There really shouldn't be a debate on what type of laptop you need for college

Student Lounge College Life
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<p>Portability? Get one of the Thinkpad X models. </p>

<p>Performance? Thinkpad W or T series model. These are designed to be mobile workstations and both have decent cards that can be used for gaming.</p>

<p>Gaming? See above, although I will say if you want to run the latest and greatest games you should get a desktop computer OR get an Xbox360/PS3.</p>

<p>Durability? The Thinkpad brand has built itself on this for over a decade. Thinkpad monitors are reinforced to prevent warping. Their keyboards are by far, BY FAR, the best in the laptop business. They can withstand drops, water spillage and dust that would kill most other laptops and they are generally speaking, quieter and not as hot as other laptops.</p>

<p>The Apple Arguement:Apples cost more than PC's, because Apple charges a premium to use their software. Granted, the software is easier to use and suffers from less BS, but anyone going into Business or Engineering will be forced to use PC's eventually whether they like it or not. Students in less computer intensive majors can get away with it but, unless you are completely clueless about computers and don't know how to avoid spyware and viruses, there really isn't any reason to own an Apple.</p>

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<p>you have to be naive to think one model line will solve everyone's problems.</p>

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<p>"unless you are completely clueless about computers and don't know how to avoid spyware and viruses, there really isn't any reason to own an Apple."
-This is total BS. I've used PCs for 10 years. I am very aware of how to avoid spyware and viruses. Nevertheless, I just got a macbook and think it's incredible. All the things that make Apple special like design and a great OS really stand out.</p>

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<p>


I don't see how Apple products are inherently "special". They just look good and are popular, which is enough of a reason for anyone to buy one. The OS is great only for someone who needs to be walled in so that they don't trash the computer (which is admittedly most people). I've found it to be very restrictive.</p>

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<p>this thread blows</p>

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<p>Wow. No offense, but the OP has posted a highly biased appraisal of computers ever. Can we get some non-IBM fanboys over here?</p>

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<p>I have an IBM X-series laptop, and it is INCREDIBLE. No problems at all. I've dropped it a couple times and never had a program. It <em>is</em> a great option for college.
But I'm getting a MacBook soon. Why? Because I have a PC desktop to run those PC-only applications, so I need a way to run Mac-only applications.</p>

<p>I think MacBooks are on par with IBM laptops. The quality of Apple computers it top notch (and you don't have to use Windows!)</p>

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<p>this isn't a reason not to get a mac, but I doubt there are any mac-only apps you'll need to be running</p>

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<p>The only people who are rabidly pro-Mac are those who own and use a Mac. Nobody is rabidly pro-Windows, not even those who are anti-Mac.</p>

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<p>macs ftw .</p>

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<p>
[quote]
Because I have a PC desktop to run those PC-only applications, so I need a way to run Mac-only applications.

[/quote]
</p>

<p>what mac-only applications do you need to run?</p>

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<p>"what mac-only applications do you need to run?"</p>

<p>OS X
:)</p>

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<p>


The reality</a> distortion field is strong.</p>

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<p>Maybe there is someone rabidly pro-Windows! ;)</p>

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<p>


That's not possible, it's an oxymoron.</p>

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<p>But face it, you would want to kill yourself as soon as you see a scratch on your precious Macbook.</p>

<p>And no Macbooks are not on par with ThinkPads...</p>

<p>To OP: you are biased.</p>

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<p><a href="http://weblogs.baltimoresun.com/business/appleaday/blog/2008/05/soaring_mac_market_share_means.html:%5B/url%5D"&gt;http://weblogs.baltimoresun.com/business/appleaday/blog/2008/05/soaring_mac_market_share_means.html:&lt;/a&gt;&lt;/p>

<p>"Apple dominated the U.S. retail market for high-end computers in the first quarter of 2008, selling two out of every three PCs priced over $1,000."</p>

<p>"Mac laptop sales saw year-over-year growth over 50 percent, while desktop sales grew 45 percent." </p>

<p>"the Windows PC market struggled with zero growth in laptop sales and a 25 percent decline in desktop sales."</p>

<p>"Microsoft ... Office 2008 ... has sold at three times the rate of the previous Mac release, Office 2004."</p>

<p>"As the Mac becomes the computer of choice in more homes and on more college campuses, more young people entering the work force will question the primacy of Windows in the business world."</p>

<p>This is already true at my company, where we can choose Win or Mac as our main productivity computer.</p>

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<p>


Well yeah - people like shiny things more than non-shiny things. That has been known since the beginning of time. Back then it was gold, now it's a Mac.</p>

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<p>The point is that Mac is increasingly accepted in the workplace. Those who are more productive with Win choose Win, with Mac choose Mac.</p>

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<p>Why not report the number of Mac laptops sold compared to all laptops? I'm reasonably sure that most laptops sold are under $1000.</p>