Need some quick recommendations

[Thraxen]

OK, my dad called me earlier today and said he needs a laptop by tomorrow. He is currently doing some work with a lawfirm out of town and is flying back tonight and needs a laptop for some work this weekend. The firm is buying it for him and have given him a budget of $2500.

Seeing as how he didn't call me till lunch and he needs it by tomorrow it kind of limits my options to what I can pick up locally. So I'm looking for recommendations on brands to consider, or avoid, at stores like Best Buy, Circuit City, and Sam's.

He is not a gamer or anything so that is not really a consideration. He is going to want something that is reliable and looks nice/professional. The budget is pretty generous so I should be able to get something nice. I just don't really have any experience with laptops other than the ones we use at work (Dells that die all the time).

Thanks!

 

[fbrdphreak]

I would check out HP and Toshiba. They are the better built laptops available at retail stores.
I've heard of some retail stores carrying the HP nx-series; these are the business grade laptops. An nx6000 series would be nice, as they are powerful and portable.

Otherwise something like the HP dv1000, L2000 would be good. Toshiba has a number of 14-15.4" machines that would work well. Go check them out in the stores. Make sure it is a Centrino (Pentium M) or Turion notebook. Make sure you check the machine out before you completely leave the store, in terms of it working.

 

[silverbuyer]

If there's no hurry I'd get a Dell, but since you need it by tomorrow I'd just go checkout Bestbuy, Compusa, Circuitcity, and Fry's if you have them. I think they'd give you the biggest selection. If you take a look at circuitcity.com you can read some user reviews. I'd probably take a hard look at Toshiba, Sony, and possibly HP. You could probably get a good deal at Costco or Sams, but Costco doesn't give you a big selection and I'm not sure about Sam's.

Good luck!

 

[silverbuyer]

Originally posted by: fbrdphreak
Make sure you check the machine out before you completely leave the store, in terms of it working.

Bestbuy turn on and configure your new laptop for free, right?

 

[TheWart]

IBM's laptops are apparently built like rocks and can withstand just about anything...they are also pretty light (their mobile line at least), and are a good fit imo. Not sure if you can get it by tomorrow though.

 

[NeBaWONG]

I would go to Frys and buy a fujitsu laptop.