Need your laptop/desktop opinions!

[MR.CJ-7]

Two different items:

1.Anyone used a tablet PC vs a regular laptop? I was thinking of getting a tablet since I fill out a lot of paper work that needs signatures. I thought a tablet would be cool for signature capture. What do you guys think?

2.Custom build vs Dell, HP, etc... for a desktop. I was set on getting a Dell XPS or possibly built up Inspiron, but the computer guy at work also owns his own computer building business and he has absolutely nothing good to say about anything other than custom builds. The only problem is his prices are way high even after my "VIP" discount. He says its a case of you pay for what you get. Any truth to that?

I asked him for a spec sheet and compared it to the other guys and I can upgrade processor, ram, video, sound on the "big guys" websites" to compare apples to apples and still the price difference is HUGE. He says it is a difference in power supply, mother board, cooling, and optimization of all components to work together. I understand paying for what you get, but I also don't want to get bent over.

What do you guys think?

 

[Stephen]

As you said, comparing apples to apples .
Honestly, and I know you'll think I'm saying this because I work for an Apple reseller, but in my opinion is that there is absolutely no reason to not by an Apple. Best performance in the business, most stable OS, you can run Windows if you need to (either in dual boot or through emulation) and the thing is virtually indestructible. You may spend $500+ less on a PC, but you won't get nearly as much functionality and you'll be looking to upgrade in 18 months. With an Apple you'll have it for four plus years before you'll feel the crunch and want to upgrade. As you yourself said, you pay for what you get, but in the long run an Apple will be the cheaper investment.

 

[Milner]

No advice on the tablet vs laptop....

Built vs build....I built mine although everyone told me to buy it. I am happy I did, because I could have exactly what I wanted. I saved a little, maybe $300 over buying from Dell. But I had some specific needs and had to add a bunch of unwanted stuff to get a dell there. Had some headaches at first, but it has been great ever since. I see no reason to pay more than Dell to have one built, unless it is built for a very specialized purpose....

Lately there have been some GREAT prices on desktops for the "deal of the day" type sites. Woot and other have had some cheap name brand dual cores. If your not in a hurry, keep and eye out....

 

[Meat_]

You haven't really said what you need this computer to do, most programs that are used for work don't need a new fast computer anymore. If you aren't going to be gaming, doing video or CAD on the thing you would do fine with a cheaper Dell, or maybe look into a used tough book.

If you need high end performance your friend is correct, but it shouldn't be much more money than a mid range Dell.

Ever since Apple became a high end PC the only reason not to buy them is that they still cost too much.

 

[Caleb]

Ever since Apple became a high end PC the only reason not to buy them is that they still cost too much.

In comparison to???? Do an Apple to apple comparison with another (by your own words) "high end" mfg and the price is usually the same or less for the Mac. I know for laptops, I do the comparison quite often at work and the Macs always come out cheaper. Then on top of that, most of the time the software for the Macs are cheaper as well.


If your intention is serious gaming you'd be retarded to look at a Mac, anything else and there's no reason not to seriously consider it. If you're doing a home-built dealio then build it yourself. The only benefit to building it yourself is maybe (usually not though) saving a little bit and you build it with the exact components you want. When you have a home-built dealio you have no warranty. Some guys (I bet your guy will claim this) that they will give you X years of Warranty and Support but what good is their support if you can't reach them or they are ignoring your call?

 

[mbryson]

Find a decent machine with a good battery warranty. Batteries suck. Let me know when you find it.

 

[Meat_]

In comparison to????

Reality.

...If your intention is serious gaming you'd be retarded to look at a Mac, anything else and there's no reason not to seriously consider it. If you're doing a home-built dealio then build it yourself. The only benefit to building it yourself is maybe (usually not though) saving a little bit and you build it with the exact components you want. When you have a home-built dealio you have no warranty. Some guys (I bet your guy will claim this) that they will give you X years of Warranty and Support but what good is their support if you can't reach them or they are ignoring your call?

As I said, the average user is fine with the cheapest decent rig they can find. If you need average performance you can only save a little bit building it yourself. If you need the best performance you can save a LOT ie half or more by building it yourself. As for warranty and support, the high end components always have a good warranty, support wise... why would I want to have to call someone who knows less than I do and sit through a half hour of "reboot your computer, did that fix it? Unplug it for 30 seconds, did that fix it?" only to be handed off to someone who knows slightly more in order to start over. Finally after 3 days of that they'll schedule someone to come out and look at the pos next week sometime, followed by another visit because the first tech was an idiot, followed by a 3 week part wait followed by another week for someone to be scheduled to come out and install the part.

I'll take a quality product that isn't likely to break down over a cheap one with support that is going to break and cause a nightmare getting it fixed.

 

[Meat_]

...Do an Apple to apple comparison with another (by your own words) "high end" mfg and the price is usually the same or less for the Mac...

That is impossible to do, because as much as this pains me to admit, since Apple's switch to PC components there really are no mainstream laptops that are on the same level (the high end ones). That's not to say that you can't get quality built laptops from smaller companies.

I still never see myself buying one.... on principle. I am not quick to forget how they have an extensive history of gouging their customers (very loyal customers) for upgrade parts, ie a $100 video card for $600.

 

[Stephen]

That is impossible to do, because as much as this pains me to admit, since Apple's switch to PC components there really are no mainstream laptops that are on the same level (the high end ones). That's not to say that you can't get quality built laptops from smaller companies.

Apple switched to "PC Components" in early '90's. And even before that most parts were the same. I think you're getting confused with the switch from IBM PowerPC Chips to Intel Chips two years ago.

I still never see myself buying one.... on principle. I am not quick to forget how they have an extensive history of gouging their customers (very loyal customers) for upgrade parts, ie a $100 video card for $600.

If you buy directly from Apple, yeah it gets pricey. But for the last, oh let me see here, 20 years you've been able to find the same parts for cheap all over the place. Like we all know, do you go to the Dealer to get something that you can get at Checker?

 

[Brett]

Like we all know, do you go to the Dealer to get something that you can get at Checker?

If it's a 4.0L Jeep motor and you need a CPS, you sure do! :brett:

 

[MR.CJ-7]

I don't need it for gaming. I thought I would use it as a gaming system, but I've gone the way of PS3 for gaming.

I was thinking of getting a good quality windows laptop that I would probably use for most of my mobile office needs then get an average quality desktop just for the home office; web, email, MS office, etc... Maybe even forget the desktop and just use the laptop? Some of my business software and devices won't run on mac. I see no reason to get a dual boot when I am familiar with windows and my software and devices need windows.

I agree with the warranty issue and tracking the dude down. For now it would be no problem since I see him daily, but you know how people move around. At least with a "store bought" model I can find their tech support.

Then again it may just be better to pay more for his custom build (I know they run good and problem free) and keep the peace. He has done me some solid hookups on website services and I feel it may be time to pay the piper. He also sells laptops so I'll pick up my laptop from him, but he is just a re-seller for laptops.

I was mainly wondering if a power supply and motherboard and cooling fan can make a difference in $300-400 to justify custom vs store bought. I don't want to build one myself becuase I don't think I know enough about computers and honestly I don't want to mess with it.

Thanks for your advice!

 

[Caleb]

I don't need it for gaming. I thought I would use it as a gaming system, but I've gone the way of PS3 for gaming.

I was thinking of getting a good quality windows laptop that I would probably use for most of my mobile office needs then get an average quality desktop just for the home office; web, email, MS office, etc... Maybe even forget the desktop and just use the laptop? Some of my business software and devices won't run on mac. I see no reason to get a dual boot when I am familiar with windows and my software and devices need windows.

Click the pic for the story, basically some of the best windows laptops are Macs This is a Microsoft presentation given by Steve Ballmer.

I was mainly wondering if a power supply and motherboard and cooling fan can make a difference in $300-400 to justify custom vs store bought. I don't want to build one myself becuase I don't think I know enough about computers and honestly I don't want to mess with it.

Thanks for your advice!

It could, it very easily could...however I bet you won't actually get $300-400 more in the quality of parts. Have him give you a list (make, model, etc) of all the components and post it here. I'll gladly price it and tell you what the parts alone cost would be.

 

[Stephen]

I don't need it for gaming. I thought I would use it as a gaming system, but I've gone the way of PS3 for gaming.

I was thinking of getting a good quality windows laptop that I would probably use for most of my mobile office needs then get an average quality desktop just for the home office; web, email, MS office, etc... Maybe even forget the desktop and just use the laptop? Some of my business software and devices won't run on mac. I see no reason to get a dual boot when I am familiar with windows and my software and devices need windows.

I agree with the warranty issue and tracking the dude down. For now it would be no problem since I see him daily, but you know how people move around. At least with a "store bought" model I can find their tech support.

Then again it may just be better to pay more for his custom build (I know they run good and problem free) and keep the peace. He has done me some solid hookups on website services and I feel it may be time to pay the piper. He also sells laptops so I'll pick up my laptop from him, but he is just a re-seller for laptops.

I was mainly wondering if a power supply and motherboard and cooling fan can make a difference in $300-400 to justify custom vs store bought. I don't want to build one myself becuase I don't think I know enough about computers and honestly I don't want to mess with it.

Thanks for your advice!

You can run windows as if its a program inside OS X. As long as you aren't running something like CAD program you would be fine doing it that way. Programs like Parallels and VMWare Fusion make it really easy. There is absolutely no such thing as a program that can't run on a Mac.

 

[snccoulter]

I gave up 300 bones for my Toshiba laptop and bought anouther gig of ram in total 375 and it does what i need. all the Office programs and internet. it is on most of the time. it is a disposable computer, it wont hurt if it gets stolen or broken. I just back up everything nightly on my external HD as long as i am on my network.