<p>So I've begun stocking up supplies for college, and an absolute MUST is a laptop. Hopefully I will be using this laptop at MIT, but, regardless, I'm still planning to major in engineering. What would you say to be the best laptop brand for me? Oh, and if you could include the model that would be great!</p>
<p>I look at the latest reliability and customer service ratings when selecting a PC. Last time I looked (about a year ago) Toshiba was at or near the top. I went with a Toshiba laptop which I use for business (I haven’t been a student for a long time). You should still check it out. Models are always changing, so do your research.</p>
<p>I made the mistake of not checking the LATEST ratings when I bought a laptop for my son when he went off to college. I bought him an HP based on my previous experience with them and what seemed like a good reputation. Hopefully it has changed again for the better because it had changed for the worse back then. Could go on about it but suffice to say that having your computer crap out just before finals isn’t a good thing. I drove up to school and let him borrow my laptop. </p>
<p>Whatever brand you get just be sure to back up frequently, especially with your critical school work. No matter what brand you get, they can fail. Backing up saved my son. He would just back up the important stuff that he was currently working on onto a thumb drive; long term was onto DVDs.</p>
<p>From the MIT website: [Computer</a> Buying Advice | IS&T](<a href=“http://ist.mit.edu/services/hardware/presales]Computer”>http://ist.mit.edu/services/hardware/presales)</p>
<p>To add to CalAlum’s very useful link (sorry, my bias is showing- I worked at IS&T as a student), MIT also offers discounts on the recommended models, which are all from Dell and Apple. (Hmmm, we used to have Lenovo too but I’m not seeing it here, maybe things have changed.)</p>
<p>Anyway, by no means consider this an endorsement, but I had a Dell throughout college and one thing I absolutely loved about it was the Complete Care Warranty. Basically it covers anything and everything, including stuff that is absolutely 100% your fault. So when I spilled a can of Coke on my laptop keyboard, I just brought it into IS&T and they replaced it for no charge. It wasn’t terribly expensive either- maybe like $60 when I bought it? I definitely got my money’s worth for it. </p>
<p>Also, because Apple and Dell are recommended and supported by IS&T, there are staff on campus who are fully certified technicians for both models. So under warranty or not, there is a place right on campus where you can bring those models for repair if needed.</p>
<p>Like I said, I don’t mean that you should absolutely get a Dell or an Apple, but these are points to take into consideration when making your decision.</p>
<p>I have had several Dell computers over the years, both desktop and laptops. Were very good machines right out of the box. Can only remember one time where I had to call customer service. They were very helpfull and sent a replacement part out right away. Could not have been happier.</p>
<p>HOWEVER, when I was researching my new laptop last year, I found out that they jumped on the offshoring bandwagon for their customer service. It was rated one of the worst. The ratings were also complaining about the quality of the machines right out of the box. Don’t know if Dell has reversed this trend. But as I said above, check out the latest ratings. They do change.</p>
<p>I like Lenovos. I have a T410 and it’s pretty wonderful. I had a Dell, it was a total piece of crap.</p>
<p>I’m a CS major.</p>
<p>I switched to Macs as a freshman, and have been really please by how well it works and the customer service there. </p>
<p>(EECS major.)</p>
<p>^ Oh yeah, if you’re a CS major, you will want a Unix-based system. If you’re a MechE, it will be a lot easier for you if you have Windows so that you can run SolidWorks.</p>