As I’ve posted in the NaNoWriMo thread, I’m writing a novel this month. Go me! The downside of this is that I’m constantly using the computer that I’m *supposed * to be sharing with my husband. He’s a writer and is going through grad school right now, so we’re at the end of our rope regarding computer sharing.
The only way to solve our computer wars, we’ve decided, is to get a new computer for Christmas. Neither of us know anything technical about computers, and we have no inside information on good deals. However, we know what we want:
–A laptop
–with a CD burner
–with wireless capability (is this separate?)
–not too bogged down with unnecessary software and applications (we need Office, Firefox, and maybe a good media player)
–under or around $500.
Can this be done? How so? Should we just go into Best Buy and start talking to a guy in a polo shirt? Help!
I just went to www.dell.com and looked at the Dell Inspiron B130. The lowest of the low of their line of laptops. Here’s what you wanted:
A laptop? Check.
CD Burner? Comes with a Combo DVD/RW drive.
Wireless capability? Internal wireless card.
Not too bogged down? It doesn’t come with Word - so that could be a hangup. I would recommend OpenOffice (to replace Word/Office) and Firefox and Winamp. All that can be had for $0.0. (All of these are free programs).
It lists at $499.00.
Other major manufacturers like Gateway or HP will probably have comparable systems. I just picked Dell at random. Good luck shopping!
I’d recommend a laptop at that price point. Anything you get will be slow, heavy, and run very hot. If it’s at all feasible you should go with a desktop.
IIRC, there are often good online deals on the Monday after Thanksgiving. I’d say it’s worth waiting till then to see what comes up. Also keep an eye on web sites that list hot deals and coupons, e.g. SlickDeals and xpBargains.
I only make two recommendations with regards to laptops:
[ul]
[li]Get a reasonably well-known brand name with good reviews (big name or local brand, doesn’t matter, but always check the reviews) and a hefty extended warranty. Laptops are about the only thing I recommend getting an extended warranty on. They use small cheap parts and it will break before you’re done with it.[/li][li]Don’t get a built-in CD or DVD burner, or if you do, don’t EVER use it when just on the battery, no matter how tempting. This little feature will chew through a good portion of your battery life like it’s candy, and with Lithium-Ion batteries you run the real risk of deep discharge, which means buying a new battery. (And guess which part is never covered by warranty?) If you want portable storage goodness, plunk down the change for a large USB flash drive, and get an external USB DVD burner for occasional use.[/li][/ul]
(Oh yeah, don’t get a laptop with exploding batteries either! ;))
You might need to give a bit of thought to what sort of laptop you want, and why. As has been mentioned, super cheap laptops are likely to be pretty pants. If you just want something that will let you work in whichever room in the house happens to be quietest, that probably won’t matter too much. If you actually want a laptop to be mobile (carry it around, etc.) then having a big heavy thing with no battery life will suck. Ditto if you are wanting something to type on lots and the keyboard is pap.
If you know anybody trustworthy who can source you a well-cared-for secondhand machine, then you might find that an old top-end machine is more useable than a new bargain basement model. I know I rate my old T40 above my friends brand-new Dell, simply because it’s better built and the keyboard is really nice.
Thanks for the advice, everyone. The reason we want a laptop is mainly because we live in a tiny apartment that has no room for another desktop. We would also use it out of the apartment occasionally, but I think portability is of less concern than compact-ness. Also, we want the CD burner in order to make music CDs.
I don’t know if I know anyone who could hook me up with a secondhand machine. We’ve thought extensively about that, but we’re worried about getting something that’s been abused or broken or somesuch. Also, I don’t know how to spot a reasonable price for something used. I’ll wait until the post-Thanksgiving deals and see what comes up.
Yes, that’s a valid concern, and unfortunately paying for a proper used machine with a warranty and so on usually takes the price up towards a new high-spec machine. I think second-hand computers are only a good deal if you can get them from someone who can give you a trustworthy history.