Laptops are probably the second hottest item for the holidays (just behind tablets). The most common question I am asked is: “Which laptop should I get?” I usually respond like this:

How much do you want to spend?

I can’t exactly recommend a $2000 Alienware laptop if your budget is $500. Be honest with your budget and start there.

What’s it for?

If you’re looking for a good work laptop, you’ll be spending about $1200-$1500. A laptop for work should have no less than an Intel Core i7 and 4GB RAM. I recommend Dell laptops only because of the In-Home warranty repair. All other brands require you to take them back to the store to be fixed.

If you just need a laptop for light work, school work, or simply cannot afford $1K+, then an Intel Core i5 or i3 will work. You still need at least 4GB RAM though. These can be found at sub-$500. I still recommend purchasing a Dell through their website...the warranty is just that much better.

If you have any questions, please let us know. I’d love to help you before your purchase. And since we don’t sell laptops, you know that our opinion is unbiased. Whatever you decide, you can always count on us for any assistance you need in setting up or transferring your old laptop to your new one.

BTW, if you are going to buy online, go through ebates.com and get some additional cash back.

This has got to be the hottest item this holiday season. Just last year, your choice was limited to an iPad. This year, however, you have dozens of choices. Good thing for you, we’ve already done the reviews. Keep in mind, this guide is written with our customer base in mind. We tend to bias ourselves on what a doctor, attorney, or other professional would want…not what a geek would. We also limited our guide to three models. If you’re not sure if they are right for you, let us know. We’ll work with you to make a personal evaluation.

Let’s start with some questions:

Do you have an iPhone?

If you have an iPhone and you like it, go with the iPad 2. Nothing else will do. iOS is easy and intuitive. Everything you love on your iPhone is on the iPad. This would probably be the easiest transition you’ve ever made.

Otherwise, you have choices. The best non-iPad pick is the Samsung Galaxy Tab. Thinner, lighter, and faster than the iPad, it will handle almost anything you throw at it. Which brings up the next question: what do you think you’re going to do with it?

Work or Play? Both? Or not really sure?

For work, I’d lean towards the Asus EE Pad Transformer with the keyboard dock. But it’s only a slight lean. With the keyboard, the EE Pad is about $500 and weighs a hefty 2.9 pounds. Without the keyboard, the tablet is 1.5 pounds and around $350. The Galaxy is $500 without a keyboard, as is the iPad. However, the EE Pad only has wifi, while you can get the iPad or Galaxy with 3/4G. A tablet without internet is pretty much useless.

But really, how much “work” are you going to do? Be honest here. If you’re going to do a lot of typing from places where you know there is internet (court, office, hospital, Star Bucks, etc) then an EE Pad may be best. If you’re going to work on the road (different cities, hotels [which many charge extra for wireless], your friend’s house, etc) then go with the Galaxy with 4G.

For play, (and maybe some light work) I’d still probably go with the Galaxy over the iPad…but I don’t have (or care to have) an iPhone.

Is Price a Factor?

Of course it is. If it wasn’t, you’d buy one of each (at least I would). Use a little sense here and be honest about what you can and are willing to spend. We can’t decide this part for you, but I can give you one tip: what you need to do is set a max price, then subtract $50 or $100 from that. Why? You will want accessories (a case, for example).

If you’re max is $500, then both the iPad and Galaxy are out of range. They run about $500 but with accessories and 4G, you’re looking at more. (The Galaxy 4G is $529 from Verizon with a 2 year contract.) Will a tablet be worth the $500 you’re paying for it?

Do you need it now?

The hardest question ever: "Can I wait a little longer?" It’s a known rule in technology: after you buy it, there will be a sale. A whole new slew of tablets will be coming out in a few months with faster speeds and better features. This brings two possibilities: 1) you can get a better tablet for the same price in a few months or 2) get the same tablet you would now for a lower price.

Verdict?

Every situation is different. For my money, I’d wait. But I already have a laptop with 4G so I can already work anywhere. Fortunately for you, we’re not some far away company that you can’t reach. We’re right here in Kendall, so feel free to give us a call if you’re not sure which way to go. And when you do get your new tablet or laptop, we can help set that up.

BTW, if you are going to buy online, go through ebates.com and get some additional cash back.

I love this time of year. Thanksgiving is a couple weeks away followed by Black Friday. Pretty soon, every ad will be about "Black Friday" or "Cyber Monday." 

Personally, I prefer to do all my shopping from my computer and avoid all the crazies at the malls. If you’re going to shop online this holiday season, there’s a million tips you can find online. Here’s 5 that you won’t find anywhere else:

1. Most people shop online for two reasons: they want the convenience of shopping at home and they want to get the best deal. If you’re shopping online, make sure that you’re really getting the best price. True, most retail outlets have e-commerce sites. But, most merchandise can be purchased from online-only stores at much cheaper prices. A couple of places I swear by: eBay for great prices and hard to find items. For electronics (if you know EXACTLY what you want) try out www.pricewatch.com. For TV’s, stereos, and the like, no one beats Crutchfield.com. Computer parts, go to newegg.com.
2. Get money back for stuff you’d buy anyway. Here’s the question: If you’re going to buy something online anyway, why not get some cash back? I’ve heard of many cards that give cash or airline points, but you can also shop through websites that give cash. If you like getting cash back, you should definitely check out eBates. You get and average of 2%, which doesn’t really seem like much…but that’s IN ADDITION TO any coupons or deals that you already get. I’ve been a member for about 9 years and received over $600 cash back. While it’s not a lot per year, it’s a lot more than $0 for things I’d buy anyway. Plus they usually have some great coupons and deals if you are looking. (Side note for guys: The best deal on eBates are coupons for Flowers – 10% cash back and 33% off FTD.com. The best investment EVER.)
3. Don’t give out your email address unless you have to. Take another look at my ebates account. Notice my email address. Why did I do this? If any spam comes to that address, I know exactly who gave that address out, and I know that I can just kill that address and stop any spam coming to that address without losing the email address I use for business. I do that for every site that wants my email that I don’t trust. (After 9+ years I do trust eBates, but when I signed up, I didn’t know them). If you don’t know how to setup an email alias, give us a call and we’ll walk you through it.
4. Use a fake credit card. Well, not exactly a fake CC…most banks have what’s called a virtual credit card number. What you do is sign onto your account, and you can get a virtual CC with a specified limit. For example, if you normal card has a $10K limit, you can get a CC number that has online $500. Why? When you go to a site that may be questionable but has a GREAT deal you just can’t pass up, you can use the virtual CC to purchase That $495 LCD Screen. If anyone steals that CC, the most they can get is $5.
5. Check your statement – Something you should be doing anyway. When it comes to the holidays, make sure to double check your statements. The law limit your liability on stolen CC charges to $50, but if someone runs up charges on your card, it may take days or weeks to get that money back.

Hope you find these tips helpful.  If not, please let me know.  Have any other tips you want to share?  Post them below.

Also, let me know if you want to see any buying guides or a specific article in the future...and I'll get right on it.

PS. While your out shopping, please feel to pickup a Samsung Galaxy for me. ;)

Thanks,
Amit

Computer Doctors of South Florida (http://www.computer-drs.com), an information technology provider in South Florida for small, medium and large companies in Miami-Dade and Broward counties, has been delivering technology solutions since 2001.

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Mauskar Technologies, Inc. DBA Computer Doctors of South Florida, a provider of information technology solutions for small businesses in South Florida, celebrated its ten year anniversary. Since its founding on July 28^th, 2001, Computer Doctors of South Florida has delivered a full complement of consulting services around the planning, implementation, training and support of information technologies for small businesses across a range of industries, focusing on legal, medical, and other professional verticals.

"Over the last ten years, Computer Doctors of South Florida has remained strong throughout the many changes in the economic climate," said Amit Mauskar, President and Founder of Computer Doctors of South Florida. "I attribute our success to two things: First, a solid focus on customer service. Second, we continually look for ways to optimize our clients’ operations to further their success. This serves both our customers and our company very well, particularly during harder economic times."

Computer Doctors of South Florida was founded and is run by Amit Mauskar. Mauskar is regarded as one of the leaders in the world of information technology. His portfolio is impressive. Mauskar’s clients include Miami-based Burger King and Broward County Public Schools. For Burger King, Mauskar developed a one-of-a-kind computer program that enables the fast food giant to quickly gather in-store data from all of its 800+ stores nationwide. Mauskar was also called-upon to write an online testing program for Broward County Public Schools, so that students can take exams online, such as the pre-FCAT assessments, and have the results immediately available. Recently, he was a major contributor to Broward Schools’ BASIS enhancements.

Added Mauskar, “Our mission is to educate South Florida businesses about technologies that will help lower their operating expenses and increase productivity.”

Computer Doctors of South Florida is looking forward to serving South Florida for the next 10 years.

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Computer Doctors of South Florida focuses on Managed Services and Cloud Services (through the recently launched Office Network Online) for Law Firms, Medical Firms, and other professional companies in Miami-Dade and Broward Counties.