Advice on purchasing a new laptop

[pare]

Hi all,
I am in the process of purchasing a new laptop and I was thinking if
Dell Inspiron is a good choice.
Any of you guys has good experience or bad with this brand, please share this with me.
I will apreciate it.
Thanks in advance.

 

[ignatzatsonic]

You should also consider post-purchase support.

Dell generally makes pretty good stuff--as good as any major OEM, better than most.

Dell support is fair to decent, not good. But as far as I know, NONE of the manufacturers have "good" support any more. It's all been sent offshore to Asia. If you ever have to deal with support, you will probably become frustrated, regardless of your brand choice. Part of it is the language barrier, but there are other shortcomings.

You may be able to choose a Dell support option for extra money that will provide support from a US source, but it isn't cheap.

About all you can do is hope you never have to deal with support. Dell is probably as good a choice as any, but you can have bad luck with any brand. I did.

 

[pare]

Hi ignatzatsonic,
Thanks for your reply,
I will try this post-purchase support. Did not know about it.
This will be my first laptop, that's why I am this careful.
As a matter of fact I am also interested in Toshiba Satellite.
But with any luck I might make a good choise.
How come it is so difficult to find a laptop with matte finish screen?

 

[Prof Kerfuffle]

I always aviod Toshiba and acer as there build quality isn't great (opinion)

I would recommend a mac or for windows hp/compaq or dell

(don't get a satallite, I had a 300D and in 1 year parts were falling off and the hdd broke) I look after my stuff as the pc am using now is 4 years old

Have a go of the laptop before you buy it!

 

[linnemeyerhere]

I would look seriously at the new up and comer ASUS for a laptop otherwise the normal big three Dell, HP or Toshiba. I've owned two Toshiba's and they have been fantastic, for that matter my Gateway currently has been great. But if I was looking right now and I wasn't going with a tablet with keyboard I would get an ASUS and not look back.
http://biz.tigerdirect.com/applications/SearchTools/item-details.asp?EdpNo=7124324&CatId=4938

 

[pare]

I will do some research on Asus and Gateway since I already have been doing research on Dell and Toshiba.
A computer technician I know has HP high on his list of the most troublesome Brand.
Then again I live on a small island in the Caribbean.
There is also the fact that people has bad habit concerning computer technology.
Does any of the Brands mentioned has matte finish (non glossy) screen.
I don't like the mirror effect on glossy screen.

 

[ignatzatsonic]

Where are you going to buy?

Miami?

By mail?

 

[linnemeyerhere]

My Gateway is matte screen, the Toshiba's tend to be glossy as are the Dell's. The Asus appear to be matte as well. Not sure about the HP's which I've heard some good things about but I tend to shy away for some unknown reason?

 

[ignatzatsonic]

Look here. The link says some Dells have matte finish:

Dell TrueLife™ LCD Screens - What is it?

Apparently, if you buy Dell, you should avoid "True Life" screens as they are glossy.

 

[ignatzatsonic]

Look at Dell's "Vostro" line, possibly in the small business section rather than home laptops.

http://www.dell.com/us/business/p/vostro-laptops?scat=vostronb&s=bsd

 

[pare]

I will go on a cruise trip next week and on the way back I will be staying in Maimi for a week.
I am thinking of going to Tiger Direct and Best Buy. If I buy on line it will cost a lot getting it in Aruba.

 

[ignatzatsonic]

Does Tiger Direct have retail stores? I've never seen any.

Costco sells Dells, but they may not be Vostros.

Best Buy sells Dells too.

If you want a Vostro (matte finish), you may have to buy online. But I'd look at Best Buy online to see if they sell that line from Dell. They may sell only the home line, not small business??

 

[pare]

Well guys, I think I found it.
Dell Vostro 3750 core i3/2 GB DDR3 single channel/250 GB 7200 RPM/17.3" LED display with anti-glare
6 cel ion battery for $600,= if online.
I hope I can find it at Tiger Direct (yes there is a retail store in Miami)
I only need a computer or laptop to search the web. To me the screen is very important,
so I can live with this anti-glare. I am not eighteen any more.
I might go for a 4 GB dual channel and 350 GB 7200 RPM if there is no much difference in price.
Thanks to all of you.
You guys have been very supportive.
ignatsatsonic thanks for the article.