<p>What type of laptop should I bring to the university in August? I've never really owned a laptop before and I would like to know what I should be looking for in a good one.</p>
<p>Anybody?..</p>
<p>[CIT:</a> Windows Purchase Recommendations](<a href=“IT@Cornell | Services and Support”>IT@Cornell | Services and Support)</p>
<p>get a macbook 
</p>
<p> = <3</p>
<p>definitely agree with CUAmbassador11.</p>
<p>i switched from pc to mac this year after i purchased my iphone and i LOVE it. would NEVER go back to windows…</p>
<p>^once you go MAC you never go back ;)</p>
<p>I’ve use Mac OS a few times. It feels like a prettied up Linux. Plus, a mac will cost at least 30% more than a PC with comparable specs (most Linux distros are free). Really, just get whatever’s most comfortable to you. If you are used to Windows and do work best with a PC, then get a PC. If you’re used to Mac OS, then get a Mac. If you use some other operating system, you probably wouldn’t be asking this. </p>
<p>If you’re asking in terms of specs, get anything that’s made within the past 3 years and you should be good. Any dual core processor, 3-4 GB of RAM, 500 GB harddrive (this will probably be important, given how much there is to download off DC++), a graphics card above the basic integrated option if you want to play games made within the past few years.</p>
<p>In terms of manufacturers? I’m kind of split on this. I used to like Dell, since they have an awesome warranty. However, I’ve had a few hardware problems. I’ve seen other people have problems with HPs sometimes… The only deciding factor in manufacturer should be prices and hardware, since software is all customizable. IBMs are not bad, and I’ve heard good things about Acer.</p>
<p>Here is also a good purchase - Airport Express. It makes any room with wifi. It’s $100, and you could have multiple people tap into it. Be able to surf the net in bed is priceless.</p>
<p>You’re probably best just getting something really cheap that runs well enough - around $300 PC with small screen, plus an external monitor for your room, maybe. You’ll probably end up using it for word processing and browsing the web 99% of the time, and a $300 laptop can do that just fine and fast.</p>
<p>Here are a couple that would be good choices.</p>
<p>[Sam's</a> Club-HP Pavilion Notebook 2.8GHz, 500GB, 14.5" LED Display](<a href=“http://www.samsclub.com/sams/shop/product.jsp?productId=prod1440006&navAction=push]Sam’s”>http://www.samsclub.com/sams/shop/product.jsp?productId=prod1440006&navAction=push)</p>
<p>[Dell</a> - Laptop with Intel® Core™2 Duo Processor - Black - I1440-4024OBK](<a href=“http://www.bestbuy.com/site/Dell+-+Laptop+with+Intel%26%23174%3B+Core%26%23153%3B2+Duo+Processor+-+Black/9599801.p?id=1218130471298&skuId=9599801]Dell”>http://www.bestbuy.com/site/Dell+-+Laptop+with+Intel%26%23174%3B+Core%26%23153%3B2+Duo+Processor+-+Black/9599801.p?id=1218130471298&skuId=9599801)</p>
<p>Just get something small like one of these. Add an external monitor, wireless keyboard and mouse and you should be all set.</p>
<p>Question: Is a 15" Sony Window 7 for $800 a good deal?</p>
<p>@Looseleaf</p>
<p>There is no way to tell if $800 is a good deal from the little bit of information you posted. $800 is pretty expensive for a laptop these days.</p>
<p>Also, I am not partial to Sony. They make a lot of great things, but if you are going to buy a computer, better to buy a computer from a company that mostly makes computers. That is just my personal opinion though.</p>
<p>As for the comment about torrents. For all you people out there that steal software using torrents. Better start being more careful. They are starting to put “digital fingerprints” in a lot of things that can be used in court to identify files. You may find yourself in the same situation as all those that downloaded the Hurt Locker movie.</p>
<p>[‘Hurt</a> Locker’ downloaders, you’ve been sued | Media Maverick - CNET News](<a href=“http://news.cnet.com/8301-31001_3-20006314-261.html]'Hurt”>http://news.cnet.com/8301-31001_3-20006314-261.html)</p>
<p>Besides, pretty much every non apple PC is going to come with Windows 7 on it already, so not sure what gyrfalk means by a “normal laptop” since a normal laptop will already have windows 7 on it.</p>
<p>everyone ive spoken with has told me to go thinner and smaller so you’ll actually take the thing to class…otherwise your notes get somewhat segmented between days when you feel like lugging your huge 17 incher to class and days when you dont…id say 14 inches or less…the rest depends on what you want out of it</p>
<p>i don’t even bother taking my laptop to class anymore. if it’s a large lecture, most profs will put the powerpoints online - you can print them out beforehand and write in anything. also, if you’re in any econ/math/science classes, taking notes by hand is FAR easier. comps don’t offer ease in taking down graphs/formulas/chemical names/molecule formations/etc. if you’re in the small seminar, they’re not gonna let you use the comp anyway bc it’s rude - and the class is probably not notes-based.</p>
<p>My son lasted the entire year without his own computer - he used the labs. He’s probably going to get one for his sophomore year, but this presented no issue for his studies. One more option for you.</p>
<p>What store should I buy a laptop from? Best Buy apparently has a computer that I want, but I’ve heard things about the store in the past on this forum.</p>
<p>Got mine from Best Buy about a week ago. Toshiba Satellite a665. Virtually same components as the most expensive mac, and this one for under 1k. Pretty good buy.</p>
<p> for sure. I was always a Windows person. I’m still one at heart, but I have to say, my Macbook Pro is awesome and I’m glad I chose it for Cornell.</p>
<p>@islander4, be careful with best buy. their return policy (unless changed) is only for a week, after that you have to rely on your laptop’s warranty and make a lot of phone calls that will lead you basically nowhere if you have a problem with your computer. test whichever laptop you get as much as you can in that week period and if you have any concerns, try to figure them out as quickly as possible.</p>
<ol>
<li>Figure out your budget</li>
<li>Deduct the cost of a netbook from that budget</li>
<li>Buy a netbook. Use this to take notes in class.</li>
<li><p>Use the rest of your budget to buy the most powerful desktop computer available in that range + accessories if you don’t have old ones</p></li>
<li><p>If you’re an engineer, this plan is terrible since you’ll likely be working on projects in groups that require more computing power than a netbook offers.</p></li>
</ol>