Help me find my next laptop
November 16, 2011 3:24 PM   Subscribe

Please help me find the right laptop! My current laptop-- a standard-issue 2008 MacBook-- is on its last legs. I need to replace it with something that will meet both my personal and work requirements, and will hopefully last a long time.

The MacBook is on its last legs. The logic board was damaged in 2009 (spilled water). It remapped the keyboard in a weird way, which suddenly fixed itself recently, but now the output audio is failing and things are generally getting pretty creaky. I'm also out of disk space and many generations of OS behind. I know that a tech-ier person could probably fix these things, but I'm ready for a new machine.

For work, I need to be able to use the exchange server for Outlook and the office suite-- we run 2007 at the moment, but will probably upgrade to 2010 soon. I can get the software for free at work, just need to be able to run it.

Personally, I don't do much other than use iTunes, some minor photo-editing, and web surfing.

I really enjoy Apple products and have been a Mac user for a long time. I have an iPhone and an iPad, and I like how nicely everything plays together. But Macs are really expensive and I have the feeling that a PC could easily do everything I need it to at a lower price point. I just have no idea where to start in the PC world. I also wouldn't necessarily object to a desktop if it met all the criteria and had wireless capabilities.

What are some PCs that will make me happy? Price point under $900, if I'm going to spend more than that I'd just get another Mac (which I may do anyway if you guys don't convince me otherwise-- so pretty! so shiny!)
posted by charmcityblues to Technology (7 answers total) 1 user marked this as a favorite
 
If your used to Macs and own all Apple products and don't mind a desktop why not go with a Mac Mini? Starts at just $599, you just need to add a monitor, keyboard and mouse. With a $900 budget you should be able to get all that and still be under budget. If your just running iTunes, minor photo editing and web browsing it should work just fine.
posted by lilkeith07 at 4:17 PM on November 16, 2011


$600 dollars would indeed buy you a Mac Mini with a duel core i5 processor, 2 gig of RAM, a
500GB hard drive and an Intel HD Graphics 3000. It would also buy you a custom built PC with an I7 processor, 2 TB hard drive, a proper graphics card and 8 gig of RAM from any local computer shop. Twas ever thus.
posted by joannemullen at 4:39 PM on November 16, 2011 [1 favorite]


There are many variations on PC laptops, and many you can get for half of your maximum price, especially if you 1) don't need a computer for any heavy lifting [graphics, games, etc], and 2) you look out for sales items.

Check out weekly local deals online for local office supply stores (Staples, Office Max/Depot/whatnot) and big box stores (Best Buy, Kmart, Walmart), check the reviews, and buy a laptop for $100-$300 less than list price.

If you go this route, check the availability online when you can, as some places might not have the item you're looking for on the floor at that moment. Some places sell out on the first day the sale opens, even before the items are stocked on the floor. That was the case when I bought my wife's laptop recently.
posted by filthy light thief at 4:57 PM on November 16, 2011


If you're looking for a discount on a Macintosh, the Apple store online has refubished Macs which have a significant price discount. I have bought many refurbished Macs from this site, and they've all arrived looking as new.
posted by blob at 5:40 PM on November 16, 2011


IF your already in the mac eco system just get a mac. Their tech support is much better then pc tech support.

You can just get office 2011 for the mac . office 2011 has outlook
posted by majortom1981 at 6:47 AM on November 17, 2011


One of the things that people love about Macs is, obviously, the form factor. I think that some PC manufacturers are finally starting to catch on and make pretty laptops too. For instance, for instance here is a Lenovo for $750...that is thin, light, stylish, etc.

You, like me, are a light user and probably most any laptop made these days would work fine for you. I think you need to figure out what you are looking for like the size of screen (how big is your macbook's screen? do you like that size?), what do you want it to weigh? do you want a laptop that you can haul around easily? lighter than your macbook? similar? or do you not care at all, in which case you could get a desktop.

Someone else will come along in a minute and tell you to get a Mac -- and yes, they are great machines but I think for the average bear you can get something great for half as much in the PC world that will make you equally happy. [If you are into Lenovo (which gets a lot of love on MeFi be sure to check out Lenovo Outlet...also, peruse some of the many laptop threads already in Ask]. Happy shopping.
posted by fieldtrip at 7:50 PM on November 17, 2011


You mention that you will use the laptop for work, but not if your work would pay for it.
Most people who's work pays for a Mac jump at the chance.
I assume fewer people pay out-of-pocket for personal Macs.
Do this thought experiment: would a PC have given you the same service over the past few years? Take into account both durability and pleasure as factors.
posted by markhu at 1:46 PM on February 27, 2012


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