17 replies to this topic

[Sparkrulean]

As many of you may have seen on the television, stores or heard elsewhere, Walmart now sells laptop computers for prices lower than most any other stores. Do you believe these laptops will turn out to be junk or reliable machines?

Edit: I meant to add an 'undecided' choice, but I accidentally hit 'enter' meaning for it to add another choice.
Oops.
If you feel undecided, just null your vote and post your opinion.

Edited by NekoArc, 28 August 2007 - 11:26 AM.

[Ben]

Junk junk junk.

I guarantee you they will have integrated graphics, slow processors, and small hard disks, and that they will run Vista, and have lots of unique hardware that is hard to find drivers for.

[Bowser Blanchette]

Junk!

If I ever get a laptop, I'll buy one at Best Buy or Circuit City.

[Deathbringer]

Walmart........and lab-tops? I don't even need any research for this. Junk. Lower price isn't free. It comes with a cost and that cost ain't worth it when it comes to Walmart.

[Sparkrulean]

I was thinking that they'd be junk as well. However, I checked the specks and they look alright.

Most Expensive: (yoinked from walmart website) http://www.walmart.c...duct_id=5585519
$2,848.00

Key Features & Benefits:
# CrystalBrite 20.1" widescreen liquid crystal display
Presents 1680 x 1050 WSXGA+ resolution with more than 16 million colors
# 2.0 GHz Intel Pentium Core 2 Duo processor T7200
Delivers reliable performance and advanced power-saving technology for extended battery life
# 2 GB of DDR2 system memory
Offers improved performance with today's demanding applications
# 320 GB hard disk drive (5400 rpm)
Provides plenty of space for data, games, photos, music or even videos
# High Definition DVD player and DVD burner
Supports popular disc formats so you can play and burn DVDs and CDs for data and entertainment
# 5-in-1 media port
Reads memory cards so you can conveniently upload photos, music or data# Microsoft Windows Vista Ultimate Edition
The top version of the latest Windows operating system assures you of versatile, efficient performance
#Video
Video Memory: 256 MB
Graphics Processor / Vendor: NVIDIA GeForce Go 7600

((too many additional features to post. View URL at top for more))




Least Expensive:
$448

Key Features & Benefits:
# 15.4" DiamondBrite active-matrix widescreen display
Delivers 1280 x 800 WXGA resolution with more than 16 million colors
# 1.5 GHz Via Technologies C7-M processor
High performance design uses PowerSaver technology for extended battery life
# 512 MB of DDR2 533 system memory
Offers s good capability and is expandable to 2 GB
# 60 GB hard disk drive, 5400 rpm
Provides enough space for documents, games, photos and music
# DVD+/-RW drive with double-layer support
Burn your own DVDs and CDs for data and entertainment
# 802.11b/g wireless LAN
Lets you connect to wireless networks at home, in offices or at Wi-Fi hotspots for convenient Internet access
# Microsoft Windows Vista Home Basic Edition
The latest operating system that lets you do more on your laptop

Additional Features:

* 400 MHz frontside bus
* Graphics: VIA Chrome9 HC IGP with 64 MB shared memory or maximum of 128 MB
* Audio: Via VT1708A with headphone output and microphone input
* Ethernet: 10/100 Mbps LAN
* Fax/modem: built-in 56k with RJ-11 telephone jack
* I/O ports: DB 15-pin VGA, three USB 2.0 and DC input
* Pointing device: 2-button glide pad
* Battery: rechargeable lithium-ion, six-cell
* AC-DC adapter: 65-watt
* Measurements: 14.1" (L) x 10.7" (W) x .9 to 1.5" (H)
* Weight: 5.3 pounds


While I was shopping a walmart, I found a laptop on shelf for $350 slightly better then the least expensive one I posted. It had double the storage and ram.


Still feel the same?

[Golden Chocobo]

I'm not sure about their laptops, but me mum bought a portable dvd player from Wal-Mart [she's from Arkansas... ] and it works fine. Has been for a couple years.
She's also got a TV from Wal-Mart and it's running just fine as well.
I'll say they're alright.

[Takuya]

I would highly recommend, for wanting the most in quality hardware, support, and assurance, to buy a MacBook (1099). They come with big HDDs, Intel Core 2 Duo processors, up to 3GB RAM, built in Camera, built in mic, a NEAT keyboard, the ability to run Mac OS X and Windows Vista, or XP, or Linux. http://apple.com/macbook

[Hunter P Brown]

Your best bet would be to wait until you're able to go to a best buy or a Comp USA. You can get better stuff there at Wal Mart prices, or for a few bucks more.

[Koopa]

It depends what you want them for. If it's only for reading your e-mail, doing some internet surfing and chatting, perhaps write the occaisional letter in Abiword or something small like that, you'll probably do ok with an otherwise "junk" machine.

I mean, seriously, if a school wants to buy computers to teach touch-typing or basic word processing, you don't need 2GB Ram and a 512MB external graphics card along with the latest dual-core processor.

If you want to do any serious graphical or gaming tasks, it's well worth investing a bit more.

[wsuraider88]

I got my laptop at Best Buy, and about a year it still works great. I wouldn't trust a Wal-Mart laptop. Just do your homework and check the facts.

[Golden Chocobo]

I don't think it really matters where you buy your equipment...
Well, unless maybe it's some creepy guy on a street corner.

Wal-Mart sells just about everything anyway. I'm surprised they weren't selling laptops a long time ago

[Ben]

# 1.5 GHz Via Technologies C7-M processor

I've never even HEARD of that company or that processor. What does that tell you?

[Sparkrulean]

XD, wow.. looks like a heated debate is about to start.

I just posted this topic to collect the opinions of other users. I'm not actually in the market for a notebook. I agree with Takuya that iBooks or MacBooks are probably the best way to go. My brother is buying a Mac desktop and I'll probably buy an MacBook.

With that aside.. Not everyone has the money to shell out for the current top-of-the-line laptop. Not to mention it'll be obsolete within the next 6 months. So for a college freshman, a 'Walmart' laptop might be sufficient enough for their college computing needs.

::Tangent::
I was chatting with a computer representative from mac and she mentioned that Microsoft releases new OS software every 6-9 months. Macintosh, on the other hand, every few years. I dunno. Macintosh is just a whole lot less unsettling than Microsoft.

[Solarrain4]

Junk. Go to Circuit City, they have better computers.

[Beefster]

Hey it sounds like a good deal if you dumped Vista on the laptop. I've heard that Vista visits the Blue Screen of Death quite regularly.

Y'know, I got a lot of my Nintendo stuff from WalMart; Including, but not limited to my Wii, DS, and a lot of games.

WalMart just buys in extreme bulk, so they get better deals.