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[jdmessner]

My laptop computer crashed the other day. Actually I was running back into the house for something, the dog got under my feet, I tripped, it crashed, but the dog was fine! It shattered the screen and cracked the case. I have someone looking at it, but I am not too optimistic.

After looking at most of the major retailers, both on line and in the store, I am getting close to finding a replacement. The best deals I have found are on Amazon. While I have purchased lots of other things on Amazon, I am hesitant to order electronics that way instead of going through a retail outlet. Please let me know if you have experienced any pros or cons from similar purchases. Thanks!

[Hank D Thoreau]

Both of my son's have bought computers on line. It seemed to work out just fine for them. You can have problems even when you buy at a store.

Keep in mind that if your laptop still boots, you can hook a keyboard, mouse and monitor to it and run it as a desktop. This can also help you recover data if necessary.

I am currently running on an old laptop I converted into a desktop. It is a good thing to try if you already have the equipment. You still need to be able to redirect the laptop screen to the attached monitor.

I normally build the computers we use, but this was a nice laptop with a good processor. The screen was just not getting the power boost that it needs and is too dim to use.

This is a fixable problem but I am getting more use out of it than as a laptop. I decided not to spend the money to have it fixed.

[glitchy]

The most important thing on Amazon is to make sure it's Amazon themselves selling or another very reputable dealer when making large purchases. I don't seem to buy much besides groceries in a true brick and mortar retail store anymore and buy way too much from Amazon. Package weight and the shippers seem to be the biggest risk to things I buy. I ordered my Weber Summit from them originally and UPS thought it needed drug behind the truck from Chicago to Des Moines instead of hauled inside the trailer. I ordered an entertainment center that arrived in more pieces than I expected. However, I have yet to have any issues returning anything broken, damaged, or defective to Amazon. Laptops are not too big and heavy, so you should be fine. Though one thing to keep in mind, several places like Bestbuy and Target do price match Amazon now (specifically if it's Amazon.com/Amazon Services, LLC. as the seller).

I have bought monitors, laptops, projectors, etc. online without problems.

[dk117]

right, I've done both (all three really).  And this is a tough proposition for brick and mortar companies, but you can always walk into a Costco or Best Buy and then find a price on Amazon (often while in the store itself on your phone).   This allows you to get exact specifications, which is a challenge in itself, and find the best price.  Then you have to consider your time.   These three all know they are competing.  For a nice computer you might not find much more than a $50 variance between their retail prices.  Only challenge at Best Buy is that they will up sell you on cords you don't need.  Though they also have the most personable knowledge. 

All that said, you really cannot go wrong.  Pricing is competitive at all three.  I prefer HP laptops and get the best price I can and use for as long as I can.

DK

[Bar-B-Lew]

I've bought about a half dozen Chromebooks on Amazon over the years and a few laptops the last being the Microsoft Surface 2 laptop in January.  I had an issue with one of the Chromebooks and Amazon handled the return and sent me a replacement without hassle.  Similar to Glitchy, I buy almost everything but groceries and big furniture or appliances from Amazon.

[Trooper]

I do BestBuy, JD
It seems like I'm in the Holland store quite regularly.
Hit the store over in Portage (Westnedge) and you probably find some decent sale items.

My HP laptop recently crashed and replaced it with a Samsung.
I have a Dell desktop downstairs with a 28" monitor that I have for my Lightroom/Photoshop

[Free Mr. Tony]

I just got an MSI GS75 Stealth a few months ago to use for Lumion from Bestbuy.com. I don't really have a site recommendation, but the computer is awesome if you need some power in a light package.

[glitchy]

Newegg.com is also worth checking for computers. When we built my sons gaming desktop we bought components from there, Bestbuy, and Amazon.

[ICIdaho]

I like buying from Costco.  That basically double whatever warranty the manufacture provides and have great prices.  They will often throw in extras for the same prices as those without the extras.  You do have to have a membership though.

[Smokechaser]

Check out the Microsoft store online.  They some times have good deals and they don’t load a bunch of bloatware on them that other places do.  We got an Asus laptop a couple years ago and it has performed well.

[Trooper]

So what was the final decision, JD?

[Fire708]

I’ve never had a problem buying computer parts on amazon. Just be aware that they will not price match and make sure you are getting what you expect. It’s never happened to me but I’ve heard of electronics being sold using manufactures info but it’s the previous model. As noted above this seems to happen with the 3rd party sellers.

With Newegg and Best Buy now price matching amazon, I stick to them.
PC part picker will compare prices for you and provide a direct link.

Also, if you have a micro center close, go there. They have amazing in store prices.

[jdmessner]

Thanks for all the help, tips and advice. I ended up ordering a Dell 2 in 1 from Amazon. It has a 15.6" screen, which is bigger than I wanted, but it gave me the best bang for the buck. There are two hard drives, a 512 SSD and a 1 TB hard drive. I shouldn't have to worry about storage space for a while! The other thing it does have that I missed on the old one is a DVD player. I purchased it for $807. It was a little more than I originally planned, but figured it should be worth it in the long run. Thanks again for your help, it made pulling the trigger much easier!

[Bar-B-Lew]

There are lots of laptops on sale at Sam's and Costco from now through Christmas that are in the flyers that I received in the mail for anyone else that may be looking for a computer.

[jdmessner]

Beware of things that seem too good to be true. The computer arrived and I thought I knew what I was getting, but I was wrong.   

I was sure it was a 2 in 1 computer, which is a feature I use a lot. My first thought was they shipped the wrong one, but alas it never claimed to have that feature, I got exactly what I ordered. I don't know how many times I read and reread the product description. It never stated anything one way or another about it being 2 in 1. I saw what I wanted to see. There is something to be said for taking a test drive. I guess the new plan is to see if I can talk my son into an upgrade. His computer would meet my needs and I think the new one would work well for him.