New Computer

[ist8er]

I have a Dell that's going on 3 years old and it works great, but the battery died and I have to keep it plugged in all the time now. I think the computer itself will last a little while yet, but I might start doing a little computer shopping now to get a head start. Are there any computer recommendations out there? I've also considered just replacing the battery on my computer, but who knows how long my computer would last after doing that.

Anyways, I'm just looking for some suggestions on what computers are a good deal and would last a while. I basically just use my computer for surfing the internet, a few games here and there, and basic MS Office stuff.

A Mac would be cool, but I don't know if I want to spend the money. Are they worth it? Thanks in advance.

 

[Rhoadhoused]

I would avoid a Mac. Not that the Mac you buy won't work well and be cool, but Apple sells the EXACT SAME THINGS for about twice the money or even more. They aren't a better version or refined or made with better materials. Dell will sell a hard drive for say $300 and the same hard drive in a Mac will be sold for $700. It doesn't make it a bad hard drive, but you could have a hard drive that is twice as good for the same price Apple sells its basic hard drive.

Check out this

 

[brianhos]

I would avoid a Mac. Not that the Mac you buy won't work well and be cool, but Apple sells the EXACT SAME THINGS for about twice the money or even more. They aren't a better version or refined or made with better materials. Dell will sell a hard drive for say $300 and the same hard drive in a Mac will be sold for $700. It doesn't make it a bad hard drive, but you could have a hard drive that is twice as good for the same price Apple sells its basic hard drive.

Actually a Mac is not twice the price, more like 10%.

Go to slickdeals and see what the dell coupons they have are. Just watch it for a few days and someone will post a double or triple coupon deal at dell.com.

 

[everyyard]

recommend Mac. worth the difference. but first I might just replace the battery.

 

[IcSyU]

I basically just use my computer for surfing the internet, a few games here and there, and basic MS Office stuff.

A Mac would be cool, but I don't know if I want to spend the money. Are they worth it? Thanks in advance.

For what you do on it, no, a Mac wouldn't be worth it. A baseline laptop ($350-$450) would do everything you need it to do.

 

[Bipolarcy]

I would avoid a Mac. Not that the Mac you buy won't work well and be cool, but Apple sells the EXACT SAME THINGS for about twice the money or even more. They aren't a better version or refined or made with better materials. Dell will sell a hard drive for say $300 and the same hard drive in a Mac will be sold for $700. It doesn't make it a bad hard drive, but you could have a hard drive that is twice as good for the same price Apple sells its basic hard drive.

Check out this

Yeah, I don't know where this dude got the cost figures for that Mac, but I never paid half as much as his beginning figure for my Intel-based iMac. And my computer is not obsolete, even after 5 years. Apple periodically updates most everything on my computer for free. the only thing out of date is my operating system and every computer you buy, you have to buy a new operating system periodically.

 

[tim_redd]

Just go on ebay and get a replacement battery for like $40.

 

[ISUAgronomist]

Just go on ebay and get a replacement battery for like $40.

This. If it is working fine post the model of your laptop and someone will find a quality battery for you.

 

[dmclone]

Are you talking about a laptop or a desktop. The cheapest Appple macbook is $1K right? Now go and compare it's specs to a Dell.

 

[ist8er]

Yea, the more I think about it, the more I would rather just get a new battery for it and hope it lasts a while yet. It's a Dell XPS M1530. I think I found a battery for it on dell.com. Looks like they range in price from 135-250. I'll check on eBay next.

 

[tim_redd]

I have the exact same computer, and my original battery died.

9 CELL! Battery For Dell XPS M1530 RU006 RU033 TK330 | eBay

I bought that 9 cell battery in 2009 and it's worked great for me. There are also 6 cell batteries if you want to maintain the slimness.

 

[ist8er]

I have the exact same computer, and my original battery died.

9 CELL! Battery For Dell XPS M1530 RU006 RU033 TK330 | eBay

I bought that 9 cell battery in 2009 and it's worked great for me. There are also 6 cell batteries if you want to maintain the slimness.

Good deal. I think that's what I'm going to do.

 

[woodie]

Staples.com $99.99 I've purchased these batteries before and they are quality.

Lenmar Replacement Battery For Dell XPS M1530 Laptop Computer | Staples®

i bought a mac last year and it is a pain in the arce.very poor engineering as its usb ports do not let plug -in equipment to fit properly. stick with a dell or hp- apple has much hype,but the quality of their products have gone down hill in recent years...

 

[Rickybaby]

Are you talking about a laptop or a desktop. The cheapest Appple macbook is $1K right? Now go and compare it's specs to a Dell.

Yeah, that's what I thought too. Desktops are different but the Apple laptops are very expensive. VERY nice, but expensive. The Dells are nice and work well and are a lot cheaper. The macbooks are very nice and pricey. Your choice.

If I was you, I'd just replace the battery if that's all that is wrong with it and get along for awhile yet; its not that old.

 

[Bobber]

I have a Dell that's going on 3 years old and it works great, but the battery died and I have to keep it plugged in all the time now. I think the computer itself will last a little while yet, but I might start doing a little computer shopping now to get a head start. Are there any computer recommendations out there? I've also considered just replacing the battery on my computer, but who knows how long my computer would last after doing that.

Anyways, I'm just looking for some suggestions on what computers are a good deal and would last a while. I basically just use my computer for surfing the internet, a few games here and there, and basic MS Office stuff.

A Mac would be cool, but I don't know if I want to spend the money. Are they worth it? Thanks in advance.

I inherited an old 2004 Compaq Presario tower when I bought my house last year. We needed an extra computer to do basically all the same things you want for our kids. I spent $50 to get it cleaned up and to have the latest software loaded onto it. We have it hooked up to high speed internet through Mediacom and it loads just as quickly as my much newer Thinkpad.

I'll probably spend a little more money to get a bigger LED screen and maybe a different mouse, but am extremely happy with the bang for the buck I'm getting with this computer. You can surely find something a little newer like this on the internet or at some computer store.

Am not planning no doing many games and the guy who worked on the computer said we'd be better off getting a XBox or Play Station.

 

[cytech]

The Dell Online Store: Build Your System

Decent dell deal for a laptop

 

[Wesley]

I inherited an old 2004 Compaq Presario tower when I bought my house last year. We needed an extra computer to do basically all the same things you want for our kids. I spent $50 to get it cleaned up and to have the latest software loaded onto it. We have it hooked up to high speed internet through Mediacom and it loads just as quickly as my much newer Thinkpad.

I'll probably spend a little more money to get a bigger LED screen and maybe a different mouse, but am extremely happy with the bang for the buck I'm getting with this computer. You can surely find something a little newer like this on the internet or at some computer store.

Am not planning no doing many games and the guy who worked on the computer said we'd be better off getting a XBox and not a Play Station.

Fixed it for you. Sony may see less game development after their month long fiasco.

 

[Bobber]

Fixed it for you. Sony may see less game development after their month long fiasco.

Yeah that doesn't even register which tells you how much interest I have in games. The Wii actually looks the most intereting to me considering the stage my kids are in, but not sure I want to get them hooked on games. That stuff seems to be as addictive as Crack.

 

[pulse]

Look at it this way, you could drop $40 on a new battery for your old crappy Dell laptop, or get a new laptop for a few hundred dollars.

Incidentally, I have 2 Dell laptops with batteries that are completely dead too. No way I'm buying batteries for these things when I can get new for a little more.