Laptop buying advice?

[backstept]

I'm thinking about putting my stimulus check towards a laptop, and since I've never bought one before I'm hoping y'all have some good pointers

I'm not looking for anything outrageously expensive, but I want to at least be able to play DX9 games at 40+FPS, but I'm not specifically looking for a gaming laptop

any brands to stay away from?
good places to shop?

 

[farmkid]

The last time I bought a laptop (a few years ago, now), I found that small, indpendent dealers offered considerable better deals than the large name brands. The computers are the same, just dressed up a little different. Just one place, for example, is PowerNotebooks.com. However, since that time, it seems that the major sellers (Dell, HP, etc.) have come down in price considerably, so it may not be as advantageous. It's worth looking at, though.

Here's another site that lists deals on various laptops. They often have coupon codes that will get you a good discount, especially on Dell laptops.

Dell sells a lot of laptops, and if I were to buy one right now, there's a good chance it would be a Dell. However, I have known several people who've had their screens die on their Dell. Everyone I know whose screen has died has had a Dell. I don't know if that means anything significant, so take it for what it's worth.

 

[judge alba]

following the subject of laptops what's the normal time they could be used before the battery dies and do they give some sort of warning rather then just suddenly dieing?

 

[USS KG5]

following the subject of laptops what's the normal time they could be used before the battery dies and do they give some sort of warning rather then just suddenly dieing?

It varies massively depending on use, the number of charging cycles, the amount of time spent on and off ac power etc.

Most laptops of myu acquaintance have had fairly knackered batteries after 5 or 6 years - but generally something else will go first.

 

[Brolan]

Don't buy anything from HP, their tech support is dismal.

 

[Paxil]

following the subject of laptops what's the normal time they could be used before the battery dies and do they give some sort of warning rather then just suddenly dieing?

It varies massively depending on use, the number of charging cycles, the amount of time spent on and off ac power etc.

Most laptops of myu acquaintance have had fairly knackered batteries after 5 or 6 years - but generally something else will go first.

I think he means in one use. They last at least one or two hours per charge, but it varies and depends on what you are doing. And yes, they warn you before the battery runs out, and most go into hibernation automatically even if you do nothing, so you won't likely lose anything.

 

[Sheep]

Unless you absolutely need the portability of a laptop, personally I'd recommend sticking with a desktop which will get you a lot more computer for your buck than any laptop would.

Of course, I also say this as a Compaq laptop buyer a few years ago whose decently treated laptop hardware has not aged well (I blame myself for not going uber top-of-the-line, but that would've doubled the cost pretty easily).

 

[judge alba]

i'd mainly use it in the garden being in a flat there's no way to get any power out there. the main use would be for word processing typing and such things.

good to know they dont just shut down with out warning
just one last question can they be used while charging?

 

[Paxil]

Yes.

 

[Saturn0660]

Don't buy anything from HP, their tech support is dismal.

But on the other hand, you could buy an HP. They are really nice units. good bang for the on some units.. look in your weekly adds for fav store..

 

[USS KG5]

Unless you absolutely need the portability of a laptop, personally I'd recommend sticking with a desktop which will get you a lot more computer for your buck than any laptop would.

Actually I'd disagree with you here - given the price drops and spec jumps in recent years with laptops for most purposes a good basic laptop would be more useful than a basic desktop when you take into account portability.