hp vs. toshiba college notebook

College Life
1

<p>So I'm looking to decide b/w these two notebooks for college. </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>If you move around with your laptop even a little bit, 8lb is a bit too much. If it's going to act like a desktop, by all means go ahead, but I don't recommend anything over 6.5lb if you're moving around with it. Trust me, 8lb IS a lot. Even 5.5lb 15" laptop seems a bit heavy to me, but I'm going to college on the other side of the country.</p>

3

<p>haha, that was so my dilemma. i liked the way the hp looked, but after talking with MANY people, i got the toshiba. when i was deciding, everyone said toshiba is more reliable, better value, etc. i love it. it's been really great.</p>

4

<p>Get the Toshiba one.</p>

<p>2GB does the job.</p>

5

<p>Wrong Section</p>

6

<p>Almost everybody I know who doesn't have a Macbook has a Toshiba. My one friend who had an HP had it malfunction, and the customer service was bad.</p>

7

<p>Toshiba laptops suck. Mine was by far the worst computer I had. My HP has done a good job, but then again it's a desk top...</p>

8

<p>Toshiba has 2GB of Ram, my Dell has 2GB and has never let me down</p>

9

<p>IMO, Toshiba > HP. I only trust Lenovo, Sony, and Toshiba. (I have a Lenovo N100 myself)</p>

10

<p>what about sony? are they just good looking?</p>

11

<p>Sony's are nice, but they're a bit more expensive. And good looking. </p>

<p>Toshiba's and HP's are both well-made.</p>

12

<p>Those are both nice computers. My brother has the Toshiba (the same exact model) and I have the HP (15.4" version though) and they both work great. The Toshiba is faster but I don't think it should be a problem if you just do the basic word processing, etc.</p>

13

<p>
[quote]
everyone said toshiba is more reliable, better value, etc. i love it. it's been really great.

[/quote]

they are all wrong... MY bro's toshiba kept overheating and eventually broke down... Toshiba even sent us a refund without us asking</p>

14

<p>Poor cooling systems are like the plague for laptops, and Toshiba had a horrible cooling system in many of their laptops a couple years ago. If they have done anything to solve that problem, then they are great. Until then it is inevitable you will need to replace the fan. It is really annoying when your computer shuts down on you randomly only to realize it is hot as hell.</p>

<p>Do some research to see if HP is any better in this area. If they are not go with the Toshiba for sure.</p>

15

<p>
[quote]
they are all wrong... MY bro's toshiba kept overheating and eventually broke down... Toshiba even sent us a refund without us asking

[/quote]
</p>

<p>i don't believe your brother's laptop is representative of all toshibas.</p>

<p>in any case, if overheating becomes a problem, or you think whichever notebook you get runs too hot, just buy the cheapest notebook fan you can find. attaches to the bottom of the notebook and is powered by a usb port. there should be an open usb port on the fan itself so you don't come up short, if that might be a problem.</p>

16

<p>Consider battery life. The 17" HP is a desktop replacement and will likely have around 2 hrs of battery life at full charge. Unless you have a spare battery, even limited use will leave you short. </p>

<p>The 15.4" Toshiba may have a slightly longer battery life, but probably not by much.</p>

17

<p>Toshibas are much better built and have less reliability issues.</p>

18

<p>look at the hp dv6426@circuitcity.</p>

19

<p>
[quote]
Toshibas are much better built and have less reliability issues.

[/quote]

are you sure about that? My brother's toshiba always overheated and eventually broke down... got a partial refund</p>

20

<p>
[quote]
\in any case, if overheating becomes a problem, or you think whichever notebook you get runs too hot, just buy the cheapest notebook fan you can find. attaches to the bottom of the notebook and is powered by a usb port. there should be an open usb port on the fan itself so you don't come up short, if that might be a problem.

[/quote]

we did that, and it still overheated</p>