Holiday Laptop Buying Guide

[robvas]

If you're going to buy from Best Buy, be aware that there is a 15% restocking fee. I don't know if they would even let you return an open box item to begin with. Most of those sales are 'final'.

None of this is true. When is the last time you were in a Best Buy?

 

[robvas]

I don't run Antivirus (except on work pc because it's pushed out by GPO) and haven't had a virus, or malicious software in over 8 years.

Woudn't really matter because they never catch anything anyway.

 

[Topless_Pony_00]

I don't run Antivirus (except on work pc because it's pushed out by GPO) and haven't had a virus, or malicious software in over 8 years. Most of what you just outlined, has been on PC's as well. When it comes to hardware, there really is no difference.

If you're going to buy from Best Buy, be aware that there is a 15% restocking fee. I don't know if they would even let you return an open box item to begin with. Most of those sales are 'final'.

So you do not have Antivirus and download movies and music from torrent sites without any issues in 8 years? I could never say this when I had a PC and I always had an up to date Antivirus program running. I am not saying that you will NEVER get a virus with a MAC but your chances are exponentially lower then a PC, by a large margin.

The reason I said open box is because there is no restocking fee...at least there was no restocking fee when I did it 4 years ago, it might have changed since then though.

 

[robvas]

The don't do a restocking fee anymore, probably because the damn Geeksquad opens up every computer anyway.

 

[Overboost]

I don't run Antivirus (except on work pc because it's pushed out by GPO) and haven't had a virus, or malicious software in over 8 years. Most of what you just outlined, has been on PC's as well. When it comes to hardware, there really is no difference.

This. I've run either Norton or Microsoft Security on my PCs and NEVER had a virus on it. I've picked up malware which was quickly removed, but for the most part, it's been flawless. I don't get how people can get PCs so messed up that a clean install or massive work done to recover it.

 

[Stalker]

They dropped the restocking fee apparently last decmeber and never put it back on. It was supposed to be just for the holiday season, but apparently changed that. Open box items do not have a restocking fee. New items do if they are special order (25%).

 

[Tin]

The only use Ive had for Windows the last 6 years was gaming. Every laptop Ive purchased over that time period has always been wiped free of Windows right out of the box and had some Linux distribution installed. For everyday uses, Linux is hard to beat. When you get to more specialized needs, thats where Windows would come into play. Ive been eyeballing a Mac Mini for my next desktop, them little bastards sure are cute :lol:.

 

[91Bird305]

This. I've run either Norton or Microsoft Security on my PCs and NEVER had a virus on it. I've picked up malware which was quickly removed, but for the most part, it's been flawless. I don't get how people can get PCs so messed up that a clean install or massive work done to recover it.

The last big virus I remember hitting a lot of average user Window OS computers was the blaster worm. It was awful trying to get rid of that damn thing on college campus.

That was back in 2003 I think. There might have been one more recently. I have been out of the field tech game for awhile now.

A computer being susceptible to viruses in the past should really not be the #1 top of discussion when purchasing a laptop. Most users are not going to experience attacks like they did 5-6 years ago. Even if you are still nervous or you visit sites that have a high potential of a virus/malware. Put a virus / malware application on the PC, have it update its DAT files once a day after noon and have it do a full scan every night at like 3:00am. Then have the PC setup for automatic important updates. Then have it keep a clean backup just in case. That person is not going to run into issues.

What you should be looking at is how enjoyable the OS is to you. Are you able to navigate easily. Is the speed good enough for you? How does the design of the laptop feel in your hands. Is it too heavy? Does it come with everything you want? Price. Support. Warranty. Etc...

Windows, Apple, Linux, etc...they all get the job done.

 

[robvas]

The last big virus I remember hitting a lot of average user Window OS computers was the blaster worm. It was awful trying to get rid of that damn thing on college campus.

Blaster was terrible for 2 reasons: It was a worm so it spread itself - your computer simply needed to be turned on (and online) to get infected, and second it would shut your computer off after 60 seconds!

Even if you are still nervous or you visit sites that have a high potential of a virus/malware. Put a virus / malware application on the PC, have it update its DAT files once a day after noon and have it do a full scan every night at like 3:00am. Then have the PC setup for automatic important updates. Then have it keep a clean backup just in case

The point is, you shouldn't have to do all that shit! It's like saying "Just get a dog, security cameras, keep your car in the garage, don't go outside at night", when you really should just move to a different neighborhood.

 

[lethalss]

I donno. Our next computer will be a 27" iMac. I'm gonna go get one with some tax return money. I've been using PC's ever since I could remember and every year, I have to back up my stuff, clear the hard drive and start from scratch because of viruses and all that jazz. Some of my friends have Mac laptops and they never ever ever ever ever have problems at all......and they watch porn and download music and all sorts of no no stuff that cause viruses to infect computers. My one buddy has a mac laptop that is 5 years old. He uses it every day and never ever cleaned the hard drive, or did a lick of maintenance on it. It runs like the day he bought it. My last computer I bought is 3 years old. I have Mcfree anit virus software on it (updated), dont go to porn sites, dont download music with it or anything. I'm real careful with it and I still have to clear the drive every year. Its a pile of shit that I keep putting money into.

That's odd, I do not run a virus software, or malware software tool, for the past 10+ years, and I've NEVER had a virus or malware issue.

 

[lethalss]

I have to say I was reluctant to get my MacBookPro, but once I made the switch I will never buy a personal windows based laptop again! My MBP is about 4 years old now and it is just as fast today as it was when I first powered it on, let me hear anyone say that about there pc. I am really impressed with all the little features the laptop has, its all in the details, magnetic power cord (no more tripping over the cord and seeing your computer fall off the desk), illuminated keyboard, magnetic latches that recess in the screen when open, a simple and clean design and a track pad that is pure sex. Hell, the first time I installed a program on my MBP I thought I screwed something up. "You mean all I have to do is take this one file and place it in this one folder and voila its installed?? No something can't be right about that, I'm used to spending 20 minutes with progressive bars and an hour glass installing file after file, cluttering up my hard drive and grinding my PC to a halt with every program I installed." It is literally that easy, drag and drop.

I can not comment on how much a pain in the ass it is when you have to fix something because it has worked flawlessly since day one. On the other hand by the two year mark on all my other laptops I would have to open them up and clean them out due to overheating or breaking components at least once by this time. I did recently upgrade my HDD from the 280Gig to a 1Tb and was pretty stoked to see that go off with little effort at all. After replacing the hard drive you could not tell the difference, even y desktop was arranged the same.

I saved the best part for the end....how many virus updates and computer scans have you had to do in two years on your windows pc? I can tell you that I have not had to do a single one, even while running torrent programs, downloading many movies, music and various programs...not a single issue.

You may be reluctant to try one but trust me once you do you will not believe how simple and reliable a computer can be. Try to look for an open box Mac at BestBuy and try it out for a week. If you don't like it just take it back.

No virus or malware tools on my pc's for 10+ yrs, no issues. Torrents, wares, pron, games, whatever, I haven't had a SINGLE issue.

 

[91Bird305]

Blaster was terrible for 2 reasons: It was a worm so it spread itself - your computer simply needed to be turned on (and online) to get infected, and second it would shut your computer off after 60 seconds!

Yeah, it was an awful mess.

The point is, you shouldn't have to do all that shit! It's like saying "Just get a dog, security cameras, keep your car in the garage, don't go outside at night", when you really should just move to a different neighborhood.

I would agree with you if you surfed normal web pages and conducted normal behavior online. But if you're downloading illegal material, visiting shady websites and downloading potentially dangerous software on a daily basis...come on man. No operating system is safe from behavior like that. The OS will try its best to protect your information, but it can't protect stupid 24/7. That's like saying a car is flawed if I have to have airbags and seat belts installed. Did I mention the person driving is 16 years old and loves to speed? :lol: