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 - 38 answers

Which laptop computer for making music? It's PC vs Mac with the usual provisos... [more inside]
posted by Cantdosleepy on Nov 24, 2009 - 13 answers

I'm looking for recommendations on setting up a new laptop for my 92 year old grandfather. He is essentially a "first timer" to modern computers, having never used a computer with a modern operating system and internet access, so any ideas to make it simpler and safer for him are welcome. [more inside]
posted by XcentricOrbit on Nov 21, 2009 - 19 answers

Where can I see a Dell Adamo (not the new XPS, but the one that was released last year) in person, in the San Francisco Bay Area? Frys doesn't seem to carry it, and I don't know who else would. I'm considering buying one, and want to handle it and check out the keyboard, weight, etc., in person, before making a decision. Thanks for any help you can provide :-)
posted by Susan PG on Nov 20, 2009 - 2 answers

Looking for a good backpack for a 17" MacBook Pro [more inside]
posted by GJSchaller on Nov 19, 2009 - 16 answers

Mystery noises and BSOD on my newish Acer Aspire One netbook. Am I screwed? [more inside]
posted by tealsocks on Nov 18, 2009 - 2 answers

Is there any way to restore the glossy coating on a Macbook Pro screen? [more inside]
posted by bashos_frog on Nov 15, 2009 - 8 answers

Looking for an ideal 11.6" laptop/netbook for under $600. [more inside]
posted by ishotjr on Nov 12, 2009 - 13 answers

Help me find a laptop to match with my TV. More inside. [more inside]
posted by markblasco on Nov 12, 2009 - 11 answers

Will my developer laptop be able to handle the current crop of RPG games? Specs after the jump [more inside]
posted by askmehow on Nov 10, 2009 - 15 answers

Do I 'need' a gaming laptop to play MMOs? [more inside]
posted by Kurichina on Nov 9, 2009 - 9 answers

How badly have I fried my laptop? [more inside]
posted by Bobby Bittman on Nov 8, 2009 - 8 answers

US visiting UK, do I need an adapter or a converter for my laptop? [more inside]
posted by sepsis on Nov 8, 2009 - 12 answers

My Thinkpad's n key doesn't work most of the time (but does work sometimes if I hit it in the right spot/from the right angle and hold for a bit)...what troubleshooting/fixes can I try before I give in and replace the whole keyboard? [more inside]
posted by needs more cowbell on Nov 3, 2009 - 8 answers

Trackpad suddenly stopped working - any solutions? [more inside]
posted by IAmBroom on Oct 31, 2009 - 6 answers

Trying to fix a friend's Windows laptop, which is behaving strangely. [more inside]
posted by jbickers on Oct 31, 2009 - 14 answers

Is there good sites that provide ranking of computer processors performance? [more inside]
posted by idyllhands on Oct 30, 2009 - 17 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

My Inspiron 1545 thinks I'm pressing ctrl and I don't know why. [more inside]
posted by Pope Guilty on Oct 27, 2009 - 5 answers

What's the best Apple laptop for £500? [more inside]
posted by BadMiker on Oct 26, 2009 - 7 answers

My good friend just purchased a $3k Apple laptop, which she received today. I spent four hours this afternoon installing software and setting it up for her. Once we were all done, and ready to go out and celebrate good times, new laptops, and Friday nights, we high fived, and I shut the laptop gently...with the tiny, clear, flexible, plastic charger cap unknowingly inside. Now the screen is completely cracked, fractalled, damaged, and very sadly colorful. What can I do? [more inside]
posted by iamkimiam on Oct 24, 2009 - 29 answers

My younger brother was forced to check his laptop on an American Airlines flight out of Dallas/Fort Worth. You can probably see what's coming, but... [more inside]
posted by bokane on Oct 23, 2009 - 17 answers

Best setup for a Win 7 laptop as HTPC? [more inside]
posted by jcmilton on Oct 21, 2009 - 7 answers

Which Mac laptop should I buy? Needs and specs inside. [more inside]
posted by misha on Oct 20, 2009 - 19 answers

Help me build a laptop puppet [more inside]
posted by Doctor Suarez on Oct 20, 2009 - 2 answers

Gremlins have taken over my laptop and now I get extremely loud audio feedback. [more inside]
posted by Juicylicious on Oct 20, 2009 - 5 answers

I'm a gamer. I bought a mac. After going through a lot of hassles with Boot Camp, I've decided to switch back. I'll get around $1700 for returning the mac... My question is, would it be better to buy a laptop around this price or sell my desktop as well to up my budget? [more inside]
posted by anonymous on Oct 19, 2009 - 14 answers

Roadwarriors: What's the consensus on the necessity of a laptop surge protector when traveling? [more inside]
posted by Gordion Knott on Oct 19, 2009 - 13 answers

Someone stole my 2009 macbook pro. I doubt they can guess my password. Given that, how likely is it that they can access my hard drive's data (I didn't do anything special beyond the default to encrypt it or anything)? Can my Applecare plan transfer to a new laptop? Anything else I can do to help destroy the value of the computer? I don't need any advice about police reports, etc. - but Apple-specific advice welcome.
posted by shivohum on Oct 14, 2009 - 17 answers

Is this computer hot? [more inside]
posted by ChurchHatesTucker on Oct 10, 2009 - 12 answers

Any suggestions on an emergency boot tool that can see my hard drive? [more inside]
posted by Wong Fei-hung on Oct 8, 2009 - 7 answers

Is a Dell technician going to discover I've opened the computer before? [more inside]
posted by anonymous on Oct 5, 2009 - 13 answers

What are my chances of successfully replacing the hinge on a Thinkpad X60 Tablet? [more inside]
posted by em on Oct 4, 2009 - 9 answers

Help me buy a netbook, a low-end digital camera, and a bike. [more inside]
posted by LSK on Oct 3, 2009 - 16 answers

DHCP giving out IP address leases with pre-existing DNS entries for the wrong machine causing network chaos on a mixed windows & mac environment, and it's the macs who are having the problems. [more inside]
posted by jmd82 on Oct 2, 2009 - 11 answers

Laptop dock without the expense? [more inside]
posted by po822000 on Oct 1, 2009 - 5 answers

Laptop to HDTV with a VGA-to-SVideo adapter: Why doesn't it work? [more inside]
posted by qxntpqbbbqxl on Sep 29, 2009 - 12 answers

I'm thinking about replacing my defunct desktop with a laptop. The compactness and portability of laptops are a big plus. Just to be able to get rid of that tangle of cables under my desk seems benefit enough to make the change. I recently bought a Dell Vostro 1520 that I like. It strikes me that buying another Vostro 1520 would have at least the advantage of using compatible a.c. adapters for use in various parts of the house. I would appreciate hearing what the advantages and disadvantage of going with another laptop of the same make and model of the one I already own. One added note: I’m using XP Pro on my Vostro now. The new one would probably have Windows 7.
posted by NinaLee on Sep 26, 2009 - 10 answers

How can I make my laptop (Toshiba Satellite U305-S5097, running Vista 32-bit Home Premium) and its Audio Output Device (Realtek High Definition Audio Driver) play nicely together again? [more inside]
posted by paleography on Sep 21, 2009 - 3 answers

I'm donating a Mac laptop, and it's loaded with 10.6.0. I want to upgrade it to 10.6.1, but then still have the computer start up for them "virgin" (i.e. with the "welcome to macintosh" rigamarole and with no other accounts appearing). [NOTE: you may believe that's a silly thing to desire. Your disdain has been pre-registered, but I stupidly persist in hoping for this result]. Is there any way to update the OS and then completely erase my own footprints? [more inside]
posted by jimmyjimjim on Sep 20, 2009 - 9 answers

The hinge on my partner's new unibody MacBook Pro is just-loose-enough to make using it in bed annoying. Solutions, cases or a hack welcomed. [more inside]
posted by lonefrontranger on Sep 19, 2009 - 24 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

Laptop charger inlet slowly breaking. [more inside]
posted by ekpyrotic on Sep 11, 2009 - 11 answers

Best time to buy a MacBook Air between now and mid November? Are there any speed bumps or price reductions on the horizon? [more inside]
posted by mosk on Sep 10, 2009 - 15 answers

My four year old Mac PowerBook suddenly (after behaving perfectly for this long!) won't run any programs--won't even open up system preferences or terminal. Help! What should I do？ [more inside]
posted by soviet sleepover on Sep 8, 2009 - 10 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

I bought a MacBook Pro in June 2007. Since then, its needed a new hard disk drive, right cooling fan, and DVD read/write drive. Is this normal wear and tear? [more inside]
posted by uaudio on Aug 31, 2009 - 38 answers

How much will BitLocker eat my battery? [more inside]
posted by @homer on Aug 31, 2009 - 3 answers

About six months ago, I saw a cool device. You could plug your AT&T USB 3G "laptop connect" into it, and it would generate a local wi-fi hotspot (similar to the Verizon MiFi). I've since purchased the AT&T card, but I can't find the device anywhere. Was I imagining things? Does such a device exist? It'd be very, very useful. Thanks!
posted by mickmel on Aug 28, 2009 - 6 answers