Used laptop computers?

[bailadora]

I've been thinking of asking for a laptop for my birthday - but since we already have a fairly decent primary computer - I don't want to shell out $1500.00 or more for a new laptop. I'm primarily looking for something to handle basic wireless computing (Windows XP and Internet access). So my questions are:

1) Anyone have success or horror stories to share?
2) Could someone recommend a fairly decent and reliable make and model?
2) How do I go about find a reputable dealer?
4) What sort of questions should I ask of a dealer - should I find one.

Keep in mind that I'm basically an idiot when it comes to computers , so please - keep the tech jargon to a minimum. Thanks!

 

[BeachBum69]

I have had GREAT experiences with HP laptops. I would highly recommend them!!

Your local Best Buy or Circuit City should carry plenty of them. Warranties and such are up to you, but they usually come with a 1-year from HP, so watch for that, but I say go with HP all the way!

 

[Weird Harold]

The only thng I can suggest is to find somplace that will warranty a used computer for at least 90 days. If you can't turn up any problems in 90 days, you probably won't be able to turn any up inside any longer warranty period.

Avoid the words "As Is, No Returns" like the plague.

You'll probably need to find a small independent computer shop that takes trade-ins or refurbishes returns -- probably listed intheYellow pages under "Computer Repair and Service" rather than "Used Computers" or "computer sales."

Actually, the Las Vagas Yellow pages has three listings under "Computers, Used" so that should probably be the first heading to look for.

 

[SweetErika]

Um, where are you getting the $1500 figure for a new laptop?

Sure, some cost that much, but there are PLENTY of great laptops for under $800. For example, our last two HP laptops have been around $550 after rebates. Watch the ads for the office and electronics stores - office depot, staples, circuit city, best buy, etc., and see what's on sale with good rebates over the next few weeks.

It doesn't sound like you need anything major for what you're planning on doing with it, but the lower priced laptops are actually very good for those basic tasks and beyond. Chances are, you'll be stuck with Vista on a new laptop, but that's okay for most people, provided the computer has a good processor (most HP's do) and RAM (1+ GB, IIRC, but you can get more online fairly cheaply).

We go through a laptop every 2-3 years, so we buy the less expensive ones. They work great for us, and we don't feel guilty getting new ones because the price is so low and we use them so much.

Set an approximate budget, and look for the best you can get for around that price. Price shop, price shop, price shop! Come back to us, or someone who really knows computers when you find things that look good, and we'll tell you whether it's worth the money or not. Never rely on someone who's trying to sell you a computer to be honest and sell you what you actually need...I know more people who have been talked into buying way more than they needed or really bad deals because they trusted the wrong people.

Also, if you tell us how much you're looking to spend and an approximate location, maybe we can help you find a good deal.

 

[In Anticipation]

1. What SweekErika said. I don't know where you are but my local supermarket often has decent laptops for equivalent of $600 or so. I'm sure if you're in the US Walmart is the same. You don't need much for what you're planning to do. You don't really even need windows.
   
2. Don't bank on a laptop lasting for more than 3 years. That way you won't be disappointed when they fall a part. They're not like desktops where a replacement keyboard costs less than a beer.
   
3. These are kind of fun, but tiny, good battery life and easy to carry around.

 

[kindashy]

I bought an Apple G3 laptop at a pawnshop, it had issues, but I like small projects (no soldering kinds) so it was not a big deal for me. I paid 100 dollars + tax, that's about third to a half for one of these. I don't recommend this approach, it is not for everyone.

I would recommend a refurbished laptop. Weird Harold's advice is excellent, get one with some kind of warranty. Refurbished laptops that I usually look for are in 300-400 range or you can always buy brand spanking new laptop for 550-600 dollars.

Here are some links to get you started on refurbished laptops:
Dell refurbished: http://www.dell.com/content/products/category.aspx/inspnnb?c=us&cs=22&l=en&s=dfh

Geeks.com refurbished and new: http://www.geeks.com/products.asp?cat=NBB
(call in the credit card if you buy from them, I was reading last week that someone broke into their system around Christmas time and got some credit card numbers)

I also like Asus Eee PC, it looks great when you have to stare at PDA that broke recently (Darn IT!) So look into it, you might like it.

 

[gigaheadman]

i got a 2nd hand one this week for about $250 off ebay.
works like a treat! has windows XP, wireless and a case. will do my internet surfing, chatting and emailing perfectly.

remember battery life diminishes quickly, so that can be a major factor for getting first hand or 2nd.

also the seller on ebay had perfect feedback and described every possible 'flaw' with the laptop, scratches, battery life, screen pixels, etc etc

but i'm a bit of a nerd so if something went wrong i might be able to fix it, and i' poor, so thats why i went for the $250 2nd hand cheapo you probably have different priorities and abilities

 

[snowy ciara]

If you're in the US, and there's a CompUSA in your area that hasn't closed yet, try there. A friend of mine just picked up a macbook for around 500, with all Mac warranties and rebates intact. They won't be able to offer you a store warranty, but they're available from the manufacturer. (There's still a Comp in Tucson, and a few in Ca, from what I've heard. But most are gone now.)

 

[wideeyedgrin]

Check the dealers website for refurbised computers - they are like new but at a lower price.

 

[bailadora]

Thanks, everyone for all the help. Some of the suggested sites have some really good deals.

So now my question is about Vista vs XP. We have XP on the desk top - so it's what I'm most familiar with. From the little bit of reading I've done, it seems Vista may have some issues playing nice with other components (Itunes/ipod comes to mind). . But I don't know enough about 'puters to know if it'll have any bearing on what I want the laptop for. Besides email and internet - I need MSWord and Publisher. It would be nice to have Excel and Access. Which leads me to another question - if I do go new and end up with Vista, how the hell do I determine which version I need to get? I tried looking it up on the net, but they don't say what programs come with which package. Thanks again for helping the technically challenged .

 

[adabbaduli]

Look on ebay you should be able to find what you want very easily.

 

[kindashy]

Thanks, everyone for all the help. Some of the suggested sites have some really good deals.

So now my question is about Vista vs XP. We have XP on the desk top - so it's what I'm most familiar with. From the little bit of reading I've done, it seems Vista may have some issues playing nice with other components (Itunes/ipod comes to mind). . But I don't know enough about 'puters to know if it'll have any bearing on what I want the laptop for. Besides email and internet - I need MSWord and Publisher. It would be nice to have Excel and Access. Which leads me to another question - if I do go new and end up with Vista, how the hell do I determine which version I need to get? I tried looking it up on the net, but they don't say what programs come with which package. Thanks again for helping the technically challenged .

As far as I am aware. Vista does not include M$ Office. So, you get computer with Vista, then you either buy M$ Office or you install your own copy of Office.

For a consumer laptop, you are looking for Vista Home Basic and Vista Ultimate.

 

[gigaheadman]

i went laptop shopping with my gf and none came with any software besides XP / Vista etc.
Office was another $200...

you could always try
www.openoffice.org
free and works well

 

[wideeyedgrin]

An alternative to using MS Office is a program called OpenOffice. It's an open source free program that has the same type of programs as MS Office. It can read and save Word files and runs both under XP and Vista.

 

[kindashy]

If you are always online, you can use Google Online Office Suit, Google Docs: http://www.google.com/google-d-s/tour1.html

 

[Ran4]

Why not just... not pay?
Seriously, spending 1k$ on a computer and then 500$ extra just on software isn't very smart.

If you don't like Vista, just install XP!
I'd probably recomend you to go for XP, since compability is the highest there.
If you go for Vista, remember to de-activate the services you don't want.

Battery time decreases extremely fast on laptops, you'll be happy if you get more than 30-45 minutes after 1 year.

 

[SweetErika]

Why not just... not pay?
Seriously, spending 1k$ on a computer and then 500$ extra just on software isn't very smart.

If you don't like Vista, just install XP!
I'd probably recomend you to go for XP, since compability is the highest there.
If you go for Vista, remember to de-activate the services you don't want.

Battery time decreases extremely fast on laptops, you'll be happy if you get more than 30-45 minutes after 1 year.

I didn't like Vista and installed XP on my HP laptop, but I couldn't get some of the ACPI drivers for a lot of the built-in stuff, and had more problems so I ended up going to Linux, which is working a lot better than Windows ever has for me. Linux has free versions of Office-like software and the only program I haven't been able to get working is my fertility software. Apparently, CrossoverOffice ($30, IIRC) will run Publisher.

So, with a new laptop that comes with Vista and doesn't have the choice of getting XP, I'd suggest going to a Linux distribution like Ubuntu instead of going to XP if Vista isn't working for you. That sounds scary to a lot of people, but it's really a lot easier to deal with than Windows when it comes down to it.

Laptop batteries are usually fine for more than a year if you don't run on battery/unplug them a lot. I do, so mine die in about a year, but a new battery is only about $50 if I don't buy it through HP, which is acceptable to me. A lot of people leave them plugged in most of the time, and shouldn't have a problem, but it's definitely something to consider.

 

[In Anticipation]

Thanks, everyone for all the help. Some of the suggested sites have some really good deals.

So now my question is about Vista vs XP. We have XP on the desk top - so it's what I'm most familiar with. From the little bit of reading I've done, it seems Vista may have some issues playing nice with other components (Itunes/ipod comes to mind). . But I don't know enough about 'puters to know if it'll have any bearing on what I want the laptop for. Besides email and internet - I need MSWord and Publisher. It would be nice to have Excel and Access. Which leads me to another question - if I do go new and end up with Vista, how the hell do I determine which version I need to get? I tried looking it up on the net, but they don't say what programs come with which package. Thanks again for helping the technically challenged .

You will have to pay more for MS Office.

An alternative to using MS Office is a program called OpenOffice. It's an open source free program that has the same type of programs as MS Office. It can read and save Word files and runs both under XP and Vista.

Open office is now extremely good. It will replace Word, Excel and Powerpoint. The database application isn't equivalent to Access though, although you can open access tables etc. I don't know what you want a database for though.

I didn't like Vista and installed XP on my HP laptop, but I couldn't get some of the ACPI drivers for a lot of the built-in stuff, and had more problems so I ended up going to Linux, which is working a lot better than Windows ever has for me. Linux has free versions of Office-like software and the only program I haven't been able to get working is my fertility software. Apparently, CrossoverOffice ($30, IIRC) will run Publisher.

So, with a new laptop that comes with Vista and doesn't have the choice of getting XP, I'd suggest going to a Linux distribution like Ubuntu instead of going to XP if Vista isn't working for you. That sounds scary to a lot of people, but it's really a lot easier to deal with than Windows when it comes down to it.

Laptop batteries are usually fine for more than a year if you don't run on battery/unplug them a lot. I do, so mine die in about a year, but a new battery is only about $50 if I don't buy it through HP, which is acceptable to me. A lot of people leave them plugged in most of the time, and shouldn't have a problem, but it's definitely something to consider.

Ubuntu is nice and easy, just download a CD ISO image, burn it, put it in the CD drive and boot up the computer. Open Office will be installed automatically, plus much other useful stuff. Amarok is great for iPods. It's all completely free and legal.

Erika, have you tried installing WINE which is a windows emulator to run any windows applications that don't have Linux versions? There must also be alternative fertility applications for Linux too.

 

[SweetErika]

Ubuntu is nice and easy, just download a CD ISO image, burn it, put it in the CD drive and boot up the computer. Open Office will be installed automatically, plus much other useful stuff. Amarok is great for iPods. It's all completely free and legal.

Erika, have you tried installing WINE which is a windows emulator to run any windows applications that don't have Linux versions? There must also be alternative fertility applications for Linux too.

I agree OpenOffice is great. So is ABIWord for a lighter word processor. I love being able to just search for new programs and installing them with one click! I don't have nearly as many problems with Linux crapping out, either.

I have WINE, but the TCOYF software doesn't work with it because it's based off of a Windows DB, IIRC. Hubby is no stranger to Linux and he's tried getting it to work to no end.

You're right, though - I did find a fertility calendar for Linux. It's not as good as TCOYF, but it'll do for now.

 

[bailadora]

I did find a fertility calendar for Linux. It's not as good as TCOYF, but it'll do for now.

Going totally off topic - but I didn't know TCOYF had software. Damn - I did it all the hard way! Oh well - too late now!

 

[SweetErika]

Going totally off topic - but I didn't know TCOYF had software. Damn - I did it all the hard way! Oh well - too late now!

They do. It's by Ovusoft and it's great and only like $35.

Right now, we're back to circling temps on a paper chart and I'm just tracking my CF and other fertility signs by what I know. I've been using the FAM for a couple of years now, so I've got it down pretty well by now.

Now my body just needs to get with the program and go for the successful pregnancy!

 

[bailadora]

Now my body just needs to get with the program and go for the successful pregnancy!

Ok - since our family is complete - I'm sending all my preggie vibes (no pun intended) your way. Hope you get that positive real soon....

(hey - it's my thread - I can hijack it if I want to)​

 

[cd1_christine]

Laptop recommendations.

1) Anyone have success or horror stories to share?
2) Could someone recommend a fairly decent and reliable make and model?
2) How do I go about find a reputable dealer?
4) What sort of questions should I ask of a dealer - should I find one.

Horror stories. Unless you want to write your own, stay as far away from Toshiba as you can. I know of several people who've bought Toshiba's and gone through a motherboard every six months, like clockwork. Yes, it's under warranty, but when you're without the laptop for six weeks every 6 months, because boards are backordered because so many of them are dying, it's still a pain in the ass.

They're also notorious for cracking the power jack, so they won't charge anymore.

I've had good luck with IBM Thinkpads and Acer Travelmate's. The thinkpad is more of a workhorse that's meant to be transported a lot, and can take a little more abuse. The Acer is a good comp, but they're built a little more stylishly, so you've got to be a bit more careful with them. Not that they're fragile, by any means, but not as rugged as the Thinkpad.

If you get any system with Windows Vista Business, you can legally downgrade to XP Pro, if it turns out you don't like it. You don't need to buy a copy of XP, you just need an XP CD from somebody, or your other computer, and you can install it from the same disk, using the same key, and Microsoft will activate it for you when you call them after the install.

Reputable dealers don't really exist, for the most part. I hate to sound cynical, but this entire industry is full of shysters. 80-90% of techs know jack shit about security, to the point that 9 out of 10 computer stores where I've tested their wireless network security, failed. Some had no security whatsoever. Pull up into their parking lot, and you could directly access their main server with all their customer databases, etc.
You avoid this by asking 20 computer techs their advice on a security problem. If 18 out of the 20 agree on a solution, ignore them. They're idiots. One of the other two is right.
If they recommend any Norton antivirus or security product, ignore them. They're idiots.
If they recommend Vista over XP, but can't give you a coherent, logical reason, other than "It's newer", ignore them. They're idiots.
Ask your salesman/tech if they've ever had a computer virus. If they have, ignore them. They're idiots. (Of course, that may be a little bit overkill, as I know of only three people in the world who have never had a computer virus. Bill Gates, myself, and some other guy on a message board who didn't see Bill's announcement about never having had one as so surprising.)

I realize I'm starting to sound like a broken record, here, but this:
http://www.privacyrights.org/ar/ChronDataBreaches.htm
is the result of leaving lots of consumer data in the hands of "professionals."
The population of the US is about 302 million, and over 218 million customer records have been stolen or lost in just 3 years. That's pathetic, and it's the direct result of having a lot of clueless morons in positions of authority in the industry.

Now that I've finished ranting, I can get you an IBM Thinkpad....R60e -- entry level, 1.6GHz Celeron processor, 60GB, 5400RPM hard drive, 512MB memory, and Vista Business. Should be plenty for what you're going to be using it for. Being Vista Business, you can also do the downgrade I mentioned to XP Pro, if you decide Vista isn't for you. Price on that is $675 CAD + shipping from Ontario and taxes. If you want to go XP right off the bat, I'll downgrade it for you for no extra charge. Drop me a PM if you're interested.

CD

 

[cd1_christine]

Preinstalled spyware.

I have had GREAT experiences with HP laptops. I would highly recommend them!!

Your local Best Buy or Circuit City should carry plenty of them. Warranties and such are up to you, but they usually come with a 1-year from HP, so watch for that, but I say go with HP all the way!

HP machines with XP have come preinstalled with spyware directly from HP. Before you've even bought the machine, they've already sold you out to advertisers. Sorry, but I won't deal with a company like that, and I certainly won't recommend them to others.
I don't know whether they're still doing the same thing with Vista, but the mindset of the company won't have changed, so it's only a matter of time before it happens again, even if they aren't doing it now. Besides, pretty much the entire HP board of directors is on the verge of being indicted for fraud, so they're really not a nice company.

And don' t even get me started on Best Buy. I just had a run in with them. Apparently, their lowest price guarantee is conditional on the comparative price being higher than theirs. I was actually accused of fraud by a BB manager when I came in with a website price lower than theirs. The guy said I'd set up a fake website just to save 5 bucks on a package of photopaper.
They still haven't given me a refund.

CD

 

[PCWizard]

I would recommend looking into an HP NC6000 or a nc6200. They are business class machines, parts are easy to get. They come with a Lithium Ion battery which is good for 3 to 4 hours even after 3 years.

I have sold about 25 of the NC6000. I only had one with an issue, and it was covered under warranty by HP.

Let me know if I can be of more help in any way.