Need a laptop for school.

nappyjim · 07-28-2005, 12:32 PM

I know about desktops, but not much about laptops. I need to get one for school. I dont need some alienware gaming machine or anything. Just the basic word processor, internet, etc.

Any recommendations? I wanna stay below 1k. I was thinkin just getting a prebuilt one from dell. Ive had dell desktops and have had no problems. Are their laptops similar?

rsd212 · 07-28-2005, 12:37 PM

Dells have good service. My roommate blew his sound out when plugging the laptop into a static-y TV, and the dell rep came the next day to his dorm and swapped out his hard drive into a brand new unit for him.

I personally use a Sony Vaio. If its for school, you probably have wireless, and you'll probably be carrying it, so look for something small. Like you said, you dont need Alienware, so dont weigh yourself down. I have a 4-pound Vaio and its beautiful.

I know you're not supposed to give personal info to strangers (I'll give you a cookie!), but may I ask what school/degree?

PS Avoid HP like the plague.

RPI Geek · 07-28-2005, 05:57 PM

RPI has a laptop initiative (all students must have one) and the computers that you could get through the school were IBM T-series laptops. My T-20 is 5 years old and still works fine despite having a few cosmetic problems. It's small, light, and has a very nice display. My parents just got a Dell Presario something or other and it's nice but it's a lot bigger than my T-20 and i personally can't stand the touchpad mouse (vs trackpoint on IBMs).
I've heard reports from people with more experience than me that the IBMs are by far the most reliable and rugged laptops on the market. Toms Hardware might have a review for you, too.
I had something else to say but I forget what it was, oh well.
Good luck in your search!

wizardPC · 07-28-2005, 05:59 PM

Dell has great customer service....BECAUSE THEY NEED IT!

When I was in college, my school really pushed Dell laptops because Dell had given them a grant or something. I bought a Toshiba because they are hella cheap. Of 30 or so guys on my floor freshman year who had Dell laptops, 28 of them had to have something replaced in that FIRST YEAR. Sure, the guy from Dell came out to the dorm and fixed it right there, but my Toshiba never broke.

A lot of times on threads like these people will classify an entire brand based on a single experience, eg "I have a Dell laptop and they're great" or "I had a Dell once and it kept breaking, so Dell laptops suck." Here, however, I have a rather large sample that shows that dell laptops do, in fact, suck.

I have had 3 Toshiba laptops, and the only problem I have ever had was a power brick going out. Note that nothing went wrong with the laptop, just the power brick.

thanatos106 · 07-28-2005, 06:03 PM

Quote:

Dell has great customer service....BECAUSE THEY NEED IT!

This is so true!!

rsd212 · 07-28-2005, 06:24 PM

See, from my experience I would knock Toshiba (sample size of only 1, but it was always screwing up) and IBM for the exact opposite argument that I HATE those little pointing nipple things, I love touchpads. Of course, my favorite input method has to be touch screen....

You may have a point about Dell though. Personally my Inspiron is still running somewhere at home after 6 years, but that friend of mine lost his sound card and his hard drive.

Can we all agree to hate HP though? Please?

techeros · 07-28-2005, 06:39 PM

hp/compaq sucks... I have worked in enough computer repair places to know better. Sony Viao's... mmm they have had a ton of power module problems in the past. As for now, I dunno. why take the chance when you can get a dell at a good price with good to moderate support. Just hope you don't get some dude in Pakistan or something for support.

As for my experience and my 2 cents here are some things I would suggest:
wireless 802/g/b
40gig plus
display, thats up to you
get somethin lite if you already have a desktop, no need in buying a desktop replacement.
get a fast cdrw 30/50 something x burner if it exists (for fast copying/rippin)
docking station/port replicator so you can add monitor/mouse/ misc junk (IF YOU DON'T own a computer)
don't get WinXP Pro unless you are either in the technical field or planning to connect to a domain at school. 80% of the time all you need is xp home
don't get antivirus from dell - get avg lite it's free www.grisoft.com
DON'T BUY MS OFFICE from Dell - goto your bookstore and buy the Educational Edition for $100.00 bucks using your stuent ID. It is the SAME EXACT thing if you were to buy it from Dell or other place... just diff licensing conditions
for th love of buddah- make sure it has a modem - I know it sounds strange but go on a trip and not have your wireless card or BT dongle, you'd wish you had a crappy modem. most are integrated anyway.
PCMCIA wireless card ... I'm sure many here could recommend one or 2 but I like the Orinoco cards bought out by Proxim (spelling?) make sure it has an external antenna connection.
ram get al least 512 unless you can get aftermarket cheeper.
if you live with your parents - homeowners insurace will cover the laptop if it gets damaged
a broken LCD costs about 200~800 bucks (decide if you need insurace) I would.
don't go over 3 year warranty - you man not like your laptop afer 3 years

ok i know that was more than 2 cents, but this has been my experience and this is what I recommend to my users here at work.

Dude, he's gettin a Dell.......

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