<p>Do you think Conroe will be available? And $80 motherboards for a new processor? I'm sure that a system with Conroe (and decent specs) will cost at least $1k in August, even building it yourself. Your point is well taken though, desktops kick laptop's ass spec-wise. And Conroe's are definitely drool-worthy, should last the entire 4 years in college.</p>
<p>Its coming out mid July and the prices has already been anounced..and thats MSRP. Actual retail price may well be lower. As for $80 motherboards, $80 is a reasonable price for a motherboard and since this is a major chip launch there will undoubtedly be budget motherboards...doesnt make sense for Intel to release a full line of CPU and only have performance motherboards for those CPUs (vs mainstream ones).</p>
<p>p.s. ASRock is going to have a couple Conroe boards and no ASRock mobo has ever went over $90.</p>
<p>A severe hardware problem? Like someone taking a wiz on it?:) Or spilling a coke? </p>
<p>:) you've got your problem licked, but to do so costs you $75-100 bucks a year for service... if they can maintain it at that price. So the cost of your computer actually increases every year. </p>
<p>The other thing I found, is lifetime service or guarantees are only valid if the company stays around. Years ago I too bought a service argeement, paid the money got the three years. Midway through the second year...no company anymore... even though I paid for the service argeement... nobody left to service it.</p>
<p>I'm glad it works for you, the only caution I would give is be aware that even a Dell might drop off the earth overnight someday.</p>
<p>Yup, and I'll test lixulai's hypothesis that I can get a PC that kick the crap out my Dell spec; BTW if I stick to the laptop, I can go crazy and overclock the laptop's video card (read on a notebook forum of a guy who was able to get a GeForce Go 7900 GS clocked stable at 600/1200)! And what you said about the memory timings is correct, Dell tends to screw the enthusiasts over by clocking their RAM at CAS 3. :( The main reason I haven't looked at desktops is because of the lack of AMD DDR2 chipsets anyway.</p>
<p>I would also suggest finding out what type of technical support is available at your school. My D's school has an authorized apple and dell service center right on campus. So if there is a problem with your computer (she has an apple G-4 powerbook) you can simply drop it off a lot of stuff is covered under your warranty, (they will back up all of your data) get a loaner and be on your way.</p>
<p>As far as laptop or desktop, I would definitely vote for laptop just for portability. D's campus is totally wireless, so getting a connection is a non issue. She takes her laptop to class and takes notes, takes it with her to the library to study. One of the down falls of a desktop is that it is there on your desk. While in concept it is easy to say that you will use a computer at the library or in one of the labs, in reality this becomes harder during peak times such as midterms and finals.</p>