a new laptop and wanted to keep it under $1000 what brand would you buy and what features/technology/hardware/software would you feel is necessary?

I'm looking for a new laptop and want to make sure I'm not forgetting anything...

girl, computers are not my bag. what i would do is go to a computer place and tell the dude working there you want a top of the line lap top. after he explains all the features (he will in detail) say thanks and leave. go to another computer place and talk to the dude there. he will be glad to correct all the first dudes bad information. now you will have an idea of what you need. so price shop for the least expensive model that fits your need. then buy the next better one. i guarantee i guarantee you will be happy with your purchase (bulldog double guarantee - patent pending)

Joy, I was asking about laptops in the computer section and Totage is not just a cutie but knows about computers, he suggested I look at Asus laptops.

When I bought my laptop; I wrote down what I wanted it for and what programs I wanted; ie: spreadsheets, Powerpoint, word, email, etc. I wanted something that could download fast as I do a lot of research. I don't play computer games at all so I made sure the salesman knew that. I had a Panasonic but now have a Gateway. I also have a small Asus. Fact is; you need to know what you want in a computer or the Salesman will sell you what he or she thinks you want. Just be sure and tell him/her what you are looking for and just what features/programs you want on a computer.

I have a laptop now so know the basics... I know I need more ram that I have now so it's faster.. I need a good anti-virus for protection... I just want to see if I'm forgetting anything... I'm looking at a Gateway 17.3" LCD Dual Core, 4GB RAM, 640GB HDD Laptop Computer with 2-Year warranty..

From all I've looked at this seems like a nice one for the price approx $650-700

I would normally say all laptops are the same, and the only thing you should look at is the warranty. However, Gateway is the exception to that rule. I wouldn't recommend them to my enemy and thats just because I don't believe they deserve anybodies money. ;)


Check out the Dell laptop below, you can add up to a 3 year warranty and other items and still keep it under 1,000. Also, on Dell warranties. If something breaks, you call them, if it's a hardware issue, they send the part and someone to install it for you. You can also renew your warranty after three years with the same replacement plan.




http://configure.us.dell.com/dellstore/config.aspx?oc=fndon11b&c=us&l=en&s=dhs&cs=19&model_id=inspiron-17r-combo-mod&vw=classic

OMG I might agree with you but I have a Dell right now and my son has a
Dell I haven't found that Dell honors their products unless you pay a lot of extra money..

Why wouldn't you recommend a Gateway? I've heard good things but never owned one.. I've owned Dell and IBM...

Years of being a nerd I suppose. I just generally dislike Gateway.

As far as having to pay extra money to get Dell to honor the warranty, I've never seen that issue before. I get parts replaced for businesses and people on a daily basis. I've even had them replace extra parts, just because they might go bad later on. All for free. =/

I bought my son a Dell.. something went wrong with it.. They said it was a spill.. It wasn't, I opened it myself to be sure and there was no spill of anything.. It was under a year and they wouldn't honor the warranty, I'm done with Dell.. I also authorize the purchase of thousands of dollars of computers each year in my company and Dell is off my "ok" list... Unless they're so cheap the the President overrides me Dell is off the radar...

You opened it up thus voiding the warranty.

Dell is actually a really good company, my dad buys all the laptops for his job through them. Real easy to setup and they make it even easier to customize to your standards.

I have a Dell Laptop and a Dell Deskstop. I enjoy both of them. I had never had a computer before and I did my homework before I bought them. I don't really need to do a lot, so these are perfect for me. I don't like Gateway because they do not offer very good service from what I read, so here I am with my Dells. Would not trade either of them.

Not true Duane, I didn't open it up they refused to honor the warranty telling me that something had been spilled on it.. I knew it had never had a spill so I had my IT guy open it up to see and there wasn't a spot on it...

Since you only really(if you were honest) need your laptop for Mingle, facebook & porn just get yourself a cheap notebook.

I have a Dell laptop and a Dell desktop.. I've never had any problems with them. I used to have a Gateway, loved it and the service was great....

I want a bigger screen Dan!

Well buy a bigger screen! I put my notebook through my 42" plasma sometimes which works pretty well.

I buy most of my computer hardware from www.tigerdirect.com. I rarely buy laptops for more than $600.00

I've bought more than 30 laptops in the past 2 years, and the HP/compaq seem to serve my needs the best.

Let's break this down......

BRAND- I feel Toshiba and Apple make the best. Course, if you are not familiar with the IMac, then going from Windows to the IMac can be frustrating. Acer is a cheaper brand, but they are proving to be top notch for the price.


RAM- Oh yeah. You need (IMO) at least 4GB of RAM for a laptop. Windows 7 can run its' basic functions with 1GB, but that is like being in the stone age.

Software- Whatever OS you run (Windows 7 likely), make sure you either download MS Security Essentials or AVAST for free. Both are excellent anti virus'. If you choose to buy an anti virus, then Norton is the best. Make sure you also download Malwarebytes and CCleaner for free. Especially CCleaner. No computer should be without that.

Asus or Dell

I'd spend around 5 or 600 for a decent one.

Thank you Joe!

Thank you Goofers... We had terrible experiences with Toshiba's at work so bad there was a lawsuit and guess what we won?! Why coupons to buy more Toshiba's...

I've seen the around Acer a lot lately.. I know the monitors have been good but I was a little worried about the computers.. I would love an imac but they're a little pricey for my needs.. See what Dan said I needed a computer for above... LOL I have a work laptop so I don't need a home one that does crazy great stuff but I'd like it to have Office for excel, word, etc. I would also like to be able to fix/change pics but that's probably a software...