Tuesday, November 24, 2009

Laptops vs Netbooks

I've started my laptop vs. netbook fact finding mission. I've used laptops for the last 12 years. My first one being a Compaq Presario. My current 6 year old one is by HP and weighs about 17 pounds probably.

D has been encouraging me to get with the times and move to a netbook for the size and portablilty. This D seems to like encouraging me to spend money....

I do have trouble embracing new technology easily and quickly so it was like pulling teeth to get me to even take a look at them. After all why test temptation? I figure, if I don't see them, I won't suddenly want one.

We looked at them in 3 places -- Costco, Staples and Best Buy.

I was tempted at Costco when I saw an HP netbook for $450. The smallest ones didn't do much for me but this one was slightly larger. In Staples, I decided against laptops once I saw how big they have gotten. Full size keyboards are the thing now.

I did see another HP "laptop" that didn't have a DVD drive for $700 that caught my eye. It was finished in brush metal and I really like that look. Finally in Best Buy, I was willing to get a laptop again because they had a special on a HP one for $550.

My thought was I can get new technology and more power for $550. I can compromise on the size thing. Spending $700 was too much but for $100 more, I get a better machine than the netbook I saw earlier. That is the quirky logic that goes on in my mind.

For fun we looked at Macs. They are really sleek and really the price is similar to what I've paid in the past. D is a Lenovo guy so I've been told "no tech support" should I go the way of a Mac...

I paid $2200 for my Compaq and $1700 for my current HP. I cannot believe I can buy a better replacement for $550 plus taxes. That just blows my mind. And things will probably just get more competitive and even better. And no, I didn't buy anything. I'll just keep the research neatly tucked in the back of my mind.

4 comments:

  1. I've looked at Netbooks as well as Laptops my conclusion was a laptop with a 13" screen is still small and portable and comes with the must have feature that I want in a portable computer and that is a DVD drive.

    regards,

    Jason

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  2. Thanks for the great tip Jason! Why is a DVD drive a must have for you? (outside of watching movies)

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  3. Hey Guys nice to meet you!

    If you really want to save, check the prices online. The warehouse stores are cheap but they have overhead that gets put into the cost.

    Unless it is an emergency or something I have to have now, I try to order things online.

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  4. Thanks so much for the advice nodebtworldtravel!

    I hadn't considered online retailers. It is so easy to rely on purchasing from a place where you can actually see and try something out.

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