Wanna (please) help me configure a new laptop?

B

Breathe

New Member
OK, I want a Dell laptop. I think $1700 max max max. I'd rather it be under $1500 and would consider over $1500 only if you had a really compelling argument...

I'm just a 'regular' user -- I don't *think* I'd ever watch a movie on my laptop and I won't game ever. I don't need funky sound, graphics, etc.

BUT, this will be the laptop I'll have to use for probably the next decade (er, until it dies). I like speed.... when I'm clicking away (online) and when I'm just working on documents.

Given this, can you help me configure something that will work for me. Thing is that I have a Dell (desktop) that I got in 01 and it is now super slow which is irritating as heck for me. I think because of memory - ??

I do want Word, Outlook, Excel. I don't need powerpoint or anything. I need wireless obviously and am assuming I want the best wireless card I can get at the moment since it will only get better in the future and I plan to use this feature a lot. I wanted to get Paint Shop (the cheaper version) while I was ordering assuming it is cheaper that way. I will likely need to put some financial software on this (Quicken/quickbooks and maybe another), if that matters.

Seems like no matter which laptop I choose on Dell, it ends up being close to $2k.

Can you help please?

Thanks! :)
 
Well depending on what processor you chose and RAM I would say get 1.83GHz and 1GB memory which comes stock on most of the new Inspiron notebooks.
 
For what you do, you could still be running Windows 95 without any problems. What's wrong with your current one?
 
Here's a pretty fair system for $744 without tax or shipping. You might be able to find a better deal elsewhere, but it'd do just fine for surfing the web. You can see my laptop in my sig that I use for surfing the net :P

AMD Turion™ 64 X2 Dual-Core Mobile Technology TL-50
Genuine Windows® XP Home
15.4 inch Wide Screen XGA Display
1GB DDR2 SDRAM at 533MHz, 2 Dimm
60GB Hard Drive
24X CD Burner/DVD Combo Drive
ATI RADEON® Xpress1150 256MB HyperMemory™ (Integrated)
53 WHr 6-cell Lithium Ion Primary Battery
Dell Wireless 1390 802.11g Mini Card (54Mbps)
Integrated 10/100 Network Card and Modem
Integrated Audio
 
Bobo said:
For what you do, you could still be running Windows 95 without any problems. What's wrong with your current one?
Click to expand...

Super duper slow.... lots of lag time. And, despite doing the best I could for wireless and router... internet is slow... which I assumed had to (therefore) do with something other than the card/router. My ex's laptop zips along on wireless here.

I have XP from when it first came out. I also have a pentium 4 but recently was told that it was like the beta one (a bunch of people went from being excited for me to basically saying a collective "oh"... apparently, it isn't the "right" pentium 4).

OK - so really, I can just go for this really lower-priced models? I figured that if this was going to be my non-movie watching, non-gaming workhorse (I still seem to just LIVE on my pc), then I'd want more of.... something. I would like to be able to download music and burn CDs, etc.... I want something that will last through the next years....

Thanks agan - appreciate your help -- looks like you'll be saving me buck or 500 :P
 
OK - lemme try one more time.

I thought that I basically HAD to have 2GB memory and a 2 GHz processor to think I could stay current enough for a computer for the next 8-10 years.

Here is what I selected on Dell but it comes out to $1582. Where else can I chop out, considering I want speed (so wireless surfing and processing) and Oulook/Excel, etc.

For a 1505
PROCESSOR Intel® Core™ 2 Duo T7200 (2.00GHz, 4MB L2 Cache, 667MHz FSB)
OPERATING SYSTEM & TV-TUNERS Genuine Windows® XP Media Center Edition 2005
UPGRADE TO WINDOWS VISTA Express Upgrade to Windows Vista Home Premium from XP Media Center Edition
LCD PANEL 15.4 inch Wide Screen XGA Display with TrueLife™
MEMORY 2GB Shared Dual Channel DDR2 SDRAM at 533MHZ, 2 DIMM
HARD DRIVE 100GB 7200rpm SATA Hard Drive
OPTICAL DRIVE 8X CD/DVD Burner (DVD+/-RW) with double-layer DVD+R write capability
VIDEO CARD Intel® Graphics Media Accelerator 950
SOUND OPTIONS Integrated Audio

BATTERY OPTIONS 53 WHr 6-cell Lithium Ion Primary Battery
WIRELESS CARDS Hi-Speed: Dell Draft N Wireless

PRODUCTIVITY Microsoft Office Basic - Includes Word, Excel, and Outlook email
ANTI-VIRUS & SECURITY No Security Subscription
PHOTOS, MUSIC & MORE! Trial pack- Basic and trial products from Corel and Yahoo
WARRANTY AND SERVICE 1Yr Ltd Warranty and At-Home Service
Network Card and Modem Integrated 10/100 Network Card and Modem
Adobe Software Adobe® Acrobat® Reader 7.0
Processor Branding Intel Core 2 Duo Processor
Labels Windows Vista™ Capable

Also, please feel free to explain as I'm completely ignorant here. I've just got a shot to get a laptop now and need to do it!

Thanks so much!;)
 
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getting a regualr lcd monitor w/out truelife xga display should save you like $40 and you can downsige the HD to 80 GBs which should save you like another $50...tell me if thats enough
 
The option for a monitor with non-true life costs just the same. There isn't a cheaper monitor option for this one.

For dropping down HD to 80 GBs... I can save $150 if I go to 80GB 5400rpm SATA Hard Drive. I can save $50 if I go to 80GB 7200rpm SATA Hard Drive. So basically I pay $100 for an increase from 5400rpm to 7200rpm -- worth it?

Thanks again.
 
well 7200 rpm definetely gives you a speed boost, but i wouldnt imagine that it's that noticable...if you are tight on cash then go with the 5400 rpm, but if you can spare the $100 then i would recommend to go to 7200 rpm....
 
Hmm, no. I have a Linksys Wireless G 2.4ghz

OK - see, I had no idea I needed an N router (and have no idea what that is!)

My other options are Dell Wireless 1390b/g (54Mbps) and Intel PRO/Wireless 3945a/g, the latter of which I assume is better (and works with G!)

Thanks!
 
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