new lap top/something

[Zoe Girl]

HI all,

I am starting the process to look for a replacement for my laptop. I got a super cheap chromebook that I have been overall happy with but this is not meeting all my needs. Meanwhile I have a work laptop always with me and it is okay to use it on occasion for things. The one thing I am noticing is that my conference calls are difficult. Today we are meeting on Fuze, I have 1-2 conference calls a month with personal business. I download fuze to my work laptop and then tend to have issues on the laptop after that, but it works. However I have not gotten it or any other conference call program to work on my chromebook.

So a suggestion on what to get, I don't do gaming or other intensive things. I like to watch netflix, do the conference calls and read and write on my device.

[Tybee]

HI all,

I am starting the process to look for a replacement for my laptop. I got a super cheap chromebook that I have been overall happy with but this is not meeting all my needs. Meanwhile I have a work laptop always with me and it is okay to use it on occasion for things. The one thing I am noticing is that my conference calls are difficult. Today we are meeting on Fuze, I have 1-2 conference calls a month with personal business. I download fuze to my work laptop and then tend to have issues on the laptop after that, but it works. However I have not gotten it or any other conference call program to work on my chromebook.

So a suggestion on what to get, I don't do gaming or other intensive things. I like to watch netflix, do the conference calls and read and write on my device.

I love my cheap Toshibas; I buy the cheapest ones available at the time and they last for years and do everything.
Hey, why not ask your mom for a cheap Toshiba for Christmas, or a gift cert. to Best Buy? Kill two birds with one stone.

[freshstart]

I found I was replacing Windows computers way too soon and switched to Macs. I get the entry level Macbook, the last one lasted 7 years. Being able to call for support (they say they charge for this but I never once have been charged) and the ability to go to the Genius Bar for help has been immensely helpful as I am not an overly tech-y person. They also have replaced parts no longer under warranty for free (like a DVD drive) because "you're a loyal customer". They're hardly making money off of me if I keep products so long and only buy entry level but hey, I'll take it.

with the iPhone, they have been great. In Disney, I lost it and it was returned to lost and found but someone had stepped on it shattering the glass. I went to the nearest Apple store and they gave me a brand new one even though it was just out of warranty, not even a refurbed one. And transferred everything over for me. I'm a customer for life although not a fan of their Chinese labor practices. However, I'm not aware of any computer giant who doesn't do this.

good luck!

[Zoe Girl]

Good ideas, I have a samsung phone that is on and android system, and my work phone is a simple i-phone. (I think 5, I don't use any apps since it is a work phone). So I know those 2 phones. For work I have a dell laptop, it just did the conference call very well so I am glad for that, on Fuze. I had a refurbished mac laptop that I used up, even went to an extrenal keyboard to get another year out of it. I didn't find it was that much better than the other things I have had however. It was great, but not so much better that I need to only consider macs,.

I was kind of thinking about something in the tablet style, with a keyboard option for lots of typing when I do that. But portable and easy for my small stuff life, I do have a desk at home however I am on my meditation cushion most of the time on the floor at a bed tray as a desk.

[Gardnr]

My computer advisor (DH is in the biz) always tells people: decide what your budget is and spend every penny).

I have a Dell with a detachable keyboard and the screen will function as a tablet. i love it!

For meetings: Skype for business. Free and works every time!

[ToomuchStuff]

HI all,

I am starting the process to look for a replacement for my laptop. I got a super cheap chromebook that I have been overall happy with but this is not meeting all my needs. Meanwhile I have a work laptop always with me and it is okay to use it on occasion for things. The one thing I am noticing is that my conference calls are difficult. Today we are meeting on Fuze, I have 1-2 conference calls a month with personal business. I download fuze to my work laptop and then tend to have issues on the laptop after that, but it works. However I have not gotten it or any other conference call program to work on my chromebook.



As a teacher, you provide students at the beginning of school, typically, with a list of things they need. (classroom requirements)
These typically involve things like #2 pencils, paper, etc.
Software works the same way. They have this list called Software requirements, that you need to look at, of all the software you want, before you buy. For instance, this Fuze software you run, from what I am seeing it is more cloud based (not all on your computer, just a bit), but the requirements I am seeing, says a WIRED ethernet connection. This means the laptop you get will need to be able to be wired into a hub. I also didn't see ANY support for ChromeOS listed, which is what your Chromebook runs. (not Windows, or Mac)
Are you required to have a certain version of MSOffice? Some older versions, may not work with Windows 10.
Get all your software and hardware requirements together, and start there.

[Rogar]

I have no idea bout conference call software, but just bought a new laptop myself and did a little research. At least where my research lead was that Apple, Dell, and Asus all seem to have similar reliability ratings and Apple always shines for customer support. I've had both lower end Asus and Toshiba and they were both OK. I've had the Toshiba apart for a minor repair and it looked awfully fragile inside and would guess Apple might be . They both lasted a few years and then broke beyond reasonable repair. I'd think that Apples are better built, but you can probably buy a couple laptops of other brands for the price of an Apple. One thing I found is that the new laptops have a few choices that were not available a couple of years ago. Touch screens and 2-in-1's, SSD drives, and higher resolution screens will tack a little more to the price, but might be useful or nice to have. My humble opinion is that people who don't do a lot of data crunching, don't game, or load up the memory with games, music, photos, and software, probably buy more computer than they will use.

[Gardenarian]

That's a tough one
I have a Dell refurbished laptop ($150) that's been going strong for a few years. I got it from the company, so there was a warrantee.

We buy most of our tech stuff from Costco because of their generous return policy.

My husband has a big Mac (can't keep track of what they're called...iMac?) which he has had for five years or so. Macs don't break down as quickly as they go obsolete, but they do go obsolete. He recently bought a new iPad to supplement the old desktop, and that seems like a good combination

If you need work-specific software and function, are there any techs at your workplace that you can ask? Or just find out what everyone else is using?

Since I got a tablet (Amazon Fire, $50) I use it for about 95% of my computer stuff. Works for Skype (lousy resolution, though.) It's handy not to have to wait around for a laptop to boot up. And light! I'm typing this while lying on my inversion table :)