Need some advice

[Bobiccd]

I could really use some advice about laptops. My friend just returned from Iraq for a couple weeks and he is looking to purchase a laptop for between $1,000-$2,000. I know a decent amount about computers but I have never really payed attention to laptops before, for that amount of money whats a good deal? Where are the best places to buy laptops? Ive heard dell compaq and hp (in that order) are the best is this correct? What about looking in worst buy and circuit shytty, I suggested that he would probabally get a better deal online but he seems intent on checking out those kinds of stores, is it ok to get laptops from them? I apolize for the flood of questions but I don't have much time, any specific laptops to check out are welcome. Thanks in advance

 

[Frightcrawler]

compaq, dell, and hp are not the best.
they are good, but they are not the best.
personally, i would say ibm is the best, but voodoo and toshiba is also great.

 

[TheDebater]

you might be able to get a great deal on black friday if he doesn't want to configure it himself, check your local ads i.e. OD, Staples, BB etc. I love my dell Inspiron 8100

 

[dnuggett]

Sager, IBM, Dell, Toshiba, HP, Acer, Sony, Compaq, in that order for build quality and support. Dell and Toshiba are interchangeable in their spots.

I'm leaving out Voodoo, Hypersonic, Apple etc.... because I'm assuming he doesn't want an Apple and he doesn't need to spend the extra coin to get a gaming rig.

 

[Hoplon]

I would recomend he does go to bestbuy, compusa, exc. It's a good idea to scope out the screen and keyboard quality before you order a specific model. Also it's much easier to return a defective laptop to a store than it is to compaq for example*shivers*.

If you tell us what he'd be using it for we can suggest some models. Right now the most well rounded model is the x1000 from compaq. It has good battary life, nice build quality, and is capable of playing most games.

 

[Bobiccd]

Hes not going to be doing anything to high end on it, mostly just web surfing watching movies (I think he might want a dvd player on it) and playing the occansional game, I see many good laptops in the price range he specified but I want to make sure he gets the best one for his money.

 

[dnuggett]

Name the ones he is considering....