Laptops/NoteBooks/UltraBooks

[X]

Who has them? And what's awesome?

My wife's b'day is coming up -- and she needs a new computer. Her laptop is teh suck. She's shown interest in a slimmer model laptop...and doesn't need a lot of storage, but will need MS Office as well as whatever hardware/software is necessary to do normal internet stuff. Cheaper the Better. All input is greatly appreciated.

 

[HeHateMe]

I would say get a macbook pro, but they are fucking expensive and don't have that microsoft shit.

I bought an HP laptop when my macbookpro died. I needed something quick so I bought it. I hate it because it's not sexy and had to relearn the windows ways after generations of generations (had a macs for 10 years before they got overpriced or before i had overpriced children, probably a combo) but I am not a rich person who can buy all sorts of clicks and whistles.

 

[X]

I would say get a macbook pro, but they are fucking expensive and don't have that microsoft shit.

I bought an HP laptop when my macbookpro died. I needed something quick so I bought it. I hate it because it's not sexy and had to relearn the windows ways after generations of generations (had a macs for 10 years before they got overpriced or before i had overpriced children, probably a combo) but I am not a rich person who can buy all sorts of clicks and whistles.

Right. I'm rollin' w/ a compaq from walmart right now...for similar reasons. She'd prefer something different. Not sure what exactly -- just...different.

 

[HeHateMe]

Right. I'm rollin' w/ a compaq from walmart right now...for similar reasons. She'd prefer something different. Not sure what exactly -- just...different.

Get a mac if she's worth it and get the partition if you need to have that MS software if that's what it takes. If you have money to spend on a girl, do that shit.

Also, why in the hell does DPfan give you a thanks for your op? And what does it take for me to get green bars around here?

 

[GaelicSoxFan]

MacBook Air if you can get past the sticker shock. There are freeware programs like OpenOffice that will open MS Office stuff.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/OpenOffice

OpenOffice.org

 

[Omeletpants]

Not everyone is tech savvy when it comes to setting up and operating computers. Even though I have sold over 1 Billion dollars of various computer systems in my life I don't fully understand the operating systems.

For people like me (the majority of the world), owning a windows based computer is a fuking nightmare. Windows is counterintuitive with many security and compatibility issues. Operating a Windows computer has become some badge of honor for many. Great, but I dont want to spend my life keeping my computer going. In the early days of Microsoft (mid 90s) I remember sitting on support calls for 2-6 hours only to hear "never saw THAT before".

Mac computers and OS are intuitive and things are pretty much where you would expect them to be. Plug in a 3rd party device and it works. Never used or needed secuity software

Support is another issue. I have Apple support on 3 of my computers and Apple offers the best customer support of any product I have ever used. They pick up on the 3 phone ring, give your serial number to a computer and 20 seconds later you are taliking to some smart person in Idaho or Arizona. They speak English and you can understand them and they care.

Contrast that with the Geek Squad service I have on my work computer. Last week I had an issue and spend 2 hours over 3 phone calling and never actually talked to a technician. Just 3 call screeners then waiting. You want the best support service of any company in the world then buy a Mac. You want the worst service then get a Microsoft piece of shit and deal with horrible companies like the Geek Sqaud

 

[CODE_BLUE56]

Do you guys have a desktop? I'm assuming her current laptop isn't a mac.

 

[GaelicSoxFan]

Not everyone is tech savvy when it comes to setting up and operating computers. Even though I have sold over 1 Billion dollars of various computer systems in my life I don't fully understand the operating systems.

For people like me (the majority of the world), owning a windows based computer is a fuking nightmare. Windows is counterintuitive with many security and compatibility issues. Operating a Windows computer has become some badge of honor for many. Great, but I dont want to spend my life keeping my computer going. In the early days of Microsoft (mid 90s) I remember sitting on support calls for 2-6 hours only to hear "never saw THAT before".

Mac computers and OS are intuitive and things are pretty much where you would expect them to be. Plug in a 3rd party device and it works. Never used or needed secuity software

Support is another issue. I have Apple support on 3 of my computers and Apple offers the best customer support of any product I have ever used. They pick up on the 3 phone ring, give your serial number to a computer and 20 seconds later you are taliking to some smart person in Idaho or Arizona. They speak English and you can understand them and they care.

Contrast that with the Geek Squad service I have on my work computer. Last week I had an issue and spend 2 hours over 3 phone calling and never actually talked to a technician. Just 3 call screeners then waiting. You want the best support service of any company in the world then buy a Mac. You want the worst service then get a Microsoft piece of shit and deal with horrible companies like the Geek Sqaud

I like to compare Macs to foreign cars. Most people can't get past the initial sticker shock, but they're better long term investments.

 

[Crystallas]

What are the specs of her current system? Believe it or not, if you have a decent 5 year old laptop, it could still be on par with a brand new budget laptop for the tasks that she uses it for(this is due to EEPC standards finding their way into consumer laptops). So target the right specs, and she'll be really happy.

 

[Omeletpants]

I like to compare Macs to foreign cars. Most people can't get past the initial sticker shock, but they're better long term investments.

and for some people like my wife Mac is her only option to own a computer. She knows nothing about them. She represents a large subset of the population that is very smart (she has a couple of advanced degrees and published books) but she doesnt understand nor care about technology. She just wants to surf the web, send emails with file, etc. Without a Mac she wouldnt own a computer. People can laugh at that but there are many millions of people just like her

 

[Crystallas]

Like I said many times before. I don't hate Apple(I own a few Macs). I hate Apple shills.

 

[botfly10]

Asus makes bad ass slim books now that are sick. Check these out.

http://www.xoticpc.com/asus-ux31adh71-p-4977.html

http://www.xoticpc.com/asus-ux51vzdh71-p-5081.html

Those are both high end, but cheaper models are available. Check out more here:

http://www.xoticpc.com/custom-gaming-laptops-notebooks-asus-laptops-ct-95_51_163.html

 

[botfly10]

I like to compare Macs to foreign cars. Most people can't get past the initial sticker shock, but they're better long term investments.

Thats not really true anymore, especially since mac went to intel and nvidia processors. The hardware is pretty damn equitable these days.

 

[FrenchieBully]

I'm using an Asus Vivobook right now.

http://www.amazon.com/ASUS-ViVoBook...F8&qid=1374463082&sr=8-2&keywords=s500ca+asus

I don't mind Windows since I can usually find solutions to problems on some random forum. This one has Windows 8 and it's actually pretty good once you get to the new layout. I never use the tiles though and just stay on the the desktop screen. Thing with Windows is you have to buy a computer made by a good company. If you get a Dell, gateway, HP, Compaq... then you are asking for trouble. Stick with either Sony (price is high and you might as well look into Macs), Asus, or Toshiba. I like Asus products a lot and have the Dark Knight router, Google Nexus 7 (made by Asus) and this Vivobook. The previous laptop was a budget Asus laptop that ran like butter until the screen crapped out (my fault since I treated it like a magazine tossing it around and placing things on it). Could have fixed it for less than $100 bucks, but it cost $450 and was almost 4 years old. The one above cost me $550 on sale and it works great (after updating the wireless card driver).

 

[botfly10]

I think Asus books are the best value/performance/quality ratio you can get right now.

Yo French, how do you like that router? I just got a dual band netgear and its a piece of shit. Drops connection as well as packets constantly.

 

[X]

Not everyone is tech savvy when it comes to setting up and operating computers. Even though I have sold over 1 Billion dollars of various computer systems in my life I don't fully understand the operating systems.

For people like me (the majority of the world), owning a windows based computer is a fuking nightmare. Windows is counterintuitive with many security and compatibility issues. Operating a Windows computer has become some badge of honor for many. Great, but I dont want to spend my life keeping my computer going. In the early days of Microsoft (mid 90s) I remember sitting on support calls for 2-6 hours only to hear "never saw THAT before".

Mac computers and OS are intuitive and things are pretty much where you would expect them to be. Plug in a 3rd party device and it works. Never used or needed secuity software

Support is another issue. I have Apple support on 3 of my computers and Apple offers the best customer support of any product I have ever used. They pick up on the 3 phone ring, give your serial number to a computer and 20 seconds later you are taliking to some smart person in Idaho or Arizona. They speak English and you can understand them and they care.

Contrast that with the Geek Squad service I have on my work computer. Last week I had an issue and spend 2 hours over 3 phone calling and never actually talked to a technician. Just 3 call screeners then waiting. You want the best support service of any company in the world then buy a Mac. You want the worst service then get a Microsoft piece of shit and deal with horrible companies like the Geek Sqaud

The sticker shock is just something I can't get past. :lol:

Do you guys have a desktop? I'm assuming her current laptop isn't a mac.

We don't. And you're correct.

What are the specs of her current system? Believe it or not, if you have a decent 5 year old laptop, it could still be on par with a brand new budget laptop for the tasks that she uses it for(this is due to EEPC standards finding their way into consumer laptops). So target the right specs, and she'll be really happy.

idk. It's a very standard Dell I believe.

Asus makes bad ass slim books now that are sick. Check these out.

http://www.xoticpc.com/asus-ux31adh71-p-4977.html

http://www.xoticpc.com/asus-ux51vzdh71-p-5081.html

Those are both high end, but cheaper models are available. Check out more here:

http://www.xoticpc.com/custom-gaming-laptops-notebooks-asus-laptops-ct-95_51_163.html

Thx man, I really like some of the Asus'.

I'm using an Asus Vivobook right now.

http://www.amazon.com/ASUS-ViVoBook...F8&qid=1374463082&sr=8-2&keywords=s500ca+asus

I don't mind Windows since I can usually find solutions to problems on some random forum. This one has Windows 8 and it's actually pretty good once you get to the new layout. I never use the tiles though and just stay on the the desktop screen. Thing with Windows is you have to buy a computer made by a good company. If you get a Dell, gateway, HP, Compaq... then you are asking for trouble. Stick with either Sony (price is high and you might as well look into Macs), Asus, or Toshiba. I like Asus products a lot and have the Dark Knight router, Google Nexus 7 (made by Asus) and this Vivobook. The previous laptop was a budget Asus laptop that ran like butter until the screen crapped out (my fault since I treated it like a magazine tossing it around and placing things on it). Could have fixed it for less than $100 bucks, but it cost $450 and was almost 4 years old. The one above cost me $550 on sale and it works great (after updating the wireless card driver).

Thx!

 

[X]

Asus zenbook are good. nice sleek look to them, and not that pricey.

Thanks man, checking into them.

Get a mac if she's worth it and get the partition if you need to have that MS software if that's what it takes. If you have money to spend on a girl, do that shit.

Also, why in the hell does DPfan give you a thanks for your op? And what does it take for me to get green bars around here?

She's my wife...not a fling. I don't have money, "WE" have money -- so trying to make cost-effective decisions.

And, b/c DP is awesome. Make good posts, ppl thank said posts, green bars go up.

MacBook Air if you can get past the sticker shock. There are freeware programs like OpenOffice that will open MS Office stuff.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/OpenOffice

OpenOffice.org

Thanks man

 

[Omeletpants]

Apple products cost more, no doubt.

We have started buying refurbished which cuts a couple hundred off the price. I also signed up as a beta tester for their new OS releases and got 4 years on no charge support because of it. Plus Apple will often cover people if they are a bit out of the warranty on both the product and support side. Also, as I said they have the best customer service of any company I have ever dealt with. Plus they offer free courses at their store. And they have the Genius Bar" at their stores that can pretty much solve anything

I know it doesnt totally close the gap but in a world of comoditized products and find it yourself on the internet style support it's worth it to ME to pay extra for a fraction of the issues and time lost I would have dealing with Microsoft based products.

 

[X]

Apple products cost more, no doubt.

We have started buying refurbished which cuts a couple hundred off the price. I also signed up as a beta tester for their new OS releases and got 4 years on no charge support because of it. Plus Apple will often cover people if they are a bit out of the warranty on both the product and support side. Also, as I said they have the best customer service of any company I have ever dealt with. Plus they offer free courses at their store. And they have the Genius Bar" at their stores that can pretty much solve anything

I know it doesnt totally close the gap but in a world of comoditized products and find it yourself on the internet style support it's worth it to ME to pay extra for a fraction of the issues and time lost I would have dealing with Microsoft based products.

Yeah, I hear ya there. She doesn't do a lot on the computer...takes some master's courses and surfs pinterest/checks email. I feel like this can be done w/ some of the cheapest products available....but we'll own a mac one day. She's looking into getting an iPhone soon, which will expedite that process I'm sure.

 

[Omeletpants]

I remember getting started with a family and having no money so I understand the value of saving a few dollars. My daughter works so hard yet cant afford and iPhone so I get it.