# Yet another "Help me buy a laptop" thread.... **URL:** \ **Category:** In My Humble Opinion\ **Created:** [December 13, 2009, 8:57pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/yet-another-help-me-buy-a-laptop-thread/521140 "2009-12-13T20:57:50Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 9\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![ZenBeam](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/z/3ab097/32.png) [@ZenBeam](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ZenBeam)\ **Post date:** [December 13, 2009, 8:57pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/yet-another-help-me-buy-a-laptop-thread/521140/1 "2009-12-13T20:57:50Z")
I’m planning on buying my wife a laptop for Christmas. I think she’d be fine with a netbook, except for the screen size, so I’m focusing on the 15.6" screen size that’s all over the place with 1366 x 768 resolution. I’m also specifically looking for Windows 7 as opposed to Vista, which we hate (I’ve seen a few cheaper ones with Vista). Beyond that, anything in this class seems more than sufficient in terms of RAM and hard drive (lets call 2 GB and 250 GB minimums). She’s not a gamer, so I don’t have any particular video requirements. I’d also want it to have built-in wireless networking (802.11G), but I think they all have this anymore. I’d prefer one I can buy at a store, to avoid shipping it to our home, although now that I think about it, my laptop was shipped by mail anyway (about 4 years ago). Any ideas on this issue? Can they usually ship it to the store, for me to pick up? I’m looking at [this Toshiba](http://www.officemax.com/catalog/sku.jsp?skuId=22129750&productId=prod2780354&history=7np45r96%7CcategoryId~10004%5EcategoryName~technology%5EparentCategoryID~category_root%5EprodPage~25%5Eregion~1%40d9p9e3rj%7CcategoryId~283%5EcategoryName~Computers%5EparentCategoryID~cat_10004%5EprodPage~25%5Eregion~1%5Erefine~1%40rjyikppd%7CprodPage~15%5Erefine~1%5Eregion~1%5EcategoryName~Laptop%2BComputers%2Band%2BTablet%2BPCs%5EcategoryId~325%5EparentCategoryID~cat_283%40u7vw080h%7CrefineName~Price%5EprodPage~15%5Erefine~1%5Esub_attr_name~2%5Eregion~1%5ErefineValue~449%2B%3C%3D%2B%2B%3C%3D%2B598.99), which is in the OfficeMax ad today. Is this a decent laptop? What’s a 1-eSATA/USB combo port? I assume all laptops come with battery and AC adapter, but that link doesn’t say so. The [Toshiba site](http://laptops.toshiba.com/laptops/satellite/L500/L505-S5998) does, though. I had been considering the Dell Inspiron 15, but after searching for laptop threads here, [maybe not](http://boards.straightdope.com/sdmb/showthread.php?t=538512). Any brands better/more reliable than others? ---
**Author:** ![astro](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/9dc877/32.png) [@astro](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/astro)\ **Post date:** [December 13, 2009, 9:21pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/yet-another-help-me-buy-a-laptop-thread/521140/2 "2009-12-13T21:21:32Z")
Not really too impressed with Toshiba build quality over the last few years. I used to be all Toshiba, but have moved away toward HP and Lenovo lately and IMO they are better built machines vs Toshiba. Lenovos (made IBM Thinkpads) are a bit more expensive (not much) but have terrific build quality, however, they are mainly available on the net (see Tiger Direct & Newegg) vs B&M stores. HP’s on sale/rebate at Staples or Best Buy are also good deals. ---
**Author:** ![ZenBeam](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/z/3ab097/32.png) [@ZenBeam](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ZenBeam)\ **Post date:** [December 13, 2009, 9:56pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/yet-another-help-me-buy-a-laptop-thread/521140/3 "2009-12-13T21:56:07Z")
[This HP would be OK](http://www.staples.com/HP-G60-530US-Laptop/product_827767?cmArea=SC3:CG71:DP4118:CL161747). They have free delivery to the store, which would work well. ---
**Author:** ![ZenBeam](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/z/3ab097/32.png) [@ZenBeam](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ZenBeam)\ **Post date:** [December 13, 2009, 10:00pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/yet-another-help-me-buy-a-laptop-thread/521140/4 "2009-12-13T22:00:34Z")
Here’s a [Compaq Presario](http://www.staples.com/Compaq-Presario-CQ61-313us-Laptop/product_828743) on sale. Wife likes a good sale. ---
**Author:** ![astro](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/9dc877/32.png) [@astro](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/astro)\ **Post date:** [December 13, 2009, 10:14pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/yet-another-help-me-buy-a-laptop-thread/521140/5 "2009-12-13T22:14:53Z")
> [@ZenBeam](#): > > Here’s a [Compaq Presario](http://www.staples.com/Compaq-Presario-CQ61-313us-Laptop/product_828743) on sale. Wife likes a good sale. [Sister unit also on sale.](http://www.staples.com/office/supplies/StaplesProductDisplay?storeId=10001&jspStoreDir=Staples&AID=10422268&partNumber=827767&cm_mmc=CJ-_-affiliate-_-feed-_-listing&PID=1216905&catalogId=10051&langId=-1) [In 14.1" this unit’s also a nice deal](http://www.bestbuy.com/site/HP+-+Pavilion+Laptop+with+Intel%26%23174%3B+Pentium%26%23174%3B+Processor+-+Espresso+Black/9663058.p?id=1218140710767&skuId=9663058&st=9663058&cp=1&lp=1) ---
**Author:** ![initech](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/i/439d5e/32.png) [@initech](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/initech)\ **Post date:** [December 13, 2009, 10:25pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/yet-another-help-me-buy-a-laptop-thread/521140/6 "2009-12-13T22:25:04Z")
Here’s a good guide: [http://ironylovescompany.posterous.com/aarons-holiday-laptop-buying-guide](http://ironylovescompany.posterous.com/aarons-holiday-laptop-buying-guide) ---
**Author:** ![astro](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/9dc877/32.png) [@astro](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/astro)\ **Post date:** [December 14, 2009, 6:36am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/yet-another-help-me-buy-a-laptop-thread/521140/7 "2009-12-14T06:36:55Z")
> [@initech](#): > > Here’s a good guide: > > [http://ironylovescompany.posterous.com/aarons-holiday-laptop-buying-guide](http://ironylovescompany.posterous.com/aarons-holiday-laptop-buying-guide) I don’t agree with his netbook recommendation(s) at all. (IMO) There are better overall netbooks out there for the money. ---
**Author:** ![Rico](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/rico/32/3582_2.png) [@Rico](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Rico)\ **Post date:** [December 14, 2009, 7:10am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/yet-another-help-me-buy-a-laptop-thread/521140/8 "2009-12-14T07:10:22Z")
At the risk of angering the anti-Dell factions on this board, I will recommend the Dell Vostro series. You can find them on the Dell website by clicking on the Small Business section. My wife and I both have Vostros, I’ve recommended them to several of my clients, and not one of them has been disappointed. Try the Vostro 1015. You can upgrade a few things, and it should fit into your budget very nicely. ETA: I missed that you wanted to pick it up in a store, sorry. But I still highly recommend the Vostro line. ---
**Author:** ![ZenBeam](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/z/3ab097/32.png) [@ZenBeam](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ZenBeam)\ **Post date:** [December 14, 2009, 12:11pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/yet-another-help-me-buy-a-laptop-thread/521140/9 "2009-12-14T12:11:53Z")
The Compaq Presario was out of stock yesterday, but was back in stock this morning, so I snapped it up. Thanks all.