My friend has $5,000 to kill on a laptop. Any recommendations?

[HappyCracker]

You could look into Asus' notebooks. Some of them have awesome battery life and look nice too.

 

[MangoTBG]

Since when did it become morally MANDITORY to donate to charity?



Oh...That's right. It isn't.


Build a computer for $4999.99 and give the rest to charity, I say.

 

[Sniper82]

Originally posted by: Mik3y

Originally posted by: JackOfHearts
Buy an insame laptop then sell it on ebay... Then get $1000 laptop and pocket difference.... *shrugs*

i already thought of that, but she just wants to keep everything simple. and she's already rich up the butt. her dad's a lawyer and gives her everything she wants. 🙂

IMO since shes already "rich up the butt" why waste money(since she doesnt need it) on a $5k laptop when it could go to charity?

 

[Mik3y]

Originally posted by: ^Sniper^

Originally posted by: Mik3y

Originally posted by: JackOfHearts
Buy an insame laptop then sell it on ebay... Then get $1000 laptop and pocket difference.... *shrugs*

i already thought of that, but she just wants to keep everything simple. and she's already rich up the butt. her dad's a lawyer and gives her everything she wants. 🙂

IMO since shes already "rich up the butt" why waste money(since she doesnt need it) on a $5k laptop when it could go to charity?

because the $5k is free. it wouldnt be wasting money if it's free. it's wasting money if she had to pay with her own money. also, she wouldnt get a laptop if she had to pay for one. only because she can have one wihtout charge, she's really like it just to be "tech savy".

even i wouldnt spend $3k on a laptop with my own money if i were rich. if i were her, i'd get a nice comp with a big, beautiful lcd.

 

[Go3iverson]

Here's what I'd buy...through Apple Educational pricing...

Apple PowerBook G4 - 17" Widescreen
1.5GHz PowerPC G4
128MB ATi Radeon
2GB Ram
80GB 5400RPM Drive
Apple 20" Cinema Display w/DVI
20GB iPod
AppleCare Protection Plan
-----------------------------------
$5301.00
-$200.00 Cram and Jam Rebate
-----------------------------------
$5101.00
+ Free HP Printer.

Pretty close, just over by $101.00

 

[Mik3y]

Originally posted by: Go3iverson
Here's what I'd buy...through Apple Educational pricing...

Apple PowerBook G4 - 17" Widescreen
1.5GHz PowerPC G4
128MB ATi Radeon
2GB Ram
80GB 5400RPM Drive
Apple 20" Cinema Display w/DVI
20GB iPod
AppleCare Protection Plan
-----------------------------------
$5301.00
-$200.00 Cram and Jam Rebate
-----------------------------------
$5101.00
+ Free HP Printer.

Pretty close, just over by $101.00

i was thinking more along the lines of just:

Apple PowerBook G4 - 15" Widescreen
1.5GHz PowerPC G4
128MB ATi Radeon
1GB Ram
80GB 5400RPM Drive
AppleCare Protection Plan

totaling it to just over $3000. it's already overkill, but still good. i've tried out all the powerbooks in my local apple store and i like the 15 incher one better. teh 17" is nice, but waaaay too big for me, and defintely too big for my friend.

 

[jpeyton]

I'm curious why so many people care about this thread?

If she could even appreciate an expensive laptop, she would have configured one already. As it is, she probably won't notice the difference between a nice $1000 Dell and a $3500 Alienware, as long as she can chat up AIM and play music.

The money is better spent on charity than on her, as the laptop will likely depreciate quickly under minimal use by her. At least homeless people will appreciate their meal, or sick children their toys.

 

[Frew]

Originally posted by: jpeyton
I'm curious why so many people care about this thread?

If she could even appreciate an expensive laptop, she would have configured one already. As it is, she probably won't notice the difference between a nice $1000 Dell and a $3500 Alienware, as long as she can chat up AIM and play music.

The money is better spent on charity than on her, as the laptop will likely depreciate quickly under minimal use by her. At least homeless people will appreciate their meal, or sick children their toys.

Well said...... NOW GO MAKE ANOTHER GUIDE! 😉

 

[jpeyton]

Originally posted by: LeadFrog

Originally posted by: jpeyton
I'm curious why so many people care about this thread?

If she could even appreciate an expensive laptop, she would have configured one already. As it is, she probably won't notice the difference between a nice $1000 Dell and a $3500 Alienware, as long as she can chat up AIM and play music.

The money is better spent on charity than on her, as the laptop will likely depreciate quickly under minimal use by her. At least homeless people will appreciate their meal, or sick children their toys.

Well said...... NOW GO MAKE ANOTHER GUIDE! 😉

Another one? For what? 🙂

Seriously, the money isn't *wasted* if it isn't spent. If her uncle was alive, I'm sure she would've bought a reasonable laptop ($2k max) if he uncle offered her the money. Don't change your spending habits out of greed.

 

[Go3iverson]

No sweat. I have a 15" PowerBook and love it! I agree, it feels much easier to pick up and move than the 17", despite the 17" being very thin and light as well.

So get the 15" with all the listed items I mentioned, throw in Final Cut Express and that brings you up to $5090.00 via education discount, after iPod rebate.

 

[WildViper]

I agree with JPeyton...the laptop is going to be wasted....why not do the better thing and let the charity have the difference. Get a laptop for $2500..you can get a very nice one for that price and the balance goes to charity...

a win/win situation IMHO.

 

[jdogg707]

Get her the following from the Apple Education store:

15.2-inch TFT Display
1.5GHz PowerPC G4 with 128MB Graphics Memory
512MB DDR333 SDRAM - 1 SO-DIMM
80GB Ultra ATA drive @ 5400 rpm
SuperDrive (DVD-R/CD-RW)
Backlit Keyboard/Mac OS - U.S. English
AirPort Extreme Card
iPod w/Click Wheel (40GB w/Dock)
iSight
Rechargeable Battery - 15-inch Aluminum PowerBook G4
AppleCare for PowerBook (w/ or w/o display) - Enrollment Kit

Total: $3,377.00
- 200.00 (Apple Cram and Jam)
-------------------
$3,177.00 (Plus Tax)

Get Elsewhere:

Logitech Z-220 2.1 Speakers - $100.00
Microsoft Office 2004 Students and Teachers Edition - $149.99
Logitech Bluetooth Desktop (MX900 and Bluetooth Keyboard) - $140.00
Sennheiser HD280 Pro Headphones - $100.00
2 x 1GB Transcend PC2700 DDR RAM - $472.00
Samsung 910T 19" LCD Monitor - $555.00

Total: $1,516.99

Complete Total: $4,693.99 (Plus Tax on 3,377.00)

You can save even more on the Powerbook by enrolling in the Student Developer Connection for $99.00. You may be able to save $300 or so over the education price.

 

[n0cmonkey]

Originally posted by: jdogg707
Get her the following from the Apple Education store:

15.2-inch TFT Display
1.5GHz PowerPC G4 with 128MB Graphics Memory
512MB DDR333 SDRAM - 1 SO-DIMM
80GB Ultra ATA drive @ 5400 rpm
SuperDrive (DVD-R/CD-RW)
Backlit Keyboard/Mac OS - U.S. English
AirPort Extreme Card
iPod w/Click Wheel (40GB w/Dock)
iSight
Rechargeable Battery - 15-inch Aluminum PowerBook G4
AppleCare for PowerBook (w/ or w/o display) - Enrollment Kit

Total: $3,377.00
- 200.00 (Apple Cram and Jam)
-------------------
$3,177.00 (Plus Tax)

Get more ram.

 

[jdogg707]

Originally posted by: n0cmonkey

Originally posted by: jdogg707
Get her the following from the Apple Education store:

15.2-inch TFT Display
1.5GHz PowerPC G4 with 128MB Graphics Memory
512MB DDR333 SDRAM - 1 SO-DIMM
80GB Ultra ATA drive @ 5400 rpm
SuperDrive (DVD-R/CD-RW)
Backlit Keyboard/Mac OS - U.S. English
AirPort Extreme Card
iPod w/Click Wheel (40GB w/Dock)
iSight
Rechargeable Battery - 15-inch Aluminum PowerBook G4
AppleCare for PowerBook (w/ or w/o display) - Enrollment Kit

Total: $3,377.00
- 200.00 (Apple Cram and Jam)
-------------------
$3,177.00 (Plus Tax)

Get more ram.

Read the rest of my post:

Get Elsewhere:

Logitech Z-220 2.1 Speakers - $100.00
Microsoft Office 2004 Students and Teachers Edition - $149.99
Logitech Bluetooth Desktop (MX900 and Bluetooth Keyboard) - $140.00
Sennheiser HD280 Pro Headphones - $100.00
2 x 1GB Transcend PC2700 DDR RAM - $472.00
Samsung 910T 19" LCD Monitor - $555.00

Total: $1,516.99

Complete Total: $4,693.99 (Plus Tax on 3,377.00)

 

[dickie1900]

If it's a desktop you're looking for and not set on a Mac. I'd look into the new ALX line from Alienware. Liquid cooling, 4Ghz, PCI-E, etc. All top of the line. And Alienware will set you up pretty nice, of course you're going to pay for it. But if money isn't an object, that's what I'd look into.

 

[flexy]

whow all that hardware for surfing the net 🙂 2 gigs ? for WHAT ?

 

[jdogg707]

Originally posted by: flexy
whow all that hardware for surfing the net 🙂 2 gigs ? for WHAT ?

Money to blow, why not max it out? haha....I do agree that if the remainder is going to charity, spend half on PC and then the rest on a charity...not to mention the tax break.

 

[flexy]

Originally posted by: dickie1900
If it's a desktop you're looking for and not set on a Mac. I'd look into the new ALX line from Alienware. Liquid cooling, 4Ghz, PCI-E, etc. All top of the line. And Alienware will set you up pretty nice, of course you're going to pay for it. But if money isn't an object, that's what I'd look into.

you are totally off. I dont think she will care for GHZ or GIGs or what gfx-standrad he card is. She doesnt even GAME !!!!

I can, however, understand the need for a nice, big LCD, a Burner, CD and DVD burner, nice design etc....but she will very likely NOT care about geek-features or 2 GIG of ram which she will NEVER ever only remotely use with AIM/internet explorer and realplayer/winamp 🙂

Micky, sicne i just bought my wife a laptop too, advice:

She might want to have one with nice speakers - and if she listens to music and does NTO want to plug in external speakers you might wanna check various notebooks and how good their sound is. I know that the speakers of this HP one are absolut horrible...and you dont wanna spend $5000 on a 'fancy' laptop she uses for radio streams and it might sound like a$$ because the speakers are too tiny 🙂

 

[Mik3y]

Originally posted by: flexy

Originally posted by: dickie1900
If it's a desktop you're looking for and not set on a Mac. I'd look into the new ALX line from Alienware. Liquid cooling, 4Ghz, PCI-E, etc. All top of the line. And Alienware will set you up pretty nice, of course you're going to pay for it. But if money isn't an object, that's what I'd look into.

you are totally off. I dont think she will care for GHZ or GIGs or what gfx-standrad he card is. She doesnt even GAME !!!!

I can, however, understand the need for a nice, big LCD, a Burner, CD and DVD burner, nice design etc....but she will very likely NOT care about geek-features or 2 GIG of ram which she will NEVER ever only remotely use with AIM/internet explorer and realplayer/winamp 🙂

Micky, sicne i just bought my wife a laptop too, advice:

She might want to have one with nice speakers - and if she listens to music and does NTO want to plug in external speakers you might wanna check various notebooks and how good their sound is. I know that the speakers of this HP one are absolut horrible...and you dont wanna spend $5000 on a 'fancy' laptop she uses for radio streams and it might sound like a$$ because the speakers are too tiny 🙂

flexy, you just hit the jackpot. speakers. i have an hp laptop and i find the speakers to be great compared to other notebooks, especially vs my sister's dell. can you tell me what notebook you got your wife?

 

[n0cmonkey]

Originally posted by: jdogg707

Originally posted by: n0cmonkey

Originally posted by: jdogg707
Get her the following from the Apple Education store:

15.2-inch TFT Display
1.5GHz PowerPC G4 with 128MB Graphics Memory
512MB DDR333 SDRAM - 1 SO-DIMM
80GB Ultra ATA drive @ 5400 rpm
SuperDrive (DVD-R/CD-RW)
Backlit Keyboard/Mac OS - U.S. English
AirPort Extreme Card
iPod w/Click Wheel (40GB w/Dock)
iSight
Rechargeable Battery - 15-inch Aluminum PowerBook G4
AppleCare for PowerBook (w/ or w/o display) - Enrollment Kit

Total: $3,377.00
- 200.00 (Apple Cram and Jam)
-------------------
$3,177.00 (Plus Tax)

Get more ram.

Read the rest of my post:

Get Elsewhere:

Logitech Z-220 2.1 Speakers - $100.00
Microsoft Office 2004 Students and Teachers Edition - $149.99
Logitech Bluetooth Desktop (MX900 and Bluetooth Keyboard) - $140.00
Sennheiser HD280 Pro Headphones - $100.00
2 x 1GB Transcend PC2700 DDR RAM - $472.00
Samsung 910T 19" LCD Monitor - $555.00

Total: $1,516.99

Complete Total: $4,693.99 (Plus Tax on 3,377.00)

That would have been a good idea. 😛

Usually I do read the entire posts, not sure what was going through my head. 😛 In that case, get less ram at apple, if possible.

 

[MichaelD]

I can't believe this insane thread has gotten this many insane replies. 😕

Your friend is ignorant of the way "tech pricing" works. You're slightly less intelligent for letting him spend that much money on a laptop.

But hey, thank you for stimulating the IT Economy. OK, I guess you ARE doing something worthwhile afterall.

 

[randumb]

Get a nice T42.

 

[AssyrianKing]

Your all dikheads, and why say i don't know anytihng and just a idiot, i do know alot about laptops i'm an electronic technician and i repair about 40 Asus laptops a week for warranty claims.

 

[SilverBack]

This is probably the best advice you will get......

Kyle at All American Computers will build your laptop to order and he does an exceptional job at it. He builds A64 laptops and will put what ever you want in it.

What I would want in a laptop
15" screen
A64 so you can move to a 64bit OS in the future
ATI 9700 mobile or possible 9800 mobile video (availability of the 9800 I'm now sure of yet.)
1 gig of fast ram
Largest hard drive available
DVD burner
external small portable mouse. <<<<< this is a good thing

Kyle's systems are pretty sharp, you can't go wrong with one.
Call him and tell him what you want and get a quote.

The phone number is in the blue bar near the top.
He opens at 9:00 am central.
They close for lunch between 12:30 and 1:30 PM.

 

[Mik3y]

Originally posted by: AssyrianKing
Your all dikheads, and why say i don't know anytihng and just a idiot, i do know alot about laptops i'm an electronic technician and i repair about 40 Asus laptops a week for warranty claims.

Too bad you can't repair your grammar. That's what needs the most fixing.