college notebook which one to buy?

College Life
1

<p>So I'm looking to decide b/w these two notebooks for college...just saw this part of CC lol</p>

<p>Toshiba A215-S4807 --- $779
[URL="<a href="http://www.circuitcity.com/ccd/productDetail.do?oid=185201&WT.mc_n=67&WT.mc_t=U&cm_ven=COMPARISON%20SHOPPING&cm_cat=PRICEGRABBER&cm_pla=DATAFEED-%3EPRODUCTS&cm_ite=1%20PRODUCT&cm_keycode=67%22%5Dhttp://www.circuitcity.com/ccd/productDetail.do?oid=185201&WT.mc_n=67&WT.mc_t=U&cm_ven=COMPARISON%20SHOPPING&cm_cat=PRICEGRABBER&cm_pla=DATAFEED-%3EPRODUCTS&cm_ite=1%20PRODUCT&cm_keycode=67%5B/URL"&gt;http://www.circuitcity.com/ccd/productDetail.do?oid=185201&WT.mc_n=67&WT.mc_t=U&cm_ven=COMPARISON%20SHOPPING&cm_cat=PRICEGRABBER&cm_pla=DATAFEED-%3EPRODUCTS&cm_ite=1%20PRODUCT&cm_keycode=67"]http://www.circuitcity.com/ccd/productDetail.do?oid=185201&WT.mc_n=67&WT.mc_t=U&cm_ven=COMPARISON%20SHOPPING&cm_cat=PRICEGRABBER&cm_pla=DATAFEED-%3EPRODUCTS&cm_ite=1%20PRODUCT&cm_keycode=67[/URL&lt;/a&gt;]&lt;/p>

<h1>1.8GHz AMD Turion 64 X2 TL-56 Processor</h1>

<h1>160GB Hard Drive</h1>

<h1>2GB RAM</h1>

<h1>15.4-inch Widescreen with WXGA Resolution</h1>

<h1>DVD/CD Burner</h1>

<h1>Microsoft Windows Home Vista Premium</h1>

<h1>Built-in 802.11bg wireless LAN</h1>

<h1>Integrated Webcam & Microphone</h1>

<p>HP 9410us -- $799
[URL="<a href="http://www.circuitcity.com/ccd/productDetail.do?oid=184835&linkid=j13459594k2164&affiliateid=k2164&mid=%22%5Dhttp://www.circuitcity.com/ccd/productDetail.do?oid=184835&linkid=j13459594k2164&affiliateid=k2164&mid=%5B/URL"&gt;http://www.circuitcity.com/ccd/productDetail.do?oid=184835&linkid=j13459594k2164&affiliateid=k2164&mid="]http://www.circuitcity.com/ccd/productDetail.do?oid=184835&linkid=j13459594k2164&affiliateid=k2164&mid=[/URL&lt;/a&gt;]&lt;/p>

<h1>1.8GHz AMD Turion 64 X2 TL-56 Processor</h1>

<h1>160GB Hard Drive</h1>

<h1>1GB RAM</h1>

<h1>CD/DVD Burner with LightScribe</h1>

<h1>17-inch Widescreen WXGA Display</h1>

<h1>Integrated Wireless LAN</h1>

<h1>Integrated Webcam and Microphone</h1>

<h1>Windows Vista Home Premium</h1>

<p>I probably won't move it around too much...just working inside the dorms, other ppl's room, the library, and maybe to class sometimes. I really like the 17"...is that size reasonable I mean 8 lbs doesnt seem like alot. Which one is a better buy?</p>

2

<p>The Toshiba. The second gig of ram is crucial for vista.</p>

3

<p>I'm with Sibelius, that second gig of RAM is definitely important.</p>

<p>Also, why did you like the idea of a 17"? Do you plan to watch movies on it a lot? (I assume you're not much of a PC gamer based on those two options).</p>

4

<p>lol i guess i never liked small screens on laptop and my college classes (math and physics) doesnt need a laptop in class.</p>

5

<p>don't get toshiba's... Those things overheat a lot, and Toshiba like sent us a partial refund because apparently a lot of those notebooks overheated and malfunctioned</p>

6

<p>IMHO, Toshibas tend to be one of the better types...certainly better than dell, and probably as good as HP</p>

7

<p>Hp and Toshiba both make great laptops, but get the Toshiba because the second gig of ram will make your computer seem so much faster.</p>

8

<p>Apple makes the best laptops. Get a macbook (pro).</p>

9

<p>
[quote]
IMHO, Toshibas tend to be one of the better types...certainly better than dell, and probably as good as HP

[/quote]

yes, they are the better types at overheating and malfuntioning. </p>

<p>
[quote]
Apple makes the best laptops. Get a macbook (pro).

[/quote]

the original poster needs help deciding between those two HP and toshiba laptop, and therefore does not need someone advocating for macbook pros in this thread</p>

10

<p>I run windows Vista with 1GB RAM, and I don't see any problems with it. I always have at least 500MB free RAM (and this is with all the fancy desktop settings still on) and there is no slowdowns. It feels exactly the same as XP. Also, in games, I still have plenty of RAM (but maybe 2gb would help). If you aren't playing games, it's hard to see what would need 2GB for. Unless you do video editing, or some other stuff. No clue. My opinion is to go for the one with the bigger screen. It is worth it. Especially if you are a fan of big screens.</p>

11

<p>8 pounds is actually a lot, and a 17" notebook is pretty bulky just in dimensions. a widescreen exaggerates that bulkiness too. carrying it in a messenger bag or any sort of bag on one shoulder won't be very comfortable. however, if you won't be walking for more than a couple minutes and won't be carrying it around too much, the above issues won't matter.</p>

<p>as for 1 GB vs 2, i personally don't know how much resources Vista sucks up, but i would go for two. actually, i would just install XP regardless of which of those two i bought, but i don't know if you'd want to do that.</p>

<p>Toshibas in general are seen as one of the better notebook brands, along with Sony and HP (and some others, of course).</p>

12

<p>I'd recommend nothing over 15" and nothing that goes too much over 6 lbs.</p>

13

<p>I'd rather to choose HP. That was a nice and much better.</p>