my computer is annoying me a lot

[cellomusette]

Laptop PC recommendations needed. Tell me your opinion. I'm leaning towards a Hewlett Packard Pavillion. My plan is to set aside all my jewelrymaking money until I save enough for a new computer, and a my best computer experience so far has been with a HP Pavillion. I'm still considering an Apple, but my purposes might best be served by a PC and my iBook G4 is ridiculously slow.

Comments

[bikergeek.livejournal.com]

Not only that, your G4 is pretty much an orphan at this point. Current and future versions of OSX will not run on it. In 2006 Apple rolled out their Intel-based hardware and that's the path for Apple for the foreseeable future.

I'm a big fan of Apple laptops, really...is there any software you run that absolutely requires Windows? I kinda view Windows as a necessary evil...and I'm trying to position myself so that I don't need it any more.

Also, if you're buying a Windows PC, consider stepping up to whatever company's "business grade" line rather than their consumer-grade line. (E.g., if you're buying Dell, get a Latitude rather than an Inspiron; not sure what the model differences are for HP, but "Pavilion" is their consumer-grade line.) Consumer-grade laptops are very much built to a price-point, which means that they tend to cheap out on the components. Business-grade laptops tend to use better components because businesses can't afford to have $EMPLOYEE calling down to the help desk Yet Again because their computer crapped.

[watercolorblue.livejournal.com]

I'll never buy a Dell again, period. I'm limited in what I can spend on a computer; not sure if a business-grade computer is a possibility for me. I just want something that'll hold up for more than 2 years and won't have serious performance issues within 5 months of purchase. I don't feel like that's too much to ask considering I don't do very complex things with my 'puters. Le siiiigh....

[bikergeek.livejournal.com]

A lot of people I know like Lenovo (née IBM) Thinkpads.

You can likely get away with a fairly minimal machine if you're not a gamer, and all you're using the PC for is things like email, web surfing, and IM. Just make sure you have enough RAM to run Win7 comfortably.

[watercolorblue.livejournal.com]

How much RAM do I need for Win7? *she asks ignorantly*

[bikergeek.livejournal.com]

More is better, but 4GB should do you.

[benndragon.livejournal.com]

You can get away with 2GB - I've only ever run Win 7 (Enterprise and Ultimate) on that much RAM and it does fine (including the computer I'm using to make this comment :).

[benndragon.livejournal.com]

If you're really on the not-complex side you might consider a netbook. I adore my lil' Acer, which I've had for, I think, a couple of years now. I've needed to restore-to-factory-settings a few times, but I've got an external hard drive I regularly back it up to so it's generally not a problem for me. The real kicker seems to be the power cord, which I've replaced twice now (you can generally get replacements online for $40-50 including shipping). Finally, other people complain the keyboard is too small - it actually fits my hands perfectly, but you can go to an Office Despot/Staples or Best Buy and check to see. I suggest one because they're fairly cheap for a portable computer.

ETA: The built-in speaker is also crackly as hell now, I must've dropped it one too many times (I use headphones when I want music/NPR out of it). I'm not even a little gentle on my electronics ;P.

[pywaket.livejournal.com]

I've had pretty good luck with Asus laptops. They are consumer grade, but seem fairly well made.

Dell consumer stuff is crap with a capital C, the business stuff is better, but pretty overpriced. For that much money, I'd go with a Lenovo.

For Win7, 2gb is the bare minimum, but you'd be much happier with 4.

Another thought would be to try using Ubuntu on your Mac - it's really easy to use these days and makes much fewer demands on the hardware. If you wanna try it out when you get out this way, let me know and we'll set that up.

[watercolorblue.livejournal.com]

I'm thinking of this laptop:

http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=280662848027&ssPageName=STRK:MEWAX:IT

And I definitely want to try Ubuntu on my Mac!:)

[pywaket.livejournal.com]

Additionally, you might want to consider getting a refurbished machine. They can be really good deals. Small Dog Electronics (in Vermont, but they do mail order) is an Apple shop that sells refurbished machines for pretty good prices.

Also, I've found that Newegg has the best prices overall for non-Apple products.