Decent laptop...

[HollyRockJT]

So, I am in the market for a decent laptop. It will basically be used for odds and ends work/internet stuff, occasional movies, games (not gamer games, more like kids games)... everyday use type of stuff. I'd like to have a bigger screen, maybe 16/17" or so.

I'm not looking to spend a fortune, but I don't want a piece of junk either or something that will be old and slow next week.

Any suggestions?

Also note, I know the basics when it comes to computers (how to use the programs/software), but when you start talking about 912 Mb ram, 18k processors, I'm not 100% sure what you are talking about

[mv_princess]

Originally Posted by HollyRockJT

So, I am in the market for a decent laptop. It will basically be used for odds and ends work/internet stuff, occasional movies, games (not gamer games, more like kids games)... everyday use type of stuff. I'd like to have a bigger screen, maybe 16/17" or so.

I'm not looking to spend a fortune, but I don't want a piece of junk either or something that will be old and slow next week.

Any suggestions?

Also note, I know the basics when it comes to computers (how to use the programs/software), but when you start talking about 912 Mb ram, 18k processors, I'm not 100% sure what you are talking about

I would check out the Sony's if I were you. If you really need help with figuring out the best processors let me know I will take you to best buy to look. (We can find better deals else where, but I can show you what to look for)

[HollyRockJT]

Originally Posted by mv_princess

I would check out the Sony's if I were you. If you really need help with figuring out the best processors let me know I will take you to best buy to look. (We can find better deals else where, but I can show you what to look for)

I seen in Staples over the weekend their 'hotbuy' was a Samsung... I think they were asking around $800 for it.

What is so great about the Sony's?

[mv_princess]

Originally Posted by HollyRockJT

I seen in Staples over the weekend their 'hotbuy' was a Samsung... I think they were asking around $800 for it.

What is so great about the Sony's?

I haven't had any issues with mine, so that's probably why I like it better. Seems to hold up better, and I would like to think with little people getting a hold of it. I have dropped that poor thing over a dozen times nothing wrong it. I like the processor and speed, and since I don't do much more on it then you would I would like to think it would be worth the price.

I believe I paid around 600 for it, maybe a little less

[ginwoman]

my old laptop keeps plugging along. Its a compaq. Its been a good computer. I think when I get another one I might get a Dell. Are you a member of BJ's? They have quite a few laptops on display.

[GWguy]

There is a HUGE price change between 15" and 17" laptops. Larger laptops are also much heavier.

I'd probably opt for a better 15" laptop and connect a large LCD screen to it, if all you want is a big screen. I connect my laptop to my 47" TV via HDMI and it looks and works great.

[HollyRockJT]

Originally Posted by ginwoman

my old laptop keeps plugging along. Its a compaq. Its been a good computer. I think when I get another one I might get a Dell. Are you a member of BJ's? They have quite a few laptops on display.

Yeah, I haven't walked through there yet though. Are those laptops any good?

Originally Posted by GWguy

There is a HUGE price change between 15" and 17" laptops. Larger laptops are also much heavier.

I'd probably opt for a better 15" laptop and connect a large LCD screen to it, if all you want is a big screen. I connect my laptop to my 47" TV via HDMI and it looks and works great.

Do you lose picture quality going from 15-17, or is that why the price jumps with it?
I don't mind weight so much being it is basically going to be kept home. And our work computers are the Panasonic Toughbooks, and those are heavy that we carry around. So I doubt the home one will be that bad.

[ylexot]

Originally Posted by HollyRockJT

So, I am in the market for a decent laptop. It will basically be used for odds and ends work/internet stuff, occasional movies, games (not gamer games, more like kids games)... everyday use type of stuff. I'd like to have a bigger screen, maybe 16/17" or so.

I'm not looking to spend a fortune, but I don't want a piece of junk either or something that will be old and slow next week.

Any suggestions?

Also note, I know the basics when it comes to computers (how to use the programs/software), but when you start talking about 912 Mb ram, 18k processors, I'm not 100% sure what you are talking about

Computers getting "slow" in the future is really not a big issue any more unless you are doing serious gaming or photo/video editing (my 4-5 year old laptop still runs just fine and not much slower than the wife's 1-year old laptop). For futureproofing, you're going to want a touch screen. I'd suggest a smaller laptop with a touch screen (maybe even one of the Microsoft Surface tablets) and get a big screen to hook to it for when you're at a desk.

[DEEKAYPEE8569]

Originally Posted by HollyRockJT

So, I am in the market for a decent laptop. It will basically be used for odds and ends work/internet stuff, occasional movies, games (not gamer games, more like kids games)... everyday use type of stuff. I'd like to have a bigger screen, maybe 16/17" or so.

I'm not looking to spend a fortune, but I don't want a piece of junk either or something that will be old and slow next week.

Any suggestions?

Also note, I know the basics when it comes to computers (how to use the programs/software), but when you start talking about 912 Mb ram, 18k processors, I'm not 100% sure what you are talking about

I have an HP Pavillion DV7 that runs WINDOWS7. I can't give the specifics off the top of my head; but this is pretty much what I've got. I like it.

HP Pavilion dv7 Review

[GWguy]

Originally Posted by HollyRockJT

Do you lose picture quality going from 15-17, or is that why the price jumps with it?

The price jump is because everything is bigger. The screen costs more to make bigger, the laptop has to be bigger to accommodate the screen, it just costs more to make.