<p>As we were researching laptops, we realized that the students themselves probably have the best idea of size, weight, portability, colors, features (like built in web cam), specs, brands, etc..</p>
<p>For instance, the Dell XPS M1530 in red seems like it might be a popular computer, but some students may think a 15 inch is too big to carry around or travel with.</p>
<p>Can we have the students and parents top picks for laptops? (please include, brand, model number, essential features, and what you like best about it etc.):</p>
<p>Feel free to include choices and brands of favorite laptop bags</p>
<p>Apple MacBooks are very popular. Students love the built in web cams. After "check", you can video chat with a classmate to work on a project together...although I'm sure the video chats aren't all studying. :)</p>
<p>Ditto ^^^ creative1
The MacBook is a great way to go, 5 pounds, 13.5 inch screen, no problems, will certainly last 4 years, great for video and photo work as well as the more boring internet and word processing.</p>
<p>D's school is big on Mac's. Definitely something to consider before shopping!</p>
<p>For a bag, get the Timbuk2 laptop bag. My H has had one for years with no visible wear at all and he is a road warrior-type. You can build custom bags on their website, picking the colors and the fabrics. Those of you from big cities will recognize them as the ubiquitous bike messenger bags. Timbuk2</a> Bags - Laptop</p>
<p>I would hold off your purchase until you receive direction from the school. The schools my son was accepted to had specific laptops that they required be purchased via their "group account." The schools want to insure that all are using the same technology....this can range from laptops to tablets.</p>
<p>Exonian here - I just got the macbook the last week of senior winter (I'm now enjoying that period of lazy dilatoriness known as senior spring), and I adore it!</p>
<p>My older son has a macbook and loves it -- has had no problems at all. We bought Microsoft Office for Mac and it works well -- he can send and recieve microsoft word docs just fine. </p>
<p>Two things to consider, if you are purchasing a Mac. First, they offer educational pricing to any student (it doesn't matter if your school is on their list). That saves a bit of money (about $100 on the basic macbook). Second, every fall (usually august through mid-september) they have a special deal where you get a free ipod with any mac purchase, plus $100 towards to purchase of a new printer (from their list of printers -- many are perfect for BS). If you are going to buy a mac, wait until august.</p>
<p>macs have less problems with viruses and spyware, plus many computer games don't work on macs (so less opportunities to waste time playing those games -- at least that is my philosophy).</p>
<p>For those who can't afford such expensive ones, a Dell inspirion is very popular at my sister's school. For those who want a high-end laptop at a sky high price, Dell XPS series is terrific. Mac's a also very cool.</p>
<p>I own a Dell Inspiron right now.
It's rather old, almost 3 years now.
When should I get it replaced?
It works fine, but it is worn out in some places, and it broke once- the screen was cracked and the motherboard died, but i got it fixed.
I don't know about viruses, I dont use limewire or anything that could potentially give me viruses, and I have an anti-virus thingy, dont know if it works. .___.</p>
<p>hsmom
I agree with everything you said about the mac plus one and except one
Plus one: they have cameras built in so you can vidio chat with your child.
Except one: The new macs have dual processors so they can run windows and thus do all of the games.</p>
<p>Princess'Dad -- true, they do have the dual processors so they can run windows, but you have to actually purchase a copy of windows and install it (fairly pricey) and I have been told that the games don't run quite as well on a mac using windows (lots more glitches, apparently).</p>
<p>For someone that was really determined, they could play games on a mac -- but my kids wouldn't spend the time or money.</p>
<p>I did forget about the built in camera, my oldest doesn't use it since his school doesn't have internet for the student's computers -- just school computers hooked up to the internet.</p>
<p>would kids even have time to play games that much? i mean, with your friends rooming next door and you yourself possibly having a roommate i think that there's already a lot more interesting diversion....but i'm a girl that doesn't play any video games so what would i know?</p>
<p>I'm pretty sure that I'll get a MacBook...hsmom, I didn't know about the August to mid-September thing. I'll keep that in mind. </p>
<p>I think that I'll just get a MacBook</a> Sleeve By AppleSac. for a case...it will probably be nice to have a laptop case that fits in your backpack.</p>
<p>samsung makes the most sylish computers in the world :P</p>
<p>haha, just joking. wouldn't it be better to wait though, for schools that you aren't sure of, if they actually do have a "computer code" for their students? one of the schools I know does that, they're issuing a Mac notebook policy because they're going to use them for studying and notes and etc.</p>
<p>(but then again, that's for studying and this is more of dorm life. so don't take my word for it)</p>
<p>My d likes to escape and tune out and relax by playing sims, etc. </p>
<p>HSMom, there are several "platforms" that allow you to change the mac to a pc: parallel and a couple more. One (the one that mac puts out) makes it a "virtual" pc and there are lots of problems with games with it for games (but you can easily flip back and forth - it is good if you have a non game program that only works on a pc). The one put out by a second party actually starts it as a pc and windows works as well as on a pc and there are no problems with any games if you have enough RAM.</p>
<p>As to the Aug - Sept. That is true for the ipod (in the past, no telling for the future). But the printer offer is ongoing and you can do anytime.</p>
<p>You can get the computer and mac stuff at any of the apple stores with an educational discount. But, you can also get MS office and other software online (apple.com) at an educational discount.</p>
<p>Apples own office product is actually easier to use than MS - especially for powerpoint presentations and doing fancy things (pictures, etc) on the word processor.</p>
<p>The other neat thing about apple is the airport express. It is a small box that you connect to the internet hardwire and to your printer and then you laptop is wireless in your room for internet and printing. My daughter likes to sit on her bed to work. For the vidio camera, it is great to chat. When my daughter has gone on trips, she has brought her computer and we can video chat. It makes it much more reassuring for me to see her look happy as well as hear her.
good luck</p>
<p>Some schools actually require students to buy a laptop through the school or have a specific kind of programming for your classes(i doubt it's apple)(sorry apple fans):(. So you should definitely wait till they send the summer infos.</p>