Geek advice needed

**Goat Blower** · 10-15-2010

Okay, I've gotten the go-ahead to get a new laptop for personal use including being my new Link lappy. I'd like to hear some ideas for the best laptop for the money for under $500. I'd be using it for internet, spreadsheets and Link, I'm not much into gaming or movies. I'm kinda leaning towards a refurbished Dell, but I'm open to ideas. Bang for the buck is the key here. Thanks.

**scheides** · 10-15-2010

Does dsmlink work on windows7?

Just go to best buy and pick out a nice compaq or HP laptop, it's hard to get an underpowered machine nowadays. 2GB of ram minimum, everything else will be fine.

Dell vostro laptops are decent too.

Matt D. · 10-15-2010

Spend the most you can, solid state drives are nice but not necessary, no less than 2GB RAM, try to get a business class model instead of something for the home user as they're typically built better. Spring for a 3 year extended MANUFACTURER warranty (not that Best Buy black tie Geek Squad bullshit) if the budget allows.

My laptops of choice in no particular order:
Lenovo (IBM)
Dell
Toshiba

Dell's refurb/discount site is tits, lots of good deals. I'd go that route and buy straight from the manufacturer and not from a store.

mdost03 · 10-15-2010

Stay away from celeron processors :/

I bought a Sony Vaio lappy for like 599 about 2 years ago now and it still works perfectly, besides battery holding like 20-25 min charge. Always had good luck with them otherwise though.

**mlomker** · 10-15-2010

I only buy Lenovo with my own money. They tend to be a bit slower than other brands (for the price) but built more solidly.

tpunx99GSX · 10-15-2010

I like dells, Dell outlet is always a good way to buy. They currently have some really cool laptops out. Also HP has some cool stuff.

Quote:

Does dsmlink work on windows7?

Yes it does. Both the old version of link and the new.

bryce_ · 10-15-2010

Quote:

Originally Posted by Goat Blower

Okay, I've gotten the go-ahead to get a new laptop for personal use including being my new Link lappy. I'd like to hear some ideas for the best laptop for the money for under $500. I'd be using it for internet, spreadsheets and Link, I'm not much into gaming or movies. I'm kinda leaning towards a refurbished Dell, but I'm open to ideas. Bang for the buck is the key here. Thanks.

I bought a vostro and I use it for the same reasons you are. works great

**Kracka** · 10-15-2010

I really like my current Toshiba, but will never buy a Compaq/HP again.

awd-drifter · 10-15-2010

I bought my Toshiba Satellite Laptop for about $600 since April of 09'. I have Link, Adobe CS4/5. It's holding up pretty great actually. I wish the graphics card wasn't integrated into the motherboard though but other than that, this laptop is pretty neat. 4gb ram, 320gb hd, intel dual core, lcd screen. There should be pretty decent laptops for around the 500-600 price out there. I was told to go with Toshiba, so I went with Toshiba and it's been holding up extremely well.

**Goat Blower** · 10-15-2010

Good advice, thanks guys!

I'm looking at the Dell outlet and am looking at the Inpiron 15R, dual core processor, 3GB ram, 250GB hard drive. Adding the bluetooth puts me at just under $500 without tax and shipping. I'll see what they have for refurbs in a minute.

**Goat Blower** · 10-15-2010

Quote:

Originally Posted by tpunx99GSX

I like dells, Dell outlet is always a good way to buy. They currently have some really cool laptops out. Also HP has some cool stuff.

Yes it does. Both the old version of link and the new.

That was my next question, thanks!

xveganxcowboyx · 10-15-2010

Check today's Woot. It's $600, but looks to be a pretty nice machine for the money.

rose0529 · 10-15-2010

Quote:

Originally Posted by Kracka

I really like my current Toshiba, but will never buy a Compaq/HP again.

Agreed! We have 2 Toshiba's and they have been really good for us. Will not buy another HP/compaq either, my family has had lots of problems with them. Dell has also been good in my expirences.

**Goat Blower** · 10-15-2010

I ended up going with a refurb Dell Inspriron 15r with 2.33 dual core Intel processor, 3GB ram, 250GB hard drive, built in webcam, 6-cell battery and wireless N card for $524 shipped. I'm pretty happy with that. Can't wait to try Link on a lappy that stay on for more than 20 minutes.

tpunx99GSX · 10-15-2010

Quote:

Originally Posted by Goat Blower

I ended up going with a refurb Dell Inspriron 15r with 2.33 dual core Intel processor, 3GB ram, 250GB hard drive, built in webcam, 6-cell battery and wireless N card for $524 shipped. I'm pretty happy with that. Can't wait to try Link on a lappy that stay on for more than 20 minutes.

Good deal. I got a scratch and dent XPS Desktop Quad core 8GB ram and lots of bells and whistles, for pretty cheap. I was thinking it was going to come beat to crap, but when it got here all it had was a small scratch on the side of the tower... which i then took a towel and rubbed it off. hahah.

Speedfreak · 10-15-2010

I've had great experiences with Toshiba's(the cheapest they offer). Between myself, my wife, my bro, my sis in law, we've been going strong with them for 6+ years.

My sis and her family, well as my in laws have gone with Dell, Compaq and Acer, and they all blow chunks(the cheapies).

The laptop I'd consider right now Steve is this(however I'm not sure about the "celeron" processor):

http://www.bestbuy.com/site/Toshiba+...393_&cp=1&lp=1

I'd also keep an eye on this site(best buy owned). I bought an Asus for the wife, nice laptop:

http://www.cowboom.com/index.cfm

**Goat Blower** · 10-15-2010

Quote:

Originally Posted by Speedfreak

I've had great experiences with Toshiba's(the cheapest they offer). Between myself, my wife, my bro, my sis in law, we've been going strong with them for 6+ years.

My sis and her family, well as my in laws have gone with Dell, Compaq and Acer, and they all blow chunks(the cheapies).

The laptop I'd consider right now Steve is this(however I'm not sure about the "celeron" processor):

http://www.bestbuy.com/site/Toshiba+...393_&cp=1&lp=1

I'd also keep an eye on this site(best buy owned). I bought an Asus for the wife, nice laptop:

http://www.cowboom.com/index.cfm

Mo, see my post above.

I'm the proud owner, next Thursday, of a refurb Dell. Not exactly a heavy duty rig, but plenty for what I need. Mostly tuning when my pile is done next week.

tpunx99GSX · 10-15-2010

I would never buy a toshiba from best buy unless you want a crap load of junkware. One great thing about dell is the business ones come junkware free.

**Goat Blower** · 10-15-2010

I'll be deleting any of their crap, just like I did with my last Dell. McAfee is the first to go.

stikx · 10-16-2010

Try to buy from other places like newegg and save some money. Try looking on forums like tomshardware.com for reviews and discussions.