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Inexensive PC?
Robert Hanashiro, Photographer
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Los Angeles | CA | | Posted: 11:50 AM on 02.15.11 |
->> I'm a "Mac Guy" ... but I am looking for recommendations on an inexpensive PC laptop for a family member.
No photography use. Just everyday word processing and email. And decent gaming play on low-level type games (nothing with huge graphics needs).
Any help from the P.C. world, I would appreciate it.
Mahalo! |
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Alan Look, Photographer
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Bloomington/Normal | IL | United States | Posted: 12:02 PM on 02.15.11 |
->> www.cyberpowerpc.com lets you customize the unit you want. Prices vary.
HP and most other manufacturers make low end gear that would also fit those needs.
I'm partial to HP and I like and own Cyberpower as well. I've also used and repaired Dells, but I just don't hind them as user friendly (at least the laptops) as the HP and Cyberpower.
Others mileage may vary. |
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Greg Francis, Photographer
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Rochester | NY | USA | Posted: 12:20 PM on 02.15.11 |
| ->> Scour Dealnews.com for Dells, you can get a laptop for $300-$400. Pretty happy with Dell for 9 years. |
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Michael Granse, Photographer
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Urbana | IL | USA | Posted: 12:26 PM on 02.15.11 |
| ->> A used "off lease" IBM Thinkpad from various resellers on Ebay is another option. These tend to be machines that have had light use while being left in their docking stations in an office for most of their life. I have purchased two of these in the last six years and they have been great. |
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George Bridges, Photographer, Photo Editor
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Washington | DC | USA | Posted: 12:33 PM on 02.15.11 |
->> The Dell Inspiron line is popular and pretty solid.
If you go that route, make sure you get one with an i3 or i5 rather than dual-core processor just to get a longer useful life and more oomph to the power.
The 15R comes with an i3 and 4gb or RAM so you are pretty good to go on just about anything with that at $499.
You may want to check some sites like Buy.com for some laptop closeouts and deals.
The biggest problem I have with the Windows world is they rarely state the processor type and speed in the advertising like Apple does. You have to do some searching. Like on Dell's site the base Inspiron 15-inch model looks good at $399 but after digging it is dual-core, which is fine but an older technology so a $100 bump in price gets you a lot better processor and RAM.
Also, with Dell, and probably other makers, you can check their refurb list and may be able to get a better spec'ed model for a lower price. I don't know the Dell warranties on refurb though. |
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Lance King, Photographer
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Fayetteville | NC | USA | Posted: 12:46 PM on 02.15.11 |
->> I've always had good performance and customer service with Dell products. They have brand new lower-end models starting under $400 (customizable, with plenty of bells and whisltes).
http://tinyurl.com/22uav4z
Also, you mentioned some word processing and e-mail. Regardless of which brand you choose, look for some MS Word/Outlook software bundled in the price. If not, you can get a home/student version with 3 licenses for $135.
http://tinyurl.com/6bt9tnd |
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Jack Howard, Photographer, Photo Editor
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Central Jersey | NJ | USA | Posted: 12:54 PM on 02.15.11 |
->> " Please do not post a message 'on behalf of someone else'. This is a message board for members, not for people who just-so-happen-to-know a member. And finally, please do not post messages wishing happy birthday/anniversary to anyone."
It wouldn't happen to be a birthday gift you're shopping for, now would it?
~~~~~~~
But seriously, take a look at the Lenovo Outlet store: http://outlet.lenovo.com/laptops/thinkpad.html |
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Robert Hanashiro, Photographer
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Los Angeles | CA | | Posted: 12:57 PM on 02.15.11 |
| ->> Actually yes, I am buying it and gifting it to a family member... |
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Armando Solares, Photographer
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Englewood | FL | USA | Posted: 1:32 PM on 02.15.11 |
->> Hi Robert,
I have an HP Pavillion dm4 - http://tinyurl.com/4ll9ydj
I've had it for a year. It is powerful, fast, etc.. and if you look every now and then Office Depot or Office Max and Staples have something similar for around $500 - 600.
I have edited videos and I run Lightroom 3, CS2 and its perfect for that too. Great "little," It weighs nothing and the battery life is pretty good - 6 hours if not doing heavy lifting.
I hope this helps.
Cheers |
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Debra L Rothenberg, Photographer
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New York | NY | USA | Posted: 1:41 PM on 02.15.11 |
->> Dell mini 9 or 10
I have one of each (both running as MAC's) and they are great. I had an ASUS Netbook and the keyboard was a pain to use.
If you are looking for a used one, check your local Craigslist. I got both mine, already running as a MAC for under $300 and will be buying another soon for a friend (to use as a PC).
I like the 9 better when using the scroll thingy. The Dell 10 I need to use a mouse as the scroll thingy (brain fart-can't remember the real name of it) jumps all over the place |
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Jim Colburn, Photo Editor, Photographer
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McAllen | TX | USA | Posted: 3:49 PM on 02.15.11 |
| ->> If you have an Ultimate Electronics store near you they're going out of business and cutting prices on everything. The sale just started (2/13) they're offering 10 percent off their normal discount prices on computers (lots of HPs at our local store). No store warranty but manufacturer's warranty applies. |
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Dave Prelosky, Photographer
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Lower Burrell | Pa | US | Posted: 4:21 PM on 02.15.11 |
| ->> As yet another alternative, check the local Goodwill stores. Here in Pgh they have a dedicated storefront for computers that sells corporate castoffs of all descriptions. It's easy to tell when USX or BlueCross has upgraded, cause the old ones all show up at Goodwill... |
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Mike Huffstatler, Photographer, Assistant
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Rancho Cucamonga | Ca | United States | Posted: 4:35 PM on 02.15.11 |
| ->> I'll echo the multiple recomendations for the Dell solutions. Inspiron line is solid for home use. Check dell.com home page and there is a weekly and/or TV specials link. The place however that I get mine and refer all family members to is the Dell outlet. Great prices, especially on the scratch and dent stuff. dell.com/dfo will get you there. Most of these items are cosmetic issues from factory or returns that were never even opened. I've never had an issue with anything from the outlet. |
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Doug Pizac, Photographer
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Sandy | UT | USA | Posted: 5:04 PM on 02.15.11 |
->> Robert...
When having to decide to go either PC or Mac after AP, I did a lot of research on the pros and cons versus costs. I chose a HP 17" laptop with two 500-gig hard drives and maxed it out at 8 megs RAM running Win7 Pro 64-bit. Even fully loaded it was less than a Mac that wasn't. And it screams even when running Photoshop CS5 and other Adobe Suite programs at the same time.
In doing events with colleagues who have Macs my workflow speed usually wins all the time.
HP has some very good products. A big difference to consider between HP and Dell is that HP machines usually come with the high gloss screens and Dells with the matte. The high-gloss can be a problem with uncontrolled glare, but it is sharper in appearance and makes critical toning, color correction, etc. easier to do in comparison when I used matte-screen Dell machines with AP. Movies and games also have more snap and pop on glossy screens too.
As to lesser priced laptops as a gift, Costco has the same model as mine and newer ones that are a couple hundred dollars. They just aren't maxed out, but can be later on if more power is needed. |
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George Bridges, Photographer, Photo Editor
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Washington | DC | USA | Posted: 9:37 PM on 02.15.11 |
| ->> Macsales has some refurb 13-inch MB Pros at a good price that you could put Windows on via Bootcamp and then when you convert the family member to OSX it will be an easy switch :-) |
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David Harpe, Photographer
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Denver | CO | USA | Posted: 12:44 AM on 02.16.11 |
->> Dell refurbs are a good buy. I've bought most of my PC hardware from them....
http://outlet.dell.com/ |
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Gregory Greene, Photographer
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Durham | NH | USA | Posted: 11:40 AM on 02.16.11 |
->> Definitely recommend the Dell Outlet for refurbished systems.
I've gotten some amazing deals from there and you still get
the option to buy longer term warranty's. |
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Mark Sutton, Photographer
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Herndon | VA | USA | Posted: 2:24 PM on 02.16.11 |
->> Bert, I needed a PC this past October to do some IT Certs that wouldn't work on any of my MAC's in the house. I didn't want to go back to Parallel, so I decided to just buy an inexpensive laptop. You may be able to catch it on sale like I did also.
http://www.bestbuy.com/site/Gateway+-+Laptop+/+Intel%26%23174%3B+Pentium%26%23174%3B+Processor+/+15.6%22+Display+/+4GB+Memory+/+500GB+Hard+Drive+-+Brown/1620342.p?id=1218273488346&skuId=1620342 |
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Mike Braca, Photographer
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Providence | RI | USA | Posted: 12:19 AM on 02.17.11 |
->> The CNET "great $500 laptop challenge": http://is.gd/v2uP5h
Here is a list of the Consumer Reports "Best Buys":
13 in: Toshiba Satellite L635-S3030 - "Long battery life, excellent performance, a large hard drive, and light weight combine with price to make this a Best Buy".
14 in: Dell Inspiron I14R-1440TMR - "Excellent performance for a low price".
14 in: Toshiba-Satellite L645D-S4033 - "For a very good performer at a great price, consider this model"
Good luck! |
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Robert Hanashiro, Photographer
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Los Angeles | CA | | Posted: 2:37 PM on 02.17.11 |
->> Thanks everyone for the input and advice!
I had no idea and no reference point to start my search for a laptop for mom...
Now I do!
Mahalo! |
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Kirby Yau, Photographer, Assistant
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San Diego | CA | USA | Posted: 1:10 AM on 02.18.11 |
->> Bert,
This sounds like a great deal.
15.6in
1366x768 LED;
Intel Core i3-370M Dual-Core 2.4GHz;
4GB/500GB; HDMI, DVD burner; 802.11n + bluetooth; Win7; webcam; 6-cell; 1yr warranty; 15mo McAfee SecurityCenter; 1yr LoJack
$449
http://slickdeals.net/forums/showthread.php?t=2679125 |
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