<p>In my experience (our high school just started a laptop program), it really depends on what you want to do with it. For me, gaming was what I wanted to do, so I bought an Asus through a company called GamePC. For the specifications, it was $1000 cheaper than a similar model (same video card, etc.) from Dell. It was cheaper, but it is also a lot less sturdy. For people with any Dell, they can pretty much throw theirs around with no damage, but for my Asus, putting down the screen too hard will break it. For apples/HPs/Fujitsu/Toshiba, they all pretty much in the minority of being used. Actually, people mainly use Dells and HPs. For a first time laptop user though, I would recommend getting a Dell/HP because they are more sturdy.</p>
<p>i've had very bad experiences with dell support.
i'd go with either TOSHIBA or APPLE.</p>
<p>Any advice on what laptop I should get baced on these qualifications-?
small (12-13 in), light-weight, long battery life, fast (1.83 GH or more), bulit in CD burner</p>
<p>I've been doing a lot of research and suprisingly not found many...</p>
<p>lonefreckle, 12-13 inch laptops usually don't have spindles.
IIRC, only some Sony laptops that size fit that spec</p>
<p>The HP DV series is horrible. I have the DV4000 and after 1 year the laptop is going downhill. Some problems: </p>
<p>(1) The hinges for the laptop are so flimsy. They are made in two pieces with a snap rivet to hold the hinge to the body of the laptop. They break easily. I've learned my lesson. When I buy a laptop, I'm going to hold the base of the laptop and shake it. If the screen shakes and tweaks just a little, it'll break easily later. </p>
<p>(2) The keyboard skips on me. I'll be in the middle of a document and the keyboard will skip to other lines. I might have to open the keyboard and clean the interface, but yeah... this shouldn't happen. </p>
<p>(3) I can't play DVD's at the right speed. The audio and video is choppy. I've tried loading in the drivers and looks like that's not the problem. Bottomline... it doesn't work correctly. </p>
<p>I'll be getting a macbook probably before college starts.</p>
<p>If you are going for a pc, the longer you can wait the better. microsoft Vista is coming out this spring and if the retail business is llucky, free upgrade service will be given to those who buy laptops for christmas etc... My parents will not let me but one until Vista comes out because to upgrade will be a small fortune. If you need one now for fall, go with one that is around 1200 so that the extra 300 can go towards your upgrade in spring. I have a compaq and it is not terrible for the price i got it ($700), it is not great. One of my friends got an Inspiron from Dell and loves it, epecially because it comes with media edition and is great to hook up with a tv tuner and get wide screen TV and internet. The Sony VAIO is a great laptop but it is not worth all the extra money. From what I have heard from friends who have been in college for at least a year, go with a tablet if you can because it is less conspicuous in a classroom (aka no disturbing typing that annoys your teacher and fellow students).</p>
<p>Just got the HP Pavillion 8000 for $900 after rebates
2.8 GHz 512 RAM 80 GB HD 17" screen which is gorgeous
It is kinda heavy, but I don't plan on taking it to every class, I basically wanted something desktop quality but that I can take home on breaks and occasionally to the library.
Came with a TV tuner too :)</p>
<p>i have heard a coupel things about laptops</p>
<p>some people have said DONT buy the large screen ones, they are really heavy and cause problems, but personally, i want to have a really large screen...</p>
<p>and with the Tv tuner, people says its incredibly fuzzy and skips a lot (sound doesnt match up with people talking)</p>
<p>How good are compaq computers?</p>
<p>Compaq computers aren't too bad, esp for the cost. They are on par with the HP models, oh wait, HP owns them. Sony can give some good deals granted your willing to find the ones on sale. Lenovo is good but, you'll have to shell out some cash. I'm currently using a Lenovo and I'm really happy. Light computer with good battery life. I'm not a fan of games so, getting a 17'' screen, with either a P4 or AMD 64bit would be a joke.</p>
<p>What up homies... I'm a graduating senior and am about to purchase a laptop probably soon. I'm attending Clemson in the fall and they seem to have a good laptop deal with Lenovo. The model I'm thinking about (T60) is marked as a $3300 computer without the school deal (I don't know if that's legit-that's what the site says) and the discounted price is $1900- dual core 2 ghz, 1 gb ram, 100 gb hd, 15" SXGA, finger print reader, Dual layer DVD, 5.8 pounds, etc. I don't think I can go wrong with that especially with the support program the school has...any other opinions?</p>
<p>wat do you guys reckon is a good tv tuner for a laptop? (model names etc?)</p>
<p>Dell or toshiba?</p>
<p>I'm a big fan of HP notebooks. I spent a long time considering which one to get for christmas, but I finally decided on the HP dv4000. I got a floor model of it at Staples for around $900 after rebates and floor discounts; it would have been around $1650 direct from HP</p>
<p>I'm getting a Sony Vaio that's small and beautiful</p>
<p>
[quote]
microsoft Vista is coming out this spring and if the retail business is llucky, free upgrade service will be given to those who buy laptops for christmas etc... My parents will not let me but one until Vista comes out because to upgrade will be a small fortune.
[/quote]
</p>
<p>Keep in mind that it's not a good idea to start using Vista right away. There's always going to be tons of bugs, etc. with the first release. It'd be better to wait a while before you upgrade. It's not like Microsoft will drop XP support the day Vista comes out or anything.</p>
<p>You do have the newly released Dell Inspiron E1405. I know Thinkpads are one of, if not the, best on the market, but their price prevents many from buying them. Dell releases daily coupons that really bring down the price of their laptops; I got my E1405, a $1000 value, for about $608 because of Dell's generous coupons. </p>
<p>It's a 14-inch model, which is great for carrying around in a backpack (like I plan to do). It also has a Core Duo processor, and integrated graphics (I know, not the best you can get) that can supposedly handle the Aero Glass interface of the upsoming Windows Vista.</p>
<p>really?
that integrated intel graphic card can handle the windows vista interface??!!</p>
<p>I thought you needed a very new and fast card</p>
<p>You need an 800mhz processor, 20gig hd, and 512mb ram.</p>
<p>Here's the link everyone should take a look at.
<a href="http://www.windowsvista.com/getready%5B/url%5D">http://www.windowsvista.com/getready</a></p>
<p>but a low end card and computer may not be able to handle all the bells and whistles of the interface, it just meanst that it can run the OS.</p>