Laptop recomendations for a student

[JeffSP]

Well, in six months ill be off to college and I figure its about time I get a laptop. Any students out the who could recomend a good configuration please reply and let me know. Im open to about anything. Thanks in advance.
Jeff

[dosmastr]

well, it depends, if all you do is word processing, a pentium 1, AMD k6, or cyrix M2 processor will do. if you are going to do multimedia and/or gaming however.....aim higher....
some colleges have a network for computers, if yours does be sure to have a NIC in that system. thats all i can say for certain so, i'll let someone who might have more insight help you with the rest

good luck... i'm off to a college in 18 months too...

[Gutter Ball]

We have IBM's for College here...and well, I'm NOT impressed. Lots of things breaking and having to be stuck with a loaner for 2-6 weeks SUCKS!! If you can get a Dell, I'd get one of those. I think they are the more reliable.

[brandon184]

Go Dell! Can't stress that enough.

Here's a configuration I would reccomend.

$1,547.00*
Update Price

Tax and shipping will be provided in checkout.
As low as $46*/mo. 45 pmts
No payments for 90 days

Date: Tuesday, February 06, 2001 12:05:02 AM CDT
Catalog Number: 04 19

Dell Inspiron 4000 Notebooks: Intel®Celeron™processor, 600 MHz, 14.1 XGA TFT Display

HC60GHN - [220-2724]
Memory: 64MB, SDRAM, 1 DIMM
64M1D - [311-6305]
Primary Hard Drive: 10GB Ultra ATA Hard Drive
10GB - [340-6361]
Operating System Software: Microsoft® Windows® Millennium (Windows Me)
WME - [412-1411][412-1050][412-2901][420-2105][313-7222]
Modem: Internal 56K Capable V.90 Mini-PCI Fax Modem
PCIMDM - [313-9695]
Modular CD/DVD Drives: 8X Max Variable DVD-ROM Drive
8XDVD - [313-8133][313-7800]
Inspiron 4000 Setup Video: Dell Inspiron 4000 Setup Video
VID - [310-9566]
Bundled Software: New Microsoft TM Works Suite 2001 with Money 2001 Standard
40WRK - [412-3637]
Anti-virus: Norton Antivirus® 2001
NAV - [412-4630]
Primary Battery: 26.5 WHr Lithium-Ion Battery with ExpressCharge™
LIION4 - [312-3838]
Carrying Cases: Deluxe Nylon Case
NCC154 - [310-0401]
Limited Warranty and Support: 1Yr Mail-In Service+1Yr Phone Tech Support
SI111RR - [900-9054][902-0070]
Internet Access Service: 1-Year DellNet™ by MSN® Internet Access Service[add$0]
MSN1YRP - [412-9800]
Resolution Assistant included: Resolution Assistant
RA - [310-3703][412-0176]
Proactive Support: Dell Proactive Support by Attune
ATTUNE - [412-4258]



[This message has been edited by brandon184 (edited 02-05-2001).]

[Savant]

Normally, I hate dell. But even I have to recommend their laptops, though I would try to either find a used one with a pII (which should be cheaper than a new celly) or, if you can afford it, go with a pIII (which should be better than a new celly)

[seti]

I'd advise against getting a laptop all together. You can get a better desktop for the same about of money. Mind you, on a budget it would be hard to get a monitor that would be as easy on the eyes as an LCD.

Haha, I actually just finished an 1167 word paper on the interplay between reflective appraisal and social comparison in self-concept development...woo hoo! http://sysopt.earthweb.com/forum/smile.gif haha

I've used a Dell Latitude (I think)...400mhz and it was more than enough to run word 2001. My only gripe is that it sacrificed an internal cd-rom for lightweight and to be slim. My brother has an Asus, compared to the Dell it's instable and a bit cheap. My experience with laptops is limited, but I can express some things I've come to realize about laptop computing in the student’s world.

Make sure you can type on the keyboard without getting cramped. I have large hand (hey ladies...JK! haha, sorry) and they get cramped on laptop keyboards. You can always run a normal keyboard though. For word processing, power point ect. a nice display is great. I don't really think getting a TFT is worth it, it adds quite a bit to the price and for what?...so other people can see what you're doing at a more obtuse angle. I find a resolution of anything under 1024x768 to be confining, but that's a personal preference.

Sorry, I'm still in my long winded paper writing mode where you have to search diligently for as many words as you can possible find to pluck out of nowhere and cram them into every nook and cranny of this paper that you just want to be over and done with and never think about again until you get the mark back . http://sysopt.earthweb.com/forum/wink.gif

[This message has been edited by seti (edited 02-06-2001).]

[This message has been edited by seti (edited 02-06-2001).]

[kfaulkne]

I would consider the following before I bought any laptop. Price, performance, durability, battery life, warranty, and the service of the warranty. I would weight these and make my decisions based upon that. Dell and IBM both are quality laptops, but I believe Dell to be the best bang for your buck type as well. I would also weight ergonomics very heavily. Nothing worse then buying a laptop to meet all your specs and then find out you can't stand the keyboard layout or you find the screen to small.

[doctj]

Toshiba also make quality laptops. If you're going to be using it for multimedia e.g dvd's get a TFT screen. HPA or dual scan screens suck. Also make sure it has USB ports which will save you money on pcm cards for future upgrades. You can also get a usb ati tv capture card in case you don't want to buy a tv to lug around with you. Also decide if you want to use a touchpad or pointing stick this is truly a matter of personal preference. Try it out at a local pc store first.

[JeffSP]

Well, thanks for all of the replys. Hopefully I can find something cheap and decent.

[RayH]

What do you need a laptop for?

Get an excellent desktop. CD-RW (must for backing up files), DVD, tv tuner card, and a 19" monitor. Get a "desktop" (sideways unit) so you can put your monitor on top of it!

The thing is going to be your entertainment unit in the dorm!

If you think you need to carry something around, get a PDA!

[This message has been edited by RayH (edited 02-07-2001).]

[wyvrn]

Well if you or someone you know lives in Dallas, the Office Depot at 75 and Forest has an HP 550 celeron, 24x, 64RAM, 13"TFT for $939. My sister bought this laptop a month ago at Fry's for $1199 and it was a deal then. This is a steal.


I think I will post this in Hot deals! http://sysopt.earthweb.com/forum/smile.gif


[This message has been edited by wyvrn (edited 02-08-2001).]

[captpete]

A lot of colleges and universities have specific computer requirements for incoming students, requiring them to have a specific minimum configuration, such as a laptop with a specific CPU, modem, NIC, etc. Check with your school; usually if they require a computer, they also have a good discounted source for their specific needs.

[Savant]

Definately get active matrix, passive (single or dual) isn't very good.
Is it just me, or would it be really great if they'd give up on touchpads and go back to the trackballs?