Forum Discussion

mikeleblanc413's avatar
Sep 04, 2013

Computer Recommendation Appreciated

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!!!

49 Replies

  • Is price a big factor?

    Some negative posts about Dell lately kinda got me spooked. We got one from BB maybe 6 months back and it really seems to be a great running rig.

    If you search BB for Dell laptop at $280 and will see it has about 300 reviews (a lot) and a 4.2/5 (damn good for a W8 rig). It is not the exact same model as ours, but the same insides. Back of ours says Inspiron 3520, but I recall a longer name on the website.

    Happy hunting
  • Personally I'd be looking at a laptop or all-in-one. If you're just going to be using it in the RV then either will work. I prefer the larger screens of the laptop/all-in-one versus the smaller screens of the tablets.

    The all-in-ones are limited to being plugged in to operate, with no onboard battery. We have two of them and really like them, one is 21" screen, and one is 23" screen. They are both touch screens so you don't even have to dig out the mouse and keyboard for a lot of things, just plug them in and go.
  • Another vote for an Ipad. Easy to use, no need to get virus protection, doesn't get "glitches", it just works. And it does everything you mentioned. Quick to power up and shut down. We do everything except write documents on our IPads.
  • Expanding on what Fizz said... and I'm just a novice on this... I would get something with a USB port so that I could connect an external wifi and/or 4G/LTE modem. I have one that combines wifi & 3G. Those devices will (should) be able to accept an additional antenna that you can stick in the window as Fizz said, or run a cable to the roof, etc. The more you travel, the more you run into the situations where you could get service "if only" you had a bit more antenna.

    Those gizmos are a whole nother discussion though, so back to my advice, get one with a USB port. :)
  • 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.
  • In that price range we purchased a Toshiba Laptop from Best Buy last year. We are very happy with it.
  • 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.
  • 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.
  • 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