[kittymama2007]

Hello everyone! I'm looking for a laptop for me and I kinda know what I want. (All thanks to my hubby a PC tech.) But there's a small problem. Even though what I want in a computer, there are SOOO many out there on the web and in the stores. And to add to that I don't have a lot of money to spend on it. If it were possible I'd get my hubby to build a laptop, from scratch, for me but... it's impossible these days.

What I do (on the computer) basically comprises of web surfing, watching web vids, playing WOW and sealonline (and the occasional store bought PC game). I also listen to my music with iTunes (i have the newest ipod nano w/ vid); and talk on AIM.

But any who, like I said, I kinda know what I want in a computer. (I'm open to suggestions though.) So here it is:
1. Hardrive: anywhere from 80G to 160G
2. RAM: 2 to 4G
3. Processor: Core 2 Duo or Turion 64 X2
4. 15'' to 18'' screen
5. Video Card (if needed...):

So there's my small dilemma. Where do I look? Where's the cheapest PC? How do I know what to look for? If what I want is wrong for what I do, what then should I be looking for?

[etaf]

which country are you in
and are you just looking for the cheapest possible

[kittymama2007]

Originally Posted by etaf

which country are you in
and are you just looking for the cheapest possible

I'm in the US of A and yes, I am looking for the cheapest possible...for what I need/want.

[DoubleHelix]

The specs you listed are too broad. There's a big difference in price, performance, and usage on a 15" screen versus a 17" screen. I think Dell had a 19" screen laptop once, but it weighed about 15 pounds and was not really considered a portable, so an 18" screen is out.

Wanting a large screen indicates the computer would be used as a replacement for a desktop computer, watching movies, and video/photo editing which doesn't match at all with the idea of going with a puny 80GB hard drive.

Which are you going for? Desktop replacement? More portability? Multimedia features? The larger the screen, the higher the price. You hint at a budget but don't give any specifics. A 17" screen system will start around $1500 and go up.

You mention very basic computer use, and all laptops meet those requirements, so you have to decide on what other features are important. Do you want built-in memory card readers? If so, what format? Do you want a built-in webcam? Have you gone to a store and looked at and tried out different manufacturers and models? With laptops, things like the keyboard and touchpad look and feel are much more important than on a desktop where these components can be easily swapped out.

[kittymama2007]

well i guess i was pretty broad now that i think about it. I'd prefer something kinda light-weight so probably a 15'' or a little bit larger will do. But would have to be wide screen cuz i watch movies a lot. And no this is not a desktop replacement...well maybe it is. I use the desktop here at home a lot but if i had a laptop then I'd be more on it than the desktop. As for some of the features? I have a digital camcorder(with hardrive) and camera so I use an SD card and DVDs. As for a price range, $500-$900 is all i can afford but I'd really prefer it to be towards the $500 end of the scale.

I've gone to Circuit City and what not and I liked the HP. Dell is ok as well, but they're too pricey. However, when I looked else where for a better price, i couldn't find anything . I had an old Dell my hubby gave me but it clonked out about 8 months ago.

[DoubleHelix]

Laptops in the $500 range are very low-end with few features and lower quality parts. If this is a computer you're going to use frequently, then spend a little more to get something that isn't going to feel cheap.

Laptop screens come in a specific set of sizes. Ultra-portables have 12.1" and lightweight systems have 13.3 - 14.1" screens. Desktop-replacements/multimedia powerhouse systems have 17" or larger screens. The rest have a standard screen size of 15.4".

Lightweight and desktop-replacement don't go together. They're opposite sets of features. Lightweight costs more and is important if you'll be carrying it around frequently. A desktop-replacement system is much heavier and not comfortable to carry daily. They're also pricier because of the larger screens and more features.

Best Buy and Circuit City have a variety of low and high quality computers with varying specifications. Go and take a look at more than just a couple of models to get the feel of what you're comfortable with and what it will cost.

[JohnWill]

Start your shopping here, many good deals come along.

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[kittymama2007]

Ok I'll give it a try...