Looking to buy a new laptop - HELP I am not a geek
 

I am not sure where to put this

I am looking to buy a new computer. maybe a desktop and a laptop laptop for webcamming, streaming video on ustream/blogtv and basic social networking stuff, checking email and downloading videos.

I am also getting into some video editting mostly youtube stuff. I currently have a Dell 1525 and very dissapointed my fault for buying what I can afford instead of what I need the computer for.

The Dell 1525 works fine I would say its for a student or the average person who isn't computer savy and just wants check emails and maybe write a report. I am considering selling it for like $300 maybe someone out there will buy it or donate to some community centre.

Dell makes some good laptops. I'm not sure of the model....maybe a 1745. For video I'd look for one that has an i5 processor (i7 would be better if you can find it), at least 4GB of ram (6GB preferred), 500 gb harddrive, USB 2.0 and firewire ports. If you need more harddrive space, get a harddrive that you can hookup to your laptop with a firewire connector. Be ready to payout about a grand. You can also shop the dell factory outlet for refurbished models to save some money. Just my opinion.....

@Redrob i think this is too good laptop for her..
In better words, she will pay for something that she doesn't need..

The Dell 1525 that is about 2 years old is horrible. I gave my Dell 6000 to my mom. it was the best one ever.

I saw the i3 and i5 never understood what it ment I assumed it was the cpu power. I have no problem spending a grand on a computer just as long it will last me more then 5 years. like my first dell

Mac Book Pro :)

I guess it depends on how serious one is going to be with editing video. I find that I can always use a little more power than I initially planned for.

In that case, you can listen to Redrob words :)
The i5 CPU is too good, so you will no worry for 5 years :)
Then spend that grand and by the best laptop ;)

For that money, she can buy the twice better than mac book pro :P

open your mouth and I will show you

try lenovo Y450 or Y460 thats was im using on video editing and designing, so far i dont have any problem encounter using that!!!

I use premier elements 8 and magix for editting its nothing too serious just enough to on youtube. I will look around for i5 laptops and maybe a desktop once I move to a bigger place.

I am a nerd's nerd...and I 100% recommend you NOT to buy a Dell.

Spring for a Toshiba Tecra - it's their "heavy duty"/professional model - and you will not regret it.

Core i5 or i7 laptops are great (toshiba has them direct here: http://www.toshibadirect.com/td/b2c/...esults Matrix ... or just search online for better deals.). I bought mine at Newegg for about 400$ less than what toshiba direct wanted.

I'll probably catch a lot of flak for saying "Dell sucks"...but when you really feel the difference in the laptop...you'll understand. I will never buy anything but a Toshiba again.

I used to love Tecras. Are they still made with the Accupoint/TrackPoint.

Be proud, stand up and say it loud. Have you tried a ThinkPad?

I never liked a MAC I have always beena PC girl, I am thinking HP, DELL or Toshiba.

MAC's are not compatible with a lot a cam-chat software, unless you use parallels which slows a MAC down.

try this one http://www.tigerdirect.com/applicati...081&CatId=4942

Find the Dell system you like, then look for it in the Dell Outlet. Dell keeps re-running a '15% off any laptop or desktop in the outlet' coupon. You can get pretty killer deals, if you don't mind refurbished.

And good for you, like someone already mentioned - for that price you can get way better not apple :thumbsup No need to overpay for the brand like fanboys do :)

Bought a Dell XPS 1645 for myself in February... i7 core 6GB. (replaced an Inspirion 8500 that never gave me a bit of trouble) It's primarily a 'when I travel' laptop but people visiting use it for various things.. including gaming.

My son bought a Dell Studio 1545 a few weeks ago.. i5 core with 4GB. He has a beefy desktop, but talks with his GF on chat and webcam with the laptop and loaded his RPGs on it for friends to use when they are over.

Macbook!!!

I would not & could not recommend any other than the laptop I use.

The Acer aspire. 4gb, i5 processor, 64bit, HDMI out, true cimatic & dolby theater sound, 512 ATI graphics & 600gb harddrive.

Its got a lovely screen with the 16.9 hd led & the keyboard is so sweet. The buttons are lovely. The outside design looks fantastic and to finish off the crystal eye webcam is so good we use it for live camshows half the time! :thumbsup

Thanks everyone I will look into Dell, Acer, Toshiba, and HP. NO MACS they are fustrasting helping girls set up webcams.

and no built-in webcams for me that is another headache in itself.

You call yourself a "nerd's nerd" and then recommend Toshiba? Lol?

http://shop.lenovo.com/SEUILibrary/c...FC222A A15BDE

love my lenovo

I'm not so happy with the lowend toshiba satellite I got with the AMD cpu.
I agree to go with the intel (i)series multicore cpu's. Typically faster and run cooler.

:1orglaugh

I read this whole thread. I suggest a Dell XPS model M15. It will cost you $700 to $1100 depending if you buy it from Dell or you buy it from craigslist used and one year old.

I have to put my Dell 1525 up for sale after i get my new laptop.

I have decided where I am buying my laptop from online or in store. but that will be determined in a few weeks.

I have a Toshiba Qosmio i7 laptop that has been pretty great so far. Has blu Ray player and can handle 3d modeling and animation, so it should be decent with editing also.

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...qosmio&x=0&y=0

You beat me to the punch there. Sorta like recommending someone run out and buy a Dynex LCD TV for the same price as a new Sony LCD panel.

Speaking from experience?

I've been abusing my Toshiba for 8 months and its been great.

Next you are going to say HP's suck. Oh wait...

I am not sure if its worth selling this Dell 1525 its amazing how after 2 years of owning it I am reading all this problems for it online.

I might well just keep it and get a new one or leave it in the hallway of my apartment with a take me sign on it.

I wonder if I install windows 7 on it it will make it more manageable or its just a shit box witha dell logo on it.

Ever owned one?

You probably don't even need a new laptop, especially if yours is the the Core2 CPU version. You can check by looking at the sticker next to your Windows Vista sticker, on the palm rest. Does it say Celeron, or Core? Celerons are pretty terrible.

I wouldn't waste money on an OS upgrade though. Vista isn't too bad, just make sure you update it.

If you do a fresh re-install of Vista, it will run like new. Unless you have some hardware going bad.

Just back up your shit, pop the Dell OS disc in, format, install. Then install the Dell Drivers disc. You'll probably be amazed at how fast it will be, especially if you don't re-install all the Dell installed trials and crap (aka don't install the Dell Applications disc). And don't put McAfee back on, get Avast free antivirus.

What are you running her on at the moment.

If you cleared everything & maybe added a little more ram, you could find she would run fine for your cam, photoshop to arrange galleries & usual surfing. :2 cents:

I did a re-install and the damn thing came with preloaded crap. 140 gig harddrive my ass when 100 of it is preloaded with dell, windows and other crap.

Its definatly time to either get an acer or maybe a larger harddrive? You could reinstall windows into a 500 or something. I suppose you must have xp to have only a 140gb hd?

It runs on vista. the smallest I got this harddrive down was about 100 gig I cleared out about 19 gig ... I am planning on getting a new laptop for my christmas/birthday present.

in the mean time I will use this laptop til the new one arrives and put this one up for sale. I thought about taking it in to see if i there anything on that can be upgraded or kept but I dont know I will probably just keep the RAM as a back up maybe this RAM can fit into my netbook.

if the netbook had more power I would be using that to stream my webcam shows at least.

I AGREE Dell Sucks . . . Try using Dell's customer service, I have a 4 year plan, YEAH Good Luck . . .
They spend hours on the phone with you, send parts that don't fix it and it is down for weeks at a time.
Meantime my other laptop (NOT A DELL) keeps on chugging along.
And yes I have the top of the line Dell laptop, cost mega bucks and sucks . . .

All the Flak you want at me, but NEVER NEVER EVER Buy a Dell in my opinion ! ! !