Shopping for a laptop--ideas.

joeparaski

I need to purchase one of those small sized laptops (going on a trip) and would like to get the most bang for the buck. Primary use would be to surf the net, send messages to the family, and download pictures to it when the camera memory card is full.

I would appreciate any ideas as to a good reliable machine that I won't need to swear at.

Oh, as a thought...can these things be used as a gps?

Joe

Sherardp

I have a MSI U210 that is really good if your talking netbook. Some other good ones are from Gateway, Dell, and HP. Whatever you decide on look for one with at least 2gb of RAM. Not sure about the GPS, I just use mine for the same exact reasons you mentioned. Also the smaller form factor is much appreciated in these since I get tired of carrying around the 15 inch laptop.

mantis

13 inch macbook , perfect for your needs.

PerfectCreature

If budget is not a variable, get a macbook. They are amazing. If budget is however an issue. Gateways are usually tanks, I have a gateway laptop that I have had for 5 years and its still running strong, and as fast as ever.
Um. Dell is fine, Hp is good. Sony is good as well if you get certain models.
I'd go with a macbook though in the long run it will pay off.

Grimster74

Love my Sammy, they have like 5 other models to choose from as well but this is the one I purchased.

http://www.bestbuy.com/site/Samsung+-+Laptop+with+Intel%26%23174%3B+Core%26%23153%3B+i5+Processor+-+Red/Black/9728443.p?id=1218161511080&skuId=9728443

exalted512

How big (or small actually) are you wanting to go?

Like, netbook size (less than 12" and no cd/dvd rom) or just something less than 15" in general?

I know on my next laptop, I'm wanting to get something that has a bluray player, that way I can use my laptop as a bluray player for my bedroom and not have to buy an additional one. You'll just want to make sure they output at 1080 and not 720.

That might be a little out of your budget, but if you see a need for that now, or in the future, it could save you money later on.

Also, many laptops now include a space for a SD card to fit right into the laptop, so it might save you from having to bring a cable along if your camera has SD cards.

As far as GPS goes, I'm not aware of any laptops that are going to be 'best bang for your buck' that have GPS built in, but you can buy GPS that will plug in via USB.
http://accessories.us.dell.com/sna/productdetail.aspx?sku=A0961887&dgc=SS&cid=27530&lid=627063

They even make blue tooth ones so theres no wires anywhere, but at the expense that theyre battery operated...I'm not too familiar with those, but I would at least hope that you could recharge it by hooking it up to your computer via USB, but I'm not sure.

But let us know your budget and how big is too big, then we can help ya out better!
-Cody

exalted512

Grimster74 wrote: »

Love my Sammy, they have like 5 other models to choose from as well but this is the one I purchased.

http://www.bestbuy.com/site/Samsung+-+Laptop+with+Intel%26%23174%3B+Core%26%23153%3B+i5+Processor+-+Red/Black/9728443.p?id=1218161511080&skuId=9728443

I think thats rather large for what hes wanting, but here's another great samsung that I would think fits the bill:
http://www.bestbuy.com/site/Samsung+-+Laptop+with+Intel%26%23174;+Core%26%23153;+i3+Processor+-+Red/Black/9748289.p?id=1218166153790&skuId=9748289

Only 5lbs and is 1.2" thin.
-Cody

joeparaski

Good suggestions...I've been doing some research on this all morning. We're going on a Europe vacation (Italy to be specific) and need something in the 10" size and under $500. The Asus Eee PC 1000HE looks to be very interesting with good reviews. This site http://www.mightygps.com/notebookgps.htm seems to have these dongle gps receivers, so all I'd need to do is get the right software for it. There is an extra charge for a gps when renting a car over there, but if I'm going to get a notebook, it may as well have gps tracking on it. The search continues......


Joe

exalted512

There's a lot of netbooks that good reviews. I have an asus and a dell, both 9" screens.

The dell is much easier to type on, night and day difference really. So if at all possible, try and at least try out the keyboard on the models youre looking at.

Stay away from the SSD, they're going to be much too small for what you need.

Most of them now are coming with win7. I would upgrade the RAM to 2 GB. Its stupid easy on most of them. Take out 4 screws, take off a plate, unhook the tabs on the ram, lift it out, plug the new stuff in, hook the tabs back, put the plate back on, screw the plate down with the 4 screws. Having never done it before, its a 20 minute process at max.

Make sure you buy all the correct adapters for the EU. I'm guessing cars in Europe use the same cigarette lighter as the states? So you'll just have to buy the wall socket adapter.
-Cody

Sherardp

Lot of good reviews on the Asus, I chose the MSI for a slighly larger display and keyboard. As said previously 2gb of RAM should get things going a bit better. I also took the XP off and went with Windows 7. A neat little PC, especially when your just laying around, and surfing the web. I have also used it for firmware updates on the SC-07 and my projector with no problems.