<p>Do your recommend a laptop or desktop? What are the advantages/disadvantages of both? - thanks</p>
<p>Ok nvm i decided on an IBM laptop...im on the Cornell Store right now and they sell 3 different ThinkPads: T43, T43P, X40. I'm not really good with computers so could someone please explain the difference between the 3 and which one you would recommend. thank you.</p>
<p>Differences are in size, and i forget what the P means...you could probably find out at lenovo's thinkpad website (the company that now makes thinkpads) X40 is really small and light.</p>
<p>don't get an IBM, get a dell...IBMs are great machines, but dells have better service and better prices. Wait until you land that upper 5 figure salary before you buy an IBM ;). Dells are excellent computers, too.</p>
<p>I would recommend for your computer:</p>
<p>processor 1.5GHz or more
512 RAM or more
internal wireless (b/g or a/b/g)
Anything beyond that (hard drive size, dvd/cd burners, etc.) is up to you.
Oh and i would recommend the X year warranty with accidental damage protection. however many years you want...I got 3.</p>
<p>highly reviewed models to look at from dell:
700m: if you want smaller size/more portability but still a powerful machine
6000: a great deal--medium size--too big to "carry around with you" without being a pain in the ass but not yet a cinder block...
9300: what would be called a "desktop replacment." Basically it's got the power (and most of the weight) of a desktop computer, but you can fold it up and carry it home on breaks. Sure you could carry it to the library or to do a presentation if you wanted to, but if those became regular, daily habits, you'd start kicking yourself for not at least buying the 6000.</p>
<p>Yeah seriously, don't get an IBM, they are real pieces of crap. Dell is the best standard run of the mill laptop.</p>
<p>IBM laptops used to be worth their higher costs, but now that they are manufactured in China instead of the U.S., the prices are not justified. If you want the most bang for your back, get a laptop from Dell and DO NOT get it from the Cornell store. Cornell rips you off hardcore with laptop purchases.</p>
<p>If you want to get a Dell, go to their website and browse through their educational program here: <a href="http://www1.us.dell.com/content/default.aspx?c=us&l=en&s=eep&cs=2236&link_number=17970622%5B/url%5D">http://www1.us.dell.com/content/default.aspx?c=us&l=en&s=eep&cs=2236&link_number=17970622</a></p>
<p>Go to <a href="http://www.notebookforum.com%5B/url%5D">www.notebookforum.com</a> and find as many discounts as you can. They are also helpful with general information. Once you find and customize your laptop, buy it. You'll save a lot of money through the educational discount and other rebates/coupons.</p>
<p>or <a href="http://www.dealsea.com%5B/url%5D">www.dealsea.com</a> for discounts. search dell. they have things like $750 of $1900+ or 35% off $1000+.</p>
<p>Just buy it through the regular dell home store and use the coupons, if you ask me.</p>
<p>wat ru guys saying, i have done extensive research and heard that SONY and IBM are the best computers out there. You guys do not know what you are talking about. Dell laptops are pieces of ****.</p>
<p>IBM used to be regarded highly because they were actually manufactured in the U.S. but they recently shifted their production lines to China. IBMs are also overpriced. I don't know anything about Sony. I am using a Dell laptop right now and it has never given me any troubles. I have a Dell desktop and I had to call in once for customer service and they were very helpful. A lot of people swear by Dell but there are a lot of people that hate Dell with a passion because of poor experiences using their products. Your mileage may vary but I personally recommend them. Also they are very inexpensive and inexpensive is good.</p>
<p>(relatively) inexpensive but not bad...i'll try and make a metaphor here haha.</p>
<p>Think of a porshe 911 and a Toyota MR2. Both sports cars...both fast...both really nice and really nice looking...sure the porshe is better, but unless you're looking for the status symbol, your MR2 will still kick the ass of most cars on the road. and for like $40,000 less. Let's assume that toyota has incredible customer support, and that porshe is only pretty good, or is in transition to new management (like ibm thinpads->lenovo).</p>
<p>Which car makes more sense? </p>
<p>Disclaimer: Car fanatics, please don't come and list to me why the porshe is soooo much better and how porshe ACTUALLY has awesome customer service and how MR2s are ACTUALLY a piece of crap or something...It's a hypothetical example...if you aren't a super car buff, it makes sense. :)</p>
<p>Collegekid: dell has the biggest market share among businesses of any computer company. I doubt they have the biggest market share for being pieces of *****</p>
<p>Well, collegekid, if you want to talk about the "best computers out there", then your "extensive research" hasn't done you very much good. If you want the best, try Falcon Northwest, Velocity Micro, ABS, Hypersonic, or Alienware. What we're talking about isn't just who has the best specs, but which computer is most suitable for a freshman college student. This includes a lot of factors, like price, availability, upgrade capacity, service, and ease of repair. These last two are real important for a college student because, believe me, kids our age tend to break things. This is one of the areas where Dell has a clear advantage. To continue sparticus' car analogy, a Dell laptop is like a corvette, whereas a Vaio is like a M3. Any yokel with a wrench can get a pushrod v-8 firing again, whereas to even get the engine trim off a bimmer motor practically requires a year of factory training. In more concrete terms, i know plenty of people with both types of computers. When a dell breaks, it is fixed right away, but with a sony it's always a nice trip to the post office and at least a couple of very annoying weeks before it's up and running again. Sure, to a purist the dell might not be the end-all of laptop systems, but the simple fact that Dell has the biggest market share also means that it has the most extensively-implemented service and support system, and this can make all the difference.</p>
<p>That fact about dell is the sole reason why I searched for a quality dell when finding my laptop.</p>
<p>read the reviews at places like cnet.com and <a href="http://www.notebookreview.com%5B/url%5D">www.notebookreview.com</a></p>
<p>do VM, falcon, polywell, etc. make notebooks, perro? i've only seen Desktops</p>
<p>Some, and I'd dare say a majority, of the high-end system builders make notebooks. I know that Falcon, alienware, VM, and hypersonic do, idk about the others. A lot of elite system makers held out for a long time because they wanted to provide cutting-edge gaming machines exclusively without making any compromises on power. However, for many, the temptation of the huge market that is the notebook market was too much, and a lot of them have joined the fray. But the compromise hasnt been too bad, and ive seen some sick gaming notebooks from said manufacturers. And if you can afford it, that's a good way to go. It definitely has its advantages. Like being able to play battlefield 2 at full-res over the wireless network while "studying" at Uris Library......</p>