Laptop Purchase Question

[MrsUncleSam]

one....What is the best laptop, and what do you put on it? I am using a network.

two.....My computer guru, has told me that HP breaks down a lot, and he likes Acer. I found a Toshiba and think i will purchase it on CyberMonday. If the lapto costs 700, why should I get a 2 year contract for 200. It comes with a warrantee by the manufacturer for one year anyway. The extras you back up on disk anyway....the excel, etc..cost 160, etc.

DOES anyone use scanners???

[erchess]

Yes I use a scanner. In the past I've been irregular about what I scanned in but from 2011 on IF I have something on a client I will have it in digital format only. I will keep zero paper. I am already conscientious about copying ID and SS Cards of everyone on an EIC return but I have not in the past kept copies of documents other than as required, for example copies of documentation of withholding. I'm going to start keeping everything including notes about anything I happen to look up in a reference manual and all the pertinent facts the client tells me and I'm going to scan all this in.

I see your point about the "insurance" on the laptop. I get more expensive ones personally because I dislike replacing computers and I do use them an average of eight to ten hours a day 365 days a year for business and personal. Except for my new iPad which will be a reader and sometime web surfer my 19.5 inch Toshiba Laptop is my only computer. I do returns in the homes and offices of clients so I have to have a laptop and I therefore see no need in my life for a desktop machine. Therefore all my software is on my laptop including some related to my iPad. (I don't mind this feature but an iPad cannot be set up without a Windows PC or a Mac and getting the most out of your iPad requires regularly hooking it back up to that main machine.)

In my opinion if you use a laptop costing under $1,500 every day for a few hours, you can't expect it to last more than a year or two. I spend almost 3K on a laptop and get usually at least four years out of it.

I had an HP as my last computer and it did fine until it died in the middle of its fourth tax season. I have however heard the same things about HP that your guru is telling you. I don't know anything about Acer. I have had very good luck with the Toshibas my family has owned - two of the same model laptop and now one of another model. Of the model we have owned two of we obtained the second one when a Compaq (made by the same company that makes HP) proved to be a lemon and we were entitled to a free replacement.

[FEDUKE404]

Laptop reliability article

You may find this link to be of some interest:

http://www.lifehacker.com.au/2010/04/laptop-reliability-study-highlights-the-most-sturdy-laptop-makers

FE

[nwtaxlady]

laptop

one....What is the best laptop, and what do you put on it? I am using a network.

two.....My computer guru, has told me that HP breaks down a lot, and he likes Acer. I found a Toshiba and think i will purchase it on CyberMonday. If the lapto costs 700, why should I get a 2 year contract for 200. It comes with a warrantee by the manufacturer for one year anyway. The extras you back up on disk anyway....the excel, etc..cost 160, etc.

DOES anyone use scanners???

I have had nothing but problems with HP computers. Especially in a network environment. I switched to Dell computers about 6 years ago and have had NO problems. Last year I purchased 2 Dell Laptops and I am very pleased with them. I have not had a single problem with any of my Dell computers, therefore, I am sold on Dell.

[S T]

Laptops and Desktops

I also like Dell - I have been going through the Dell Small Business site (not Home Computer Site) for approx 10 years. Laptops and Desktops- Comes with a Service Agreement, and you can purchase additional years at time of purchase - I generally purchase at least 3 years and Next Day Business Service. They send out a tech and the parts - For set up and performance, software issues I can call in and the tech remotely accesses the computer and assists.

Recently had a fan and power supply replaced under the service agreement, and have called in on other performance issues. I was up and running in just a day or two.

I have purchased HP computers in the past - like 12 years ago - failed and nothing but service problems and tech suport was worse. I have purchased HP printers and now - there is no service on those - the warranty is useless and the Service/Tech Dept is worse. HP is all about selling you extended warranties, not original service on the units. When I purchased my last printer 6/09, and had an issue, found out that it was already out of mfg warranty as they used the date they brought it in to inventory at HP from their mfg site in China, they did not honor the date they "sold" it to me.

I had a Toshiba Laptop about 15 years ago, and worked fine for about 3-4 years - then died. It was going to cost me a fortune then to send back to Toshiba to fix. So that is when I switched to Dell. I even had a client that worked at Toshiba at the time , and she advised to not send back, just replace. Toshiba I think makes a pretty good product, but you need to look at the fine print on the Warranty, etc. as with all of the manufacturers.

I always try to plan for the purchase to last approximately 3 -4 years, hopefully trouble free, and then figure I will need to replace or upgrade due to technology.

Keep us posted on your decision.

Sandy

[dtlee]

Our family has five or six Toshiba laptops and all have done quite well. The one I use for taxes is about 7 years old and is still going well.

The question about an extended warranty is an interesting one and I am among the minority who favors these for laptops under certain conditions. Toshiba has a warranty that includes accidental or unexpected damage from handling. I purchased that for the computers that my two daughters brought to college. Best Buy has a warranty that includes battery replacement. My 7 year old Toshiba had a battery replaced during each of the two three-year warranty periods.

While I have not spent $700 on a laptop, you may want to consider that a battery can cost $75 to $150, a power supply can cost that or more, and a screen replacement will cost around $150 if you shop around. Having an extended warranty will allow you to get the existing machine repaired while you are looking for a replacement instead of having to buy one when there are no sales going on.

Good luck on CyberMonday.