This has nothing to do with our dogs, but I need a prayer or some advice/thoughts on what computer brand U use, and why? Without a computer I can't do my work or keep in touch with the forum.....
what brand do you use, is it reliable? Sturdy? Fast with lots of memeory?
lots of storage or decently priced?
I have had ongoing issues with my laptop and now must get another notebook soon.
I am researching what brands and looking at new computers now.
(I had my laptop repired)down in fort lauderdale, I had sent my laptop, ( charger port was cracked & I couldn't charge the laptop)
The repair shop fixed it , but they broke my "moniter screen,and several other parts, IT is blacking out, and they won't claim responsibility...I am stuck now with a broken computer..
The kids Mac is down also, ( missing a video card, which blew in a storm surge) to reapir is will cost $200.00.

I now need a computer/notebook.
I Have an "AVERTEC" very Thin light model, portable model,wireless, 13" 1.6 GZ
80 gig's "AMD" ATHLON - I miht need something like 2 g's of memory, something sturdy,
yet light and portable.small to carry around with me. what's on the market that you use and why do you like that brand thanks.. THANKS so much.

Lisa, I am currently using a DELL desktop that is 8 years old. I always carry extended warranty with on-site repair. Just got a new DELL and have the same program. DELL machines have always been reliable and DELL stands behind its products. Go on line and you will see you have a lot to choose from. Good price range also.
Barbara B.

I've also had good luck with Dell - both at home and at work although, in my opinion, their technical support isn't quite as good as it used to be.

Hi Lisa

I also had a Dell computer... and had nothing but trouble with it... if you go with a Dell... get on-site repair.. it's the only way to go with Dells.

My Dell broke after 1.5 yrs old... it would just turn off... I've dealt with so many customer representatives from Dell, I learned how to open the computer, take everything out and put it back in.

It took Dell 2 years to figure out it was the power source... after they replaced the mother board, the processor, and various other assorted parts.

When I thought I finally had it fixed, it started and I got a blue screen Windows wouldn't download... I ended up hiring a local computer guy who figured out I needed a new video board... and the one Dell sent would just turn my computer back to a blue screen... I called it the blue screen of death.

So, I gave up on my Dell... went and bought a Mac.... much more expensive... but, other than having problems trying to do the show entry and membership applications on the SSDCA-MAC website... hasn't given me one problem and I just love it.

Mac's are pricy though!

If I had to go with another brand.. I'd buy one I can take back to Best Buy or some such place and have someone fix it!

Dell is a good option that offers a wide range of laptops. Their warranty is good, but you get what you pay for... pay for on site rather than mail-in support!

I am using an Lenovo provided by work which is very nice, but expensive.

Apple makes nice laptops, but they are spendy. I like the MacBook Pro but I despise with all my heart and soul the keyboard on the less expensive Macbook (it's like a giant calculator)

Anne has been using my Alienware, but it's over 4 years old and it's starting to die. I think we'll end up replacing that machine with a Dell.

And I agree with everyone previous: Dell support is 'ok' but it is not as good as it used to be.

(I built my own desktop, but I don't ever recommend that to anyone.)

We have a Dell. Although the computer I use, most of the time is a very old IBM. LOLs
(which has never given me any problems)

The Dell has had it's issues. One such issue was not the fault of the manufacturer, but.... the BIG SHILOH, who stepped on it!
It's a laptop, and apparently, if a HUGE dog steps on them, even when they are closed.... the screen breaks. Who woulda thought? LOLs

Anyway, the thing I really don't like about Dell, is the fact that you talk to people in India, when you call them.

Ya, I know.... it's everywhere, but, still.... I don't have to like it.

Hi Lisa, I use a Gateway, it's my second Gateway purchase, and I wouldn't buy another one. This one wasn't durable, and the keyboard has an occasional issue. I would recommend visiting a Best Buy, they carry all the major brands, plus a few. Find a brand that has the right screen size, weight, no reason to go less than 2GB RAM, and check into battery life. My impression is that most of the specs on the basic systems are pretty loaded. Then research on line for the best price. Best Buy's website has an expanded assortment, in a quick check, I found basic systems for $600, brands were Dell and one was a Toshiba in their outlet center. For work I use an HP, seems pretty durable, but definitely not sleek or lightweight. I like Toshiba as a brand, they have been in the notebook business since the beginning.

I find Sony and Apple a bit pricey.

Lisa, Another consideration is an External Hard Drive - backup your data. Cost is resonable. Example - our county was under a tornado warning early this morning and one of the item I take to a safe place is my external hard drive. I also back important data to CD's to store away from my home on a regular basis.

Lisa - Dell is having some AWESOME deals on computers right now - only for the next couple of days - they're 'cashing in' on the rebate checks!

Also, re power surges - we bought an emergency power backup for about $60 at Offie Depot - if you have a power surge, or power goes off, it saves your work - and will save your 'puter if there's a surge. A very worthy investment!

Lisa, I had a laptop (two in a row) and then decided that laptops were not dependable enough. So, I bought a tower and not only a tower, but a tower server and use it as a work station. It is made by VisionMan and sold on www.tigerdirect.com

The thing I hated, was the time lag between me asking something to be done and waiting for it to happen on the screen of the laptop.

Now when I click, I get an immediate response. It is so fast! I was going to get a gaming PC, because those are very fast computers, but I found out that the tower servers had something called RAID technology (which is three hard drives that communicate) and it shares all the data, so that if one hard drive fails, there is an excellent chance that the other ones have all the data and you only swap out the failed drive with a new one. You never miss a beat.

The cost was very reasonable too and VisionMan's 800 tech support has always helped me if there was anything to figure out.

I am not super IT savy, but I was able to set it up on my own, with the help of tech support, which I never had to wait more than 5 minutes for.

But, if you want a laptop, I have had good luck with Toshiba, albeit the slow response time. But, all my laptops have been slow. At the office we use IBM ThinkPads and they are okay, but we have replaced them about four times in seven years.

BTW, Lisa, why did you post this on Christian Corner?

I have a Mac. The MacBookPro laptop. I LOVE it.
It is as fast if not faster than most middle of the road desktops.
However - if you do a lot of paperwork,business type stuff,
you will spend more money getting the programs you need.

My sister just got a Hewlett Packard laptop for my newphew. And a friend just got a HP desktop. They are both very happy with their picks.
HP was rated as having best customer service & technical support in 2007 by Consumer Reports.

sorry I didn't know where else to post on this topic,but I needed some feedback I have been asking everyone what they are using and am learnign about the different brands..

dell nice looking and some love them heard both good and bad on dell's..service I heard is bad
I love the mac also michele, it is a good machine , until you need a part then it's pricy!! and no-one in daytona will fix it !!!
have to go to orlando or send to california.. I should get the kids mac fixed (G4) tower loaded - but again you have to "keep up with jaguar and leopard" etc ad yes it';s expensive....to get those programs and sometimes you can;t "open" windows stuff on the web you know what I mean?

sometimes the best way to shop is by word of mouth...I have been looking at the
Sony vaio (light pink case ) yes pink,
but I like the design and it's so light but a little pricy..my mom has compaq she likes ..
I have to keep looking around a researching this thanks so much and yes I will call dell jackie I like their "metal" keyborad -so simple almost like a mac feel..i think it's the xps..??
thanks again juts want to get something that will be reliable

I have to get the video and pictures from the show into that laptop so I can post on THOR's BLOG,
the mac will ri about $200.00 for a promac edition video card and that has to come from california, so after I get my laptop I HAVE to fix the mac!

We have a Dell laptop. No complains.

I happened to noticed the topic and thought I'd chime in with my own, extensive experience with Dell:

Dell desktops are NOT as good as they were just a few short years ago. The quality has suffered immensely and they are HIGHLY prone to failures. I work in IT for a large multi-million dollar company and I have some desktop Dell's that have had parts replaced 8 or more times during their 3 year warranty.

Dell's Latitude line of laptops, on the other hand, are fairly reliable if they're somewhat taken care of. If you tend to really beat up your laptop, it probably won't last as long as I'm used to seeing.

As far as support goes, if you have some technical knowledge, Dell is pretty good at support. However, if you're not a computer person, then calling a third world country for support is going to be extremely frustrating due to the language barrier, which will only worsen the terminology barrier.

To sum it up, I don't trust Dell hardware much anymore. I even just returned 2 LCD monitors because they were of very poor quality. They were fairly cheap and that's exactly what I got: a cheap monitor.

I have heard very good things from people who use Alienware, Asus, and Lenovo Thinkpad laptops. Alienware is akin to Dell's XPS line of high-end computers. (FYI: Dell purchased Alienware in 2006; Acer purchased Gateway in 2007.)

As someone said earlier, you get what you pay for. But, if you pay <$1000 for a laptop and it lasts you 3 years, some might say that was worth it. Also keep in mind that you really can't upgrade a laptop other than changing the hard drive or perhaps adding memory, so you're really stuck with whatever you purchase.

george I have discovered this along my researching journey about DELL that it's workmanship inside the computer is NOT too good, most folks have issues and the ones that don;t are fortunate ..
I did narrow it down too two so far:
It's a big expense to buy a computer and this is what I have chooseen so far:
(mainly due to finances -I can't afford a MAC BOOK PRO and can;t get the kids MAC fixed right now..)


hewlettw packard 14" 3 GIG memory and a 250 HD
with I believe an AMD chipset...
(I use fly drives anyways) so hard drive is useless, I don;t need a "BIG bus" that may breakdown, I nedd a FAST vehicle-(laptop)
anyways thanks everyone I am juts tryign tosave myself the headache of getting the wrong brand

also lenovo and thinkpads are good I heard

ok so I ended up with the

"SONY VAIO" CR series
laptop running 3ghz ram-memory!
with 250 gig's hd
(looks and feels "MAC-ie"
(is that a word?? haha ) It is running vista,
a huge ram hog, not too crazy about vista looks like the leopard ... but at least I can get online again...and now that I am broke...
but having a computer that works is crucial!!!