Help picking up a new laptop

[suraswami]

I am going to pickup a new laptop this father's day to gift my father. Which brand is good now a days?

Tosibha, HP/Compaq or DELL. Should be reliable and should work in real hot environments. I wanted to load Windows XP on it (because his business software is not yet vista certified). Might do dual-boot with Vista (don't know how to do but will figure out).

Less than $500. Atleast 2GB ram.

I am looking at Turion X2 with AMD chipset laptops because my bro will also be using it for photos and video editing. Heard AMD chipsets have better picture quality.

Please post your suggestions.

Thanks all.

 

[newtekie1]

Dell makes really good laptops. For the under $500 price point, I would look at delloutlet.com and get a scratch and dent or refurbished laptop, you will get the best bang for you buck doing that.

 

[suraswami]

I am going to send this to India. I am bit hesitant in picking up a refurbished ones, because you know those are really not refurbished, its just repackaged.

 

[Salvadorian Stuff]

go for dell laptops, costumer support its great, many laptops and configurations for under $500, don't pick hp laptops, I got mines dead last week.

 

[ktr]

Look at the Dell Vostro, you can get them well spec for cheap.

 

[suraswami]

This one looks like a good deal to me.

http://www.bestbuy.com/site/olspage.jsp?skuId=8760879&type=product&id=1202650401237

 

[suraswami]

Are Sony Vaio laptops reliable? Or better get a Toshiba?

 

[lemonadesoda]

Sony VAIO's used to be very reliable. In fact, 5 years ago, with the Z600 series, they were the ultimate executive laptop. I still have mine, and it is my email machine.

Not sure about MODERN sony's though. My understanding is that the ones that we see advertised or buy in shops are the CONSUMER versions, all with silly shiney reflective screens. But if you are a corporate buyer, there is a range available with matte screens.

Why a laptop for your dad? Are you sure he really wants one, or is it more of a "you think it would be good for him" sort of reasoning. I ask... because I was in the same situation some years ago.

It might be worth thinking out of the box and looking at something like the HP IPAQ 214. If it is just for emails, and very very basic www browing, it might suit him better.

If he is old and has bad eyesight, a desktop with bigger, brighter screen might be best. And you cant go wrong with one of the new iMacs. (PS. I dont own an Imac and probably both you and I never should... but for dad... thats a different question).

SINCE you just missed fathers day, maybe better to get him one for his birthday or sometime in 3 months. There are a LOT of new laptops coming onto the market now, from Computex 2008 and others. Basically, NOTHING on the market now is new 2008, they are all 2007 designs, but what is coming in July/August is interesting.

 

[dark2099]

My sister got a Sony Vaio some time last year and is happy with it, I doubt she has had any problems with it, even after accidentally dumping a bottle of water on it.

 

[suraswami]

Sony VAIO's used to be very reliable. In fact, 5 years ago, with the Z600 series, they were the ultimate executive laptop. I still have mine, and it is my email machine.

Not sure about MODERN sony's though. My understanding is that the ones that we see advertised or buy in shops are the CONSUMER versions, all with silly shiney reflective screens. But if you are a corporate buyer, there is a range available with matte screens.

Why a laptop for your dad? Are you sure he really wants one, or is it more of a "you think it would be good for him" sort of reasoning. I ask... because I was in the same situation some years ago.

It might be worth thinking out of the box and looking at something like the HP IPAQ 214. If it is just for emails, and very very basic www browing, it might suit him better.

If he is old and has bad eyesight, a desktop with bigger, brighter screen might be best. And you cant go wrong with one of the new iMacs. (PS. I dont own an Imac and probably both you and I never should... but for dad... thats a different question).

SINCE you just missed fathers day, maybe better to get him one for his birthday or sometime in 3 months. There are a LOT of new laptops coming onto the market now, from Computex 2008 and others. Basically, NOTHING on the market now is new 2008, they are all 2007 designs, but what is coming in July/August is interesting.

Actually I am going to give it to my brother. My parents and my brother live in India. To ship a desktop is too expensive and carrying a laptop with me would be ideal. They could buy it over there but if I get it here it is around $200 to $250 cheaper.

My Dad doesn't know how to use a computer LOL. Only his secretary uses it and sends all the financial documents/reports to Government for auditing etc. I sent my Duron machine to him and its doing fine. So he doesn't need a machine.

I gave my Athlon XP machine (last year) to my brother and that sucker runs too hot for Indian climate. Since I bought up this topic my brother wants the new laptop

 

[jmo_b4]

looking for a good laptop

i am looking for a good laptop that holds its charge for a good amount of time and is light and can play games on. if you have anything please reply

 

[andrewsmc]

jmo b4 .... please make your own thread and do not hijack others

 

[jmo_b4]

i wasn't trying to hijack and thanks and i am new at these forums

 

[troyrae360]

Go for HP, Hp are the best quality laptops around, they may cost a little more but they are worth every cent!!

Dell computers in my experence have the highest fail rate of all genric computer brands

 

[andrewsmc]

Dell..

 

[A Cheese Danish]

Dell or Toshiba for ~$500.