Comments on: Laptop shopping time!

By: Dan tdaxp

Dan tdaxp — Sat, 15 Mar 2008 13:55:32 +0000

Jeffrey,

Well said.

Though mine is now old enough that I’m looking for an increase in harddrive, RAM, CPU, and battery life!

By: Younghusband

Younghusband — Wed, 30 Nov -0001 00:00:00 +0000

Get a MacBook and you can run all three!

By: Eddie

Eddie — Wed, 30 Nov -0001 00:00:00 +0000

Second Younghusband's advice. I've had a MacBook for 2 months now and I doubt I would ever buy something else. Plus the best customer service in the world with the Apple Care program.

By: Dan tdaxp

Dan tdaxp — Wed, 30 Nov -0001 00:00:00 +0000

As of now a MacBook would be a best choice, but it doesn't look like the Sharp AR-M162 printer works well with Macs

By: Moon

Moon — Wed, 30 Nov -0001 00:00:00 +0000

IBM/Lenovo ThinkPad R series is solid. I used an R40 for years w/ no problems. My R52 came with a cracked motherboard, but after that was replaced under warranty, no problems going on almost 2 years now.

You can get these solid machines refurbished in the ballpark of USD600-700 (though that's base memory; add another USD100-200 if you need/want to jack up memory).

How much does a base MacBook cost? I haven't ever looked into them.

By: Shlok

Shlok — Wed, 30 Nov -0001 00:00:00 +0000

Go with the Macbook (or Pro if she wants a bigger screen and a light-up-in-the-dark keyboard). Occasionally Apple offers free printers after rebate to go with them.

By: Michael

Michael — Wed, 30 Nov -0001 00:00:00 +0000

Never thought I'd say it, but based on my own short experience macbook is hard to beat. Has worked like a charm from first power-up and once you get used to the window controls being on the wrong corner and the lack of backspace key - as they say - everything just works.

If it has to be straight Windows, I beat the daylights out of a Lenovo/IBM T42 for two years and it is still kicking. The Dell D620 that replaced it for the past year has been flawless.

Either way, hit the Dell or Apple clearance sites to shave a few bucks off.

By: Dan tdaxp

Dan tdaxp — Wed, 30 Nov -0001 00:00:00 +0000

Everyone,

Thanks so much!

The tdaxp clan has two high-use printers that need to be supported by any computer purchased. I was excited by the possibility of a MacBook, but lack of support for the printers really kills the idea.

We ended up getting a $449 Compaq from BestBuy, which is less than half the price of a MacBook. There was less junkware than on a Dell, and the price was right.

Thanks for the suggestions! (My mom liked the comments, too!)

By: Michael

Michael — Wed, 30 Nov -0001 00:00:00 +0000

Seconding Shlok: Apple store here is giving away printers with mac/macbook purchase.

By: Dan

Dan — Wed, 30 Nov -0001 00:00:00 +0000

OSX