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

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

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

Seeking recommendations for durable and attractive laptop jackets (the kind that you leave on when the laptop is in use). [more inside]
posted by ishotjr on Aug 23, 2009 - 3 answers

New laptop choices - Fujitsu? Sony? Dell? HP? I know what I want in a notebook, but trying to figure out which maker will best meet my needs. I'm an English and Theatre teacher soon to move to Norway and I don't think my old laptop will last much longer. Looking for a Core 2 Duo and up, a 4-500 gig hard drive, Nividia or ATI graphics, a decent amount of RAM about a 16" screen. [more inside]
posted by aimeel on Jul 4, 2009 - 27 answers

Under $1000 laptop: I have my eye on a particular model; am I missing any others in my research? [more inside]
posted by wastelands on Apr 8, 2009 - 10 answers

I'm at my wits' end trying to find a suitable LCD monitor to use as a secondary screen for an oldish Toshiba laptop. [more inside]
posted by _dario on Mar 28, 2009 - 4 answers

Got a new Macbook, but not sure where to go from here... [more inside]
posted by nmaster64 on Mar 22, 2009 - 18 answers

I'm about to purchase an aftermarket Li-ion laptop battery on eBay. However, I'm quite confused about the differences in specs for mAh and number of battery cells. Which is more important and how are they related? [more inside]
posted by iamisaid on Feb 16, 2009 - 7 answers

Cheap, lightweight(ish) PC laptop with an optical drive? Or should I just spring for a MacBook? [more inside]
posted by lunasol on Jan 6, 2009 - 14 answers

Is there a good $50-ish laptop/notebook lock out there that *can't* be opened by a toilet paper tube, ballpoint pen, penny, or other common item? [more inside]
posted by Ky on Jan 2, 2009 - 12 answers

Should I buy a new laptop battery or a new laptop? [more inside]
posted by bluefly on Nov 15, 2008 - 15 answers

Can I damage my laptop by using a power adapter that has a slightly higher wattage than the original adapter? The original adapter was 65W, and the aftermarket one is 70W. The voltage is switchable. My original adapter had a voltage of 18.5V, this one says that if I need 18.5V, I should choose 18V. Any chance of damaging the computer by using this one? [more inside]
posted by leticia on Nov 13, 2008 - 8 answers

I find myself unexpectedly in the market for a new laptop, and I'm considering switching to a Mac. I know the new MacBooks can finally do a proper right-click, but can they also do a middle-click without some awkward key combo? On my current laptop I just tap in one corner of the trackpad to middle click, and I can't imagine browsing the web without middle clicking. [more inside]
posted by stopgap on Nov 11, 2008 - 13 answers

LongshotFilter: Does anyone know if any 15.4" WSXGA+ panels with LED backlights are coming to market soon? [more inside]
posted by knave on Oct 24, 2008 - 3 answers

Laptop Battel! Help me decide which manufacturer deserves my hard-earned money. I've narrowed it down to Dell vs. Toshiba vs. Lenovo. Also, RAM: 2gb or 3? [more inside]
posted by gnutron on Oct 22, 2008 - 26 answers

mac purchase advice: I'd like to pick up a used mac laptop on ebay for under $400. What specs or models should I look for that will give me the least buyers regret? [more inside]
posted by jak68 on Oct 1, 2008 - 14 answers

Cheap gaming laptop recommendations [more inside]
posted by Kudos on Sep 22, 2008 - 6 answers

How can I get a suntan on my back and use my laptop at the same time comfortably? I guess I'm looking for some contraption that lets me comfortably lie on my stomach while having my arms and neck free to type and view. Also interested in indoor options which allow laptop use lying face down. Comfort enabling options for other postures also welcome.
posted by zaebiz on Sep 10, 2008 - 8 answers

Best keyboard skin for Macbook Air? Best shell case (not for carrying)? [more inside]
posted by jeffmacintyre on Aug 19, 2008 - 1 answer

Can you recommend powerful, yet light notebook computer for my injured mother? [more inside]
posted by Newbornstranger on Aug 10, 2008 - 8 answers

First-time laptop buyer: What accessories do I need? [more inside]
posted by donajo on Jul 10, 2008 - 22 answers

Which brands/models of used laptops should I be looking at if I want (A) something that won't easily break, and (B) to avoid proprietary parts and chipsets? [more inside]
posted by mr. creosote on May 27, 2008 - 21 answers

My Macbook Pro was stolen. Just about the only non-shitty thing about it is that I keep my huge iTunes library on an external drive. All the music files are on the drive, but the data files (library.xml) were on the stolen Mac. I have another Macbook. What's the simplest way I can rebuild my library on it? [more inside]
posted by grumblebee on May 8, 2008 - 13 answers

Alternative to T61p? I'm looking for a laptop that is highly reliable, has a good graphics card and lots of storage. [more inside]
posted by Popcorn on Apr 26, 2008 - 19 answers

Weird laptop display problem: A second after starting it up, the screen gets very, very dark. [more inside]
posted by sotalia on Apr 10, 2008 - 12 answers

Additional power source/ adapter for a Dell Vostro 1500? [more inside]
posted by caveat empress on Mar 1, 2008 - 2 answers

I am looking to buy my first ever laptop. What I would like to know are the following oddities that I haven't gotten much info on yet: 1) Is there typically a time of year when companies all roll out there new systems? And I might be able to take advantage of sales on new systems, or on year old systems? 2) It doesn't seem like Bluetooth is available on very many midrange systems based on my initial scans, do I really need Bluetooth or just want it (for cell phone interaction now, other components in the future perhaps). 3) Are Intel processors really that much better than AMD, or is the extra money to spend on them not the best value? 4) If all I am concerned about is speed, does Vista really slow a new system down a whole lot to be concerned? [more inside]
posted by franklen on Feb 24, 2008 - 23 answers

Trying to install a new optical drive in an old laptop. Windows recognises it, but the BIOS does not! [more inside]
posted by edbyford on Feb 9, 2008 - 8 answers

Idealogical-consumer-filter: Are there any Apple Macbook/Macbook Pros that are not manufactured in China? And if not, what was the last generation of Mac notebooks that had some non-China assembled versions?
posted by jytsai on Feb 8, 2008 - 5 answers

What laptop should I buy for $2K? What should it come with? [more inside]
posted by barrakuda on Jan 23, 2008 - 35 answers

I have a Dell 8600 laptop on which it seems that the power switch has slowly died. Is there any way to save him? [more inside]
posted by merocet on Jan 10, 2008 - 3 answers

My (secondhand) Sony Vaio PCG-V505DC2 laptop's PC Card slot isn't recognizing any cards put in it (I've tried three, all of which I know work). I know it's not a driver problem because all of the cards worked until recently, when they started working only intermittently before stopping working at all. Can this be fixed in any kind of cost-effective way, preferably by myself? [more inside]
posted by likedoomsday on Nov 25, 2007 - 7 answers

Will using superglue or gorilla glue to glue together the LCD screen case on a laptop computer work? [more inside]
posted by cog_nate on Oct 31, 2007 - 8 answers

WANTED : Laptop for a gorilla. [more inside]
posted by zaebiz on Oct 24, 2007 - 12 answers

Is there a doodad that I can hook onto my laptop that will allow me to close it partially, but not let it close all the way? Said gadget should be easily-takeable-offable, too. [more inside]
posted by Addlepated on Oct 20, 2007 - 8 answers

Recommmend me a mouse for my laptop that's good for gaming and of sturdy construction. [more inside]
posted by CitrusFreak12 on Oct 14, 2007 - 2 answers

Is it possible to buy a new laptop for around $500 with Windows XP? [more inside]
posted by nzero on Sep 30, 2007 - 6 answers

I've worked as a technology consultant and technician for nearly 17 years and in all that time, I have never been so upset by a technology purchase. About 40 days ago, I purchased a Lenovo X61t (tablet) laptop. One problem appeared immediately out of the box, the other two have developed: 1. Will not enter sleep mode. (Out of the box) 2. Dead pixel in the center of the screen. (developed) 3. Bezel is coming unglued from the screen. (developing) I would gladly have them repair it, but they've stated to me that they will not do it because they aren't sure whether the bezel issue is a defect or not, the sleep issue could be Vista related, and they allow for a minimum of eight dead pixels. Am I screwed? Do I have any means to ratchet up the pressure. Texas doesn't seem to have any lemon laws that would help me here and while I've heard of attempting to contact higher-ups or even small claims court, I am not sure how to do such things. Any advice?
posted by tcv on Sep 8, 2007 - 10 answers

My Dell Inspiron 9300 seems to have a dead motherboard; would it be worth getting it replaced or do I have a shiny new doorstop? [more inside]
posted by zeph on Aug 30, 2007 - 10 answers

Are front headphone jacks on a laptop computer a real pain? [more inside]
posted by Overzealous on Jul 31, 2007 - 15 answers

How can I change permissions so that i can run an underclocking program for my notebook under a guest account? I've looked in the control panel under administrator tools and tried changing some registry key permissions. [more inside]
posted by EvilKenji on Jun 18, 2007 - 2 answers

Is there a way to hook up and display an Xbox 360 on a new laptop screen via, well, anything? [more inside]
posted by Apo11o on Jun 15, 2007 - 7 answers

Where Do You Keep Your Laptop When Using at Home With External Monitor and Keyboard? [more inside]
posted by jimmyjimjim on Jun 11, 2007 - 12 answers

Help me figure out why my laptop screen is flickering (madly). [more inside]
posted by n_s_1 on Jun 3, 2007 - 9 answers

Am I killing my laptop by holding it sideways (like a book)? [more inside]
posted by Rock Steady on May 25, 2007 - 12 answers

Laptop screen quality questions: [more inside]
posted by archagon on May 7, 2007 - 10 answers

My wife wants a pink laptop. Not just a pink laptop, but a really lightweight pink laptop (preferably 3-4 lbs or less). I've gone crazy googling for it and there doesn't seem to be such a beast. I seem to remember seeing pink Sony Vaios at the local Sony store (I could've sworn it was the TX series) but the only color for TX's on the Sony site is Sienna. Close but not quite. The Sony C series has a pink model, but it's on the heavier side. It doesn't have to be super-fast or anything, just fast enough for Outlook, web browsing, etc. Does such a computer exist currently?
posted by edjusted on Apr 30, 2007 - 27 answers

Am I going to regret getting a 12"-screen ultraportable laptop? [more inside]
posted by mendel on Apr 8, 2007 - 49 answers

The battery in my IBM/Lenovo Thinkpad Z60t went out of warranty 4/29/07. When I woke up today, the machine says "Irreparable damage to the battery has been detected. Replace the battery with a new one." Is it really damaged? Could it be a broken sensor? Some kind of software glitch? Is this typical? Is there a better alternative to the $159 replacement?
posted by fourstar on Apr 1, 2007 - 15 answers