Gotta get a Dell?? Laptop purchases...

[deliciously_naughty]

OK...

So I need a laptop for grad school. My school does have a special pricing program if I buy through them. The best deal seems to be a dell which comes with a 3 year no fault warranty (ie I can spill coffee on it and it will still get fixed, no prob), office and windows all installed. CD/DVD rom and burner, blah blah blah. It will cost me around 2k in the end (I can defer some of it onto my loans and such). What I want to know is how many of you have a dell and would you reccomend it? I know they have this great ad campaign and all, but should I really get a dell?

My other option (realistically) is an I book, but I would have to buy a protection plan and the apple version of office which would make the price similar.

What do you guys think? What's my best option? My current computer is a PC desktop that is on it's last legs....and besides that I haven't had to buy a comp since '96 since this one was a hand me down from my old roomie.

I won't be able to check the thread until tommorrow morning because I must sleep now, but I'd be happy to know what you guys think of your computers and if either of the two I mentioned would be best.

 

[HeavyStick]

Go with a Windows platform.

Unless you're dealing with high end graphics and animation or video editing, most programs you are gonna deal with will be Windows based.

Go with what you can afford as far as a warranty/protection plan think of your needs 2-3 years from now. Will you upgrade? Will you stay with your new laptop?

If money is no object, go with the dell. but have an external drive to put all your data on in case it crashes or get the CDRW option to burn all your important stuff onto CD.

 

[Spinaroonie]

The iBook is cheaper and lighter and more usable than most of the laptops out there.

Most software will work on macs, office, etc.

You have to factor in time lost due to computer problems, etc... With the Mac, that will be MUCH less, which = more time for studying.

 

[deliciously_naughty]

To clarify...I mostly need something I can write my dissertation on, surf the web and burn the occasional cd on. I use computers a lot, but realistically I don't think I need the uber-laptop. Just something that's reliable and has good customer service if I need to troubleshoot or get my computer fixed.

 

[Private Vasquez]

And iBooks are just so darn purdy. They'll match any decor or outfit.

 

[HeavyStick]

go with what you just said...

get a basic laptop with a burner...

most laptops have both modems and NIC's built in together.

you can buy the student version of MS Office and save some cash there. but with the way the PC/Mac market is now the power is in the consumers hands for a change.

 

[Spinaroonie]

you can buy the student version of MS Office and save some cash there. but with the way the PC/Mac market is now the power is in the consumers hands for a change.

Student Version of Office/ Mac = $5
Student Version of Office/Win = $20

 

[lavender]

 

[redrock911]

I work on differant computers all day. I do computer repair. I must say i have seen a lot less Dells than most other brands, like Compaq, Toshiba, and others. I like the Dell screens, and the overall quality. Good computers IMO.

 

[Merlins Boon]

In the most simple form of communication:

MACS BAD!!!!

Now, to review today's lesson:

MACS BAD!!!!

If all you're looking for is something to do basic work with, just go with a Dell. People who try to get laptops that they can run high graphics games are just looking for trouble anyway. For the top end stuff, NEVER get a laptop, always stick with a desktop.

And Macs are cursed anyway. We have to use Macs in the news room on the magazine I work on, and they are FOREVER screwing up. Hell, we just got new ones in last year and within a month they were going haywire.

Macintosh, like the One Ring, is "The doom of man."

And anyone who wants to say otherwise can step up and fight me for it! I've already waged one war over this issue, and I'll be more than happy to start another!!

MACs BAD!!!!!

 

[seXieleXie]

my toshiba crapped out on me yesterday

 

[Spinaroonie]

And Macs are cursed anyway. We have to use Macs in the news room on the magazine I work on, and they are FOREVER screwing up. Hell, we just got new ones in last year and within a month they were going haywire.

When you spill your coffee on them, you still have to wipe it up. They're not that different.

 

[Merlins Boon]

When you work on a magazine, you don't drink coffee you snort crack. It's the only thing that can keep you awake AND fight off the stress of having to meet a deadline.

 

[Weird Harold]

I don't have a particular preference for Dell, but agree with the majority here that you're better off with a Windows based machine because of software compatibility issues.

Speaking of which, this article Review: Laptops for college students mentions that if you go for a Windows XP machine, you'll probably need the XP Pro version to network with the school's computers.

 

[April]

you'll probably need the XP Pro version to network with the school's computers.

Good point. XP Home lets you network with only 5 computers or less.

 

[Jedi_Outcast]

With laptops you are better off getting a big name. They are so cusom if something goes wrong you can't take it to the local shop to get fixed. I'm very happy with my dell. The dell 8200 series is kick ass for laptop gaming, but they are also $2600. I spent about a grand on mine and it runs all the quake III and Unreal based games fine.

you will probably need to upgrade the memory, but you can save yourself some money going to crucial.com

 

[deliciously_naughty]

Thanks for advice guys

 

[brokenbrainwave]

bump

 

[Sandia]

I've got a Dell Inspiron 4000.

It's crashed a couple of times, the battery doesn't work, and the monitor's freaking out on me, but otherwise it's been a good computer.

We had a Mac lab in college, and I love Macs.

I understand they've fixed the compatibility problem for most software now.

 

[Ginny]

bump

 

[islandman]

OK...

So I need a laptop for grad school. My school does have a special pricing program if I buy through them. The best deal seems to be a dell which comes with a 3 year no fault warranty (ie I can spill coffee on it and it will still get fixed, no prob), office and windows all installed. CD/DVD rom and burner, blah blah blah. It will cost me around 2k in the end (I can defer some of it onto my loans and such). What I want to know is how many of you have a dell and would you reccomend it? I know they have this great ad campaign and all, but should I really get a dell?

My other option (realistically) is an I book, but I would have to buy a protection plan and the apple version of office which would make the price similar.

What do you guys think? What's my best option? My current computer is a PC desktop that is on it's last legs....and besides that I haven't had to buy a comp since '96 since this one was a hand me down from my old roomie.

I won't be able to check the thread until tommorrow morning because I must sleep now, but I'd be happy to know what you guys think of your computers and if either of the two I mentioned would be best.

Dude, you're getting a Dell!

 

[Spinaroonie]

How to network a mac

Open TCP/IP control panel
Chose connection scheme
Chose DHCP server.
Network. Use the internet. Dl some pr0n.