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Guy Courchesne
Joined: 10 Mar 2003
Posts: 9650
Location: Mexico City
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 Posted: Fri Nov 05, 2010 8:50 pm Post subject: Best Laptop to Bring |
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I'm looking for opinions on the best laptop that people have brought to Mexico with them. I'm hoping to pick up a new one on a trip home this Christmas (always too expensive in Mexico to buy here) and I'm in need of some tips.
By best laptop, two points I think most important.
-serviceability in Mexico
-overall durability
I used a Toshiba Satellite in Acapulco but the heat there killed the CD drive quickly and the fan and batteries slowly. I have an Acer Aspire now that's done well but the CD drive also died quickly. The batteries have held up which has been perfect as I use the laptop around town a lot. Time to retire the Acer though.
Any opinions? |
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MotherF
Joined: 07 Jun 2010
Posts: 1450
Location: 17�48'N 97�46'W
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| Posted: Fri Nov 05, 2010 9:47 pm Post subject: |
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There have been some great deals around on minis here in Mexico lately.
For example this same HP was at Office Depot in August *for back to school* selling for 3350 pesos. |
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wildchild
Joined: 14 Nov 2005
Posts: 519
Location: Puebla 2009 - 2010
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| Posted: Fri Nov 05, 2010 11:53 pm Post subject: |
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what's the life expectancy of a laptop these days?
I wouldn't shell out big cash for one... I'd prolly get a little Acer from Walmart. Last time i checked, they were right under $300.
I would shell out for a tablet however, but I might wait for the Blackberry Playbook coming out next year... |
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Professor
Joined: 22 May 2009
Posts: 449
Location: Mexico City
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| Posted: Sat Nov 06, 2010 2:18 am Post subject: |
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| Dell. |
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wildchild
Joined: 14 Nov 2005
Posts: 519
Location: Puebla 2009 - 2010
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| Posted: Sat Nov 06, 2010 5:14 am Post subject: |
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| Time to retire the Acer though. |
whoops... missed that while scanning...
that little HP mini looks cool...
hey Guy, since we can get almost anything on-line nowadays... I guess you're just looking to save on the shipping and handling costs? or are there import taxes on buying a laptop and having it mailed to you in MEX?
if i could get a good deal on shipping costs, maybe i could have you send me... like... everything, you know, the necessities of life... toothpaste, nopal etc. you know, now that the world is globalized, why should i pay top dollar around the corner when i can have you ship it to me for pesos...???? |
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Guy Courchesne
Joined: 10 Mar 2003
Posts: 9650
Location: Mexico City
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| Posted: Sat Nov 06, 2010 1:48 pm Post subject: |
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Yes, there would be duty to pay to have a laptop shipped here. A laptop isn't the kind of thing I'd buy online anyway...I prefer to see them all lined up at the store and have a salesrep lie to me about which I should buy.
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| if i could get a good deal on shipping costs, maybe i could have you send me... like... everything, you know, the necessities of life... toothpaste, nopal etc. you know, now that the world is globalized, why should i pay top dollar around the corner when i can have you ship it to me for pesos...???? |
Tacos de canasta on the way, with the canasta. 
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| Blackberry Playbook |
Very cool. We've been playing around with an iPad on loan from the school and I'm tempted to ask Santa to park one under the tree. |
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TeresaLopez
Joined: 18 Apr 2010
Posts: 601
Location: Mexico City
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| Posted: Sat Nov 06, 2010 4:14 pm Post subject: |
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| I have the HP Mini, got it during the back to school sale, it was $3600 pesos, which is actually less expensive than getting it in the US or Canada. There is also a Compaq Mini, which is exactly the same as the HP Mini, but costs a couple of hundred pesos less. I quite like it, it does everything I need it to do, and I have a CD reader/writer that I can plug in via USB that I occasionally use as well. I have to replace the power cord a few weeks ago (dog) and had no problem getting it via a company supplied by the HP customer service line. Of course, if you get it here in you will have a Spanish keyboard, if you get it in the US/Canada you will have an English keyboard. For me, that would be the only reason to buy it there vs here. |
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Samantha
Joined: 25 Oct 2003
Posts: 2038
Location: Mexican Riviera
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| Posted: Sat Nov 06, 2010 5:01 pm Post subject: |
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TeresaLopez wrote:
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| Of course, if you get it here in you will have a Spanish keyboard, if you get it in the US/Canada you will have an English keyboard. |
I ordered my laptop from Dell Mexico. They have the option of getting everything in English, including the keyboard. Buying it here in Mexico means you can easily use the warranty if something goes wrong, so that's something else to consider. |
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Prof.Gringo
Joined: 07 Nov 2006
Posts: 2236
Location: Dang Cong San Viet Nam Quang Vinh Muon Nam!
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| Posted: Sat Nov 06, 2010 6:01 pm Post subject: |
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| TeresaLopez wrote: |
| I have the HP Mini, got it during the back to school sale, it was $3600 pesos, which is actually less expensive than getting it in the US or Canada. There is also a Compaq Mini, which is exactly the same as the HP Mini, but costs a couple of hundred pesos less. I quite like it, it does everything I need it to do, and I have a CD reader/writer that I can plug in via USB that I occasionally use as well. I have to replace the power cord a few weeks ago (dog) and had no problem getting it via a company supplied by the HP customer service line. Of course, if you get it here in you will have a Spanish keyboard, if you get it in the US/Canada you will have an English keyboard. For me, that would be the only reason to buy it there vs here. |
I have a HP Mini and I paid well under $300 for it at a BestBuy in the USA.
The HP Mini is fine for surfing the net and doing basic word processing.
It has limited storage so you'll need a flash drive.
Also a cd/dvd player as well.
But for just a little more cash you can get an actual laptop that will have more storage/faster processor, built-in CD drive/burner, webcam etc.
It comes down to a matter of weight and personal preference. For quick breaks at a Starbucks or checking my email and posting on Dave's, a netbook such as the HP Mini will do just fine.
But if you want to do actual work, store and download files and whatnot, for about $400 US you can get a basic laptop that will perform well. |
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mejms
Joined: 04 Jan 2010
Posts: 390
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| Posted: Sat Nov 06, 2010 6:10 pm Post subject: |
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| But if you want to do actual work, store and download files and whatnot, for about $400 US you can get a basic laptop that will perform well. |
Agreed. I couldn't make my classes work without my $400 Toshiba from the US. It all depends on what you want your laptop for. If it's for browsing the web, emailing, and keeping in touch, a mini should be okay. Probably even more convenient what with it being lightweight and small. But if you want a computer for work purposes, you need a laptop. |
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Phil_K
Joined: 25 Jan 2007
Posts: 2041
Location: A World of my Own
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| Posted: Sat Nov 06, 2010 6:11 pm Post subject: |
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| I'm using an Acer Aspire One netbook, which although it cost about $7500, is perfect. It is the better one that comes with 2GB RAM and 250GB (which is rare for netbooks), and I can do everything I could do on a bigger computer. The only downside is lack of CD/DVD, which has rarely been a problem. For class video and audio, I simply transfer from my home computer by memory stick. The great advantage is that I can slip it into the same bag I carry my books, and for security, no one would suspect I'm carrying a computer, in fact I rarely register it those office buildings where you're supposed to. One tip: invest in a mini mouse; the mouse pads on netbooks are just too fiddly. |
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Phil_K
Joined: 25 Jan 2007
Posts: 2041
Location: A World of my Own
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| Posted: Sat Nov 06, 2010 6:13 pm Post subject: |
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| But if you want a computer for work purposes, you need a laptop. |
Why? |
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Guy Courchesne
Joined: 10 Mar 2003
Posts: 9650
Location: Mexico City
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| Posted: Sat Nov 06, 2010 6:32 pm Post subject: |
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| Phil, when you use it for video in class, do you output the content to a tv, or a projector, or leave it on the netbook screen? I would go with a netbook or mini but I like the larger screen and fairly decent audio output of a bigger laptop as I use video/audio in class, directly on the laptop itself. I'm toying with the idea of a compact digital projector which would make a mini that much more attractive. |
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Phil_K
Joined: 25 Jan 2007
Posts: 2041
Location: A World of my Own
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| Posted: Sat Nov 06, 2010 6:40 pm Post subject: |
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If there is a room with projector, I try to grab it, but if not, I play full-screen. I agree that the sound of netbooks isn't up to much but I invested in good quality Steren mini speakers (About $300), which is sufficient.
Regarding compact projecters, what is available? The only projecters I've seen cost around the same as the netbook itself! |
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Guy Courchesne
Joined: 10 Mar 2003
Posts: 9650
Location: Mexico City
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