<p>Hey, I'm kind of computer shopping right now for next year. Since I ended up with an awesome financial aid package, my parents are able to get a nice labtop ($2000). (Yes, I feel spoiled rotten right now.) Anyway, right now I'm thinking about getting a Ferrari Athlon 64.</p>
<p>Here's the site. It's a sweet looking computer, but how does it stand otherwise?</p>
<p>Any input welcome. I'm not very computer smart. I just know the basics. I want a computer that will last all four years and this seemed like the best bet, not because of its looks either. Though that is a definite plus!</p>
<p>What do you guys think about it? Thanks for any feedback.</p>
<p>I have an Acer right now (Aspire 2012), and have been nothing but happy with it. My one complaint is that the speakers used to be really quiet but lately they've gotten loud so all is well.</p>
<p>I wouldn't get it, first its going to have a shorter than average battery life due to the processor and video card. Also it comes with XP Home edition so you would probably want to upgrade to XP Pro which would cost you additional money. I'm not knocking on Acer at all if thats what you like go with a Travelmate with a Centrino M processor. If you really feel like you need all of those features just get a desktop. Remember you're paying extra just for the Ferrari name.</p>
<p>I kinda skimmed through it but it looks pretty good, actually (just make sure you get a CD burner in there somewhere). Acer is particularly known for quality, but the fact that it comes with a 64 bit processor is a big plus, because it means that you won't have to spend money on a new computer or an upgrade when Longhorn and 64 bit apps finally start to come out in the next few years (granted you can get an AMD64 with other computers, but still). The others specs look good, so I think that overall it'll be a pretty good buy. Oh and like someone said make sure you do get XP Pro...most colleges don't support the home edition.</p>
<p>All the reviews I have read have been great. I was gonna get this computer at first but then I decided to get an IBM T43 with big discount instead.</p>
<p>no college person needs an 80 gb hardrive, when you buy comp like this your only paying for the Ferrari name,that is why you showed this to us right, buy a nice 1500$ laptop and keep the extra $500 for spending money(MORE CLOTHES.......), you also ight want to buy a printer or scanner, possible d. camera with the leftover money, sure it looks good but youll be better off with a sony/compaq laptop,make sure you get a cd burner for papers you want to work on in other places</p>
<p>A lot of you think I could get a cheaper computer of the equivalent quality. Which ones? Please, if you know of some with the same or equivalent specs and cheaper fill me in! When we went computer shopping, that was basically as cheap as we could go and still have a 64 bit processer, cd/dvd burner, 512 mb laptob. </p>
<p>And no, justperfect, I didn't make this post just to show the computer off. I haven't even bought the thing yet. But, as far as I can see, it seems like the best bet. Not because of the name either! Believe me, I am the type who does not mind driving a plain jane junky car around. I'm not a name-brand person at all. This computer just seems like the best deal all-around, at least that is where our computer hunt has led us.</p>
<p>But thank you all for your feedback. The main thing I hear is that I would be paying more than what it is worth. But where can I get a computer with those specs for less?</p>
<p>If you don't need the red paint and don't want to pay for the fancy name, look at the Acer 1520 series. It has the same processor, a DVD burner, and XP pro, so you won't have to mess with upgrading. I've seen them selling for under $1200.</p>
<p>The paint job and Ferrari emblem are tempting, but in a college setting, where laptops are always in danger of being stolen, I wouldn't want a flashy one.</p>
<p>"Oh and like someone said make sure you do get XP Pro...most colleges don't support the home edition"</p>
<p>that is completely untrue - of course its going to work fine. There are only very minor differences between Home and Pro and only differences that power users are going to care about. Unless you know the differences and that you need them, stick with home.</p>
<p>This is ridiculous. When considering a computer for college, there are only a couple things that matter.</p>
<p>a) weight. If you're going to carry it anywhere, you want a relatively light computer. This is not to say that you need the lightest there is, but just to make sure that you're ok with carrying a 6 pound computer.</p>
<p>b) wireless card. your campus will, most likely, either have campuswide wireless or get it while you're there. a wireless card will make your life infinitely easier.</p>
<p>c) cd/dvd burner. obvious reasons.</p>
<p>guess what? thats really all you need. virtually any computer will be somewhat obsolete in two years, especially if you use it often enough. I would suggest paying less for one now (look at Dell, especially the educational ones, or Toshiba, both of which can come quite cheap if you look around, or consider a Mac) and saving some of the rest of it for an upgrade in two years. Trust me, that'll be more useful than a Ferrari laptop now.</p>