auto
join:2000-12-21
Chester, NY | new laptop for teacher
oh boy my step daughter is getting her masters!!.. so any suggestions on which laptop to get her as a gift for around $1000 |
|
cocothebean
You Are My Nightmare
Premium
join:2002-11-16
Carson City, NV
 ·Charter Pipeline
| Get a Dell
There are coupons codes here for some pretty nice discounts.
»www.couponmountain.com/Dell-coup···als.html
And theres a link from here posted a few days ago by removed
»Requests for Hot Deals |
|
Gettina Dell
@247realmedia.com
| reply to auto
said by auto  :oh boy my step daughter is getting her masters!!.. so any suggestions on which laptop to get her as a gift for around $1000 How about getting her a decent used laptop (via Craigslist, perhaps?) so that she can start to learn the value of money?
The way to buy a laptop is not to figure out the maximum amount of money you can afford to blow on it: you first need to sit down and figure out just how much laptop you actually need for the tasks you'll be performing with it. And then don't spend any more than you have to.
If you think you need to drop a grand on a laptop so your stepdaughter can check her mail and surf, you may want to think again. The smart move would be to buy her a decent used laptop, (note: talk to her, first, so you understand her exact laptop needs; don't guess.) then stuff her pockets with all the money you saved by buying a perfectly serviceable used laptop and allowing someone else to pay the near-instant depreciation in value that high-tech toys intrinsically suffer from.
Or, you can go ahead and blow $1,000 on a laptop that will be worth about half that by the end of the year, and teach her an entirely different sort of lesson about how to spend money: the choice is yours. |
|
tschmidt
Premium,MVM
join:2000-11-12
Milford, NH
 ·Verizon Online DSL
| Agree with GettinaDell you need to determine how she plans on using the laptop. I purchased a used Dell Latitude C600 for my wife over Christmas. She does a lot of historical research. Needed something with reasonable amount of disk space, was reliable and ability to play DVD/CDs and burn CDs. For networking needed Wired and WiFi.
For less then $400 including cost of a new WiFi card that supports WPA we were in business.
Steady advancement of Moore's law means that unless she is an avid gamer or author's videos just about any computer made in the last five years has acceptable performance.
/tom |
|
removed
I'm the bobblehead
Premium,VIP
join:2002-02-08
Houston, TX
clubs: | reply to auto
I bought a Dell Vostro 1500 brand new for about $550 with shipping and everything. Great laptop for the price -- highly recommended. |
|
cocothebean
You Are My Nightmare
Premium
join:2002-11-16
Carson City, NV
·Charter Pipeline
edit:
April 23rd, @01:04AM
| reply to auto
DO NOT EVER BUY ANY USED ELECTRONIC EQUIPMENT!!!
Yes, a few people get lucky, but, most get screwed!!!
Do you get a one year warranty with any USED elecronic equipment???
While Craigslist is very popular it is a joke, people selling junk no one they know would buy from them!!!
If you don't want a Dell, buy a HP or other popular brand, sure there are discount coupons for all computer companies on the above links!!! |
|
acuraman
I should be riding
Premium
join:2001-03-02
Campbell, CA
| reply to removed
said by removed :I bought a Dell Vostro 1500 brand new for about $550 with shipping and everything. Great laptop for the price -- highly recommended. +1 Just bought my wife a teacher the Dell Vostro 1000 perfect for everything she needs and cheap for me. |
|
Tzale
Ron Paul 2008 - Proud Conservative
Premium
join:2004-01-06
NJ, USA
 ·Verizon FIOS
·Optimum Online
| reply to Gettina Dell
said by Gettina Dell :said by auto :oh boy my step daughter is getting her masters!!.. so any suggestions on which laptop to get her as a gift for around $1000 How about getting her a decent used laptop (via Craigslist, perhaps?) so that she can start to learn the value of money?The way to buy a laptop is not to figure out the maximum amount of money you can afford to blow on it: you first need to sit down and figure out just how much laptop you actually need for the tasks you'll be performing with it. And then don't spend any more than you have to. If you think you need to drop a grand on a laptop so your stepdaughter can check her mail and surf, you may want to think again. The smart move would be to buy her a decent used laptop, (note: talk to her, first, so you understand her exact laptop needs; don't guess.) then stuff her pockets with all the money you saved by buying a perfectly serviceable used laptop and allowing someone else to pay the near-instant depreciation in value that high-tech toys intrinsically suffer from. Or, you can go ahead and blow $1,000 on a laptop that will be worth about half that by the end of the year, and teach her an entirely different sort of lesson about how to spend money: the choice is yours. How often do people resell laptops? I keep my technology for its an entire usable life usually... And to the OP... Dell makes some of the best laptops IMHO. I have a Latitude D830 and the thing is built like a rock.. Especially if you can get XP PRO on it.
-Tzale
--
Neoconservatives (G.W.B) are not true conservatives. A conservative believes in defending the Constitution. First they ignore you, then they laugh at you, then they fight you, then you win. - RON PAUL 2008 »www.usconstitution.net/const.html
|
|
Gettina Dell
@247realmedia.com
 from:
removed
| reply to cocothebean
said by cocothebean :DO NOT EVER BUY ANY USED ELECTRONIC EQUIPMENT!!! Not if you don't know what you're doing, no.
said by cocothebean :Yes, a few people get lucky, but, most get screwed!!! So no one ever buys used cars, used bicycles, or used clothes, either, out of fear they will "get screwed?" Please.
Buying used computing gear is the same as buying "used" anything: you have to be willing to do your homework in order to get a good result.
But claiming that a few people "get lucky" is balderdash: "luck" has nothing at all to do with making an intelligent purchase of any kind of good, either new or used. You simply need to take the time and trouble to school yourself (or have a knowledgeable friend help you out) on what it is you'll be looking at.
said by cocothebean :Do you get a one year warranty with any USED elecronic equipment??? No, and when you're paying, say, 1/3 the price that a brand new unit would cost you shouldn't expect one, either.
There was a poster on here a couple of weeks ago that had a problem with a laptop. And she was bemoaning that fact that the insurance company she was dealing with required her to pack it up and ship it off.
Well, if you purchase new equipment, and need it serviced, chances are you can look forward to going through that same process: packing up the gear and shipping it off to be serviced or replaced. Unless, of course, you're lucky enough to have a local shop the manufacturer works with for their warranty repairs (i.e. by lucky coincidence, you just happen to live in Bangladesh, too).
And the fact that your new doodad is going on a vacation of (likely) indeterminate length means that, if you're smart, you will have made it a point to have a backup unit standing by for just such an eventuality. And the need for having such "backups" on hand might well help to explain why a sizeable market exists for used computing gear.
said by cocothebean : While Craigslist is very popular it is a joke, people selling junk no one they know would buy from them!!! If Craigslist were indeed a joke, then it would hardly continue to be a popular venue for buying and selling used gear, would it? I mean, eBay gets called on the carpet all the time in these forums. Do you really think that Craigslist is totally shady, but manages to keep it a secret?
The reason I mentioned Craigslist as a possible source for a used laptop earlier is because Craigslist (unlike eBay) gives you an opportunity to see (and smell) what you're buying before any cash changes hands.
But if you don't know what you're doing, then, yes: stay away from Craigslist, or eBay, or your local classifieds, or anywhere else that used computing gear is offered for sale. If you are incapable of distinguishing between, say, a MacBook Pro and a Timex Sinclair, then all of these venues are far more likely to bring you frustration than satisfaction.
Because let's face it: taking the time and trouble to educate yourself and seek advice on a possible purchase is not for everyone. Admittedly, it is far easier, instead, to just show up at your local computer store, hand over your credit card, close your eyes, and.....pray.....hard.....that you come out of the store with something that vaguely resembles what you went in for.
Unfortunately, whether you're buying used gear, or a shiny new box, it is up to you, the consumer, to do the appropriate research so that you don't spend any more money than you have to to get what you need. You know, what with money being in finite supply for most (though certainly not all) people (e.g. if your last name happens to be "Gates" or "Winfrey" you can stop reading right here).
And performing due diligence is, frankly, not something that everyone is necessarily capable of. I mean, there's actual reading involved and thinking involved, and everything. And speaking for myself, numbers and letters make my brain hurt.
said by cocothebean :If you don't want a Dell, buy a HP or other popular brand, sure there are discount coupons for all computer companies on the above links!!! Or, you can create your own discount by doing your homework, and buying used computing gear.
Some people do indeed buy new gear, all the time. And, quite often, they're easy to spot: they start looking all mournful right around the time their credit card statement rolls in. That pained expression they wear is really quite unmistakable.
What it all comes down to is this: to make an intelligent purchase of either new or used gear, you have to do the legwork. In this particular case, the purchaser needs to talk to the end user and find out the sorts of applications they typically run during their workday (or playday).
But honestly, if all you're doing is surfing and mail, chances are you don't absolutely need a (relatively) late-model 1GHz machine to do that on. Instead, you might be able to look around a bit and find an older, admittedly slower unit that will still meet the needs of the end user.
At any rate, no one in the forum is doing a potential laptop purchaser any favors by making dramatic, blanket statements about how no one in their right mind ever buys used computing gear. If you're willing to take the time and trouble to look around and ask some intelligent questions, chances are good that you can come away with a machine that you'll be happy with. And you'll be able to think of what you paid for it without getting that pained expression referred to earlier.
It's all up to the consumer: the amount of satisfaction they will get for their money is directly proportional to the amount of forethought and attention they give to the purchase. But anyone who thinks that buying brand new gear somehow magically insulates you from the consequences of making stupid and wasteful purchasing decisions either hasn't bought much computing gear, or has more money than sense and can afford to keep flinging money at a problem until it simply goes away.
And if anyone reading this happens to fall into the latter category, please be sure to PM me. Because I certainly want to talk to you. |
|
auto
join:2000-12-21
Chester, NY
| wow i havn't been on this site in a while and i miss it!...
well most important point i think was missed is this: this is a gift, a graduation gift and i dont think it would be cool to give a used laptop as a gift.
it should be new. Went to s few stores yesterday and it is hard to get win xp now. staples only has vista. gonna check circut city in a few hours.found a nice looking hp 15 inch display 3 gig ram 250 gig HD for 850. gonna see if circut city has the same one and will beat staples price
so you think i should get XP? |
|
tschmidt
Premium,MVM
join:2000-11-12
Milford, NH
·Verizon Online DSL
| I bought my daughter a HP Vista desktop last year and it has been OK. Vista needs a lot of memory and there are still compatibility issues.
I think on Dell site they offer XP (downgrade).
The ideal situation is to get a laptop with Vista, and downgrade to XP. That way if Vista does not work out downgrading to XP is free.
/tom |
|
poppster
Tell the truth and then run.
Premium
join:2003-12-23
Midwest
clubs: 
·Mediacom
·Verizon Online DSL
edit:
April 23rd, @12:26PM
| reply to Gettina Dell
said by Gettina Dell :
And if anyone reading this happens to fall into the latter category, please be sure to PM me.
You might want to recheck that statement.
since your not a dslr member, and posting as anonymous, you have no IM privaleges. |
|
cocothebean
You Are My Nightmare
Premium
join:2002-11-16
Carson City, NV
·Charter Pipeline
edit:
April 23rd, @12:45PM
| reply to Gettina Dell
said by Gettina Dell :said by cocothebean :DO NOT EVER BUY ANY USED ELECTRONIC EQUIPMENT!!! Not if you don't know what you're doing, no. Your replies to all the quotes was some of the dumbest I ever read!!!
Tell me how can you tell if a used computer is in good WORKING condition???
How can you be sure a USED car will last more then 3 months???
Bicycles???
Used clothes-can you ever know if the seller didn't puke on pee on them after a night of partying???
and baby clothes you are surely buying stuff the baby puked on.
said by Gettina Dell :
Craigslist (unlike eBay) gives you an opportunity to see (and smell) what you're buying before any cash changes hands. I guess that's OK if you don't mind paying shipping charges back and forth (you know the seller isn't). |
|
cocothebean
You Are My Nightmare
Premium
join:2002-11-16
Carson City, NV
·Charter Pipeline
| reply to auto
said by auto :wow i havn't been on this site in a while and i miss it!... well most important point i think was missed is this: this is a gift, a graduation gift and i dont think it would be cool to give a used laptop as a gift. it should be new. Went to s few stores yesterday and it is hard to get win xp now. staples only has vista. gonna check circut city in a few hours.found a nice looking hp 15 inch display 3 gig ram 250 gig HD for 850. gonna see if circut city has the same one and will beat staples price so you think i should get XP? Dells small business sells XP!!! |
|
tschmidt
Premium,MVM
join:2000-11-12
Milford, NH
·Verizon Online DSL
| reply to cocothebean
said by cocothebean :I guess that's OK if you don't mind paying shipping charges back and forth. Not to beat this to death but I have purchased several computers/peripherals advertised by local folks on Craigslist and have been very pleased with the transaction. Get to play with the widget before you buy it and no shipping charges. I've also bought a few things on eBay without problem. I was also looking to buy a used car for our son and decided, for the reasons you mentioned, to buy a new car and give our old one to him.
Buying anything used has risks, it is up to each of us to decide for a particular transaction if risks are worth it.
/tom |
|
r81984
Tough to beat.
Premium
join:2001-11-14
Morgan City, LA
·Insight Communicat..
·AT&T Midwest
edit:
April 23rd, @02:02PM
| reply to auto
Get her a traveler sized laptop, it helps alot with being a teacher since it takes up less desk space and is much easier to cart around between home and school.
Basically 13" or smaller
I recommend the HP Pavilion tx2000z series Laptop for around $1000
It has a touch screen that you can write on and is only 12.1"
»www.shopping.hp.com/webapp/shopp···z_series
--
»www.ryanoneill.us |
|
removed
I'm the bobblehead
Premium,VIP
join:2002-02-08
Houston, TX
clubs:
| reply to auto
said by auto :found a nice looking hp 15 inch display 3 gig ram 250 gig HD for 850. gonna see if circut city has the same one and will beat staples price so you think i should get XP? It's a matter of opinion -- I've set up half a dozen laptops with Vista, and have not had any problems whatsoever. You will, however, need at least 2GB RAM to make it run smoothly. I use 4GB in my personal systems, though I suspect that this is overkill for most. |
|
removed
I'm the bobblehead
Premium,VIP
join:2002-02-08
Houston, TX
clubs:
| reply to cocothebean
said by cocothebean :Your replies to all the quotes was some of the dumbest I ever read!!! Your responses aren't exactly works of art, either.
said by cocothebean :Tell me how can you tell if a used computer is in good WORKING condition??? Very easily. If you're buying from somewhere like eBay, look for a seller who has great feedback... most "Powersellers" won't screw you over on used stuff. I've bought more used laptops than I can count on eBay and have never had issues with any of them.
We also have a "For Sale" forum here on DSLR where site members sell used computer equipment. I haven't been burned there yet, either, nor have I seen a lot of major issues from other users. Most deals seem to go down quite nicely.
Just because you don't know what you're doing doesn't mean that others should be discouraged from buying used items at great discounts. 
--
irc.removed.us - #dslr | DSLR Phishtracker | Email: removed@dslr.net |
|
cocothebean
You Are My Nightmare
Premium
join:2002-11-16
Carson City, NV
·Charter Pipeline
edit:
April 23rd, @04:26PM
| said by removed :said by cocothebean :Your replies to all the quotes was some of the dumbest I ever read!!! Your responses aren't exactly works of art, either. said by cocothebean :Tell me how can you tell if a used computer is in good WORKING condition??? Very easily. If you're buying from somewhere like eBay, look for a seller who has great feedback... most "Powersellers" won't screw you over on used stuff. I've bought more used laptops than I can count on eBay and have never had issues with any of them. We also have a "For Sale" forum here on DSLR where site members sell used computer equipment. I haven't been burned there yet, either, nor have I seen a lot of major issues from other users. Most deals seem to go down quite nicely. Just because you don't know what you're doing doesn't mean that others should be discouraged from buying used items at great discounts. Your both right, go spend your money on other peoples stuff!!!
But, feedback doesn't mean your box is going to work more then a month!!!
|
|
BK3
join:2001-04-10
Geneva, IL
·AT&T Yahoo
| reply to auto
You can split the difference between buying a new or used Dell. On Dell's website you can buy, at a discount, Dell units that have been returned or the order cancelled. These units have been fully tested (like a new one) meet all the new specs, have the same warranty as new, but at a lower cost.
»www.dell.com/content/products/ca···d=301685
--
April showers bring May flowers. Mayflowers bring pilgrims. |
|
