Good morning everyone. I have been considering buying a laptop for some time. I bought one years ago and took it back. Just felt awkward. I love my desktop but I need more space on my desk....so laptop it is. BUT I love a full keyboard. So I want a laptop that has the closest size to a full size desktop style keypad. The only thing I would use it for is internet and my kodak software.
So I ask the people who know more than I do about computers. Please help. I don't want to spend too much. Roughly would like to keep it under $500 if possible.
Help :-)

Watch the paper for a sale try to get a dell. I don't know why but they seem to be the best computer out there. My ex who's a computer weinnie highly recommends the dell.

I love my Sony Vaio.

The thing I never liked about laptop computers is the touch pad you use as a mouse. So when I got my new Dell laptop I also ordered a wireless mouse to use with it. I love it.

I got a refurbished Thinkpad on Ebay for $160, included shipping, it has been working great. There are a lot of good bargains on ebay, be sure you buy from someone who is in the business of selling re-furbished computers, not someone who is just selling their own personal one.


Some friends just had to replace their 3 year old HP laptop, it just died. Apparently they have a flaw that overheats the board. So brand new does not guarantee that you will have no problems.

Just checked ebay, the seller I got mine from has more of the same, now for $120!!

Link
http://cgi.ebay.com/IBM-Lenovo-Think...item3a630cd152

thanks...but that one doesn't look like it is compatible with my Mifi internet. And I have concerns about the 40 mb instead of the one I was looking at that has 3 GB. Ugh. I get so confused :-(

I bought a hybrid from Dell love it has the full keyboard and is only the size of a large book for the hard drive.

I have a Toshiba that I bought at Office Depot. It has a 17" screen and when you type the keyboard lights up. I love that because when I'm taking my embroidery software classes and they turn the lights out (for the projector screen) I can still see what I'm doing. It has a full keyboard. They do go on sale about every three weeks. They also have a MSI brand that is the same as the Toshiba that I bought, just doesn't have the light up keyboard.

I guess it depends what you use it for. I have 40GB like the one for sale, it is plenty. And I keep a LOT of photos on it. Not even half full yet. But I don't play online games or anything like that, I know they need a lot of space for that stuff.

I did a lot of learning when I was looking to buy this one. Here is some of what I learned.

The 40 GB is the size of the hard drive. This is storage. Now you can get one with 1000GB if you want to pay for it.

The 512 MB is RAM - Random access memory - determines how many programs you can have going at once.

The 1.8 GHz is the speed. Again, this is slow compared to top of the line today, but plenty good enough for my needs.

I feel really stupid.... I need to go to a store and have someone explain it to me and tell me what to buy. Problem with that is they always try to upsell to me. I guess I need to window shop for a while first. Sounds like a plan :-)

don't you have any teenagers around who can help you, lol?

I bought a Vaio yesterday :-) I have had many laptops over the years, both for work and personal use and, so far, the Vaio is my favorite by a long way. It was also a PCMAG.COM Editor's Choice, something DH liked because he said that meant it had no real issues. Many of the models I looked at had pretty poor user reviews.

Try to avoid any laptop with a Pentium processor if you do actually want to use it on your lap - they tend to run very hot and it can be tough to keep the electronics cool enough in that situation.

My local Office Max had some good clearance deals on HP laptops, but they didn't have the separate number pad on the side that I wanted.

Not yet, but I wish I did. They seem to know everything. But my close friends husband seems to know alot so I think I am going to pick his brain :-)

yah, I looked at some and I really want the seperate number pad too. I am just not sure on the specs and what size screen I should want? Right now I have a 13" and it seems fine but I don't want a tiny keypad.

oh, what about Acer?

DH said no to Acer - he feels that they cut more corners than other manufacturers.

If you have an Office Depot near you, try them to explain things. They were so helpful to us and didn't make us feels stupid for the questions we asked. (My husband and I are both computer illiterate) They don't work on commission and weren't pushy at all like the other store we went to first. Their computers aren't loaded with a bunch of things you don't need like the other stores were.

thanks, I will do that soon :-)

Many years ago, I was like you leary of laptops & the different keyboards as I have always been a typist. Trust me, you get used to the keyboard changes with each computer you buy. I love my laptop as it sits here on my lap & takes up so little space. Also, you can plug in the same keyboard you now use to a laptop if you want the bigger keyboard.

You can get a wireless keyboard. They work great. I have a Toshiba, daughter has Dell other has Hewlet Packard. Check with Office Depot they are helpful.

I bought an HP and it died a few weeks after the year warranty was up. BIG problems with it. Another friend also had simular problems with HP. Will NEVER buy another HP again.

Do you have any young people around who could help you?? My sons always help me with stuff like this. They know so much more than I do about it.
I have a Compaq that I love- it's bigger than my sister's Dell but it's old now- still running great.
My sis's Dell is real nice!

I have a HP that has a separate keypad which I like plus it has the larger screen. It also has 3 USB ports which is really great for me as I also use it for my embroidery software and transferring designs to the embroidery machine. The computer has 4GB of memory. I also have a wireless mouse so I do not have to use the pad on the computer if I don't want to. I purchased it at Staples. The laptop also gives you the option of using your computer anywhere in the house if you have wireless connection.

mltquilt

I just helped dd pick her out a new laptop. Here's what we looked for....AMD processor. We've had quite a few computers over the years and amd has given the best service. Next get as much memory as you can and as much hard drive space. We found her a Toshiba at BestBuy for $349 w/ 3g memory and 320g hard drive. She loves it. Lenovo is a good brand. I run linux on my computer and without fail HP is the hardest to configure and Lenovo is the best. Oh and she got a 15" screnn with the keypad on the side.

We always buy directly from the Dellsite. On blackfriday I bought us all the same laptops.
Dell 15.6 InspironR
Intel Core 13
windows 7
15.6 HD Led Screen
4GB Memory
500 GB Harddrive
Video card
webcam
8xCD/DVD Burner
On blackfriday they were $465.00 a piece,free shipping, now they are 549.00 .I run Firefox on all my computers and would highly recommend this Laptop.oops forgot ,full keyboard with numberpad

We recently bought a HP model# G60-530US at a staples store. It only cost $450.00. It comes with windows 7,it has plenty of hard drive and RAM, it ha a cd/dvd writer. The price was actually more like $550 maybe a little more. But they give you instant rebates of over $100. Plus they gave us an instant saving on a. HP All-In-One Wireless Printer/copy/scanner/fax. It was priced at $169.00 and they let us have it for only $49.00. There are slot of extras you get too like extended warranty. They give you a bokkllet with coupons for savings on mention stuff its too numerous to mention. You can take it back to them for a free cleaning and hardware. & software check, a software update. I think we got a really good deal. We absolutely love it too. We haven't had any trouble whatsoever with any aspect of it. I too was like yourself. I love my desktop and didn't wanna give it uo. I also wanted a full size keyboard. But I have changed my mine now!! I love my laptop so much that I have disassembled my desktop pc and all its attachments and gave it all away. I am from Indiana. I don't know if there's a staples store near you. Go in and check it out if not look them up online. I'm sure yiu ciuld order it also. But if possible seeing it with your own eyes first and trying it out will sell you on it. I did my homework before purchasing it. Comparing models & prices all over. Good Luck ! Staples might just be your Onestop Laptop Shop!!

I vote Dell too buy direct thou. Avoid buying at Best Buy at ALL cost. I have had the WORST customer expirences with them. My hubby likes to tease me as I refuse to step foot in thier stores or buy anything from them peroid it was that bad. And not just once mutiple times.

Good luck on your search.

I love my MacBook. If you have a university close to you they may have a surplus store and you can get some good deals there. They usually have one day a week that is open to the public.

Good news.....hubby said "yes, just don't spend too much but try to get exactly what you want."

Here are the 2 I have sort of narrowed it down to
this is I think my first choice... http://www.officemax.com/technology/...d3210154#blank
and this is my second choice I think... http://www.walmart.com/ip/Acer-AS7741Z-4633/15135726

any opinions ????

I haven't read all the responses, so bear with me if someone's mentioned this before.

Buy whatever laptop you like. Then buy a wireless keyboard and mouse. You can turn off the mousepad thing on the laptop and use your regular mouse and keyboard!!!! We do it all the time when we travel, because I hate the keyboards on the laptop, too!!!