My son, in Israel, will soon begin graduate school while also keeping his job. He will need a fairly light laptop, 17 inch screen, for school and home use, but we want to buy it here, where it is a lot less expensive, and he does not want to spend a lot and so has asked that we not get a Mac (Air) or any Mac. What PC laptop is likely to be both fairly lightweight and also a decent computer that will be relatively trouble free and a decent machine?
posted by Postroad
on Apr 15, 2013 -
9 answers
I have a six year old hp pavillion laptop. It is slow and often infuriating. However, I don't use it for anything too demanding so I figure there are better things I could spend my money on than a shiny new computer. Help me figure out how to make my computer spend it's energy doing what I need it to do and nothing more.
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posted by geegollygosh
on Feb 6, 2013 -
25 answers
Is anyone still manufacturing high-end laptops with 1920x1200 (not 1920x1080) screens? I'm looking for a luggable/7.5 to 8 pound size, 17" screen laptop, Ivy Bridge based Core i7 CPU with a serious dedicated GPU and 1920x1200 screen. Everything I can find uses 1920x1080. Battery life is not a concern, this would be used in a role like an occasionally relocated, folding desktop PC.
posted by thewalrus
on Jan 25, 2013 -
7 answers
What PC laptops today have high pixel density (similar to Apple's retina displays) IPS or PLS displays?
posted by jsturgill
on Jan 4, 2013 -
7 answers
My MacBook's touchpad went wrong this morning. Everything I do is suddenly like fighting with a ghost. Mac forums are useless.
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posted by Navelgazer
on Sep 6, 2012 -
16 answers
What to do with old laptops? I have one 13 year old Dell Latitude, doesn't turn on, probably useless (?) and a 4 or 5 year old Inspiron1505, still works okay, should have utility for someone. I'd like to know how to best dispose of the old one, and best securely wipe/possibly donate the more recent one. Are these appropriate/feasible goals? I have a ceramic drill bit if drilling through hard drives is required, and I live in a city, so I expect I'd have a range of options if things need to be done.
Thanks in advance for your help! Any and all replies are appreciated.
posted by pineapple carver
on Aug 13, 2012 -
8 answers
Where can I view and compare the expected resale value of different laptops?
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posted by devnull
on May 25, 2012 -
6 answers
Can I use a desktop PC connected to a projector as a hub for laptops to present their screens on demand?
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posted by man down under
on Apr 25, 2012 -
8 answers
What laptop do I need for photo and video editing (and playing Minecraft at a higher framerate)?
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posted by msbrauer
on Feb 29, 2012 -
12 answers
Any Mac gurus out there ready to predict when we can expect a MacBook Pro with a solid state drive, like the Air, as a standard feature?
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posted by Hobbacocka
on Feb 14, 2012 -
20 answers
I bought a Dell Inspiron 1420 in 2007. It is too slow now and has too little memory. And I fear it will start to have hardware issues soon. I want to replace it, but I want the same features I had before, in particular the really solid feel (this thing is all metal, I haven't seen anything like it in stores) that seems to have been abandoned today in favor of lightness.
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posted by laskagirl
on Jan 21, 2012 -
9 answers
How can I be sure that I didn't get ripped off with a replacement laptop battery with regards to number of cells, voltages and mAh ratings?
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posted by daHIFI
on Oct 12, 2011 -
10 answers
I need to buy a new PC laptop and have no clue where to start. My criteria: Good hardware, sleek design, good speakers, AWESOME customer service, NOT a macbook, under $900.
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posted by windbox
on Aug 14, 2011 -
20 answers
I have a Dell Vostro 1500 that has good build quality and I have loved it for the past 4 years. However, the sound amp has gone out and I'm needing a new keyboard, plus it's still running XP so I thought I'd check out new laptops. ALL Dell laptops now come with "truelife" (glossy) displays and I can no longer get a matte display like I have on my Vostro. So.....is it worth it to try to get mine locally refurbed or should I bite the bullet and get a new laptop? I have no idea what a rehab would cost versus a new laptop. More than anything, I just love the way my current laptop "feels." (You know?) FYI, I have an iPad and it does most everything I need to do anymore, but still need a laptop with Windows for work-related things. Thoughts?
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posted by Gerard Sorme
on May 28, 2011 -
5 answers
I'm looking into the decline of desktop computer sales and would like the latest percentage figures vs laptops and if possible mobile devices like the iPad.
posted by nam3d
on Feb 21, 2011 -
4 answers
Should I buy this higher-end gaming laptop now, or are there alternatives/developments around the corner I don't know about and/or should wait for?
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posted by poweredbybeard
on Nov 5, 2010 -
5 answers
Help me find a new non-Mac 15" Windows 7 laptop. What manufacturer should I go with? Details inside.
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posted by decrescendo
on Aug 29, 2010 -
16 answers
Internet Problem where I can't access most websites. Please help because I am pulling my hair out. (Do I have a virus?)
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posted by bluelight
on Aug 3, 2010 -
10 answers
I want a laptop / notebook computer with very small pixels. How do I better articulate this, and more to the point, search for it?
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posted by rkent
on Jul 29, 2010 -
10 answers
What laptop manufacturers are the best when it comes to build quality and which should be avoided?
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posted by nam3d
on Feb 5, 2010 -
46 answers
What is the best online deal for a laptop in the range of $300 to $500? This seems to change month-to-month, so I have not relied on earlier posts.
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posted by kensington314
on Oct 28, 2009 -
7 answers
Is there some sort of adapter, like a small prism that I could clip on my laptop's built-in webcam so that I can record video behind the laptop (in front of me) of what I am looking at?
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posted by It's Austin, TX!
on Jun 2, 2009 -
9 answers
Is my girlfriend's new Dell laptop possessed by some sort of demonic entity?
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posted by kbanas
on Mar 16, 2009 -
31 answers
I get to spec out a new laptop for my new job. I've never had to do that before so I need advice on what manufacturer/model I should be looking at. Requirements inside.
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posted by spicynuts
on Nov 18, 2008 -
14 answers
Quicktime/Web Audio Problems. Some quicktime video I produced is having volume issues--but only on certain computers with small speakers. What gives?
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posted by pinto
on Nov 18, 2008 -
2 answers
I have two G4 PowerBooks that I've wiped, packed with RAM and installed Leopard on. Now how do I make them as parent-friendly as possible?
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posted by killjoy
on Oct 18, 2008 -
13 answers
My laptop bag is a rat's nest of headphones, power cables, USB cables and ethernet cables. I don't have 10 minutes to spend every morning and night wrapping each cable into a nice little package and then securing velcro. Are there any laptop bags or cable management solutions that (1) organize A LOT of cables and (2) allow me to quickly pack and unpack my laptop and cables?
posted by skunkspinner
on Mar 18, 2008 -
15 answers
What's the best strategy for buying new laptops and selling old ones? I usually buy a new computer once every five years or so and then sell my old one. Say I spend $3000 for a new one and sell the old one for $300. Would I be better off buying a new one every year and selling the old one each year? In other words, would I get more for the old one that it would make up for the depreciation in waiting five years?
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posted by moedym
on Feb 14, 2008 -
17 answers