<p>So I'm going to purchase a laptop today. Posting for any recomendations. I'm really hoping for a Macbook right now so I can have a fast notebook good for media/music production, wireless, apps, etc. I've been using Windows a lot better than Mac OS (not really that much different anyhow) so that's the only downfall. The other option is a Sony Vaio, Toshiba, or Dell - with Centrino that works at about the same speed with Office Pro. Any suggestions?</p>
<p>Dude you'll be set with any..unless you get a Dell. DO NOT PURCHASE A DELL. haha, i've had one for 3 years, you definately don't want one. Try for the Mac or toshiba. Sony Vaio should be go to..but god save you if you get a dell..</p>
<p>so i'm pretty much set on a macbook. i'm not much of a dell person either but i just have this strange feeling about vaios though. i'm going to use the notebook primarily for it's super fast connection and for music comp/ writing/ etc. but then again my real excuse is because i need one for college. otherwise, i wouldn't get one. anyhow......</p>
<p>POST 100!</p>
<p>Well, here's my take on things. I'll say first that I am the IT manager at the Daily Orange, so I get to spend lots of money on nice shiny computers, and know a thing or two :-)</p>
<p>In general, laptops suck. While they are improving, unless you are really going to use it as a mobile computer (and honestly, most students do NOT), then I say go with a desktop. Laptops are inherently expensive, they are slower, their parts are much more expensive, they are hard to upgrade (and therefore fall behind the times faster), and because of their smaller size and higher temperature (since they have fewer fans), they wear out faster too. </p>
<p>Now, I hate Macs, but I guess that choice is up to you. I think you will get along much easier with a PC, since it <em>is</em> the primary format used at SU (Macs are generally only employed by departments working with graphic art, video, photograph, or audio). You get much more storage space, RAM, a faster processor, better video card, and more expansion space by having a regular PC, versus a laptop. And far cheaper, at that.</p>
<p>Sony Vaio is crap. They are very expensive, and god forbid you ever drop the thing. Basically it is all brand-name and style.
Dells are, actually, a very strong and stable brand. It is the primary computer we use at the DO, along with HP. Unless people spill something on it, or really kick it around a lot, they don't have very many issues. </p>
<p>Well, you have my opinion. Its still your money though, so spend away. You can find some very nice deals on ebay if you know what you are looking for, and have good judgement of descriptions and pictures. In 5 years (which I've bought several hundred items), I've only had 2 or 3 that I got screwed on. They have an enormous selection of computers, often for relatively low prices. People may say "oh, money is no issue", but really - why spend more if you don't need to, especially if you are just feeding Corporate America</p>
<p>woah anarchy, a little harsh there. the thing is, there's all this talk about needing a laptop these days for college and etc. but seeing as how you were a student here and get "to spend lots of money on nice shiny computers" i'll take your word for it. I'm using a really nice Gateway with WME on it right now and it works fine for me for what I use it for. Previously, I had a dell for about 6 years, an 8100, and it crashed a couple times (of which being the tech geek I am being able to fix most of them) but it's still fully functioning with upgrades and all that. The thing is I don't want to spend money on a laptop unless I "need to". Two questions: what would be the pros of getting one [ in case I decide I want to use one for class or at the library ] and 2, how to convince my parents I don't need one. :) thanks</p>
<p>Ya he's right. I wish i had gotten a desktop instead of a laptop; overheats in like 5 minutes..ridiculous...</p>
<p>that's funny cause on another forum which has just current SU students, they all said a laptop is better and convenient. (?!?) i'm in the music school so the preference is probably different for everyone.</p>
<p>so the verdict is i'm taking my more than decen desktop instead of buying a pretty decent $1500 notebook :-)</p>
<p>Harsh, perhaps :-) Like I said though - if you are going to use it as a portable machine, and frequently take it on trips, outside, etc, then perhaps it will be of some use to you. I find that most students never leave their dorm with it, though. The cost is simply not worth it. Plus, you get a bigger screen and keyboard, and a more ergonomic mouse (which means your hand doesn't cramp up quite so fast, and its easier to spend long hours working on papers and research :P )</p>
<p>Some people take their laptops to the library, but there is really no reason to, since every floor has a ton of nice desktop computers available for use, and there are numerous computer labs across campus</p>
<p>How to convince your parents you don't need one? I guess, print out this discussion and tell them to have fun reading :p </p>
<p>Since you are in the music school, it depends on what you will be doing. If you are simply learning to play an instrument or whatever (I don't know much about any of that stuff), well, you don't need much more than a word-processing computer, with low-end stats. If you are doing audio editing, then a Mac is supposedly better, although I've found more than enough programs available for PC, which are so complicated I cant even use them. </p>
<p>Trust me - that $1500 will definately go best towards the bookstore bill you will acrue. When it comes to books, I'd say, show up to class first and see what you will need. I won't be buying any books unless I absolutely need them (and can't pass without doing so (which I haven't encountered thus-far). They are an absolute ripoff, and you will need all the money you can get. Definately check on ebay though - you can save a fortune by buying online</p>
<p>hey thanks man</p>
<p>damn papersignals. u dont like dells?? <em>covers my laptops ears....whispers "its okay baby he didnt mean it"</em></p>
<p>it's not that i don't like dells melo, it's just i used them for a long time before (you get bored of it after a while)</p>
<p>paper, can i know what that other forum is?</p>
<p>and also, Anarchy, I have a desk top (flat screen) AND a laptop (not small tho). Should i bring both? I always use my desktop and not my laptop, but if i'm just going to use my laptop i could probably figure out how to use it this summer. Thing is I'm from cali, so i'm wondering if i might kill my computer or have 2 much of a hassle bringing it on a plane (?) to NY.</p>
<p>i really like my desk top btw... tons of space.. + fast :)</p>
<p>faleene, here <a href="http://forums.syracuse.craigslist.org/?forumID=&all=N%5B/url%5D">http://forums.syracuse.craigslist.org/?forumID=&all=N</a> btw, my name is jeff. ( pleased to meet you :) ) i think you should bring your laptop if i were you there, less crap to carry and move. hehe</p>
<p>Faleene - when traveling that far, I guess the biggest thing to consider is, how much do you use your computer? If you are like me, and spend all your down-time in front of it, playing games, playing and editing video and audio, and other high-end programs, and would be unable to live without them (as I would), then definately bring it. I'd recommend shipping it, rather than bringing it on the plane. DHL is usually very fast, cheap, and good with handling your stuff safely, but shop around with FedEx and UPS (you know why they call themselves 'Brown'. I dislike UPS vehemently, so only use them as a last resort).</p>
<p>If none of that fits you, and a laptop will suffice, then bring that. If you want, bring the flat-screen too, and you can easily hook up your laptop to that, while its in your dorm room.</p>
<p>I have a Powerbook and I love it. I actually disagree about the desktops, I take my laptop out a lot to the library or study rooms if I'm working on a paper because it can get really ridiculously loud in the dorms, depending what your floor is like. And with projects needed to be done at the library or in class, it helps a lot. I have Microsoft Office for it too so its compatible with PCs although I've never once had to send any school stuff between my computer and another one so that hasn't mattered much. Also another upside to macs is that even with all the virus software, a lot of my friends with PCs have had problems with viruses and computers breaking down while I've had no problems whatsoever the past two years. I have 80 gigs or so of memory and honestly I don't think having that much more memory is necessary unless you're into computer games and stuff.</p>
<p>Y tu tambien, Jeff. I'm Fawn. :)</p>
<p>Man I thought Craigslist was a [San Francisco] bay area-only thing. Guess i was wrong. Never used it b4 actually.</p>
<p>Thx anarchy. The only big things i'd need to put on my laptop are photoshop and maybe one computer game. And I like to keep tons of pictures, but i guess i can just put them online onto flickr. What kind of cable do I need to hook up my flat screen to my laptop? And why would i do that? Does it keep it from overheating?</p>
<p>Btw, how much would it cost me to ship my desktop using DHL or w/e?</p>
<p>Craigslist is nationwide, but it is a very shady website. In my area, some woman got arrested for selling hundreds of <em>stolen</em> items on there (and often never shipping them). It isnt as safe as ebay, so make sure you are dealing with a reputable person before buying anything.</p>
<p>If your flat-screen is larger than your laptop screen (by a whole lot), and you would prefer to have that, you can hook them up together. You will need a Male - Female video cable, that you can pick up just about anywhere that sells computer stuff (BestBuy, CompUSA, Target perhaps...dont bother with Walmart though). It won't really keep it from overheating at all, because flat-screens don't put off much heat (which means they suck down less power, not that that is an issue @ SU)</p>
<p>As for shipping, depends on the size of your computer. Mine is about 2 feet high, 9 inches wide, 2.5 feet long and weighs 35 pounds (yeah, its a monster :p ). Shipping it by a slower method (2-9 days or something, I think is the "standard" rate) would save you some bucks.</p>
<p>hmmm so how much (as in mulah) would the standard rate be? lol</p>