Need Help On Buying a Laptop

Jngrbrdman

New member
Its amazing what a couple layers of Souveran will do for a car. The Blackfire didn't bead water and I really missed that. With the carnuba wax on top, though, it looks like the beading is back. Wahoo!!

beads1.JPG


beads2.JPG
 
I love beading too! :up Looks like you restored the bead factor quite nicely. I get insane beading from so many coats of Zaino. It really amazes me every time it rains or I wash the car how the water droplets form a million beads then fall right off. I would definitely miss that too if I used a non-beading type product. Looks like you took good care of it though.



:xyxthumbs
 
The only 2 drawbacks to Blackfire (at least to me) are the lack of beading and the insane dust attraction. It took 2 or 3 coats of Souveran before the dust stoped getting sucked onto my car. Fortunatly its white and you don't really notice unless you touch it or something like that. I do like that beading, though. If Zaino beads like Klasse beads then I'm definatly going to have to try it next.
 
Would you happen to have any pics of the Blackfire sheeting? I'd sure like to see the difference. TIA.
 
Well my daughter is finishing school and she wants a new computer for college that will do just about everything ( Art programing, gaming etc. ) for her at school. It's a jungle out there and I been looking around. So what's everyone take on this? Ideas?..................Angelo
 
Pawnshop :-B

They have nicer stuff then you might expect. I bought a 9227c that need nothing but a power cord for $35 <:-P
 
Hey Angelo !

Whatever you buy I would recommend staying away from HP - they have chronic Motherboard cracking problems - I have already seen a couple of them come and go.

Currently have -

Dell Inspiron N7010
17" screen measured diagonally
Intel Core i5 CPU
M460 @2.53 GHz clock speed
6.00 GB Ram
64-bit operating system
Windows 7 O/S

Depending on what she is going to be doing with it, this seems to be a great all-around Laptop.

Dan F

Just read in your post - GAMING - well then all bets are off. :)
My Stepson bought a huge Tower built it himself and he is happily going to college and gaming his little heart away. I would have to say that this thing is equal to at least 4 normal sized PC Towers in width and height and has enough fans inside to warm a room :) Think server sized equipment now..
Good luck with this - be happy to pm you details of this monster and a pic or two if you want.. Dan F
 
There are tons and tons of laptop manufacturers out there, but I always lean toward Toshiba.

I have a Toshiba for class work and presentations that has had the snot beaten out of it with no problems to date. Toshiba tends not to go for the glamorous models, but rather the ones with a solid hardware foundation.

If possible, try to find a model with a solid state drive (SSD). They will have less storage capacity, but an SSD uses less power, runs much faster than a standard hard drive, and is less susceptible to shock damage. I swapped one into my laptop and it's screaming fast.
 
I hear you, Trouble, but with any type of computer, buying from a pawnshop is throwing the dice and hoping its not hacked, ruined, burned up, tampered with in such a way, it would never be good. Of course this is the worst case scenario...
Find a good reputable PC repair place and they can build you or have something already built, field tested, and waiting for a new owner..
Good Luck !
Dan F
 
I have A HP and a Toshiba both work great haven't had any problems .Angelo first thing you must take into considation is how much money you plan on spending like everything else you can go from a few hundred to a few thousand . When you decide on that it will help you get closer to a decision you may pay more at a place like Best Buy but they have stores all over the place if there is a problem . Stay away from used I will take a look at what's out there and touch base with you on the phone .
 
hey Angelo i used to work at CompUSA off of DaleMabry and 275 and they have some nice deals on all new laptops. The also have some scratch and dents that most of the laptops are new and just returned because customer change there mind. If you would like to take a look at them i can refer you to a guy named Charles. Very good guy and knows his stuff. Since they work commission they are honest people, well most of them. Charles is very honest. i worked with him for almost 4 years. go have a word with him for laptops.
 
Well, if this is the first computer I will recommend to go on e-bay.
On a price range of 190 to 250 you'll be amazed by what good of a computer
you can purchase. Dell's, Gateways, Toshiba and the HP business.
I consider those machines were built with great quality parts. Machines 2 3 years that are still ahead of their time in durability.
:wizard:
 
Well my daughter is finishing school and she wants a new computer for college that will do just about everything ( Art programing, gaming etc. ) for her at school. It's a jungle out there and I been looking around. So what's everyone take on this? Ideas?..................Angelo

Hello Angelo -

I don't envy you on this one!

First things first - check with the college as to what operating system THEY support. Do they support Microsoft Windows and Office ONLY and if so, what versions? Do they support Macs or Linux? (Yes, some schools are very particular about that.) If Microsoft only, you are limited. If MS and Mac, you have more flexibility, even more so if they support Linux.

Next, what are the "accepted" formats for documents? MS Office (Word, Excel, PowerPoint, Visio) only? Or is Open Office/Libre Office accepted?

What will she be studying? Is a Mac a better choice for her classes?

Now for the hardware, accessories and realities. Let's assume that the schools supports Microsoft Windows/Office only as the base software package.

First, dad needs to give daughter a reality check: she is at school to learn, not play games on the computer and a quality gaming computer is a LOT more expensive than an "office" (i.e. school) computer - gaming is out.

Second, laptops are a) stolen and b) prone to mechanical failures. Given these two facts (yes, they are facts) she needs to learn and practice some basic habits: a) buy and USE a security lock (cable) for the laptop, even in the dorm/at the apartment (especially at the coffee shop) and b) ALWAYS use a USB flash drive to back up her work EVERY SESSION and don't take the drive out of the dorm/apartment (use a separate USB drive for traveling) and c) always use the BIOS (at boot up) and Windows log in password systems.

Regarding the increased failure rate of laptops, while I normally don't advise purchasing an extended warranty, I make the exception for laptops - buy the extended warranty. If the laptop lasts two years, expect to purchase a new battery.

OK, so what kind of laptop? I'll refrain from brand names (for now) but for specs:

> AMD or Intel doesn't matter, just be sure it is dual core (or better) no less than 2.1GHz processor speed
> 3GB RAM a minimum but get 4GB of RAM, even if the lappy comes with Windows 7 32bit (it will see less than the full 4GB but chances are it will come with Windows 7 64 bit)
> Lighter weight is nice but there might be a battery running time trade off
> Longer battery running time is desired even if heavier and a bit more expensive
> Screen size - 15.6" is fairly large but comfortable in most applications - also, this size laptop often has a near-standard keyboard layout and key size
> Built-in wireless modem is a must

Must have Accessories:
> Extended warranty
> Light weight carrying case
> Security locking cable
> 16GB USB flash drive to leave at the apartment
> 8GB USB flash drive to take out

Nice to have:
> Wireless mouse
> 20" (or so) external LCD monitor and external keyboard

Regards,
GEWB
 
Hey Angelo. Most computer manufacturers now have a refurbished section on the web (returned, repaired and under original warranty). Save some cash especially on a college student if you are looking at a laptop (dangers already spoken about). Places like Best Buy are great for a hands-on touchy-feely to see actual size, weight, heat (very important when using a laptop as some get very hot!) and type of connection ports.
If you decide to go the Dell route, please contact me as I can help you get a better price (most times).

Harry
 
13 Macbook pro.

11 or 13" Macbook air.

Apple refurbs from apple. Full 1 year warranty and eligible for Apple care which is apple's very own 3 year warranty.

http://store.apple.com/us/browse/home/specialdeals/mac?mco=OTY2ODY3Nw

If you are going to get a PC, look for a great deal at slickdeals.net

They have great deals there all the time.

For an extended warranty, I can recommend square trade, google for reviews. 3 year warranty with AHD (accidents or drops, ect) They have 30% off coupon codes at least once a month.
 
Hey Angelo. Most computer manufacturers now have a refurbished section on the web (returned, repaired and under original warranty). Save some cash especially on a college student if you are looking at a laptop (dangers already spoken about). Places like Best Buy are great for a hands-on touchy-feely to see actual size, weight, heat (very important when using a laptop as some get very hot!) and type of connection ports.
If you decide to go the Dell route, please contact me as I can help you get a better price (most times).

Harry

Good suggestion there Harry!

As to make, Dell, Lenovo, ASUS, Toshiba, and other are all good. Regardless of make you can find opinions good/bad.

I've owned IBM Thinkpad (now Lenovo) and now have a Dell and a Compaq (i.e. HP) laptop and both are fine - the Dell runs hotter than the Compaq, the Compaq has a more "standard" keyboard but the battery run time is a bit longer on the Dell.

There's no free lunch.

Regards,
GEWB
 
Back
Top