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.

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.

Think cloud technology is just about throwing your stuff up on the cloud? We'd like to invite you to think again.  Join Computer Doctors of South Florida at the West Kendall Business Expo on Thursday, October 13th, and we'll show you how it can be so much more.

Own less. Do more.
Rather than just moving your current IT environment to the cloud, Computer Doctors of South Florida cloud solutions are about creating new technology options that help drive your business forward. 

   
Discover your cloud power.
With these solutions, we can show you how you can move capabilities and data to the cloud on your terms and distribute them where it makes sense for your organization—whether in your own datacenter or elsewhere. Build, extend, or migrate to the cloud by using powerful development and management tools that work across physical, virtual, and cloud environments.

See how you can start right now.
Our cloud solutions are built on familiar, best-in-class products. So you can tap your existing skill sets and the technology you already have to ease the transition. Invest in cloud technology, and you can be confident about how to move your business into the future. 

Interested in learning more?  Stop by the West Kendall Business Expo to learn more.  Contact us to register today.