Better Than Consumer Reports - Laptop Buying Guide And Shopping Notes

Laptop Buying Guide - Better Than Consumer Reports...


Video provided by - techtomorrow

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Here are just a few notes I was working on while researching the Top Ten computers of 2012.

And, as I was creating this list, it dawned on me that - REALLY - there is no single "top ten" list of computers that could satisfy all users because of price range, use, features, size, etc. Think about it. If you're a mom (or dad) and all you do with your computer is pay bills online, type, Skype, check emails, and surf the Net to research products you're interested in buying, why would you care about ten computers or even eight computers that are over your budget and aimed towards business moguls, music producers, and gamers?

So, I'm going to do a little more exploring before I create a top ten list of anything.

And, now for the notes!

WARNING:
Before you buy a computer, remember that processor makes a huge difference. There are some processors out there adequate for light duty, but there are also some processors out there that are shitty as hell and ain't worth a butt-naked nickel. Make sure to do your due diligence of research and testing before you buy. And if that processor ain't worth a crap, take it back.

Now... Consider your computer habits.

What's your Primary Use? By the way, numbers in parentheses list the minimum gigabytes you should want without having to hook-up an external drive. Solid State Drive computers are the exception since they're pound-for-pound faster than a hard drive (HDD) computer. Right now, a lot of the solid state drive computers start off with 128 gb drives. But, you can always add more. In most cases, you will find MORE horsepower and trunk space than what I have listed - unless you buy your computer used or receive a blessing from a friend. And, remember! The processor is important if you hate lag time and stalling.

Anyway...

Light Duty (1gb RAM/120gb HDD) - Surfing the Net; Checking emails; Skype; Typing; Writing; Reading, Research, Creating spreadsheets; Uploading and saving pictures; Creating flyers, business cards, forms, Downloading small files/apps; Storing small files (resume; letters; emails; notes), Watching Videos and movies; Listening to music

Medium Duty (2-4gb RAM/250gb HDD) - Lot of travel; Fast and easy Internet Connections; Quick-start-up and response times; Streaming movies and Video; Downloading 100+ MB size files; Mobile Wireless Reception Important; Watching TV or Movies

Heavy Duty (4-6gb RAM/500-750gb HDD) - Creating and Editing Videos; Creating and Editing Music; Simple to Medium Video Games; Graphic Arts and Design; DJaying; Linked to Company System

Super Duty (8gb RAM and up/1tb (terabyte) HDD): Extreme PC Gaming Software; Video Studio; Music Studio; Movie Production

Also consider Routine Maintenance: 

Defragmenting

Disk Clean-up

Updates (Updates have made me thoroughly sick and tired of getting free software stuffs. I'm so sick and tired of updates that I wish I had an update that would block the need for all those updates forever. Luckily, you can turn automatic updates off and on. The more software you install, the more "update" maintenance your computer will require. This is not a very bad thing, but the process can be annoying sometimes.

Dusting (If you keep your computer in a bag, you probably won't have to do as much dusting - but, it still depends on how long you use it.)

Working Environment:

Bedroom (desk), Bedroom (bed), Couch, Lobbies, Plane, Table, School, Home, Work, Wherever you can find a spot

- No matter what your laptop computer habits are, size and weight are important factors because of pricing and mobility. If you travel a lot, you might not want to lug around a big six pound 17 inch screen computer. You might want to go with a 14 inch or lower - and, save yourself money and the extra burden. Even if you don't mind the "workout", simply trying to fit the other stuff you need inside of your bag (without scratching up your computer) is a hassle.

Fifteen inch laptops are probably the most versatile because you get a size screen for viewing, the keyboard is the ideal size, and it's not as bulky as a 17 inch laptop. But, still be aware of the weight because some of those 15 inch laptops are also heavy as hell.

- Here, the running temperature of the computer is important. You don't want a hot computer on your lap. It's just uncomfortable. You can buy cooling pads but most are not shaped to rest on your lap. Cooling pads also add to the weight of the computer. Cooling pads are also great for keeping your computer cool and operating at optimum performance.


- Battery life should also be a major concern here - especially if you travel a lot with your computer and have to use it a lot. Invest in a second battery rather than hoping you'll get lucky and find a power source - unless you know the places you frequent have power supplies readily available to you.

- Mobile Internet Service pricing should be a concern if you need to (or want to) stay "connected". WiFi or Super WiFi is great if it's available. But, some places restrict logging on to certain sites. Some WiFi owners don't allow others to "piggy-back" on their WiFi without authorization, so you might end up paying 25 to 50 dollars a month for mobile wireless. I pay $50 a month for Clearwire "unlimited". They are now running specials at $35 per month. The connection time and Internet speed sucked like hell until I upgraded my Ram Memory. So, even if you get a low-budget or "light-duty" computer, consider upgrading the Ram. I get a little lag with large files (on my Acer Netbook), but now, I NEVER have an issue connecting or staying connected.

Warranty, Guarantees, and Service

- Check references.
- Read reviews
- Be aware of the return policy so that you can take that crap back to the store as soon as it starts acting up.

And, be prepared to contact the CEO or district manager if you can't get no satisfaction.

Well, I had more notes, but it looks like I got a little carried away so, I'll save the rest for later.

In the meantime, check out some of the reviews on the Web AND find out which laptops/ notebooks are the "best selling laptops" or "best selling notebooks" right now. That will definitely give you some ideas of what to buy.

Checkin' Out The Computers And Hot Booty In WalMart

Now, I don't want you to think I'm some pervert who goes around looking at booty all day - although, it's hard NOT to sneak a peek at all of these beautiful bootylicious babes out here with their tight jeans and array - but, I can't believe all of the fine eye-candy that was strolling around WalMart while I was on the hunt for the elusive SuperComputer.

Man, there were all kind of babes in that store - of every flavor and persuasion. I said, "damn... What In The Hell is going on in WalMart?"

Those girls were screaming with sex-appeal and salaciousness in all those hip-huggers and bosom boosters. Oh my goodness. Thick thighs. Pretty feet with those cute little painted toes. Soft baby-smooth skin. Luscious tender arms. Mmph! And their hair didn't look bad either.

I'm serious. I wasn't sure if I'd stumbled onto the set of a rap video or walked into a ladies clothing store by mistake.  There was booty Everywhere.

Wooo-wee. 20, 30, 40, 50... It didn't matter how old they were, they all were looking good.

Man, there were some honeys in there so fine they made you want to just drop to your knees and cry like a baby. Imagine some of the prettiest girls you've ever seen in one place and that's what it was like in WalMart that day.

It took every ounce of muscle I had in my head to keep my eyeballs focused forward... (luckily, my peripheral vision was unobstructed.)

Let me tell you... If you're single and looking to meet someone, WalMart isn't a bad place to shop - for knick-knacks or a relationship. And, you never know who you might meet. Hardworking classy ladies shop in there for deals and discounts too.

Anyway...

I was sweating bullets because right now, I'm in no position to date. And, I don't wanna date until I get going on my MasterPlan of making a Million. And, any one of these hot babes out here would be a complete distraction and total disaster to the development of my Plan. A plan that I really haven't even came up with yet. So, I Had to stay Cool.

Somehow, I managed to get through the landmine of bootylicious bombshells and make my way to the electronics department without anybody asking me "what the hell are you looking at?".

And, of course, they didn't have a huge selection. Hell, it's WalMart. So, I really didn't expect them to have more than two or three computers on the shelf anyway. But, they surprised me with about six or seven options. And, one of the computers even had a Solid State Drive! I said, "Damn! Go WalMart."

I can't remember what brand it was because I'm not too interested in anything with less than 500 gigs on the hard drive. But, overall, I think it was still middle-of-the-road ("high-end" if you're a WalMart shopper like me).

But, I was looking for something ultra-high-end without the ultra-high-end price. And sitting right beside that Solid State Drive computer was a Dell Inspiron 15R notebook with  8GBs of RAM and 1 Terabyte of hard drive space for only six hundred and ninety-eight bucks (698). My head almost fell off my damn neck. I said, "what the hell???"

I couldn't believe it was a Dell. And, for less than a thousand bucks! ???

It wasn't the sexiest computer I've seen, but it didn't look bad either.

And, the combination of features put it well within being one of the "Top Ten" computers of 2012. 
 
Four USB ports - two on each side with two near the back end so that you won't have a lot of USB stuff plugged up and in your way. Sweet graphics. Fifteen point six inch screen... An i5 processor... And, you know Dell has one of best (if not THE Best) sound systems of all notebooks around.. So, I was salivating in a moment of ecstasy..... until these fine-ass Asian babes rolled up beside me.

I said, "damn." Just when I thought I had all six of those laptops to myself, here comes the parade.

Then, some homeboys showed up. Then, a bunch of damn kids showed up. Then, some blondes showed up. Then, some sexy senoritas and nubian princesses showed up. And, they all started eyeballin' My Computer - and asking me questions like I'm a sales clerk in the store. I almost couldn't resist carrying on a conversation but after a few words, I said, "Here you go. Check it out."

Maybe that's the geek in me, I don't know. But, when I get excited about a technology (or, anything) everything else sort of fades to black and I don't care. Plus, I didn't want to get distracted. I decided to come back when things calmed down.

But, I can't lie. Some of those chicks were smelling good and looking good. Mmph!

Anyway...


To make a long story short, I ended up over at the iPod/iPad counter and decided on an 8GB iPod Touch. I remembered some of the reviews I read about the iPod Touch on Amazon.com and decided it might be the just was I was looking for in a portable PC. I needed something simple I could carry around while I was at work AND that would allow me to do basic searches and business transactions online. This was it. An iPad is just too big and ergonomically unfeasible (although it has the keyboard you can hook onto it) and you have to pay a monthly service fee, so it was easy for me to pass on that option.

There was a little bit of drama over there with the counter lady about price-matching and whatnot, and being overcome with rage, I got the 8 gig. I could not believe that dumb broad wouldn't call Best Buy and verify the price for me. Hell, on WalMart's website it says you don't have to have the ad in hand anyway. So, I took the 8GB model and left.

I got half-way up the street before I cooled off. Then, I went back into the store and took the 8GB iPod Touch back and got the 32GB I originally wanted.

I really didn't plan on buying Anything. I was just researching and trying to track down the elusive SuperComputer that will help me complete my MasterPlan.

But, Karma (or Lust) must've been breathing down my neck because when I got back to the electronics department, I was feeling so good in the WalMart Experience that I felt like I had the seven-year itch for a shopping spree! (All of that damn booty probably.)

Man, I bought the extended warranty, screen covers, clips, chips, dip, and the whole nine yards. Hell, I had to buy a drink to cool down from all of that high-powered shoppin' I was doin'.

When I got home and started unloading all of that stuff, I said, "Damn! What the hell???"

"I didn't intend on buying all of this crap." (or, any of it.) So, I don't know what the hell happened.


I know I was pissed and on my way to get my money back and somehow I ended up buying all of This "stuff".

I was confused and ashamed of myself because I had lost my focus. It was despicable. 

(I guess too much booty will make you lose your mind, won't it?)

But, at least I didn't have to deal with the same lady behind the counter. That chick was evil as Hell.

But, her cute co-worker who sold me all of that stuff... damn! Now, that chick was hot... And, she was sweet as pie.



(LoveQnA: Why Men Love Watching Booty)

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Notes:


I'm not a Dell spokesperson. In fact, I've always avoided Dell computers because they're heavy as hell and bulky compared to other laptops with similar (and sometimes better) features. But, for the price and features, the 15 inch Dell Inspiron 15R may be the way to go - unless you want the 17 inch screen.

BUT!

This is only the first computer I've actually got the chance to view while on my hunt, so don't think I'm suggesting that this Dell is the best out there. There are better Dell Inspirons and Special Edition XPS notebooks on the Dell website also. Plus, you can customize any of those PCs to your liking. The WalMart model was nice but I'm willing to pay a little more for the i7 processor.

If there are other features you want, need, like, or don't need, this is probably a good model to compare them to.

Review - My Latest Best Buy Computer Purchase

Best Buy: Overall Rating (***)

Best Buy Midtown: Customer Service (***)

Best Buy Midtown: Customer Appreciation/ Return of Defects (*)

I must be a glutton for punishment or have a "love-hate relationship" with the Best Buy located in uptown Charlotte, North Carolina, because every time I go in  there to purchase a computer, I run into some type of drama.

Recently, I went online to find some deals because I was in the market for a full-size computer with more RAM and storage than my Acer netbook because I'm planning to make videos and I want to copy some old VHS home movies to DVD. And, of course, Best Buy advertised a good selection and good prices. But, when I got there, they had none of the computers advertised in stock. Not a single one. That was my fault because I should've checked the availability online. But, it worked out well because those computers didn't have the power I needed anyway - according to the saleslady.

I told her what I planned to use the computer for and she told me I needed something with more RAM power and a better processor (4 Gigs of Ram; Dual Core; etc.) or I'd be wasting a lot of time watching the computer instead of using it. And, she enlightened me to benefits of having a computer that could handle multitasking better so that I could still enjoy listening to my music, surfing the Web, and using a few other programs while the videos and pictures loaded. She also told me about upgrading and improving the performance of the computer later on if I decided I needed more power without having to buy a whole new computer. Her presentation was really good and convinced me to spend almost $200 more than I planned. I couldn't afford the extended warranties or service plans after that though.

So, anyway, I bought a Hewlett Packard Pavilion g7 with an A6 Quad Core processor, Radeon graphics, 4 Gigabytes of RAM, and 500 gigs of memory. She tried to sell me a Samsung that was on display with similar qualities except it had i3 Intel processor, but I'd have to return 3 or 4 days later to get it. I didn't want to travel back and forth up the road for a computer so I went with the HP. It cost a little more but, it was a nice looking computer and it could do the job.

Well, I got the thing home and the DVD player didn't work. I could hear it trying to read every disk put int there but none of them would play. It would spin for a while then stop completely.

Plus, I turned the volume up to the max and the speakers sounded like crap - popping and crackling. It didn't sound like that in the store. I was disappointed as hell, but I couldn't return the piece of junk right away because I don't have a car and it would have taken me an hour or so to get back to the store. That was a chore in itself. Plus, I had other obligations and errands to take care of so I'd have to wait a week to get back down to Best Buy anyway.

I still had hopes of saving the poor HP Pavilion and went online to see if there was a way to correct the problem with the DVD but no type of tricks or troubleshooting worked, so finally, I said the hell with it and started re-packaging everything.



Later on, as I looked over the material in the box that the Pavilion g7 came in, I noticed that there was a pink tag taped to the plastic bag that the computer came in. It was a "defect / repair" ticket. I don't know what the issue was because the notes were written in Chinese. So, there was something wrong with the computer straight from the manufacturer - before they even put it in the box! This ticked me off a little bit but just as I was about to power the computer completely off, it started installing updates. I waited and hoped the updates would fix the DVD drive issue. The speakers sucked but I could live with it. But, it still didn't matter. The updates had no effect on the DVD drive. It was still struggling to read the "Dear John" movie I put in it.

After several days, being stuck in the same house with that "lemon" started to get to me and I had to do something. I couldn't wait a week to take it back, so I paid a taxi $20 to take me to Best Buy for a replacement. And, I'd have to pay $20 to get back. So, now the computer cost me $40 extra.

When I got there, a lady (customer service rep or cashier) took my receipt and took the computer in the back to test it. Then she came back and began the process to give me a refund but I told her "I didn't want a refund", I needed a computer and would shop around for a replacement. She didn't even ask me if I wanted to exchange it or anything. Just started ringing up the refund.

Anyway, while I was looking around, another sales associate came to assist me. The lady that sold me the HP Pavilion was busy with another customer. This guy was fairly knowledgeable, but I already made up my mind to get the same kind of computer anyway. That HP Pavilion had terrible speakers but it was fast and it looked sharped. Plus, it fit inside my computer bag almost perfectly. I must admit, I was proud to own it.

But, I was disappointed again...

They didn't have another in stock. Not even a display model. But, they had a "comparable" Toshiba Satellite L775 on the shelf. Only ONE... And, it had that "Geek Squad" crap on it. They deleted all of the ads and pop-ups and made a restore disk and it was gonna cost me $99.00 extra. There was NO OTHER computer in the whole damn store - in my price range or with the same qualities as the HP - except this ONE lonely-ass Toshiba with this Geek Squad crap on it and that same damn Samsung that was sitting on the shelf from a few days ago. And, it was Memorial Weekend!

I know we're supposed to honor the Vets and men and women in uniform, but these corporations thrive on these "holidays". Hell, they can't wait to advertise the goodies they have in their stores so they can suck out those last remaining dollars you have in your pockets. But, not this store! They didn't have jack-shit on the shelves and when I asked why since I knew they advertised a Memorial Day Sale, the salesguy replied, "Well, we only have one thing on sale anyway."

lol... What the hell???

I couldn't do anything but chuckle at the stupidity of the situation and asked him to turn up the volume on the Toshiba display model. It sounded pretty good. No popping and crackling noises. Then, I asked about the RAM and the Hard Drive Memory. He said it was all the same and that the Toshiba was just as good as the HP Pavilion.

I was disappointed that I couldn't get another HP but I thought I'd give the Toshiba a try. And, I wasn't about to pay $99.00 for that Geek Squad crap either. I asked him who was the manager on duty. He told me her name and where she was then walked off. No "Thank You", no "See you later", no "Hope you enjoy the computer", or anything. Just walked right off. I walked off too - straight towards the manager.

I told her that I was replacing a defective HP Pavilion with the new Toshiba but that I didn't want to pay 99 bucks for the whatever the Geek Squad did to it. She told me there was nothing she could do about it and I had to pay it.

Then, I went into my sob story about how I originally came in for a $299 computer and they didn't have any in stock and how the saleslady convinced me to purchase a computer that cost almost $500 and how I got it home and it didn't work and then I had to pay a taxi 20 bucks just to get back there and how I was losing sleep because I worked 3rd shift and how I was gonna have to pay another taxi 20 bucks to get back home and how they didn't have any more computers in my price range on the shelves (including no more HP Pavilions) and how shocked I was that it was Memorial Weekend and they had nothing in stock and she had the gall to look me in the eye and say... "Well, we don't make the computers." lol.... What the hell???

It was just ridiculous. I was shocked but I couldn't do anything but laugh on the inside.

I said, "So, you mean to tell me that you're okay with selling defective products?"

Then, she started telling me that the Geek Squad had to get paid for the work that they do on the computers and blah, blah, blah... I don't know what she was saying.

Then, some guy - one of those damn geeks - asked me to follow him back over to the area where I picked the HP and the Toshiba. He didn't have on a name tag, but he had on a necktie so I knew he was a geek. I guess he had to see for himself that there was nothing over there. Then, he tried to get me to take the Samsung and come back in a few days to pick it up. I said, "no, I can't do that. It already cost me $20 to get here and I'll have to pay $20 to get back home. I don't want to spend any more time and money on this."

He said, "Okay, that's no problem. We can take the Samsung in the back and prep it and have it ready for you within three hours."

I was starting to get perturbed because I knew he was trying to con me out of the Toshiba and give me the run-around about the $99.00 charge that he probably tacked on himself. Hell, he could've kept the restore disk. I've never used one.

Anyway, I go into my sob story again. He listens. But, again, he's telling me that I'm gonna have to pay the extra fee if I get the Toshiba. Then, he walks away and says he'll get someone to check to see if another store has the Toshiba. Now, after all I've went through and paid 40 extra dollars, he's still trying to send me out the door to another store - just so that he won't lose this "battle".

Fine. He doesn't make the ultimate decisions anyway, so he's no longer a factor in negotiations.

I went back to the manager on duty and looked her dead in the eye and said, "Okay. I'll pay the $99.00 extra, and I need the name and phone number of your District Manager."

Now, I don't like dealing with district managers because they don't know all the crap the managers and sales associates have to put up with in an under-staffed store. And, some of them don't care. They make one lap around the store in 15 or 20 minutes, give the manager a bunch of chores and tasks to complete with little help and time, make silly changes, and then, they ride off into the sunset. So, I don't like to complain too much because I know what some of these people are going through. And, she looked stressed out enough with a customer that was standing in front of her.

But, I wasn't about to let her or that damn geek screw me over that day.

She said, "Give it to him at the regular price."

It was fair and the right thing to do and I thanked her.

And, that damn geek STILL tried to put that $99.00 charge on me!

He started ringing me up and told me hated the fact that I'd have to pay the $99 but that it was worth it for what they'd done.

She said, "Oh, NO HE'S NOT!"

He was so shocked his eyeballs almost jumped out of his damn head when he turned to her - like: "WHAT???"

You heard the lady. Take that charge off of there, Asshole...

All of that only took about 30 minutes but the worst part of the story is: I went through all of that drama and the Toshiba Satellite L775 s7112 sucks like hell. That Best Buy sales guy didn't know what the hell he was talking about.

Yeah, I'm getting 4 gigs of RAM and 500 gigs of Memory, but the Toshiba has an A4 Dual Core processor with the lowest clock speed available versus the A6 Quad Core processor that the HP Pavilion had. In fact, the processor in this Toshiba is the "bottom line" processor that comes in this laptop. And, I can definitely tell a difference in the graphics and in the download speed. So, I ended up getting screwed by Best Buy anyway.

I said the hell with it. I give up.

Man, I'll tell you, I can't win for losing.... lol. C'est la vie.

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Recommendations:

1. Before you go to Best Buy, research online to see what kind of reviews the store you plan to visit has.

2. Make sure you know (or have some idea of) what you want BEFORE you go in. Don't completely rely on the salespeople.

3. Check the availability of several products (other options) you might be interested in just in case the online count is wrong and just in case they only have that Geek Squad crap in there and you decide on something else.

4. If you can go somewhere else and get what you want, that might be your best option.