new or used laptop?

[Guest]

Archived from groups: comp.sys.laptops (More info?)

Hi all,

I'm in the market for a new laptop, or used one most likely. Have only $800
to spend. Currently, I'll be using it for word processing (Word 97) and
internet browsing, but I'd like to be able to watch DVD's and (eventually)
transfer my extensive video collection to DVD. I'm currently looking at the
Toshiba Tecra 8100-9000 series (all Pentium III's), but I wonder if they
will do the job, especially if I use Windows XP (But I'm willing to use 98
or 2000, if I can find the software cheaply enough). I'm upgrading from a
Pentium 100, so I may not be reaching high enough.

What is the minimum processor/memory/hard drive requirements should I aim
for? Thank you for any responses.

 

[Guest]

Archived from groups: comp.sys.laptops (More info?)

Save your money. Don't buy an Acer (which is in your price range).
Instead, buy an IBM. Save another $300 and get a real laptop. As far as
secondhand goes, if you're prepared to throw money away on rubbish like
that then I suggest donating the entire $800 to charity instead. I'd
never buy any secondhand rubbish.

addidas wrote:
> Hi all,
>
> I'm in the market for a new laptop, or used one most likely. Have only $800
> to spend. Currently, I'll be using it for word processing (Word 97) and
> internet browsing, but I'd like to be able to watch DVD's and (eventually)
> transfer my extensive video collection to DVD. I'm currently looking at the
> Toshiba Tecra 8100-9000 series (all Pentium III's), but I wonder if they
> will do the job, especially if I use Windows XP (But I'm willing to use 98
> or 2000, if I can find the software cheaply enough). I'm upgrading from a
> Pentium 100, so I may not be reaching high enough.
>
> What is the minimum processor/memory/hard drive requirements should I aim
> for? Thank you for any responses.
>
>
>
>
>
>

 

[Guest]

Archived from groups: comp.sys.laptops (More info?)

> As far as
> secondhand goes, if you're prepared to throw money away on rubbish like
> that then I suggest donating the entire $800 to charity instead. I'd
> never buy any secondhand rubbish.

Confrontational, aren't we? Therefore I feel completely justified in
pointing out, in much the same tone: You're full of it.

Computers devalue by 35-50% instantly upon purchase. UNLESS the OP
SPECIFICALLY needs a feature, performance metric or something else
that is ONLY available in a CURRENT-GENERATION laptop, the ONLY THING
he is getting by purchasing a brand new machine is a warranty. It's a
much better overall value proposition to buy even a 12-month-old
computer with merely DOA warranty than it is to buy a brand-new
computer with a 12-month warranty. Computers are not cars.

In many cases, OEMs (IBM, Dell, Toshiba) sell their refurbs on eBay
and private auction sites at significantly less than retail, WITH
warranties.

It's foolish to pay new prices for computer equipment unless there is
a special reason or there is no particular reason to conserve money.

 

[Guest]

Archived from groups: comp.sys.laptops (More info?)

> I'm in the market for a new laptop, or used one most likely. Have only
$800
> to spend. Currently, I'll be using it for word processing (Word 97) and
> internet browsing, but I'd like to be able to watch DVD's and (eventually)
> transfer my extensive video collection to DVD. I'm currently looking at
the
> Toshiba Tecra 8100-9000 series (all Pentium III's), but I wonder if they
> will do the job, especially if I use Windows XP (But I'm willing to use 98
> or 2000, if I can find the software cheaply enough). I'm upgrading from a
> Pentium 100, so I may not be reaching high enough.
>
> What is the minimum processor/memory/hard drive requirements should I aim
> for? Thank you for any responses.

Just tested a Celeron M Acer 1.3 GHz and was surprised about the speed.

Only little bit slower than 1.3 GHz Centrino.

Far faster than the 2.6 GHz Celeron P4 based


--
Roland Mösl
http/www.pege.org Clear targets for a confused civilization
http/web-design-suite.com Web Design starts at the search engine

 

[Guest]

Archived from groups: comp.sys.laptops (More info?)

Lewin A.R.W. Edwards wrote:
> In many cases, OEMs (IBM, Dell, Toshiba) sell their refurbs on eBay
> and private auction sites at significantly less than retail, WITH
> warranties.
>
> It's foolish to pay new prices for computer equipment unless there is
> a special reason or there is no particular reason to conserve money.

I disagree. I've seen secondhand laptops going for 3/4 of the price of a
new laptop. If a secondhand laptop costs $600 - $800 while the new model
which is better costs only 25% more AND comes with a years warranty and
guarantee. Why buy secondhand with NO warranty and NO guarantee? It's
not worth the risk.

 

[Guest]

Archived from groups: comp.sys.laptops (More info?)

On 22 Oct 2004 08:32:45 -0700, larwe@larwe.com (Lewin A.R.W. Edwards) wrote:

>Computers devalue by 35-50% instantly upon purchase. UNLESS the OP
>SPECIFICALLY needs a feature, performance metric or something else
>that is ONLY available in a CURRENT-GENERATION laptop, the ONLY THING
>he is getting by purchasing a brand new machine is a warranty.

Not even that. My last two laptops, both ThinkPads, came with the remainder of
a very good 3 year warranty. I had to claim on that warranty twice -- never had
a problem.

I'm definitely in favor of buying a good used laptop rather than a new one. A
good used laptop is cheaper, has the remainder of the warranty, and (best) is a
tested model whose bugs are known and reported. I've been very happy with my
used ThinkPads.



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