I think it's about time for a new computer...

Captain Morgan · 11-09-2011, 09:46 AM

This laptop is on it's last leg. The screen no longer works and I have to have an external monitor, the battery no longer holds a charge so the laptop needs to stay plugged in all the time, and streaming videos almost always hang up, although the audio will play through all the way. I'd say I'm going to have to break open the wallet at some point and get something new.

Trying to hold off as long as I can, though. Just 2k shy of being out of debt (except the house) and just found out there is no funding for the tuition assistance program through work for 2012. This means that if I want to take the second half of classes that I already started this semester, I either have to pay 1700 + books out of pocket, or I have to wait and see if there will be funding in 2013. No way I'm waiting a year to take the 2nd half of these classes, so I guess I don't really have an option.

tommymac · 11-09-2011, 09:49 AM

black fridays around the corner, should be able to score a good deal then. Is it NEEDED for school?

OneSickPsycho · 11-09-2011, 10:25 AM

Netbooks will do everything 99% of users will ever need... and they're dirt fucking cheap... Even the baseline laptops are under $400, especially on Black Friday. Don't sweat it, odds are shit is not nearly as expensive as it was when you bought your shit...

LeeNetworX · 11-09-2011, 10:25 AM

Start checking Ben's Bargains daily for any good laptop deals. And as Tommy said, Black Friday is right around the corner...if you have the patience to deal with that kind of chaotic shit.

OneSickPsycho · 11-09-2011, 10:26 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by LeeNetworX

Start checking Ben's Bargains daily for any good laptop deals. And as Tommy said, Black Friday is right around the corner...if you have the patience to deal with that kind of chaotic shit.

There's always Cyber Monday too...

Archren · 11-09-2011, 10:44 AM

Are you eligible for the Pell Grant or anything like that? And often places give good student discounts.. I know Apple was doing something to that effect for the new school year, but I don't know if they still are.

LeeNetworX · 11-09-2011, 10:47 AM

Good point. I know Dell has student pricing as well. Lenovo, also - I believe.

pauldun170 · 11-09-2011, 10:50 AM

Prices are really good nowadays on computer stuff.
You really do get a lot for your dollar and there is no reason why anyone should have to pick a netbook class laptop as a primary computer.

A Dell 15r at $500 is a great buy.

I would look for laptops with "2nd Generation Intel® Core" (if you look at the naming convention on the chips

ix-xxxm -First generation (skip)
ix-xxxxm - Second Generation (also known as Sandy Bridge)

Another thing to look for are laptops equipped with "AMD Quad-Core A8-xxxxMX (or A6-xxxxMX)"
You can actually game on these. Not sure on pricing but you might be able to find one in the 5's

Rangerscott · 11-09-2011, 11:04 AM

Should have done it when you buy any windows 7 pc, you get a free xbox360.

If youre gonna get a netbook, make sure its a dual core. 1.6ghz single core doesnt cut it. I found a huge leap in perfirmance by replacing the cheap slow HDD thats in it with a better HDD and uprading the ram.

Trip · 11-09-2011, 08:37 PM

netbooks are slow, avoid avoid avoid

11-09-2011, 09:46 AM	#1
Captain Morgan Let's do another U-turn Join Date: Feb 2008 Location: Indiana Moto: 2009 V-Strom Posts: 3,816	I think it's about time for a new computer... This laptop is on it's last leg. The screen no longer works and I have to have an external monitor, the battery no longer holds a charge so the laptop needs to stay plugged in all the time, and streaming videos almost always hang up, although the audio will play through all the way. I'd say I'm going to have to break open the wallet at some point and get something new. Trying to hold off as long as I can, though. Just 2k shy of being out of debt (except the house) and just found out there is no funding for the tuition assistance program through work for 2012. This means that if I want to take the second half of classes that I already started this semester, I either have to pay 1700 + books out of pocket, or I have to wait and see if there will be funding in 2013. No way I'm waiting a year to take the 2nd half of these classes, so I guess I don't really have an option.

11-09-2011, 10:44 AM	#6
Archren Sham WOW Join Date: Mar 2008 Location: ATX Moto: 2007 Ducati 1098 Posts: 2,741	Are you eligible for the Pell Grant or anything like that? And often places give good student discounts.. I know Apple was doing something to that effect for the new school year, but I don't know if they still are. __________________ Photography "The Vincent was like a bullet that went straight; the Ducati is like the magic bullet that went sideways and hit JFK and the Governor of Texas at the same time. It was impossible." - Hunter S. Thompson, Song of the Sausage Creature "Be who you are and say what you feel because those who mind don't matter and those who matter don't mind." -Dr. Seuss

11-09-2011, 11:04 AM	#9
Rangerscott Viff6N Mutated Warrior Join Date: Mar 2009 Location: Texas Moto: '01 Honda VFR 800 & '09 ER-6N Posts: 8,704	Should have done it when you buy any windows 7 pc, you get a free xbox360. If youre gonna get a netbook, make sure its a dual core. 1.6ghz single core doesnt cut it. I found a huge leap in perfirmance by replacing the cheap slow HDD thats in it with a better HDD and uprading the ram. Last edited by Rangerscott; 11-09-2011 at 11:07 AM..

11-09-2011, 09:49 AM	#2
tommymac Moto GP Star Join Date: Nov 2008 Posts: 11,022	black fridays around the corner, should be able to score a good deal then. Is it NEEDED for school?

11-09-2011, 10:25 AM	#3
OneSickPsycho Ride Like an Asshole Join Date: Feb 2008 Moto: nothing... Posts: 11,254	Netbooks will do everything 99% of users will ever need... and they're dirt fucking cheap... Even the baseline laptops are under $400, especially on Black Friday. Don't sweat it, odds are shit is not nearly as expensive as it was when you bought your shit...

11-09-2011, 10:25 AM	#4
LeeNetworX SFL Expatriate #1 Join Date: Nov 2008 Location: ATL Burbs Moto: '09 Triumph Speed Triple Posts: 4,712	Start checking Ben's Bargains daily for any good laptop deals. And as Tommy said, Black Friday is right around the corner...if you have the patience to deal with that kind of chaotic shit.

11-09-2011, 10:47 AM	#7
LeeNetworX SFL Expatriate #1 Join Date: Nov 2008 Location: ATL Burbs Moto: '09 Triumph Speed Triple Posts: 4,712	Good point. I know Dell has student pricing as well. Lenovo, also - I believe.