Need New PC

[volvoguy]

DW has a four year old Dell laptop that is starting to have issues and probably needs replacement. Looking for opinions on what should be purchased to replace her laptop. She uses PSE6 for scrapping and Microsoft Office products, outlook, word and excel. Her current laptop has 15.4" screen and probably would benefit from a larger screen. Thanks.

[debilou]

BUY a MAC!

[Kathleen]

You have to look a husband who looks out for his wife's computer needs!

I bought a new laptop 18 months ago (which is ancient in the computer world!), and here is my philosophy ... when you start looking at laptops, you typically see price breaks. You could buy a laptop in the $500 - $800 range, but it will most likely be skin and bones. Lower end memory, hard drive, graphics driver, etc. If you move to the $1200 - $1800 range, get the best that you like in that price point. If you start going over $2000, you will most likely be paying for ultra light weight computers, super compact, etc. and sacrifice drive space, screen size, ports, etc.

The things I would look for in a laptop today:

Hard drive - decent (~350GB +)
Memory - at least 2GB, up to 4GB for Vista
Independent Graphics memory
A bright, vivid screen
Ergonomics YOU like (can't beat touch and feel in this category)
Good port connections - at least 2 USB connections, and if possible built in slot for memory card to make getting photos off a memory card easy.

My last laptop purchase was an HP from Costco. I love their return policy (90 days for electronics), and am happy with the laptop. My work laptop is a Toshiba, and it has also held up well. Lenevo gets a lot of good press, although maybe a bit more geared towards the business user.

Hope all this helps, post back if you have specific questions about a brand or specs.

[omio]

I'm a Mac lover, too, but feel sure you both use PCs so it wouldn't be practical re software. As far as the larger screen, have you guys tried one? My DH bought a 17" PC at one time but it was really unwieldy to travel with. When it needed to be replaced, he switched back to a 15" and used an external monitor when he was home. Worked much better.

[Kathleen]

Omio brings up a good point about larger laptops. Although the screens are great, and personally I like the extra "real estate" they can be quite bulky. Mine weighs in at a bit over 8 lbs. I move it around the house a little, and I occasionally travel with it, and manage just fine, but there is no question it is big. Another reason to go out and look at actual laptops, touch and feel and see what you like.

[scamptx]

I have a 17" Dell and agree that if you travel frequently, could be a pain. I don't travel enough to worry about it, though. I also agree with what Kathleen said about looking at the hard drive and memory.

I don't own a tv, so use my laptop to watch movies on dvd--one reason for wanting the larger screen.

My goal is to go Mac in 2010, so expect to be disposing of said laptop and relatively new desktop. (Now that I've put that out there for the world...guess I'm committed.)

[omio]

All right, scampy!!!!!!!! :yahoo: :yahoo:

[Calkacky]

I had a smaller Dell and just upgraded to an larger HP laptop and I love it. I'd recommend you go to one or more stores, look at what they have, decide which ones interest you and write the info on it down and go home and research it. That is what I did and I ended up finding a place locally (that I hadn't gone to) that had it on sale for $150.00 off.

[crlin60]

Good information! I am just beginning to look at laptops and wasn't sure what was good for scrapping. Did the HP come with a lot of xtra junk installed on it?

[Kathleen]

It's exciting to be on the hunt for a new laptop! My HP came with a fair amount of stuff loaded on it, but nothing too horrible to get rid of. The hardest part for me was going from XP to Vista, and turning things off in Vista that I didn't want!

[volvoguy]

We found a new laptop for DW two weeks ago. It is a 17" Dell Studio with 2.5 Ghz processsor and 4gig of memory. Vista is a bear to get to know and I am have problems turning off parts we don't want. Had to start Windows Defender to get to the Startup programs and elimination Windows Live. Now Windows Defender has a problem starting with a "service start error" on each boot. Need to find a way to clear that problem. Also a problem with Outlook 2007 with a "Fax add-in" error that comes up. Outlook was preinstalled by Dell. Got figure.

[crlin60]

That's what I am afraid of - Vista! I have XP on my computers and don't want to have to learn a new one. Just want to be able to open computer and do what I want! Hope you get yours fixed up how you want it VolvoGuy!

[RoadMap4Us]

I see this conversation died down a bit but I'll be interested in talking to a few of you in San Jose!

I hope to be in the market for a first-time laptop soon. I'll whisper this very very softly so that it's not really a commitment BUT......I'm possibly maybe perhaps what-am-I-thinking considering a Mac. Otherwise I'll probably end up with an HP or something.

I've been a Dell gal for a couple of rounds but use HP at work. I'm also still using PSP for my software; if/when I get that laptop, I'll finally upgrade to PS. I just purchased my first D-SLR on Saturday :yahoo::yahoo::yahoo::yahoo:. I was on my way over to the photography forum to announce my new Canon 'baby' when I got distracted and wandered in to this laptop forum. Is it any wonder that I can't get any LOs done!!!

Anyway I'll be anxious to peek over the shoulders of all the laptop scrappers at Adobe! Just call it market research!

[volvoguy]

Definitely take a good look at the laptop DW will be bringing to the Crop. She has had it for about one month and likes it. There are those that definitely say to go with Mac, but with your experience at home and work with PCs, I recommend staying with a Windows laptop and if you wait a few more months you will get it with Windows 7 and not Vista, good or bad, I don't know.

[scamptx]

Mac. I can't believe I didn't do it last year when purchasing...:doh: I am really loving it. I've had Dells since I started computing, and my work computers are Dell. After all, I am in Texas, and Dell is just down the road.

But the Mac...ahhh, it's a refreshing change from Windows.

But let me know if you have your heart set on a Dell. I have one that will be up for sale soon. :D

(No offense, Volvoguy! I know your heart is in the right place!)

[volvoguy]

Scamp - I might be interested in a used Dell seeing that I can't used DW's old one that has died.

[RoadMap4Us]

Scamp -- You may end up with a bidding war over that used Dell! What a deal! Who needs eBay when we have DSP?

[Kathleen]

I see this conversation died down a bit but I'll be interested in talking to a few of you in San Jose!

I hope to be in the market for a first-time laptop soon. I'll whisper this very very softly so that it's not really a commitment BUT......I'm possibly maybe perhaps what-am-I-thinking considering a Mac. Otherwise I'll probably end up with an HP or something.

I've been a Dell gal for a couple of rounds but use HP at work. I'm also still using PSP for my software; if/when I get that laptop, I'll finally upgrade to PS. I just purchased my first D-SLR on Saturday :yahoo::yahoo::yahoo::yahoo:. I was on my way over to the photography forum to announce my new Canon 'baby' when I got distracted and wandered in to this laptop forum. Is it any wonder that I can't get any LOs done!!!

Anyway I'll be anxious to peek over the shoulders of all the laptop scrappers at Adobe! Just call it market research!

Congrats on the DSLR! I know it has been on your list of desired things!!

I bought my laptop at Costco. It's an HP and has been great. And I have loved knowing that Costco's warranty stands behind it, as well as the manufacturer warranty. If you need a shopping buddy, let me know!

[crlin60]

Just got my new laptop at Costco also! It is an HP and I really like it! Got to do some more playing with it though since it is Vista and I am using XP on my desktop.

[Leea]

I use Windows XP on the main home computer for my digital scrapping, and got an HP notebook computer last November and was worried about using Vista, but so far, I like it :) When my XP was having problems a few weeks back, I was doing all my digiscrapping on the notebook with Vista and it worked well :)
My HP notebook is fairly big and I was concerned a little about the weight/carrying it around, but we got a really nice backpack bag from Amazon to carry it in, and all my stuff for it, like the Wacom tablet (a smaller one) fits in the bag...I really like the backpack bag... better than the other computer bag we have...I keep the computer and tablet in the main section at the back and the front zipper area has lots of pockets for storing cables, etc. and I keep a Vista how-to book in the large front pocket (velcro closure).

[idtwinmom]

OK, I will through in my 2 cents!

Buy Mac - if you can. But that means buying new software too which can get pricey. You can buy the Office products for Mac (do that over the iWork as that is one Apple product I've been dissappointed with and, although she could read files from Office, Office can not read hers).

If you can't buy Mac, then I lean toward the Toshiba's. Don't buy cheap $500-800 range, like Kathleen said, is bare bones. They are also cheaper parts that tend to have a limited life span. Friends of mine have bought this way, only to have to replace it after 18 months. Costco sells lower end models, as do most retailers. Look online for the refurbished machines. They may be a model back from "top of the line", but well worth it for the price savings and are also more likely the pro models designed for business with better hardware specs and lifespan.

Good luck! And what a wonderful man to be thinking of her needs like this!