I want to buy a new laptop, and I need your help.

I basically need a simple laptop to do the usual stuff. I'm not into video games and stuff that requires much.

I need a cd player/burner. (i guess some come without it)

I don't want those tiny laptops where you can hardly watch the screen. I want the normal size, big enough to watch videos.

I'm not looking to spend money on stylish MacBook, no matter how good it looks.

I just want a normal laptop to do all the usual stuff, so please tell me what I should ask for.

Should I go for DELL? HP?

Any specific details I must check before buying?

Most brand names are reliable. I use Dell products. Check out battery life and make sure it has plenty of ports. Here's the CNET link for some real good reviews:

http://reviews.cnet.com/laptops/

Dell or HP are both good. I have an HP. You have simple needs from your post so I wouldnt expect to pay more than $500 for a decent laptop.

You should look up Consumer Reports last review of laptops (your library will probably have it). CR always says all laptops within a given price range have about the same basic specs. The only differences are in user-friendliness, customer service and reliability. They have specs on that.

You'll want to make sure that your laptop has a DVD burner in addition to a CD burner, although I think all of them do.

I have an HP and my daughter just bought a Lenovo, and is quite happy. Don't know too much about it or what it comes with, but Target has a Gateway on super sale this week for $250!

I've had a Dell, a IBM Lenovo and currently a Toshiba laptop. I too am not an expert as far as what to look for, but haven't been disappointed with any of the ones I have had.

The IBM laptop's right/left click button totally came off tho after less than two years since I had purchased it and I was told it would cost a lot to fix. So I use an old-fashioned mouse from my former desktop and it works ok but I still bought the Toshiba and use it regularly for the most part.


TIS