Need help with what Laptop to get

[Thumper 88]

I dont know much of anything when it comes to laptops. Ive taken some advice from people on this server and have come down to these options. Could you guys help me decide which one is the better deal? This is a x-mas present for my wife.

These one's are brand new.

http://www.tigerdirect.com/applicati...874&CatId=4935

http://www.tigerdirect.com/applicati...332&CatId=4939

http://www.tigerdirect.com/applicati...183&CatId=4935

These ones are Refurbished

http://www.tigerdirect.com/applicati...27325&CatId=17

http://www.tigerdirect.com/applicati...571&CatId=4936

http://www.tigerdirect.com/applicati...516&CatId=4965

http://www.tigerdirect.com/applicati...06724&CatId=17

I went with Tigerdirect because the prices looked better than newegg and bestbuy...

[GrandDaddyPurp]

15.6" is a pretty big screen. You should look at display models to see if your wife will like that screen size.

I looked at the 3 brand new ones and the acer/samsung are the better of the three. I would recommend shopping a bit more or waiting because you could definitely find better deals at that price.

Personally, I don't like any of these laptops because of the DVD/CD drives. They add weight, slow down your computer, and drain battery life even when not in use. I would recommend doing without one when purchasing a laptop. You could also buy an external usb cd drive for cheap if you really need one.

I would recommend something like this:

http://www.tigerdirect.com/applicati...595&CatId=4935

It's highly portable and perfect for the casual user. Also, it comes with Windows 7 instead of 8 which is good if you're not trying to learn a new OS. Windows 8 is more designed for touch screens devices anyways. The only concern with the laptop I just linked is really just the price. I would personally price it in the 300-400 range.

Oh and I forgot to mention. That 13.3" screen size is the perfect size for a laptop. Not too big or small. It's what my screen is now.

[Thumper 88]

Thanks for the help bro! Its a little above my price range but I will keep what you said in mind

[GrandDaddyPurp]

Thanks for the help bro! Its a little above my price range but I will keep what you said in mind

Yes I agree, it was just to show you what I suggest. It's definitely overpriced. Keep in mind that there are good deals coming up at the end of December. I've scored deals better than black Friday in the past.

Any questions just feel free to ask. I can help you compare specs if needed.

[Thumper 88]

Awesome! So its probably better to wait on one, I figured so. On the Samsung if I wait to get it how much on a average do you think I could save? Because if I wait it probably won't be here in time for Christmas?

[dbroncos78087]

I wouldn't buy a laptop with a bigger screen than 13" to be honest. If you want a bigger screen, then I suggest getting an external monitor and going BIG (like 27").

[Thumper 88]

She will most likely use this laptop at the house... mostly.

You say 13 because the 15 is just to big?

[Tomahawk27]

I'm certainly no expert when it comes to laptops or technology in general but I've had a Toshiba Satellite the last 4 years and haven't had a single problem with it. Upgraded to Windows 7 and it runs smoother than ever

[alexander_37]

Stay away from AMD processors, if it is a must go with the first one at least it is a quad core.

IGNORE brand names when it comes to the case, because hat is really all it is. Look at the components.

[Thumper 88]

Thank alex. So quad core is the better one even though the other has the better processor?

[Thumper 88]

What about the refurbished ones? Or should I stay away from those?

[alexander_37]

Thank alex. So quad core is the better one even though the other has the better processor?

Clock speed ( GHZ ) is the number of calculations it can preform

Duo core 3 GHZ = 6 billion

Quad core 2 GHZ = 8 billion

pretty much cores x GHZ = best processor.

That is only one aspect but it is important.

Also look at RAM HDD space and graphics card.

[dbroncos78087]

She will most likely use this laptop at the house... mostly.

You say 13 because the 15 is just to big?

Anything bigger, in my opinion regardless of where it will be used, is too big. However, other people have different opinions. A guy I work with has a 17" Lenovo and he likes it. But I'm not a fan of something that size.

[Thumper 88]

Thanks guys. I'll call tiger and see if they can ship the quad core with windows 7 instead of 8

[grkmaster]

Thumper, that first link tonthe tiger direct page for the acer laptop is the exact one I got for my sister on the black Friday deals which is still the same price as I see now.

It runs fine and no problems and for the price its great.. The one good thing is the combined cpu/gpu(graphics) built into one chip.. It's a decent sized laptop but not really heavy.. Ultra books are nice but still too pricy at the moment..

Also windows 8 is different and time to get used to but it's very smooth with it transitions/animations between apps and going to the desktop mode.. I still think tho win 8 is best utilized as touch screen but don't downgrade to 7 even though win7 is still grear