topic Re: New Laptop Recommendations in Electronics

New Laptop Recommendations

Lyn08 — Sun, 04 May 2014 23:08:08 GMT

I am pretty sure I'll need to replace my current laptop, as I've had numerous problems that I cannot solve. I currently have a Dell Inspiron 1545 with Windows 7 64-bit, with Microsoft Office, which I purchased from QVC in 2010.

I know there is a Dell TSV today, but I'm not sure I should get another Dell. Do you have any other suggestions? Do you think the Dell TSV is worth getting? I'm also wondering if an Apple laptop would be better for me, since if I have problems, I can take it to an Apple store to get help.

I only plan to use my laptop for internet access, Microsoft Office, and playing videos. The only game I play is Solitaire.

Re: New Laptop Recommendations

LilacTree — Sun, 04 May 2014 23:12:00 GMT

I'd try a Lenovo.

Re: New Laptop Recommendations

chickenbutt — Sun, 04 May 2014 23:29:05 GMT

One of mine is a Lenovo and I like it very much. I've had it for almost 3 years with no problems.

I also like Sony VAIO. My most recent laptop purchase is a VAIO (a little over a year ago) and it is super nice.

I like Toshiba brand a lot too. I have three Toshibas and my husband has two. One had to go to the hospital almost two years in but, thank goodness for Square Trade, I got it back in perfect shape. That was a few years ago and it still works like a champ.

I used to like Dell but Dell and I got a divorce when they lied to me and skrewed me over. I'm NOT a fan of HP or Gateway. But that's just a personal preference thing based on experiences I've had in the past.

One thing, out of several, about the one QVC is selling today is that it has an AMD processor. I think they are charging too much, but then they usually are. They talk people into thinking they need a bunch of the extra junk and the otherwise-free and trial versions of stuff to justify the price.

I'd either go through a manufacturer website, a retailer (although I'd watch out for some of the ones built specifically for a certain store/company), or online.

I just got my husband's second Toshiba from the Toshiba website for a great price and they have six months interest deferred, so no interest paid, a much better price than QVC for more of what he wants/needs and not a lot of junk built in that has to be uninstalled and deleted. It did have Norton on it, but I got rid of that in a hot second.

Re: New Laptop Recommendations

radimage — Sun, 04 May 2014 23:50:19 GMT

Anything but Dell...

Dell has been struggling for years. It's all their fault they are so lame. The years of "Dude, you're getting a Dell!" are LONG over.

Asus, Msi, Toshiba are all much better choices, and you will get so much bang for your buck.

Shop around. Don't be a slave to Dell.

Re: New Laptop Recommendations

Lyn08 — Mon, 05 May 2014 00:14:14 GMT

Thanks for your recommendations. I'll check out the Lenova, Sony VAIO and Toshiba. Since I've had so many problems (now and in the past) with my Dell, it may be time to make a change.

I posted on another thread that I was having problems with audio buzzing every 30 seconds when I play a video (on-line or from a DVD), or play Solitaire. I have software support through iYogi. I've contacted them, and they ran scans to see if it could be a software issue. I also contacted my internet provider (Comcast), and everything is fine. My next step is to contact Square Trade (I have to do it through iYogi, as I purchased my hardware warranty through them).

I just don't know if I should just give up on my laptop and get another one.

Re: New Laptop Recommendations

ritasNo1Fan — Mon, 05 May 2014 00:36:30 GMT

I too really like Lenovo! They are coming out this month with a new very high resolution large tablet with a detachable keyboard! This is what I be been waiting for... I like smaller tablets but they are not easy to look at. Lenovo bought IBM awhile back and are trying to get into it against Samsung, etc.

Re: New Laptop Recommendations

GCR18 — Mon, 05 May 2014 00:44:39 GMT

I currently have a Dell, it's my second. I've also had an HP. No issues with any of them. Purchased all on the q. No regrets on any of them.

Re: New Laptop Recommendations

nagrom — Mon, 05 May 2014 00:52:47 GMT

I have an MSI brand and love it. Bought from tiger direct where you can see all kinds of computers and laptops with a plethora of ratings. It is a good place to read reviews on models of laptops and electronics. I am very pleased in my dealings with them. My laptop is going on 4 years old and never a problem. One of the things I was mindful about is the ventilation. A laptop can run hot if there is poor ventilation and cause problems. Some of the computers at tiger direct can cost thousands of $$$ and be top of the line that you would not see in many stores . Some are moderate price range. Good source for information at any rate.

Re: New Laptop Recommendations

songbird — Mon, 05 May 2014 01:07:44 GMT

Dell was in big trouble financially a while ago. Don't know if they recovered or not. Gateway (what a crummy computer...my first and last one from them) has all but disappeared. Anyone if they are still around? I have HPs. Just about all my computers have HP. Other then the Gateway disaster. My husband has a Toshiba laptop that he likes.

Re: New Laptop Recommendations

Meeras — Mon, 05 May 2014 04:45:42 GMT

Hp is best one for me..

Re: New Laptop Recommendations

Nuttmeg — Mon, 05 May 2014 08:11:59 GMT

On 5/4/2014 Lyn08 said:
Thanks for your recommendations. I'll check out the Lenova, Sony VAIO and Toshiba. Since I've had so many problems (now and in the past) with my Dell, it may be time to make a change.

I posted on another thread that I was having problems with audio buzzing every 30 seconds when I play a video (on-line or from a DVD), or play Solitaire. I have software support through iYogi. I've contacted them, and they ran scans to see if it could be a software issue. I also contacted my internet provider (Comcast), and everything is fine. My next step is to contact Square Trade (I have to do it through iYogi, as I purchased my hardware warranty through them).

I just don't know if I should just give up on my laptop and get another one.

I would not put anymore money into an older computer. I like the Blue Label Toshiba laptops from Best Buy. There are many reviews for these products online.

Re: New Laptop Recommendations

Lyn08 — Mon, 05 May 2014 20:41:37 GMT

I've been on the phone and on-line with iYogi support for several hours (Saturday, Sunday and today) with no resolution to the buzzing audio problem when I play videos and DVDs. iYogi tried to sell me an update to 8.1 for my current computer. I said my laptop was about 5 years old, and I'm not putting any more money into my computer to upgrade it, as I'll still have an old computer, and it's only 15" (I want a 17" laptop, as my eyesight isn't all that good).

I may just go ahead with the order for the Dell TSV 17" Windows 8.1, with Microsoft Word (I currently have it on check status so I could "sleep on it"), as it has lifetime McAfee anti-virus and lifetime PC support. I'll get it set up and try it for a month. Since I only have to pay the first payment on easy pay, if it doesn't work for me, I'll return it (no restocking fee).

I have a disability, so I really can't go around shopping at stores for laptops. I'll keep this computer going as an extra laptop. I've had to pay for anti-virus protection every year, and I also paid for one-year Square Trade hardware support for my current laptop. I'll add Square Trade to the Dell order (I can wait 30 days to do so, until I give the new laptop a fair trial).

Re: New Laptop Recommendations

glb613 — Tue, 06 May 2014 00:29:59 GMT

You don't need to be mobile to shop for a new computer. You can buy directly from the manufacturer, go to websites such at Best Buy, Staples, Walmart, etc. and order a computer to be delivered. The ONLY thing QVC has the others don't, no restocking fee.

Re: New Laptop Recommendations

oceantown — Tue, 06 May 2014 00:42:30 GMT

I really like our Toshiba laptop. You can buy directly from them. They usually have specials going on.

Re: New Laptop Recommendations

stevieb — Tue, 06 May 2014 19:08:40 GMT

As you can see, it's always a matter of individual preference, and mind doesn't include Dell or HP. Sony, Asus and Toshiba are brands I like.

Re: New Laptop Recommendations

Nuttmeg — Tue, 06 May 2014 19:23:22 GMT

On 5/6/2014 stevieb said:
As you can see, it's always a matter of individual preference, and mind doesn't include Dell or HP. Sony, Asus and Toshiba are brands I like.

The sum is no better than the parts.

Re: New Laptop Recommendations

chickenbutt — Tue, 06 May 2014 20:42:16 GMT

On 5/6/2014 stevieb said:
As you can see, it's always a matter of individual preference, and mind doesn't include Dell or HP. Sony, Asus and Toshiba are brands I like.

Same here. I'll go for quality every time. I've had both Dell and HP. I don't purchase either brand anymore. I have Sony and Toshiba - both make OUTSTANDING electronics. Sony is a little more expensive. You can do extremely well for your money with Toshiba. I've never had ASUS but I've never heard anything but excellent about this brand.

I guess the OP, despite all the advice to the contrary, was going to just buy the overpriced QVC computer anyway. Too bad. I got a whole lot more laptop for my husband last month at Toshiba, in a 17" because that's what he likes too, for less money. I didn't have to leave my couch and I got 6 months interest-free. I won't take that long to pay for it but it's nice to have.

QVC never has good prices for computers. They always convince people who don't shop around that all the stuff they junk it up with is worth the money they are charging. A lot of this is free anywhere or 30 day trial stuff.

I'm sure it will go unheeded but I'd also advise to get rid of the McAfee as the number one thing when receiving this computer. Replace it with something GOOD, which of course McAfee is NOT. There are plenty of really great choices out there and some of them are even free.

Re: New Laptop Recommendations

Lyn08 — Tue, 06 May 2014 20:50:09 GMT

chickenbutt (cute name!): I have not completed my order yet for the Dell. I have it in "check status" until I make up my mind.

I'm going to wait until later this afternoon when iYogi high-level technical support calls me back to see if they can do anything about the audio buzzing on my computer every 30 seconds or so (when I play a DVD, audio, or video).

Then I'll check out the other recommendation all of you have given me. I have a Dell now, and I've had lots of problems with this laptop from the minute I received it. In fact, the first Dell TSV I received in December 2009 kept giving me blue screens all the time. Finally, QVC let me return that laptop to Dell, and I was able to order another laptop from them (that I currently own). So, I'm not completely sold on a Dell laptop.

Maybe I missed this, but what laptop did you buy for your husband? Where did you buy it, did it come loaded with Office (or did you buy that separately), and what anti-virus did you purchase for it?

I am not at all computer savvy, so I appreciate all the help you can offer me.

Re: New Laptop Recommendations

RainyDayGal — Tue, 06 May 2014 21:06:37 GMT

I love my HP. Hubby loves his Toshiba. If you live close to Best Buy go ask them for help deciding. They don't work on commission and won't over-sell you something you just don't need.

Re: New Laptop Recommendations

glb613 — Tue, 06 May 2014 21:14:58 GMT

I've owned 3 HP notebook computers and all were great. That doesn't mean the a TSV doesn't have problems since it's a different model. Every computer company has lemons. Asking for people's opinion about what is a good brand or bad is almost worthless. The computer they had may have been a lemon but it doesn't mean every computer by that company is too. When buying a computer, read reviews about the specific model you want to buy. You can find them at a lot of reputable sites. You don't have to be computer savvy to understand what is being said.