[Nerthy]

My DH and I are looking to buy a Laptop. We have a Desktop at the moment and it works great, but we can't be both on it at the same time or take it with us.

We are looking for a reasonable price and good quality. We we're looking at the Compaq Presario Notebook and the Dell Inspiron. I have no clue which one is better.

We want/need something that will run smoothly and quickly. We want a wireless card already in it so we don't have to buy one, a long life battery, it needs to read DVDs and be user friendly.

Do any of you have any suggestion. We want to make the right choice and we need help.

Thank you so much for all your advice!

[AngieP]

I've had Dell computers forever, my last being a Inspiron laptop purchased about 4 months ago. I could have gotten the wireless broadband card already installed, but i opted to just get an external one through verizon. I love the laptop, have had no problems with it. Again, i'm loyal to Dell though, so i'm a little bias. I think i paid around $600 for the laptop when they had some great back to school deals.

[tutt26]

I have the Dell inspiron 1525 and love it! I have had it for about 6 months and have had no problems. I ordered mine with the card in it already and didnt pay anything extra for it. I also have a dvd burner on it and it will burn the double layer discs which is nice. I think I paid around $650 for it. Money well spent!

[kimmyann123]

i have a gateway widescreen,i really like it.

[katjim00]

I have a new Dell desktop that replaced my old Dell that I had for over 7 years!

My laptop is an HP and I will NOT buy an HP again.... at the time it was a better deal than Dell...

HP and Compaq are the same company so I would personally go with the Dell.

And as far as deals go, they are ALWAYS running specials... if you are patient you will get an excellent deal

[Nerthy]

I really appreciate knowing that you wouldn't choose a HP/Compaq over a Dell. My desktop is a Dell and i'm very pleased with it. I used to have a Compaq before they we're bought out by HP and I had no complaints, I didn't know if their quality and service had changed since then.

[AngieP]

Originally Posted by Nerthy

I really appreciate knowing that you wouldn't choose a HP/Compaq over a Dell. My desktop is a Dell and i'm very pleased with it. I used to have a Compaq before they we're bought out by HP and I had no complaints, I didn't know if their quality and service had changed since then.

Nerthy, If you're happy with your current Dell, I would continue with the brand. I have a standing account with Dell (which is another reason why i always go with Dell) and they always offer 6 months or 12 months same as cash. This is great to spread the payment out over a few months.

I've heard nightmare stories about HP computers.

[katjim00]

I bought my HP shortly after DS was born and about a month later it started having problems starting up... I would get a blue screen error message and would have to take the battery out to restart it. Being a new mommy I just never found the time to take it in Now almost 2 years later it still has the same problems, but I guess I've just learned to live with it!

Before my first Dell I had a Compaq desktop and LOVED it!!! I really do believe the quality went downhill when they merged though.....

[BStroh]

I have a Compaq Presario. It think it was $350 after the rebates. Not too bad IMO. I got mine at one of the office stores: Depot or Max. Just keep reading the sales flyers on Sundays to find a good deal.

[Kmchamplin]

I have 4 Compaq Presario laptops (though only 3 we use right now). All work fine and are wireless compatable.

[Dianaj64]

I have a MacBook. I love it to bits! My dd has a Dell and loves it too, but she likes mine better. I paid $1200 for it a year ago. Another of my dd's got her own MacBook to take away to school. She also prefers it and they are so much lighter in weight than the Dells.

[Omar329]

I would go with the Dell but it should be higher priced that the Compaq. IMO, Dell makes better laptops than Compaq. Dell is also higher rated than Compaq. BB and CC are having clearance specials on AD this week and they both have Compaqs for around $400 Clearance. So if you are looking for spending less, Compaq is the way to go.

[Omar329]

Shereen and I have a Gateway, Sony Vaio and 2 Toshibas and all work very well.

[Nerthy]

Wow guys thank you so much for all your help!! Keep'em coming!!

[gingersnap61]

I love my new Christmas toy my dh got me and it even came with a Blue-Ray DVD. I got a Sony Vaio wide screen and it's seems like a good computer so far.

[justfluffyme]

This completly IMHO, but I dislike compaq! Before I was disabled, I taught adults how to use their computers for a living, and my classroom was populatedwith compaq. I won't buy one. I think they are usually priced low for a reason.

My mom has a dell laptop, and it has help up well. Don't by swappable drives, that was the only hitch with the laptop we had.

[SLance68]

We have 5 Dell laptops at my office and never have problems with them - other than operator errors. Wal-mart also carries Dell laptops now. However, I found that you get better deals from Dell directly. It also helps to pick the system you want on line - put it in your cart - then call Dell and you can usually get more upgrades for free that way.

[Siri]

There is a 35% off Coupons for most gps systems at Dell home.

Use the following coupon code

GDMLR093R?M0S5

Examples:

Garmin

* Nuvi 205W Widescreen 4.3" $123

* Nuvi 255W Widescreen 4.3" w/ Text-to-Speech $143.

* Nuvi 265WT Widescreen 4.3" w/ Text-to-Speech, Bluetooth, FM Lifetime Traffic $192.
Lowest on Google Products is $214


tomtom

* XL 330 Widescreen 4.3" w/ Text-to-Speech $117
Lowest on Google Products is $149
* Go 720 Widescreen 4.3" w/ Bluetooth, FM Transmitter $130
Lowest on Google Products is $150
* XL 340 4.3" Widescreen $130
Lowest on Google Products is $136
* XL 340S Widescreen 4.3" w/ Text-to-Speech $143.
Lowest on Google Products is $153
* Go 630 Widescreen 4.3" w/ Text-to-Speech and Bluetooth $162.
Lowest on Google Products is $249
* Go 730 Widescreen 4.3" w/ Text-to-Speech, Bluetooth, FM Transmitter $194
Lowest on Google Products is $250
* Go 740 Live Widescreen 4.3" w/ Text-to-Speech, Bluetooth, Traffic $240
Lowest on Google Products is $299
* Go 930T Widescreen 4.3" w/ Text-to-Speech, Bluetooth, Traffic Receiver, FM Transmitter $260
Lowest on Google Products is $339


Magellan

* Roadmate 1440 4.3" Widescreen w/ Text-to-Speech $130.
Lowest on Google Products is $163
* Roadmate 1430 4.3" Widescreen w/ Text-to-Speech, Traffic $149
Lowest on Google Products is $173
* Roadmate 1470 4.7" Widescreen w/ Text-to-Speech $162
Lowest on Google Products is $194
* Roadmate 1475T 4.7" Widescreen GPS w/ Text-to-Speech, Lifetime Traffic $194
Lowest on Google Products is $235


Source: SD.