Need a new laptop - some recommendations would be fantastic

Years ago I bought a Dell Latitude. 2 months ago, it fried itself (it was old - 6 years or so). So, I took my old Dell Inspiron and fixed it (it's breaking was why I bought the Latitude) - but it fried itself too (it was even older, I bought it in 2001).

I have a Lenovo T400, but that's my school issued laptop and isn't really meant for personal use.

Anyways, I have some cash I had been saving for a high-end kitchen knife set that would have cost $1,000). Have a look and you'll see how gorgeous they are - and by my favorite knife company.

http://www.benchmade.com/products/4501
http://www.benchmade.com/products/4548

I know you guys probably think that I'm nuts for wanting to spend that kind of money on kitchen knives, but they wouldn't actually have been used. They're part of Benchmade's Gold Class, which is limited edition only. So, they would have been for collector value. I love anything that is finely crafted - plus I have this old fashioned side to me that would rather have a nice watch over say - and iPad or iPhone - even assuming they cost the same.

Anyways, looks like I'll be using that money for a computer. My requirements are minimal.

Windows XP or Vista (no Windows 7)
12" screen or larger (although 12" is plenty)
Wifi B/G/N compatible
Bluetooth
enough processing power and RAM to just let the computer run comfortable fast with basic applications like OpenOffice, Mozilla Thunderbird and Firefox, and my Omron blood-pressure and pedometer analysis software (which requires very little power)

I'd like to keep it under $800 if possible since that's how far I got as far as saving before this happened.

Post surgery I'm in so much pain that I have to take massive amounts of pain meds (stronger than straight oxycodone). Due to that, I legally cannot drive, so I spend all my time in the house waiting to heal and I would like to have a laptop again to surf the web and do basic tasks.

Any user testimonials as to if you have a computer that fits the bill would be great.

Thanks.

May I ask why not Windows 7? Compatibility issues? I only ask because in my experience (I've been using Windows since 3.1), it's as stable as XP, but as pretty as Vista.

Anyway, Dell has an outlet site, where you can get some of their higher-end personal-class machines for cheaper, and the option to extend the warranty (my friend bought their Dell laptop with a 3-year warranty, plus accidental damage).

While Dell's customer service has been lacking, their machines (in my experience) have been far superior to those such as HP. IMB or Lenovo are great machines too, but I imagine they're going to be out of your price range.

If you don't want Dell, my other thought would be for you to look at Apple. You can always install Windows on it, as Apple has been using Intel hardware for some time now.

Originally Posted by emrldsky

May I ask why not Windows 7? Compatibility issues? I only ask because in my experience (I've been using Windows since 3.1), it's as stable as XP, but as pretty as Vista.

Anyway, Dell has an outlet site, where you can get some of their higher-end personal-class machines for cheaper, and the option to extend the warranty (my friend bought their Dell laptop with a 3-year warranty, plus accidental damage).

While Dell's customer service has been lacking, their machines (in my experience) have been far superior to those such as HP. IMB or Lenovo are great machines too, but I imagine they're going to be out of your price range.

If you don't want Dell, my other thought would be for you to look at Apple. You can always install Windows on it, as Apple has been using Intel hardware for some time now.

Click to expand...

My answers are color coded to identify what I'm responding to:

1. Indeed, compatibility is the problem. I quite honestly hate Vista and prefer XP, but I think I probably should go with Vista so as to make networking in my apartment amongst other computers a little easier. The big compatibility issue though comes down to my health management software. I have programs and drivers that interface with expensive health equipment and without the software, they're worthless. For whatever reason, the manufacturer specifically says not to run it on Windows 7 and only XP or Vista.


2. I've had bad experiences with the Dell outlet. If I buy a Dell, it would be one of their business class series and be brand new. Although ultimately, I'm hoping to avoid Dell entirely.



Am I wrong to think that I'd pay far more than what an apple comp is actually worth

I'm thinking Lenovo right now. What do you think?

Originally Posted by LawGuy

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My answers are color coded to identify what I'm responding to:

1. Indeed, compatibility is the problem. I quite honestly hate Vista and prefer XP, but I think I probably should go with Vista so as to make networking in my apartment amongst other computers a little easier. The big compatibility issue though comes down to my health management software. I have programs and drivers that interface with expensive health equipment and without the software, they're worthless. For whatever reason, the manufacturer specifically says not to run it on Windows 7 and only XP or Vista.


2. I've had bad experiences with the Dell outlet. If I buy a Dell, it would be one of their business class series and be brand new. Although ultimately, I'm hoping to avoid Dell entirely.



Am I wrong to think that I'd pay far more than what an apple comp is actually worth

I'm thinking Lenovo right now. What do you think?

Click to expand...

Sorry to hear about your experiences with the outlet. :/ It's kind of a hit or miss with Dell. As far as Apple, it really depends. People who LOVE Apple will always swear by the brand.

But if it were me, I'd get a Lenovo over Dell business class any day. You'll get more power for your money. I spec'd a Dell business class laptop vs. a Studio 15 and the 15 came out leaps and bounds ahead of their business class for the price (especially when it came down to RAM).

I think youll get both good and bad answers on any brand depending on who you talk to. For example, Im with you re: Dell - I would pretty much never go there due to quality problems and customer service issues I personally, and others I know, have experienced. My HP TouchSmart Laptop (running Vista, though I did get a free Windows 7 upgrade, just havnt done the upgrade) has been absolutely amazing and free of any of the standard HP issues Ive heard about. Apple is overpriced for the technology, and if that matters to you, you should avoid Apple like the plague - however, if you want super pretty ultra user friendly machines, you cant get any better. Id avoid Lenovo - when IBM sold their personal computing division to the low-cost asian Manufacturer that spawned Lenovo, their qulaity and benchmarks really took a hit. Its why IBM has divorced themselves from the whole line.
In my experience (which includes personal and educational use, as well as business supply in offices and in mobile associates) the most stable, dependable portable computing brand is Toshiba - but they can get a little pricey. For $800, Id go mainstream consumer like HP or Gateway: something you can find on sale at BestBuy or Costco, as the support available will be so far above and beyond any other brand, and companies like this are way more likely to replace your unit if you get a dud. Since you are already very experienced with computers, nuances like annoying software wont be a problem for you to uninstall!