- Jun 15, 2012
- 5
- 0
- 10,510
Hello. I must I'm fairly well versed in desktop hardware, but I admit I have no clue about selecting a laptop. My mom has asked me to choose one for her, so I turn to you guys for assistance.
I was checking out the Inspiron 15R at Dell, but I'm wondering if there's better choices out there. Today, we also checked out the Inspiron 14z at Costco, and she seemed to like that. Details below:
1. What is your budget?
$800 max, but of course the more savings the better
2. What is the size of the notebook that you are considering?
The ancient Dell Inspiron B130 we are replacing is 15.6" I believe, and she originally said she wanted the same screen size. However, she didn't seem to mind having a screen the size of the 14z, which is 14". The B130 weights around 6 lbs with battery according to our bathroom scale, but we doubt that is very accurate. She wants something lighter than the B130, the lighter the better. We are willing to pay a bit more for something slimmer, sleeker, and lighter.
3. What screen resolution do you want?
Does not matter, whatever comes with the laptop screen size.
4. Do you need a portable or desktop replacement laptop?
I'd have to say portable, although she mainly uses it at home, she prefers something easier to carry around and handle.
5. How much battery life do you need?
While I have no specific target time, something not too shabby would be good. A battery life near the top of the class would be excellent.
6. Do you want to play games with your laptop? If so then please list the games that you want to with the settings that you want for these games. (Low,Medium or High)?
No games for my mom except solitaire and spider solitaire.
7. What other tasks do you want to do with your laptop? (Photo/Video editing, Etc.)
Mainly surfing the net, streaming video, storing pictures.
8. How much storage (Hard Drive capacity) do you need?
Because hard drive space isn't that expensive, I'll say the minimum is 250gb, but whatever comes with the suggested laptops is fine. Most laptops I see seem to have more than 250gb already.
9. If you are considering specific sites to buy from, please post their links.
Already looked at Dell Outlet, other sites we are willing to buy from are Amazon, Newegg, and other manufacturer sites. We would prefer not to use retail big box stores, but if they have good deals, of course we will jump.
10. How long do you want to keep your laptop?
Minimum of 5 years, but from my judgement, the processing power and ram needed for the light tasks she does will not increase much over the next decade.
11. What kind of Optical drive do you need? DVD ROM/Writer,Bluray ROM/Writer,Etc ?
DVD/CD burner, Blu-Ray reading/burning not needed.
12. Please tell us about the brands that you prefer to buy from them and the brands that you don't like and explain the reasons.
Our family has bought our last 6 computers (5 desktops and the B130 laptop) from Dell Outlet because of their occasionally coupon codes, the same as new 1-yr warranty, and the almost new condition of most of their items. We are open to other brands though.
13. What country do you live in?
USA
14. Please tell us any additional information if needed.
With the needs of my mom, I would prefer integrated graphics for better battery weight and less weight. Processor probably needs to be a i3/i5 dual core at most. And of course, bloatware should be kept at a minimum, must be removable or unobtrusive. Useful freeware is nice though.
Thank you for taking the time to read my long-winded post, and thank you in advance for any help.
I was checking out the Inspiron 15R at Dell, but I'm wondering if there's better choices out there. Today, we also checked out the Inspiron 14z at Costco, and she seemed to like that. Details below:
1. What is your budget?
$800 max, but of course the more savings the better
2. What is the size of the notebook that you are considering?
The ancient Dell Inspiron B130 we are replacing is 15.6" I believe, and she originally said she wanted the same screen size. However, she didn't seem to mind having a screen the size of the 14z, which is 14". The B130 weights around 6 lbs with battery according to our bathroom scale, but we doubt that is very accurate. She wants something lighter than the B130, the lighter the better. We are willing to pay a bit more for something slimmer, sleeker, and lighter.
3. What screen resolution do you want?
Does not matter, whatever comes with the laptop screen size.
4. Do you need a portable or desktop replacement laptop?
I'd have to say portable, although she mainly uses it at home, she prefers something easier to carry around and handle.
5. How much battery life do you need?
While I have no specific target time, something not too shabby would be good. A battery life near the top of the class would be excellent.
6. Do you want to play games with your laptop? If so then please list the games that you want to with the settings that you want for these games. (Low,Medium or High)?
No games for my mom except solitaire and spider solitaire.
7. What other tasks do you want to do with your laptop? (Photo/Video editing, Etc.)
Mainly surfing the net, streaming video, storing pictures.
8. How much storage (Hard Drive capacity) do you need?
Because hard drive space isn't that expensive, I'll say the minimum is 250gb, but whatever comes with the suggested laptops is fine. Most laptops I see seem to have more than 250gb already.
9. If you are considering specific sites to buy from, please post their links.
Already looked at Dell Outlet, other sites we are willing to buy from are Amazon, Newegg, and other manufacturer sites. We would prefer not to use retail big box stores, but if they have good deals, of course we will jump.
10. How long do you want to keep your laptop?
Minimum of 5 years, but from my judgement, the processing power and ram needed for the light tasks she does will not increase much over the next decade.
11. What kind of Optical drive do you need? DVD ROM/Writer,Bluray ROM/Writer,Etc ?
DVD/CD burner, Blu-Ray reading/burning not needed.
12. Please tell us about the brands that you prefer to buy from them and the brands that you don't like and explain the reasons.
Our family has bought our last 6 computers (5 desktops and the B130 laptop) from Dell Outlet because of their occasionally coupon codes, the same as new 1-yr warranty, and the almost new condition of most of their items. We are open to other brands though.
13. What country do you live in?
USA
14. Please tell us any additional information if needed.
With the needs of my mom, I would prefer integrated graphics for better battery weight and less weight. Processor probably needs to be a i3/i5 dual core at most. And of course, bloatware should be kept at a minimum, must be removable or unobtrusive. Useful freeware is nice though.
Thank you for taking the time to read my long-winded post, and thank you in advance for any help.
)
/shoplenovo.i2.com/SEUILibrary/controller/e/barnesnoblegold/StdAffinityPortal/en_US/Lenovo:EnterStdAffinity?sexpired=1&requested-affinity-cmd=StdAffinity:Home&home=barnesnoblegold&affinity=barnesnoblegold
Facebook
Twitter