. The problem is they all have Windows 7 starter, which isn't much of a problem persay, but there are limitations to it. If you do get one though, make sure you can upgrade the RAM, most will come with 1GB, which is fine for the web browsing but crappy for any Microsoft Office application.

Depending on your budget, you can get great small laptops for under 400 if you look around. These are not netbooks.

 

[Panacea]

So if I find a netbook with a bit more RAM, it will be good? Like I said, I will spend a touch more to avoid having a piece of shit I can only open google with and nothing else lol.

I don't play games, or watch movies (I do want to watch youtube, I do this often) or really even mess with music, I have my mp3 player loaded...that's why I thought a netbook might be ok.

 

[BadBoy]

Yes, get the most RAM possible, most netbooks allow for 2GB and that is acceptable for what you want. Plus its way nicer to carry around.

 

[Alien Allen]

get a laptop... you will regret getting a netbook with its limitations

and stay the frick away from Best Buy. I would never buy a computer or electronic device from them. They are shit to deal with if it breaks down.