<p>Build a nice desktop and get a crappy laptop (~400 mhz) that can browse the internet and word process, to take to class and take notes. If you want to do things like program on it, you can just use XP's remote desktop (or remote VNC)- works pretty well over the internet, and I'm sure it'd work very well over a college network.</p>
<p>Oh, Linux is for geeks- not macs. But linux is just for geeky bragging rights- XP is really more convenient, unless you constantly program and don't game.</p>
<p>the ferrari laptop is a joke, i burst out in laughter when i saw it</p>
<p>however, Acers are nice. i'm currently contemplating getting the (best) aspire 1800.</p>
<p>let's hear more on the issue of table pc vs laptop</p>
<p>...if you decide on a laptop.....i would recommend an IBM...in my experiences, thinkpads are well built and have a ton of useful features........</p>
<p>ibm is my plan...t42...decent size screen, lightweight, everyting you'd need for a college laptop</p>
<p>any thoughts on alienware?</p>
<p>Alienware, Voodoo, Falcon Northwest, and others, are all boutique PC makers. They offer good tech support and high performance, but they are not worth their price. If you want a high powered gaming machine, your safest bet is to get a Dell XPS Gen 4 at a discounted price, or to build your own. If you really want a machine with SLI video card technology (dual nvidia 6800 ultras), then I guess you could get the Alienware (ALX series). However, computer technology doubles approximately every 18 months, so expect it to be outdated in a few years (so don't burn $3-4k on a computer).</p>
<p>Build a beefy desktop and buy a thinkpad off of a corporate lease (look for small local computer stores before ebay or the internet because they will usually give you a warranty)...something like a T21-T30 for a few hundred dollars.</p>
<p>I bought a T23 a few months ago for ~550 and its durability and overall build quality are far superior to the $6-700 from the lesser (non-IBM/Apple) laptop manufacturers while the system specs are almost equal.</p>
<p>Anything that runs Half-Life 2 at sexy framerates!</p>
<p>i wouldnt get a "boutique" computer because they are ridiculously overpriced...espcecially alienware.</p>
<p>Puting together your own computer is not very challenging.
You don't need to spend that much money to get a nice computer....for 1500 you can get a sweet water cooled system with a 3400+, a 6600 gt, dual raptor(10k) hardrives, and all the other goodies...and you can overclock it a lot.... </p>
<p>As for laptops, its not really worth it to build your own,
but you can buy a laptop and then go to newegg.com and get some extra ram or whatever else you need....</p>
<p>I'm in the market for a laptop right now as well. A few questions: </p>
<p>Do people take notes on their laptops in class (not the tablets, but actually type notes?) I would guess not because of keyboard noise, but just wondering. If that is not acceptable, a tablet certainly seems like a nice idea. Does it translate your writing to type, and keep any drawings or unrecognizeable writing the same? I'm curious as to how this works. How about having a laptop with voice recognition, and leaving a microphone on in class and having the computer translate notes for you. Is that a viable option? </p>
<p>Also, if you buy a laptop with only a year warranty, do you opt for the add'l 3 year defect warranty with the outside/non-mfgr company? Is one year mfg warranty good enough? I am looking into the IBM t42 so far. I am not a gamer, I like a big enough screen, and want a reliable & sturdy machine. </p>
<p>Thoughts/suggestions/answers? </p>
<p>thx.
-A</p>
<p>i second the "Do people take nots on their laptops in class?" question. If the laptop is mainly used outside of class, that could put a whole new perspective on things.</p>
<p>Regarding taking notes on a tablet PC ... it's sort of like writing on a Palm or PocketPC - you'd have to 'relearn' how to write certain alphabets in one continuous stroke, like 'T' for instance, and it isn't exactly very fast or accurate. Personally, I don't really like it. Keyboards, even miniature ones, seem better. </p>
<p>Another thing you might want to note is that glass makes for a much better writing surface than plastic, especially after you add on screen protectors.</p>
<p>I haven't used a palm or pocket pc. I thought it might ask you to write a paragraph, then it would know your handwritting and then when you took notes it could easily decipher them. And, then any drawings would be left alone. Is it possible for it to leave it it handwritten form, but stored? If so, does that take up a large amount of stroage space? I'm not willing to relearn how to write. I have terrible writing and i'm keeping it that way! </p>
<p>Also, do people take notes in class on their laptops? Or, is that seen as rude or not allowed due to typing noise? </p>
<p>-A</p>