BUYING A LAPTOP

Posted: Fri Aug 31, 2007 8:58 pm Post subject: BUYING A LAPTOP Post Rating: 0

Hey guys!

I am entering college first year in September, and I still haven't purchased a laptop yet!! The thing is that I couldn't decide which to get.. I currently have a COMPAQ laptop but it basically has nothing inside (only 32GB memory, no Mircrosoft Office (can't do any work, not even a spelling check, poor virus protection..), not to mention it big and heavy. I got this from my dad 2~3 years ago and I desperately need a new one!!

Can anyone suggest some good laptop that's good for a student like me?
I mainly need it to take notes in class, research, do projects (microsoft work, at least.. powerpoint.. and such), and it would be nice if it's pretty ><.. ~ and easily portable too! Hope it's not too much to ask for - -

I've been choosing between MAC and DELL computers.. DELL seems cheaper but MAC computers are so niceee! Please if anyone know can just please give me some suggestions, I would really appreciate it!!

THank you!
Luv
JR

Posted: Fri Aug 31, 2007 9:04 pm Post subject: Post Rating: 0

My suggestions:
- Don't buy Mac unless you do graphics, multimedia projects etc
- Make sure there are enough memory + disc space --> no need to update right away
- Microsoft Vista sucks

These are my personal opinions though Tongue

Posted: Fri Aug 31, 2007 9:27 pm Post subject: Post Rating: 0

ohhh
so i guess.. DELL computers??
which one would you guys recommend?
=p sry! i can't make up my mind!!

Posted: Fri Aug 31, 2007 9:28 pm Post subject: Post Rating: 0

I agree with the poster above, I know the Mac fanboys would disagree but really unless you're doing multimedia projects for all its beauty it is not quite useful.

I have a mac and I had to install windows by parallel, which by itself was another chunk of change. Worst pet peeve? No Gomplayer. Now, that's just wrong.

I will admit the Mac is a sweet machine but now that the sheen has gone from my eyes I can say should've gotten a Windows PC.

Oh, and like Sungie said (again) Vista sucks. That's why I bought XP Pro to install on my Mac, plus it was wayyyyyy cheaper.

.....

what are you going to be doing on your comp? Maybe the xps would be a good choice for you if you're going with dell.

Posted: Fri Aug 31, 2007 9:29 pm Post subject: Post Rating: 0

1) I would not touch a dell. I dont like their style of selling
2) I would pass on a Gateway, they just got bought out by Acer (desktops)
3) I will never do Acer, their website where I am is not even working right
4) With reluctancy, recommending IBM Lenovo prior generation because they work pretty good and are not as pricy as they used to be.
5) Stick to Toshiba... Gold in regards to quality and performance and they have a hard test of them now.
6) If you can waste money, Sony might work, but for the difference between Sony and Toshiba you can buy a lot of nice extras... and finally

7) Mac are nice, but they have no advantage on graphics anymore. And why... simple
Apple careplan is about $250-$500 for three year support, and that does NOT include upgraded hardware and if you buy extras, they must be in the apple from the start or it willbe excluded from support, even if supplied by apple directly.

Nuff of the techie stuff for one night. Good luck

Posted: Fri Aug 31, 2007 9:45 pm Post subject: Post Rating: 0

I recently purchase a brand new laptop (dv6500t) from HP.COM for dad. Got a really good deal. Best for the bucks for what I got $1400 compared for the $1,900 for the same configuration from Dell. I heard HP has better costumer service then Dell these days coming from a friend who orders computers for his company. There are some coupons floating around the net right now for back to school deal. You can get the same laptop for a few hundred less. HP has really cheap deal for upgrades depending on the laptop you are getting. The only thing that sucks is Vista. It sucks so much resources that the laptop runs slow as my old desktop that is 4 years old. I got a Core 2 Duo with 2 gig worth of rams and a high end video card with it. Probably will change Vista to XP when I have time. This laptop will definitely last you atleast 4 years. I got a lot of other stuffs with this laptop. Just stay away from AMD if you dont want to drain your batteries run really hot. But their laptop are cheap tho.

Posted: Fri Aug 31, 2007 9:51 pm Post subject: Post Rating: 0

I'm in first year college right now and trust me, you don't need a laptop. Stick with pencil and paper. Especially if you're in the science field. Ex. You're not going to have a pleasant time for orgo chem with a laptop.
A desktop computer is fine for school projects.

Posted: Fri Aug 31, 2007 10:03 pm Post subject: Post Rating: 0

You can get a macbook for about 1100 USD right from the Apple store, and they're cute, light, well made, and work really, really well. I have both a mac and a pc laptop and I far prefer the mac because of is cuteness. Also, OSX is SO easy to use and make sense of.

Posted: Fri Aug 31, 2007 10:13 pm Post subject: Post Rating: 0

ohhh heck with cuteness she needs some raw power to run today n future programs.... she might not know if her laptop will handle future dramas...jk hahah... but yeah if you have friends who know about computers most likely hood they will help you if you have a PC laptop if anything goes wrong. That is one of the draw back of a mac.

Posted: Fri Aug 31, 2007 10:34 pm Post subject: Post Rating: 0

if you're only choice is between dell and mac, here's how i see it:

one major downfall with going with Dell is that (if you're buying new) you're going to get stuck with Windows Vista. yes they are cheaper, but i wouldnt go this route unless you have another Operating system (Windows XP/Linux/MCE/2000,etc.) to install after choosing Dell.

as far as Macs, eligibity for a student discount and Microsoft office is available for your college needs. yes they are expensive, but if you can afford it.

to sum up

1. save money with dell and change the operating system

2. macs are expensively nice

Posted: Fri Aug 31, 2007 10:37 pm Post subject: Post Rating: 0

i bought one about 4 months ago, i didnt want vista, i found many great laptops at techfor less.com . I payed 650 for a gateway, it was brand new but listed as refurbished. works great. 1 gig ram 100gig hd, 1.8 ghtz processor. I use mine for watching asian dramas at work lol.

Posted: Fri Aug 31, 2007 10:41 pm Post subject: Post Rating: 0

Hey there,

Personally I have a Toshiba and I love it. If you are thinking of getting a Dell, don't. One of the sales rep at Best Buys told me that they aren't worth your money. So stick with Toshiba or a HP. Processor wise, if you are just using it for simple everyday use, try to get a intel. Avoid AMD unless you are programming or doing videos. It'll run slower and eat up more of your power. Mac's are nice but if you're comfortable with Windows, don't get a Mac. I lke their nice, sleek, and sophisticated look though. Big Smile

Besides that, I'd say go with Toshiba or HP with an intel processor. Big Smile

Hope that helps.

Posted: Sat Sep 01, 2007 12:49 am Post subject: Post Rating: 0

OMG guys, thank you so much for all of the help!!

From what I've heard, HP and Toshiba have better machines?
I guess I should check them out at the stores.. I'll tell you guys what I decide when I'm ready~!

Thanks again guys!

Posted: Sat Sep 01, 2007 3:34 am Post subject: Post Rating: 0

i have a pc at my house but starting last year my school district has given every student a macbook to use for school and having the option to choose either to do my hw/ play games/go online/ watch d-addicts movies i alway choose the macbook. i find them so easy to use and i've never gotten a virus or had any problems at all with my mac but sadly i can't say the same about my pc

Posted: Sat Sep 01, 2007 4:03 am Post subject: Post Rating: 0

Firstly, you have to figure how you plan to use your notebook.
Don't buy with Dell. Dell is a place of ****, excuse my french. I brought a XPS notebook from Dell for like $1600 and it was a piece of ****. It heated up really fast (it was so hot, I thought it would burn me) and the picture quality for movies was just awful.

I'm into graphic design, but I've never used Apple.

I've heard you can't watch certain avi files or something like that with Apple. I know you're into dramas because you're posting on this site, so you should take that into consideration.

A PC is good for college. I've never used a laptop during my college days because it was inconvenient to carry around. it's hard walking around campus with a book bag with textbooks and a laptop. Those math and economic books can be really heavy.

I have a Toshibia Satellite and it works fine for what I'm doing. My satellite has poor battery life though.