OT: Help me choose a new laptop

ajw

I know this is way off-topic, but I figure there must be some techno wizzes here. I've got $1450 in pre tax store credit to replace the laptop that Best Buy fried. Anyone want to take a few minutes to browse their selection and make a suggestion?

BB Laptops

I'd like one that isn't too heavy, has a DVD+/-R and has a good enough sound/video package to play games once in a while.

Thanks for anyone that has the time and knowlege to help a guy out...

zef204

Personally I would go with the Toshiba or the Sony. I have had all types of problems on a few different HP's and Compaq's

FavreFan1971

I would personally make them give you a check and get a Dell 610. You would have some $$$ to burn afterwards on cards. But if you are stuck at BB I would stay away from the HP. They quality has gone down the crapper. I can't say anything about Sony, I do not know anyone who has one nor have I worked on one.

I like Toshiba. The M45-s265 should do you fine. It has a tag of $1299.99. It weighs 6.7 lbs. Maybe a pound heavier than most

Good luck

Knuckles

With my work I lug around a laptop everywhere.. It's powered on pretty well 24/7

My first laptop a toshiba years ago was great.. never had an issue with it..

2nd.. a compaq horrible laptop tons of problems. over heated all the time.. etc..

3rd toshiba laptop A70 wide screen.. pretty good but if you had the least bit of static and touched the speakers which are ont he bottom where your wrists touch the laptop would freeze or reboot.. there goes your work.. very anoying.. the many shocks took their toll on the cpu.. many other complaints with design.. but I won't get into that..

4th and still currently use.. Dell Inspiron 9300. Well worth the extra $. This laptop blows away anything else I've ever used including many desktops. I really can't think of one complaint about it.

baseballfanatic

Get a refund and go with the Dell. If you only have in-store credit, the Toshiba is about all they have to offer without putting in more money for a higher end Sony............

zef204

If you can get a check I too would look into Dell, I have the 620 now and it has been awesome.

I also like the IBM ThinkPads, I have a T40 and have never had a problem(except when the little woman spilled a diet coke on it and fried the mainboard but that was hardly IBM's fault)

Treetop

4th and still currently use.. Dell Inspiron 9300. Well worth the extra $. This laptop blows away anything else I've ever used including many desktops. I really can't think of one complaint about it.

I just bought one of these myself. Fricking unbelievable.............LOVE IT

ajw

Thanks for the suggestions, guys. Unfortunately, I highly doubt Best Buy will cut me a check. It looks like I'll go with a Toshiba. I haven't decided which one, but hopefully it'll last longer than the 14 months my last machine did.

stown

Best Buy will not refund you the money; it has to be used in store. While the Dells may sound great, they wont do you any good unless they start stocking them at BB

I use to be a huge fan of compaq/hp but my laptop has crashed numerous times. I know several that have purchased the Sony and Toshiba (sp?)... A small glitch here and there but mostly dependable and light weight.

Good luck and let us know how it goes.

schr1st

I had store credit as well, and ended up picking up the last one of these Toshiba laptops in the state of MA last Saturday. If you can find one in a store (call around to your local stores), I'd get it. I love mine.

Stone193

Damn!

I thought we were talking about Lap Dances!

jerster

Toshiba is the way to go. I'm on mine now - I think it suits me perfectly!

cavalier

If your $1450 is in a gift card you can sell the gift card on ebay for about $1350 and then buy a Dell.

I'll start the bidding on the gift card @$1000

Tons of great auctions

Knuckles

<< <i>If your $1450 is in a gift card you can sell the gift card on ebay for about $1350 and then buy a Dell. >>



Now there's a plan!

RedRomad275

I'm with the refund and buying a Dell. I bought mine on the refurbished page. You get great deals and the same warranty. Selection can be sparse at times but I spent about five days checking the page and a great deal came up. I bought an Inspiron 8200 w/ CRD-W, 80G memory for $700 less then new.

Red

stown

I could be wrong but I believe Best Buy in-store credit is non-transferable.

ajw

I wish I could sell it, but I'm quite certain that I'll be walking out of best buy with a new computer. The good thing is that I bought my laptop about three years ago for $1500. That died and I got a $1500 credit to replace it (cost me $300 for a new service plan.) That one just died and I get another $1500 credit to replace it. I wish I had the specs of my first laptop to see how it will compare to my new one. This one will have a 100GB hard drive, a gig of memory, 17in widescreen and DVD burner. The process is a hassle, but I love getting a brand new computer every other year for only $300.