Laptop for college freshman: looking for ideas

[12thmonkey]

Originally Posted by D.Pham00

what size screen are you looking for? and how light?

Weight I'm not sure on, because I guess I don't really know an actual weight range of how light it should be in order to make lugging around relatively easy. I don't want it to be a chore for her to have to take it places.

I'm sure the weight ties in with screen size, which probably would be in the 15" to 17" range, because I'm guessing that anything larger would just add weight.

My fantasy goal is something reliable, not too heavy and with a screen that isn't like looking a postage stamp. And not much more than $750.

How's that for a vague laundry list?

[Sdallnct]

Personally I would only consider a 17" notebook if your pretty sure she is going to leave it in her dorm room the majority of the time. To big, to heavy and to much battery hogs. I think you would be better off with a small screen notebook, then add a 24" LCD monitor
that she can use as a computer monitor and TV.

Also, personally, I think the 14" screens are a nice "middle" ground for size, weight, battery life, etc. One of the best notebooks I ever had was a 14" Dell. I think it was a superior product to the 12" I got to replace it.

Lastly and this is some of the best advise I can offer:

regardless of what you get, call your homeowners insurance agent and ask about separate insurance coverage for it. Some companies offer a "inland marine" type policy and some add it as an endorsement to your home or renters policy. Be sure and ask, but typically these policy/endorsements are cheap, have low or NO deductible and cover much more then your homeowners policy would cover. Typically including ANY accidental damage (dropping, spilling a beer errrr coke on it, knocking it off the table at the library, dropping her backpack to hard with the computer in it, etc). The is much, much cheaper then what Dell and HP offer. I think mine runs like $20 per year for this coverage. Course I have other items covered (wife jewelry, camera, golf clubs) but far as I can tell it is only like $20 per year for the computer.

[al_bundy]

is it really worth ending up i the CLUE database over a broken laptop?

[sniper308]

Originally Posted by al_bundy

is it really worth ending up i the CLUE database over a broken laptop?

That's what I was wondering as well... Personally, I'd tell the kid, I'm buying the first one. The next one is on you...

[Sdallnct]

Originally Posted by al_bundy

is it really worth ending up i the CLUE database over a broken laptop?

Blah...I don't think it is that big of a deal. Especially on this type of issue.

Course you bring up a good point. If you live in Florida, it might be something to consider. Or if you have already had several loses.

[D.Pham00]

$500.

Specs:
- Intel® Core™ 2 Duo processor T6400 ( 2GHz 800MHz 2MB )
- Genuine Windows Vista Home Premium 64
- 15.4 " WXGA TFT with integrated camera LCD Glossy 1280x800
- 4 GB PC3-8500 DDR3 SDRAM 1066MHz
- 320GB 5400
- DVD Recordable (Dual Layer)
- Intel Wireless Wi-Fi Link 5100
- Bluetooth Version 2.0 + EDR

http://forums.slickdeals.net/showthr...=#post19061179

[kayak99]

Shop the Dell Outlet. For my son I got him a Studio 1737 but he's not carrying it around campus. For myself I bought an XPS 1330 and love it. The wide screen doesn't make it appear small but it's very very light. Drag your daughter down to Best Buy and see what she likes then shop around for it. Have her look at various screen sizes.

(I don't really recommend buying at BB because of warranty policies and trial software issues.)

[Sdallnct]

Has she decided on a college? How big is it? Is the entire campus Wifi?

I just took my son on a college visit to a medium size school (29,000 kids). The entire campus is Wifi. And I looked around and many, MANY a kid were working on their laptops outside, in the library, in class...everywhere. Even tho my son has a nice 15" laptop, I'm now thinking about having him turn that into his desktop in his dorm, and get him a Mini. I really think battery life and portability is "all that" for a big school with Wifi.

[jonw9]

I had a HP notebook for grad school. It is the kind with a touch screen. It was very useful to take my notes, with different color "pes" high lighters, and everything in one package.

Plus when people wanted to borrow note because they missed class, I could just email them.

I had to send the HP in (under warranty). So I don't know if it is the best, but the passive screen was nice, so the stylus didn't need battereies, and ouldn't be a big deal if it got lost.

A couple of my professors had Toshiba convertible notebook/tablets they used in class as well.

It is probably more than you want to spend, but it would be worth it.

I think this is the new version of what i got: http://www.bestbuy.com/site/olspage....=1218041998718

[D.Pham00]

Originally Posted by Sdallnct

Has she decided on a college? How big is it? Is the entire campus Wifi?

I just took my son on a college visit to a medium size school (29,000 kids). The entire campus is Wifi. And I looked around and many, MANY a kid were working on their laptops outside, in the library, in class...everywhere. Even tho my son has a nice 15" laptop, I'm now thinking about having him turn that into his desktop in his dorm, and get him a Mini. I really think battery life and portability is "all that" for a big school with Wifi.

i think a ~10" netbook might be good around school, but honestly, as a desktop replacement, it seems too small, for my taste at least. then again, most netbooks have vga output and usb ports, so it might be okay if the person didn't mind plugging in the monitor and usb cable (you'd only need one, just use a hub).

[12thmonkey]

Originally Posted by Sdallnct

Has she decided on a college? How big is it? Is the entire campus Wifi?

She's picked a school, though I'm not sure if the entire campus is Wi-Fi enabled. But on our visits there were students all over the place with laptops, so if not fully enabled, I imagine there are plentiful access points.

And thanks for all the continuing suggestions, folks. Love it

I did just get a Dell flyer in the mail, and it looks like they've got some marketing pitch geared toward students, with some theoretical deals. I'll have to sit down with it and take a peek...

[D.Pham00]

honestly, it seems the deals posted on various deal sites would probably be your best bet, pricewise. Are you set on Dell?

[12thmonkey]

Originally Posted by D.Pham00

honestly, it seems the deals posted on various deal sites would probably be your best bet, pricewise. Are you set on Dell?

Nope. Just trying to scope out the options...

[al_bundy]

Originally Posted by 12thmonkey

She's picked a school, though I'm not sure if the entire campus is Wi-Fi enabled. But on our visits there were students all over the place with laptops, so if not fully enabled, I imagine there are plentiful access points.

And thanks for all the continuing suggestions, folks. Love it

I did just get a Dell flyer in the mail, and it looks like they've got some marketing pitch geared toward students, with some theoretical deals. I'll have to sit down with it and take a peek...

check fatwallet

got a bunch of hot deals emails lately about dell

[D.Pham00]

Originally Posted by 12thmonkey

Nope. Just trying to scope out the options...

Originally Posted by al_bundy

check fatwallet

got a bunch of hot deals emails lately about dell

both fatwallet and slickdeals offer deal alerts. set it to send you alerts for laptop. i'd suggest you set up another e-mail account, or set up e-mail filters as you'd probably get a lot of e-mails this way. but imo, this is the best way to find the best deal, since some deals are only good for a very short time. it's important though, to do research on what you're looking for and what the general market price is. then snatch it up when you find a hot deal!

oh, and being somewhat flexible helps, but you should set go-no go criteria beforehand so you make sure it has everything you want. also, certain items like ram, you can most likely upgrade fairly cheaply, just make sure it has an available ram slot, and the type of ram it uses.

[Breakfast with Girls]

Originally Posted by al_bundy

if she wants OS X, just buy a Dell for $3000, download VMWare, but OS X on ebay and it's like 2 computers in one. for that much money you'll easily get a laptop that is twice as powerfull as a macbook pro

Give it a rest; you don't know what you're talking about. Apple updates their notebook line regularly (unlike their desktops) and the cost for a comparable PC notebook is about the same. Besides the numbers on paper, OS X usually trounces Vista in things like startup times, shutdown times, and program launch times. Of course, do we even have to mention how almost no Mac owners own virus scanners? Finally, Macs are effectively "two computers in one" without an extra program since they come with Boot Camp (official XP partition and drivers setup).

A MacBook is beyond the budget of 12thmonkey anyway, so it was pointless to even bring Apple up in the conversation.

[Sdallnct]

Originally Posted by D.Pham00

i think a ~10" netbook might be good around school, but honestly, as a desktop replacement, it seems too small, for my taste at least. then again, most netbooks have vga output and usb ports, so it might be okay if the person didn't mind plugging in the monitor and usb cable (you'd only need one, just use a hub).

That's what I'm saying, but maybe not clearly.

My son already has a nice 15" HP. It was near the top of the line just 1.5 years ago (I know laptops change quick, but it has a nice processor and 160hd). My parents got it for him for x-mas. It also has an optical drive. So I wasn't really thinking about him needing a laptop.

But after looking at this school, seeing big it is and how much walking to do. Plus everyone using a their laptops "out and about", I'm thinking of him turning his 15" Laptop into a desktop replacement. I could get a nice monitor and external keyboard, cheap for it. And then get him a mini to actually walk around campus with. They are so damn cheap!

[al_bundy]

Originally Posted by Breakfast with Girls

Give it a rest; you don't know what you're talking about. Apple updates their notebook line regularly (unlike their desktops) and the cost for a comparable PC notebook is about the same. Besides the numbers on paper, OS X usually trounces Vista in things like startup times, shutdown times, and program launch times. Of course, do we even have to mention how almost no Mac owners own virus scanners? Finally, Macs are effectively "two computers in one" without an extra program since they come with Boot Camp (official XP partition and drivers setup).

A MacBook is beyond the budget of 12thmonkey anyway, so it was pointless to even bring Apple up in the conversation.

there was a story last week about a large Mac botnet

[D.Pham00]

Originally Posted by Sdallnct

That's what I'm saying, but maybe not clearly.

My son already has a nice 15" HP. It was near the top of the line just 1.5 years ago (I know laptops change quick, but it has a nice processor and 160hd). My parents got it for him for x-mas. It also has an optical drive. So I wasn't really thinking about him needing a laptop.

But after looking at this school, seeing big it is and how much walking to do. Plus everyone using a their laptops "out and about", I'm thinking of him turning his 15" Laptop into a desktop replacement. I could get a nice monitor and external keyboard, cheap for it. And then get him a mini to actually walk around campus with. They are so damn cheap!

that's not a bad idea, if you've got the money for it. personally, if you didn't already have a laptop, i'd recommend a desktop and a netbook for a college student. decent netbook is 200-300, decent desktop (assuming for basic office use, not gaming or anything memory intensive) would be 400-500.

i think this would be a good idea for the OP, if he doesn't mind buying a desktop and laptop, as it should be relatively within the $750 budget and then there would be two computers, in case one breaks down.

[ATX]

the desktop/netbook combo may be a good idea

but, i think alot college students not trying to hear about a desktop and they may have space issues

i think that OP needs to just budget for ~$500 and get a decent notebook w/ a dual core proc, 2gb mem, and ~ 250GB of hard drive.. and that should be good enough for most students

also don't forget the accesories ( ie decent caee, wireless mouse, etc) would also be a good idea to grab a small wd passport or seagate go

at some point you just have to pick one... there are enough coupon codes and deals on the net and the computer plus accessories can be had for ~ $650

they can get any software from the college for cheap

[D.Pham00]

drawback though of the $500 laptops with ~15" screens is that they tend to be heavy to lug around. if you want to take it with you everywhere, then it can be a hassle. netbooks are much lighter ,but their screens are small, and also, a lot (most?) netbooks have reduced keyboard (smaller keys). then again, this may not be that big of an issue, depending on your fingers.

[Sdallnct]

Originally Posted by D.Pham00

drawback though of the $500 laptops with ~15" screens is that they tend to be heavy to lug around. if you want to take it with you everywhere, then it can be a hassle. netbooks are much lighter ,but their screens are small, and also, a lot (most?) netbooks have reduced keyboard (smaller keys). then again, this may not be that big of an issue, depending on your fingers.

Yup that is the issue. Big, heavy and bad battery life. But they have optical drives and powerful.

A netbook small, light, super battery life. But no optical drive and while not powerful, enough to do word processing at the library, research on the net, email, etc.

[D.Pham00]

Originally Posted by Sdallnct

Yup that is the issue. Big, heavy and bad battery life. But they have optical drives and powerful.

A netbook small, light, super battery life. But no optical drive and while not powerful, enough to do word processing at the library, research on the net, email, etc.

imo, i think if you're looking for something to mainly lug around campus, then the netbook is a great option.

if the OP is still looking for a desktop replacement, not quite the best spec'd unit, but has blu-ray, which is nice. ram is a little lacking, but you can upgrade that cheaply later.

$600

* Intel Core 2 Duo T6570 (2.1GHz, 2MB L2 Cache, 800MHz FSB)
* Genuine Windows Vista Business Bonus-Windows XP Professional downgrade
* 1 Year Basic Limited Warranty plus 1 Year Mail-in Service
* 15.4" Premium WXGA+ Anti-Glare Display (Wide View)
* 2GB Shared Dual Channel DDR2 SDRAM at 800MHz, 2 DIMM
* Blu-Ray BD Combo Roxio and Cyberlink PowerDVD DX 8.1 BD
* Intel Integrated Graphics Media Accelerator 4500MHD
* 160GB 5400RPM SATA Hard Drive
* Dell Wireless 1397 802.11b/g Mini Card
* 6-cell Lithium Ion Primary Battery

http://forums.slickdeals.net/showthr...=#post19121495

[BartleyR7]

Originally Posted by al_bundy

i'd buy a dell

if she wants OS X, just buy a Dell for $3000, download VMWare, but OS X on ebay and it's like 2 computers in one. for that much money you'll easily get a laptop that is twice as powerfull as a macbook pro

Originally Posted by Breakfast with Girls

Give it a rest; you don't know what you're talking about. Apple updates their notebook line regularly (unlike their desktops) and the cost for a comparable PC notebook is about the same. Besides the numbers on paper, OS X usually trounces Vista in things like startup times, shutdown times, and program launch times. Of course, do we even have to mention how almost no Mac owners own virus scanners? Finally, Macs are effectively "two computers in one" without an extra program since they come with Boot Camp (official XP partition and drivers setup).

A MacBook is beyond the budget of 12thmonkey anyway, so it was pointless to even bring Apple up in the conversation.

From the posts I've read, Al generally likes to troll for Mac users, so it's typically not worthwhile to respond. However, just in case there were some people reading that comment and thinking about it, it's more difficult than simply installing VMWare and loading OS X onto a PC (like a Dell). It requires a hacked ISO image of OS X. For this reason, and the fact that it's being installed on non-Apple hardware, it would appear to violate the license agreement.

From the Mac OS X 10.5 (Leopard) license agreement:

2. Permitted License Uses and Restrictions.
A. Single Use. This License allows you to install, use and run one (1) copy of the Apple Software on a single Apple-labeled computer at a time. You agree not to install, use or run the Apple Software on any non-Apple-labeled computer, or to enable others to do so. This License does not allow the Apple Software to exist on more than one computer at a time, and you may not make the Apple Software available over a network where it could be used by multiple computers at the same time.

Another section states:

F. Except as and only to the extent permitted by applicable licensing terms governing use of the Open-Sourced Components, or by applicable law, you may not copy, decompile, reverse engineer, disassemble, modify, or create derivative works of the Apple Software or any part thereof.

Since installing a copy of OS X onto a PC requires a hacked ISO image, it would appear to violate Section 2F of the license agreement. Also, a PC may be considered a "non-Apple-labeled" computer, which would then also be in violation of Section 2A.

I'm just saying that if you do decide to go that route, it's not as easy as just buying an OS X installation disc and running VMWare. The actual OS X installation ISO needs to be hacked. I won't post links to anything, since it seems to violate their license agreement.

[Sdallnct]

BB has a Dell 15.6" Core 2 Duo w/320 gb HD and 4gb memory for $600. Also reports more then 5 hours of batter life. Seems like a good deal. Having owed many a dell I can tell you, you need to budget for a new battery every 18-24 months. But the laptop itself will hold up. Weight is under 6 lbs, which really, for that size screen...is not bad. Not bad at all.

They also have the Asus Netbook for $350. DO NOT BUY IT! BB "crippled" the 1000 He and put a ton of bloat wear on it. If you want the 1000 He, get it elsewhere.