<p>Should we buy a laptop through MIT's online discount offers or buy it elsewhere? Generally, how good are the laptops that MIT recommends us to buy? <a href="http://web.mit.edu/ist/topics/hardware/laptops.html%5B/url%5D">http://web.mit.edu/ist/topics/hardware/laptops.html</a></p>
<p>do you like saving money?</p>
<p>They aren't paid to recommend lousy computers to you, you can trust them.</p>
<p>i found that some online resellers (normal ones, like newegg) sell the same laptops for less, even when compared to MIT discounts.
Probe around the net and get the best deal.<br>
For reviews and recommendations of laptops, use resources like notebookreviews.com or notebookforums.com</p>
<p>they're good laptops. seriously, you can't go wrong buying one of the recommended computers. at what price is up to you.</p>
<p>When will they be updating the laptop reccomendation page?</p>
<p>I dunno, but i'm really liking the Thinkpad X60.
Awesome Little Machine.</p>
<pre><code>* 12.1" TFT XGA Display (1024 x 768)
* 1.83 GHz Intel Core Duo T2400 Processor
* 512 MB SDRAM / 80 GB HD
* CD-RW / DVD-ROM Drive sold separately
* Intel Graphics Media Accelerator 950
* Gigabit Ethernet / 802.11b/g / Bluetooth / 56K Modem
* Windows XP Pro SP 2
* Weight with battery: 3.1 lbs.
* Includes 3-year standard warranty
</code></pre>
<p>As your primary computer, Spartan? Sure it's quick and light, but I don't think I could handle something as small as 12.1" as my primary computer.</p>
<p>I have a 12" it does fine :)</p>
<p>EDIT: o_O</p>
<p>Heck, I'd prefer a small laptop. They can fit on those small desks while your prof lectures. :P</p>
<p>Well, I guess my plan was just to come with a 12 incher like that, then some weekend where I was bored, build myself a desktop.</p>
<p>some weekend where you were bored..
interesting perspective on how you imagine the next year :p</p>
<p>I had a 12" laptop for a while, it's not a bad size. Almost what Goldilocks was looking for.</p>
<p>I guess small laptops be acceptable. But as someone who has spent my childhood chained to a desktop and CRT, 12 inches sounds unimaginably small.</p>
<p>I'm typing this from my new 14.1" 1.86Ghz 1GB RAM Thinkpad T43. I love this thing.... it's such a step up from my 6 year old desktop dinosaur.</p>
<p>I was also tempted by the new MacBooks (cheaper than equivalent systems in the thinkpad line and arguably more stylish) but I decided to stick with what I know (PC/Windows).</p>
<p>I was at UCSD and saw Macbook Pro's for 1500 (1.83 GHz models), and 1800 (2GHz models). I think I might pick up the 1.83 model, and buy myself a cheap desktop at MIT.</p>
<p>I'm still analyzing the differences between the Macbooks and the Macbook PRO, and I still haven't decided which one I want, considering everything, specially costs.</p>
<p>I wouldn't get the Macbook PRO, it overheats very quickly. I'm not sure about the Macbook, but I have read lots of reviews on the PRO and have tested a demo piece.</p>
<p>Since the Macbook Pro is made out of Aluminum, wouldn't you expect the casing to get overheated quickly, and didn't the firmware update fix the problem a little.</p>
<p>of course, the case acts as a heat sink. I hear the firmware update fixed this significantly and noticeably.</p>
<p>The manual for the macbook does not call it a "laptop" anywhere.</p>
<p>The bottom says "do not place on body parts."</p>
<p>It's a very impractical "Portable" machine.</p>
<p>That really bites. If only it wasn't 600-700 bucks off...</p>
<p>Yeah, the bottom gets really hot! Though the firmware update must fix some of the overheating issues, the system still runs at temperatures significantly higher than a typical laptop. I don't know why they didn't design a better cooling system. </p>
<p>Plus, as Spartan has said, why would you want the case to function as a heat sink? That would be impractical for a *lap*top.</p>