Comments on: Laptop D-Day: Goodbye, Circa-2003 Compaq — Hello, ??? http://www.rainydaysaver.net/2010/02/laptop-d-day-goodbye-circa-2003-compaq-hello.html Making change one penny at a time Mon, 31 Oct 2011 10:32:38 +0000 hourly 1 http://wordpress.org/?v=3.3.1 By: Revanchehttp://www.rainydaysaver.net/2010/02/laptop-d-day-goodbye-circa-2003-compaq-hello.html#comment-49 Revanche Wed, 17 Feb 2010 23:44:31 +0000 http://rainydaysaver.net/?p=442#comment-49 I'm anti-Dell, basically, and love Sony Vaios. They run a little more (a couple hundred) sometimes, but not always. Toshiba is good, too. I'm anti-Dell, basically, and love Sony Vaios. They run a little more (a couple hundred) sometimes, but not always. Toshiba is good, too.

]]> By: RainyDaySaverhttp://www.rainydaysaver.net/2010/02/laptop-d-day-goodbye-circa-2003-compaq-hello.html#comment-48 RainyDaySaver Tue, 16 Feb 2010 23:37:18 +0000 http://rainydaysaver.net/?p=442#comment-48 @Chay: Amazingly, I've been working on an old-school desktop computer all these years. This is my first foray into laptop territory! I wound up with a Toshiba with a 16" screen (I'll give details in my next post). And I do plan to reformat my old desktop after moving things to an external hard drive/migrating them to the laptop. It'll be nice to have a "backup" computer, since it doesn't take up much space on the computer desk. @Chay: Amazingly, I've been working on an old-school desktop computer all these years. This is my first foray into laptop territory! I wound up with a Toshiba with a 16" screen (I'll give details in my next post). And I do plan to reformat my old desktop after moving things to an external hard drive/migrating them to the laptop. It'll be nice to have a "backup" computer, since it doesn't take up much space on the computer desk.

]]> By: CNhttp://www.rainydaysaver.net/2010/02/laptop-d-day-goodbye-circa-2003-compaq-hello.html#comment-47 CN Tue, 16 Feb 2010 21:27:42 +0000 http://rainydaysaver.net/?p=442#comment-47 Hey there-<br /><br />This posting speaks directly to my own recent laptop upgrading adventure. I wish you the best of luck on the search for your new computer!<br /><br />For me, both my old and new laptops were ThinkPads (which are now made by Lenovo, but formerly were manufactured by IBM). I think they're dependable and sleek (though probably not much different than comparable systems on the market).<br /><br />I would recommend the bigger monitor, only because all of the online videos nowadays are formatted for widescreen computers, and for high-definition, and they tend to look better on the larger monitors.<br /><br />Also, because you're a Windows user like me, the money you'll save (from not buying a Macbook) will give you a little liberty to spoil yourself with other upgrades.<br /><br />Processor-wise... Intel's Core 2 Duo is sufficient for standard things like word-processing, photo editing, watching DVDs, chatting online, Facebooking, and uploading pictures. But for the extreme gaming experience, or the Blu-Ray experience, or serious multitasking using programs that drain CPU resources (like graphics rendering, video-editing, moviemaking, etc.), a newer edition Intel processer (i.e. Core i7) may be worth the purchase. (As I personally do none of these things, my Intel Core 2 Duo works just fine).<br /><br />Also, regarding that old laptop, once you've archived your files onto USB or CD-ROM, if you reformat the drive (and purchase a new laptop battery for it), you'll have a "second" system that will work like new. (I did this to my old laptop, which I take with me while travelling. At a minimum, it's an awesome DVD player, but it also let's me work while I'm away from home, without having to worry about losing a brand new laptop.)<br /> <br />Let us know what you choose! I'm quite excited for you! (I suppose it's the computer-geek in me...)<br /><br />Chay :) Hey there-

This posting speaks directly to my own recent laptop upgrading adventure. I wish you the best of luck on the search for your new computer!

For me, both my old and new laptops were ThinkPads (which are now made by Lenovo, but formerly were manufactured by IBM). I think they're dependable and sleek (though probably not much different than comparable systems on the market).

I would recommend the bigger monitor, only because all of the online videos nowadays are formatted for widescreen computers, and for high-definition, and they tend to look better on the larger monitors.

Also, because you're a Windows user like me, the money you'll save (from not buying a Macbook) will give you a little liberty to spoil yourself with other upgrades.

Processor-wise… Intel's Core 2 Duo is sufficient for standard things like word-processing, photo editing, watching DVDs, chatting online, Facebooking, and uploading pictures. But for the extreme gaming experience, or the Blu-Ray experience, or serious multitasking using programs that drain CPU resources (like graphics rendering, video-editing, moviemaking, etc.), a newer edition Intel processer (i.e. Core i7) may be worth the purchase. (As I personally do none of these things, my Intel Core 2 Duo works just fine).

Also, regarding that old laptop, once you've archived your files onto USB or CD-ROM, if you reformat the drive (and purchase a new laptop battery for it), you'll have a "second" system that will work like new. (I did this to my old laptop, which I take with me while travelling. At a minimum, it's an awesome DVD player, but it also let's me work while I'm away from home, without having to worry about losing a brand new laptop.)

Let us know what you choose! I'm quite excited for you! (I suppose it's the computer-geek in me…)

Chay :)

]]> By: RainyDaySaverhttp://www.rainydaysaver.net/2010/02/laptop-d-day-goodbye-circa-2003-compaq-hello.html#comment-45 RainyDaySaver Tue, 16 Feb 2010 16:58:02 +0000 http://rainydaysaver.net/?p=442#comment-45 @Red: I've heard Gateway is not so great, and it seems to have heavily fallen out of favor. <br /><br />@SingleGuyMoney: Saw your blog -- $1600 isn't in my price range, haha. <br /><br />I'm looking for something in $500-$700 range, I don't need it for much. I've used Macs at work for 15 years now, and I'm not impressed. I think they're overpriced. Even a simple laptop starts at $999 for a bitty 13" screen. My eyes probably couldn't handle that size every day. @Red: I've heard Gateway is not so great, and it seems to have heavily fallen out of favor.

@SingleGuyMoney: Saw your blog — $1600 isn't in my price range, haha.

I'm looking for something in $500-$700 range, I don't need it for much. I've used Macs at work for 15 years now, and I'm not impressed. I think they're overpriced. Even a simple laptop starts at $999 for a bitty 13" screen. My eyes probably couldn't handle that size every day.

]]> By: Redhttp://www.rainydaysaver.net/2010/02/laptop-d-day-goodbye-circa-2003-compaq-hello.html#comment-44 Red Tue, 16 Feb 2010 16:42:31 +0000 http://rainydaysaver.net/?p=442#comment-44 Whatever you do, don't buy Gateway! My and my brother's first laptops were Gateways, and oh, to have back the time that I spent taking that thing in for repairs at Best Buy! Both of our DVD drives went out, and by the second year, it was such a slow hunk of junk because it picked up viruses all over the place.<br /><br />D has an Asus and likes it for its graphics. (Because now he can review computer games too.) But I'm still going to recommend MacBook. The difference in program start-up times and the lack of any bug problems... It's the only laptop I'd own now. (I've had any a-time that I've wanted to throw the desktop PC I use at work because it's so slow compared to the MacBook.)<br /><br />Good luck in whatever you choose! Whatever you do, don't buy Gateway! My and my brother's first laptops were Gateways, and oh, to have back the time that I spent taking that thing in for repairs at Best Buy! Both of our DVD drives went out, and by the second year, it was such a slow hunk of junk because it picked up viruses all over the place.

D has an Asus and likes it for its graphics. (Because now he can review computer games too.) But I'm still going to recommend MacBook. The difference in program start-up times and the lack of any bug problems… It's the only laptop I'd own now. (I've had any a-time that I've wanted to throw the desktop PC I use at work because it's so slow compared to the MacBook.)

Good luck in whatever you choose!

]]> By: Single Guy Moneyhttp://www.rainydaysaver.net/2010/02/laptop-d-day-goodbye-circa-2003-compaq-hello.html#comment-43 Single Guy Money Tue, 16 Feb 2010 16:41:07 +0000 http://rainydaysaver.net/?p=442#comment-43 I vote for a MacBook Pro!!! I just got one a few weeks ago and I love it. As a long-time PC user, I wish I'd made the switch a long time ago. The only downside is that it is a little pricey but it is totally worth it. I vote for a MacBook Pro!!! I just got one a few weeks ago and I love it. As a long-time PC user, I wish I'd made the switch a long time ago. The only downside is that it is a little pricey but it is totally worth it.

]]> By: RainyDaySaverhttp://www.rainydaysaver.net/2010/02/laptop-d-day-goodbye-circa-2003-compaq-hello.html#comment-42 RainyDaySaver Tue, 16 Feb 2010 16:26:22 +0000 http://rainydaysaver.net/?p=442#comment-42 @MrsMicah: But what makes a laptop crappy? The processor? Besides the extraneous software and branding, doesn't seem to be any differences besides the technical ones (RAM/HD space/processor/gadgets). @MrsMicah: But what makes a laptop crappy? The processor? Besides the extraneous software and branding, doesn't seem to be any differences besides the technical ones (RAM/HD space/processor/gadgets).

]]> By: Mrs. Micahhttp://www.rainydaysaver.net/2010/02/laptop-d-day-goodbye-circa-2003-compaq-hello.html#comment-41 Mrs. Micah Tue, 16 Feb 2010 15:52:00 +0000 http://rainydaysaver.net/?p=442#comment-41 Acer or Asus, both good. I'm very disenchanted by HP as they made a whole line of crappy laptops about 4 or 5 years ago. They may have improved, I'm not finding out unless I absolutely have to. Acer or Asus, both good. I'm very disenchanted by HP as they made a whole line of crappy laptops about 4 or 5 years ago. They may have improved, I'm not finding out unless I absolutely have to.

]]> By: RainyDaySaverhttp://www.rainydaysaver.net/2010/02/laptop-d-day-goodbye-circa-2003-compaq-hello.html#comment-40 RainyDaySaver Tue, 16 Feb 2010 15:44:09 +0000 http://rainydaysaver.net/?p=442#comment-40 @Jessie: Thanks for the suggestion! There doesn't seem to be one that stands out in the reviews online, and everyone has a different opinion. Some people really like their Acers, and I've only heard about Asus during my recent research. It does seem to have what I need. @Jessie: Thanks for the suggestion! There doesn't seem to be one that stands out in the reviews online, and everyone has a different opinion. Some people really like their Acers, and I've only heard about Asus during my recent research. It does seem to have what I need.

]]> By: Jessiehttp://www.rainydaysaver.net/2010/02/laptop-d-day-goodbye-circa-2003-compaq-hello.html#comment-39 Jessie Tue, 16 Feb 2010 14:25:32 +0000 http://rainydaysaver.net/?p=442#comment-39 Brand wise - I would highly suggest Asus (not acer)if you're getting a laptop.<br /><br />It's high quality, good warranty, and my family (and extended) has had great things to say about them. Brand wise – I would highly suggest Asus (not acer)if you're getting a laptop.

It's high quality, good warranty, and my family (and extended) has had great things to say about them.

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