<p>I was just wondering how often laptops are brought to class to take notes? Especially in pre-med classes?
I want to buy a top of the line laptop so it doesn't need to be replaced in a year or two, but with so much new tech coming out (Core 2 Duo and Vista) I kind of want to wait a year to get a laptop.
Is having a laptop a LOT more convenient? Or could I live through first year with a desktop? </p>
<p>Thanks</p>
<p>there are people who have laptops...it's not really a big deal. most people use the traditional pen and paper but you won't look odd or anything if you use 1 for taking notes. I personally think you'll be fine with a desktop for the first year and then get a laptop later...but a laptop is pretty cool...but then again, when I had one I RARELY took it out of my room. </p>
<p>I say just wait a yr, but it depends...some people might disagree with me</p>
<p>The prices on Dell core duos should be coming down. I received one as a graduation gift.</p>
<p>You definitely don't need a laptop. Not too many people ever take notes on them during class. Plus there's tons of places on campus that have computers (pretty much every dorm has a computer lab, union, library, fishbowl, etc).</p>
<p>Thanks guys . . normally I wouldn't wait because you can never really stay on top of new technology. This time though, I really want to wait for Windows Vista and Intel's new Core 2 and go from there.</p>
<p>Eh...the preview I saw for Vista didn't look real promising. It said it was an article just focusing on the negative aspects, and that it had good new features as well, but the negative ones just made it seem like crap. I might try toying around with Ubuntu sometime soon.</p>
<p>Vista just looks fancy. Chances are you'll be fine with Windows XP and a non core duo processor for what you do for course work.</p>
<p>I'm running Windows Vista Beta 2 and it's just a dolled up version of Windows XP to look more like Mac OS X. It's nothing too exciting.</p>
<p>yeah, it's not much better. but I thought the 3D tilted windows was a cool effect</p>
<p>If yo are looking for a laptop, check out the Dell Factory Outlet:</p>
<p>It is hit or miss. When a good deal comes up it is snapped up immediately. You can get a refurbished laptop for as much as 40% off the best sale price or 50% off of list.</p>
<p>I have seen Dell Inspiron 6400 / E1505's with a 2 GHz Duo Centrino processor, 1 GB of memory, DVD +/- RW, and Intel Wireless 3945 for $700 (new sale price was ~$1200 and list price was ~$1400). Shipping is normally $49 but there is currently a free shipping promotion. There is 8.25% sales tax. If they charge you the $49 shipping, call customer service and ask for a credit after you receive it the machine.</p>
<p>Price vary depending on the hardware configuration and the software that is loaded. Make sure you get one with at least 1 GB of memory.</p>
<p>The selection is best early in the morning, before 6 a.m. CST but they put machines on the on-line site throughout the day so if you don't see what you want, keep checking.</p>
<p>I bought a laptop on a Wednesday afternoon and it was dellivered on Friday (to Houston). They require signature confirmation for delivery.</p>
<p>You can get an additional 5% discount on the total price if you sign up for a Discover credit card and sign up for a special promotion.</p>
<p><a href="http://www.discovercard.com/discover...wd_na%5B/url%5D">http://www.discovercard.com/discover...wd_na</a> p<em>enr</em>1</p>
<p>You can also use the Discover card to pay your U of M tuition and get 5% back.</p>
<p>If you choose not to get a Discover card, you can get a 2% discount if you open a Dell credit account.</p>
<p>i honestly prefer to take notes with pen and paper.</p>
<p>as for laptops, it's fun and neat to have i guess.. since you can just sit anywhere and access the internet.. cafes, the diag, study lounges, libraries, etc. you really don't need it, but it's very nice to have. if you have the money, you might as well get one. as for windows vista, all the newer laptops are vista capable, so you can upgrade later to vista if u want.</p>
<p>The real advantage of a laptop is when you are moving to/from school or going to/from home for the holidays. Try lugging a desktop w/ you at those times. </p>
<p>Between the CPU and the monitor, they will take up half the backseat of a car. There's also the hassle of connecting/disconnecting cables.</p>
<p>yeah, that's a good point also.</p>
<p>You are absolutely right about core due and vista though.</p>
<p>Whenever microsoft releases a huge operating system, the prices on computers tend to fall rapidly, plus you are getting a computer that is designed to adhere to MS's specifications on computers that run vista, which means that we won't be seeing laptops with horrible graphics cards anymore. Well maybe we will, but not as nasty as some that I have seen.</p>
<p>Core 2 Duo is alot faster than processors out right now. The performance increase is papable. Just wait, and you will be much happier. Don't listen to people telling you that you only need this and that to run MS word and firefox, because chances are you are going to need to use a little photoshop here and there and this or that program is going to need to run properly, and you just want to have a good system overall.</p>
<p>In terms of getting the best price, I suggest that you check out fatwallet.com's hot deals forum. Occasionally, meaning every other month or so, a slam dunk deal for dell computers, especially laptops, is posted and thousands of people buy machines at huge discounts with the configuration that takes the most advantage of a great coupon offer.</p>
<p>I suggest you wait for a killer deal with core 2, vista, and good prices and make the most of your computing experience.</p>
<p>Thanks for the info guys! I purchased a Dell laptop and it should arrive on Monday. I bought mine with a 35% off coupon + 12% education discount. I bought my laptop 2 days before Dell got rid of coupons . . . thank god</p>
<p>What do you guys think of the Toshiba G35 AV 600? If you own one, have what do you think of it?</p>
<p>i recommend the hp dv2035us. get it at circuit city!</p>
<p>-intel centrino duo mobile technology featuring an intel
core duo processor t2050 (1.6 ghz, 2mb L2 cache, 533 mhz fsb)
-1.024 gb ram
-100 gb hard drive
-super multi 8x dvd +-r/rw drive with double layer support
-hp pavilion webcam built-in
-14-inch glossy widescreen</p>
<p>all for only $1,050 with a $50 mail-in rebate. it's very compact and portable also, it fits in my bookbag with ease and it's a little over 5 lbs, so it's pretty light.</p>
<p>The Toshiba Qosimos are monsters. Have you checked one out at a Best Buy or something?</p>
<p>Except for the motherboard, laptops are pretty generic. In some cases, even the motherboard is designed and built by Intel or AMD.</p>
<p>Processors are made by Intel or AMD. Memory are from Micron, a Korean or Japanese manufacturer. Hard drives are from Hitachi, Seagate, or Western Digital. LCD and keyboards/touchpads are definitely generic.</p>
<p>They are all mostly assembled in China or Taiwan by a contract manufacturer.</p>
<p>What you are paying for other than the mostly generic hardware is support after the sale.</p>
<p>As long as you stick to a major brand, you should be OK.</p>
<p>"As long as you stick to a major brand, you should be OK."</p>
<p>If everything is pretty generic, as you say, then why would one need to stick to a major brand?</p>
<p>Wood is pretty generic, but there is definately some furniture I'd rather not own.</p>