Laptop for College
What would the NSG world suggest I purchase for a laptop for college? I'm bringing a decent desktop PC with me, so it doesn't have to be anything special. What I'm looking for is something that would be easy to bring to classes to take notes and network with my classmates (one of my professors suggests to his students to IM each other during lecture to discuss the subject without interrupting). So I think these are my basic needs:
Integrated Wireless Networking
Average Processing Speeds
Runs XP
USB ports (a "duh" thing but still needed)
Light, Cheap, Fairly Durable.
Thank you to all those who help me! I'll be checking back tomorrow to see what you suggest. THANKS!
Mentholyptus
31-05-2007, 05:07
As much as it pains me to say it, you should probably get a Dell. There's one reason and one reason only to do this: they will come to your school and fix it for you if (when, actually, since Dells have a bit of a rep for crap hardware) it breaks. Though I've had mine (Inspiron E1505) for about a year of heavy use with no difficulty, so I'm beginning to wonder whether that reputation is undeserved...
At any rate, a base-model Dell can be had for way cheap on eBay (mine's got a bunch of upgrades and was only 800 bucks, new, with a 3 year warranty).
Deus Malum
31-05-2007, 05:08
As much as it pains me to say it, you should probably get a Dell. There's one reason and one reason only to do this: they will come to your school and fix it for you if (when, actually, since Dells have a bit of a rep for crap hardware) it breaks. Though I've had mine (Inspiron E1505) for about a year of heavy use with no difficulty, so I'm beginning to wonder whether that reputation is undeserved...
At any rate, a base-model Dell can be had for way cheap on eBay (mine's got a bunch of upgrades and was only 800 bucks, new, with a 3 year warranty).
They actually come to fix it? Wow. I actually have to send mine in to get it fixed, though they pay for shipping and handling.
Edit: Forgot to mention, I use a Compaq Presario.
UpwardThrust
31-05-2007, 05:16
We have had a good run of compaq vx2000 and vx 5000 series for the cheep and portable market
Deus Malum
31-05-2007, 05:17
We have had a good run of compaq vx2000 and vx 5000 series for the cheep and portable market
Aye, I'm on a Compaq V2000 right now.
Squornshelous
31-05-2007, 05:24
They actually come to fix it? Wow. I actually have to send mine in to get it fixed, though they pay for shipping and handling.
Edit: Forgot to mention, I use a Compaq Presario.
I also use a Presario V2000. Never had a problem with it that I didn't directly create by messing with stuff.
Deus Malum
31-05-2007, 05:26
I also use a Presario V2000. Never had a problem with it that I didn't directly create by messing with stuff.
I had to send it back after it fell off the stool I was using as a desk at the time and wouldn't turn on.
This was after it falling off the same stool a few more times in the past, but continuing to work.
I also had a problem with my old Toshiba that stemmed from the fan breaking down and a problem developing with the power supply which prevented it from charing unless something anchored it down.
Previously I've destroyed my fair share of desktops.
I am the Grim Reaper of computers.
Squornshelous
31-05-2007, 05:30
I had to send it back after it fell off the stool I was using as a desk at the time and wouldn't turn on.
This was after it falling off the same stool a few more times in the past, but continuing to work.
I also had a problem with my old Toshiba that stemmed from the fan breaking down and a problem developing with the power supply which prevented it from charing unless something anchored it down.
Previously I've destroyed my fair share of desktops.
I am the Grim Reaper of computers.
I see, the only physical trauma my presario has sustained is me accidently breaking off the "C" key. It's just a little slow booting up sometimes now and occasionally goes unresponsive because I've screwed with it's little computer brain to get it to run games without disks.
Hynation
31-05-2007, 05:33
Just carry your desktop in your backpack...
Just carry your desktop in your backpack...
No thanks, especially if it is an HP. Those fuckers are heavy.
Hynation
31-05-2007, 05:37
No thanks, especially if it is an HP. Those fuckers are heavy.
Don't be a wuss :p
Don't be a wuss :p
Have you ever lifted an HP before? They are as heavy as a tank, and as slow too.
Southeastasia
31-05-2007, 05:55
VAIO TX-series for me...dunno about cost over there though.
i'm really looking for something dirt cheap, since i'll be bringing my desktop with me. not powerful, just enough to run basic programs like Office and web browsing. network capability is also a must. Would an old laptop be best then?
New Manvir
31-05-2007, 22:50
What would the NSG world suggest I purchase for a laptop for college? I'm bringing a decent desktop PC with me, so it doesn't have to be anything special. What I'm looking for is something that would be easy to bring to classes to take notes and network with my classmates (one of my professors suggests to his students to IM each other during lecture to discuss the subject without interrupting). So I think these are my basic needs:
Integrated Wireless Networking
Average Processing Speeds
Runs XP
USB ports (a "duh" thing but still needed)
Light, Cheap, Fairly Durable.
If you're in Canada...I'd say, go check out MDG (http://www.mdg.ca/)...
Angry Fruit Salad
31-05-2007, 23:05
You'll do best with a basic Dell laptop. Just take care of it. I've gone through several power cords thanks to shorting them out by wrapping them too tightly when packing them up. You can probably get a discount through your school as well. What's actually going to cost you is the damn warranty. Mine only came with a 90 day warranty, and my burner croaked on day 92. I cried...and then paid $65 for a replacement.
You might want to add "long battery life" to you criteria as that seems to be important.
Pure Metal
01-06-2007, 00:15
dell laptops have pretty good power management from what i remember of my last one. it was an XPS something... heavy but cool :cool:
i miss the power management especially, as on this new one from novatech the windows power management sucks ass.
i'm tired and aware i'm typing the phrase power management a lot. hmmm...
You might want to add "long battery life" to you criteria as that seems to be important.
Non-exploding batteries are good too
Jeruselem
01-06-2007, 00:20
Non-exploding batteries are good too
Avoid laptops with Sony batteries! :p
I've got an ASUS A8JP - which is a bit too pricey for the purpose there as it's semi-gaming laptop.
Infinite Revolution
01-06-2007, 00:45
why are you taking a desktop if you are going to need a laptop?
anyway, i had a toshiba something-or-other for 4 years. treated it very badly and it only just broke recently because i vomited on it. very reliable it was.
why are you taking a desktop if you are going to need a laptop?
anyway, i had a toshiba something-or-other for 4 years. treated it very badly and it only just broke recently because i vomited on it. very reliable it was.
i'm using the laptop for note taking and doing some homework somewhere other than the dorm. and yes, battery-life is very useful for this application