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Thread: Buying a u$ed laptop

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    God/dess whirlerz's Avatar
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    Default Buying a u$ed laptop

    So my oldie Toshi 5+ yrs. is still going strong, bought it used @ one of those 'puter shows. However, my ex., a geek (in more ways than 1) was there to help me so I prob. wouldn't consider going back there to get one.
    I've been reading info about them online, & I don't need a whole lot of fancy-ass stuff. Just kinda the basics, & I'd like to go wireless some day. I don't care about screen size, I will prob. be taking online classes, & doing a business app. w/ Word Perf. 5.0, maybe some music & photos, again nothing too intense. I'm not really up on a lot of that stuff. Interestingly, this article I read said there are only 5 - 7 true laptop mfg., & most are basically made in the same warehouses. I do have a desktop system, - a monitor, but I am so
    limited for room. Maybe a used place would accept it a part of a trade-in?
    Ok, the techies here are prob. rollin' on the floor laughing, but there it is.


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    Featured Member aviendha's Avatar
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    Default Re: Buying a u$ed laptop

    The first thing you should consider is how much you'd like to spend. If you're not going to use the laptop for gaming or media-heavy applications, then you can go for a "business" or "light" model, which prioritize weight over screen size and graphics cards.

    I would highly recommend you get wireless. Nearly all laptops now have integrated wireless and even if yours doesn't, you can buy a wireless PCMIA card and use it that way. There are SO many places around town that you can go online for free, and it's just incredibly convenient, especially if you travel.

    If you're fine with having a more basic model, I would suggest an Intel Celeron or AMD Turion model. These tend to be less expensive because of the processor chip.

    Just for an example, there's a Compaq Presario AMD Turion 64 model with 1GB RAM, a double-layer DVD burner (which will burn both DVD+R and DVD-R, and also burn CDs), a 15.4" WXGA (good quality) screen, 80GB hard drive, built-in wireless and weighs only 6.6 pounds, for $600. (Currently on sale)

    http://www.bestbuy.com/site/olspage....=1166840116290

    If I were you, I'd start by reading about the features you want. You want more than one USB port because you may want to plug in, say, a mouse and a flash drive at the same time. You want a DVD burner because it's a great way to store projects and back up your data. You want a good quality screen because it'll be easier on your vision, especially if you plan to spend a lot of hours on it. You want a lot of hard drive space and at least 1GB of RAM so you can run multiple programs at once. I already mentioned why wireless is good.

    Then, go to sites like Amazon and epinions.com and read about the models you see that you like. Get an idea of whether those models are reliable and good quality. Then, narrow down your price range to what you're willing to spend, and look at several sites to compare prices. Go to stores and LOOK at the computers themselves, try out the keyboards, pick them up, see if you like them.

    You can get accessories like laptop bags for less on places like Ebay, so I would buy that last or once you know the laptop is on its way. I would also recommend getting at least a year of protection if you can spare the cash, just to be on the safe side. Most computers will come with a warranty but it doesn't hurt to add onto it a bit, especially if you travel or carry your laptop a lot.

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    Featured Member snoopy's Avatar
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    Default Re: Buying a u$ed laptop

    ebay's an option like av suggested. i'm posting from a sony tr3ap i got from ebay. it's light and tiny for biz travel. but ebay's only as good as the individual you're dealing with.

    tigerdirect.com or other similar outlets are good sources and you get some level of cust service. they often resell lease-ends from big corps that turn over laptops and computers like tuxedo rentals en masse. i just bought a sleek HP desktop for about $150 (with rebate). the companies are just looking to dump machines sometimes as they turn office inventory or close offices.

    of course, there's dell.com but i'm not too enamored with their machines, quality-wise. bleah.

    hp is ok now but i used hate theirs too.

    toshiba makes a very good machine (your geek ex and you made a good choice).

    sony's are top of the line but they also price them as such. d'oh.

    acer's a decent option. about the same as dell in quality.

    overseas, some of the componentry is often just from a handful of suppliers (i should know, some of them are family friends ) but quality will vary greatly because it's the whole of the machine that makes it good or bad rather than one or two parts (no matter what intel wants you to think). so i'd stay away from non-brands. hth

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    God/dess whirlerz's Avatar
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    Default Re: Buying a u$ed laptop

    Hey, THANKS so much! Wow. Lots of info.


    MANY MEN WANTED TO LAY ME DOWN, BUT FEW WANTED TO LIFT ME UP

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    Default Re: Buying a u$ed laptop

    I bought a used laptop more than two years ago for what I could now pay for a new, basic one. Try a new laptop instead.



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    Default Re: Buying a u$ed laptop

    Not to throw my hat into the ring too late here, but I'll keep it brief.

    On the used market, there are only two brands really worth considering in the big-named market.

    Toshiba and IBM. That's because these companies market to business orientated people only. Even toshiba's home model's design is dictated in their target market notes to be "For the business family". These models cost much new, but retain a forced systematic market value used. Maybe a little more but it's negligible.

    Dell inspiron 8100 series is probably THE best laptop series put out by dell. I bought a used one 4 years ago for 800.00, and it's STILL decent. Hell vista rc2 ran on it. And you can get them off ebay for 300.

    Sony is a no go, they carry one of the HIGHEST failure ratings in the industry and have a POLICY against replacement parts. Not to mention no one knows for sure which factory you're getting them out of. They are a NEW PURCHASE ONLY machine. I can take pictures of the piles of sony's in my storage that we scavenge for parts for other laptops cust they're such a cluster fuck of used parts.

    On that note, I can direct you to many companies that have NEW laptops that run 599 at cost and have a 3 year warranty on them. And regardless who you buy them through, they're made by MSI and the company that builds them for the reseller, spartan, honors the warranty direct to consumer so if the reseller falls off the face of the earth, you still have someone to call. Also their laptops are UPGRADEABLE processor and all. Look for them on ebay.
    People are not ruled by their memories.

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    Default Re: Buying a u$ed laptop

    Hey, Masty-wasty. I was actually hoping that you would give your opinion. I really don't wanna deal w/Ebay, especially w/a larger purchase item, like a 'puter, + shipping, etc. If you want to throw me the sellers names/companies that sell those laptops, great. Thanks, babes

    Hey, Sol. I think you're right. The prices are almost so close, +, not to mention you are getting a new product, it seems to be more practical to get a new one. I don't think I want to wait & to pay for for shipping, also. Thanks
    Last edited by whirlerz; 03-02-2007 at 08:25 AM. Reason: to add


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    Featured Member DJ Machismo's Avatar
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    Default Re: Buying a u$ed laptop

    And please stay away from Gateway. Never anything good that I've heard has come out of that company.

    Alienware will be much too expensive for you.

    All good advice so far from what I've seen, so nothing more for me to add that hasn't already been said.
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    Default Re: Buying a u$ed laptop

    I really my Averatec. I bought it at Sam's Club but I'm sure Costco has screaming deals too. For me, the selling point of buying it at Sam's is their liberal return policy.


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    Default Re: Buying a u$ed laptop

    Hmmm... I've had Gateway computers for years and never had a problem. BF buys a Dell that I use (laptop) and it's the shittiest waste of plastic I've ever encountered.

    Anyhow, if you plan on taking online classes, make sure you know the requirements needed for your computer. Some schools can be pretty strict on what software they want you to run.



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    Default Re: Buying a u$ed laptop

    Gateway made PHENOMENAL systems for years before they and rentway got busted with over 250mil in accounting "irregularities" then, they went to shit...Gateway made a great move buying e-machines and turning the known-for-cheap brand into a known-for-cheap-price brand with decent hardware.

    I love averatec, but they're just rebadged uniwills that uniwill makes especially for them since uniwill generally makes the CHEAPEST barebones on the market in quality. Averatec has great support and paid for sturdier designs.

    Dell has it's runs. In my opinion (personal) the inspiron 8100 is the only one of theirs worth considering, though many have stated the XPS series aren't bad. But their support is slipping, and they have had bad times since severing their exclusivity with intel. Now intel's not pushing em as much.

    Whirlz, I'm on the road right now, but I'll get with you on a couple of names soon, and traffic is moving now...
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    Default Re: Buying a u$ed laptop

    You mean you use a 'puter in [I]the car?[I]
    Where can I sell my used desktop system (it's - a monitor tho)
    What's Alienware


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    God/dess whirlerz's Avatar
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    Default Re: Buying a u$ed laptop

    Ok, I saw Alienware, they're linked w/Circuit City. Too high, sounds like they're for the gamers (not me). Speaking of CC, they have an Everex model, that's going for around $549.00 after rebates, what to you all think of that one? I think I'd kinda like to avoid Windows Vista, it sounds kinda sucky, & takes up more memory..


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    God/dess Bridgette's Avatar
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    Default Re: Buying a u$ed laptop

    I am in the market for a new laptop and I am avoiding anything that comes with Vista.

    This one looks good



    You could sell your desktop on craigslist. Take good pics and describe it thoroughly - components, etc. I have sold quite a bit of stuff on craigslist.

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    Default Re: Buying a u$ed laptop

    Toshiba and IBM. That's because these companies market to business orientated people only. Even toshiba's home model's design is dictated in their target market notes to be "For the business family". These models cost much new, but retain a forced systematic market value used. Maybe a little more but it's negligible.
    Agreed in full. I have an R40 ThinkPad that's four years old and runs better than the day I bought it (added memory and a 7200RPM HDD). I also have a brand new T60 which is the motherfucking bees knees in laptops. I cannot say enough good things about ThinkPads. And you can get an off-lease R50 ThinkPad on eBay with 6 months of IBM warranty for about $450. Bought a couple that way recently. The great thing about ThinkPads is that they travel so damn well--they're made for carrying and handling. Half the crap you see on the shelves at BestBuy will warp and twist inside of six months, leading to heat dissipation issues, keyboard problems, display problems, et al.

    Other than that, I'll just echo what Mast said and let you ponder this; there are only two companies in the world that actually design and build their own laptops--Toshiba and IBM/Lenovo. Everyone else contracts out to one of the five Taiwanese subcontract manufacturers, so like Mast said, you never know what the new lines will produce.

    I am in the market for a new laptop and I am avoiding anything that comes with Vista.

    ...snippage...

    I think I'd kinda like to avoid Windows Vista, it sounds kinda sucky, & takes up more memory..
    Don't fear the Vista, folks ;it's pretty damn sweet, and it doesn't take more memory, it just uses as much as you give it, for better performance (SuperFetch).
    Idealism is fine, but as it approaches reality, the costs become prohibitive.

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    Veteran Member T-10's Avatar
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    Default Re: Buying a u$ed laptop

    I got a used one awhile back and it didn't last long so I can't really recommend buying used based on my personal experience.

    Also I am using Vista now on a fairly new Dell and other than an I-Pod/I-tunes problem, which may or not be related to Vista, I like the new Windows program just fine.

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    Default Re: Buying a u$ed laptop

    Hey, CO! I was hoping to hear from you, too, thanks I'm glad to hear what you say about Vista, it seems you can't buy a new LT w/o it, period. What about the battery recall for Lenovo? I guess I'd have to ask in the store about it..
    I'll prob. be getting one in the next week or so, yay.

    Hey, thanks for that idea, Bridg.!
    Last edited by whirlerz; 03-03-2007 at 07:50 AM. Reason: to add


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