Need Computer Purchasing Advice

[Laurie S.]

I have a friend in Mexico (my dive instructor) who needs to purchase a new laptop or notebook. His is now too old to be fixed. His budget is preferably under $500 and it needs to be a Microsoft platform. I've looked at Amazon and they have a number of Toshibas that meet the price criterion. However, I had a Toshiba laptop about 15 years ago and swore I would never buy another one. But, I'm willing to accept that my lemon may have been an exception.

I need to buy one that is ready out of the box that I can take down there on my next trip in a couple of weeks. His plans for it is to access his e-mail and write reports for the diving business/club we've started. So, nothing fancy is needed. I'm going check out Office Depot and Wal-Mart, too, but I doubt they can match the Amazon price.

I would appreciate any advice or leads, and especially what ones to avoid.

 

[gotstang]

I am a big fan of Dell, especially their refurbished laptops. I'd also look for something with an intel core i5 chip. The core i3 is somewhat slow and the core i7 runs painfully hot. Every AMD laptop I've seen has made a great lap warmer as well.

The newer Acer laptops have an impressive reputation and the ones I've used were nice, but finding something ready in the box that is better than a bargain basement Core i3 POS might be a challenge?

I would not touch HP or Compaq with a 20 foot pole. If something bad happens, the recovery discs that come with the unit probably won't work. I've seen this five times recently, and each time, the customer is majorly hacked off that they had to pay $100+ for a new copy of Windows in order to get it working again.

 

[Midlife]

I've had 3 Toshiba laptops since 2002, all with good success. Although typically a bit more expensive, the smaller, lightweight versions are the only laptops in their class that have built-in CD/DVD reader/writers.

My only issues have been minor: a sticky antenna switch, and sound issues (either too loud or can't be heard...since switched to external speakers). No biggies.

 

[lethal289]

Im on a toshiba lap top right now. This thing is awesome.

 

[Laurie S.]

What model? It looks like I'll go with Toshiba after doing some research. I hope he can get online somehow to let me know if he wants a notebook or laptop. He's left it up to me. Oh boy.....

 

[blue65coupe]

I like my toshiba. No problems.

 

[lethal289]

What model?

Its about a year old now, it was a best buy exclusive. Back lit keyboard is a really nice option. i have a toshiba satellite E105-S1802

 

[jims6t6]

I've had three Toshiba's. Didn't have any problems with any of them. My current one is four year old.