So the desktop computer that we purchased 6 years ago finally kicked the bucket after a rather eventful blackout which toasted the power supply and (we think) the mother board.
So, we're in the market for a laptop again. We don't do any crazy gaming: maybe a tiny, tiny bit of video editing, word processing, lots of YouTube videos of "Coyote and Roadrunner."
We're unlikely to get any Apple products, as much as I love our iPad. They're just more than I want to spend.
So, any recommendations? I'm leaning towards a Toshiba, I've heard good things about them.
So, we're in the market for a laptop again. We don't do any crazy gaming: maybe a tiny, tiny bit of video editing, word processing, lots of YouTube videos of "Coyote and Roadrunner."
We're unlikely to get any Apple products, as much as I love our iPad. They're just more than I want to spend.
So, any recommendations? I'm leaning towards a Toshiba, I've heard good things about them.
If an ipad is more than you want to spend, then this idea may not be for you, but I loved my switch from laptop to Surface Pro. Takes some getting used to Windows 8, but the ability to do everything on a tablet that you can on a laptop is pretty impressive as much as the apple fanboys knock it
ReplyDeleteI've been thinking of a surface pro 2, despite having been called an apple fanboy for many years. I have tried to do more serious work with only an ipad, only to find the right apps too difficult.
DeleteTruth be told, there aren't obvious dogs out there. It's Windows 8 that's going to be the largest annoyance - that is unless you have used it before.
ReplyDeleteToshiba. Toshiba Toshiba. Toshiba? TOSHIBA.
ReplyDelete(Toshiba Toshiba)
We had a keyboard an an Asus laptop derp one month out of warranty.
ReplyDeleteOn the flipside, I like my Asus video graphics card because they use capacitor material that doesn't produce a whine under load.
I picked up a Toshiba Satellite P55-A5200 for ~$700 in the last few months. (From Best Buy, ironically. I needed it quickly.)
ReplyDeleteI'm happy with it. No touch screen (which actually makes me happy), and the battery life is impressive. (6 hours is a lot better than the 1-2 hours I used to get with my old Toshiba).
The only bad thing is Windows 8. I've got a workaround to make it look like Windows 7. But 8 still rears it's ugly head.
Grab a Lenovo Thinkpad. (IBM sold their Thinkpad line). They've been the bastion of work computers since forever and are built to last. Got one right as I started grad school and it's done brilliantly.
ReplyDeleteEveryone I know seems to be using or switching to lenovo based on price/reliability. Their new Yoga is also a thing of beauty, though I'm a continual advocate large screens - Surface just feels like a toy.
ReplyDeleteSpend the extra bucks and get the MacBook. I resisted getting a Mac for years, and now realize how wrongheaded I was. Much faster operation, sturdier design, and better aesthetics.
ReplyDelete"you can buy a good tool once, or a cheap tool many times"....
OK, fine, you'll still need to get a new computer in a few years.....
I would for a refurbished Mac. They will be good quality products.
ReplyDeleteWindows 8 is a mess.
If you stay on PC consider a Samsung. They are trying to get into the laptop business and they make some very nice stuff.
I've used both, and as much as I prefer the Mac, PC's have gotten to the price point where it isn't a huge deal if the thing is broken or lost. I can't comment on current conditions, but the last time I was in the market for a computer, the cheapest Mac was about 2.5X the price I paid for my PC. I've lost a few computers prematurely in the past, so I'm reluctant to invest much money even if the product is superior.
ReplyDeleteI bought a Toshiba Satellite P875 over the summer. Like it quite a bit, and don't think that Windows 8 is as bad as it's made out to be. It takes some getting used to, but in the end, you can land on the desktop and use it similar to Windows 7. No great shakes, and some of the 'apps' are really useful. Once you get past the learning curve, it's fine...
ReplyDeleteMy Toshiba is going on 4+ years of extensive use. It was bought for a successful job hunt and interview presentations. It tackled a intensive MBA program which involved a lot of massive file creation and sharing with team mates. Its been around the world - and is still working great. Handles photos fine. If you intend to purchase a home copy of ChemDraw - be careful to look at the bit requirements. (It was 32 bit only when I purchased).
ReplyDeleteWindows 8 has an option to see classic or the new version of Windows setup. It also has options for touch / no touch screen. Don't know much about them - except it might require additional research.
but for the video-editing bit of your spec, I would have suggested a chromebook - advantages of a mac in terms of speed to boot/virus resistance, but also cheap and light....
ReplyDeleteI agree with the thinkpad. I got mine quite some time ago and it's still running strong.
ReplyDelete