And have zero idea what to get!

The one that I'm looking at most seriously is the HP TouchSmart tm2t.
Which can be seen here.

The issue I'm having is that I don't know if it's necessarily something I want or something I need. Also, I can't find a local store that has one I could go in a play with to see if it suits me.

I've had a few people suggest a MacBook but I'd be lying if I said I'd want one.

So my question for you guys is do you have any experience with HP TouchSmart computers? Do you think I'd spend this amount of money for a piece of garbage? Do you yourself own a laptop that you would suggest to someone?

I'll just add in here that I need a computer that would be easy to take too and from school, would stream video nicely, won't move at a super slow pace when I have more than one window open at a time and is good for a full-time college student (with a three year old who sometimes drops her laptop).

I've been researching the TouchSmart pretty heavily and so far I have no outright reason to say "no." I read one review that said the touch-screen is a bit slow but most people say that the pen feature (which I adore the idea of taking notes with this thing) works wonderfully. I've been reading costumer reviews and most people seem to like it - though they hate HP's customer service.

Help!?

Does it have to be an HP? Just wondering

No, it does not. I have a Toshiba now and though it's dying I've had it for four years.

Ooh, I have a Toshiba too. I just bought a new one. It's really fast no matter what all I'm doing, it streams videos wonderfully -is watching Dexter right now- and it's easy to carry around and stuff. clicky It's the best computer I've had <3

Oooh, that's really not bad for the price! I shall bookmark that one to consider. :yes:
Thanks.

Edit: Does it get hot? I know the Toshiba I have now can't sit in my lap for very long.

I know, I was amazed! lol

Mine has been on for awhile now and it's actually not that hot! It's more a comfortable warm unless you stick your hand right on the place where the heat comes out lol

Hmm...I am actually willing to spend a bit more money this time around, though. :yes:
Actually, my first one was a graduation present so...

I suggest getting a Toshiba. :angel:

Satellite L650-BT2N22 Laptop

That is just an example of what you could get. ^_^; Spec wise it is ok, but I would go for something with a bigger hard-drive and more ram. ;) Also, don't shop from the Toshiba directly unless they have a fantastic sale. See who has the best price in other words. :)

Lizzy - Thanks! I know Best Buy has Toshibas with better processors and more ram/storage than that one for cheaper but thanks for the input. My cousin just got a Toshiba as well and it's pretty cool.

But the HP has a swivel screen. :drool: xD Kidding, I'd never make a purchase based on that quality.

I would, if I could afford it XD

And I CAN afford it, I just wish I could go and test one before I purchased it.
Also, I'm not sure if it'd be worth the price if it dies within a year, y'know?

Heyo, I'm a bit of a computer geek so if you don't mind me putting in some input.

The fast streaming thing, that all depends on the internet not the computer.
Laptops being hot - That's a chromic issue all laoptop/macbooks have. The older they are the hotter they run and most usually have over heating issues after 4-5 years.

Best all around Tablet pc I know of would probably be the Toshiba Portege A600, or the HP Touchsmart TM2-2050CA. If these are to expensive I could track down some cheaper tablets?

Something to note between the toshiba and the HP, the toshiba is a touch pad while HP is stylus. Toshiba has a better processor, the toshiba is lighter, toshiba has a better video capabilities but less ram then the HP, they're both 1280x800 displays and both have 8 hours of life.

Provided you don't mistreat your tablet to bad it wouldn't die with in a year,

We just upped our internet, I think, because we got rid of the TV and are now using the internet instead. Every computer in this house but mine streams really well. :?

And yes, the HP one's not as bad but the Toshiba one is way more expensive then I'm willing to spend. I'm more likely to go with about 1,000 max if I really, really want the computer. But otherwise I was guessing around 900 or so.

I don't see a whole lot of difference between the TouchSmart you showed and the one I linked?

I haven't read all this, I'm just responding to the getting hot question. All laptops get hot. If I'm sitting on the sofa rather than at my desk then I put my laptop on a thin A4-sized hardback book, that way the fan has access to the air and my knees don't cook xD

xD Thanks Jelly.

Normally, I try to put mine so the fan can breath but mine gets REALLY hot, even sitting on my desk.
It's old though and has been dropped many times. One time I dropped it so hard I knocked something loose. :oops:

The HP touchsmart I linked has newer hardware Estrella and has all ready been set up. Think of it as a pre-made "recommended" Touchsmart vs the bare bones + Add what ever you want from the HP store. It has a lower price tag but is older and priced is with the minimum set of specs with the option of upgrading and paying more for better hardware.

NCIX one - Premade mid line Touchsmart, HP site - older model with pick and choose features. If you're not sure what you need/want sometimes its better to get the premade one, know what I mean?

Sorry if I didn't explain it well there, I know I sorta repeated myself a bit.

Oh, okay! I getcha. I decided not to go with the TouchSmart/tablet PC at all because I was looking at my current laptops specs (which makes me rage A LOT) in comparison and there's not a whole lot of difference though I'm sure the newer laptops would run better I'd rather not risk it.

Now, I'm looking a Dell Studio from Best Buy and reading the reviews and whatnot.
A LOT of the laptops I've been looking at have that stupid chiclet-style keyboard which I do not like.
So, yeah, I'm still browsing. I'm looking on c-net to read some of their reviews for the "back-to-school" computers.

Hmm well I hope you find something you like Estrella! As a general rule normal laptops get you better hardware for your buck. Good laptop brands are Acer (I think.. Little fuzzy on this one), Toshiba, and HP is great for low end.

Just tossing some names out there for you. :)

Yeah, I have a Toshiba now.
I hate the HP keyboards.

The Dell I'm looking at is rated pretty high by the site and I'm printing list (as soon as the printer starts working) of ones that I'm pretty sure I can play with at Best Buy. Someone today told me they'd only ever buy Dell or Mac. xP

i suggest that you don't get an acer laptop because i have had a lot of problems with them

Thanks Ameika!

I think I read a review on the Dell s1558 that said they had to return it. :?
But most of the reviews were good.

Your Welcome

the laptop i want is the Dell Notebook, i have only heard good things about it :)

----------

i mean it is the one where you can turn the screen and lay it flat to turn it into a touch screen laptop lol anyways

I wouldn't recommend toshiba either because my brother has had a lot of problems with them also

We haven't had problems with HP yet or Dell :)

Dell in general are bad products. Most people I know who get them have issues with in a few months..

Well, I ended up with a Dell.
Thanks for the opinions everyone, though it seems like we have a lot of disagreement going on now. xD