Hey guys, I am looking for a new laptop and I am looking for some suggestions. Here is what I require- Im a college student, so id like something that isn't heavy to move around and I can carry around everyday if need be. second, Id like a good amount of space on the hard drive for all my files (I have a 500 GB external so I dont need a TON of space). Performance matters and Id like it to be fast tho Im not a PC gamer (i have an xbox360 and a ps2 so im covered). I use my current laptop for everything in school and take it to class practically everyday. I do watch movies and stuff on my computer so a nice sized screen? Ive been a PC guy all my life but im a little uneasy about Vista right now, I dont really know how great or bad it is. A lot of people talk about the new HP line with media package and remote. Im willing to look into Apple's and learn how to use them and Ive heard how great they are (my sister has one) and their benefits. I just want to know if the price and the adjustment period is worth it. I consider myself a bit educated on computers, im no programmer, but I use third party stuff and like to expand. Im not big on factory defaults (IE SUCKS!!!! WINDOWS MEDIA PLAYER SUCKS!!! Firefox and VLC media player ftw) Also- I dont want to spend a whole lot of money- lets say 1500 for now altho if im convinced i could change. Suggestions?
Thank you for starting this thread, I was going to make one, I need one for college next years as well
This is my computer. I have no idea how to use anything except the internet on it. I drop it ALL THE TIME and it still works.
well, im totally biased but i love my apple. got a 15 in macbook pro and love it... and fulfills your needs... it has an amazing picture/screen...its very light and it has great performance for how light it is. plus it looks sexy.
Dell XPS M1330. My all time favorite laptop (using it now). Light, sexy, portable, and compatible with XP. Right now they're selling them for around $1k.
I'm not in the market right now, so I'm not sure on specifics. But to address some of your concerns: You want a nice sized screen, but also something easy to carry. You will probably need to make a trade off here. 15" or greater is a good size to watch stuff. But I find 14.1" or smaller is much better for carrying around. Hard drive space is easy (and much cheaper) to upgrade on your own. So if you find all the laptops lacking in space, I wouldn't let that be a major factor in your decision. You can find a 250 gb hd for around $100. As for switching to Vista or OS X, I say the same thing all the time. Go to a computer/Apple store, and play around w/ both OS's for 20-30 minutes. Just try to do the basics and figure out if you're enjoying your experience or not. After some time w/ it, I think Vista is good. I think it's little more stable than XP, and a prettier interface. But if you're getting a lower end/entry level computer (which, according to your budget, you aren't) then I highly recommend avoiding it. At the same time, I don't think you're missing out on much, if anything, sticking w/ XP. If my Windows box somehow magically turned back from Vista to XP, I wouldn't care at all. If you do go Mac, a Macbook is a great choice. I love mine, it's portable and runs very smooth. Don't forget, depending on your classes and requirements, you may still need to use certain software not available on a Mac. In which case you can install Windows on it to dual boot, or better yet (imho) run a virtual machine of Windows. This lets you run Windows and OS X simultaneous instead of having to restart your computer every time you want to switch OS's. There's a free, fully capable, open source software called VirtualBox which will let you do this. There's also VMware Fusion, which you would have to buy, but has even more cool features that might make it worth your while.
Have you looked into Eee PC? It's ultra portable, and it's cheap. They have different versions, but since you are in college, I suggest you get the ones comes with XP so you can use Microsoft Words and PowerPoints. Newegg.com has them
i have MacBook Pro 15" and i love every second of using this machine. No more Pc for me. I got the used one from Craigslist for $1200... 2.3 ghz core 2 duo. 3gb ram and 120gb storage. Dude.. i love it.. im not going back to PC anytime soon.
I use a macbook pro as well for my laptop needs. Girlfriend has a macbook which she used for college and never had a problem with it, she was just like the average person in regards to computer knowledge in regards to how to do all the basics and has had no problems in switching over from windows to mac
Aside from lack of gaming, the one thing I don't like about Macs is the one button click. I like my right click. I know you can use an external mouse, or shift-click, but would it be too hard for Apple to add an extra button to the Macbooks? Jeeze.
I don't remember if it's setup by default (probably not), but you can tap the track pad w/ two fingers for a right click. I like it better.
Dell EPP has XPS M1530 laptop for $741 ($711 if paid with DPA). Thanks ShadowGuard 1. Click here 2. Select the following options 1. Tuxedo Black [subtract $25] (or Flamingo Pink [subtract $25]) 2. 3GB Shared Dual Channel DDR2 SDRAM at 667MHz (2 Dimms) [subtract $50] 3. Uncheck Dell Wireless 355 Bluetooth Internal (2.0+Enhanced Data Rate) [$20] (ignore the compatibility warning) Thanks Wammer 4. 1Yr In-Home Service, Parts Labor,24x7 Phone Support [subtract $199] 5. Add Accidental Damage and LoJack Theft Protection to 1Yr Warr. add $0 3. Add to cart, and checkout 4. Your final price will be $805 - 8% auto discount = $741 ($711 if paid with DPA) Note, if ordering more than one, your auto discount will be 12%, making it $708 ($680 with DPA) for each system If paying with Dell Preferred Account (DPA) you may save an extra 3% (4% at Dell EPP), here is how: 1. During checkout, select Credit Card as method of payment 2. Click "Change Payment Type" 3. Click "Choose" link under Credit/Debit Card (again) 4. Under "Save 3% (4% at EPP) with Dell Preferred Account! (Discount applied at Final Checkout)" click "Click Here to Take Advantage of this Offer" link 5. Click "Choose" under "I already have a Dell Preferred Account" if you have one, or sign up for a new one if you don't 6. Checkout, enjoy your 3% (4% at EPP) savings Specs: * Intel Core 2 Duo T7250 (2MB cache/2.0GHz/800Mhz FSB) * Genuine Windows Vista Home Premium Edition * Glossy, widescreen 15.4 inch LCD (1280x800) & 2.0 MP Camera * 3GB Shared Dual Channel DDR2 SDRAM at 667MHz (2 Dimms) * 250GB 5400rpm SATA Hard Drive * Slot Load DVD+/-RW (DVD/CD read/write) * 128MB NVIDIA GeForce 8400M GS * Dell Wireless 1395 802.11g Mini Card * 56 WHr 6-cell Lithium Ion Primary Battery * High Definition Audio 2.0 * Finger Print Reader XPS M1530 * McAfee SecurityCenter 15-months * 1Yr In-Home Service, Parts Labor,24x7 Phone Support * Add Accidental Damage and LoJack Theft Protection to 1Yr Warr. All for about 800+ with tax. Taken from slickdeals.net These Laptops weigh about 4lbs
A MacBook will never let you down. Microsoft Office is available so you won't have trouble with school stuff. It's also not hard to learn at all. It's actually a much easier interface to use than Windows and you pick it up fairly quickly.
i have a macbook pro and a dell inspiron 9300. i got the dell as a graduation gift, and i haven't touched it since i got my mac. i know you think you want a big screen, but going to be virtually impossible to find something that is not bulky and has more than a 15 inch screen. 15 inches is plenty. having a notebook that is transportable and not cumbersome MUCH MUCH more valuable to the college student than two more inches of screen to watch movies. my dell probably weighs fifity pounds (17 inch) and sure movies look great but i can hardly fit it in my backpack. if you are open to learning the mac operating system, i would serioulsy recommend it. there is no end-all superior system, it is purely a personal preference. you can do just about the same on both, most pc users don't use their processor to its full potential. macs are very easy to use, and in my experience tend to manage programs more gracefully.
i didnt realize that there were so many apple users on here- im getting a little swayed PC guys- any other suggestions?
I know you said light, so this may not be for you, but I feel like it's a pretty good deal either way, just in case you were interested: http://www.buy.com/retail/product.asp?sku=208113267&adid=17654&dcaid=17654 If you use Google Checkout in the next few days, it will drop another $25 off that price, so you will end up paying a total of $475 with free shipping. Word to the wise: if you decide to "go cheap" (i.e. sub $600), avoid HP/Compaq like the plague; they only build good small business/enterprise laptops, trash for anything else. Also, based on ample personal experience as well as relying on first person accounts from friends/family, Toshiba builds the world's best 'cheap' laptops in terms of reliability. So if you want to budget less than $500 for a laptop, go with Toshiba. Good luck...
Just got the XPS PP28L to compliment my XPS 400 tower at home . It is sooo-eet. The XPS has a built-in HDMI port, 8-in-1 media card reader, and 3 GB of RAM. Also, the processor is a Core 2 Duo. I don't think the Inspirons have that. Here are more suggestions in another recent thread: http://bbs.clutchfans.net/showthread.php?t=148419 Good luck!
