<p>Any recommendations regarding a good laptop choice?
What to look for ... what to avoid?</p>
<p>I've heard there are people in each college who can help
when problems occur ... yes?</p>
<p>Thanks.</p>
<p>yes, each college has "Student computer consultants" (I Think that's what they're called... the acronym is SCC, anyway) and they are available to install the campus's antivirus software and help you connect to the internet, etc. There's also a computing help desk that you can call, but I think they're only open during 'business hours' or something.</p>
<p>As far as buying a laptop, I'm not sure what to recommend... get whatever you want, we're compatable with anything... sorry I'm not much help in that area.</p>
<p>Your SCC's are really helpful. They're there for things like installing anti-virus software and figuring out problems with the campus network, but they're also amazing to have for almost any computer question you can come up with (usually, I've always had great luck with all of the ones that I've dealt with at my college over the years, though it probably varies a little by individual). There's a help desk available 24/7 (I believe). </p>
<p>As far as type of laptop - whatever works for you. I'm a fan of Macs, but everything at Rice is compatible with just about anything.</p>
<p>Take a look at the PC deals listed at:</p>
<p>DealCatcher:</a> Free Online Coupons Dell, Amazon, Best Buy, Overstock</p>
<p>Dell</a> Outlet Home & Home Office - Refurbished Computers - Refurbished PC - Refurbished Computer</p>
<p>Techbargains and DealCatcher frequently have listing for 15% discounts off the listed prices at the Dell Outlet.</p>
<p>Don't buy Dell, they mass produce. I think Lenovo is a good brand if you want a Windows laptop, but personally I'd go with a Macbook or a Macbook Pro, they may be more expensive but worth it in the long run in my opinion.</p>
<p>Most PCs are pretty much the same. Laptops almost all come from China or Malaysia now no matter who makes it. Check consumer reports for the latest updates, if you decide pc. PC or Mac is personal preference. The school supports both and all brands. Get the best deal for what you think you need. And you always need more RAM. .</p>
<p>Visit <a href="http://www.slickdeals.net/%5B/url%5D">http://www.slickdeals.net/</a> for a month and you should find an extremely cheap and high end laptop.</p>
<p>Don't listen to what most thinks about brand; most are the same nowdays. It is true that Lenovo had the highest quality usually, but price is what really matters. When you can pay 50% at Dell to get what you can get from Lenovo, you will be fine.</p>
<p>Good luck, </p>
<p>Oh yea, don't buy into the Mac hype. Mac is "good" only because of the cool factor; it is only good for the casual computer user who is interested in basic computing <a href="due%20to%20the%20severely%20limited%203rd%20party%20app%20support%20compared%20to%20Windows%20based%20operating%20systems">like for basic college uses</a>.</p>
<p>noobcake: that's not much of a problem anymore since you can run windows on most macs now.</p>
<p>Both my Rice kids have mac laptops without problem. DD's is 4+ years old. If I were you, I would wait to buy a laptop until this summer.</p>
<p>
[quote]
Oh yea, don't buy into the Mac hype. Mac is "good" only because of the cool factor; it is only good for the casual computer user who is interested in basic computing <a href="due%20to%20the%20severely%20limited%203rd%20party%20app%20support%20compared%20to%20Windows%20based%20operating%20systems">like for basic college uses</a>.
[/quote]
</p>
<p>Talk about uneducated :rolleyes: </p>
<p>Tests have even shown that Windows XP actually runs faster on the Macs.</p>
<p>@johnstoops</p>
<p>Of course you can dual boot or run Wine, but there is nothing you can do on Mac that you can't do on Windows. (Moreso aren't you missing the point when you pay 1.5x/2x more for a Mac and run Windows?) Seriously there is no reason to run Mac or own a Mac; true it is "cool" to have a Mac when everyone uses a Mac.</p>
<p>@druu</p>
<p>Computing speed these days are almost negligible.</p>
<p>Oh no! Who would've thought this would turn into a Mac VS PC debate?</p>
<p>Windows is an unstable piece of crap. I've been using it all my life and my dad recently got a Mac for work. I can actually multi-task on the Mac without it ever freezing up on me, and it only frustrates me every now and then. Windows, however, ****es me off 24/7. I think that's worth the extra money.</p>
<p>see post # 16 in this thread for past discussions ont his topic <a href="http://talk.collegeconfidential.com/parent-cafe/400041-revolving-thread-topics-linking-old-new.html%5B/url%5D">http://talk.collegeconfidential.com/parent-cafe/400041-revolving-thread-topics-linking-old-new.html</a></p>
<p>I really didn't think the Mac vs. PC debate was all that fierce anymore; it's really a matter of personal preference. I'm a Mac user and was a mac evangelist until a couple of years ago when I realized it really didn't matter all that much.</p>
<p>The bottom line is, Rice supports any type of system (including Linux). So do your research beforehand, and you'll be fine.</p>