I've been a happy Pc-er for the last couple years. That is, until a few months ago when my AVG failed me and my pavilion got all virused up... Twice. Ultimately I had to d-ban the poor thing. Since I was only 'mostly sure' I still had the original operating system disks, I have since been using my mom's mac. While I've been slowly getting used to the system (on a casual basis, no work yet, just internet) I still miss the windows format. My old tower is past it's prime, even with a new system. I'm about to become a student in English and am highly discouraged by previous Windows failings. Should I release the ghost and go with the more 'secure' mac? Or stick with my roots? I would like some advice on my next computer purchase. I'm looking for a laptop that can handle a students workload for the next... lets face it, many years, with minimal extras. The only thing it needs, is to be fast. I break things that go slow. I'm not looking to game (much) or download + store music (at all), I just need to research crap at high speed. All suggestions are greatly appreciated. Cheers!
posted by Miss Mitz on Nov 24, 2009 - 39 answers

Looking for the perfect laptop for traveling. Priorities are durability, lightness, and battery life, in that order. Performance is not too important, but it must run Windows 7 like a champ. Willing to consider netbooks. [more inside]
posted by Afroblanco on Oct 29, 2009 - 19 answers

Asus EEE 1000h laptop, daughter spilled water over it. Won't turn on anymore. Help! [more inside]
posted by micketymoc on Sep 18, 2009 - 12 answers

I'm looking for affordable multimeter/scope software and USB compatible test probes for my Vista based laptop. [more inside]
posted by Jon-o on Sep 7, 2009 - 5 answers

I think it's time to replace my laptop and although I love using it, I’ve never known much about specifications. I’ve read the other computer buying threads, but I’m hoping you’ll help this special snowflake out and point me towards a good machine, be it off-the-shelf or a custom build. [more inside]
posted by Thin Lizzy on Sep 5, 2009 - 13 answers

Which one of the multitude of Linux distros should someone who's never used Linux before give a go? [more inside]
posted by n3rt on Aug 18, 2009 - 34 answers

I'd like to purchase a cheap (~$400-$500) laptop with certain requirements. The more I look, the more confused I get. Please help me. [more inside]
posted by billysumday on Jun 25, 2009 - 27 answers

Please help me find the best laptops for our teens! Specifics inside. [more inside]
posted by misha on Jun 16, 2009 - 16 answers

Can anyone suggest a remedy for a slowed up wireless connection? [more inside]
posted by tangyraspberry on May 8, 2009 - 8 answers

I have about a quarter of an inch of a headphone jack snapped off inside my laptop due to a manic dachshund. Can you recommend a tool I can use to get it out? I've tried very small tweezers but I can't get in there. I attempted to open it up but stopped when I got to the point I didn't know what I was doing.
posted by zzazazz on Apr 11, 2009 - 36 answers

Is there a way to selectively disable the CD/DVD drive in my computer? [more inside]
posted by brandman on Feb 22, 2009 - 8 answers

What New Laptop should I buy? [more inside]
posted by fogonlittlecatfeet on Dec 20, 2008 - 25 answers

What sort of specs should I look for for my new (sub-$600) PC laptop? [more inside]
posted by Caz721 on Dec 19, 2008 - 6 answers

How do I set up my arrow keys to cycle forward/backward in firefox? [more inside]
posted by Juicylicious on Oct 17, 2008 - 8 answers

Could I use an Eee 1000 as my only PC? [more inside]
posted by matthewr on Sep 20, 2008 - 6 answers

Can a Dell Inspiron 1525 laptop with High Definition Audio 2.0 sound card perform 16-bit recording, which is supposed to be required for Dragon Naturally Speaking? [more inside]
posted by eebs on Sep 16, 2008 - 3 answers

When and where should I buy a laptop (also: what kind?!)? [more inside]
posted by mustcatchmooseandsquirrel on Sep 11, 2008 - 16 answers

Syncing between laptops: How can I easily and automatically sync files and documents between two laptops using Bluetooth? Ideally I want to load up one machine in the vicinity of the other and have all my recent data (documents/data/RSS feeds etc.) syncronised with NO hassle. Any good apps out there? [more inside]
posted by 0bvious on Jul 9, 2008 - 8 answers

What's my best option for finding a cheap-as-dirt computer in the Dallas area? [more inside]
posted by Item on May 22, 2008 - 11 answers

[laptopquestionoftheday filter] $750 to buy (my first laptop + shipping) with my boyfriend's paypal or bank account. Your thoughts? [more inside]
posted by damnjezebel on Apr 29, 2008 - 10 answers

Should I reinstall XP to speed up my laptop? [more inside]
posted by Kiwi on Apr 22, 2008 - 9 answers

2 used laptops: what to do with them? One will be new to me (from my wonderful girlfriend), one will be new to my grandma (from me) [more inside]
posted by whiskey point on Apr 8, 2008 - 14 answers

PC laptop diagnostics and repair in L.A.: Recommendations, please. [more inside]
posted by mykescipark on Jan 24, 2008 - 3 answers

Do I want an Asus Eee PC? [more inside]
posted by dersins on Jan 21, 2008 - 22 answers

which is the best laptop if you're working with graphics ? [more inside]
posted by sgt.serenity on Jan 11, 2008 - 21 answers

Another what-kind-of-laptop-should-I-get question. [more inside]
posted by greta simone on Aug 26, 2007 - 16 answers

Can Vista Laptops Have the equivalent of both Windows XP Tablet edition and Media Center Edition on one system without having to boot into separate partitions? [more inside]
posted by Apo11o on Feb 28, 2007 - 4 answers

Ack! New long term contract position requires me to have a PC laptop! [more inside]
posted by Chuck Cheeze on Feb 15, 2007 - 15 answers

PC laptop wireless issues: Can’t connect to my secure in-house wireless network. Any smart people able to help? [more inside]
posted by Milkman Dan on Jan 21, 2007 - 13 answers

This will be my first tablet. Does anyone have any expirience with these Tablets? [more inside]
posted by EasyLover on Dec 9, 2006 - 12 answers

What can I do to make a VGA input on an LCD monitor work? [more inside]
posted by gregb1007 on Dec 3, 2006 - 7 answers

Help me identify a hardware problem with my laptop. [more inside]
posted by Pontius Pilate on Nov 14, 2006 - 4 answers

I'm a PC user, but I'm itching to switch over to a Mac, esp. now that I can run Parallels. I need help deciding on the MacBook versus the MacBook Pro. [more inside]
posted by jpep on Sep 8, 2006 - 28 answers

Looking for simple, cute, 2-d and mostly long-lasting and chick looking ways to decorate my laptop. There's [more inside]
posted by Glitter Ninja on Jul 2, 2006 - 11 answers

My brother is going away to college this upcoming fall, and for a high school graduation present, my mom is getting him a laptop to take with him. He is interested in trying a Mac. We are both life-long PC users. I am the most technologically-inclined in my family. My brother knows the basics and has no trouble with them, but anything more is my job. [more inside]
posted by willmillar on May 10, 2006 - 37 answers

Ever heard of the Acer TM4674WLMi laptop? [more inside]
posted by badlydubbedboy on May 9, 2006 - 6 answers

What programs have you found that helped you improve productivity working with a Tablet PC? Primarily, what programs are best for entering text when in tablet mode? [more inside]
posted by JeNeSaisQuoi on Apr 6, 2006 - 5 answers

Is there a simple solution for keeping everything the same on my home PC and my laptop? I don't have the time at this point to mess with learning how to network the two. [more inside]
posted by RoseovSharon on Mar 1, 2006 - 13 answers

Linux for a web designer! Need advice of what versions to use. [more inside]
posted by spinko on Feb 21, 2006 - 12 answers

Can you advise me on getting a laptop? Mac or PC? [more inside]
posted by ClanvidHorse on Oct 16, 2005 - 33 answers

Help me select a laptop. (Be gentle, its my first time...) [more inside]
posted by anastasiav on Oct 11, 2005 - 41 answers

Mac Vs. PC I am in the market for a new Laptop and am an avid PC user. What are some pro's and con's of making the switch to a Mac? [more inside]
posted by retro88 on Jul 7, 2005 - 28 answers

Looking to pick up a new laptop. Where is the best place online to find reviews of laptops to compare specs, pricing etc.? Looking for a PC OS, not an Apple one.
posted by derekislost on May 16, 2005 - 6 answers

Laptop Clean XP Install:
1] My (on board?) sound card is unrecognised. How do I find out what drivers to use?

2] What programs do you really think I need? I already have VNC, VLC, Firefox, Thunderbird and AVG installed. What else should I add? (Freeware/OS appriciated but not needed.) [more inside]
posted by twine42 on Dec 16, 2004 - 8 answers

One of the things I like most about my iBook is that the wireless adapter is internal and doesn't protrude from the system. Does anyone know of a PCMCIA 802.11b (or g) WiFi adapter for a PC laptop that doesn't protrude beyond the PC card slot?
posted by mrbill on Dec 12, 2004 - 11 answers

Uses for an unstable PC? A department manager purchased a laptop, I won't say what brand, about a year and a half ago. It's had new RAM and two new hard drives. The power socket is coming off the motherboard. It wasn't cheap and is more powerful than some of the other laptops currently in use. However, you can't be sure it's going to start up on any given morning. We would normally add old laptops to a pool of portable equipment used by our 70+ lecturing staff, but they have enough problems with working equipment. There are several interesting hobbyist projects I could pursue (a digital picture frame springs to mind), but I'd like to at least attempt some sort of work-related deployment when he breaks down and buys a new laptop. Any ideas?
posted by krisjohn on Oct 27, 2004 - 7 answers