Buying a laptop, need some advice please attached FAQ on here now

apfeil

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Nov 4, 2009
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18,510
Hello all!

I have been looking at the Dell Inspiron 17 for $ 849.00. I have been told by several friends not to buy a Dell. I was wondering if there was another computer out there you guys would suggest. I have also had a few people tell me to get a Tashiba. Any help would be great! Thanks


1 What is your budget?
$500 - 1,100

2 What is the size of the notebook that you are considering?
17"

3 What screen resolution do you want?
Best I can get for the price

4 Do you need a portable or desktop replacement laptop?
Will be used as both

5_How much battery life do you need?
No less than a 6 cell battery

6_Do you want to play games with your laptop? If so then please list the games that you want to with the settings that you want for these games. (Low,Medium or High)?
Only games I really play are Jewel Quest, Full Tilt Poker and stuff on Facebook.

7_What other tasks do you want to do with your laptop? (Photo / Video editing,watching movies, Etc.) Email, Photo editing, Microsoft Office - Spread Sheets, PowerPoint, Excel Sheet, Microsoft Money, Burning Music CD's.

8_How much storage (H.D.D Capacity) do you need?
As much as I can get at a good price

9_If you are considering specific sites to buy from, please post the links to them.
http://www.bestbuy.com/
http://www.dell.com
http:www.newegg.com

10_How long do you want to keep your laptop?
As long as possible!!


11_What kind of Optical drive do you need? DVD ROM/Writer,Bluray ROM/Writer,Etc ?
DVD/RW/CD-RW, if blue ray is on it that is an added bonus!

12_Please tell us about the brands that you prefer to buy from them and the brands that you don't like and explain the reasons. I have a Dell Desktop and have not been real happy with it, it is a pain in the butt to restore to original with out staying on the phone for hours. But have had several friends that work on computers say either Dell, HP or Toshiba. This is one reason I posted this, need some other feedback.

13_What country do you live in?
USA


14_Please tell us any additional information if needed.
Wireless Card and would like to have modem as back up

I hope this can help people to better find their ideal notebook.



FAQ Discussion Thread: http://www.tomshardware.com/forum/50782-35-laptop-faqs


Additionally... you should also consider what support options are available in your area. If say you buy something abroad, will you be able to have it fixed near where you live? Does the warranty apply? How quickly do local accredited technicians fix laptops?







Here are the spces below on the Dell.

Genuine Windows® 7 Home Premium, 64bit, English
Intel® Core™2 Duo T6600 (2.2GHz /800MHz FSB / 2MB)
Microsoft® Works 9
1 Yr Ltd Hardware Warranty, InHome Service after Remote Diagnosis - Important Information
McAfee SecurityCenter, 15-Months
4GB Shared Dual Channel DDR2 at 800MHz
500GB SATA Hard Drive (5400RPM)
8X CD/DVD Burner (Dual Layer DVD+/-R Drive)
Lithium Ion Battery (6 cell)
Dell Wireless 1515 802.11 Wireless-N Mini-card
Integrated 1.3 MP Webcam
High Definition Audio 2.0
Obsidian Black
My Accessories
Dell Online Backup 10GB for 1 year
Also Includes
Inspiron 17 Notebook
17.3" Full HD WLED
Intel Graphics Media Accelerator X4500HD
Adobe® Acrobat® Reader 9.0
Intel Core 2 Duo Label
Napster Link
1Yr LoJack for Laptops Theft Protection
Integrated 10/100 Network Card