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Miscellaneous laptop discussions : Need notebook with minimum features for Web surfing
Need notebook with minimum features for Web surfing
by amnot - 8/26/06 9:41 PMI'm not experienced with notebook comparisons at all and am a bit lost for knowing what I should be shopping for in a used notebook computer to be used primarily, if not exclusively, for web surfing.
(Being a stereotypical Type "A", I want to use a notebook to surf while sitting in my easy chair and simultaneously watching TV...don't want to miss anything, ya know...ha!!)
Saving on purchase expense is a primary concern of course, but not the only factor. Outside of wanting the best screen picture quality and resolution I can find, I am seeking to learn what minimum system requirements I should have to utilize a cable modem connection that I use currently for my desktop computer.
If anyone can suggest what features would be essential for net surfing (wireless modem connection would fall under "essential"), I would appreciate hearing from you. If you think you know any specific brands or models you would recommend if you were going to make the same purchase, that would be greatly appreciated also.
same here
by Killa4luv - 8/26/06 10:05 PM In reply to: Need notebook with minimum features for Web surfing by amnotThis is exactly my dilemna, I just want to surf wirelessly, and I don't need lots of bells and whistles, although I would like to be able to do some regular things on it as well. It seems like all of the laptops with wi-fi included are more expensive, there isn't a bare bones laptop to meet this need, because thats what i wanna do, watch tv, and have my laptop on my bed/couch with me. I guess I'd also like a cdr/dvd-rom, isn't that kind of stuff standard?
here's a suggestion.
by udayan71
- 8/27/06 11:11 AM
In reply to: Need notebook with minimum features for Web surfing by amnot
If you want a bare-bones laptop, take a look at the ThinkPad R50e, it's a sweet little machine. Dell's Inspiron 1300.
If you're open-minded to Mac and have $1000 to spend on it then take a look at the MacBook 1.83GHz - it's a gorgeous, simple and fast machine that'll open up your computer horizons.
By the way, this message is for both of you guys.
Udayan.
Thanks for your reply Udayan, but....
by amnot - 8/27/06 6:57 PM In reply to: here's a suggestion. by udayan71
I should have made it more explicit that I'm interested in a used or refurbished laptop only. This will allow a very significant reduction in cost over any new models, but it's also full of pitfalls.
I'm just not knowledgeable enough on what features are essential and/or which are non-essential for web surfing purposes, and I'm certainly not familiar with the varying qualities of LCD display each brand/model has used. Only someone who's been exposed to substantial numbers of notebooks would have this knowledge.
Thanks for your efforts nevertheless. If I get unexpectedly richer in the near future I'll use your suggestions..ha!
Be careful here....
by steve749 - 8/27/06 7:23 PM In reply to: Thanks for your reply Udayan, but.... by amnotWith a used or refurbished laptop that may well have some crappy parts in it as this is why it was returned in the first place. IMO, the big point would be to get a good warranty that covers what happens if something goes wrong as most basic systems should be able to handle basic web surfing. If you want someone that has logged thousands of hours on various laptops of each type, I doubt such a person is around to freely give their advice on why model xxx is good or poor.
A few other points here are how big or small of a machine do you want as you could go from 12" to 20" and still be in what are called "laptops" and generally the bigger the screen the higher the price, but do those really small laptops seem OK or would you want something a bit bulky that could still fit in your lap?
Regards,
JB
Pitfalls for sure...
by amnot - 8/28/06 6:01 AM In reply to: Be careful here.... by steve749Thanks for your reply JB.
I am indeed concerned about buying a lemon. While I admitedly don't know much about laptops, I am generally aware that they don't tend to last as long as desktops, and are more inclined to receive physical and other forms of abuse from usage. It's kinda like buying a car without a mileage record. You don't know if it has 10,000 or 250,000 miles of use except to see signs of wear on the outside.
My problem is that I just can't afford a new one right now. Wish me luck!!
(NT) I'd steer clear of used laptops. Get a cheap new one.
by udayan71 - 8/28/06 12:50 PM
In reply to: Thanks for your reply Udayan, but.... by amnot
Ummm..... Whats your budget?
by ar69 - 8/30/06 12:14 AM In reply to: Thanks for your reply Udayan, but.... by amnotRight now Hp is trying to get rid of all of its current inventory to make way for the new lineup. The dv5000t appears to be the best value. It starts at $599 and because it is an older model, they offer a lot of free upgrades. Without going a penny over the $599 price tag you will get these specs:
Windows XP Media Center Edition
Intel Celeron M 1.46
1GB of RAM
40GB hard drive
DVD Drive
15.4" Widescreen Display
Wireless Card
Those are just the figures that you would find relevent, although I could have gone into more detail.
For 30 dollars extra you could double the storage
For 95 dollars extra you could change the processor to a core solo, a good processor that would make your computer much faster.
For 50 dollars you could upgrade it to a dvd burner
For 50 dollars you could put in a better graphics card that would allow you to play modern games.
IF 600 is out of your budget then there is a 400 dollar laptop on the hp site. If 400 is honestly too much for you then let me know what your budget is and i will find one for you.
Thanks for your reply Brawnyman
by amnot - 8/30/06 8:30 AM In reply to: Ummm..... Whats your budget? by ar69You asked the right question....my budget is somewhere between minimal and non-existent, unfortunately. I'm thinking in the under $200 bracket at most. Just hope I don't buy a lemon.
Tough
by samkh - 8/30/06 9:14 AM In reply to: Thanks for your reply Brawnyman by amnotIt will really be hard to find a used working laptop under $200 that includes wireless, working battery, DVD reader and WinXP. You would have to settle for some defective part(s) in the machine that needs replacement. You can buy these junkers at used/clearance electronics stores and the shop will honestly tell you what is not working but you won't get much(any?) help fixing it. These same stores may have working units for about $300+ that have 30 day warranties except battery, and without any software. It will probably not have wireless and DVD. Total cost to get to what you want will probably exceed $400 so you might be better off following the recommendations to buy a new low end model from Dell or other vendors.
If you live somewhere near a Fry's Electronics store (www.frys.com), they occasionally put a GQ brand 14" laptop on sale at $349.99+tax http://www.netaffilia.com/ad/electronics/frys/i/2006/08/23/18865.html. The GQ computers are made by a Taiwanese company Elitegroup Computer Systems and it only has 90 days warranty. Be aware that there are tons of customer complaints about GQ and Fry's itself.
Appreciate the advice SamK
by amnot - 8/30/06 12:46 PM In reply to: Tough by samkhI fear most of what your said is right on the mark. From hunting on Ebay's completed listings I only see something that appears satisfactory and sold under $250 once in a great while. Even then I'm not sure whether it was a sound computer.
I also had in mind that I could go the router/wireless route later with add-on equipment, and just use an a/c adapter with my current cable modem in the meantime.
Maybe I am expecting too much, especially for the difference in cost. It's only going to be a convenience anyway, and not an essential setup, so I may just have to forego the notion in the final analysis.
And I do stay away from vendors/manufacturers with a lot of negative reports, cheap or not. Thanks so much for taking the time for me.
H.W. Dick Hannam
Bad news then
by ar69 - 9/3/06 2:17 PM In reply to: Thanks for your reply Brawnyman by amnotI just spent a bit doing the numbers. The absoulute cheapest desktop I could come up with was a hair over 200 dollars, and that was if you built it yourself. The cheapest laptop I could find was $450 from HP. Thats prebuilt, but its over twice your budget. You could buy a refurbished model off of eBAY for 200, but otherwise you will have to go with a desktop.
Thanks Brawnyman
by amnot - 9/3/06 9:22 PM In reply to: Bad news then by ar69You're correct...the only route I ever considered was a used or refurbished laptop. And from reviewing completed sales listings on Ebay I'd have to be very fortunate to get a decent unit in the two hundred range.
I appreciate your time and suggestions...
H.W. Dick Hannam
Re: Need notebook with minimum features for Web surfing.
by Big Steve - 8/28/06 8:31 AM In reply to: Need notebook with minimum features for Web surfing by amnotEarlier this year my brother set me up with a Dell Inspiron 1300 notebook computer which I use primarily for web surfing and sending and receiving emails.
The computer has a wireless card installed which I use to take advantage of my Bell South ''Lite'' DSL service from the comfort of my living room although I can take it anywhere throughout the house courtesy of a wireless router.
The computer is basically a no frills computer but has worked good for what I have wanted to do with it. If I were to purchase a Dell notebook myself I'd probably step up to a Dell E1505 because I have read good things about that Dell notebook computer.
Big Steve
Biloxi, Mississippi
08/28/06
Thanks Big Steve...
by amnot - 8/28/06 9:31 AM In reply to: Re: Need notebook with minimum features for Web surfing. by Big SteveTell everyone in Biloxi I've put a hex on any hurricanes that think of coming to Mississippi this year...ha !!
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