<p>My current laptop is complete junk - it only works when plugged in,has missing keys, wireless problems etc. - and I definitely need a replacement by the end of the week. My parents are rich enough to afford the recommended laptops on IST webpage but are just being completely paranoid - they won't buy me a laptop over $600. I know nothing about computers and I am desperate to find a laptop that will be sufficient for the next four years at MIT. If you guys have any recommendations it would be greatly appreciated!</p>
<p>A sub-$600 laptop for four years is a bit of a stretch. I would have to recommend a thinkpad, either an Edge (more like a netbook) or an R series (will be a bit underpowered compared to a T). I have also read good things about the new X100e. The performance won’t be great, but you can always drop Windows and install a light Linux distro. If you aren’t comfortable with Linux, I would recommend Ubuntu. If you have previous experience, you can probably get the best results with Arch Linux (complicated).</p>
<p>For under $600, your only options are going to be a high powered netbook or an underpowered notebook. Battery life is probably one of your biggest concerns if you plan to use it to take notes, so I would recommend leaning towards a smaller screen and an Atom processor. If you can, try and type on whatever you choose before you buy it. Some of the smaller keyboards are completely unusable if you have larger hands. Really though, you should look around and find something you like before making a decision.</p>
<p>^^ Look, let’s come at this another way. Your parents can afford this, right? Make sure they understand that when you get an Undergraduate Research Opportunity (UROP) at MIT, you may very well need to download and install entire new software programs, massive files of data, and so on. You’ll have to do this in many of the courses you take. You are going to need a computer with a lot of memory. Somewhere on the MIT website are recommendations for computers; perhaps you could print up that page and share it with your parents. Scientists, economists, architects, and engineers need serious computing power, and you have just been admitted to a community full of budding scientists, economists, engineers, architects, etc. Even as an artist at MIT, you would need some serious animation and computer grahics software. Explain this clearly! I’m a parent, and I’m pretty sure that once they get the picture, you’ll get a green light for an adequate computer.
:-)</p>
<p>[Newegg.com</a> - PCs & Laptops,Laptops, Notebooks & Netbooks,Laptops / Notebooks,$500 - $750](<a href=“Are you a human?”>Are you a human?)</p>
<p>You can actually get very decent notebooks for $600. Definitely more than sufficient to run matlab/whatever other programs you’ll need. Dedicated memory hog programs (oh god bioinformatics) will probably be run on their own machines. Anything with 2 gigs of memory should be fine and dandy.</p>
<p>I really, really wouldn’t recommend linux unless you’re comfortable with it. You might be apt to spend more time trying to install vernier tools software than anything else.</p>
<p>Windows Vista and XP are the most readily supported (since some of the lab software can be updated infrequently and cobbled together based on the instructor’s preferences), but Windows 7 will probably work out fine.</p>
<p>I would have to recommend this website I got to. They almost never list any computers $800+.</p>
<p>[laptop</a> - Reviews and Compare Prices](<a href=“http://www.techbargains.com/product/laptop]laptop”>http://www.techbargains.com/product/laptop)</p>
<p>There are plenty of decent laptops at $600. Laptop prices really plummeted during the recession. I would look for at least 4 GB RAM. This one is particularly appealing:
</p>
<p>Just be aware that offers come and go in a matter of days so don’t expect to be able to make good on an offer listed 3 days ago. On the web, really juicy deals can expire in a matter of hours. There are always lots of new deals, however.</p>
<p>EDIT: Since you’re from MIT, I bet you’re really good with computers. You should also consider buying a cheap 2 GB RAM computer with plenty of upgradable RAM space. You’ll save a lot of money buying RAM yourself and it will be cheaper in the future so your computer won’t have to obsolete. Look for computers that are expandable to 8 GB.</p>
<p>If you require a cutting edge graphics card for your major, however, you’ll probably have to spend more than $600.</p>
<p>you will be fine with a sub $600 laptop…here is a perfect example</p>
<p>[Acer</a> Aspire AS5740-5255 LX.PM902.131 Notebook PC - Intel Core i3-330M 2.13GHz, 4GB DDR3, 320GB HDD, DVDRW, 15.6" Display, Windows 7 Home Premium 64-bit, Blue at TigerDirect.com](<a href=“TigerDirect Sunset”>TigerDirect Sunset)</p>
<p>it has the latest generation processor, offers decent battery life, and as long as you take care of it, will probably last you a long time</p>
<p>Battery life is often perceived to be an issue, but it really isn’t…very few people actually take their computers to class and most of the time you will be able to plug it in.</p>
<p>You should probably look for an i3 / i5 / i7 series laptop with 4GB of RAM and basic features like HDMI and gigabit internet connectivity </p>
<p>Video cards are typically only necessary for those who play computer games, but at MIT i doubt you’ll have time for that</p>
<p>^ Quote: “Video cards are typically only necessary for those who play computer games, but at MIT i doubt you’ll have time for that” </p>
<p>Uh … dead wrong about MIT students not playing video games.</p>
<p>Also dead wrong about video cards only being necessary for people who play computer games…you’d be surprised about the sort of sophisticated processing your graphics card is capable of. If you want to do anything with 3d modeling or simulations, you’re going to need a decent graphics card.</p>
<p>You may consider building a desktop instead of getting a laptop - you can always get a job and buy a cheap netbook to bring to class if you want something to take notes on, but I find that I spend most of my time reading webcomics and not paying attention if I bring my computer to class.</p>
<p>Another thing to keep in mind is that the vast majority of Linux distributions aren’t optimized for battery life or for the efficient use of laptop components - you will often actually get better performance and battery life with Windows. If your computer is laggy, I’m guessing it’s more of a ‘you have too much random crap installed’ problem than a ‘Windows sucks’ problem.</p>
<p>I have a Lenovo U350 I bought for $500. It is an awesome laptop: thin and light. (Note: I also have a desktop.)</p>
<p>The gateway with the i3 Proc for 550 $ is perfect.</p>
<p>"The gateway with the i3 Proc for 550 $ is perfect. "</p>
<p>Is this the one you are talking about?
[Gateway</a> NV7915u Laptop reviews - CNET Reviews](<a href=“CNET: Product reviews, advice, how-tos and the latest news”>CNET: Product reviews, advice, how-tos and the latest news)
if so it is an amazing laptop. My brother has it and for the price tag it’s a steal. A very powerful steal, and CNET ranks it as one of the top laptops so it must not just be my family agreeing.</p>
<p>I suppose there’s always dealzmodo (google it). They randomly have deals that might be worth looking at.</p>