Is the Compaq Presario notebook on sale at Staples a good computer?
916258
Yes it is, my daughter and I are both in Grad School and each have the Compac laptop, we love it.
786835
The hardware is pretty much the same as a desktop, just smaller versions of it. \n\nWhen buying a laptop (notebook) computer, you want to look for a few important details.\n\n    * Warranty\n      Laptop computers tend to contain be very proprietary hardware. Items such as the screen, keyboard, power supply, and video card tend not to be easily replaced if they fail. In addition, they are subject to more abuse than a desktop and at greater risk of component failure. Therefore, it's very important to get a long (3 year or longer) warranty with any new laptop purchase. If something should go wrong with the laptop during the warranty period, the manufacturer will most likely repair or replace it (unless damage is caused due to negligence).\n    * Buy from Reputable Manufacturers\n      A 3+ year warranty isn't going to do much good if the maker is out of business 6 months after you purchase the laptop. Thus, it's important to purchase a laptop from a known manufacturer who will be in business next year and the year after. Reasonably safe bets include buying from Dell, Gateway, Lenovo (IBM), Toshiba, HP/Compaq, Fujitsu, and Sony. That said, I personally avoid Sony and HP/Compaq. In my experience (granted, this is experience from around 2002-2003), Sony support is poor and can take several days, more likely weeks, to repair a system sent back to them. In addition, they have in the past limited their warranty to 90 days if you do not register the notebook with them. HP/Compaq (Compaq more specifically in my experience) has declined to support their products - even relatively new products. For example, if you want to upgrade the operating system of the laptop, they have, in the past, taken the attitude of "it didn't ship with it, we won't help you with it. Also, in the summer of 2006 when I last spoke to support from HP for their printers, I was very disappointed in the level of knowledge demonstrated.\n    * RAM\n      Today, RAM is crucial to system performance, but many computer makers will actually sell systems with what most technicians would consider too little RAM. For a balance of price and performance, any computer running Windows XP, not just a notebook, should have 512 MB RAM. More if you intend to do video editing, play high-end games, or run with many applications open. The upgrade from "base" memory is often a $50-$100 upgrade, but usually well worth it. Keep in mind, Windows Vista likely requires 1 GB of RAM (1024 MB) to run smoothly.\n\nAnd remember, even the worst rated products will work flawlessly for some people and the best rated products will fail on occasion. When buying you want to buy with the best odds of having a good experience.
548280
Depends on YOUR budget!  Avoid boutique brands such as Alienware, Falcon, and Voodoo.  You can get the same without paying the exorbitant costs.  These are just starters.  Check out this website for good tips.  http://www.notebookforums.com/forums
690573
For a compaq? maybe $100
721371
I don't know about $650 but check out the Acer Aspire line and look for one in your price range. I've had good luck with them. Bought one for my wife, my mother and now myself (typing on it right now). Great bang for the buck. \n\nCheck out Best Buy, CircuitCity, froogle.com etc. for shopping. I bought one of them at Circuit City and one on sale at Staples.
28349
Right now I like this Acer laptop available from CompUSA which includes an Intel Pentium M Processor 725 at 1.6GHz, with Centrino Technology, 512MB RAM, 80GB Hard Drive, 15.4-inch WXGA TFT Display, DVD+/-RW Drive, Windows XP Home Edition for $700, this deal would be very hard to beat, http://www.compusa.com/products/product_info.asp?product_code=332687&pfp=BROWSE\n\nAs for buying a laptop from eBay, I wouldn't, you don't know what condition it is in (besides what the seller tells you) and you have to bid on it or use the buy it now option which is usually more and if you bid on it you can't be sure that you will get it.\n\nThe Acer laptop I listed above is a very good value and is one of my favorites right now.
867501
Dell Inspiron or Toshiba lapotops are a good buy. But as someone rightly said; its a mix of your budget and computing needs.
476139
I found that the best one for my buck and it was the HP 2575 all in one and it sold at office max but staples sold it to me for the best price and if you find it cheaper with in 30 days of your purchuse they will refund you the money. mine was $80 bucks good luck
701839
Go with the HP NX6325 at www.stupidcheapcomputers.net.  I buy all of my stuff from them, and everything is Vista ready.\n\nMicrosoft is about to release its latest operating system, Vista, in January.  It’s going to make all of these “bargain” computers nothing but JUNK as soon as it’s released.  The reason that you are seeing so many cheap systems on the market right now is because a lot of them CAN’T RUN Vista and the merchants are trying to dump them as hard and fast as they can before Vista shows up and everyone learns what a piece of crap they were sold for $500 (or whatever).\n\nAnyway, I bought a complete, new system from stupidcheapcomputers.net with a warranty for LESS than it would cost me to build it myself or order a custom one from the manufacturer.  You can use my frequent buyer code: ATX926.  That will get an additional 10% discount at checkout.\n\nI have NEVER had any problems with anything that they have sold me and their customer service is outstanding.  Those guys blow my mind.\n\nGood luck!
951467
Man talk about the trash talk on Dell. I have a Dell Latitude that I paid for 235 bucks and it works good. I say if you realy want the best I would get a laptop with all the works.. Now if you want somthing good and it works get the dell C600 Latitude..
52870
I just bought my first notebook, bottom of the line Acer 3003LC (for NZ$890, which equates to US$600) and am delighted with it. :-)\n\nThis model lacks builtin wireless, and only 256MB of RAM, but I'm pleased with its design, features, AND the support I get from Acer here in this part of the world anyway.\n\n(I'd always thought of Acer as "cheap". Well, now I have one, sure it was "low-priced", but it aint "shoddy" ! ;) )\n\nGood luck on your eventual purchase.. of whatever :-)
835946
I know people who have been satisfied with the VAIO notebooks in the past, but any of them who have since purchased new laptops went with another brand.\n\nPersonally, I've recently researched laptops before purchasing one, and I'm not that impressed with the VAIO, they seem to have less capability than similarly priced computers, and not just the bargain brands, but good quality companies.  \n\nIn the end I went with an HP, my second one so far, and I have yet to be disappointed.
867742
check out www.hp.com and the Compaq Presario V3000Z series\n\nat 400 or less, you have limited options. www.dell.com is another source, but i just looked and couldn't find anything for less than 550. however, you can always customize and remove items (dvd burner, ram, etc.). \n\nin my experience and if you can afford it, you are better off spending a little more ($500-$600) and getting something more than barebones.
333267
Dell's legendary customer service is no longer so legendary.  Their systems are often overpriced and the warranties have gone from a year to 90 days.  I paid for the total warranty (against spills, drops, etc) and it still took me 6 months to get my Dell Inspiron laptop replaced, so I defintely do not recommend them.\n\nLately I've been seeing a lot of Acer machines, (a friend of mine has one).  They are a good value for the price.  \n\nA word of warning, regardless of which brand you choose....beware buying the bargain basement laptops.  Often they only come with 512 MB of memory shared with the graphics card.  I guarantee that if you're doing anything more intensive than checking email, your system performance will be very crappy.  Especially if you plan to play games, listen to music, or anything multimedia related.\n\nIf you have the opportunity, get a laptop with the new dual core processors, they are much more efficient.
810051
None.  But you might find a Toshiba or Compaq for about $700.  Check with Staples, or other store that provides good customer support.  Staples has a NO QUESTIONS ASKED return policy. Costco also has a NO HASSLE return.  But some bogus stores charge a fee for you to bring it back.  It's like they HATE customers.   \n\nBut Staples has a desktop (tower only) for just $399.  They offer a variety of monitor options, with a rebate that comes with that desktop deal.  ASK and you will see how EASY it really is. \n\nGood luck and Happy Computing.
1168001
DELL & HP is always a good brand to select and make sure it has microsoft on it! If you need to have a look at some reviews on various laptops go to http://www.cnet.com/\n\nalthough, Lenovo 3000 N100 (Core Duo 2GHz, 512MB RAM, 100GB HDD) is a great laptop at a middle of the range price ($1364) and delivers excellent preformance! \n\nHowever if you are looking at a more cheaper laptop then the Lenovo 3000 N100 (Core Duo 1.66GHz, 512MB RAM, 80GB HDD, DVD Writer) is what you need at a cheap price of anywhere from $800 to $1000. This laptop may be cheap but its preformance still packs a puch and would be perfect for someone just starting University or a Small Business owner!\n\nGOODLUCK WITH UNIVERSITY AND BUYING A NEW LAPTOP, I HOPE THIS INFORMATION WAS USEFUL FOR YOU :):):) AGAIN GOODLUCK!
18666
It's as good as most others.  I don't know where they got the reputation for quality - they're assembled from the same parts that any brand name computer has.   I'm not crazy about their tech support which requires you to chat with an artificial intelligence before they elevate your problem to something that should be handled by a human.\n\nThe one thing Dell has going for it is the Wallmart-like stranglehold on it's manufacturers, which keeps their prices very cheap.\n\nThe worst thing I can say about Dell is that you won't be able to buy a computer with an AMD CPU, which means, for the time being, you won't be able to get the fastest computers.  However, you'll be able to save enough money that you might get more for your money if you're not going for a top-of-the-line machine.\n\nBeware of the add-ons if you do go with Dell or most brands, for that matter.  That's where they get you.  The warranty, the leather case, the printer, etc.  Most of those things can be purchased for less money elsewhere - especially the RAM.  They always give you the bare minimum RAM so that the base price looks low and then they gouge you to upgrade to more RAM.  If you want to save a bundle, just get your RAM from another store (search pricewatch, that's a good start) because it'll be much cheaper and RAM's super easy to pop in.