<p>'Sup?</p>
<p>So I need a laptop that's relatively inexpensive (<1000, maybe <1200 if the laptop is like OMFG AMAZINGG!!!11!), reliable, durable, and preferably Windows-based. I was thinking of a Dell Inspiron 1420... it seems to have decent reviews on CNET (though I'm worried about the battery life!). And yes, I did consider a Macbook... but I don't want to install and run Bootcamp. :[ I'm pretty techy/nerdy, so... ease of use is not a big deal to me.</p>
<p>I am NOT a engineering/compusci/etc. major. I am a bio major, with an intent to minor in Spanish and eventually be a pediatrician.</p>
<p>Anyways, suggestions? :]</p>
<p>In particular, I'd love to hear from current or past UC Davis students... if you people haunt these boards. ROFL. <3</p>
<p>Thanks!</p>
<p>Personally, I think Apple laptops are the best. I've dropped mine like a thousand times and its still working fine and they have iBooks with metal casings so they're really durable- plus macs never get viruses! But if you're lookin for a windows I'd say dells are pretty good... kinda break easily. I had one and it fell off the table and broke into a million pieces. The sony viao is really good too, not too expensive depending on where you look.</p>
<p>try not to get an Inspiron...you should be able to configure a good Vostro for cheap, and get better quality at the same time. Sony laptops are expensive and there aren't many good ones. also, take a look at HP Compaq.</p>
<p>If you're as nerdy as you say you may want to look into a thinkpad; they are widely considered to be some of the best laptops out there. If you go to the lenovo homepage and through the education portal you can get one for about (or less than) 1000. Mine I got on a couple sales so it only cost $810 overall, I think one of the deals ended so it would cost more to buy one now, but they are very nice. They are, however, uglier than Apple laptops.</p>
<p>今日は、いちごさん！ 日本語が出きますか。 どうしてマックがほしくないですか。 ...Yeah i'll stop before my elementary level Japanese reveals itself even more =P'. As a UCD student, I advise you to stay away from 17" HP laptops. Three of my friends have them and two of their hinges have split apart on one side! The other friend had to send her laptop back in the day after finals were over.. it broke one day after her warranty expired! Crazy stuff, huh?</p>
<p>If you really don't want a Mac, the 15" HP's are really cheap and nicely configured. Dells have never failed me (I used a Latitute D610 the whole year, but will be upgrading to a MacBook Pro soon!), and as Nick has said, Thinkpads are solid as a TANK!</p>