<p>looking to spend under 2K. Currently interested in Dell Inspiron 6000, but ne1 else have suggestions?</p>
<p>Toshiba or IBM. (or Apple if you like them)</p>
<p>Apple IBook might not be a bad option. Apple's are better than PC's and are far stabler.</p>
<p>Get an alienware....looking to spend under 2K. Currently interested in Dell Inspiron 6000, but ne1 else have suggestions?....still....get an alienware.</p>
<p>The Dell inspiron 8600 is pretty nice. It's a bit more expensive than the inspiron 6000, but I think you can outfit it so that it's under 2K.</p>
<p>toshiba</p>
<p>i was in line to get ibm laptop until their whole laptop division got sold out to the chinese. im definitely getting toshiba now.</p>
<p>what about for engineers? would you suggest pc's or apples?</p>
<p>never get an alienware...</p>
<p>and go ahead and get the IBM, it wont be shifted to lenova for a few years (and sorry to burst your bubble...but lenova has been assembling them for years...now they are just going to put their name on them instead of IBM).</p>
<p>IBM makes the best PC laptopls you can get...hands down...period.</p>
<p>Check out the Dell Latitude line in their Small Business store. The Inspiron line simply isn't as well made.</p>
<p>Alienware is grossly overpriced. You should look at IBMs for a PC and Ibooks or powerbooks if you willing to venture over to the apple side.</p>
<p>I posted this on one of the many other laptop threads:</p>
<p>If you look for deals on Dells from web site like gotapex.com, IBMs student discounts don't even come close. Take a look at brands like Twinhead, Sager or Chem-USA. The company that makes Sager also makes Alienware and VoodooPC laptops, Twinhead is an OEM manufacturer and builds laptops for Sharp, HP, Winbook, and Sony. Chem-USA is made by Compal, who makes Dells, Sharp and Asus laptops. I can't remember the company that makes IBM off the top of my head. IBM sold the brand to them and IBM only supplies support services. They are the largest supplier of budget laptops in China, so it will be worth watching what happens in the next few years.</p>
<p>It is interesting to read IAmTheEvilests post, considering that Dell Latitudes were made by Quanta and the Inspirons were made by Compal, Dell recently reversed the contracts for the two - Compal will be making the Latitudes and Quanta will be making Inspirons.</p>
<p>I haven't bought one yet, but the Inspiron 6000 was at the top of my list (don't get the 8600) after a lot of research. However, the screen is a bit too wide and overall the laptop's too heavy ... so I don't know. I'm waiting for the perfect laptop that's around $1000.</p>
<p>search for a toshiba laptop.. thats the perfect laptop around 1000 :)</p>
<p>seriously..</p>
<p>Just remember this, you get what you pay for. You want a 1000 dollar laptop it wont do things quick, and it wont be built nearly as sturdy as something more expensive. Also it probably wont last you 4 years of college.</p>
<p>if you're engineering, check out the Acer Aspire 1800; priced around 1700, you'll be running top of the line</p>
<p>top of the line for under 2000? then its definately not top of the line in all functions.</p>
<p>There are places to cut corners, and places not to. Because of the nature of laptops (one single system with few exchangeable components), they are NOT a thing to cut corners on. Invest in something that will last and serve you well for as long as you need it.</p>
<p>If you need something to last a long time, then buy the extended warranty on it. Dell does a great job on these and their onsite repair is second to none.</p>
<p>But I would try to stay away from the Inspirons and look only at the Latitude notebooks.</p>
<p>a really good site for finding out what the best laptop for your needs is <a href="http://www.notebookforums.com%5B/url%5D">www.notebookforums.com</a></p>
<p>an extended warranty doesnt make the product any better, only means that when it breaks they will fix it (with a nice long round trip thrown in there) which is something your university's computer department can do.</p>
<p>Go with the product that doesnt need an extended warrenty (though I believe that IBM student warrenties are AMAZING).</p>
<p>And yes...if it must be a dell...go latitude.</p>
<p>What about Gateway? I get a big discount.</p>