Laptop Advice

[BamBam]

So here's what I'm lookin for. I want to buy a laptop to use for the internet. My man-cave is in my workshop where there is no computer. In order to be able to smoke and be on here I need a laptop. This really is the only purpose this laptop will have.


Are there any basic laptops that are good for the internet and are inexpensive? (The operative word here is inexpensive)


While we're on the subject. What will I need to be able to access the internet out there. I have roadrunner internet through my cable company and it runs my desktop computer inside. Can I use wi-fi and still make my desktop use the cable???

[King James]

Dell makes some good laptops....can get the very basic one that will work for cruising around the internet.

You would need to get a wireless router that is strong enough to reach where the workshop is. You can still keep you desktop plugged into the modem with an ethernet cord AND have the wireless router for wi-fi

[dunng]

:tpd: Wireless Router.

As well you should check SlickDeals (http://forums.slickdeals.net/forumdisplay.php?sduid=0&f=9)for a laptop... :ss

[BamBam]

Dell makes some good laptops....can get the very basic one that will work for cruising around the internet.

You would need to get a wireless router that is strong enough to reach where the workshop is. You can still keep you desktop plugged into the modem with an ethernet cord AND have the wireless router for wi-fi

Workshop is attached to the house but you have to walk outside to get there. Laptop would be appx. 40 feet from the router. There is an outside wall the signal would have to get through (sorry if that's silly just don't know the capabilities)

[KidRock]

Compaq make awesome labtops. I have had mine for 5 almost 6 freakin years. Runs like a champ!

[King James]

Unless you live in like a concrete bunker I think the signal would make it if you get the proper strength router. I have one in the basement and can get anywhere upstairs as well as outside to a certain distance.

[BamBam]

http://www.bestbuy.com/site/olspage.jsp?skuId=9168143&type=product&id=1218041995463

thoughts on the above specs????

[Sauer Grapes]

If you are just using it for the internet, then that one would be fine.

You might want to check out the Dell Mini 9's. They are very small, but work great for just internet. No DVD or CD drive though, and a tiny keyboard.

[BamBam]

I'm doing a lot of reading and right now it's between the Dell Mini 9 and the Acer Aspire One.

I'm sort of leaning towards the Acer...hmmmm

[Ahbroody]

what the hell fatass. I was telling you to buy an Acer a while back and you said no.

If you want I can send you my acer to try out for a few weeks and see if you like it.

I really only use it at work in the car.

[BamBam]

what the hell fatass. I was telling you to buy an Acer a while back and you said no.

If you want I can send you my acer to try out for a few weeks and see if you like it.

I really only use it at work in the car.

Gawd...I'm so gonna monkey stomp you when we meet.

[Blueface]

Netgear makes a nifty device that I use for my home's security system so I can monitor it on my computer.
You get two parts that plug in the wall's outlet.
One receives the ethernet cable from your source.
The other gets plugged in an outlet where you want internet and you plug another ethernet to that and then to your computer.
You basically get the internet signal via your home's electrical outlet.
Quite cool and only $79 back when I bought it about four years ago.
I bet there is more modern stuff now.

Laptops can be had for $399 that fit your need.

[Raralith]

There are very small and portal laptops for $300ish and run on the Intel Atom; check out the IBM/Lenavo one. As you don't mind a small screen, it gives you more money for cigars.

[AD720]

This deal is tough to beat -

http://www.tigerdirect.com/applications/SearchTools/item-details.asp?EdpNo=4421652&Sku=T71-15404

[Ahbroody]

http://www.microcenter.com/single_product_results.phtml?product_id=0304256

Like this one better. Better processor and GPU.
Tried to convince dustin in chat. We will see what happens

[Stog-a-Boy]

Buy Dell refurbished!

http://www.dell.com/content/products/category.aspx/notebooks?c=us&cs=22&l=en&s=dfh&dgc=IR&cid=11343&lid=543237

I've bought 2 in the past couple months.

Sign up for the newsletter and they send out 20% off coupons once in a while. That last computer I got for my uncle was a 15" Inspiron laptop and came out to a little over $300.

[AD720]

http://www.microcenter.com/single_product_results.phtml?product_id=0304256

Like this one better. Better processor and GPU.
Tried to convince dustin in chat. We will see what happens

More RAM too, another damn good deal.

[smokin5]

I'd recommend a refurbished one, or a used one off EBay.
It's cheaper & you don't have to mess with Windows Vista.

[eber]

I have been seeing a lot of people with the EEE PC type computers, the ones that have between 8" and 10" screens, most of them can be had for around $200 - $300 dollars and for what you are looking to use it for, it would be plenty powerful

[Stog-a-Boy]

I have been seeing a lot of people with the EEE PC type computers, the ones that have between 8" and 10" screens, most of them can be had for around $200 - $300 dollars and for what you are looking to use it for, it would be plenty powerful

Ive got the 10" EEE PC. I take it to class with me, but it is VERY small. Its annoying at times. My next computer will be a 13.3". Perfect size.

[SmokinDuck]

I wouldn't compromise and get something small that you can really only use for internet, email and taking notes.

What will happen is that after you get what you think will work just fine for internet, email and notes, 6 months later you will wish it had the ability to do more and end up selling it and upgrading to a more robust laptop.

You should be able to find a mid-grade laptop that will do what you need it to do and then some for around 300 - 400 bucks.

[Sailchaser]

If we talk cheap we talk that you'll probably be pissed at it,I was thinking of doing the same thing and did not do it. If you take the amount of time you spend on the computer and divide it by the amount of days you use it it comes out to be say 2 bucks a day for 730 bucks in one year, that's one less coffee a day and a lap top that will be fast and the better unit will do what you want it to do. Mine travel with me and are a part of business as well as fun . :2

[SeanGAR]

You want to cruise these sites:

http://www.fatwallet.com/forums/hot-deals/laptop/
http://www.slickdeals.net/

You should be able to get a dual core regular sized laptop for 300-350. Better laptops like lenovo would cost more, in the 550 range. Buying one you can modify might be a good way to get a draft N wireless card, which combined with an N router should give you more range than the b/g hardware.

I'd also advise against the small netbooks unless you have actually tried one and understand/can live with their size limitations. I have one (lenovo S10) that I really like, but they're not for everyone.

[croatan]

After owning just about every laptop on the market, I have come to the conclusion that my hands down favorite are the Thinkpads by Lenovo. The keyboard feels "right" and the things are sturdy as heck. Every other latptop feels like a toy to me by comparison. Not sure how cheap you can get them, but I think they're worth looking into.

[ChicagoWhiteSox]

Dell makes some good laptops....can get the very basic one that will work for cruising around the internet.

You would need to get a wireless router that is strong enough to reach where the workshop is. You can still keep you desktop plugged into the modem with an ethernet cord AND have the wireless router for wi-fi

:tpd:

[gettysburgfreak]

Dell makes some good laptops....can get the very basic one that will work for cruising around the internet

I will never buy Dell again. Had the most difficult time getting my laptop fixed. Had to go through 2 both of which had the same problem before they finally agreed to give me my money back. I have an HP and love it.

[eber]

Ive got the 10" EEE PC. I take it to class with me, but it is VERY small. Its annoying at times. My next computer will be a 13.3". Perfect size.

I agree that it is small, I personally have a 13.3" macbook and it is perfect, I used to have a 15.4" toshiba and it seems too big when i use it after using the macbook for a while.

[alley00p]

Well, I'm sitting in my mini-mancave, using a MSI Wind Netbook. It only has a 10" screen, but it's great for my purposes of surfing the internet, email and light wordprocessing and such.

I already have 2 other laptops, a Toshiba and a Dell, both with the extra wide screens and all the bells and whistles. The problem is that they both weigh 6 or 7 pounds. My netbook weighs about 3 lbs total. It doesn't have a CD/DVD drive, but it has a built-in webcam, a keyboard that's 95% of a full-size keyboard, and it's perfect for what I want to schlep in and out of the house.

I did purchase a second power supply that I leave out in the MMC, and the WiFi works great out here. This one ran around $400 from BestBuy online, and I'm perfectly happy with it. I know you can find them cheaper if you look around. I also bought a wireless logitech mouse, mainly cuz I hate the built in touchpads that most laptops have.

Anyways, that my :2 ........





:dance:

[BamBam]

Currently typing this on my new ASUS EEEPC Netbook. I love it and it fits my needs perfectly. Thanks Ahbroody for all the help Bud. :tu

[fxpose]

Netbooks are great. I recently bought an Acer Aspire One strictly for coffee/book shop use. It's small enough to carry it on my bike (bicycle). The 6-cell battery gives me plenty of wi-fi time, 5 hours+ per charge.

[BamBam]

Netbooks are great. I recently bought an Acer Aspire One strictly for coffee/book shop use. It's small enough to carry it on my bike (bicycle). The 6-cell battery gives me plenty of wi-fi time, 5 hours+ per charge.

That's the one I was looking at. The fan creates too much of a vibration for me though. Great price though

[fxpose]

That's the one I was looking at. The fan creates too much of a vibration for me though. Great price though

I've read about the fan noise issue on some of the reviews but I don't have that problem with mine. It's quiet as my other full sized laptops I own.

[BamBam]

I've read about the fan noise issue on some of the reviews but I don't have that problem with mine. It's quiet as my other full sized laptops I own.

It wasn't the noise that got me, it was the vibration. Maybe it was just the one that I was trying at but while I was using it my hand was almost going numb from it.

[mosesbotbol]

Take the least expensive XP Laptop you can get 4 GB RAM into.

[BamBam]

Take the least expensive XP Laptop you can get 4 GB RAM into.

Thanks.

I plan on getting a reall good laptop to replace my desktop in a couple years once my office gets turned into one of my daughter's bedrooms. But for now the Netbook is perfect :tu