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mcburg93's avatar

mcburg93

permaban to basement

3,167 posts
Feb 11, 2013 3:45 PM
I am looking to buy one and with all the experts on here thought I would ask for some suggestions. I want something to watch some tv and movies on. I was wondering on what speed or brand to get. Its really just to use on traveling and occasional school stuff. Price is not to big a deal cause it is in my school package I think I am allowed to spend up to 1k. So let me see what you all would buy.
Feb 11, 2013 3:45pm
M

MontyBrunswick

Feb 11, 2013 3:49 PM
"watch TV and movies on".

Via what method? What is the maximum you want to spend? Do you get deals on certain brands?
Feb 11, 2013 3:49pm
Automatik's avatar

Automatik

Senior Member

14,632 posts
Feb 11, 2013 3:49 PM
You have a lot of options with a 1k budget.

I'd just browse newegg.com and see what interests you.

Personally I'd go with a Lenovo or Acer Ultrabook.
Feb 11, 2013 3:49pm
M

MontyBrunswick

Feb 11, 2013 3:57 PM
Automatik;1386983 wrote:You have a lot of options with a 1k budget.

I'd just browse newegg.com and see what interests you.

Personally I'd go with a Lenovo or Acer Ultrabook.
The new Surface Pro fits into that budget as well.
Feb 11, 2013 3:57pm
Automatik's avatar

Automatik

Senior Member

14,632 posts
Feb 11, 2013 4:00 PM
Mehh..I know it's an "all in one" or whatever, but I still consider the Surface Pro a tablet.
Feb 11, 2013 4:00pm
mcburg93's avatar

mcburg93

permaban to basement

3,167 posts
Feb 11, 2013 4:05 PM
dlazz;1386982 wrote:"watch TV and movies on".

Via what method? What is the maximum you want to spend? Do you get deals on certain brands?
I would like to spend all 1k cause If anything is left I dont get it. I watch movies on netflix and have roadrunner at home. Other then that I really dont have too many requirements. I was looking for what operating systems would be best what speed and anything along them lines.

I think I will just do some more looking around and see what I can find that I like. I am just not the brightest when it comes to computers and thought some ideas would give me a direction.
Feb 11, 2013 4:05pm
Commander of Awesome's avatar

Commander of Awesome

Senior Pwner

23,151 posts
Feb 11, 2013 4:08 PM
Refurbished Mac fits in the price range as well.
Feb 11, 2013 4:08pm
M

MontyBrunswick

Feb 11, 2013 4:10 PM
mcburg93;1386994 wrote:I would like to spend all 1k cause If anything is left I dont get it. I watch movies on netflix and have roadrunner at home. Other then that I really dont have to many requirements.

I think I will just do some more looking around and see what I can find that I like. I am just not the brightest when it comes to computers and thought some ideas would give me a direction.
In cases like this, I usually just go to Newegg and sort everything by "Top Sellers". It usually pushes the cream of the crop to the top of the list, and then you can easily narrow down your list.

Whatever you do, do NOT buy one from Best Buy. It's fine to go to Best Buy and play with them, but just write down the model number and buy it online.
Feb 11, 2013 4:10pm
M

MontyBrunswick

Feb 11, 2013 4:10 PM
Commander of Awesome;1386996 wrote:Refurbished Mac fits in the price range as well.
Why buy refurbished when he could buy new?
Feb 11, 2013 4:10pm
Commander of Awesome's avatar

Commander of Awesome

Senior Pwner

23,151 posts
Feb 11, 2013 4:11 PM
dlazz;1386999 wrote:
Whatever you do, do NOT buy one from Best Buy. It's fine to go to Best Buy and play with them, but just write down the model number and buy it online.
Curious the reason for this
Feb 11, 2013 4:11pm
M

MontyBrunswick

Feb 11, 2013 4:12 PM
Commander of Awesome;1387001 wrote:Curious the reason for this
Best Buy is notorious for pushing people into crap they don't need. They charge $50+ for antivirus and to burn the recovery discs for you. Also, tax on a high-ticket item like this is killer. If you buy from Newegg or Amazon, you'd skip out on tax. Gives you a little more lee-way when choosing items near the $999 range. He can (in theory) get more bang for the buck if he buys online since it'll give him another ~$60 to play with.
Feb 11, 2013 4:12pm
M

MontyBrunswick

Feb 11, 2013 4:13 PM
Automatik;1386991 wrote:Mehh..I know it's an "all in one" or whatever, but I still consider the Surface Pro a tablet.
It may be, but it'd be perfect for TV/notes in school/whatever.
Feb 11, 2013 4:13pm
OSH's avatar

OSH

Kosh B'Gosh

4,145 posts
Feb 11, 2013 4:14 PM
Try to find someone you know personally to help customize/personalize what you want.

My brother is great with computers, he's helped me buy the two laptops I've had in the last 10 years.
Feb 11, 2013 4:14pm
Commander of Awesome's avatar

Commander of Awesome

Senior Pwner

23,151 posts
Feb 11, 2013 4:18 PM
dlazz;1387002 wrote:Best Buy is notorious for pushing people into crap they don't need. They charge $50+ for antivirus and to burn the recovery discs for you. Also, tax on a high-ticket item like this is killer. If you buy from Newegg or Amazon, you'd skip out on tax. Gives you a little more lee-way when choosing items near the $999 range. He can (in theory) get more bang for the buck if he buys online since it'll give him another ~$60 to play with.
Never thought of this before. Reps.
Feb 11, 2013 4:18pm
S

Sonofanump

Feb 11, 2013 4:21 PM
Commander of Awesome;1387001 wrote:Curious the reason for this
Best Buy is on the list of business that will be closing stores to stay and stay afloat.
Feb 11, 2013 4:21pm
Midstate01's avatar

Midstate01

Senior Member

14,766 posts
Feb 11, 2013 4:23 PM
Sonofanump;1387007 wrote:Best Buy is on the list of business that will be closing stores to stay and stay afloat.

They closed the one in lancaster I hear
Feb 11, 2013 4:23pm
G

gut

Senior Member

15,058 posts
Feb 11, 2013 5:20 PM
Automatik;1386983 wrote: Personally I'd go with a Lenovo or Acer Ultrabook.
Ultrabook definitely. Not sure about Acer, but I'd look at Sony Vaio and Asus.
Feb 11, 2013 5:20pm
G

gut

Senior Member

15,058 posts
Feb 11, 2013 5:22 PM
dlazz;1387002 wrote:If you buy from Newegg or Amazon, you'd skip out on tax.
Really? I thought they calculated the tax based on your ship-to zipcode. Thought they had to start doing this some time ago because states were losing big bucks on sales tax.
Feb 11, 2013 5:22pm
G

gut

Senior Member

15,058 posts
Feb 11, 2013 5:24 PM
By the way, Best Buy WILL match prices on Amazon (if it's a highly reputable seller). That's assuming you can find the exact model, as sometimes they play games. But pull it up on Amazon and they'll match the price (then you get your computer now without waiting).
Feb 11, 2013 5:24pm
believer's avatar

believer

Senior Member

8,153 posts
Feb 11, 2013 5:42 PM
dlazz;1387002 wrote:Best Buy is notorious for pushing people into crap they don't need. They charge $50+ for antivirus and to burn the recovery discs for you. Also, tax on a high-ticket item like this is killer. If you buy from Newegg or Amazon, you'd skip out on tax. Gives you a little more lee-way when choosing items near the $999 range. He can (in theory) get more bang for the buck if he buys online since it'll give him another ~$60 to play with.
Not that I'm defending Best Buy by any stretch of the imagination, but I bought an Asus laptop from Best Buy about 5 months ago. Nobody tried to push me into buying anything I didn't need and anyone who can't install their own anti-virus or create their own recovery disks probably has no business owning a computer anyways.

I researched before my buying decision and found that Best Buy's prices on laptops in my price range were very competitive even with the tax tagged on. On-line purchases are fine but I'd rather walk in, see what I'm purchasing, and walk out with it rather than waiting for the shipment, hoping it arrives in one piece, and paying for the shipping costs. Plus if the machine hoses up, I know where Best Buy lives.
Feb 11, 2013 5:42pm
ernest_t_bass's avatar

ernest_t_bass

12th Son of the Lama

24,984 posts
Feb 11, 2013 5:44 PM
Mac
Feb 11, 2013 5:44pm
Commander of Awesome's avatar

Commander of Awesome

Senior Pwner

23,151 posts
Feb 11, 2013 5:49 PM
ernest_t_bass;1387044 wrote:Mac
Start out of his price range.
Feb 11, 2013 5:49pm
Automatik's avatar

Automatik

Senior Member

14,632 posts
Feb 11, 2013 6:38 PM
The lower end 11" MB Air goes for $999. You can also get a school discount, which I believe is 10%. It still worked for me last year, they don't check.
Feb 11, 2013 6:38pm
M

MontyBrunswick

Feb 11, 2013 8:32 PM
gut;1387035 wrote:Really? I thought they calculated the tax based on your ship-to zipcode. Thought they had to start doing this some time ago because states were losing big bucks on sales tax.
Only in states where they have a physical presence. It was poorly worded -- I meant to buy the laptop from another seller online and not Best Buy.
Feb 11, 2013 8:32pm
M

MontyBrunswick

Feb 11, 2013 8:32 PM
Automatik;1387064 wrote:The lower end 11" MB Air goes for $999. You can also get a school discount, which I believe is 10%. It still worked for me last year, they don't check.
The lower-end Macbook Air wouldn't come close to competing with a similarly priced Ultrabook.
Feb 11, 2013 8:32pm