Laptop

• mcburg93

  

  I am looking to buy one and with all the experts on here thought I would ask for some suggestions. I want something to watch some tv and movies on. I was wondering on what speed or brand to get. Its really just to use on traveling and occasional school stuff. Price is not to big a deal cause it is in my school package I think I am allowed to spend up to 1k. So let me see what you all would buy.
• dlazz

  "watch TV and movies on".
  
  Via what method? What is the maximum you want to spend? Do you get deals on certain brands?
• Automatik

  

  You have a lot of options with a 1k budget.
  
  I'd just browse newegg.com and see what interests you.
  
  Personally I'd go with a Lenovo or Acer Ultrabook.
• dlazz

  Automatik;1386983 wrote:You have a lot of options with a 1k budget.
  
  I'd just browse newegg.com and see what interests you.
  
  Personally I'd go with a Lenovo or Acer Ultrabook.

  The new Surface Pro fits into that budget as well.
• Automatik

  

  Mehh..I know it's an "all in one" or whatever, but I still consider the Surface Pro a tablet.
• mcburg93

  

  dlazz;1386982 wrote:"watch TV and movies on".
  
  Via what method? What is the maximum you want to spend? Do you get deals on certain brands?

  I would like to spend all 1k cause If anything is left I dont get it. I watch movies on netflix and have roadrunner at home. Other then that I really dont have too many requirements. I was looking for what operating systems would be best what speed and anything along them lines.
  
  I think I will just do some more looking around and see what I can find that I like. I am just not the brightest when it comes to computers and thought some ideas would give me a direction.
• Commander of Awesome

  

  Refurbished Mac fits in the price range as well.
• dlazz

  mcburg93;1386994 wrote:I would like to spend all 1k cause If anything is left I dont get it. I watch movies on netflix and have roadrunner at home. Other then that I really dont have to many requirements.
  
  I think I will just do some more looking around and see what I can find that I like. I am just not the brightest when it comes to computers and thought some ideas would give me a direction.

  In cases like this, I usually just go to Newegg and sort everything by "Top Sellers". It usually pushes the cream of the crop to the top of the list, and then you can easily narrow down your list.
  
  Whatever you do, do NOT buy one from Best Buy. It's fine to go to Best Buy and play with them, but just write down the model number and buy it online.
• dlazz

  Commander of Awesome;1386996 wrote:Refurbished Mac fits in the price range as well.

  Why buy refurbished when he could buy new?
• Commander of Awesome

  

  dlazz;1386999 wrote:
  Whatever you do, do NOT buy one from Best Buy. It's fine to go to Best Buy and play with them, but just write down the model number and buy it online.

  Curious the reason for this
• dlazz

  Commander of Awesome;1387001 wrote:Curious the reason for this

  Best Buy is notorious for pushing people into crap they don't need. They charge $50+ for antivirus and to burn the recovery discs for you. Also, tax on a high-ticket item like this is killer. If you buy from Newegg or Amazon, you'd skip out on tax. Gives you a little more lee-way when choosing items near the $999 range. He can (in theory) get more bang for the buck if he buys online since it'll give him another ~$60 to play with.
• dlazz

  Automatik;1386991 wrote:Mehh..I know it's an "all in one" or whatever, but I still consider the Surface Pro a tablet.

  It may be, but it'd be perfect for TV/notes in school/whatever.
• OSH

  

  Try to find someone you know personally to help customize/personalize what you want.
  
  My brother is great with computers, he's helped me buy the two laptops I've had in the last 10 years.
• Commander of Awesome

  

  dlazz;1387002 wrote:Best Buy is notorious for pushing people into crap they don't need. They charge $50+ for antivirus and to burn the recovery discs for you. Also, tax on a high-ticket item like this is killer. If you buy from Newegg or Amazon, you'd skip out on tax. Gives you a little more lee-way when choosing items near the $999 range. He can (in theory) get more bang for the buck if he buys online since it'll give him another ~$60 to play with.

  Never thought of this before. Reps.
• Sonofanump

  Commander of Awesome;1387001 wrote:Curious the reason for this

  Best Buy is on the list of business that will be closing stores to stay and stay afloat.
• Midstate01

  

  Sonofanump;1387007 wrote:Best Buy is on the list of business that will be closing stores to stay and stay afloat.

  
  They closed the one in lancaster I hear
• gut

  Automatik;1386983 wrote: Personally I'd go with a Lenovo or Acer Ultrabook.

  Ultrabook definitely. Not sure about Acer, but I'd look at Sony Vaio and Asus.
• gut

  dlazz;1387002 wrote:If you buy from Newegg or Amazon, you'd skip out on tax.

  Really? I thought they calculated the tax based on your ship-to zipcode. Thought they had to start doing this some time ago because states were losing big bucks on sales tax.
• gut

  By the way, Best Buy WILL match prices on Amazon (if it's a highly reputable seller). That's assuming you can find the exact model, as sometimes they play games. But pull it up on Amazon and they'll match the price (then you get your computer now without waiting).
• believer

  

  dlazz;1387002 wrote:Best Buy is notorious for pushing people into crap they don't need. They charge $50+ for antivirus and to burn the recovery discs for you. Also, tax on a high-ticket item like this is killer. If you buy from Newegg or Amazon, you'd skip out on tax. Gives you a little more lee-way when choosing items near the $999 range. He can (in theory) get more bang for the buck if he buys online since it'll give him another ~$60 to play with.

  Not that I'm defending Best Buy by any stretch of the imagination, but I bought an Asus laptop from Best Buy about 5 months ago. Nobody tried to push me into buying anything I didn't need and anyone who can't install their own anti-virus or create their own recovery disks probably has no business owning a computer anyways.
  
  I researched before my buying decision and found that Best Buy's prices on laptops in my price range were very competitive even with the tax tagged on. On-line purchases are fine but I'd rather walk in, see what I'm purchasing, and walk out with it rather than waiting for the shipment, hoping it arrives in one piece, and paying for the shipping costs. Plus if the machine hoses up, I know where Best Buy lives.
• ernest_t_bass

  

  Mac
• Commander of Awesome

  

  ernest_t_bass;1387044 wrote:Mac

  Start out of his price range.
• Automatik

  

  The lower end 11" MB Air goes for $999. You can also get a school discount, which I believe is 10%. It still worked for me last year, they don't check.
• dlazz

  gut;1387035 wrote:Really? I thought they calculated the tax based on your ship-to zipcode. Thought they had to start doing this some time ago because states were losing big bucks on sales tax.

  Only in states where they have a physical presence. It was poorly worded -- I meant to buy the laptop from another seller online and not Best Buy.
• dlazz

  Automatik;1387064 wrote:The lower end 11" MB Air goes for $999. You can also get a school discount, which I believe is 10%. It still worked for me last year, they don't check.

  The lower-end Macbook Air wouldn't come close to competing with a similarly priced Ultrabook.