Computer idiot with 1000 bucks and no computer.

[gotta240]

I live in a small apartment, know nothing about computers, and have 1000 bucks to spend on one. I only use the computer for surfing the net, saving pictures, and writing research papers (meaning i need to print too)

I like the idea of buying a laptop and using an HDMI cable while at home to use my flatscreen tv as the monitor. Any downside to that? I just dont like the idea of squinting at a laptop during 6-8 hr study sessions. Sound good?

I also considered a netbook, but that seems too small, and so far, i haven't heard of any with HDMI capabilities.

Suggestions? I dont need anything super fancy, but like quality. A full size computer would really make my small apartment even more tight. Suggestions?

[SimpleS14]

There are a lot of laptops out there to meet your needs from various manufacturers. I'm alittle bias, but I really like HP laptops (because I use to own one). I've been eyeing the Acer Timeline series, but I'm waiting until Windows 7 is officially released.

Here is what I'm waiting for from Acer: http://news.cnet.com/8301-17938_105-10282121-1.html

Have you checked out local stores?

As for the TV as a monitor...that is a good idea, just make sure you buy a wireless keyboard and mouse.

[chibo]

Lenovo Outlet - Laptops & netbooks

A. Lenovos are awesome
B. Refurbs are a good way to save money

For $1k and your goals I'd look for a 15" one... wait, nevermind. Just look for a Dell with HDMI.
Don't get a netbook, they suck for main computer use - the screen resolution is too small and you're scrolling all over the place. I've had a HP Mini 1000 for about 5 months now, it's nice, but it's not right for you.

[I LUV MY S13]

lap top is the best way to go imo...1000 bucks will get u a nice one too

[Future240]

Originally Posted by gotta240

I only use the computer for surfing the net, saving pictures, and writing research papers (meaning i need to print too)

You don't need a 1000 for this.

HP - Pavilion Laptop with AMD Turion™ X2 Dual-Core Mobile Processor - Bronze - dv7-1448dx

It has an HDMI output And it comes with a Windows 7 upgrade. This is basically what you need, and almost half of the money you are willing to pay. If anyone says anything about it having an AMD processor tell them to STFU, the performance difference between the two is pretty much only noticeable if you are doing heavy CAD Ansys, or gaming.

You can also check Ebay for this same laptop it will probably be cheaper, and may or may not come with W7 upgrade.

[SexPanda]

1: get a 200 dollar netbook.
2: spend the rest on hookers and blow
3: ???
4: PROFIT

[Slammed180]

Originally Posted by SexPanda

1: get a 200 dollar netbook.
2: spend the rest on hookers and blow
3: ???
4: PROFIT

I like this.

But yea. Laptop. HDMI. Win.

[ronmcdon]

you could probably get a decent laptop for $500.
get a decent 24" monitor for around $250 for writing those papers.
get a external 1gig hard disk for $100.
get a keyboard, mouse, & hdmi cable for $50-70.

If you're willing to splurge a little,
the 'Hanns-G' 27.5" monitor for around $350 is a fair deal.
I've have it for a few months & love it a lot.
It definitely good enough for watching movies on my desk.

I have a similar setup in my room.
basically have a laptop hooked up to a larger 21" monitor, full size keyboard/mouse, external hd, & better 2.1 speaker setup.

[gotta240]

Thank you SIMPLES14 (i was hoping you'd respond, as i find you often think with similar reasoning as myself), CHIBO, and FUTURES14, and RONMCDON. Great suggestions/starting place.

The wireless keyboard and mouse is a GREAT IDEA!!!! That would make the whole HDMI thing much more useable!

Ronmcdon- Just curious why you suggest getting a large monitor instead of just using my 50" flatscreen from my couch? I dont really have a "desk" at my apartment and dont need a great sound system or anything. Am i overlooking something that you are seeing?

I have been to the store to look at laptops/netbooks, but i just get pissed off, confused, and leave. I am so "behind the times" with computers that its frustrating. I would probably have an easier time purse shopping.

Thanks again and if any more ideas come to mind, please let me know.

[kdashy]

Originally Posted by gotta240

Ronmcdon- Just curious why you suggest getting a large monitor instead of just using my 50" flatscreen from my couch? I dont really have a "desk" at my apartment and dont need a great sound system or anything. Am i overlooking something that you are seeing?

Watching a movie or playing games from a computer to a TV is great, but they usually cant display small text well because the resolution/size ratio of TVs are way lower than monitors.

[Future240]

Originally Posted by kdashy

Watching a movie or playing games from a computer to a TB is great, but they usually cant display small text well because the resolution of TVs are way lower than monitors.

Unless he has an HD TV running at 1080p which is what my monitor is running at now.

[jimmytango00]

Apple...... the end.

[chibo]

Originally Posted by jimmytango00

Apple...... the end.

No.

$999 gets you a basic Macbook... then he needs to buy the overpriced MiniDVI to HDMI cable.
13" screen
2.13GHz
2GB DDR2 Memory
160GB hard drive1
NVIDIA GeForce 9400M graphics
Single Layer DVD RW

That HP is $529
It is:
17" screen
2.2GHz
4GB DDR2 Memory
320GB hard drive
Radeon HD 3200
Dual layer DVD RW

To bring the Apple up to spec just on ram/hdd/cable it comes to $1218. Then you need a dual layer DVD RW. Nothing personal, I am not an Apple fan. Never was, never will.
My only complaint is that the resolution on that HP sucks shit for the size of it (1440 x 900, should be 1920x1200) but then again, I am a screen space whore with dual 24" LCDs that run 1920x1080 each.

[ronmcdon]

Originally Posted by gotta240

Ronmcdon- Just curious why you suggest getting a large monitor instead of just using my 50" flatscreen from my couch? I dont really have a "desk" at my apartment and dont need a great sound system or anything. Am i overlooking something that you are seeing?

Sorry forgot you posted this.

Funny you asked there was that same discussion a few months back.
Here's the link;
http://zilvia.net/f/off-topic-chat/2...r-monitor.html

I had wanted to do the same, albeit with a more modest 40" 1080p LCD TV.
Actually, I did end up hooking my computer to my brother's 50" 1080 plasma.
Eventually I ended up just getting a 27.5" computer monitor and was happy with that.

The TV would be great for watching movies, tv, and maybe playing PC games.
The thing is, as mentioned prior on this thread buy other posters, the resolution settings for a hdtv @ 1080p is still a good deal lower than your average monitor.
I'm running a slightly higher 1920x1200 resolution on my 27.5" and its absolutely perfect for doing research, writing papers, etc.
It's almost like running a dual monitor setup.

Typing is pretty tiring on a large screen at lower resolution.
Maybe a 40" at 1080p would be fine.
Could be that 50" works out good for you too.
Just make sure your computer's video card supports that resolution.

About the sound system, I just mentioned I have it for myself.
I didn't imply you need something like that.

[Future240]

Originally Posted by ronmcdon

Sorry forgot you posted this.

Funny you asked there was that same discussion a few months back.
Here's the link;
http://zilvia.net/f/off-topic-chat/2...r-monitor.html

I had wanted to do the same, albeit with a more modest 40" 1080p LCD TV.
Actually, I did end up hooking my computer to my brother's 50" 1080 plasma.
Eventually I ended up just getting a 27.5" computer monitor and was happy with that.

The TV would be great for watching movies, tv, and maybe playing PC games.
The thing is, as mentioned prior on this thread buy other posters, the resolution settings for a hdtv @ 1080p is still a good deal lower than your average monitor.
I'm running a slightly higher 1920x1200 resolution on my 27.5" and its absolutely perfect for doing research, writing papers, etc.
It's almost like running a dual monitor setup.

Typing is pretty tiring on a large screen at lower resolution.
Maybe a 40" at 1080p would be fine.
Could be that 50" works out good for you too.
Just make sure your computer's video card supports that resolution.

About the sound system, I just mentioned I have it for myself.
I didn't imply you need something like that.

No offense but you all are acting like these lower resolutions make typing just impossible. For the longest time I was using a 1440x900 monitor and it only got tiring after 4-6 hours of looking at it. Now I am using a 1920X1080 and it is great. (that is what HD tv's run at for those of you who don't know)

If the OP is going to be hooking it up to a TV if its HD he will be fine, I highly doubt he needs these higher resolutions as a basic computer user.

[ronmcdon]

Originally Posted by future240

No offense but you all are acting like these lower resolutions make typing just impossible. For the longest time I was using a 1440x900 monitor and it only got tiring after 4-6 hours of looking at it. Now I am using a 1920X1080 and it is great. (that is what HD tv's run at for those of you who don't know)

If the OP is going to be hooking it up to a TV if its HD he will be fine, I highly doubt he needs these higher resolutions as a basic computer user.

No offense taken.
I'm just mentioning personal observations & preferences.

Typing isn't imposssible, it's just that there is eventual fatigue w/ a larger monitor on slightly lower resolution settings.
imo, its dependan't on the person & duration of use.
That seems to be the case even for yourself.

I tried it, and that was an issue for me after about an hour or so of typing on Word on a 50" plasma hdtv @ 1080 resolution.
Besides that, (speaking for myself) I also like typing close to my desk instead of 10-15 ft away from a wall.

I also did mention the OP should probably try using his 50" and go on from there.
If it works, no need to spend more & it's super-nice.

[chibo]

Don't shop at local stores for computers, you're going to end up getting suckered and paying a lot more than you should.

Future240 linked a decent compromise, I had a 17" dell - it's such a huge screen for a laptop, but if you're not going to be carrying the thing around or needing to run off battery it's great.

[S14_Kouki]

Iv had my dell for 3 years now and love it

[Matej]

Go to Best Buy and purchase a reputable system/laptop that suits you.
Plus you can make payments on it.

All the Dell laptops I have used have had something dumb go wrong though. I will most likely never get a Dell again, but that is just personal preference.

[gotta240]

http://jbrlsr.com/?aid=5336121849&bid=3381288&cid=0&url=http%3A%2F%2 Fwww.bestbuy.com%2Fsite%2Folspage.jsp%3FskuId%3D94 45718%26type%3Dproduct%26id%3D1218105504639

Sincerely, thank you guys for the replies! I cant even express how computer-retarded i am! Does anyone have a better solution for the 500-600 price range than the HP laptop above by future240? Or should i go with that one? (please keep the requirements in post one in mind). Anyone have a problem with refurbished HPs?

Edit- it says its NOT bluetooth enabled... Does that mean i cant use wireless printers, laptops, mouse?
Do any laptops these days use 3G? Or do i have to buy one of those wireless chips like 5 years ago?

THANK YOU!

[Future240]

Originally Posted by gotta240

Edit- it says its NOT bluetooth enabled... Does that mean i cant use wireless printers, laptops, mouse?
Do any laptops these days use 3G? Or do i have to buy one of those wireless chips like 5 years ago?THANK YOU!

Just connect your printer to your wireless network and it should work fine, just be sure to have a printer that can work in this situation. wireless keyboards and mice don't use bluetooth most of the time. Usually you plug a small USB receiver into the computer and it broadcasts that way

[ronmcdon]

Originally Posted by Matej

Go to Best Buy and purchase a reputable system/laptop that suits you.
Plus you can make payments on it.

All the Dell laptops I have used have had something dumb go wrong though. I will most likely never get a Dell again, but that is just personal preference.

Originally Posted by gotta240

HP - Pavilion Laptop with AMD Turion™ X2 Dual-Core Mobile Processor - Bronze - dv7-1448dx

Sincerely, thank you guys for the replies! I cant even express how computer-retarded i am! Does anyone have a better solution for the 500-600 price range than the HP laptop above by future240? Or should i go with that one? (please keep the requirements in post one in mind). Anyone have a problem with refurbished HPs?

Edit- it says its NOT bluetooth enabled... Does that mean i cant use wireless printers, laptops, mouse?
Do any laptops these days use 3G? Or do i have to buy one of those wireless chips like 5 years ago?

THANK YOU!

For the 500-600 range, I think that's about right for the features you'd get.
I'm slightly more impartial to Gateway, Dell, and Asus (had better exp with those than HP).

Agreed with Matej about Best Buy, esp if you're on a more limited budget.

The 6 month zero interest offer works out great for me.
I did the same.
A few months ago I purchased an Asus laptop for 1,200-ish.
Think it's this model, although I recall it was $100 cheaper
Asus - Laptop with Intel® Core™2 Duo Processor - G71GX-RX05

I just pay it off, paying $200-ish every month for 6 months.
It's convenient not having to front so much $$$ up front.
Just skip their dumb maintenance plans.

All things equal, I would inquire about this option of purchasing a laptop.

[S14_Kouki]

Originally Posted by SimpleS14

I've been eyeing the Acer Timeline series.

From what I have heard they have weak video cards. My friend has a lenovo and thats a awesome netbook

[SimpleS14]

Originally Posted by chibo

Don't shop at local stores for computers, you're going to end up getting suckered and paying a lot more than you should.

I mentioned the part about checking out the local stores to get a good idea on the look and feel of a laptop. You're bound to find better deals online.

Originally Posted by gotta240

Does anyone have a better solution for the 500-600 price range than the HP laptop above by future240? Or should i go with that one? (please keep the requirements in post one in mind). Anyone have a problem with refurbished HPs?

I like HP and have nothing against a refurbished unit. My only grip with that laptop is the bronze finish...too bling, but that is me. Either way, it's a REALLY nice laptop and I can't find one with similar specs for that price. Check it out at a local Best Buy and see if you like it.

Originally Posted by gotta240

Do any laptops these days use 3G? Or do i have to buy one of those wireless chips like 5 years ago?

Every laptop has a wifi chip so you can connect to a wireless wifi network. "3G" is something completely different...it's what cellphone companies use for internet service.

Originally Posted by S14_Kouki

From what I have heard they have weak video cards. My friend has a lenovo and thats a awesome netbook

That might be true. However, for what the OP wants to do the supplied video chipset should be adequate.

[S14_Kouki]

Originally Posted by SimpleS14

That might be true. However, for what the OP wants to do the supplied video chipset should be adequate.

What about the new Macbooks Iv heard good things about them I just have not priced them out yet.

[SimpleS14]

Originally Posted by S14_Kouki

What about the new Macbooks Iv heard good things about them I just have not priced them out yet.

Macbooks use Nvidia video chipsets and so far Nvidia is my favorite, but for the specs you get with a Macbook you can get a similar spec PC at a lower price. Now if you like the styling of the Macbooks, PC makers are starting to make laptops that are comparable to Macbooks, but the pricing is up there as well. Here's one from HP: HP Envy 15 targets Apple MacBook Pro with quality, performance | ZDNet Photo Gallery

I don't know you're level of computer knowledge, but if it's similar to the OP...just look into getting a PC.

[S14_Kouki]

Originally Posted by SimpleS14

I don't know you're level of computer knowledge, but if it's similar to the OP...just look into getting a PC.

You have way more computer knowledge then me but I do like to stay up to date with technology. So I do my reading around and asking questions lol

[chibo]

Originally Posted by S14_Kouki

What about the new Macbooks Iv heard good things about them I just have not priced them out yet.

Read my post above. I wonder. How long it will take until apples are no longer trendy again.

[Gnnr]

Wait until Windows 7 comes out.

I would NOT recommend a Netbook as a primary PC. For notebooks, I recommend HP (anything from their business line, not their consumer line). Lenovo Thinkpads is the line that was formerly IBM and very good. See the T and R series.

Stay the FUCK away from Dell, and I'm going to say Acer as well as I've had to deal with that POS brand lately too.

TEST the laptops material for quality. How? Grab at the corners and try to flex it. Lots of flex = crap. A laptop is a lot like a cellphone, if it feels cheap you are not going to like it in the long run. You want it to stand up to wear and tear, its going to happen. And make sure the keyboard has a damn Windows key if you're going to be using Windows (biggest annoyance ever!). Check the feel of the trackpad. Check keyboard tactile feedback.

I've bought and sold refurbished HPs, no complaints.

I would not recommend buying anything locally, buy it online. You can still get financing from the companies directly through their outlets. I do recommend trying to find the model you will buy online locally first so that you can see how it feels.

Good luck.

[Future240]

Originally Posted by jimmytango00

Apple...... the end.

A computer illiterate person does not need a mac.

Originally Posted by Gnnr

Wait until Windows 7 comes out.

I would NOT recommend a Netbook as a primary PC. For notebooks, I recommend HP (anything from their business line, not their consumer line). Lenovo Thinkpads is the line that was formerly IBM and very good. See the T and R series.

Stay the FUCK away from Dell, and I'm going to say Acer as well as I've had to deal with that POS brand lately too.

TEST the laptops material for quality. How? Grab at the corners and try to flex it. Lots of flex = crap. A laptop is a lot like a cellphone, if it feels cheap you are not going to like it in the long run. You want it to stand up to wear and tear, its going to happen. And make sure the keyboard has a damn Windows key if you're going to be using Windows (biggest annoyance ever!). Check the feel of the trackpad. Check keyboard tactile feedback.

I've bought and sold refurbished HPs, no complaints.

I would not recommend buying anything locally, buy it online. You can still get financing from the companies directly through their outlets. I do recommend trying to find the model you will buy online locally first so that you can see how it feels.

Good luck.

I have a few problems with this post. First off most PC's including the one I posted will give you a Windows 7 upgrade for free. I cannot speak for Dell laptops, but I have owned and know people who have owned Acer Laptops and their prodcuts are good. I am using one of their desktops and monitors at the moment. I've never seen a keyboard without a windows key, and that more than likely would not be an issue anyways.


I do agree on the not using a netbook as a primary computer, not buying locally, (unless it is a best buy), and checking the track pad and keyboard feedback.