AboutKarl Zick Expertise I am very familiar with all brands of computers and computer components and the best places to purchase them. Can also provide a lot of help to the 'build your own PC' folks.
Experience over 20 years experience as a computer systems consultant and PC builder/user/trouble shooter.
Education/Credentials BSEE from VMI and CIS degree from El Camino.
Question I currently have a Gateway lap top (model # W323-UI1?) that was purchased back I in 2006. Its on its last leg and as I go off to college I need a new computer, probably a lap top, but I’m not bent on them.
I need a computer just for basic stuff like writing papers, doing internet research, uploading pictures, and maybe some mild gaming.
Can you suggest some brands, models, etc. to look into for my next computer? I don’t really have a price limit, but that doesn’t mean I want to drop a bunch on it. My complaints on this current computer are that it is a bit slow and doesn’t have enough memory on it. Its fan also broke, so I had to buy a cooling system for it and as I was typing this the charge connection on the battery stopped working so it will no longer charge. (that happened to my sister’s computer too a few months ago)
Thanks in advance!
Answer Hi Katie,
When shopping, stay away from Compaq, HP, and eMachines. Gateway owns eMachines now so I would add them to the list. Also, no matter what brand you buy, DO NOT buy one with an Intel Celeron processor in it.
That said, my favorite brand of computers on the market now is Lenovo - a division of IBM. I like their desktops and notebooks - and their 10 inch Netbooks for $320 are awesome. I would go to their web site and look around and pick out something that suits you. Once you have a product in mind you can usually get the best price by doing a Google search for "computer brand X deals". They usually take you to Pricegrabber that lists them by model and store - but other sites like Amazon have great deals also.
