My approach has always been, that if it isn't broke, don't worry. I've been using the same Canon digital camera for 7 years...and still happy...and the same computer for about as long. I'd like to get a new one for internet use in checking email, this forum and surfing. Will be accessing at various locations from the road. Went to a Best Buy the other day and there were several in the 300-400 price range. My questions are: 1. What experience do you have that would put one make about another?, and 2. Are all the WiFi cards the same or should I look for one particular WiFi card? All input appreciated. Thanks!!!

Ive always liked Dell but you usually pay a bit more. I believe anything you buy today will be Wifi compliant and have a built-in wifi card. If you want a different card that may become a special order.Bestbuy Sorted Low to High

For light use like you describe, get a tablet. Much handier to start, use and shut down. Todays tablets do probably 90% of what a laptop can do at a fraction of the real estate. Now that we are moving to a smaller house, the desktop is packed, but will likely never get turned on again. The laptop is my choice at this moment simply because this Ipad is the wifes and she is not up yet, so I get to use it. I can still pay bills, surf the net and read off of it. Everything a normal computer can do at a fraction of the size and power consumption.

Don't worry about it, buy what you can afford.Todays PC are ten times more than they were five yrs ago.No matter what WiFi it has you will be better served with an external one at the end of a cable taped to the window.I have had high end PC since the very beginning. I now have a small Acer desk top tower the size of a cereal box, $350. It does it all and fits anywhere.

In that price range we purchased a Toshiba Laptop from Best Buy last year. We are very happy with it.

DW bought an Acer 17" laptop from Walmart couple of years ago. One minor software glitch from the factory. Instead of dealing with warrranty on internet or phone from India just took it to a local repair shop. Just couple of settings were wrong from the factory. Charged us about $25 and computer has worked great. Cost of Acer was about $280. We used to be die hard Dell users. Would never even think of buying anything except Dell. My last Dell came DOA. I went through their India internet repair several times. That Dell limped along just out of warranty and died in its 13 month. I would never buy another Dell. Their quality has gone down. Probably because Dell isn't running the company anymore.

Computer Recommendation Appreciated | Good Sam Community

Snowman9000
Explorer
Sep 11, 2013
burlmart wrote:
Snow

Did you find a TV tuner for your Mac or a small TV?

I haven't pursued it any further, but I'm fairly sure I'd go with a small TV.
ferretgrandpa
Explorer
Sep 11, 2013
How about a Chromebook? usually start at 200 and go up, seem to be good for internet and a few other things.(you can find them @ Walmart). Just make sure you get a couple of USB ports
Happytraveler
Explorer
Sep 11, 2013
CNet Reviews on Laptops
burlmart
Explorer
Sep 10, 2013
Snow

Did you find a TV tuner for your Mac or a small TV?
Snowman9000
Explorer
Sep 10, 2013
My take: tablets are good for output (reading, surfing) but not for input. If you are going to check email, tablet good. If you are going to type many emails, tablet bad. Although voice typing is getting pretty good.

DW has the latest iPad with 4G/LTE. It's great. But not for typing. When I decided to get something very small for RVing, I finally decided to ante up and get an Apple-refurbished 11" Macbook Air. It was $749, so not cheap. But it's so compact, yet great for typing. I'm using it right now. It's my first Apple product, and I'm very happy with it. It lets me connect external stuff to enhance signals, which was important to me. If there had been a Windows laptop this small and good, for less, I would have bought it. Maybe there is, I dunno. Small size was very important to me. If not, I could have been happy with a garden variety laptop.

What about a MS Surface?
Sea_scape
Explorer
Sep 10, 2013
I did a fast search for US stores. Best buy allows 15 days, and Staples allow 14 days. Amazon also has a good return policy.

Ask, and you will find that they have a no reason required return policy. If you get it home and you have any doubts, simply return it. You can always buy it again.

If you get a good clerk, they will tell you which units have been going home and staying there.

With a laptop you may want to consider an extended warranty. It is the only device I buy it for. If there is a problem, they can be more costly to repair.

With my work, I find that processor speed is not a big deal, so I don't worry if it is AMD or Intel. I look at screen size and quality of display, keyboard, and size of hard drive. I store a lot of photos and documents.
mikeleblanc413
Explorer
Sep 10, 2013
Sea'scape wrote:
Buy a laptop in your price range;Acer, Asus Gateway, HP really doesn't matter which brand. Buy it from a store that gives you 30 day exchange privilege, take it home and see if you like it.

THANKS so much Sea'scape...do you know which stores offer a 30 day return privelege?
mlts22
Explorer
Sep 09, 2013
+1. I can probably find deals cheaper online, but I end up doing two visits to the local Best Buy. The first is to look at machines and get model numbers. Then, I look up specs and details (max RAM, etc.) After that, I hit the store the second time for the actual purchase. So far, so good.
Sea_scape
Explorer
Sep 09, 2013
Buy a laptop in your price range;Acer, Asus Gateway, HP really doesn't matter which brand. Buy it from a store that gives you 30 day exchange privilege, take it home and see if you like it.

Tablets are fine, but not for your only device. They don't play well with all websites because of Flash and being seen as a mobile device. The touch keyboard will drive you nuts if you are doing more than a short email.

There is a place for each type of device, and only you can make that decision. I have a desktop, a laptop, tablet and smartphone. The laptop gets the least use from me, but is indispensable when I'm travelling and need the larger screen and real keyboard.

Good luck.
garry1p
Explorer
Sep 09, 2013
Well I'm stuck with the same decision. My IBM A31 (purchased in 2004)is starting to act up.

I have decided my best option (my needs are same as OP) is a new laptop with built in WIFI and USB ports. I use a Verizon USB 4G modem or WIFI.

I have not made a finial decision on laptop so looking at this thread for good info based on 1st hand experience. Price is a factor but ratings on Amazon and other sites is more important.