Laptop quest continues

Today I went on a price-comparison shopping spree for a new PC laptop.

It’s amazing. There're so many PC laptops to choose from.

I found some good prices at Office Depot. They just received some new models, so several sale prices looked good on older stock. I liked the HP Pavilion DV2718US: 14.1-inch screen, 3 GB of memory, and 5.25 pounds for $649.99. The smaller size would be good to carry through airports when I’m also lugging my camera, video camera, and tripod.

Office Depot also had:

• Sony VAIO VGN-FZ22OU/B: 15.4-inch screen, 2 GB of memory, and 5.75 pounds for $749.99.

• Gateway T-6321: 14.1 Inch screen, 3 GB of memory, and 5 pounds for $579.99.

Unfortunately I can’t use my 20 percent off Office Depot coupon on electronic equipment.

Best Buy had a good selection, but their prices were generally higher. I liked:

• Gateway T-1628: 14.1-inch screen, 3 GB of memory, and 5.5 pounds for $599.99.

• Dell 11525-100B: 15.4-inch screen, 2 GB of memory, and 6.5 pounds for $499.99.

Costco was a disappointment. I bought a membership in January when I was mulling over buying a desktop. Their PCs lost out as I was swept away by an iMac.

The only laptop I saw at Costco that I would work was: HP DV6753CL: 15.4 inch screen, 2 GB of memory, and 6.14 pounds for $799.97.

I considered several Toshibas, but then ruled them out. I’m not as familiar with the brand, and one shopper I talked with said he had a bad experience with one.

I received good customer service at all three stores. Salesmen took the time to point out features and answer my questions.

At Office Depot, the salesman wouldn’t take a couple of the laptops out of the security devices so that I could test the weight. However, he said I could come back in the evening when the store had fewer customers. Someone could help me then.

I can see why Consumer Reports said to go to the store and try out the keyboards and evaluate the screens. It would be disappointing to order one off the Internet and find you didn’t like the touch of the keyboard or the brightness of the screen.

What has your experience been buying a laptop from a retail store in your area? Were you satisfied? Disappointed? Upset?

Tomorrow I’ll check the Internet to compare prices on these models.

How has your experience been shopping online? Any great companies? Any poor ones?

Copyright 2008, Rita R. Robison, Consumer Specialist

Comments

[VintageP]

I recently shopped for a laptop starting with the Apple Store. Since the purchase there only covers 90 days of support without an extended warranty ($400) and I was already looking at spending $3,500 with tax for just the laptop I headed over to Best Buy to compare. I went with an HP Pavilion 6500 series laptop with Vista Home Premium installed for $1,000 including tax and declined the extended warranty given support comes with the purchase. It has worked well so far and is the second HP in our household now, which also continues to work well. I decided I was not willing to pay the marketing premium on the Apple although I still love my iPod!

[Rita]

Hi VintageP,

Thank you for you for sharing information on how you decided to purchase your laptop. I'm glad your purchase is working out well.

Buying a laptop is turning out to be more complicated than I expected.

Rita

[Cheap Computers]

Is really great that so many laptop machines are ready for sale here i think buying a laptop for myself here would be a great deal for me also