BUYING A LAPTOP

Posted: Sun Sep 02, 2007 11:20 am Post subject: Post Rating: 0

Mahlzeit,

well, first of all, forget MS Office. It's too expensive (if you'd really buy it) and has more features than you'll ever need. I've switched from MS Office to the free office suite OpenOffice.org years ago and am quite happy with it. Give it a try.

Laptops, hmm.
I've had 2 Acer laptops and have been very happy with them. Actually, many of my friends have bought Acer laptops this and last year and they're all very pleased. No problems so far.

Fujitsu Siemens... Not too bad, inexpensive, here, the displays are good but those FSC comps are often very loud and hot. 1 HDD crash so far, so all together it's not the worst choice.

Toshiba... All together very nice - but I had to replace several DVD and hard disc drives last year on 2-4 year old ones, so I wouldn't buy one second hand. Actually, I wouldn't buy a new one, either...

HP - Never! More broken than working ones around here. Including the one I had. I'm actually glad it died.

IBM (pre Lenovo) - Working horses, maybe not the best bang for the buck, but they're most likely to last a lifetime.

Dell - like techie , I don't like their style of selling. Here in Germany it's 78€ for shipping and handling... yeah, sure...

If you can waste money, in my opinion, and without a doubt, buy a Samsung. They're really, really sweet.

Posted: Sun Sep 02, 2007 3:22 pm Post subject: Post Rating: 0

Hey guys,

I went on to the Costco site and they have a few deals for the next month or so.. so here are my choices narrowed down:

link

link

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link

link

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link

I can't resist the "sweet" deals of getting $100/200 off originally expensive notebooks><Can>3<
-jR

mod edit: I edited the links a little bit. they were making the page wider than it's supposed to be

Posted: Sun Sep 02, 2007 3:33 pm Post subject: Post Rating: 0

The first thing you should ask yourself now is whether you need maximum portability.
If not, forget about the models with screens smaller than 15".
If yes, go for a small and light one.
Which one is it going to be?

Posted: Sun Sep 02, 2007 6:34 pm Post subject: Post Rating: 0

Communications
* Intel PRO/Wireless 3945 (802.11a/g 54Mbps)
* Integrated 10/100 Network Card
* Integrated 56K capable modem
* Dell Wireless 355 Bluetooth connectivity (2.0 + Enhanced Data Rate)

Does it mean it can be connected to the internet without subscribing an internet plan?
(how can laptops be connected to the internet anyway without connecting to a modern?)

sry.. i'm a computer baka,..=|

Posted: Sun Sep 02, 2007 7:04 pm Post subject: Post Rating: 0

well. it doesn't really mean u don't have to have internet plan. but u could go w/o it. w/ the wireless 802.11, u can use the wireless internet on campus..or maybe use your neighbor's internet if they don't have a password lock.

anywayz, i got a Dell 1405, it's really nice. I really like it..the only thing was that i felt duped cuz the price dropped like 100 or 200 dollars after i bought it. and then like another 2 months later they came out w/ a new Dell laptop dat was better for about the same price. i got mine for like 840 or 900 i forgot. and for microsoft office..my bro got office xp from his friend so i borrowed it and put it in the laptop. microsoft office 2007 is too expensive so i wouldn't bother gettin dat. but all in all, Dell would be a great buy if u buy it at the rite time.

Posted: Sun Sep 02, 2007 7:13 pm Post subject: Post Rating: 0

A computer can connect to any internet as long as you have the password to join a hot spot or a secured wireless network. When I got my laptop I turned on the wireless and picked up 6 connections and 4 of those were not secured so i was able to connect and freeload for a bit till i got my own.

I read this thread and it didn't seem too helpful, all i read is i like mac or i like pc. or don't get this don't get that.

It may just be me but lets be realistic, you are on your way to college, yes a laptop would be nice and is essential now a days. I would stick through your first year with out one. But if you really need it be prepared to haul it everywhere you go on campus.

My questions is whats the budget or are your parents buying it for you?
What are you majoring in?

Look for a decent deal, It mainly looks like your going to do productive school work, writing papers and such. So I suggest a laptop with a price range from $400-$1000 max. At least 1gb or ram and a hard disk drive with more then 90GB of space.

Every laptop in the market right now carries VISTA as its main operating system. They also come standard with wireless functions, integrated Ethernet card, DVD/CD combo drive to burn dvd/cd's. 4USB plugs or 3 in some cases. sound and screen size's can vary depending on models. Also look in to the battery life you don't want it to shut down on you when you cant have access to a wall outlet.

My sister bought a gateway from best buy for $400 it had WinXP 512mb ram ans was 15 in wide screen. She had Auto cad and Photoshop and some other program running fine with no performance issues. She is an interior designer and this laptop was still running like new after she graduated.

I am a Video Game designer and I have a gateway laptop that I bought back in April for $700 17in wide screen and the only thing I upgraded was the 1GB of ram to 4GB and made it boot both WinXP PRO and Vista. But I work mostly now on my custom built desktop.

Many people have had different experiences with laptop/desktops so opinions here will vary. Do your research carefully and look for them special you never know when you'll run into one. Good luck.

Posted: Sun Sep 02, 2007 7:29 pm Post subject: Post Rating: 0

Few comments:

1. About the "Don't buy Microsoft Office" bit. Ignore that. All colleges and universities qualify for student discounts on Microsoft products. And, many laptops come with at the minimum a home or student edition that includes Microsoft Word.

2. Also, many schools now have a PC requirement in their policies. They explain the type of operating system that is required, along with the types of software and document formats the instructors will accept. I would check with your school to see if there are any technological requirements.

3. Besides the type of hardware and software, many schools also require you to install anti-virus software and firewall software. Again, check with your school to see if they have such a policy. And if they do so, do they only accept certain brands (McAfee, Symantec, TrendMicro, AVG, etc.)

4. Check with your school's bookstore to see if they have student specials on laptops. In many cases, school bookstore prices beat CostCo and SAM'S CLUB. They may also offer on-campus technical support; this will come in handy especially if you live on campus, and you need assistance with your laptop.

--- groink

Posted: Mon Sep 03, 2007 2:06 am Post subject: Post Rating: 0

This is my criteria for a notebook that is to be used in school starting with the most important:
1) small and light - I tried carrying a full sized (15"+) laptop once. It was a pain to lug around in addition to my books.
2) cool - Heat will destroy your laptop's life. I had an averatec once. Heated up faster than my stove. Lasted about 6 months before it was 100% unusable.
3) quiet - Noise makes people's heads turn...and not in a good way. You won't be able to work too well if people are constantly staring at you because you're noisy.
4) long battery life - I average two 1.5 hour classes per day. The battery needs to last at least 3 hours to be useful. I don't always get to sit near an outlet. Also, doesn't that kind of defeat the purpose of a laptop? Some laptops can go for almost 5 hours if you shell out for an enhanced battery (usually 6 cell).
5) touchscreen (optional) - I don't know how to type pictures and diagrams : / Not many class notes are without those. You COULD always just draw them on a piece of paper and label it. Add "refer to diagram 1.2" in your notes.
6) not DELL or Gateway - A lot of people would put this higher. I personally don't have any experience with the two companies so I'll put it at the bottom of my list.

Going to those Costco links, I like the HP tx100z. *heart* touchscreen. Toshiba U305 if you want an intel or a slightly bigger screen. No touchscreen, though : / And if you require a larger screen, VAIO. I have a LOT of faith in SONY.

If you don't need touchscreen and can afford a lot more, look into the VAIO TZ. 11.1" screen, roughly 2.5 lbs, and a 6 hour life with a standard battery (9 hours on an extended battery). But it'll burn a nice 2,200 USD hole in your pocket ~_~

Personally, I'm waiting on new UMPCs (Ultra Mobile Personal Computers) due out at the end of this month or early next month. The screens are 7" so I'll be waiting to "test drive" them when they come out. I get the feeling I'll end up buying a normal laptop, though.

And I'll second groink's statement on Office. You can get it really cheap as a student. I get mine free but I can't discuss that here >.< Same goes with the antivirus. My school actually gives out corporate versions of Symantec Antivirus. Well, the school I used to go to. They didn't say I have to uninstall it if I leave ^_^"

Posted: Mon Sep 03, 2007 10:08 am Post subject: Post Rating: 0

my advice... i own several...

hp is pretty good all-around...dell is more business simple use... so dependin on what class you takin for college.... compaq is gettin more and more crappy in my point of view... sony is my all time fav.. 3 of those .... mac is good... pretty and all... but reallie... its not something to use unless ur into design.... toshiba is gettin better...

so my point of view... sony is a good pick... a lil more expensive.. but worth every penny

Thanks alot guys.. for helping me decide upon my new laptop..

I've decided to buy the HP tx1000z.. the design is unique and it seems like it has a good combination of work and entertainment softwares and stuff..
Hope i'm making the right decision!! I'll tell you guys how it is after i use it for a bit><..

Thanks again!!

luv
jR