Good Starter Laptop

[Killswitch]

I'm looking into getting my stepson a laptop before he goes off to his first year of college in the fall.

I dont have any models chosen, but would like to get away under 1000 dollars.

The Compaq, and other models I see on sale for 800 to 1000 dollars or so are or would be decent first laptops wouldnt they?

They all have ethernet cards, decent speed, plenty of storage, and an operating system.

I mean I dont have to spend 1700 for one to feel comfortable do I?

Any brand suggestions would help too

 

[April]

http://computers.cnet.com/hardware/0-1026.html?tag=dir

This is an excellent place to start. You can search with various parameters. Cnet's quite trustworthy IMO.

 

[Killswitch]

I'm probably looking at purchasing at Best Buy....I have credit there and can get a no interest deal.....but I will look at cnet....thanks April

 

[Lost Cause]

Oh, a laptop computer.....

I thought this was about laptop dancing by strippers! Sorry....

 

[woodgie2]

I should stay away from here and this whole discussion.

Did I say I love my Mac today?

 

[woodgie2]

Yep.

Killed this one...

 

[Carp]

Check out www.cybernetman.com- I have not bought from them, but they advertise in inustry magazines, which gives them some credability in my book. Their laptop looks pretty cool. Keep in mind, this is a desktop replacement machine- no onboard battery. BUT, you can get an outboard battery for it. I think my next laptop will be from them, unless I hear something bad about them.

 

[islandman]

Newer ones come with WiFi. Do him a favour and spend the extra bucks for it. Most college campuses are wired today.

 

[honeylick]

you get what you pay for.

 

[Throbbin_Rod]

I'm a Mac guy. But I do a lot of desktop publishing work.

I've got a G4 Powerbook that works great.

 

[woodgie2]

I'm a Mac guy. But I do a lot of desktop publishing work.

I've got a G4 Powerbook that works great.

*WOO HOO*

you can be in MY gang

 

[Angel]

Personally, I want:

http://www.apple.com/powerbook/index17.html

 

[woodgie2]

Re: Personally, I want:

http://www.apple.com/powerbook/index17.html

You too, you can be in my gang if you want.

 

[Angel]

Re: Re: Personally, I want:

You too, you can be in my gang if you want.

LOL, I've never owned an apple product but when I'm able to spend the money on a laptop (since I don't need it) It'll definitely be a powerbook.
Dixon sold me on them forever ago.

 

[woodgie2]

Re: Re: Re: Personally, I want:

LOL, I've never owned an apple product but when I'm able to spend the money on a laptop (since I don't need it) It'll definitely be a powerbook.
Dixon sold me on them forever ago.

"It's the thought that counts"

 

[Spinaroonie]

Newer ones come with WiFi. Do him a favour and spend the extra bucks for it. Most college campuses are wired today.

This is true. Makes me wish I had one so I could use BitTorren while in class more.

Now's a good time to mention that with Airport the entire laptop acts as an antennae for Wifi.

 

[The Heretic]

Some things I recommend for a laptop meant for a student:

1) Make sure it supports external video/keyboard/mouse in a decent fashion.

2) Something that is not too large or heavy, but at the same time robust - often students are allowed to take computers to classes to take notes. Along that line, the more battery life the better - never believe manufacturer claims in this regard, always go for review test results.

3) You mentioned Ethernet. That is highly recommended.

4) I like the IBM nubbin mouse on my laptop, but others like a touchpad better. Find out what your student likes better.

5) I prefer removable gadget bays so the laptop can be customized for different purposes. My IBM laptop allows me to remove the CD-ROM and put in another hard drive or battery. I dislike my mom's Sony that requires an external CD, external floppy, etc., all of which require their own power supplies.

6) The more USB ports the better, same with the card slots.