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2008-05-04 9:08 PM

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Extreme Veteran
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5002525
Pekin, IL
Subject: Help Me Pick a Laptop For My Wife.
Hey all,

I need to buy the Wife a laptop sometime in the next month, but am pretty much out of date on this stuff. Any help would be great. Details:

Used mostly for internet(wireless), photos, presentations(need powerpoint), watch dvds, general studies, not a gamer.
Budget - Need to stay under $800 including powerpoint
Don't mind ordering online or going to store to buy.

Any help would be appreciated,

Thanks,
Chris


2008-05-04 9:17 PM
in reply to: #1381173

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Master
1610
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Kirkland, WA
Subject: RE: Help Me Pick a Laptop For My Wife.
i really like my MacBook -- it was over $800 though, around $1200 about a year ago.
2008-05-04 11:28 PM
in reply to: #1381173

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Extreme Veteran
594
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Austin, TX
Subject: RE: Help Me Pick a Laptop For My Wife.
MacBook. Not only can it help your wife surf the internet and make presentations, it will also make her coffee and wash her clothes.
2008-05-05 8:23 AM
in reply to: #1381173

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Master
2277
2000100100252525
Lake Norman, NC
Subject: RE: Help Me Pick a Laptop For My Wife.

This coming from a life-long PC user and Dell/HP laptop work-user...

Go with a Macbook!  Macs are totally compatible with Windows programs and many people are put off by their slightly higher price and the fear that Mac OS-X will be totally alien to them.  But in reality, they have the best images, screens, battery life, repair history, customer support and Mac OS is much less problematic compared to XP or *shudder* Vista.  Everyone I've ever talked to who's made the switch has said that they felt fully up to speed within an hour.  That's how easy it is!  I've never heard anyone say they were disappointed with a Macbook.

 

2008-05-05 9:43 AM
in reply to: #1381173

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Expert
630
50010025
Frisco TX (DFW area)
Subject: RE: Help Me Pick a Laptop For My Wife.
Mac Book - down load Neo Office free office software works better then Microsoft
2008-05-05 9:52 AM
in reply to: #1381173

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Veteran
196
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Parrish, Florida
Subject: RE: Help Me Pick a Laptop For My Wife.
Glad to see this come up. I'm also starting to think about a new laptop. I've been a lifelong PC person, but am tired of the constant "issues" and always hear so much positive feedback from Mac users, as in here, that I think it's time to make the switch. Especially now that the software is compatible, which eliminates the reason I'd always hesitated to change in the past.


2008-05-05 9:52 AM
in reply to: #1381173

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Pro
4909
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Hailey, ID
Subject: RE: Help Me Pick a Laptop For My Wife.
Another vote for mac book, but check out the refurbished store on apple.com. Some good deals there and come with the same warranty as new. If you can somehow pull it off, go with one of these two: (and iWork 08 comes with Keynote which is compatible with powerpoint and x100 time better).


Refurbished MacBook 2.2GHz Intel Core 2 Duo - White
13.3-inch glossy widescreen display
1GB memory
120GB hard drive
8x SuperDrive (DVD±R DL/DVD±RW/CD-RW)
Built-in iSight camera
Learn More
• Save 24% off the original price
Original price: $1,299.00
Your price: $999.00

Estimated Ship:
Within 24 hours
Free Shipping

Add
Refurbished MacBook 2.4GHz Intel Core 2 Duo - White
13.3-inch glossy widescreen display
2GB memory
160GB hard drive
8x SuperDrive (DVD±R DL/DVD±RW/CD-RW)
Built-in iSight camera
Learn More
• Save 16% off the original price
Original price: $1,299.00
Your price: $1,099.00

Estimated Ship:
3-5 business days
Free Shipping

Add

http://store.apple.com/1-800-MY-APPLE/WebObjects/AppleStore.woa/wa/...

Edited by bradword 2008-05-05 9:52 AM
2008-05-05 10:57 AM
in reply to: #1381173

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Master
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"Home of Superman"
Subject: RE: Help Me Pick a Laptop For My Wife.

Just got a new computer.  It is a Dell Vostro 1700 lap top.  It has a 17" monitor with a full key board.  I really like it so far, I got it with Windows XP. 

 

 

 

 

 

2008-05-05 1:39 PM
in reply to: #1381173

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Master
1610
1000500100
Kirkland, WA
Subject: RE: Help Me Pick a Laptop For My Wife.
just to add a little, i have always used PC too, up until last year when i got a macbook. what is nice is all the mac's have an intel chip installed, and if you download a free program called bootcamp, and buy a copy of windows XP, or whatever you want, you can have a PC within your mac, you just restart the computer, and have the option to choose the other "side" of the computer. the only reason i needed this is because some programs i have to use for school don't run on a mac (equation solvers, and other engineering stuff). i have had very few problems with my mac. it is nice, because it isn't always having "illegal operations" or randomly locking up, shutting down, or doing any other POS guestures, unlike PC's.
2008-05-05 2:49 PM
in reply to: #1382629

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Veteran
196
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Parrish, Florida
Subject: RE: Help Me Pick a Laptop For My Wife.
it is nice, because it isn't always having "illegal operations" or randomly locking up, shutting down, or doing any other POS guestures, unlike PC's.


This is exactly what is going to turn me into a Mac user....I am sick of these constant annoying issues with my PC!
2008-05-05 2:50 PM
in reply to: #1381173

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Master
1668
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Cinnaminson, NJ
Subject: RE: Help Me Pick a Laptop For My Wife.
if you don't like the MacBook idea... order a Dell and do yourself a favor downgrade to XP do not get Vista. 


2008-05-05 3:11 PM
in reply to: #1381173

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2008-05-05 3:25 PM
in reply to: #1381173

Extreme Veteran
563
5002525
Pekin, IL
Subject: RE: Help Me Pick a Laptop For My Wife.
You guys make a heck of a case for the macbook. I guess I may have to spend a little more than I was planning.
What's the minimum stats that I would need: ghz, gb memory, stuff like that?
Would you have any reservations about buying a refurbished laptop?
--Was there something wrong with these to start with?

Thanks,
Chris

Edit to add:
If you were not going to buy a mac, what type of things should I be looking for as far as product details.
Looking at the Apple page, these may be out of my price range.

Edited by CKinsey 2008-05-05 3:29 PM
2008-05-05 7:46 PM
in reply to: #1381173

Champion
5183
5000100252525
Wisconsin
Subject: RE: Help Me Pick a Laptop For My Wife.

I am on my 5th Apple brand laptop, so I guess I am biased.  I started with the first powerbook in 1994 ish, and have NEVER turned back, I hate to be smug but... I have never had a crash, a
recall, a need for calling warranty, a hard drive failure, a virus....

2 of my 5 have been refurbished, 1 was a demo, and my Macbook, when I buy it in about 6 months, will likely be refurbished as well.  I have bought the last 4 from Small Dog Electronics (who did the refurbishing) and I LOVE the company.  They often have very nice bundles too, which can include extra software, peripherals, etc.

Your wife will also enjoy iPhoto and other creative stuff, it is very easy to learn and super fun.

Have FUN! 

2008-05-05 8:24 PM
in reply to: #1381173

Extreme Veteran
406
100100100100
earth
Subject: RE: Help Me Pick a Laptop For My Wife.
MacBook
2008-05-05 9:32 PM
in reply to: #1381173

Pro
4909
20002000500100100100100
Hailey, ID
Subject: RE: Help Me Pick a Laptop For My Wife.
I would have no problems with refurbished from most companies. Usually just a canceled shipment and again, has the exact one year warranty as new


2008-05-05 10:21 PM
in reply to: #1381173

Veteran
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Subject: RE: Help Me Pick a Laptop For My Wife.
I'm chiming in late but have to say...go with Macbook.  I just bought a refurbished macbook from the apple site and have had no problems.  I'm a life long PC user so I'm still getting used to Mac but everything is pretty easy to figure out.  Setup is breeze, the macbook sets up internet and everything else for you when you first turn it on.  I also haven't had to reboot or had it lock up on me....what a concept!  If I could only get my work to convert to mac.......
2008-05-06 8:28 AM
in reply to: #1381173

Pro
4277
20002000100100252525
Parker, CO
Subject: RE: Help Me Pick a Laptop For My Wife.

darn...wish this thread would have started last week.  That's when we just purchased a Dell notebook for my wife.  We did build it and went with XP instead of Vista.  She's still excited to be getting her own notebook...even if it's not a Mac.  Can't give you an opinion of it yet...as we are still waiting for delivery.

2008-05-07 1:46 PM
in reply to: #1381173

Extreme Veteran
563
5002525
Pekin, IL
Subject: RE: Help Me Pick a Laptop For My Wife.
Ok, it looks like we are not going to be able to get a macbook, I know, I know, you all have made a very strong case, but it's just not going to work out this time.

Which one, if either of the following would be better?

http://www.staples.com/webapp/wcs/stores/servlet/StaplesProductDisp...

http://www.dell.com/content/products/productdetails.aspx/inspnnb_15...


The one from staples is 549 this week, plus you can get a 2year service warrenty that includes accidental insurance and you can trade in the laptop in two years for an upgrade and they will apply the amount you bought the laptop for and apply it to your next one.

Thanks everyone,

Chris
2008-05-07 2:06 PM
in reply to: #1381173

Subject: RE: Help Me Pick a Laptop For My Wife.
We just bought the 1525 a couple months ago.  Used at home to fart around on the internet, look at pics, etc.  We have Vista, and so far I haven't had any problems of note with it.
2008-05-07 2:16 PM
in reply to: #1387542

Subject: ...
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2008-05-08 8:19 PM
in reply to: #1381173

Extreme Veteran
563
5002525
Pekin, IL
Subject: RE: Help Me Pick a Laptop For My Wife.
Ended up buying the Dell Inspiron 1525 from Staples. Got the protection plan, that the salesman adamantly says we can bring back within 2 years and trade it in at the same price we paid for it. I questioned him pretty hard on this, as I just don't understand how they can do this. We'll see I guess. Wife got a bag, car adapter, and a wireless router for the house. Laptop will be here tomorrow, router on Tuesday. Free shipping as well.

Thanks for all of the assistance and advice (even though I couldn't afford to take most of it)

Chris
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