Laptop purchase decision help

[Ryan_PA]

My wife has recently taken on a consulting gig to be home more frequently with our children, as the hours are dictated by her. She will need a laptop to do the work, which is basically limited to internet/email/outlook type functions, with some specialized applications for the Autism services profession - nothing heavy on the processor/memory/HD. I am looking for something that she can use for a period of time, with relative quick performance, but like most, not wanting to break the bank.

Since she does not use it for anything intense, and I plan to backup to a NAS within the home, I am scrimping on name brand machines and components, to a degree. Below is what I have targeted, but would like some constructive feedback if anyone has any to share:

http://www.tigerdirect.com/applicat...etails.asp?EdpNo=631873&csid=ITD&body=REBATES

$449.99 less $50 discount = $399.99 (plus shipping)

Acer Aspire AS5552-7650 LX.R4402.243 Notebook PC
The Acer Aspire AS5552-7650 LX.R4402.243 Notebook PC offers powerful performance, the latest connectivity technology and rich media features for a fast, responsive PC experience. Starting from the gorgeous 15.6" display with a built-in 1.3 Megapixel dwebcam to the visibly smart performance of an AMD Phenom II X4 Quad-Core N970 processor, the Acer Aspire AS5552-7650 LX.R4402.243 Notebook PC gets it all done. Throw in cool convenience features and you have everything you need within reach to power through daily tasks and enjoy your media wherever you are. Pinch, flick and swirl your fingers on the Multi-Gesture Touchpad for an intuitive navigation of web pages, photos and more. Conveniently transfer files from your digital devices with integrated 2-in-1 Media Card Reader and save on 500GB Hard Drive or burn onto DVDs and CDs to share with friends.

What It Is And Why You Need It:

AMD Phenom II X4 Quad-Core Processor N970 2.2GHz
4GB DDR3 1066MHz Memory
500GB Hard Drive
DVD-Super Multi Double-Layer Drive
15.6" Widescreen CineCrystal™ LCD Display
ATI Radeon HD 4250 graphics
802.11b/g/n Wireless LAN
Integrated 1.3MP Webcam

Genuine Microsoft Windows®

Operating System: Genuine Microsoft Windows® 7 Home Premium 64-Bit
Start-up Operating System: Genuine Microsoft Windows® 7 Home Premium 64-Bit

 

[bferullo]

for what she needs looks like it will fit the bill.

Off topic: What kind of consulting does your wife do. My wife has been in the special education field, mainly autism for quite some time. We recently had our first child and she comtemplated trying to do some sort of consulting. She didn't come across anything. We live in the Baltimore Metro Area.

 

[Homercidal]

That will certainly do the job. I have had mixed experience with Acer in the past. Some stuff was junk (way back) and other stuff has been very reliable.

I've also had mixed results from Toshiba and Dell. Both of those companies have either sold very nice laptops, or junk.

Don't know what you plan to run for backups, but I have had nice results from Crash Plan backing up some of our design files to a local USB Backup Hard Drive, and it will back up through the network, or through the Internet. The basic services such as local and network auto backup, are free, and some others are a small fee to unlock. (I think the online and "backup set" features)

 

[Ryan_PA]

for what she needs looks like it will fit the bill.

Off topic: What kind of consulting does your wife do. My wife has been in the special education field, mainly autism for quite some time. We recently had our first child and she comtemplated trying to do some sort of consulting. She didn't come across anything. We live in the Baltimore Metro Area.

Thanks.

I am so ignorant to what she does, as she is to what I do.

She is working for a local intermediate unit as a 1099 employee. Her salary doubled, but she halved her time so it nets out to 0. Her title is BSC (behavioral specialist consultant), so your wife may know what that means, and be able to get forward from there. If you have any specific questions, PM me and I can get them to the wife - she is quite good in this field and may have some recommendations based on your situation.

 

[JonK331]

For work I like Lennovo ThinkPads. For home Macbooks.

 

[Pappers_]

We've got two Acer laptops, one is 4 years old and the other is new. Also, my son has an Acer netbook, a year old. No reliability problems to report, and a good value.

 

[Mrott]

We've got two Acer laptops, one is 4 years old and the other is new. Also, my son has an Acer netbook, a year old. No reliability problems to report, and a good value.

I'm in a very similar position. I have used acer laptops for 8 years or so now? I'm on my 3rd now (tablet) and both times I upgraded out of desire, not need. Both of my parents also use acer laptops (due to me) and actually my mother is getting her first one soon and it's the same one you're looking at. I'll be getting my hands on it probably next week to clean it out and configure it for her then I'll be returning it. So if you'd like I can throw up a quick synopsis once I actually get my hands on that model.

 

[RiverCityBrewer]

I've had bad experiences with Acer all around... I ran a hardware service desk from 2004-2006 and during that time more than 65% of my tech's time was spent working on Acer hardware. After my stint there I swore off their brand name, but it seems that maybe they have turned their quality image around based on some of the other posts here. For $400 you really can't go wrong, just make sure you utilize that NAS regardless of what brand you go with.

 

[Ryan_PA]

Joker,

You are over your size limits in PMs.

Ryan

 

[Homercidal]

I've had bad experiences with Acer all around... I ran a hardware service desk from 2004-2006 and during that time more than 65% of my tech's time was spent working on Acer hardware. After my stint there I swore off their brand name, but it seems that maybe they have turned their quality image around based on some of the other posts here. For $400 you really can't go wrong, just make sure you utilize that NAS regardless of what brand you go with.

Most of my bad experience was early 2000's on hardware like CD drives and what not. I haven't seen a bad part from them for a while now. I've even been impressed with their LCD displays too.

 

[TiredAndThirsty]

The thing about buying cheap laptops is that they break more often and they are less likely to be upgrade-able. Get her something nicer.

 

[aycockbrews]

thats a good deal.

 

[aycockbrews]

I think for what she needs it fir u should be fine. apples are only good for cider and pie!

 

[Ryan_PA]

We ended up getting this for less than listed price on the link, Sub $300

Lenovo - IdeaPad Laptop / Intel® Pentium® Processor / 15.6" Display / 4GB Memory / 500GB Hard Drive - Silver



Hit the marks across the board, except I cannot find a skin for it as she does not want a boring Silver laptop. Women...

 

[Pappers_]

The link doesn't work for me, but assuming its a reasonably good processor, that's a hell of bargain - well done! We have some rebuilt Lenovo laptops at work and they are sturdy.

Tell her the silver reflects the beautiful blue/green/brown/whatever in her eyes . . . it will help if you say this after getting her a little drunk

 

[Ryan_PA]

The link doesn't work for me, but assuming its a reasonably good processor, that's a hell of bargain - well done! We have some rebuilt Lenovo laptops at work and they are sturdy.

Tell her the silver reflects the beautiful blue/green/brown/whatever in her eyes . . . it will help if you say this after getting her a little drunk

Yeah, I realized the link was bombing out, i actually was too lazy to fix.

We are 7 years married with 2 kids, she stopped falling for my crappy lines years ago.

Here is a better link http://www.amazon.com/dp/B005A92AY0/?tag=skimlinks_replacement-20