Compute Guru...I need advice.

[Death from Above]

Currently I have a Dell inspiron 1520. It is and has been a very good laptop.

It is over 5 years old.

I am going to cycle it down as the family computer and purchase me a new laptop to be used for college.

What should I get?

What do I need to stay away from?

Thanks

Brandon

[47]

My next laptop.

Samsung Series 9

http://www.samsung.com/us/computer/laptops/NP900X3A-A03US

[Dejashoot]

I'm running a MacBook Air running Windows 8 right now. I like the light weight of it and processing is more than enough. I ran Lenovo(IBM) thinkpads for years and stil sell them to corporate customers by the 100's.

[Matt_C]

Toshiba and Samsung are both excellent computers (at least for me and my college kids they have been).

[Arlington BowHunter]

What will it be used for? Internet, photos, email? Depends on what you plan on doing with it.

[AtTheWall]

For what it's worth.....I typically buy American names even though 99.9% of the build is done overseas.

Dell Latitude E series laptops - 64 bit Intel (helps the Texas economy in some fashion Dell - Roundrock )

HP Elitebook series laptops - 64 bit Intel


From the MAC front....it's gonna run double in price and media between Windows and Mac (Student - Teacher MS Office licensing etc) is not interchangeable. IE, you buy the Office license for Windows, license key supports multiple installs on household WINTEL PCs. You will need a seperate license key and media kit for the Mac.....adding more to maintain dual OSs in a household budget but

Retina MACBook Pro (helps the California economy.....just thought I would toss that out there )



Rob

[Death from Above]

Not gonna go the Mac route.

Would like an all around computer. Not much of a gamer bit enough umph when I need it.

[TXBlueEyes]

Dell Inspiron 17R. Mid range and I like the 17' screen. I am also looking for a new laptop. I am considering this one.

[RustyRanchero]

It's really just up to how much you want to spend. I have had a Macbook for about 4 years now and it runs great.

[tx07]

Not gonna go the Mac route.

Would like an all around computer. Not much of a gamer bit enough umph when I need it.

Mid range is the way to go unless your doing any modeling/rigging. Or heavy video editing etc.
Standard usage you would be good with a upper mid range laptop. And not pay an arm and a leg for something that will be obsolete in 3 years. You will get another 5 years or better out of it.

Going for top end newest models is never a great idea. There is always something over looked and minor/major issues with hardware/software. Over heating you name it. Stay a little behind and you get fine tuned working equipment. And you save yourself a little money as well by not jumping on the hype wagon.

[hogtied]

I actually work for Dell in the R&D group for the Data Centers. I will tell you that our consumer products have drastically improved over the course of the last few years. A couple of years ago I would have advised against it but now I will actually give it a thumbs up. But you have to keep in mind computer are like cars every so often theres going to be a lemon. Should be a lot less of them now a days though. Plus however minute it is it might actually keep me in a job, and that will keep my kids happy and fed.

[M-2]

I actually work for Dell in the R&D group for the Data Centers. I will tell you that our consumer products have drastically improved over the course of the last few years. A couple of years ago I would have advised against it but now I will actually give it a thumbs up. But you have to keep in mind computer are like cars every so often theres going to be a lemon. Should be a lot less of them now a days though. Plus however minute it is it might actually keep me in a job, and that will keep my kids happy and fed.

Dell is the only brand we've ever bought - and there have been several ( guess only 4 or 5) since 1992 when I purchased our first one; however, I tend to keep a computer for 4-5 years. I may have had one or two support issues in 20 years with Dell products.
I've never bought a laptop for myself, since my company keeps me in new ones every 2 years. My work computer is a Lenovo ThinkPad at present.

[MKD45]

I would ask Tx_Kevin this one. This is very much his realm of expertise

[YLEKeyeOT]

I'd suggest you go with a Dell Vostro. If you want in a little cheaper go with an Inspiron. Either way, outfit it based on your budget - screen size, processor, hard disk drive size. 15" glass is plenty big for most folks. 17" is great, but they get a little unwieldy. Win7 Home and get 4GB RAM with it.

[altez]

Lenovo, Asus, or Toshiba