Laptop Purchase Advice

15 years ago

I have been thinking of buying a Laptop. I can get this one (The Compaq Presario CQ60-206US AMD Dual-Core 2GHz 15.6in Laptop features: 6.5lbs; 15.6"; AMD Athlon X2 QL-62 @ 2.0GHz; 2GB RAM; 160GB HDD; nVidia GeForce 8200M; DVD burner; 802.11b/g; Vista Home Premium; 1yr warranty.) for $380 after rebates. I've read the reviews, which are all positive with the exception of battery life. I was wondering how long one should expect to get on a fully charged battery and how much this would affect your decision.

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Comments (7)

bpgreen
15 years ago
That sounds like a really good price for the specs. Is that available online or is this a special local deal?

How much time you'll get out of a battery depends almost entirely on how you use it. If you're watching a movie, the battery will drain much faster than if you're updating some documentation, reading emails, etc. I had a laptop that would shut down just before the end of a 1 hour show that I'd transfer from Tivo (and fast forward through commercials). But I could work (documentation, coding, etc) for a couple of hours on it with no problem. I think my current laptop will let me watch a full length movie on DVD.

Battery life is not a big selling point for me right now. I've got an adapter that works with cigarette lighters (although I think they're now called accessory power plugs) and the airplane power supply and airports have outlets scattered around. They're sometimes in short supply, but I'm such a geek that I carry a plug with three outlets on it and a single outlet surge suppressor for recessed plugs. So I only need the battery if I get a plane without a power supply.

I really use my laptop as a desktop replacement with the advantage that I can take it with me when I go someplace and use it as a desktop replacement there. I think the importance of the battery life depends largely on how you use the laptop.
mare_wbpa
Original Author
15 years ago
It's at Office Depot, online.
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ravencajun Zone 8b TX
15 years ago
that does sound like a very good deal be sure to read all those rebates very closely though and take every step in following their directions because many times the slightest mistake will keep them from honoring the rebates.

I am an AMD person and much prefer to Intel, Looks very usable for a good daily use laptop.
I also very much like and have had excellent use from HP products, I have not had the Compaq brand from HP but my Pavilion's have been good computers.
ravencajun Zone 8b TX
15 years ago
this is the link and it says it is also available in stores too, there are 2 pdf files to print out for 2 of the rebates which are mail in, $30 and $70 so $100 you will have to get back through the mail in rebates, at least there is an instant rebate of $50.
Compaq Presario CQ60-206US

those looking for a good price on a laptop this really is a good price. 2 gig memory and 160 gig HD. that also happens to be a dual layer DVD burner.
mare_wbpa
Original Author
15 years ago
I've been meaning to ask this question for quite a while. What does "dual layer DVD burner mean"? Sorry if this is a dumb question. I manage to use the technology pretty well but sometimes get stumped by the technical terms.
zep516
15 years ago
"Dual Layer recording allows DVD-R and DVD+R discs to store significantly more data, up to 8.5 gigabytes per side, per disc, compared with 4.7 gigabytes for single-layer discs."

-------Information from wikipedia---

zep
mare_wbpa
Original Author
15 years ago
Thanks everyone, I ordered it (don't have an Office Depot nearby). Can't wait to get it.

Laptop Purchase Advice

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bpgreen

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Laptop Purchase Advice

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bpgreen

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