Just recently I exchanged about 500 emails with a friend over what you should get in a laptop for the money. What I learned is that people now are spending way too much for laptops with sub-par specs!

So here’s about what he wanted to get for about $950:

• HP dv6700t
• Intel 2.0GHZ
• Vista Home Premium
• NVidia Geoforce 7150m
• 120GB HDD
• 2GB RAM

Overall it was a pretty pathetic notebook. I just stared when I saw that email, not to mention the 500 more that came in with similar configurations.

For first-time laptop buyers, let me tell you an inevitable truth: computer manufacturers have, and always will, try to charge you about $200 over the real price. Never just buy a laptop off a site because it’s there. So how do you do it then? Well, lemme tell you:

• Always go to local office supply stores and check the inventory. Office supply stores are constantly having sales, and they usually have lower prices than online stores. In fact, the laptop I am typing on right now was on sale from $1299, and I got it for $579, without any mail-in rebates even! Also, local stores tend to update inventory every few weeks, and usually when that happens, they sell the display models for extremely cheap prices (in case you don’t know, display models are the computers you can try out in the store). These display models are typically around 50%-75% off. You may think, “But they’re used!” Actually, they are pretty clean and new. Not many people use them. However, you should always check the model for any problems.
• If you are ordering online, always customize rather than order pre-built. Online sites generally have sales on computer parts every 2-3 weeks simultaneously. You will always find something on sale. For example, the HP store has constant sales, whether its 75% off 3GB RAM or a free upgrade to a 160GB HDD. Don’t believe me? Log on right now and take a look.
• Never go for lousy name brands. Yah, Sony may make some sweet looking laptops, but usually they’re sub-par on the inside. And they’re WAY overpriced. Some brands should always be avoided. However, other brands are amazing. See below for my lists…
• Ask around. Shoot out some emails, or talk to you neighbor about that new laptop. You can get a lot of info just by asking the salesman at Staples. Get as much info on a certain laptop as you can, and, if it suits you, go for it!

Now, about those brands. Here is the list of the top brands for laptops:

1. Toshiba. Toshiba has amazing build quality, great battery life, and extremely satisfactory prices. This is definitely top pick.
2. HP. HP has grown on me. It used to be terrible, but they have surely changed their flawed ways. These are always a good choice for performance and style. (By the way, this is what I own.)
3. Fujitsu. They may be a little more expensive, but they are always great quality. And they look very hip.
4. Apple. Wait a minute, did I just say Apple? Yes I did, and for one reason: performance. They are way overpriced in my opinion, but they can do pretty much anything you throw at them. And the OS is top-notch.

Now, what about those bottom brands:

1. Sony. Great Look. Terrible quality. That pretty much does it. And if your not lucky with one of these $3000 laptops, they’ll just fall apart on you. Not pretty…at all…
2. Dell. I know, this is debatable, but you know what, I hate it when I buy a new laptop and the battery forever dies after just two weeks of use. That’s happened with all 4 of my Dells, and I am never going back. If you can live with being tied to a plug for the rest of you computer-life, then Dell’s otherwise have substantial quality and super performance.

There aren’t many brands that make it on the latter list, but beware of them.

Now, what SHOULD you get for the money? 

You should always search multiple listings for the least expensive prices, but here’s what you should expect for about $650

• One of those top brands listed above (besides Apple, of course)
• about a 2.0 GHZ processor
• 2-3GB RAM
• 120-160GB HDD
• Vista Premium
• High Capacity 6-cell battery
• Nvidia GeoForce 7150m

That’s a pretty decent computer!  So if you find something similar for over $700, look elsewhere!  You are being overcharged!

Well, hope this helps with all of you laptop-buying needs!

-Adam