Best Laptop For Under $1000

Need some serious opinions before I spend my money. Please consider reliability as a factor in your post. However, performance should be the number 1 criterion. If already answered, please kindly direct me to the earlier discussion. Thanks

:yippee::banana:I bought an Acer Aspire model 6920 a few days ago.I bought it at CC for $750.00 .It has a 250g harddrive 16 in screen ,windows vista home premium.The memory on this bad boy is 4 g.Thats right this comes on the notebook.It is a dual-core also.This notebook has dolby home theater sound.This notebook is the best one I have ever bought.It is 2.0 gz,667 mhz fsb with a 2mb L2 cache

Outstanding and thank you. A few years ago, Acer had a poor reliability record. Do you know if that has improved?

I have had my Acer (aspire 5520-5912) for a yr and it has given me no problems. The Dell desktop I got at the same time has given me fits. Go figure.:what:

Outstanding and thank you. A few years ago, Acer had a poor reliability record. Do you know if that has improved?

Yes Acer is improving.My sister had bought one about a year ago.The problem I saw with it was the sound.The speakers were not loud at all.The notebook I bought however will blow you away.If you dont believe go and check it out.Write down the model # and let them display the sound you will be impressed.I believe the sale on this particular notebook is off might have to check the website.:yippee::yippee:

Oh I forgot to mention this notebook has fingerprint identification.It has a new CINEMA DASH media control on the left of the computer.You simply slide your finger for the sound.It lites up in a cool blue color:D:D plus built in webcam.Find a deal like this one .DELL look out.

Thanks so much for taking the time to respond.

Outstanding and thank you. A few years ago, Acer had a poor reliability record. Do you know if that has improved?

Current issue of PC Magazine has reliability scores (based upon reader feedback) of laptops, desktops, etc.

Don't overlook the auction service uBid as they have some excellent deals available on a variety of computers, both new and refurb. FWIW I have bought several refurb (by manufacturer) computers from them over the years and never had any problems with them.

Thanks so much for taking the time to respond.

No problem Jim.Im glad to help.:hithere:

As far as reliability goes....

:yippee: :banana: I bought a Toshiba Laptop for $750 about a year ago and I haven't had any problems with it.

Noticed that according to recent PC Magazine findings, Apple, Lenovo (IBM) and Sony are top three contenders for reliability.

Stay away from HP. they are having all kinds of issues and their post purchase is as worthless as a wodden watch.

IBM is very solid but you end up paying more for pc that are not spec-ed out like others in the same price range. also Apple has really put out some great products. my buddy works for Shaq as his in home Technician. Shaq is big on media and producing music. he loved his older laptop and took it everywhere but around the summer of 2007 my buddy recomended that he switch to Mac and Shaq has loved it ever since. much more media friendly when setup right. the only thing is you need to get used to a whole new look and setup. with time it becomes all the same.

Stay away from HP. they are having all kinds of issues and their post purchase is as worthless as a wodden watch.

IBM is very solid but you end up paying more for pc that are not spec-ed out like others in the same price range. also Apple has really put out some great products. my buddy works for Shaq as his in home Technician. Shaq is big on media and producing music. he loved his older laptop and took it everywhere but around the summer of 2007 my buddy recomended that he switch to Mac and Shaq has loved it ever since. much more media friendly when setup right. the only thing is you need to get used to a whole new look and setup. with time it becomes all the same.
Man, I'm impressed.:bowdown:

If APPLE computers are so great I wonder they only have 5%(or whatever) of the market share for personal computers right now ?:what:

If APPLE computers are so great I wonder they only have 5%(or whatever) of the market share for personal computers right now ?:what:


Because people have been using PCs for so long, they are afraid to make the change.

If APPLE computers are so great I wonder they only have 5%(or whatever) of the market share for personal computers right now ?:what:

they're also generally more expensive than PC's.

First, Apple does have a great line of Notebooks. The only issue is is they're very expensive. The top range of Apple's Mac Book Pro's are in the $2,000.00 range. You can buy three Windows-based notebooks for the total of that above. However, the Unix/Linux based OS of Apple is very stable. They did have a recall on their batteries a year ago(made by Sony) and the issue has been since resolved with a few thousand recalls. Now, Jim I would stay away from HP because my sister has one and she had to have the motherboard replaced on several occassions. I would stay away from Fujitsu for the same exact reason as well. I had to complain to the Better Business Beaureu for their customer service and non-response practices. In a nutshell, I had to return the system to Fujitsu four times. And this is not an old system you guys. It's more current than you think. Lastly, you must realize that all Notebooks accumulate heat that have been known to burn the living daylights out of your legs. It's true. Buy an aftermarket fan that sits underneath the laptop for cooling purposes. I have an Antec dual cooler for my Fujitsu and it helps to cool the bottom. Good luck Jim. By the way, try going to newegg or pricegrabber and look at customer ratings on specific models. You will also get a price range. Try waiting and being patient for the Sunday ads where there are great deals. I'm pretty sure in a down economy that we have right now you're bound to get a good computer below your price range of $1000.00. God bless, take care, and I know you will get the computer you want and need.

Guys, I really appreciate the time you have devoted to this thread. I have been struggling with this issue for at least two years. Don't want to go the Apple route just yet. Just want something fast and reliable.

Guys, I really appreciate the time you have devoted to this thread. I have been struggling with this issue for at least two years. Don't want to go the Apple route just yet. Just want something fast and reliable.

I just bought an HP from Best Buy for $750. It's not the biggest baddest thing on the planet, but it has 160Gb HDD and 3Gb ram. It doesn't have bluetooth or Wireless N, but it has Wireless G, which is enough for me. It also has a Blu-Ray drive and an HDMI output so it serves as a second BD player. I've had HP for 2 years now (not this laptop my desktop) and have had very few problems. Just a thought. That laptop is now on sale for $699 btw.

I understood HP is having some real quality issues. Yours holding up OK?

they're also generally more expensive than PC's.

1st off they have more than 5% of the market for home computers and they're not really not that much more expensive.

Once you figure in the standard software, hardware and quality you get for the price.

A lot of those so called low cost computers come with little software bundled and lower quality components and fewer features, once you build your own computer to your specs and needs they actually cost the same or maybe even more.

One more thing the new Apple MacIntosh intel based duo core computers can run both Mac OS and Windows OS at native speeds with no problems at all.

Mine has both Mac OS 10.5 and Windows XP Professional installed and the platforms work very well on my MacIntosh with no problems at all and I can basically use any software program available on the market.

So the flexibility is fantastic and talk about stable, my computer rarely ever hangs up and never crashes.

And far as Windows based notebooks, I would look at Lenevo (use to be IBM) or Toshiba myself.

If you could find it worth owning a Apple notebook, on the Apple website in the store under refurbished they have a MacBook Pro 2.1 Ghz Intel Core 2 Duo with 1GB ram and a 120GB hard drive with a Combo CD/DVD ROM drive and a built-in iSight camera for $899 with free shipping.

Or a MacBook Pro 2.4Ghz Intel core 2 Duo with 2GB Ram and a 160GB hard drive with a 8x SuperDrive CD/DVD burner drive and also a built-in iSight camera for $1099 with free shipping.

And remember these will both run mac OS or Windows OS natively, just download any windows OS you want onto it and you're good to go.

what about new mac books?

the cheapest *NEW* macbook is $1100.

for that same price I can get a sony viao with triple the memory, 0.3ghz faster CPU, 280gb more HDD space, 17" screen (vs. 13.3 w/ mac), and Blu-Ray/DVD drive.

if you're wanting a refurbished lap top, just donate plasma for 2 weeks and pick up a used Acer.

The OP said he's not ready to go the Apple route.

Let's knock off the replies about Apple computers and how great they are since the OP and most other people don't really care.

Stay on topic.

Stay away from HP. they are having all kinds of issues and their post purchase is as worthless as a wodden watch.

I know everyones experience is far from the same , but I have purchased 4 Compaq/HP Laptops in the last 11 years and all 4 are still running fine.:yippee: I use my old Compaq Pentium 133MX as a server interface for troubleshooting and still woks great with good ol Win95/Linux.. I gave my PII 500 that is about 6 or 7 years old to my sister a couple years ago and she still uses it from time to time. Everything works fine except for the the battery is dead on it.. The current HP model I have is about 1.5 years old. The only issue I had with it was a Hard drive failure, but that was after I dropped it while it was running. I got my parents a Compaq Laptop for X-mas last year for $500 and they love it.

The OP said he's not ready to go the Apple route.

Let's knock off the replies about Apple computers and how great they are since the OP and most other people don't really care.

Stay on topic.

Maybe he didn't know that the new Apple laptops/notebooks will do both MacIntosh OS and Windows OS and generally because of the nature of the MacIntosh they can actually be faster at the same clocked speed and he could very easily add a much larger hard drive if he wanted.

I have no problem with buying a Windows notebook (I've owned several), but I am tired of the misinformation that floats around about MacIntosh computers being too expensive and you limit yourself to Apple programs only, both of which are not really true.

In my experience there are certain people that dislike Apple so much that they look and try to find anyway they can to put out negative information as often as possible.

Just like there are people that hate Microsoft and look for reasons to put them down also.

what about new mac books?

the cheapest *NEW* macbook is $1100.

for that same price I can get a sony viao with triple the memory, 0.3ghz faster CPU, 280gb more HDD space, 17" screen (vs. 13.3 w/ mac), and Blu-Ray/DVD drive.

if you're wanting a refurbished lap top, just donate plasma for 2 weeks and pick up a used Acer.

You must not really understand what the meaning of a factory refurbished notebook really means, I would have no problem with buying an Apple refurbished notebook anymore then buying a new one.

Nothing wrong with Acer computers but the Apple computers are better built and more dependable, if he wants a good refurbished notebook I would look at Lenovo or Toshiba.

Maybe he didn't know that the new Apple laptops/notebooks will do both MacIntosh OS and Windows OS and generally because of the nature of the MacIntosh they can actually be faster at the same clocked speed and he could very easily add a much larger hard drive if he wanted.

I have no problem with buying a Windows notebook (I've owned several), but I am tired of the misinformation that floats around about MacIntosh computers being too expensive and you limit yourself to Apple programs only, both of which are not really true.

In my experience there are certain people that dislike Apple so much that they look and try to find anyway they can to put out negative information as often as possible.

Just like there are people that hate Microsoft and look for reasons to put them down also.

Blah, blah, blah, blah, blah....
:rolleyes:

I thought you were done going on and on about Apple computers.
I guess not.

Blah, blah, blah, blah, blah....
:rolleyes:

I thought you were done going on and on about Apple computers.
I guess not.

I guess I don't understand why someone wouldn't want to know all his options when comes to notebooks.

Or why anyone could dislike Apple computers so much that they don't like anyone posting positive information about them, especially since they're one of the very best most dependable brands made?

Are you one of types that hates Fords because you own a Chevrolet and like to say Ford means Found on Road Dead? :confused:

I always recommend HP/Compaq Models but stick with AMD/ATI versions. Some of the Intel Duo with Intel graphics are not so great. Intel Duo with Nivida or ATI would be recommend. HP has top end model with wireless remote, TV tuner and etc.. STill expensive but track record so far has be on the rock! I've repaired many laptop in years the DELL C600/800, D600/800 series have their up and down, but the C600 were one of the worst models DELL has ever made. 620/820 or higher have been better. Heck a used IBM T41, T43 make great laptops. Acer you have to watch out for quality control as there parts seem to break more. I own 10x laptops from CTX, IBM, Toshiba, HP and DELL. The DELL gives me more trouble. I have 10 year old Toshiba running XP Pro SP2 which really hasn't giving me any trouble. I can repair if it does I do have spare parts. So if you want Windows laptop get HP. If you want OSX then get the MAC, but again they're expensive, but you get your money worth though. Learn curve is slightly higher those than a PC.

PC is like your NASCARr engine mechanic you have to tweak it..
MAC is more like you're driving an expensive car or hanging out at the coffee shop.

Are you one of types that hates Fords because you own a Chevrolet and like to say Ford means Found on Road Dead? :confused:

No. Not at all.

I have a Honda Hybrid because pretty much all of the american hybrids are SUVs. When I bought my car in 2005. The american car makers didn't even have any hybrids.

No. Not at all.

I have a Honda Hybrid because pretty much all of the american hybrids are SUVs. When I bought my car in 2005. The american car makers didn't even have any hybrids.

Good choice, we also have a 2005 Honda Civic Hybrid and it gets great gas mileage and is very dependable.